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Post by James William Potter on Jun 28, 2012 17:41:52 GMT -5
When: September 5th 1976 - Late Night Where: Gryffindor Common Room Who: James and Harry Potter OOC Notes: None
James had made Lily a promise and, as he had told her at the Black Lake not too many hours ago, he took his promises seriously, especially since she was the recipient of this specific one. He also did bear the hope within his heart that his worries were misplaced on Harry and he was really just family, no one to be wary about, if not for his safety in the current situation around them, which James would then do his best to ensure if this other Potter was indeed his cousin and not an impostor.
The Gryffindor boy chose a time of the day, actually of the night, in which their house's Common Room was generally empty due to the curfew and the fact people wanted to sleep for their morning classes. James took a seat on one of the armchairs in front of the couch and waited for the person he was expecting trying his best to keep his thoughts positive about this whole encounter. He closed his eyes and replayed Lily's words about her perceptions of Harry in his mind.
James had made sure, after returning from the lake, that word reached his supposed cousin that he'd be waiting at the Common Room tonight for them to talk alone without interferences. That would be better both ways. If they were family no one would be eavesdropping on their conversation because they were sleeping. If Harry was an impostor, he'd be able to fight without having to worry about the safety of others within the room. Either way the trap was set, the only thing left to be known was if it would need to catch someone or not tonight.
James sighed deeply as he heard a noise from the stairs. He straightened his back against the armchair and grabbed his wand from its previous resting place at its right arm. He looked up as Harry got closer to him and stood up, but did not offer his hand for a shake. "Please… Harry Potter, right? I'm James Potter. Take my current actions as caution and not immediate lack of care towards your person. These are some dangerous times around here and well… it is unwise to take too many chances if you can avoid it…." He said keeping an amiable tone and did smile at the end of his introduction.
"Please, be seated." James said pointing to the couch in front of the armchair as he retook his previous seat. "Let's talk… but first I'd like you to know a few things… Just so you know where you're standing. I think it's fair." He said, wand still in hand though not pointed at Harry.
"If you are really my cousin and I'm convinced of this after this conversation, be sure you have just gained an unconditional friend who will teach you a thing or two about how to have a lot of fun around here…" He said in a cheery tone of voice while smiling. "Yet, I'm no fool..." His tone started to shift to a colder and more composed voice.
"I can very well look at you and see nothing of resemblance to myself or the feature I most adore on another I really care about. I'm that good at controlling and fooling my own mind really… Also reason why I can use this so well…" James said while patting the palm of his left hand with the tip of his wand in a clear reference to it.
"I can probably cast a spell faster than you can blink, so no brusk movements for a while, please. It's for your own protection…" He said a bit threateningly, but still retaining an air of joviality so it could be taken as a half joke. "If you have no reason to be afraid, don't be… Although some people think otherwise in here, I don't generally attack to harm without being given a real reason beforehand…" He said to defend his own person against some mouths and their ignorant hearsay.
"Family is a very valued thing by me and I won't let anyone disrespect mine and its name." James' tone now was hard and his expression was matching it. The only sign of his inner hope to relax was on the glitter in his hazel eyes behind his glasses. "If you think you'll catch me by surprise, don't!" In that last phrase he showed in his words and tone of voice all that Harry knew about his father through others who had known him. That he was a brave man who would defend his ground and his family against anyone trying to trespass that which to him was more sacred than everything else.
"Now that you know where you're standing... We can talk." James said, his expression still more stern than not, his eyes still glittering with hope and then he nodded kindly as a sign for Harry to start their conversation. His hazel eyes locked with Harry's green ones with intensity and attention as if he was trying to extract the truth of his soul out of them.
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Post by Harry James Potter on Jun 28, 2012 19:15:48 GMT -5
Harry had been having a pretty good day, mostly classes and things such as that. However the thing that made him happy, and a bit worried, was word that James Potter wanted to meet him after dark in the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry was excited to finally meet his father truly, though he had to control himself, because if he said anything too much, it would reveal their secret, and blow everyone's cover. It was hard enough to adjust to living around so many 'new' people, and not reveal that he already knew them, and some of them pretty well. He hated lying, he hated keeping all of it a secret. Harry was one who spoke his mind most of the time, even if sure punishment was his consequence, but the consequences of the people here finding out that all the 'transfers' were really from the future were too large.
Harry had not gone to sleep, and he waited up until the time specified had been reached, before he decided to start heading the common room, trying to flatten his hair in front of his scar, mostly because he was worried that James might ask where he got it from, and because he was quite self-conscious at the moment. It was the moment when he and his father would be able to speak. Sure business, at least at first, and all he really needed to do was to win over James, prove that yes, he was indeed a Potter. The thing that worried him most was if he couldn't convince James that he was a Potter, as he wasn't raised by any Potter, just a couple of muggles who cursed him for being a wizard. He convinced himself that if he didn't, then he would have to try some way else to make his cover fit in this time.
Harry walked down the stairs, making only the slight noise of his footsteps coming down the stairs. He saw James there, holding his wand, and Harry had a feeling that James wasn't going to just accept him as one of his kin, it would take at least a bit of work. Harry kept walking closer and James began to speak. Harry simply listened as James spoke, understand where James was coming from. If he had suddenly had some person claiming to be his relative, he would be quiet suspicious at first. Given Harry's circumstances, he might not ever trust some new relative coming into his life.
When James had told him to sit, he was obedient, and listened closely. The thing was that with his cover, he had to be somehow related to James, there was no way around it, everyone always commented how much he looked like his dad, even in this time, Sirius had mistook him for James, and Lily almost did. Harry just hoped he wouldn't reveal anything important that would have him connect the dots to his true relation, and his true home.
When James had noted that if he was convinced that he was indeed his cousin, he couldn't help but smile at the thought that he could learn a few things from his father about having fun. Maybe he could be his father's friend, which from what Harry knew, not many people did, even Ron wasn't his father's friend, but then again he didn't meet him when he was 16 years old. Actually, Harry didn't know how old Ron's parents were, so Ron might have that chance, but he didn't know, so he let the thought slip from his mind. It wasn't everyday that one had the chance he did. But it wasn't everyday that your parents risk their lives for their son's life and saves their son from a killing curse. So really, he had odd things happen to himself before, and some would say he was lucky, but he would much have preferred that his parents not die, and he die instead of them, then have the chance now to meet them of his age.
Harry couldn't help but crack a smile when James noted how fast he could cast a spell. Maybe that was where he got his unnerving skills of a seeker. Fast, quick, swift movements had saved his life in the graveyard, where if he had been just half a second slower he would not be here now.
There was no denying it, the sixteen year old before him really was his father, and there was no going around it. Though Harry was quite sure that he wasn't going to send him to his room or anything, since James had no idea that Harry was actually his future son. Family was important to him as well, even if his family for the last 5 years had been the Weasleys and Hermione, but if there was any sort of threat against them, Harry would be there, no matter the personal risks he had to take, unless he was doing something that would help them in the long run, such as a mission to defeat Voldemort, which Harry had a feeling was coming soon, at least before the time switch occurred.
