For James Potter, the previous three days had been some of the best of his life. First off he had taken a week off work. He hadn't taken a day in years and now he had a vacation for the first time that he could actually enjoy. Then, of course, the main reason for his joy, Harry's arrival.
It had been such a shock to come home to that patronus. Then the following scramble to find Lily had his heart in his throat. When Dumbledore had come over and explained how Harry had been found and where Harry had grown up, it increased his restlessness. Then when he had heard that fateful knock the afternoon after a day of intense nerves, he would never admit it but he jumped a foot in the air.
Looking at Harry had been like looking at a photo of himself from the past. The main difference being that the lucky kid had gotten his mother's beautiful eyes. He also, fortunately, was more of his mother's temperament. It seemed like he had already forgiven them, which James didn't understand. If he had been forced to grow up in an orphanage and his parents just came by and picked him up one day, he is pretty sure it would take him longer to forgive them. Maybe this was just a projection of his own guilt though. He loved his wife and trusted her judgement, but the thought of his son surviving the killing curse had just a little too far fetched. There had always been a niggling of doubt in the back of his mind, when Lily would talk about their little boy. He had helped her of course on the chance that she was correct, but he had had trouble truly believing in miracles. This was precisely why he found Lily to be such an incredible witch. Her faith in love and accepting the remarkable was where most of the wizarding world failed. She had a great imagination and was still amazed by magic daily. She was a breath of fresh air with her faith. The only other person James could liken her too would be Dumbledore, and it seemed Harry had the same ability to love and accept.
After Harry had gone to bed that first night, James and Lily enacted their surprise party plan. It had been Harry's birthday the day before and they wanted to celebrate properly. Sirius and Remus were of course all in, and the evening was spent decorating and wrapping a couple presents that they had got for him. Sirius was completely affronted that they had not warned him earlier and said that they (Remus got dragged along of course) would be back tomorrow afternoon after they had bought "the perfect present that would blow all of yours out of the water!"
James didn't get to see Harry's reaction to the decorations because both Lily and he were awoken by the smell of bacon. They came down the stairs to see Harry scurrying around and making breakfast of eggs and bacon. He was nearly buzzing with energy. James wondered if he got into the coffee for a moment, but Harry's source of excitement was soon clear as he kept casting anxious glances at the living room full of decorations and presents on the coffee table. It was heartening to see Harry act like such a kid, he seemed to act thirty years old the rest of the time. Harry's excited smile when they had finished breakfast and James had announced that it was time for birthday gifts had made James week!
The day had been another amazing day. Harry had loved every one of his presents and acted as if he had never got presents before, which if James thought about it he probably hadn't had too many. A particularly memorable present was the snowy owl that Lily had gone into Diagon Alley to get. It was given with many promises from Harry to write to them when he went to school. James had given Harry all of the wizarding games he could think of. They spent an amazing morning playing gobstones, wizarding chess, and exploding snaps.
Sirius and Remus came in later to continue the party. Remus gave Harry a great book titled Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them. But of course, Sirius just had to outshine them all. He gave Harry a Nimbus 2001 world cup level racing broom. While James thought it was an amazing gift, Lily nearly had an aneurysm with the way she became red as her hair. Harry was introduced to his mother's temper that afternoon, but fortunately, it was directed at Sirius. Harry was allowed to keep the broom but wasn't allowed to ride it until he got lessons at school. Harry was still new to them so wasn't about to break the only rule his mum had yet to give him. Even if he did cast longing glances at the broom every other minute.
The following day had been great as well. They spent the afternoon exploring Godric's Hollow and seeing the sites. James and Lily had spent a bit more time quizzing Harry and trying to get more stories out of him. He had a lot of stories about accidental magic, which made James right excited. He knew his son was bound to be a great wizard, all prophecies and destinies aside.
They made plans to visit Diagon Alley that weekend and get Harry's school supplies. It would be good to go while James was still on leave. He had to get back to work the following Monday. For the first time, he resented his job. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Harry and Lily, but it looked like he would have to settle for his two days off and evenings. To be fair to the Auror office he had asked for this vacation time very last minute. There were no regrets though as this staycation was the best time he had had in a long time.
