You did what? James snickers.

I don't see how it's funny, Potter remarks. How are we supposed to deal with Snake blacking out? We've never had to worry about anything like that before.

Are you kidding me? That's gold. I get Harry creating alters to take abuse or help with school, and I even get him making a Slytherin alter so he can blend in; he doesn't possess Gryffindor bravery, after all. But making said Slytherin alter black out just so he can please the first adult who happened to learn about us? Beautiful.

At least it's put James in a good mood. Even though he won't get to practice Quidditch again until Wednesday, he's fronting just so he can talk to Harry and Potter, something he wouldn't have done before they came to Hogwarts. It's good for him to be here. He even managed to calm down Jay this morning, and she was almost polite during Potions. At least, she didn't glare at anyone or mock any failing potions. She just did her job and left. Admittedly, she took more pride than necessary when Snape accused her of somehow cheating in order to always have working potions, but she is Jay. They're just lucky she hasn't tried to use her potions to poison anyone, yet.

So, James drawls, doesn't Dumbledore want to see us?

If he does, he'll have to come get us himself. We can just pretend we didn't know that he asked Snake for help, and he can assume Snake doesn't communicate with the rest of us.

Of course, your first idea is to lie your way out of trouble James sighs dramatically. Tsk tsk, Potter. Really, I don't see why you have such a problem with the man. Shouldn't we accept him as an ally? Maybe he can help us find somewhere else to stay over the summers. Or maybe he can teach us how to make the pig tail permanent.

And you're calling me the evil one! Potter shakes his head. He checks quickly to make sure no one can see him mouthing a conversation to himself, but this is the History of Magic class. As per usual, everyone is asleep. It's a review day, anyway. That's why not even the Ravenclaws are bothering to try and also why Harrison hasn't been pulled to front. Too much effort.

I still want to talk to Dumbledore, James insists.

I'm sure you do, Potter grumbles, he likes you. You're his precious Gryffindor alter! … Look, before you do anything, you should get Harry's permission. Both alters turn silent as they turn to look at Harry. Harry pretends that he can't hear them. Potter visibly deflates. Do what you want, he mutters. For a moment, James seems to doubt himself, but then he nods.

After Defense Against the Dark Arts, I'll see him.

Dumbledore doesn't seem surprised when James walks into his office, but then, he is a wizard. He nods at James and greets him with, "Hello…?

"James," James nods back, taking a seat. Dumbledore's smile widens.

"Ah yes. It's very nice to see you again, James. Do you control Harry often, then?"

James smirks, though Potter pretends to gag. "I suppose you could say that. I'm a much better Quidditch player than he is, so he's not getting rid of me any time soon. Not now that I've landed us a spot on the team." When Dumbledore praises his accomplishment, James doesn't bother pretending to be modest about it. Potter storms off somewhere, muttering about not wanting to watch this Gryffindor love fest, but Harry doesn't mind it. It's not often that James can be acknowledged for his achievements, after all. He deserves the reward and has every right to be smug, really.

"What jobs do the alters have?" Dumbledore asks. James shrugs and leans back so that the chair is balancing on two legs.

"Well, depends on the alter, obviously. Harry and Potter have hosting duty- basically, you talk to us, you're probably talking to them. Harrison is the nerd. Lily's the magical one; she's great at it. Jay's my sister. She likes Potions, and she hates Slytherins." James pauses for a moment and smirks. Dumbledore looks more pleased by this than he should. "Snake's the one you ran into before. Yesterday, I mean. Not when you first found out- that was Bruises, he takes physical- anyway. Snake, apparently, he's pure Slytherin. Pure git, if you ask me."

"That's a lot of alters! Is it difficult for you, to lose control to them?"

"Well, I am an alter, so I'm probably a bit biased. By I don't mind it, usually. None of us can remember what life was like before we split- er, created alters- so." James shrugs again and lets the chair fall back onto the floor with a resounding thud.

"Fascinating," Dumbledore breathes, seemingly unaware aware that James can hear this comment. He raises his voice and says, "Are there any alters that you don't get along with? You are most certainly a brilliant young Gryffindor, and I can't imagine that you and Snake get along well."

"No, we don't. But I suppose he doesn't know that, now does he? Other than him, I don't really mind anyone. They all serve their purpose, right?"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you all get along. And none of them are particularly un-Gryffindor then? None of them… well, I do hope you'll excuse me here, but I know that abuse can change a person. None of your alters are violent?"

"Oh, so that's what you're getting at? Well, the protectors do whatever they view as necessary, but they only come out when Harry really needs them. No future Dark Lords here, if that's what you mean."

Dumbledore laughs. "Oh dear. I'm getting transparent in my old age. Yes, alright. Thank you, James, for being so honest with me. I do hope you don't think I'm needlessly prying. You know, it worries me immensely that one of my students was so hurt. I want to help you to remain safe in the future." Dumbledore's forehead creases, and his eyes suggest sincere worry.

"Don't worry about it," James grins, "We can handle ourselves."

"So I see!" The man shakes his head and changes the topic. "Well, James, how are you liking school here? Are you managing to make friends? It must be hard to meet decent people when everyone thinks that you're a Slytherin."

James scowls. "We were almost friends with Ron Weasley, but he doesn't seem so fond of us at the moment."

"Such a shame," Dumbledore says mournfully, "Ronald seems like a fine young man. His family is wonderful, I'm sure that you would find them the best of support. Perhaps you should try to reach out to him regardless of your House placement? I'm sure that once he sees that you, at least, are of a decent sort, he will gladly befriend you."

"Maybe," James nods, and Harry feels the hope that James is trying to ignore. Again, Harry is struck by guilt. Why doesn't he let his alters have their own friends? He keeps so much from them just by existence.

Harry, shut up, James says bluntly. To Dumbledore, he just looks pointedly at the clock. The man laughs.

"I'll let you get back to your studying now. If you ever want to humor an old man, please feel free to visit."

"Maybe," James allows.

"I suppose you'd prefer Weasley," Dumbledore sighs. James just snorts derisively. When he leaves, after a moment of hesitation, he veers towards the Gryffindor common room.

A/N:

mizzrazz72: Don't worry, he'll find out soon enough.

Kitten in the Shadows: I'm glad you like it! And no, Snake is no longer aware of what the others are doing. His mind just slides over the fact that he has no memory of certain events, so he's not aware that he's missing anything.