James' hazel eyes locked with his green eyes, and Harry felt a feeling that he had only felt when he was looking into Dumbledore's eyes. Something so piercing, something different though from when Dumbledore did it. There was just something else in there, but Harry wasn't sure what.
"I completely understand your caution in this matter," Harry said keeping his eyes locked on James', "I, myself, would be just as cautious as you are being right now, maybe even more so. I hope that I can convince you of the truth of our shared blood." He knew that he needed to tell the truth for the most part, and leave out the suspicious parts of it, such as James being his father, and things that would lead to a conclusion such as that.
"Much like you I do care about family as well, and you can imagine my joy when I found out that somewhere out there, I had someone. I had thought, for the longest, time I was the last Potter, until I had found out about you and your parents here in Britain." Harry really didn't know too much about his family, however he did know, from what Dumbledore had said before, that he had no family left, except on his mother's side, which was the reason, Harry thought, he was send to the Dursleys. "Really right now, I am quite happy to have finally met with you," Harry said with a smile, "Even if you have yet to be convinced that I am indeed related to you." That was an huge understatement, because he wasn't just happy, he was excited, jumping out of his skin underneath his semi-serious with a half cracked smile look. What he was feeling almost made him almost wanted to chant 'I Met My Father' over and over, much like the twins and Ginny chanted 'He Got Off', when he had gotten off scot-free after the hearing for the dementor event.
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Post by James William Potter on Jun 29, 2012 0:16:47 GMT -5
James heeded every move of Harry's after he took his seat at the couch. His current companion seemed not to mind to do as he was told, which was not always the best sign, but he decided that such a trait doesn't necessarily make one untrustworthy or a threat. Peter was like that most of the time and he was a good friend and a nice guy who could keep a secret hidden. He let that slide as nothing important, considering it as nothing more than a willingness to be approachable.
That previous sensation took greater hold within James and even though he did notice the smile that opened in Harry's features as he mentioned them maybe becoming fast friends, it was his eye expression, as he was still observing those emeralds behind the other set of glasses closely, that really called his attention.
James had seen it before in Remus when they've met at the Hogwarts Express six years ago. That same eagerness to get close to someone, yet covered and thwarted by some sort of fear that was trying to keep him away. Sure he wasn't able to have all that perception at the age of eleven, but he could remember clearly his friend's expression from then now. If Harry's story was legit, this boy was away from his home and thus such would be understandable. The eagerness part, not the fear part. The latter placing a doubt in James' mind.
James couldn't help but wonder why Harry was smiling at his veiled threat. Maybe he was a bit too jovial and the other boy thought he was joking about being fast with his spells if need be. Yet, again looking at those green eyes, he could see a similarity with the multitude of times he looked at the grey eyes of his best friend Sirius Black. Harry had issues with his family. He wasn't accepted by his parents or whomever raised him. That same sadness was in there too. Yet it was mixed with a hope for a change, definitely what he had seen during that Summer when Sirius moved in with him and his parents. At this moment Harry began to gain James' sympathy.
His mother had always told James that much about someone can be told by observing their body language closely, especially their eyes. He didn't consider himself great at this particular skill, maybe because he didn't have enough life experience to use it well, but once more giving himself a chance to try he found out so much already about his supposed cousin.
James got distracted with his thoughts for a moment as he pieced them together while listening to Harry's words and when his momentarily broken attention returned to those emeralds, a strange feeling took over him. They were so much like the ones he had been piercing to gauge earlier today. Yet, this time his thoughts didn't immediately go towards this guy is trying to lure me with Lily's eyes like earlier, but instead that this guy could be as much of an open book to him as Lily. He always knew when she was really mad at him or just complaining for the sake of making a point because of how her emeralds would shine. Harry was not lying when he said they were related by blood. James knew that now.
Then there was that sensation that he was looking at Remus' eyes again. That same loneliness in the crowd, that same willing isolation, that same hope to find someone who would love him the way he was there once more. Yet, this time added to it the genuine happiness of when the Marauders stood by his side even after discovering the truth about his "furry little problem".
James blinked and for the first time since Harry had taken his seat their eyes were not locked anymore. He moved his arms so they could rest upon the arms of his chair and also let his wand rest at its right arm again, still in fast range of his hand, though he did not feel he'd really need it anymore. But better safe than sorry or worse dead.
James tilted his head slightly and then just looked at Harry's general features. The resemblance he had to himself was truly uncanny as everyone had pointed out so far. No. James had not allowed himself to notice that until this moment. "My mother once told me that the truth lies in the eyes. You can lie with your words and even with your body language if you're skilled enough, but never with your eyes. They'll always betray you to someone who can understand them." James explained why he had been piercing Harry's eyes with his until now.
"Sure, I'm not old enough to know how to use this skill as properly as she can, but I have some experience with some people close to me, whom I understand well to draw parallels from. I think I have discovered enough about you to be both reassured and further worried." James said honestly and allowed his words to sink in for Harry as he tried to piece together what he would say next.
"I honestly don't think you're lying about being related to me in some way, yet you are withholding something and you are scared of it being found out... You want to find people who can accept you the way you are without reservations because you know what it means to be rejected by those who were meant to love you. You feel alone even in a crowd because of something that is not your fault, but simply happened to you some time in the past. You want to get close to others, but you're afraid that will just get them hurt..." James gave out his thoughts of what he could perceive in Harry due to his relationships with both Sirius and Remus.
"Did that sound like a load of BS to you as well?" James asked smiling broadly and truly friendly for the first time. "I did say I wasn't really good at this whole understanding people thing. Sometimes this subject just escapes me altogether or so I've been told earlier today..." James said now with his usual jovial tone. "If it is worth anything to you, you have my sympathy already, Harry." James offered honestly with a genuine smile.
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Post by Harry James Potter on Jul 2, 2012 12:15:53 GMT -5
Uh oh. If James was good at this eye reading stuff, he might be in trouble. That was Harry's reaction to the first part of what James said. But it made sense why James had been staring into his eyes, though Harry was just staring back because, well, sometimes eye contact was a good trust builder. Harry simply kept a small smile, trying not to reveal he was ever so slightly worried, knowing that he would have to tread even more carefully around James.
And then James said that he wasn't too great about it, however to be reassured and worried at the time time, that again worried him. Did he somehow pull the conclusion that he was his future son out of his hat? No, he would have to be insane to come up with that just from his reactions. Harry let himself relax, as he had been on edge, even if he seemed close to calm, for the whole time they had been talking (when in reality that wasn't long).