The blissful holiday like feel he had been enjoying was interrupted on the fourth morning with Harry when the regular Prophet Owl swooped onto the window sill at breakfast. James paid the owl and unfurled the Paper and choked on his coffee as he read the headline.
THE BOY WHO LIVED! HARRY POTTER FOUND ALIVE! THE SAVIOUR RETURNS!
On the front page under the headline was a massive photo of James, Lily and Harry walking through Godric Hollow the day before. Harry was walking between them as they walked down the sidewalk in the centre of town. The photo Lily reached up and ran a hand through Harry's hair as Harry was looking up at photo James, while the photo James laughed.
James groaned. He had had a fair share of publicity and was never particularly happy with his celebrity status. He knew Lily was even less happy about the publicity and their private life being splashed on the front page. This was the last thing that he wanted for his son, but he really should not have been too surprised as Harry coming back from the dead was going to be headline news. He frowned but flipped open the paper and began to read.
You may have thought it impossible, improbable and inconceivable, that anyone could have survived the deadly curse and lived, but today folks we have living proof. Harry Potter was found and sighted with his parents around their place of residence, just yesterday by this very reporter. Such an unprecedented event I needed to find out more. So many questions like where has he been? And what will he do now?
Of course, you know the story. The night He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named attacked the Potters he came with a full force. But the friends of the Potters were prepared and fought to protect baby Harry. The battle that ensued was ferocious by all accounts. The most striking account was that of Mrs Lily Potter. She was protected by her child and little Harry was the one that backfired the killing curse upon He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Most people like myself thought that Little Harry Potter had been killed in the process. But Mrs Potter insisted that her boy lived and had transported himself away in an act of self-preservation using accidental magic.
Today her motherly instinct was proven correct! Harry Potter, according to an unnamed source, was found in a muggle orphanage by non-other than Albus Dumbledore. How the great wizard accomplished such a feat is still unknown, but the boy has been delivered to his obviously ecstatic parents. Harry Potter, from limited exposure, appears to be a polite and well behaved young man but was unable to comment. The boy did not survive the event unscathed, however, as there is a rather large lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. Could that mark be from the strike of the killing curse? St Mugos leading experts say that it is very likely that such a dark curse would leave a scar and that further investigation is warranted.
This, of course, brings up the question of how the child survived at all that fateful night? Perhaps he is the next Merlin, perhaps it is written in the stars, or perhaps he is just extremely lucky! Whatever the case, Harry Potter is set to start at Hogwarts this coming September and this reporter will be keeping an eye out for this up and coming wizard.
By: Esme Walden
James groaned again. Merlin this was bad, as if his kid didn't already have enough to deal with.
"James, what's wrong?" Lily asked leaning over to see what he was looking at. He just handed her the paper. She gasped at the photo and headline, then like himself started to scan the paper. When she had finished, she also groaned. They looked over at Harry who was looking at them worriedly over top of a bowl of cereal. Lily seemed to be struggling with what to say. James just reached over and handed the paper to Harry. Lily made a sound of protest, but James just shook his head. Harry couldn't be kept from something like this, he would find out about his impending celebrity status whether they wanted that or not.
Harry's eyes widened at the photos and the headline. He then also flipped open the paper and read the article. At the end, he seemed to be struggling with something.
"I don't think that I am really super magical like these guys think I am." Harry said slowly "Am I supposed to be? I mean I don't really know anything about magic!"
"Harry, we know that we don't have any crazy expectations of you. All we care about is that you are healthy and happy." Lily started looking a bit helpless.
James tried to explain. "Listen Harry, you have to understand that what happened that night was unprecedented in the magical world. No one has ever survived the killing curse and that makes you a celebrity. Add to that, that whatever happened got rid of the plague that was You-Know-Who and you are probably one of the most famous wizards in the UK. You are going to have a lot of attention on you, and strangers everywhere are going to have opinions. But you don't have to listen to any of that." James said with conviction. "All you need to care about is school and writing your mum and me occasionally. Like any regular kid alright, I know it's a lot to take in, but your mum and I are on your team no matter what."
"Why do they even care! I don't even remember what happened. How can you even be famous for something when you don't even know how you did it?" Harry said with perhaps the first ever sign of petulance that they had seen from him. Unfortunately, James believed Harry had every right to deem this as unfair.
