Hey, everyone.
Here's my second one-shot. I hope you like. Please leave me a review telling me what you think.
Add #TheName to your comment if you read this A/N.
Enjoy!
-Estelle
The Next Generation
James Sirius Potter.
It was quite the name.
The names of two of the greatest warriors and, of course, pranksters, of Hogwarts.
Minerva McGonagall groaned when she came across the name in the 2015 1st Years List. And yet, she couldn't help but throw him a rare smile when he arrived.
He looked just like his namesake. Messy black hair, warm brown eyes. Mischevious smile. But there was also an air of casual grace and carelessness about him, like Sirius Black. And she knew she wasn't in for an easy 7 years.
She was right.
Peeves had already swept down at the first years, ready to cause as much trouble as possible, ready to scare them out of their wits-
"Hey!" two voices chorused together.
One of them was unmistakably James Sirius Potter's. And McGonagall recognized the boy next to him with a jolt.
He had bright red hair, freckles, brown eyes, and a large grin. Fred George Weasley.
The old professor couldn't help but smile again, before realizing that this was basically going to be 7 years of having James, Sirius, Fred, George, Harry and Ron as her students, their personalities pushed into two eleven year olds.
Wonderful.
"You're Peeves!" James exclaimed.
"My Dad's told us loads about you!" Fred added.
Peeves squinted, "And who might you two be?"
It was no doubt that Peeves, like Minerva herself, was remembering similar-looking students from so many years ago.
"James Sirius Potter-"
"-and Fred George Weasley-"
"At your service!" the two concluded in perfect sync.
Peeves let out a mad cackle, "Ooh, knew your family best, I did!" he swept his bell hat off his head and held it in a salute that the two boys eagerly returned.
Minerva sighed to herself. Yes, it was going to be a very long seven years indeed.
James Sirius Potter.
It was quite the name.
"First years are not allowed to try out for the Quidditch team, Mr. Potter, you know that as well as I do!" Minerva McGonagall said sharply, having stormed out onto the pitch when she caught sight of a student who seemed to be far too small for Quidditch tryouts.
"Dad was chosen in first year-"
"Your father was an extraordinary player-"
"You haven't even seen me play, yet, Professor!" James protested.
"He's really, really good, Professor." Fred said seriously.
"I am surprised you are not clutching your broom as well, Mr. Weasley!" she snapped.
"I'll try out for Beater next year." the red-haired boy shrugged, "Team's already got a couple."
"Well, the team has a Seeker, as well, Mr. Potter, so you are not needed here." McGonagall turned back to James.
His brow furrowed, "Why would I want to play Seeker?"
Minerva blinked.
"I'm here for Chaser Tryouts, ma'am. Like my Mum."
And your grandfather, Minerva thought sadly, but she knew better than to say so.
"First years are not allowed." she said with finality.
"Dad was. The team needs one more Chaser. I'm good, I swear." James pleaded, "Just let me try out."
"We do need a Chaser, Professor." Jacob Wood, the captain, said hopefully, "Hardly anyone who turned up today could even hold the Quaffle. And my dad says Mr. Potter was brilliant, so if James is as good, we'll have the strongest team since 1993."
This thought swayed her slightly.
"Very well." she snapped, "But I will be the one judging this tryout, Mr. Wood."
Wood nodded hastily, and gave James a nervous look. James was the epitome of confidence for a moment, before pausing, "Wait." he said slowly.
Everyone waited.
"First years aren't allowed brooms. So if I get onto the team, I can get a broom?"
"Yes, I believe it would be essential." Minerva said.
James's face grew long with horror, "So..." he gulped, his eyes straying to the school brooms, "I have to use those for my tryout?"
Minerva turned to the old Cleansweep 7s, remembering when they were the top model, "Yes, Potter. Now, do hurry up."
"Right." James picked up the 'ancient' broom and mounted it.
