Chapter 11

The following day saw the announcement of Professor Quirell's 'death' Dumbledore tried to play the sympathy for the fallen defence Professor however Professor McGonagall stood up to interrupt.

"Following the headmaster's announcement I can confirm that a replacement Professor has been found to fill the post for the remainder of the year so rest assured your classes will not be affected in anyway, some of you may know this person as the famous auror who trained under Alastor Moody himself, might I introduce your new defence against the dark arts Professor. James Potter"

Harry and Hermione cheered loudest with Neville closely following behind, Dumbledore was beside himself how Professor McGonagall hired a new Professor so quickly and James Potter none the less, this was going to interfere with his plans.

The doors opened and James Potter walked in to euphoria of applause, now James wasn't the ego maniac he used to be but he did like the cheers, he smiled and waved and as he approached Harry ruffled his hair who was at that point cheering the loudest. Professor McGonagall lightly applauded as James sat down at the teachers table. No one even bothered to pay attention to the Slytherin table where certain students were enraged by the turn of events.

Severus Snape was in a state of disarray having spent many years trying to block out the torments of his school life at the hands of the marauders he was now faced with his nightmare. James Potter was now teaching at Hogwarts and more importantly Potter had the job he wanted. This would be tricky.

The following morning and the Harry and Hermione made their way to their first lesson with Professor Potter.

"I'm just saying Mione he was trained by Moody I wouldn't be surprised if he did what Moody tried the last time round" Harry said whilst walking along the corridors.

"But were first year still surely he wouldn't try something like that?" Hermione countered, Harry chuckled lightly.

"Well maybe not showing us the unforgiveable curses no, but he could well try light stinging hexes or tickling charms, just be ready and have your wand in your hand" Harry replied as they entered the classroom. Taking their seats they waited until the class had filled upon the clock striking the hour Professor Potter came out of his office. He stood at the top of the stairs.

"Ok kids welcome to defence, having looked at what you've been taught so far I have some advice for you. Forget everything you have learned up to this point. Now everyone stand up and put your bags at the side of the class today's lesson will be practical"

The class did as they were told James stayed at the top of the stairs.

"Ok guys first things first, does anyone know how to produce a shield charm?" James asked two people raised their hands; James smiled knowing full well that Harry and Hermione would be the ones to raise their hands.

"Ok guys we'll get onto testing your shields soon but for now tell me, if someone fired a curse at you and you can't produce a shield, tell me what do you do?" A few people raised their hands, James pointed to a small boy

"Fire another curse to counter it?"

James shook his head "Nope, it's something much simpler, ok ill ask it this way; if someone throws a stone at you and you don't want to get hit by it what do you do?"

"Move out of the way" Some student replied

"Exactly, here's the first and most important lesson you're ever going to learn, if you can dodge getting hit by a spell do that rather than trying to conjure a shield which is only as strong as your magical cores." With that James walked down the stairs.

"Ok next question, if you are faced with an opponent who you know is prone to using dark curses that could serious hurt or even kill you what do you do?" A random Hufflepuff raised her hand, James pointed to her

"Well sir, if it were me and I knew that I had no chance of winning id try and find a way of getting out of there as quickly as possible, may seem cowardly but hey its instinct"

James applauded her answer. "Brilliant. 10 points to Hufflepuff remember here people no one is born to be a hero, courage isn't something your born with its something you develop yourself and above all else there is no shame in running from battle, especially if you know that you have no chance of winning"

The class progressed well with James giving the first years some real material to look over and study.

"If you're ever going to remember one thing, remember that there are always going to be dangerous people in the world, don't expect them to play by your moral code. They won't have a moral code, in a world where everything constantly changes. You have to be ready"

After a long days worth of lessons Harry and Hermione made their way to James' living quarters, opening the door Harry hugged his father.

"From what I heard from the talk of the other students that was the best lesson they've had all year" Harry commented as James hugged Hermione.

"Well normally I would be flattered but given the predecessor of the subject it wasn't a hard target to beat" James replied solemnly.

"Be that as it may Uncle James, you were brilliant" Hermione said getting her two cents in.

All three shared a cup of tea whilst talking about the rest of their day.

Whilst this was happening Lily was researching the Potter Archives in search of a cure for Frank and Alice, Hermione's research hadn't turned up anything of use. One passage in a diary from James Father presented an opportunity.

CHARLES Potter 1980

We Potters know that there are curses out there with the potential to cause great harm to another being without giving them a release of death. During the renaissance Tobias Potter was researching these curses with the intent of trying to reverse the effects of a certain curse, the curse of cruciartus. From medical records we discovered the curse affects the brain, systematically causing the brain to attack the rest of the body pain receptors and force them into overdrive.

Tobias' research was without the aid of the medical advantages we have in the age however he suggested that the cure to such a curse was a mixture of not only magical but muggle means. We know that muggles are advancing there medical research into using magnetic resonance into actually mapping the human brain. We theorize that anyone with advanced exposure to this curse would show symptoms of that of a vegetative state, we believe that muggle technology is the key to determining if such a curse affects the brain but we are still limited by the technology of our time.

If the theories prove correct then a solution may be able to be brought into reality giving the greatest irony of all. A curse designed to torture in the most unimaginable way possible could potentially be cured by the very people who would be on the receiving end of such a curse.

Lily marked the page and closed the diary; she always knew that the Potters were a clever family but this research was never brought into light. Lily closed her eyes, but then how could it have been, 1980 was the year Charles Potter sadly died. Lily remembered the day well. James had never looked so lost before, the person who taught him what it means to be a gentlemen and a man had been ripped from the world.

Sighing to herself she wrote a letter to her family both blood, and surrogate.

Hello everyone,

I thought it best I address this letter to you all as I have information for all three of you.

Firstly Hermione, I am sorry that your research wasn't as successful as you would have liked however I have found something through an old diary of James' father which may hold the answer, when you arrive back with us for the summer break we will continue to work on the problem together.

James as I told Hermione I found your father's diary I hope you are not upset by my reading it but let me tell you, your father was on the verge of being able to successfully cure exposure to the cruciartus curse. He found a way where others couldn't. I guess that's something you inherited from your father which you seem to have passed onto your son.

Harry words cannot describe how much I miss you, reading the passage from your grandfather's diary brought up memories of when your father lost your grandfather. It made me realise how lucky we are to have been given a second chance at life. As a mother it is always a fear that I will not do the best that I could do but I know now that I can do the best because I have you and your father to guide me. Harry you are my light and I promise you that you will have the life you have so desperately desired, you will marry (Hermione of course) you will have children and you will live your life in the way that you choose.

I love you all more than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow.

Be safe my darlings.

Lily/Your Wife/Mum

AN: Sorry guys I know it's been a while but I'm dealing with some heavy stuff right now and I haven't had the time or the motivation to write. My updates will hopefully be quicker but unfortunately I cannot always guarantee such a thing. I will say this though; every review or story follow or favourite warms my heart every time.