I do not own Harry Potter. Otherwise I would not be using fan fiction. I would be using a publisher, and I would be getting paid a fricken fortune.
This story is set between those few weeks when Harry and Ginny had just first started going out, after Harry had performed the Sectumsempra spell, between Harry last meeting and final adventure with Dumbledore. Still confused check chapter 25 in Half Blood Prince, it mentions weeks.
Chapter One- Dumbledore's Sadness
The sunny grounds of Hogwarts were filled with young teenager's laughing, and older ones scolding at the amount of noise being made as they attempted to study under the shade of the trees. Close to the lake sat a tall thin young man, with round glasses and jet black messy hair, hiding a lightening shaped scar. In his lap sat a beautiful red haired girl with brown eyes. They were concentrating on a page in a book. The young man was trying to explain a theory while she intently listened, and questioned him. Every now and then he would kiss her neck or play with her hair.
They were an image of bliss young love, unaware that an older man, with silvery long hair and beard was watching them from his office. His blue eyes glistening with joy but they were remembering a sadness. He continued to watch them as they stood up, held one another in a passionate embrace, before making their way up to the castle holding hands, laughing.
He was glad Harry and Ginny had finally decided to get together. Harry deserved someone that could make him happy, even if only for a short while. Dumbledore casted a sigh, and sat down at his desk, gazing into space.
At ten past nine he heard a knock on his office door. He called for them to open. Harry entered looking slightly apologetic.
"Good evening Professor. Sorry I'm late sir, lost track of time."
"Not to worry please take a seat."
Harry took a seat waiting with baited breath for the professor to speak. Dumbledore had turned his back on Harry, staring outside the window. After quite a long moment Dumbledore spoke with sorrow, "How are you this evening Harry?"
Harry slightly bewildered at Dumbledore behaviour replied sheepishly, "Er…ok, I guess."
"Great, great, great." Said Dumbledore in the same tone. Harry grew concerned, his brow creasing. After another long pause Dumbledore spoke again, his tone a tad bit lighter, "You and Miss Weasley seem to be the talk of the school right now."
Harry's cheeks flushed a little bit with embarrassment, before he responded, "The talk of the girls you mean."
"Yes well, them mostly. However the staff have sorted some of their wagers out."
"What?!"
"Oh yes I won 10 gallons on that you and Miss Weasley, would date. Professor Flitwick was most unhappy."
"Wait are you telling me the staff gamble on which students are going to date?" Harry asked exasperatedly
"Oh yes. Some times even marry. It has been at tradition amongst Hogwarts staff for centuries. I won 40 gallons off your parents after your mother finally agreed to date your father. The staff thought I was mad, seeing as the level of dislike they had for one another at the beginning was, well, substantial."
Harry fidgeted a little. He had always wondered how his parents had got together, especially after seeing them in the pensive last year. His throat a tad constricted he asked, "How did they? I mean from Snape's memory Mum looked like she hated him. Lupin and Sirius had said that they got together in seventh year after Dad's behaviour toned down."
Dumbledore turned back at Harry and sat down. Genuinely glad Harry had brought up a topic that could distracted him for a little while from his grief. In a much lighter tone he spoke.
"Oh Lily never hated James. She merely disliked his behaviour and attitude at times. She had misjudged his character a little as well, but deep down I think she had liked him for a long time, it just took her a while to admit it. She was a tad stubborn you know, probably where you get it from.
"As for your father he was clearly smitten, as were many boys by your mother, however your father, being an only child, and a touch childish in the beginning was one of those boys that if they liked a girl, instead of telling them, you would bug them, constantly. The amount of tricks he used to play on her back in fourth and fifth year it was no wonder he frustrated her. I remember he once turned her hair green, and she entered the Great Hall yelling, got out her wand and placed a charm on him that made him allergic to his broom. He couldn't practice Quidditch all week."
Harry laughed, while Dumbledore chuckled remembering the fond memory. "Oh yes she was a character, your mother was."
"So what happened to change her mind?"
"Well, in sixth year maturity had decided to kick in, and James had grown more likable. He chose to leave her alone, yet he was still persistent on her. She was in denial about her true feelings though. However during their last summer before seventh year was when she chose to acknowledge James had changed. And let me just tell you, your mother might have been very brave, witty, and lovely, yet the thought that she could possibility love James scared her."
"Why?"
"It's quite a story, Harry."
Harry was disappointed, as he was eager to find out about his parents. Yet he thought Dumbledore's time with him should be used more wisely.
"Oh I'm sorry Sir. Do you have another memory to show me, or more information about Voldemort's Horcruxes?"
"Well no I don't actually. I just brought you in here for just a chat. I just didn't quite feel like being alone tonight."
"Why Professor?"
"Well that's another tale you ask of me. Perhaps another time. However I can tell you are greatly eager to hear of your parents so I would continue on with that story."
Harry sat staring curiously at Dumbledore, he knew that when he came in here Dumbledore had been deeply troubled about something. Harry decided to put it aside for now and let him continue.