"Do a few rounds. Then I'll send up our Bludgers and Quaffles. I'm the Keeper, yeah?" Wood said.
James nodded. Then, kicking off from the ground, he zoomed into the air.
Minerva stifled a gasp. He was every bit as good as both his parents! Possibly better! He made the Cleansweep 7 seem like a Firebolt (which were also quite outdated). He looped around the pitch under everyone's astonished gazes.
The two Bludgers and the Quaffle were let loose, and Wood himself flew up to block the posts.
The rest of the tryout was a blur. All she could remember was James dodging Bludgers, standing on his broom to make some shots, and overall giving quite a spectacular tryout.
"He-has-to." Wood panted fifteen minutes later, "He has to. We need him on the team. He's brilliant."
"Yes." Minerva said faintly, thinking of James Potter and Sirius Black, Chaser and Beater respectively, "Yes. Potter. This is a rather abrupt decision, but I suppose you are on the team."
Everyone broke into cheers and applause, and James beamed, "Thanks, Professor!"
The young boy gave a surprised McGonagall a hug around the waist, before dashing off with his friends to alert the rest of the castle.
And even if his name was James Sirius Potter, Minerva had to admit that he had a lot of Lily and Harry in him, as well.
James Sirius Potter.
It was quite the name.
"You're late." Minerva said, as James Potter stumbled into her office for his evening detention.
"Er- yeah, sorry, I-"
"Potter. As a fourth year student, you must know better than to resort to Muggle dueling." she cut in, "May I ask why you punched Mr. Zabini?"
James lowered his eyes, "Um...he...was hitting on Rosie?"
Minerva's eyes narrowed at the typical teenage slang, "That is no excuse to punch him!"
"Yes, it is!" James snapped back, and the professor knew at once that he was hiding something.
She sighed, "Why did your parents name you James Sirius Potter? Did they want you to attract trouble everywhere you go?"
"No." James answered, clearly not understanding that she had been talking to herself, "Dad says Grandad James was one of the bravest people ever, and he died protecting his family. And Sirius was blamed for their death and imprisoned for something he didn't do, but he stayed strong and escaped and stuff just so he could keep Dad safe." the boy lapsed into thoughtful silence before continuing, "Mum asked why my name couldn't be James Albus and Al's could be Sirius Severus or something like that, but Dad says he wouldn't do that to Sirius, because he hated Snape. Plus, Dad says Grandad and Sirius were like brothers, but they only got 10 years together, and they never deserved to be separated the way they were. So James Sirius Potter means they'll always be together. Name-wise at least. Dad says the two of them and Grandma Lily and Teddy's Dad are reunited and happy in the afterlife. So there's that."
Minerva stared at the boy, slightly open-mouthed.
"Potter." she finally said, as gently as she could, 'Why did you hit Mr. Zabini?"
James stared at her for a moment, before saying in a rush, "He was insulting Scorpius, saying things like he's a good-for-nothing tosser, and his family betrayed Mr. Zabini's Lord or something, and it's not fair that he gets picked on because he's a Malfoy- Sirius was a Black, and he was great- so then Rose stood up for Scor- and Zabini called her pretty- and then he called Aunt Hermione a mudblood-"
Minerva's eyes widened, but James didn't stop, "So Fred and Al and I started yelling at him, too, and then- and then-" he broke off, almost spitting with rage, "He insulted Fred and Lily."
"I understand that your cousin and sister are important to you, Mr. Potter, but-"
"No!" James gestured wildly, "He insulted Uncle Fred. And Uncle George. And Grandma Lily and Sirius and Grandpa James and- and-" he looked positively furious now, "Teddy's parents."
Minerva's hand flew to her mouth.
