I do not own Harry Potter or the Dark Hunters
Chapter 7
One day before Hogwarts
Sirius was admittedly moping. Despite having given his godson a present of a snowy owl which, the youth named Hedwig, to take with him to Hogwarts. He was now currently watching his godson pack his new clothes and books that he and his mother had picked up the other day, with relative ease. The dark haired boy looking at Sirius in puzzlement, the auror just sank even further into his chair.
"What is it Uncle Padfoot?" Harry asked with a curious expression. Sirius turns to stare at the bright emerald eyes set deep within a face that he misses with all his heart. James should be here for Harry and not him. But his long time friend had escaped repeatedly every morning since Harry's arrival... Even Tory was here, the woman who was Harry and Neville's other mother had come to see them off. Archeron already there, she was quote. "Not going to miss this for the world."
"Just disappointed in your father pup..." Sirius replied sadly. "As much as I love hanging with you kid. I can't help but feel he should be here instead of me." Tory not saying anything can't help but offer a reassuring squeeze on the man's shoulders.
About ready to defend Archeron, Harry realizes that it wasn't the Dark Hunter Leader that his godfather was referring to as he watches one of his mother's give comfort. It was to the other man, that he himself admittedly wishes would let him get to know him. He has made an effort to get to know James Potter repeatedly...
But the man always shied away. His mother and this man always made time for him. Much like his adoptive parents. But the one he wanted to know most, the one that even now he felt drawn to was fading away.
"I know..." Harry said quietly in response. His dark hair covering the sadness etched in his eyes. "I really do like the fact you come and teach me Wizarding things when you can Uncle Padfoot. It makes things a lot easier for me...I just wish..."
"Wish what kiddo?"
About to respond, a familiar magic permeates the air and Harry grins as he races out of the room. Stopping and running back, the teenager pulls on a puzzled Padfoot, who follows with a curious expression. Tory giggling, she goes as well to greet someone who tingles at her senses. Arriving in the living room moments later, Sirius is smiling as Remus stands there alongside Savitar and one other man, who is currently talking to a smiling Lily.
"MOONY!"
As Harry was busy rushing over to give greetings to his first teacher. Savitar accepts the hug with enthusiasm as Moony receives one himself from his longtime friend.
"I thought you were busy talking to this Fury guy, to learn how to control your wolf!" Sirius exclaimed as he and Lily both looked his friend over. Already changes were obvious in the werewolf's demeanor. Although still the kind and friendly wolf, he had gone to school with. There were subtle differences in his stance.
And the fact that his magical power felt different...stronger...
"He was. Name's Fury.." The other man said in amusement as Harry greeted him as well. "Alpha leader of the Pack based in New Orleans, Louisiana." Looking down at Harry, he finds Lily grinning as the floo roars to life and the Longbottoms pile put of it one by one, sans Frank. Alice puzzled by Neville's grin and antics, spies Lily's visitors and smile in understanding.
In fact they all watch as both he and Harry tackle the other man to the ground and wrestle playfully with the Wolf leader.
"I taught them much about magic and history." Savitar stated with a grin as he watches the two boys pounce on Fury once more. "When it comes to fitness though, I admit unless it is surfing I am quite lazy."
"So you had him work on their health and fitness..." Alice realized with a smile. It would explain why her son had such a huge appetite. And why she would often find him teaching his younger brother some things as well as his father.
Because much to Frank's chagrin, he would often find himself pinned by his older son... Not that he cared much anyway. Her husband would take a lot more pins from Neville, if it meant bonding with the young teenager.
"Who better then those who depend on those very things to survive?" Savitar said with a grin. "Who better then to teach them, how to survive when they can't depend on their own magic?" Tory chirped in as well.
"True..." Sirius grinned happily, but as a puzzled expression crossed his features. He looks to the new arrivals with curiosity. "Why are you guys here anyway?"
"Because, I wanted to see my godson and my honorary nephew off to Hogwarts." Remus replied as Fury whispers something in the ears of both boys. Harry and Neville grinning. Alice and Lily both back up, as the two teens, get ready to move upon a couple of unsuspecting men.