Withholding something and he was scared about it? He could say that and be completely correct. Harry could almost feel himself mentally hold his breath (not literally as he knew that would cause suspicion). He wondered how long his secret could be kept, and probably not too long as James was already on the right track. And then the part about being rejected by those who were meant to love him, correct. The Dursleys were supposed to love him, but they hated him, and were happy when they finally got rid of him, at least for most of the year.
He did indeed feel alone in the crowd. Wow, how in the world did he get this good at reading people at such a young age? Harry thought to himself. Something out of his control, Voldemort, his parents, being the chosen one. He almost felt that everyone only liked him because of his status as being the boy who lived, except the Weasleys, Hermione, Neville and pretty much everyone in the DA last year. Actually, when he thought about it, he wasn't that along in the crowd back home, but here, he was pretty much alone, surrounded by loved ones who don't even know they are his loved ones yet. And he didn't want to get too close to anyone, that was extremely dangerous for him and for them. Proof was how Voldemort used Sirius against him, and Sirius ended up dead. It was his fault for getting too close to Sirius. However at the time, it wasn't dangerous to get close to people because Voldemort was after him just as much as he was after everyone else that was a blood traitor. But there was another danger of getting to attached to the people here, because if they got too close they would figure out his secret and that could alter time in a good or a terribly terrible way.
And then at the time when James was being friendly, well Harry mentally sighed, thinking that he wouldn't have to say that everything was right. However he had a feeling that he should stick close to his story he had been going by, not trying to contradict what he told others already. Harry was actually happy that he had his sympathy already, because that was a good sign in getting James to trust him, even though Harry was a liar when it came to some things for the sake of keeping his secret, secret.
"It wasn't that far off actually," Harry stated smiling back, "Truthfully, I do have a secret, and I don't want anyone to find out, it's my secret to keep and I hope that you are ok with that, but I will assure I will not harm you or anyone you care about on purpose," Harry wanted to be honest with him, and if he was, maybe trust could be gained easier. Harry hated lying so he told the truth about things he felt was safe to tell. Everyone had a secret, and he didn't want to tell his. James had to understand, because Harry knew that James knew that Remus was a werewolf and word didn't get out until later after James' death. James had to know that some secrets are so close to a person, that he didn't want anyone to know, and that was the kind of secret he had and tried to hold close to him.
"I have been rejected by those supposed to love me, because I was raised by my aunt and uncle who hated me," Harry stated, knowing he had already told Lily that much, and if he were to change that, well the two could get together and see that he was lying, "I feel alone because I've always been alone before I went to school, and even at school, I was parent-less, so even then I was alone." Well if James didn't get what he was saying about his parents then, at least Lily could tell him then. She had gotten that out of him because his guard was down, and he felt relaxed around Lily, revealing a good chunk of his past. Given Harry already knew that he would find out eventually, he felt it would be safe enough to reveal that bit of his history, which if James found out about his true secret, he would just pass off as a lie to make his loneliness seem true.
"I've already hurt some close to me, so I am hesitant to come close to anyone else, so all in all you've got me pegged down pretty well." Harry stated truthfully, at least half-truthfully as the time travel had given him another reason. He wanted to keep everyone safe, and he was worried that if he got closer to too many people, not only will they be in trouble, he would be as well.
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Post by James William Potter on Jul 4, 2012 3:14:51 GMT -5
James' posture and gaze were somewhat more relaxed now as he heard Harry's reply to his assessment of him. He though was still looking his future son in the eyes, but with a less piercing look. He had to confess that even though the more subtle undertones in other people's behaviors more often than not did escape him as Lily had suggested earlier that day, when he felt threatened such awareness got much heightened and allowed him to see that which would be otherwise not noticed by him at all.
James offered Harry another genuine smile. "Honesty... Giving back what I have been giving you so far. It tells me something about you... something I can admire, Harry. You don't mind that I use your first name, do you? It seems weird since we don't really know each other, yet fitting that I do so at the same time..." He replied honestly to his interlocutor's first words, asking a small question to which he had a feeling he'd get a positive answer. He was beginning to understand better what Lily had mentioned earlier and out of blind uncertainty he had dismissed several times. That even though Harry was holding something back from them, there was something in him that just didn't scream danger at all.
"I do understand having to keep a secret hidden from the seemingly all knowing Hogwarts grapevine. Something I would not share freely with anybody, specially someone I've just met..." He continued honestly, again drawing from his own experiences. James had much to omit himself, including the fact he had a close friend who was a werewolf, that two close friends and himself were illegal animagi for the sake of the former friend, owning his very special cloak of invisibility and the very existence of the Marauder's Map. He could understand where Harry was coming from, but he felt compelled not to stop at that.
"I also do know that sometimes it is best not to keep everything to yourself when you've found people you can trust to share it with. Actually in the end things can get much better and less painful for you if you find the courage to make that step and tell someone." James said reminiscent of his own experiences with Lupin. Once he was honest with them about his condition they could find a way to help him deal with his pain, which would not happen if they were still in the dark about it.
"Not everyone is close minded about everything or prone to reject people for no good reason. Some people are capable to accept and understand more than you may be giving them credit for..." James continued without giving Harry a reply chance. "I'm not saying you should trust me since you don't know me at all, but tell someone you already know, someone you already trust immensely..." His tone of voice was advisory like that of someone sharing an experience that had been fruitful to himself in the past. Some would say even fatherly in nature, but he was used to speak to the other Marauders in such tone from time to time. Sure James didn't know of Harry's true situation, he could only act or advise him based on what he was told so far and what he could perceive from him.
"I have a very close friend, Sirius Black, who has passed through something similar. Actually worse because he was rejected by his own parents…" James shared with Harry what the whole of Hogwarts already knew. That Sirius Black had been disowned by his parents for being a blood traitor. Nonsensical people were those to James. "What kind of parent has the lack of love to reject his own child? I can't wrap my mind around that… I would have to be dead not to be present and loving to my future children. If I can find it in myself to at times father some of my friends, I'd certainly father my own children… with pride if not always with wisdom." He added with disgust and then conviction. It was unthinkable to James to abandon his family, be that the one before or after himself. He was raised surrounded by so much love that he really believed that everyone deserved to receive the same kind of care.
"Haven't we all?" James asked Harry in reply to his last comment about having hurt others who were close to him. "Yet, we cannot simply go into a shell and stay there. If those people really cared about you, be sure they have already forgiven or forgotten about it by now. We can all just try to do better the next day. I, for one, prefer to regret things that I did than things I didn't do." James tried to counsel again. He knew he had trespassed against other people on occasion, including his closest friends. It was never on purpose to hurt anyone, but sometimes things just happened and wasn't anybody's fault. Life just has a way to get out of hand from time to time.