James was still ranting, "Zabini said to me, 'Named after two of the biggest blood traitors in history, how wonderful! And your sister, named after that mudblood you call Grandma? Ha! Only you can't call her grandma, because she's dead.' And so Scorpius tried to have a go at him, but Rose held him back, and then the prat- Zabini, not Scor- said, 'And what about you, Baby Potter? You do know Severus killed Albus? You do know your little friend's dad here is the one who disarmed the old fool?' and Albus nearly hit him, too, but Rose got hold of him, and then Zabini said to Fred, 'What about you, Weasley? Daddy half deaf, couldn't even protect an ear, and uncle even worse, killed by a wall.'"
Minerva was speechless, and quite ready to go and hit Zabini with her walking stick herself. But James wasn't done.
"And then he said,' Hey Potter, how's your godbrother? Still changing hair colors like his dead mum? Or still wishing he his dad was alive, so he could see first-hand what a real monster looks like?" James was breathing heavily, "So I punched him. Fred and Al and Scor hexed him, too, but I just punched him."
Minerva was silent for a long time.
When she spoke, she said, "I will speak to Mr. Zabini. You may go."
James looked up, surprised, "But- but what about detention?"
She smiled at him, "You are free to go. And do me a favor, tell Mr. Malfoy to meet me."
"He didn't do anything!" James said immediately, "I swear, I'll take his detention, he didn't-"
"Not for punishment, Potter."
"Oh- oh, yeah. Right. Sure, Professor. Thanks."
He was out of her room the next second.
James Sirius Potter.
It was quite the name.
Minerva McGonagall and nearly all the other teachers rushed up to the Owlery.
The entire school was already there- Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins- and to Minerva's immense shock, the Potters and Weasleys and Teddy Lupin were there as well.
The students cleared the way as the teachers hurried to the Potters.
Minerva only heard snatches of conversations.
"James-"
"No idea why he called us, but it's bound to be huge."
"Lily summoned the Slytherins, with an accio, she's really James's sister-"
"Did you hear Albus helped them out with this?"
"Harry." Minerva said faintly, "What on earth-"
"We all got letters from school saying to be hear at this time!" Ginny frowned, "In your handwriting. I thought there was some meeting or special announcement. I got suspicious when I saw the whole school. You're telling me you know nothing about this?"
Minerva turned to the center of attention, quite astonished that the Owlery could hold so many people. It looked as though it had been Internally Extended.
Of course. That boy.
"Mr. Potter!" she shouted, and James grinned cheerily at her.
Albus was talking to some curious students, while Lily was whispering to her brothers. A large portion of the wall was covered by a bedsheet.
"James Sirius Potter, what on earth are you doing?!" Ginny thundered, "You're in fifth year! You should know better than this!"
"Mum, hold on!" Al said impatiently, and Ginny was so shocked that Albus was participating in this scheme that she fell silent.
"Why did we all get letters, then?" Teddy asked, "It was just like the normal Hogwarts letters."
"Ask Fred." Lily said innocently, "And Scorpius. And, Rose in fact."
Murmurs spread amongst the students immediately.
"Rose?"
"Rose Weasley?"
"And Malfoy?"
George was grinning, curious but appreciative. Angelina was simmering.
"Ready?" Albus said.
James nodded and muttered, "Sonorous."
"Good afternoon, Hogwarts!" he bellowed, and everyone fell silent. His family was apparently gobsmacked.
"As you know, me, my brother Al and my sister Lily have been preparing this for nearly a week, with help from Fred, Scorpius, Rose and Hugo." he looked around, "You've all seen the memorial plaque room, right? And the tribute to the house-elves- especially Dobby- in the Kitchens?"
Minerva frowned in confusion. She ignored the fact that James had been to the Kitchens.
"Many years ago, there was an evil wizard named Lord Voldemort. He and an army called the Death Eaters were trying to rid the world of all but pure-bloods. He was killing everybody, taking over everywhere. We've all read and learnt about it in History. This chaos was split into two huge wars- the First Wizarding War, and The Second Wizarding War, which happened on May 2nd, here in Hogwarts. In the Great Hall. So there were people who risked their lives for my dad, for their families, for hope of a better life. Some of them survived the battle. Some of them didn't. Many didn't."
