Alex smiled modestly as he chopped vegetables. "I’ve lived alone for most of my life, so I had to learn to take care of myself."

  Touched, Augusta reached over to ruffle his hair gently. "Poor dear. I imagine you’ve been through quite a bit. If you were born into our family, we’d have spoiled you rotten."

  Alex’s heart warmed at her kindness, and he replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Longbottom. You have a wonderful family, and I’m sure your son is every bit the hero you raised him to be."

  Augusta chuckled, clearly proud, despite her sternness with Frank.

  As they worked, Alex turo Lily. "Did Dumbledore mention… well, anything specific to you?" he asked, choosing his words carefully.

  Lily nodded. "Yes, we received a warning. James and I have been adding protective charms to the house all week. I trust Dumbledore has everything pnned, but thank you for alerting us early, Alex."

  Augusta added with a snort, "If those Death Eaters have any sehey’ll stay far away from us tonight."

  Hearing their fidence reassured Alex. He’d had a nagging suspi that someohin the ht be feeding information to the Death Eaters. If the night remained peaceful, it might mean someoipped them off to avoid the pnned ambush. Either way, with Dumbledore’s arras, he was hopeful.

  Alex rexed and focused on helping with the meal. He even prepared a couple of his own dishes: a savory mushroom soup and a spicy tuna cake. Augusta, watg him cook, looked on with growing admiration, her eyes gleaming with approval.

  Whehing was ready, Alex excused himself from the kit to rejoihers in the living room. There, the adults had gathered around the firepce, watg the two babies—Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom—crawl around on the carpet.

  Alex ko get a closer look but had a hard time telling which baby was which. Meanwhile, the adults were clearly having fun, pg the babies side by side, encing them to race or crawl toward toys. However, the babies had their own goal. Harry took a couple of wobbly crawls before plopping down and chewing on his fingers, while Neville flopped around a bit before crawling back to the safety of his mother.

  One of these babies, Alex knew, was destio defeat Voldemort. Yet, looking at Harry now, he saw just an i, ordinary child. Alex didn’t know much about the Harry Potter books, but he wondered. Did his presence here ge anything? Could he somehow prevent the tragic fate that awaited the Potters?

  Dinner was a lively affair, with everyone sharing stories and ughs over the delicious spread. Augusta’s eyes gleamed with pride each time someone praised the mushroom soup or tuna cakes Alex had made. She gave him a warm, approving smile, clearly fond of him.

  After dihe group gathered in the living room, where James pulled out a few wizarding games, and Sirius challenged Remus to a light-hearted duel, sparking pyful arguments among everyone about who would win.

  As the evening wore on, Alex found himself feeling a sense of belonging. The ughter, the shared stories, and the warmth in the room reminded him of family. Alex watched Harry and Neville crawl around, the group, amused by the babies. Sirius scooped up Harry and held him out to Alex with a grin.

  "Look here, Alex, this is my godson, Harry." He brought Harry closer, chug as he added, "Harry, this is Alex. Just remember, don’t grow up to be as smug as this one here."

  Alex rolled his eyes but smiled, reag out to shake Harry's tiny hand. "Hey there, Harry. Yodfather may seem annoying—actually, scratch that, he is annoying. Try not to end up like him, alright?"

  Sirius, pretending to be offended, pulled Harry bad said, "Hey, don’t teach my godson bad habits!" Yet, as he held Harry, his face softened with a gentle, affeate look that made him appear like a proud parent.

  After a few minutes, James called Sirius over for something, so he handed Harry to Alex. Left holding the small, curious baby, Alex couldn’t help but smile at Harry, who was happily mung on his hand. Despite knowing Harry’s fate as a future saviht now, he was just an i child.

  Soon enough, Sirius returned and waved Alex over. "e on, Alex! James suggested we take a group photo—let’s get everyone in."

  They gathered by the firepce, moving the furniture aside to make space. James and Lily stood in the middle with Frank and Alice Longbottom, while Remus, Sirius, aer stood on one side, and Augusta, Frank’s mother, stood oher. To ba out, Alex stood beside Augusta, holding Harry while she held little Neville. With everyone in pce, James quickly set up the camera, motioning for everyoo smile, and with a fsh, the picture was taken.

  As the camera clicked, Alex looked down and realized Harry was still in his arms. The whole group had been so busy getting the shot that they hadn’t passed the babies back to their parents. Neville, too, was still with his grandmother. He ughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

  "Did aice we fot to put the babies with their actual parents for the photo?" Alex teased, looking at James and Lily.

  The group paused, and then ughter erupted as they all realized the ht. Lily, reag to take Harry from Alex, chuckled, "Well, it seems like Harry’s taken quite a liking to you. He didn’t fuss at all."

  "Should we retake the photo so the babies are with you both?" Alex suggested.

  Lily smiled, shaking her head. "No need. As long as we have each other, even if we’re not in the same frame, we’re still a family." Her words were simple yet heartfelt, bringing a warmth to the room.

  As the ughter died down, they moved to the dining area for Christmas dihe atmosphere was lively, with everyone enjoying the food and exging pliments. They were particurly impressed by Alex's cooking, sh him with praise.