Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters used within this story. It belongs to JK. I do not own the song used, it belongs to Luther Vandross. These are purely for my own enjoyment and I gain nothing from my use of them.
A/N: Enjoy my story and please review. Please be gentle, it's my first.. and it's un-beta'd
Dance With my Father
He made his way up to the front of the crowd in silence.
A young man, barely in his twenties, with ebony hair to his shoulders and a slight build, found his way up a few steps to the stage, and crossed to the centre.
When in place in front of the microphone, he softly cleared his throat.
"I know this isn't the norm" he began somewhat nervously, "but my dad-he did love to hear how much everyone loved him! If he was here right now I'm sure both his head and his ego would be growing at an alarming rate!" The slight smile on the young man's face faltered slightly.
"But he's not here. So we are here for him. To celebrate his happy,varied yet ultimately short life with us. I could say any number of things about why I'll miss my dad..But I fear I'd be here all day. So, instead, I'm going to sing one of his favourite muggle song's called, 'Dance with my Father' Uhm, I apologise in advance for my poor singing voice".
With a weak grin on his face, which contrasted with the tears in his over-bright jade eyes, the man closed his eyes, waiting for the music to begin.
A light tinkling of piano keys filled the room, and Harry begain to sing.
"Back when I was a child, Before life removed all the innocence, My father would lift me high, And dance with my mother and me and then, Spin me around 'till I fell asleep Then up the stairs he would carry me And I knew for sure, I was loved-"
Harry looked into the crowd and found her. His mother, surrounded by his siblings and sitting with his godfather Sirius, who was holding her hand tightly with one of his own, whilst fishing about in his pocket with the other, presumably for a tissue, as his mother had tearsstreaming down her face. Odd, as she had a soft, slight whisper of a smile on her face as she gazed up at him.
"If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him I'd play a song the would never, ever end, How I'd love, love, love, to dance with my father, again,
"When I and my mother would disagree, To get my way I would run from her to him, He'd make me laugh just to comfort me, Yeah yeah, then finally make me do just what my mama said, Later that night when I was asleep, He left a dollar under my sheet, Never dreamed that he, would be gone from me,
"If I could steal, one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him, I'd play a song that would never, ever end 'Cause I'd love, love, love, to dance with my father, again,
"Sometimes I d listen outside her door And I d hear how mama would cry for him I prayed for her even more than me I prayed for her even more than me,
"I know I m praying for much too much But could you send the only man she loved I know you don t do it usually But dear lord she s dying to dance with my father again,
"Every night I fall asleep, And this is all I ever dream"
As the last note tapered off, silent reigned. Then, as one, the entire congregation stood. Respect for James, admiration for Harry, and empathy for the whole family clear in each member's face.
With tear-tracks on his face, Harry smiled.
He had done his father proud.