"It was the darkest times the wizards have ever known- and muggles too, in fact. The time during these two wars." Al continued, "In the first one, Voldemort got defeated by my dad- and Dad was only a baby. But my grandparent- James and Lily- died in the fight, and Sirius Black was imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit. The McKinnons, the Bones, the Prewetts and so many more families died."
"Fourteen years later, Voldemort came back." Lily said, "He recruited all the Death Eaters. Dad was there. Dad dueled him, and escaped, but another person wasn't as lucky. Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff. He was the first casualty of the Second War. Loads died after that. Sirius, Mad-Eye, Dumbledore, Severus Snape. Fred Weasley, Remus and Tonks, Colin Creevey."
"Dirk Cresswell, Ted Tonks, Dobby the House Elf, and so many more." Albus took over again, "But they've all got monuments and plaques and statues."
"So there is someone who's stuck by my dad from beginning to end, who died in a battle, protecting my dad, and who was a good, loyal friend." James said, "We've decided to put up a plaque in memory of her."
Minerva suddenly realized why they were in the Owlery. She turned to the Potters and Weasleys, who were frozen in shock.
"So, yeah." James cleared his throat, "Dad's told us heaps about her, and we've got pictures at home, but Hogwarts need a memorial thing, too. She lived here. I'm pretty sure that if you've read Harry Potter: A Life, you'll know who I'm talking about. So, Al, if you will."
Al waved his wand. The bedsheet fell, and on the wall was a pure white marble plaque, a huge one, with a picture of Hedwig the Owl.
Minerva squinted to read it.
In loving memory of:
Hedwig, the owl of Harry Potter.
Bought by Rubeus Hagrid for Harry Potter in 1991.
Died in 1997, in The Battle of the Seven Potters, protecting Harry Potter.
A good friend, a responsible post owl and a loyal companion.
If you ever need to understand loyalty, love and determination, remember Hedwig.
An owl who cared about her owner more than many others did.
An owl who would not stop until she completed her task, who braved so much to reach her destination.
An owl who could love, at a time when many humans could not.
An owl who stuck with Harry until the very end.
Hedwig Potter (-1991- 1997)
Minerva felt sudden tears in his eyes. And she could see Harry was already crying. So was Hermione, and Fleur and half the students.
Harry walked up to the plaque, observing the picture, running his hand over the engravings, before turning and embracing his children, and then Rose, Fred and Hugo. To Scorpius's enormous surprise, Harry hugged him, too. Minerva could see the young boy's face light up with a smile.
Soon, all the Potters and Weasley's and Teddy were hugging one and other, crying, examining the plaque.
The students and teachers waited graciously for their turn to see the memorial.
"So...I get that this is kind of defacing school property." James said sheepishly.
Minerva shook her head, "You will not receive detention, Mr. Potter. Fifty points to Gryffindor."
James grinned, "So, yeah, Dad, I hope you like it. The main reason I chose to unveil it today was something Uncle George said the day before yesterday."
Minerva frowned. George and Angelina had come to Hogwarts two days ago because Fred had blown up a toilet. Angelina had shouted. George had silently congratulated his son.
"He said." James continued, "In two day, it will be my ear's twenty-third death anniversary. The day the Battle of the Seven Potters happened. So I think we need to have two minutes of silence."
"Not for Uncle George's ear." Al added hurriedly, "For Hedwig and Mad-Eye Moody."
They fell silent. They all fell silent, not a single person in the entire school made a sound.
After two minutes, James broke it, "Thanks. And thanks for coming. Before we go, I have two things to say. The first, Hugo, if you will."
Hugo screwed up his nose, concentrating furiously, before letting out a hoot that sounded uncannily like an owl.
Of course, Minerva thought thickly. These children.
Ron beamed at his son proudly.
