It was all a trick, really. In his life, James had never encountered anyone who was able to be nearly as strong for their own sake as they could be for their loved ones. If they had only themselves at stake, people tended to fold all too easily. But if Harry was keeping it together for his family, Ginny was being strong for her children, Lily and Albus could find it in themselves to be brave for their parents, et cetera, then maybe they would all survive the loss of Jamie.
If they lost him, James reminded himself. Harry wasn't the only one having trouble remembering that it wasn't a foregone conclusion, at this point.
He watched silently as Harry collected himself, keeping a hand on his son's shoulder even as he pulled away. "No. Nothing's normal about this. You know being strong doesn't mean you can't have your breaking point just like anyone else. It just means... going back and picking up the pieces afterward. However you can.
"Now, your son seems to be settled and overwhelmed with company at present, so what do you need? A drink? A few more minutes of the privacy I so rudely interrupted?" The corner of his mouth quirked, but his eyes held nothing but concern and sympathy.