Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

December 24, 2015, a Thursday

James, Harry's son, was the star of their holiday dinner at the Burrow.

They already knew from Harry and Ginny that their eldest was sorted into Gryffindor.

Ron teased him, "Not on the quidditch team yet? Your father was playing for Gryffindor first year. First month."

"I'll be playing soon enough," James said, clearly full of himself. "Gryffindor doesn't have a winning team so it's clear they need me. Then World Cup, maybe 2018, but definitely 2022."

"I think you're getting ahead of yourself," Harry said.

"What? I'll play better than you or mom, and definitely better than uncle Ron."

"Oi!" Ron exclaimed in disagreement.

"Keeper's easy," James said.

"There's no way you could defend against your mom, if you were playing keeper," Ron said.

Ginny said, "Neither could you."

"Can we talk about something other than quidditch?" Hermione asked. "What about your classes? Do you have any homework over the holiday or need help studying?"

"No, I got it. First year's easy."

"Don't get cocky," Harry said. "It's only because you were raised in a wizarding household. It's going to get harder."

"Just remember," Ron said, "it's levi-ee-OH-sah."

James rolled his eyes.

"So what's your favorite subject?" Hermione asked.

"Besides flying? Uh, maybe charms. I think that's where I'm going to learn the useful stuff, but I wish there was more spells I could use now, to do something, rather than stupid stuff."

She asked, "Professor Flitwick's you're favorite?"

"No, not the teacher. And dad said he was some kind of dueling champ. He hasn't dueled anyone since I've been there."

Harry laughed. "After one meeting of a dueling club when we were second years, there was no real dueling at school."

"Why'd they get rid of it?" James asked.

"Because Snape sent the other teacher flying," Harry answered quickly.

Hermione had been about to answer about the snake, but figured Harry would prefer his son not know everything about his school days.

"Snape? The headmaster?" James asked.

"He taught potions then," Harry said.

Ron added fondly, "I can still see Lockhart sliding down the wall. If only I had ominoculars then."

James repeated, "Snape?"

"Yes, Prof. Snape," Harry said, irritation evident. "He can outduel most anyone, or probably two, three, or four anyones, if they're not particularly good."

"You're pulling my leg."

"Hogwarts instructors are the best," Hermione said. "We saw what they could do years ago during the Battle of Hogwarts. They don't need to prove anything to you."

"Oh yeah? Who would win in a duel – Snape or dad?"

Harry said, "Other than me not wanting to duel anyone? I'm pretty sure Prof. Snape can beat me. He uses his wand in his right hand. The injury to his left shoulder isn't going to give me an advantage. I've never seen anyone cast a shield charm faster. And repeatedly. It's like he was toying with me. Actually come to think of it, he was toying with me. I was such an impulsive idiot."

"But you beat Voldemort."

"Sometimes the impulsive idiot wins," Harry commented with a shrug.

"But you're an auror. The boss of the aurors."

"Snape's not a dark wizard," Harry said.

Ginny made a scoffing noise.

"Dad wouldn't have named me after a dark wizard," Al said.

"At least you have that right," Ginny said. "I still don't like your middle name. And never will. Even though I'll begrudgingly admit Snape is a war hero. But you'll always be my Al."