"The second." James nodded at all his cousins. They took deep breaths, and all shouted together, "CONSTANT VILIGANCE!"
"Thank you for your cooperation and time." Scorpius said serenely, "You can go now, in lines according to houses so no one gets trampled."
The students dispersed. Minerva was in awe over the control this family had over the school. The students were actually listening to them, more attentively than they listened to half the teachers.
"Oh, James, Al, Lily." Ginny whispered, hugging her children again.
Yes, Minerva thought, James might be like his namesakes, but he did have a piece of his father as well.
James Sirius Potter.
It was quite the name.
James and Fred had insisted that Minerva read out their middle names when giving out their diplomas.
She had agreed.
She felt old, realizing that she had been there when the first James Potter had graduated, she had watched Harry pass out of school, and now James Sirius was leaving.
It would be empty without him and Fred.
Lily did make quite some ruckus, but in the cheeky, bold way that her grandmother had, not in the explosive sense.
And Albus was rather like Harry. Accidentally troublesome.
Minerva didn't want to imagine a Hogwarts without any of the Potter/Weasley/Longbottom/Scamander/Lupins.
But she knew that by the time Lily and Hugo graduated, it would only be a few yeas before Teddy's child arrived. And then the whole thing would start all over again.
"Can't believe yer graduatin', remember yeh as a kid causin' trouble." Hagrid said, sniffling into his hanky.
"Ah, don't cry over me, mate." James grinned. He was wearing graduation robes, like all the seventh years, "You've still got ages before Lily leaves."
Hagrid gulped, "Remember yer dad at Hogwarts, and yer granddad. And all yer family, great people, all of yeh..."
"Don't be stupid, Hagrid." Fred said loyally, 'You're part of our family as much as I am, you just live farther away."
James nodded in agreement, and Hagrid dissolved in tears once more.
Minerva looked up and noticed that all the families had arrived, and all the students were seated.
She cleared her throat, "Welcome to the graduation of the batch of 2021-2022." she said into her wand, "All our students have worked hard- and caused trouble," she looked at James and Fred meaningfully as a ripple of laughter passed through the crowd, "-for the past seven years. Now they leave Hogwarts to forge their own path in life, and we wish them luck, and trust that they use all they have learnt in Hogwarts out in the real world. And I don't mean only the lessons learnt in the classroom."
She continued, calling out all the houses, naming all the teachers, letting the students and families cheer and whistle.
"Before we start the diploma-giving." Minerva said, "I would like to call on our Head Boy and Head Girl to give a small speech."
James Potter and Alice Longbottom rose together. Minerva noted with satisfaction that he had been holding her hand.
They sonoroused their wands before beginning.
"So." James said, "I'm James Sirius Potter. Apparently, I've been the Head Boy for the past year."
Everyone laughed.
"I'm Alice Longbottom, Head Girl." Alice said, "Been doing most of the work."
More laughs.
"So." James said, "When I got the letter and badge last summer, I was quite shocked. In fact, I sent the badge back to Hogwarts telling Professor McGonagall that she sent me someone else's letter."
"I wondered how she could have made this idiot Head Boy." Alice said conversationally, "He doesn't even know that you can't make that kind of mistake. It's magic."
"As I was saying." James grinned, "No one was more disappointed in me than my best friend, cousin, and partner-in-crime, Fred George Weasley. Yet, being the wonderful- and annoying- person that he is, he helped me throughout the entire year, keeping me grounded, out of trouble, reminding me of my responsibilities, and I feel like he has as much a right to be up here as I do. But Professor McGonagall was worried we'd blow up the podium, so she said no."
The audience were screaming with laughter by now, and James's family looked extremely proud.
"We've tried our best this year." Alice continued, "Making sure all the events went smoothly, making sure everyone was happy and comfortable. I was also making sure James didn't make midnight kitchen trips saying he was on rounds."
Minerva laughed, too, with everyone else.