"I wish I could tell you something that would really be able to help you deal with all this, but I think I'm not wise enough to help you completely. Sometimes I really do hate when I'm right about someone… I usually also do get better at dealing with it in time and become more of a helpful presence. I guess I'm glad you've found your way into an, at least, more accepting environment. I assure you that both me and my parents are not prone to nonsense and you're not going to be shunned for anything by the Potters except practicing the Dark Arts, which is pretty much the only unforgivable character flaw in our point of view." James shared, still letting the honesty flow. "You're not into that, are you?" He asked almost as an afterthought. His tone might have lead one to think that, but the reacquired piercing effect of his gaze said otherwise. It was a very important point and would define their whole relationship from the moment of Harry's reply forward.
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Post by Harry James Potter on Aug 18, 2012 15:34:06 GMT -5
James was living up to what Harry had always wished his father was like. Harry knew his father was still in that prankster stage, before he and his mother were to get together and his head would deflate, but even with the terrible behavior towards Severus Snape, James seemed like a very good man even now. Harry was proud to have him as his father, even if James didn't know that Harry knew him as his father.
"I don't mind at all, as long as you don't mind me calling you James," Harry said with a small smile. It would feel weird at first calling his father by his first name, just as it would be weird to hang around his father who was just about the same age as he was. It was actually just weird being around the man that would eventually be his father, since Harry never knew him.
"Just because not everyone is close-minded, doesn't mean that the consequences of revealing a secret to the more open minded ones are still not great," Harry said with a shrug and a nod. Though, James probably understood it more than others, at least from what Harry knew. There were plenty of things his father did that he kept a secret so well Harry didn't know about them until one of his father's friends told him. Such as the fact he and his friends went out each full moon with a werewolf and was there for the said werewolf. He didn't even know his father was a Quidditch player until Hermione pointed it out! Harry felt a little bad for not knowing almost anything about his father besides the things others explained to him. Harry had just been fine with people just telling him when they felt like it, instead of him asking questions so he would know. But then again, he was a little busy.
"I do understand what you are saying, I really do. However, I bet that you have a secret, at least one if not more, that you would not tell a soul, because no matter how much you trust someone, there is always that fear deep inside, that one will be rejected," Harry continued quickly from his last comment. If James found out that he, Harry, was his son from the future, Harry was almost afraid that he would be disappointed in him. Harry was usually pessimistic about things, and it could just be a stupid irrational fear he had. Harry was afraid that if James found out, he would be mad at him for lying, or think that he was just crazy thinking that he was from the future, or not believe him.
"I guess everyone will have to wait until I work up the courage to tell someone, if I ever need to. I really do want to tell, but I have a feeling my secret would do harm to others if revealed. All those I trust, are part of the secret, or it would harm them to know of the secrets they don't know about," Harry sighed. He felt so comfortable with James, just talking. He almost had to remind himself that this was another time and that he wasn't talking to someone who knew they were his father. If James knew that he was his son, it could change the timeline, and the prophecy wouldn't come true. He was the one marked as the Dark Lord's equal and only he could defeat him. But then again... the prophecy had yet to be made.
"I heard about Sirius' family, and I agree with you. I would never abandon my family or my friends. I would take death over abandoning them, especially if they were in danger. You seem like the kind of person who would do that as well," Harry said, thinking back to Sirius' reveal in the Shrieking Shack and the real traitor being revealed. Oh how much Harry wanted to warn them about Peter eventually betraying them. However, a thought occurred to him. Maybe, he could convince Peter to not even think about betraying them, convince him to just drop whatever thoughts he had of joining Voldemort. But that would be hard, since Harry didn't even know why Peter betrayed them. Maybe because Peter was jealous of James spending all his time with Lily and the Order, and the other two for being too busy to remember to be his friend. Or the fact that Peter was just bad to the bone. Harry had to banish these thoughts and pretend that James wasn't his father, but a distant cousin he knew almost nothing about other than he was his cousin and what he would've learned around school.
"You're right, you really are. However, what if there is no next day for those you love because they've died to protect you? And you were the target all along, and they got the raw end of the deal?" Harry asked. He knew that his parents and his godfather wanted him to live and that was the whole reason they died for him, but there were too many deaths for him. If he never existed, James, Lily and Sirius would all still be alive. They would've been able to find out how to defeat Voldemort and then live happy lives without him. If only Lily and James didn't die for him. If only Sirius didn't die. However, he couldn't live in the 'what if' world and just had to stay here, or he might end up changing things and not know what was going to happen.
"I will never practice Dark Arts, ever. They are what took away my parents. I'll always work to stop those who practice it," Harry said completely confidently. Now that he was back in this time, maybe he wouldn't ever have to use Dark Arts... again. Truthfully he did try to torture Bellatrix Lestrange. It didn't work that well. Apparently he didn't hate enough. "So, even if I turn out to be a nutter, you'd not shun me?" Harry added with almost a small chuckle.
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Post by James William Potter on Aug 24, 2012 18:34:54 GMT -5
James was beginning to feel completely disarmed by Harry. He couldn't explain why exactly. He had thought it would take more and longer for this complete stranger to win him over, specially because of the paranoia he was feeling until now. James was capable to think his actions through and use perception to gauge a situation, but he also was a creature of instinct and his was telling him that it would be OK to let this boy approach. More so. That he just had to let it happen and place Harry under his wing together with his closest friends, the Marauders. It was like they had known each other for life. If he only knew why he felt so connected to Harry. Blood is thicker than water…
"That's my name, isn't it?" James replied joking and smiling. "Fair enough, Harry. If I use yours, you should use mine too. I don't mind at all." He continued in good humor. "You should get used with me being a jokester. I prefer to laugh things off rather than sulk and I prefer to live my life rather than escape into a hole and just exist. Sometimes I do overstep my boundaries somewhat, it's not out of malice, just give me a nod or an upset look and I'll know to hold my horses. It's what my friends do, specially Remus…" He said honestly.
"Was that supposed to make me feel better about your situation, Harry? Because it actually sounds… worse!" James said, a hint of worry clearly present underneath his jest tone. "Unlike a certain someone did with me and my friends last year, I won't spy on you." He said remembering Snape's spying on the Marauders last year, which led to him discovering Remus' secret. "Though be certain I'll keep an eye out for you, Harry." He continued. "I have a feeling this secret of yours is more serious than I first thought…" He just said and then waited for Harry's next reply, which reinforced that sensation he had.
"There is one thing, more of a reason why I used to act in a certain way against someone, that I did not tell a soul out of such apprehensions, Harry." James revealed honestly, but without saying what it was. "Everything else I did is either public knowledge, known by my parents only, known by Sirius, Remus and Peter, who are my best mates, only or by the two last groups." He said reminiscent of several situations in which what he just said held true. "I do understand though that there are some things we choose to do out of fear of rejection. We all put up an act and wear a mask that we think people will like best in order to attract their attention and then keep them orbiting us. Though I've discovered today that the mask I chose to wear in order to be liked was what has been keeping away from me the girl I adore… Maybe the time has come to throw it away and choose some honesty for a change. There is more to this trickster king cousin of yours than most here think there is…" James said truthfully.
