JKR owns these characters. Review if you read, please! I need to know what you think so that I can be motivated to write more. Oh, by the way, let me know if any of you reviewers are James fans, too. .
Albus Dumbledore, perhaps one of the world's most revered wizards, steepled his fingers on his desk and listened patiently to the portrait of Professor Dippet, his predecessor, as he talked.
"In my day, students were never out after hours. Walking after hours...no, not even the bravest Gryffindor would have DARED..." Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled from behind his half-moon spectacles as he reflected that perhaps the reason for that was the Chamber of Secrets incident.
"...Though I have to say, Dumbledore, you have run this place very well. Couldn't be prouder, in fact. I'm glad to have you back." The various other portraits of previous Headmasters all nodded vigorously in agreement, saying things like, "That awful Umbridge woman," and "The school is better with you, Albus".
"Thank you all very much." Dumbledore said, but any further attempts at late-night conversations with the Headmasters were paused when a great commotion was heard from outside of his office. The current Headmaster was up in an instant, down the stairs and had opened the door to see young Potter standing in front of the gargoyle, looking quite impish and perhaps a bit guilty. A single specimen of one of Filibuster's finest, though a rather rustic version, Dumbledore noted, was shorting the last of its sparks, which made loud popping noises when they faded. Those hadn't been popular for a while.
"Sorry, professor." Potter said, "The gargoyle wouldn't let me through." Dumbledore moved his gaze from the firework to Harry. He looked at Harry as if really seeing him for the first time and just barely had the self-control not to start. It wasn't Harry. No, this Potter had a longer nose, hazel eyes, was slightly taller and had a Head Boy badge gleaming on his robes. This Potter hadn't been seen alive for nearly seventeen years. Dumbledore recognized him instantly; he had been a great mischief-maker, but a brilliant student. His only equal in his time had been a young Sirius Black.
"James?" Dumbledore said, "I think that you had better step into my office." The boy, obviously relieved that he wasn't in trouble for the 3 AM racket, followed Dumbledore up the stairs and into the spacious office. Fawkes called a greeting instantly, causing a grin to take young James Potter's face. Dumbledore watched this as he took a seat behind his desk.
"As much of a pleasure it is to see you, James, how did you get here?" Dumbledore asked him promptly.
"Well, the last I remember was Sniv—er, Severus Snape and I hexing each other. I used a gagging hex and then...he tried to curse me, but he was still gagging and..." James said unflinchingly. Dumbledore had to applaud his bravery. Admitting to a wizard's duel was definite grounds for detention. But clearly, James was aware that this was the future and therefore feared no punishments.
"Ah, so it may have been garbled." Dumbledore completed. James nodded. There was a brief silence and then—
"Am I going to get to meet myself? Am I an Auror? Am I married? Do I have kids?" James looked intrigued. Dumbledore's heart hurt with sympathy for the boy. He was looking at the apparition of the past, the past that had been dead for seventeen years.
"I don't know how your knowing will affect the past, so perhaps it is wiser that I don't speak of it. While I consult with the staff about what action would be most appropriate to transport you back, I think that I'll let you sleep with the Hufflepuffs-"
"I don't know, professor, I have a girlfriend and Hufflepuffs have never been my type..." James said with that familiar rakish grin that Dumbledore remembered so well. Imagine what Harry would do, seeing his dead father in the flesh. With Sirius's passing, the trauma might be too much for him, especially after he realizes what he lost. Dumbledore thought, I can't allow Harry and James to meet while James is here. It wouldn't be fair to Harry. There was also the matter of affecting the past. Dumbledore knew that it would be difficult for Harry to hide James's future from him and there was no telling what sort of impact James's knowledge of his fate would have on the fate of the rest of the world. Aware that he was in a dodgy situation, Dumbledore decided that he would try to keep the two boys from meeting.
It was incredible how much alike they looked and yet how dissimilar their personalities were. James had certainly passed along his athleticism to his son, as well as his mop of unruly dark hair. It would have been nearly impossible to tell him apart from his son had they been standing side by side. But James was far more animated and lively; he obviously liked to have a good time. Harry had been through too much torment to be as light-hearted and carefree as James seemed. But even the laughing, fun loving Potter had his secrets. He had done a very good job at hiding his participation in Remus Lupin's monthly visits to the Shrieking Shack, even when he had been in Dumbledore's confidence. I didn't even find out that he was an Animagus until after he died, Dumbledore thought. James was brave and a good friend, traits that he passed down to his son. Dumbledore couldn't imagine the kind of change that would be inflicted upon James's younger self if he found out that he was destined to die young.
"Er, Professor?" James asked, cocking his head slightly. Dumbledore had obviously been looking right through him.
"I apologize, James. So, you would be willing to dorm with the Hufflepuffs?"
"A question, professor?" At Dumbledore's nod, James asked the expected question, "I'm a Gryffindor, professor, so why Hufflepuff?"
"Hufflepuff has room for you, whereas we are short on beds this year in Gryffindor." The latter was true, though not the entire truth. It just wouldn't do for Dumbledore to say, 'James, I don't want you to meet your son, who will most likely tell you that you are dead and affect your character to the point where the present might be in danger'.
James wasn't ignorant to fall for that completely, but Dumbledore could tell that he accepted it as he changed the subject, "So, how long am I here?"
"There are different ways of getting you back to your time. The only issue at hand is your safety. Because of the unpredictability of the curse that young Severus used, it would be best to wait for at least a week to send you back." Dumbeldore explained. He wouldn't have James damaged. As he continued in his conversation with a person who didn't know that he was supposed to be dead, Dumbledore once again reflected on how precarious this entire situation was. The key was keeping everything balanced just so. James Potter, welcome to the future.