"We hope we've done a good job. I feel like we have. I feel like the year went smoothly. Not in a boring way, but in the way that makes Hogwarts the place that it is." Alice said, "It's our home. James and I worked hard on inter-house unity this year, and I'm glad to say it's gone well."
"Leaving Hogwarts is sad." James took over, "We've had some of the best moments here, learnt brilliant new things- more about ourselves than about magic, and that's saying something. Because the real magic is in understanding. We've learnt excellent curses and jinxes and hexes, yes. But we've learnt to believe in ourselves, too. We've learnt not to judge a book by its cover- cliché, but how else would I consider Scorpius Malfoy my little brother?- we've learnt to fight for what we believe in, and to do what's right, not what's easy."
"After today, we are thrust into the real world." Alice spoke to her fellow seventh years, "We learn even more now, but we don't forget what we have learnt at Hogwarts. Memories are another thing we can carry away. We need to say a huge thanks to our families, for their love and support, our friends and school-mates for their loyalty, the house-elves, ghosts and even Peeves for making Hogwarts the place that it is, fun and exciting. But most of all, to our teacher, every single one of them, for sacrificing their time and taking the effort to make sure we understand things. To make sure we don't memorize facts, but truly gain knowledge. To care about us as a parent would care about their child. There are thousands of students here, but our teachers care about all of us as individuals."
"We don't dwell on the past." James said, and all families nodded in agreement, "We don't dwell on the past- we recall happy memories. We don't waste time imagining our future- we work hard now, and get ready to take on whatever is coming. Because, as both my father and Hagrid have said- what comes will come, and we're going to have to face it when it does. We don't struggle to earn a bigger salary than the next person, or get higher marks than our friends right now, in the present- we live it. We enjoy it, and make the most of every moment. So many people died in War, people who deserved full and happy lives. Let's live for all of them. Let's live in a way that assures that we have no regrets."
"Love, loyalty and friendship. Hard work, wisdom, bravery and imagination. These are the most important things in life." Alice said, "We laugh often, we work hard, we love much, and we live life to it's fullest. As James said, we do what's right. Not what's easy. We make the right choices. We need to thank everyone who has guided us to where we are today, while letting us grow as people. Good luck to all my friends, all today's graduates who step into a new future. Let's do this. Together." she looked at James, a smile lighting her face.
James nodded in agreement, smiling back, "All of us. Together."
And with that, James and Alice stepped off the podium. Minerva had never imagined that they would give such a sincere, eloquent speech.
The audience went quite mad. They didn't stop clapping for the next five minutes, and the cheers only increased when James dropped a light kiss to Alice's lips, whispering a quiet I love you.
When the time came to give away the diplomas, Minerva was blowing her nose into her handkerchief.
She thought about all the trouble this boy had caused, all the marks he had scored, all the friends he had gained.
"James Sirius Potter." she called, and he beamed at her as he accepted his diploma, the crowd screaming his name.
To her intense surprise, James gave her a hug, then shouted, "See ya, Minnie!", hopping off the stage.
When all the graduates had received their diplomas, and Minerva gave the nod of approval, they threw their caps into the air, screaming, crying, hugging.
Then the families and students thundered to the group, and Minerva could barely spot the Potters and Weasleys. James and Fred were the center of attraction at Hogwarts for the last time as students. She choked up a bit, remember James Potter and Sirius Black in the same position, throwing their heads back laughing, their arms slung around Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans and Remus Lupin.
She could still hear their laughter now, echoing in her ears, and she knew they were watching, because how could they not be?
They never truly leave us.
She looked into the crowd, spotting James Sirius's messy dark head, his warm brown eyes as he hugged a crying Lily, and was nearly squashed by a crying Hagrid.
He was just like his namesakes, yet he had proved time and again that he was his own person.
Yes, he really was. Minerva thought, making her way into the throng to congratulate the now former Head Boy.
James Sirius Potter.
It was quite the name.