"You're right, sweetie. But frankly, some people just don't know how to mind their own business." Said Lily gently. "I know its unfair, but you can only do what you can and try your best. That's all we expect from you and the opinions of the ones that love you should be the only ones you care about."
Harry still looked a bit dejected at the idea of being famous. James could only silently agree, these next weeks would be a bit uncomfortable. Harry and Lily would stay out of the spotlight and within the safety of their home, but he had to go back to work. They would be clamouring to get to him. He just hoped that he could avoid that Skeeter woman. What a bitch!
In the days that followed the article, there was an increase in activity throughout all of Godric's Hollow. Fortunately, the wards and charms on their house were top notch and the increase of people in the town could be ignored by the people hidden away in the house. In wake of the news, the public exploded of course. Lily was forced to ward the house against the onslaught of owls. The wizarding community wanted a peek at their hero, but they were to be denied by the protective actions of Lily and James.
Unfortunately, Harry still needed to buy his school supplies. James suggested that he go and buy the supplies himself, but the completely dejected look on Harry's face just about broke his heart. Harry had been looking forward to seeing Diagon Alley from Lily and James descriptions. They all agreed to go, besides Lily reminded him that Harry needed to go to Olivanders personally.
It was a half excited and half nervous group that went to Diagon Alley on Saturday. They decided to Floo. It was an interesting first ten minutes that they spent convincing Harry that stepping into a fire and yelling a location was perfectly normal. His dubious and alarmed look nearly had James in stitches. Lily went first, yelling Leaky Cauldron. James' laughter broke free at seeing Harry's face as Lily was swallowed by green flames. Harry shot him an annoyed look that only had James laughing harder at how Lily the look was.
Eventually, they were all in the Leaky Cauldron and Lily was dusting Harry off muttering 'honestly how could you get so much soot on you.' While Harry just looked at her in exasperation. Again, the look was so Lily, James could barely restrain himself.
He did sober as he heard Tom the barman exclaims "Merlin could it be! It's Harry Potter!" Nearly every head in the bar turned to face them. Suddenly there was a scurry and many people came forward and started to shake his son's hand.
"Dedalus Diggle, Mr Potter. Such an honour to make your acquaintance!"
"Mr Potter, Aubrey Applebottom, the greatest pleasure to meet you!"
"Mr Cobhopple, Mr Potter! I was wondering if I could take a hair sample for an experiment of mine."
James decided that that was probably enough. "Alright everyone, we have to get through to go shopping, please make some room."
The crowd for the most part parted. One man did take the opportunity to step forward though.
"M-M-Mr P-P-Potter, P-Pleasure t-to meet y-you" Stuttered the thin man in a bright purple turban. "M-my n-name is P-P-Professor Q-Quirrell. I t-t-teach at H-Hogwarts."
"Hello, Professor." Responded Harry politely. "What subject do you teach?"
"D-D-Defense Against t-the D-D-Dark Arts. N-N-Not t-that you n-need it eh Mr P-P-Potter." Professor Quirrell remarked with a shaky laugh.
James shot Lily a look. This was the man that Dumbledore had this year? The man was seriously running low on options. Lily was keeping her smile polite, but James could see the strain on her face as she silently worried about her son's education.
"Right, well pleasure to meet you Professor Quirrell, but we really must be on our way. Got lot's of school supplies to buy." James spoke.
It took a while longer, but eventually, they managed to escape the leaky cauldron crowd and get to the back brick wall. James would forever hold the memory of Harry's face as the bricks unfolded and he stepped into Diagon Alley for the first time. His wide-eyed look of wonder was priceless.
James really did try to hustle everyone down the street to Gringotts's bank, but between the busy crowds and Harry constantly getting distracted it was slow going. About halfway down the street, they ran into a familiar friendly face coming out of the entrance to Knockturn Alley. Hagrid's smile upon seeing them was infectious
"Alright 'arry? Great t' see all of you 'gain so soon!" Hagrid boomed.
Harry smiled wide, "Hi Hagrid! What are you doing here?"
"Yes Hagrid, what you were doing down in Knockturn Alley?" James added with a raised eyebrow. His Auror intuition raised.
Hagrid looked abashed and scuffed his giant boot, he looked like the largest hairiest child that ever got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The man really needed to work on his poker face.
