It's just ... nice to know that she still has it, and still uses it.
And that's really all that matters to James.
"So you met Albus by the Christmas tree," he goes on. "Well, it's nice to know that Harry's got his own family in the future. And that we've got grandkids, I suppose."
Scary as that thought is when you're only sixteen.
"Well, it'd be a bit rude, wouldn't it, if he got something from you but not from me. He might think ... I don't care about him or ... some rubbish like that."
James rubs his face.
"Which, by the way, is completely untrue. It's all a bit weird, and the bloke is my age, but I do care about him."
He settles himself down into the seat across from her.
"I like it."
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Hair that he'll pass down to his son, and his grandson after that. Not that he really knows about that last bit.
Yet.
"Bloody hell, Lily. How many of them are there? Wait, you know what - don't answer that one yet.
"His name is 'Albus', really?"
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"Albus Potter.
"He looks a fair bit like you, actually.
"Has my eyes, though.
"He's about our age.
"Really brilliant."
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"You've known about him for a while then, I take it?"
Like she knew Harry, maybe?
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"Yeah.
"I probably should have told you sooner.
"But it's not exactly something that works into most conversations all that easily, you know?"
And telling him about Harry had kind of caused some problems, hadn't it?
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James shakes his head.
Takes a breath.
"How'd you meet him?"
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"I got a present under it.
"And I was picking mine up at the same time Albus was picking his up.
"And, well, he has your hair and my eyes. Like Harry."
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Right.
James remembers that Christmas tree.
He also remembers that Christmas present.
And it's enough to distract him from thoughts of future sons and grandsons. At least for now.
"Do you still have it?" he asks, curiously. "The Christmas present."
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Lily nods.
"Yeah. It's a quill. I was using it in the library yesterday.
"Why d'you ask?"
Because it's an odd thing to follow up on, given all the other choices.
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"No reason, really," he says.
It's just ... nice to know that she still has it, and still uses it.
And that's really all that matters to James.
"So you met Albus by the Christmas tree," he goes on. "Well, it's nice to know that Harry's got his own family in the future. And that we've got grandkids, I suppose."
Scary as that thought is when you're only sixteen.
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There's something you're not telling her, James, isn't there?
"Yeah. Nice but weird, yeah?"
"Anyway, I know it's not Christmas here, but I couldn't see getting presents for everyone I know and not including them.
"So I did."
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"Bugger. Does that mean I ought to get him something? I do know him now, after all."
And Harry's ... his son.
And then there's Albus, now.
Oh, Merlin.
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Lily knows both of them better than James does, after all.
"But, um, if you'd like, we can just say it's from both of us."
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James rubs his face.
"Which, by the way, is completely untrue. It's all a bit weird, and the bloke is my age, but I do care about him."
Even if he hardly knows him.
It's that familial bond.
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He's James.
That's what he does.
"Well, like I said, we can say it's from both of us.
"We're his parents, right? A joint present makes perfect sense, if you think about it."
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"Yeah. Yeah, all right. It does make sense."
Only in Milliways, anyway.
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