"Little challenge in the air, cousin… Let's see who is going to work up the courage to shed his fears first. You or I?" James said, again his tone being cheerful and jovial, even though he was talking about something which was serious to him as well. "I have this strange sensation you have someone after you to do you harm and that is what scares you. If you didn't want me to get involved, you shouldn't have come here to get me involved, Harry. I won't stand by and let someone hurt someone else, especially when they are family and I already told you I tend to believe you are." James said with conviction, his tone of voice being even a little hard on Harry when he implied that his choice to come to Hogwarts after him had cemented what would happen next. He just didn't know that his future son had no choice in being here, that he was just placed where he was by forces unknown.
"I see we have that in common, Harry… I think it is pointless to survive in a lonely state as it is those around us that give meaning to our lives. I was taught that since toddlerhood by my parents. I believe in that and I'd gladly give up my life so the people I love could live on rather than live without them. We will all meet again someday in a place where no shadows fall and there is no pain to be borne. No matter how long one lives, eternity will always be longer. If I had a choice between living forever and dying, I'd choose to die so I could be with those I love, who have parted, again forever. I don't fear death, I fear loneliness a lot more than that, cousin. The really sad thing is that we may be forced to make such kind of decision soon. Have someone already told you about the lunatic psychopath around these parts?" James said honestly, not knowing that he was sharing his beliefs and parental teachings received by him with the one who would be the recipient of his own sacrifice.
"I really don't know what to say, Harry…" That was James' only reply to Harry's questions for a couple of minutes. He then passed a hand through his hair and continued the best he could. "I'll still go by what I've said before. Remember them and wait until you're together again because if you trail the right path, and they certainly did if they had it in themselves to make such a sacrifice for you, you'll be together for much longer than you have been or will be apart, even if you live a long life… Honor them by living such life the fullest way possible." His voice was kind and slow, he was trying to say something to help, but didn't know how well he was getting at it. "Well… I'm sure your loved ones are looking after you from the afterlife, Harry… True bonds can never be broken, not even by death." He said having no idea of how that was true. Lily was the reason why Harry could not be harmed while he grew up and James himself, or better his animagus alter ego Prongs, was Harry's patronus, his protector, always there to defend him upon his summoning.
"You're definitely shaping up to get on my good side, Harry. I already like you, I must confess. I can't put my finger on it, but I feel like I know you or that I should know you. I just liked you. That's good because my bad side is not really nice at all…" He said honestly. "I know you've met my best mate, Sirius. He has told me. You should know after such encounter that my threshold for nutter acceptance is pretty high…" He said in jest and then laughed openly. "Though I find it interesting that you chose to ask that question in particular, Harry. Why? Would I think you're a nutter if you ever told me the truth about your secret?" It was now his time to ask something and the curiosity in his voice was obvious. "I will let you keep your secret if that is what you think is best, but my eyes are open…" He said to reassure Harry that he wouldn't pry further, but he would be paying attention to him.
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Post by Harry James Potter on Dec 30, 2012 18:44:03 GMT -5
Harry was more than ecstatic he had already earned a good amount of acknowledgement. Despite the fact James knew that Harry was keeping a big secret from him, James still accepted him as it was, and respected the fact he would keep a secret from him. Then again, Harry knew that his father had kept secrets from those outside the tight knit circle of the Marauders, and Lily, of course. James had been friends with a young boy years ago who kept a dark secret from him and everyone else. Harry knew he could trust James to not tell anyone, besides perhaps his three friends, and eventually Lily. But there was Peter, the one who betrayed them, who they didn't know they couldn't trust at one point. Maybe Harry could tell James, and make him swear not to tell the others. It would certainly get it off his chest, and the weight of he secret of his true origins as James's son would be easier to bear.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you; your reputation for being a joker precedes you," Harry noted with a soft laugh, remembering the time he saw into Snape's memory, finding out that his father was sometimes cruel in his pranks, but according Sirius, Remus, and those he talked to about it after that memory of a cruel bullying James, they were the generation of pranksters equaled to the Weasley Twins, "I've never really thought of living my life in that way, though I do have good fun fairly often with my friends. Sometimes I suppose the good in living one's life is hard to see, especially in the life I've led, where there was rarely anything fun or even good before I found out I was a wizard. Even then, shadows of my past keep creeping up on me. The one who killed my parents has targeted me since I joined school." Sure, Harry had his fun moments, but it was nothing like what his parents were like in school. He didn't pull pranks, didn't tell jokes just for the sake of telling jokes, but his fun he had was with Hermione and Ron, just hanging out. Hermione getting onto them for not doing their homework, or not using their homework planners, and Ron saying something funny about Hermione's intelligence, or calling her their mum. And Harry, of course, would watch as Ron and Hermione began fighting over whatever he said; it was fun in it's own way. And Quidditch, of course, when he was allowed to play, meaning not last year, the worst year so far that he could ever remember, even at the Dursleys. "Don't worry about it, as long as you don't try to force anything out of me, I'll be fine." Ah, Professor Lupin in his youth. He had a feeling that Lupin had changed a lot, but his secret keeping was one of the things that didn't change.
"It's really not as bad as it sounds; I'm more or less away from my home, and things were just bad then. Secrets were very precious, and had to be held to those only in someone's inner circle. As of right now, I have only two people I share most everything with," Harry explained. He didn't want his dad to think that Harry was a person who had bountiful amounts of misfortune, even if in some cases he did. However, Harry didn't view his life as bad as some others, who had parents who didn't care. His parents loved him and died for him. He had at least his parents to hold onto since he was little, even if he thought that they died in a car crash. He had Sirius until a little while ago, and he still had his friends, Remus, Dumbledore, and all of the Order. Heck, Ron's mum treated him as if he were her son. "Snape," Harry muttered shaking his head before he smiled at James, cursing himself for it, trying to figure out a good way to explain how he would've come to the conclusion, he spoke up to his normal volume, and said, "I mean, I bet it was that Snape guy. I met him little bit ago, and he seemed the type." That must have been when Snape was saved by his father from Lupin's werewolf form. It was how Dumbledore explained Snape protecting him, despite hating his father. Harry had a feeling there was more, somewhere on why he protected him from what he could much of the time. "I understand; I would do the same thing if I were in your position."
Harry was actually fairly happy to hear what James was saying, just then. About how he would try honesty to he girl he adored, which was obviously Lily (if it wasn't, then Harry would be worried it wasn't just back in time but in an alternate world on an alternate timeline. "I wish I could do that, but only two others in the world know some of the things I keep. But even those two can't know everything, because it would either bring them hurt or danger..." Harry sighed, thinking of how he hid his lingering hurt over loosing Sirius, despite it renewing his burning desire to defeat Voldemort, as they would either pity him, or something else, he did not want, or think he needed. Sirius was here, but he wasn't the same Sirius that Harry knew.