"Oh you know, bit o' this, bit o' that. Needed some flesh eatin' slug repellent for the pumpkins." Hagrid responded. James let it go immediately.
"Well we are getting Hogwarts shopping done, but first we need a stop at Gringotts,"Lily responded while flashing a quelling look at James. She loved Hagrid and had even more of a soft spot after Hagrid had bought Harry to them. She had sent a giant gift basket to him as thanks and the largest sweater ever knitted.
"Oh well, I was 'eading that way myself. Mind if I walk with all of you?" Hagrid indicated.
Harry was delighted and walked a little farther ahead with the giant man. It made getting through the crowds a mite easier as Hagrid's size tended to part the way. Hagrid and Harry got into a conversation about Gringotts and how it would be mad to rob it. James and Lily only half listened to the conversation as Harry and Hagrid talked, dedicating more energy to keeping an eye on the surrounding crowd. Perhaps they were being a smidge overprotective but they couldn't take chances.
They finally made it to the bank and got inside. They parted ways with Hagrid then as he cited grabbing something for Dumbledore. Harry was wide-eyed as they went up to the teller and then were lead to the carts they used to get money. Lily opted to stay up top looking faintly green while James and Harry got in the cart. James laughed with Harry as they went rocketing down the caverns and took sharp corners in the cart. At one point Harry leaned a bit too far out of the cart for James liking and he had to yank him back in with a stern look that was lost to a look of joy when they went into a particularly steep dive. Finally, they arrived outside of the Potter vault.
The Potters were a relatively old family and had a vault in the lower levels. The wealth that James inherited was quite substantial, but Lily and himself were no slouches and with the success of Lily's magical pharmacy and clinic their wealth had grown. James again got to enjoy the wide-eyed look that Harry sported when the vault opened.
"Come on kiddo, we don't have all day to gawk." James ribbed good-naturedly.
"Are you rich?" Harry asked.
"Hmm, yes, WE are rich, I inherited a good portion of money from my parents, as you will inherit from me. And your mum and I work full time. Your mothers business was particularly successful. But that being said we don't exactly go around flaunting it or take advantage of it, it's just not the Potter way." James smirked remembering a time when he had done exactly that. Arrogantly flaunting at school, and the stern reprimand he gotten from his mother as a result. "It is not the Potter way James. You may buy what you like with your money, but flaunting it is crass and in very poor taste and forgetting that hard work and sweat is what made this possible is the highest form of insult to that heritage."
James felt Harry slide up beside him. Watching as he put gold silver and bronze into his money pouch. "What are the gold ones versus the silver ones?" Harry asked. And so James taught Harry about the wizarding world's money system. He also got a smaller pouch out for Harry and filled that as well. The boy should always have a bit of spending money.
When the got back up to the main hall, Lily took some of the galleons from James and went to exchange some of the galleons for pounds. They were taking Harry immediately into muggle London after this to buy some clothes that fit. James was starting to get unreasonably angry everytime that he saw his sons ratty, too large, sneakers with holes in them. As James and Lily waited in line, Hagrid came up from the caverns as well. He looked very green around the gills but undaunted by the dangers of Hagrid vomiting on him Harry ran up to him to say goodbye. They chatted for a bit a little ways off and James kept half an eye on them. He saw Hagrid pat his pocket and then give Harry a pat on the back that nearly sent the boy flying.
Harry ran back over to them and Hagrid waved before making his way out of the bank. They finally got through the line and then were back in the alley. They decided to split up to get everything done faster. James went to flourish and blots and left Lily and Harry at Madam Malkins. After they would meet up and go to the apothecary and Ollivander's. There was no reason for them to prolong their time in the open as James saw it. There were too many eyes and too many dangers for Harry. James realised that he was starting to get a bit unreasonable about wanting to protect his son, but he couldn't help it. He finally had his son back, and James realised he wasn't in the best of shape. Harry had lived a hard life already, and James was struggling to forgive himself for that. In time he would have to accept that he couldn't stop Harry from living and if the kid was anything like he had been at that age, then trouble was bound to pop up. But for now, he could content himself with showering his kid in love by being a smidge over cautious. Better safer than sorry, and James vowed never to be in the sorry category ever again.
