Summary: James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna Potter along with Rose and Hugo Weasley meet the past headmasters Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape through their portraits. Their parents may also make an entrance!
I own absolutely nothing! All rights go to JK
Chapter One
Severus Snape sat, relaxing in his frame, eyes darting around the headmaster's office. His portrait was only recently added along side the other previous headmasters of Hogwarts. He was told it was Potter's doing, and it made sense, seeing as very few knew the truth of what Snape had done for the cause.
Most of the other headmasters chattered among themselves, or slept. Severus was not amused by this. He spent the majority of his time silent, until Albus Dumbledore either woke or returned from his portrait elsewhere. Dumbledore was never idle for too long. And even as a painting, he never ran out of things to do or talk about.
The current Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall sat at her large desk. As she wrote, the sound of her quill scratching the parchment was the primary noise, until a large BANG followed by a commotion passed by the office. Voices were muffled, but they were shouting nonetheless.
All occupants of the office sat up at the noise.
"What in the name of Merlin?" Minerva wondered aloud.
Just as she rose to her feet, Argus Filch came storming into the office, holding three students by their collars. All of them struggled madly to get away.
"Professor! I know this looks really bad but -" One of the boys began, but was interrupted by McGonagall.
"Silence. James Potter, Theodore Lupin, and Lorcan Scamander - why am I not surprised to see you?"
"I can explain it mam! These three delinquents 'ere ... I caught 'em you see. I caught 'em in the Great Hall causin a ruckus wi' these!" Filch held up a large bag of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Both Severus and Albus attentions were caught with the name James Potter. The boy looked just like the original: gangly limbs, dark hair, and a confident look even in his current predicament. Apparently the lad had the same aptitude for mischief which made Severus feel sick. Dumbledore looked at the young trio with fondness, noticing the similarities between them and the original Marauders.
"Thank you Argus. You may wait outside while I speak with these three." McGonagall said tiredly.
Filch hesitated, then begrudgingly released his tight grip on the boys, and took his leave.
"As I am sure you are the leader of this rabble, Mr. Potter, I will leave it to you to explain." McGonagall sat down and gestured for him to begin.
The boys flanking James breathes sighs of relief and gave encouraging looks to their leader. Snape held in a scoff and Albus, a chuckle; things truly never change.
"Well Professor, before school started, my uncle Ron gave me and Teddy dome of these from the shop." James pointed at the bag. "We weren't planning on using them, but we saw a couple of Slytherins having a go at Rose. She's my cousin Professor, I wasn't about to let that happen. So we hexed them a bit and then one of the Slytherins - Maul, I think - tried to hex Lorcan but it hit the bag and they all went off." James paused to take a breath and straightened his back. "I'll take responsibility for this Professor, but I won't apologize for sticking up for my family."
As much as McGonagall looked reprimanding, it was clear to see the swell of affection she had for these young students.
All of the boys were shifting from foot to foot, fidgety and nervous.
"Boys, I can appreciate your actions under the circumstances. It was very brave and very gallant - you showed the values of true Gryffindors." James smirked, Lorcan flushed pink under his fair skin, and Teddy's turquois hair turned to a vibrant red. "However, you have violated several school rules. Not to mention that this is not the first time we've had behavioral problems from the three of you. Twenty points each will be taken from Gryffindor. Theodore, Lorcan, you are dismissed. James, I need you to stay a while longer."
Both boys hesitated.
"Professor," Teddy said, "James shouldn't be in anymore trouble than us. I want to stay."
"Me too." Lorcan agreed.
Minerva smiled indulgently.
"That's very noble of you boys, but I can assure you, Mr. Potter is not in any more trouble. Go on to class, he will join you shortly."
All parties looked relieved and Teddy and Lorcan gave James pats on the back as they left.
"James," Minerva began, "I can not be angry with you for being protective of loved ones. It's one of the traits I admire most about you and your family. But you need to have more regard for the rules of this school, not only for yourself, but for those who look up to you. I am as lenient as I can be with you, but I cannot allow you to continue down this path of mischief. Do you understand?"
James nodded.
"Good. Now for the matter involving young Rose Weasley - I will ensure the bullying comes to a swift end, though I know for certain Ms. Weasley is more than capable of defending herself. With that being said, I have a meeting with your father, and I am sure you would like to see him, so you are free to stay here until we return."
"Thank you, Professor."
As McGonagall disappeared into the green flames of her fireplace, James Sirius Potter plopped himself with ease into one of the large leather chairs. He looked around the room with wonder, until his dark eyes focused and widened on one of the portraits. The portrait of an old man with a kind face and half-moon spectacles.
"Blimey!" he shouted, "You're Professor Dumbledore!"
"I am." Albus replied kindly. "And you are James Potter. Are you Harry Potter's son?"
"Yeah, my dad's Harry Potter and my mum's Ginny! My dad talks about you all the time. He says you were the wisest man he ever knew."
"Your father flatters me, entirely too much." Albus smiled. "Tell me young man, Headmistress McGonagall seems to be very familiar with you, yet I haven't seen you in this office before ...?"
"Oh yeah, most o' the time, McGonagall just talks to me in private. But, Filch actually caught us this time, I really hate that old man." James replied casually.
Professor Snape snorted, and caught James's attention.
"Y-You're Professor Snape." he sputtered, "Dad told me loads about you as well."
"I'm not surprised that Potter has told you false fables about myself." Snape sneered, "Most likely about how unfair I made his pitiful life?"
James flushed with anger.
"Before you insult my dad even more, he doesn't have a bad word to say about you. He said you were the bravest man he ever knew."
Snape opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by Dumbledore.
"Tell me dear boy, you have younger siblings?" Albus asked curiously.
"Yeah, I have a younger brother and sister. My baby brother Albus is a first year here and my sister Lily is nine." James said casually.
Dumbledore's eyes widened significantly at both names, but before he was able to ask, green flames blazed from the fireplace, from which a middle aged Harry Potter arrived. Both portraits were left ignored by the living men in the room.
"James? What are you doing here? Oh lord, please don't tell me you're in trouble. Don't you remember what Mum told you before y-"
"Everything is fine, Dad! I'm not in trouble! Well ... I was for a bit, but not anymore. McGonagall just thought I'd want to see you."
Harry strode to his eldest son and embraced him fiercely. Before he pulled away Harry planted a kiss on the top of James's head and kneeled so they were eye to eye.
"I've missed you so bloody much." Harry declared in a soft voice. "It's far too quiet at home without you and Al running around. Your sister doesn't know what to do with herself."
Snape and Dumbledore watched the interaction with very different reactions. Snape couldn't help but feel a strong surge of resentment; both of them looked so much like James Potter through different points in his life. Dumbledore, however, had a steady stream of tears falling from his wrinkled eyes. Seeing the Boy Who Lived grown into a man with a son of his own was almost too much for the old headmaster to bear.
When Dumbledore blew his nose into a handkerchief, both Potter's looked up at the portraits.
Harry stood up and wrapped an arm around James's shoulders. Harry's tired eyes twinkled when he saw two of the most influential men in his young life.
"Hello Professors."
Chapter edited/re-uploaded: 12/23/14