Savitar realizing what's about to happen pulls an unsuspecting Thomas Longbottom out of the way as a few minutes later. There are two streaks of dark hair heading for Sirius and Remus, who are caught off guard as they are tackled to the floor. A scuffle going on as both boys wrestle their godfathers, when they are done, Alice, Thomas, and Lily were trying not to giggle as Fury and Savitar roar in laughter.
Both men were trussed up in ropes of magic. Harry and Neville working in tandem as the magic was connected to their hands, the two men started performing various kinds of dances from the muggle world.
Especially the chicken dance...
After about fifteen minutes, not to mention a few pictures taken by Lily, who promised copies to Alice. The two women chuckle as they have Harry and Neville stop their little prank.
Finally released from the spell, the two boys take off as both their godfathers start counting.
"1 You know Sirius." Remus said with a grin. "With that stunt, think they can take our records for the most detentions away?"
"2 Nope..." The older man responded. "But I am happy about one thing!"
"3 What?"
"4 They are definitely Marauders!" The auror chirped happily. Reaching 5, the two men take off to get revenge on their godsons much to the amusement of the others, who sit down to chat amongst themselves. Thomas and Lily both quizzing Fury about his life as he finds the man cool in his opinion. Alice talks to Savitar about the events in Diagon alley.
Lily giggling as this is going on, she sets off to get the pictures developed immediately. Her husband will love the images of his son taking after him in all ways...
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Auror Headquarters...
James sighed as he looked at the pile of paperwork on his desk. Because of the incident with Voldemort not to long ago, he had yet to be given the all clear to return to work alongside Sirius.
Instead, he was stuck writing and filing long overdue reports of cases against Death Eaters.
Not that it made a difference in his opinion.
So when a snowy white owl appeared flying into his offices with a letter for him, he was puzzled. He had never seen this bird before in his life... But as she dropped a envelope onto his desk, she decided to preen a bit as she perched on the walls waiting for a response.
Picking up the envelope, he opens it to find a letter and a picture from his wife.
James...
Before you wonder, the owl is a gift from Sirius to Harry. Our son named her Hedwig and she is a beautiful creature is she not. He had done so in preparation for Harry going away to Hogwarts. Tory and Archeron are here as well. Dumbledore has apparently met his match when he decided regardless of him being a teacher. He will ride the train with the boys.
Remus is visiting us and the Longbottoms by the way. He had come a day before the boys will leave, so that he can see them off to Hogwarts. His new pack leader Fury is here as well. Apparently, Remus has told him of a couple of other werewolves who feel the same way he does. Fury is going to visit them alongside Remus.
Anyhow, Sirius will probably tell you later...but Harry and Neville in his opinion are destined to be the next Marauders. The picture should tell you all of it...
Love,
Lily
P.S James...please be here tomorrow to come and see Harry off. Even I can tell he wants to see you...
Gazing at the picture, James can't help but let out a laugh at his two long time friends. Memories of Sirius and Remus being manipulated by two fourteen year olds would and will indeed be priceless.
Still as he looks at the picture, his eyes are immediately drawn to the smiling face of his son. Green eyes reflecting his sense of humor as he is busy moving his arms in the picture, James could never feel more proud of Harry then he was at this moment.
Harry...
Shaking his head, as he feels himself getting attached, James looks around carefully. Taking his wand out he holds the picture in his hand and murmurs the proper spell. With tears in his eyes, he watches as the flames take hold of it...
The image of his only son and child going up in flames...
"Forgive me Harry..." The man whispered sadly and painfully. His heart was breaking in two as the photo became ash. "I can't...I just can't..."
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Platform 9 and ¾'s, the next day.
Lily and Tory both, were looking around the crowd on the platform in hopes that her husband would appear. Archeron had even come and was chatting with both boys as well as the other men while getting bags and trunks on the train. Having awoken early in hopes to talk to him, she was stunned to find that he had already left for the day once more.
Seeing the disappointment in Harry's eyes as once again James was not there was heart wrenching to say the least. Sirius and Remus both when they and the Longbottoms had come in an hour later, she had to persuade the two men and Frank, not to go to the offices and forcefully drag James out.
Tory herself, was being restrained by Archeron, to keep from going after him.
Still she was thanking god for Simi who was there thanks to Archeron. Heavily glamored to look human, the young demoness was the one, who had cheered up her son's spirits. Not to mention everyone else's. Even now the girl seemed to have made a friend, who somehow knew what she was!