"I want to drag you out of the trouble that follows me," Harry replied; he really wanted to protect James, and not the other way around. He wanted to defeat Voldemort, but he could do that himself with Dumbledore's guidance, in this time and not have his parents die for him. He didn't want anyone else to die for him. But it wasn't all a lie, either. "You and your parents are all that is left of my family, so my aim is to protect you. By involving you, it makes you aware of the trouble that follows me and everyone else, thus, creating a thin shell of protection more than you would have had before." If he just could tell James about how he would leave his only child orphaned, in the Dursley's care, to fend for himself as Voldemort rises to power once more.
Harry already knew of the quality that James would gladly die for those he loved. That stupid noble Gryffindor trait was alive and well in his son as well, but his son had to live on. Others wouldn't let him die for them, instead dying for him, in the hopes that his son would defeat someone they could not defeat themselves, and his son could not defeat without help of those around him. "It is eerie how much we are alike, James. I would give my life for all those I love, if they would let me. I don't fear death as much as I thought I would when I thought I was surely going to die," such as his third year when he was attacked by Remus in his werewolf form, or when the dementors were so close to sucking out his soul, or in the graveyard dueling Voldemort one on one. He seemed to come so close to death many times, but it was never his time. It was Cedric's, Sirius's, his parents', and others' time, but not his. It wasn't fair all of them had to die, while he still evaded death. "I've heard of him. Voldemort, right?" He hated pretending that he wasn't the cause of all of his strife in life.
Harry knew that he was going to go down fighting, eventually, at some point, and then he'd see all of them again. But he wasn't ready to die, he had a lot he still had to do. After all, regarding him and Voldemort, neither could live, while the other survived. "I'm sure they are. Even beyond death, my parents have protected me more than I thought possible." It was even hard to understand how great the power of his parents was even still, 15 years almost after their deaths, they were always protecting him, watching over him. "I'm not planning on dying any time soon; I have a lot I still have to do."
That he should know him. Of course, Harry wanted to shout that it was because he was his son from the future, but knew that would make his credibility go down. "Well, at least I am making a good impression on you," Harry stated with a smile, "Sirius, yeah, he's a bit of a nutter," Harry laughed softly before continuing, "So you wouldn't think I was crazy if I said I was a shapeshifter from outerspace, studying humans? Or if I said I was your son from years in the future who traveled back in time on accident, and is trying to get back?"
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Post by James William Potter on Jan 7, 2013 17:16:36 GMT -5
James did as he told Harry he would do. He no longer pried to try to figure out his son's secret. Keeping his word was a mark of his personality. For good or evil, what James Potter said, he did, no matter what. He wouldn't deny that he was intrigued, if asked, but it wouldn't cross that line. Even though James had few secrets of his own, as he had revealed just moments ago, he kept the secrets of others and knew how important it was to be loyal when hiding those secrets. His strategy now with Harry would be the same he used on Remus in their second year. Observe, listen and then figure it out, by which time his cousin might trust him enough to just confirm his suspicions as Lupin had done four years ago. He didn't mind if it would take time.
"That's a good thing. I mean that my fame precedes me. It means I'm doing something right." James said joking, a bit of that arrogance he was known for at this age showing through. Though when Harry began to speak again, his heart deflated a bit more with each of his words. His expression changed visibly, yet he did not notice it. "Sure… your life was horrible until now. No one deserves such succession of bad things to happen to them. Don't worry though, Harry, I will help you find the fun in life now." He said sincerely, wanting to see him happier. James just couldn't understand, but when Harry was smiling, he felt happier and when he was saying those depressing things, he felt horrible and like a total failure. It was completely absurd. Whoever ever said feelings made sense anyway… One thing was sure. Each time those emotions hit him, James was surer that he and Harry were related indeed. It didn't matter how close or distant they were as relatives, they were family.
"I'd never try to force anything out of anyone, but I hope one day you'll trust me enough to simply tell me like you trust those two friends of yours. We're family after all, cousin. I can guarantee you that I can keep a secret like no one and I'll do everything in my power to help you out." James said with a shining smile. It was his way to conquer other people and it generally worked, except for Lily, off course.
"I'll write a letter to my dad and tell him about this sociopath who is after you since you were a kid and did so much damage to your life already. He still knows a lot of people in the Auror office and at the Ministry. He'll open the path to catch this guy for you so you can breathe relieved for a change. Who is this dark wizard after you, Harry? He certainly has a name… and that's all I need to start." James offered, there was a kind of urgency and strength in his tone of voice that wasn't present before. He just felt like he had to do something to take this burden out of Harry's shoulders as fast as he possibly could.
"Your perception is sharp, Harry." James commended his future son, smiling proudly at him. "Yes, Snivellus." He said Snape's Marauder given pejorative nickname with clear contempt towards the other boy. "That's how Sirius and I call Snape, by the way. The little snake. Always wanted to be a snake and became a quite good one as he grew up. Then people said I was exaggerating when I said a few months ago that I had a problem with the fact he exists… Sure I do. There is just so much any guy alone can do, no matter how powerful he is. So I do have a problem with the fact people like him exist. They are the cause of this war that is brewing. They are the ones who support and empower that crazy sociopath even more as if he is not bad enough by himself…" He continued spilling even more anger out. "OK. That's not the only reason why I have a problem with Snivellus, but it is one of the big ones." He added, feeling the need to be a bit more honest, but still not having enough courage to say, even to Harry, that the main reason why he was specially mean to Snape and seemed to single him out was because he was jealous of his friendship with Lily. Severus got with her more than what she'd allow James to have and that hurt him, so he wanted to hurt Snape back. The incoherent thoughts of a youth in love…
"By the way, Harry, talking about the girl I said I adored. Everybody here knows who she is and that it is not intelligent to harass her or any of my friends because retribution will be fast. Though you'd probably find out in no time anyway, I want to be the one to tell you. I do have some strong feelings for a fellow Gryffindor sixth year. She is our prefect together with one of my closest friends, Remus Lupin, and isn't very keen on me at the moment… That's going to change though! How I don't know yet, but I'll find a way. I think she just doesn't get the real me, the one who resides beneath the jokester mask." James started to reveal his feelings for Lily, which meant that if it came to James there was every hope for Harry to come to be.
"Anyway… I do love Lily Evans and I have no shame to say it out loud to whomever wants to listen, even though she doesn't seem to believe me and to be in love with a muggleborn around here nowadays is practically the same as signing your death sentence. I don't care. No one's prejudice is going to get in the way of my love or change it. Well… Lily is easily identifiable with that bright red hair of hers. She also has a temper that seems like a volcano erupting when she is mad, which happens a lot when I'm around… Uh… By the way, I wouldn't want her to be any different. She is just perfect the way she is. So, cousin, just respect that. OK?" He said without wavering in his tone of voice and finished with a smile. His father had always taught him not to be ashamed of his feelings, specially one so sublime as true love and he believed that was what he felt for Lily. He also asked in a veiled way for Harry not to hit on his girl.
"Well, at least your definition of family being related people who protect each other has not been destroyed by the horrible life and lack of care you've had so far. I'm glad for that. Anyway… be sure I won't just let you protect me without returning the favor, cousin. The same will go around the rest of the family too. You're under my wing and once word spreads very few in here will be brave enough to harass you within these walls. I'm not beyond causing a little terror of my own on those Death Eater wannabes. Sure, it'll always be something that will raise laughs and be funny, but people know the difference of when I'm just joking for the sake of it and when I'm placing retribution for a wrong deed towards me and mine. They know…" James said strongly. He wasn't one to let things pass or allow others to disrespect the people he cared about without a come back.
"Yeah! It is eerie, cousin. By the other hand, it's good too. We'll know what to expect from each other as we get to know each other better. That's always a good bonus in any relationship." James said smiling. He felt a kind of glee he couldn't explain. His cousin was a brave young man and someone who wouldn't hide out or just take it, much like himself. He felt pride to have Harry as a member of the family and it showed in his smile. "Yeah, that's him. Voldemort." James confirmed, his voice did not waver as he spoke the name that was so feared. "Ah… Just noticed another thing we have in common, Harry. We don't fall into paralysis due to simple mind games…" James said looking him in the eyes, those beautiful emerald eyes that were just so much like Lily's.
"You just have to listen to dad, Harry. Next holiday we can go to my place in London. He'd probably be able to explain why this happened. I mean… about your parents and how they can still protect you. Dad is a very wise wizard. I just know there is something to do with personal energy or maybe karma, the flow of the energies of the Earth itself and some other stuff about Ancient Magic. Nothing truly ends, things just change or evolve. Everything continues connected in the same way, though." James tried to explain, poorly, obviously, what his father tried to teach him a few years ago when he got sick and his son got desperate that he'd loose him forever. "It probably made no sense because, I have to confess, I don't really understand these things no matter how much dad tried to explain it to me. It's not easy to grasp really, but it makes me feel better about the near future. I mean… my parents are very old, Harry. I know I'll loose them both soon and to know that it won't matter because they will always be with me is a source of… strength and courage." He added honestly and quite humbly considering who was talking. James had his moments in which his bombastic personality gave room to another, quieter one.
"That's the spirit, cousin. I think the same way. We've both still got too much to live. Dad told me this last summer there are three special days in the life of a man: the day he is born, the day he gets married and the day his first child is born. I just lived through one of those days so far, which means I've still got a lot to do indeed. But we can't decide our fate and well… death is that friend you shouldn't run from nor towards, but also you should never refuse to open the door when it comes to visit… Dad's words too." James said in good humor, even though his words had a strength and wisdom to them. His smile grew larger as Harry acknowledged the good impression he had made. He nodded affirmatively towards his future son. "Looks like… so far…" James said in his usual good humor.
"Yes, he is. My second cousin has his issues, but he is a great person at heart. Sometimes I feel like I'm Sirius' father because it is I who have to tell him where the line is and what is crossing it like happened a few months ago. He did something he thought was a joke, but it was not… at all. It's just sad since the one who should teach him that and pull his ears when he does wrong things like that, his actual father, my first cousin Orion Black, doesn't seem to care half what I, a boy his own age, do about him. It's really bad for Sirius sometimes and I don't blame him for being a bit out there, Harry. I'm certainly not the best father figure one could have… Half the time I don't know myself what I'm doing or what I should do." James revealed a little bit of his relationship with Sirius and that he didn't think that his nutter ways were his fault at all. He blamed his family for not supporting Sirius like a real family should do.
James didn't hold the laughter that just wanted to get out after Harry's reply to his question about if he'd think his son was a nutter if he ever told him his secret. "Yes, fun nutter. My kind of nutter." He said in good humor when he could control his laughter. "Well… that actually depends to which one of those versions you'll stick…" He was obviously having fun now. "If the first… very much nutter. If the second… not so much as it is at least more possible, though still unlikely." He explained his point of view. "Actually wouldn't that be grand if the second was true? You'd be able to tell me if I became even half of the man my dad is or even just an OK guy, though still fun to be around." He was excited at the prospect now, until something hit him. "Actually that wouldn't be grand at all… because it'd mean I wasn't competent enough and got myself killed, leaving you alone with people who didn't care about you. Meaning I would basically be the incarnation of the worst father ever…" He said dejectedly, his eyes getting distant and thoughtful. "And then dad was right again… He always is… knows me better than I do myself." James affirmed still feeling awful and a bit frustrated that he hadn't noticed before something as obvious as what Harry's simple, and probably in jest, comment had just made him realize.
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Post by Harry James Potter on Jan 27, 2013 20:34:14 GMT -5
Harry knew he had to tread more carefully than he did before now. James was a smart person, Harry knew it. If he weren't careful, James's observation skills would deduce where he actually was from. Then again, James's parents might know their family really well, and might tell James there was no way he actually was his distant cousin. Harry did not want James to find out right now, or any time soon, but he knew it was just a matter of time. Why was it so hard to lie to his father? He was not one to be a liar, and hated lying to those he loved.
"I am sure your fame will live on for years after you graduate," Harry noted with a smile, though the Marauders were not a widely known group in his time, it was 20 years afterwards. He was sure that their name would live on for a while after anyways. It wasn't every year that master pranksters stirred up trouble, like the Weasley Twins. "I look forward to it. I'm sure that I'll be happier here than my home, at least here I have family that cares." Harry was looking forward to him becoming friends with each of the Marauders, and James was the one he wanted to be friends with the most. Peter was the one he wanted to meet the least. It was obvious why he wanted James to be his friend the most because he never got to know his father in his life, while he did know Sirius and Remus, and unfortunately he knew Peter. Maybe he could warn them about Peter... or help Peter not make that choice. Harry had a feeling Peter wasn't plotting against them at this time, and probably was a fairly good guy.
Harry smiled back, though his wasn't as shining or winning as James's. He really won people over if he saved them, or proved to them he wanted to change them. Harry began hatching a plan on how he could change Peter in order to prevent his parent's death. If he did... then too much could change. Harry was so torn in what he would do, save or not save his parents from death. "When that day comes, I'll have no more secrets from you," Harry noted, "But I haven't ever had family I could trust before, so it might take some time. My friends gained my trust over the years I've known them." In truth, Harry already trusted James, but he had to treat him as if he was just some family member he had discovered. He couldn't show that he trusted James with his life, because to Harry, James had already sacrificed his life for him. If that didn't win trust, then what could?