Thus of course had startled Archeron and Tory making them wary and alert. But the fact that this Luna Lovegood was chatting with Simi in like tones, talking of nargles and other such things. Somehow, by the rapt expression on Simi's features, they knew she meant no harm. In fact Simi, who would be running around the castle under Tory's watchful eyes would be attending classes with the some of the younger years, was determined to go Snorlack hunting with the young girl as soon as she could.
The teachers having been alerted and introduced to the young demoness. Simi found herself happily spoiled rotten. Minnie had become Grandma, as Professor Sprout had become the neat lady and Hagrid was the big guy. Snape was the weird creepy guy, who smelled yummy. First thing Simi had to ask was could she eat him, which of course was meant with a series of loud nos.
It had eased a lot of tension. Still, Lily herself was working on their close friends to keep them from going homicidal on her husband.
Flashback
"Lily! This is getting out of hand!" Sirius stated with a roar. His dark eyes flashing in anger as he notices his friend flinch at his tone. Frank Longbottom, couldn't help but nod his head to Sirius's words in agreement. His own voice speaking up, Alice gasps at his words.
"Even though I rarely agree with him Lily on some things, Sirius is right. James needs to get the crap kicked out of him, since he doesn't realize that Harry and Neville are here to stay."
"I think Archeron had done that himself Frank." Lily replied sadly. "But you know James..."
"Yeah a stubborn righteous git at the moment..." The dog Animagus muttered. Remus's hand on his shoulder before he could say anything else, the wolf is thoughtful for a moment before he begins to speak. Looking to Tory and Archeron, both simply nod their heads in agreement with his upcoming words.
"I think he's scared..."
Flashback ends
Sirius as well as Frank, the minute those words were uttered of course denied it. James Potter scared of anything?
Preposterous.
Still, no one knows her husband like she does, and as they were leaving, Lily had pulled Remus to the side and they had spoken. She had agreed...
James was scared of getting close to his son again. Scared that if he does, he will only lose him all the sooner... and it was all because of Voldemort. Her husband may act strong and arrogant, causing him to get on her nerves all the time. But she had also seen, his vulnerable side, the side that he rarely shows anyone, even herself.
After that incident with Sirius, Remus, and Severus that year when they were at Hogwarts, Lily had been determined to hate him. Thinking that he had put Sirius up to that stunt...
But what she had found was the opposite. James was honestly upset...
She started going out with him that weekend to cheer him up, and since then she has never regretted it.
At the moment though, despite her own feelings on the matter, she was agreeing with Sirus. Her husband was being a stubborn git.
Hearing the last call of the Hogwarts Express, Lily looked down at her son, who admittedly shared her disappointment in James. "Maybe he just forgot Harry..." The red head replied warmly, as she hugged him with all her heart. Returning the gesture, and doing the same with Sirius and all the others alongside Neville. The two boys get on the train with Archeron and Tory...their hearts feeling warm and happy at the knowledge that their families love them.
No one notices the dark owl flying in with the auror insignia, heading towards Lily. The woman startled as Sirius catches a package it drops above her before flying off. The woman is puzzled for a minute as the letter on top of it is addressed to her.
Opening it quickly, Sirius is messing with the package before he realizes what it is, by its feel alone. A gleeful look on his face, Sirius started yelling as Lily read and smiled...
"HARRY! HARRY PEEK OUR HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW!"
Startled by this command of sorts, the dark haired youth does so. His green eyes finding his godfather as he runs towards him as the train starts to move, he is puzzled as the train starts to move.
"What is it?"
"Catch! It's from your father!!"
Eager to grab it, Harry reaches as Sirius throws, catching it by the strings wrapped around it. The young man gives a hopeful smile as he waves goodbye once more. Sirius and Lily returning it...
Now as the train fades out, Remus grins a little bit. "Was that what I think it was?" The werewolf questioned.
"Yep..." Sirius replied with a huge smile. "James may be acting a git, and not talking to Harry, but he still wants to protect him."
"What do you mean?" Alice asked with a confused expression. The rest of the Longbottoms and Frank puzzled as well; Lily's answer causes them to smile.
"James gave Harry his invisibility cloak."