"You shouldn't go through the trouble. He's... a man without a name. He may have followed me here, but he can't hurt me while I'm at Hogwarts," Harry replied nervously, not wanting to reveal too much. A thought occurred to him. Voldemort would surely warn his past self not to let Lily sacrifice herself and his downfall would not come. Maybe then, he wouldn't change the past as nearly as much when he would warn them about Voldemort trying to kill them. He didn't know if Voldemort would actually do that, however, and so the problem still remained on what exactly he would do with the knowledge of future events.
Dumbledore trusts Snape though, despite Harry's hatred for the man. Really, if Harry had transported back at the end of his 6th year, originally, he would've probably tried to kill Severus Snape by now, but since Snape hadn't killed Dumbledore yet, Harry just hated Snape for everything he had done to him, and not knowing the other deed that Snape did that sealed his parents' fates. "Is Snape really that bad? I mean, I could understand saying that about the sociopaths around, but not Snape. I mean, sure he is an evil git, but he's not like Bellatrix, or any of the other crazies... right? How do you know he won't turn against Voldemort in the end and help the-" he might not want to mention the order, Harry figured, "Other side of this war. He could be just as much of an asset as an enemy..." Since when did he defend the hated professor of his? Perhaps it was something to do with the fact he wanted Snape on their side, despite the obvious signs he was not really on their side completely. Maybe there was more to Snape than he knew. Sure, he knew he was once a Death Eater, but Dumbledore said that there was proof he turned. If only Harry knew what that was... But he couldn't dwell on it. James probably wasn't the best source for Severus Snape facts; Dumbledore probably was the best source of information for that. Perhaps he could ask a little about the 6th year Slytherin the next time he saw Dumbledore.
"Of course I would respect that. Love is the most powerful magic, at least according to Dumbledore. And I believe it is. If you love her as you say you do, then I have no doubt that love will do great things, whether it means she loves you back or not. I-I have a good feeling that you will eventually convince Lily, if you... deflate your head? Lily has already told me a bit about what she hates about you. I am sure she views you as extremely cocky, and someone who needs to bully others to get an ego boost..." Harry said thinking about the time Sirius and Remus explained how Lily and James could get together after he viewed Snape's memory in the Pensieve. Maybe his advice could help his parents get together sooner, and have more time together, so they could be happy.
"I-I didn't want to be rude, I'm sorry... I just thought you would want to know what I found from meeting Lily, what... three days ago now?" Harry apologized hoping he didn't seem rude. That was the last thing he wanted to seem to his father. What father wanted a git as a son? Harry was very worried about the appearance he was giving off to his father, because he wanted James to be proud of him, proud to have him in the family. If he didn't... then Harry would feel just terrible, and try to change himself from what he really was to something his father was proud of. Harry always justified the things he would do, breaking the rules, as something that was right, and doing everything he did would make his parents feel proud of him. Other than surviving and protecting his friends, that was his goal for a long time.
"I have my friends and my godfather to thank for that," Harry replied back, "If I hadn't met Ron, or Hermione, or... my Godfather, then I probably would've turned out like Malfoy..." Realizing James didn't know Draco, Harry added, "He's Draco Malfoy, and one of the biggest gits in the world. He offered to be my friend in my first year at school, but since I had already met Ron, I decided against it, since he did insult my best friend at the time, and my mother." Despite the fact Malfoy only wanted to be his friend because he was famous. Draco would've hated him eventually, because he would never, ever think of joining Voldemort...ever.
"The next thing you know we'll be completing each others' sentences," Harry joked with a small laugh. Maybe the two could be as close as the Weasley Twins! He doubted it very much. Harry had convinced himself now that they could probably be friends, but not as close as James was to his friends here or his parents. Harry had to keep his hopes down, because if they were up, they probably would be crushed by some event taking place, or him losing his parents, and being even more upset than when he lost others. "Fear of a name, only increases fear of the thing itself," Harry noted with a smile, "Dumbledore told me that when I arrived here." He lied the last half of it, because Dumbledore hadn't told him that when he arrived in this time, but he had to keep his cover anyways.
"I would like that. No one has really explained it that well too me..." Harry replied with a huge smile, thinking of how he could meet his grandparents over the summer, and get a better understanding of how love really could have protected him this much. "Always there to guide you, and come to your protection when you need it most, fueling your strength and determination to live on and fight for what you believe in, and what will make them proud..." Harry added thinking about how James and Lily had truly helped him through his years at Hogwarts. His patronus of the stag came when he needed it the most, protecting him from dementors and Sirius of course, who helped him greatly along.
"Well... there are the special days in a man's life of seeing his first child, or all his children go through those three things as well," Harry noted with a smile, "If one believes they can die knowing they've lived the most important days after he has had his first child, he would miss out on seeing that child grow up." Harry had always felt a tinge of resentment towards his parents for leaving him, despite knowing he wouldn't be here if they still were alive and lived on. He wanted to grow up with his parents, not with the Dursleys and he could have had a much happier life, right? "Death is a friend we only greet when there is no other choice, because betraying your beliefs is never the option." He would not betray what he believed in to avoid death. He would not let a friend die before his eyes and not do anything just because it would cost his life.
"Sometimes the best father figure not only teaches the son, but himself as well," Harry replied, thinking of how he loved Sirius so very much, like a father mixed with a big brother sort of way, even though Sirius was still quite immature compared to what Harry knew him as, though Sirius then wasn't that grown up anyways, "A prank turned dangerous and stupid, I suppose? Sometimes one doesn't learn things until they happen and they are told not to do it." Kind of like a dog being house trained, Harry supposed, but in a much more human way of course. "I-I don't blame him at all, being from similar family, though most definitely not the same." And Harry thought his 'out there' quality was from being locked in Azkaban, not that he minded it at all, and felt it just made Sirius, Sirius. Harry hadn't really grown as odd as Sirius, but his clear pessimism and hatred of pity did stem from his origin of his neglectful and hateful upbringing.
Harry laughed slightly himself too at James's reaction and how ridiculous he sounded. He could've turned a boggart into something fun without even having to say the word ridiculous. But, even still, James found it funny, and Harry did as well, so Harry felt a little better about trusting him, perhaps eventually even telling him his secret. "James, don't take it that way. My father was a great man. He gave his life so that I could live. He faced the man who was after me so that I could live. My father was the best father I could ever have had," Harry was quite sure that his father couldn't have ever been better. He trusted his friends. It wasn't his father's fault he died, but Pettigrew's fault. "It wasn't incompetence that got him killed, it was the fact one of his friends ended up betraying him, and revealing his location that got him killed. So, even though the second isn't actually true, if you actually were my father, you would've ended up being the best father I could ever ask for." Harry may have had his doubts over the years on whether his father truly had to die, but Harry knew that he did. James was a person who wouldn't just let Voldemort passed and kill his son and wife. It was those beliefs that Harry would die before changing just to live. James was the same too. That was what Harry had come up with over the years when he thought of his father's death.
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