Here is the newest chapter people! It's my late birthday gift to myself and early Christmas gift to you. As usual, mistakes are mine, but the characters are not.
In response to review left to me by a Guest, there are reasons why I am not using quotation marks with my dialogue. One of them is the fact that there are many types of writing in this story, such as memories, thoughts, with time there will also be a parseltongue and others and I need ways to differentiate between them. Besides, it is more natural for me to write with dashes as I grew up reading books with dashes indicating dialogue instead of quotations (blame that on my Polish upbringing).
To another Guest, I am sorry I made you cry but at the same time I am not. It means that my writing gets to you, engages you and makes you react. And that for me is the biggest achievement a writer can have. So, thank you for that review so very much and I wish you many more tearful moments with this story.
Now let's go back to the story.
Italics mean memories.
'Italics' mean thoughts.
Bold italics mean the sentence was used in the last chapter.
He was getting worse…
As the shutdown and awareness became the only things in his mind, his body also registered an additional weight appearing next to his hand. The accompanying cry brought with it the awareness that only a parent could ever understand.
- Harry! Harry, my son. Don't cry baby, daddy is here- he wanted to tell his son to stop crying, that he wasn't planning on leaving him, but he couldn't open his mouth to speak up. He barely managed to move his hand slightly, causing his sons' small head to fall under his palm. The cry soon stopped and the weight still remained. Harry calmed down and fell asleep by his father.
With his toddler's head under his palm James started refocusing his attention from the pain to his son. He didn't even notice the other presence in his mind showing up. He "jumped" slightly when he heard a voice in his head.
- I'm proud of you James. I was starting to think you were giving up.
- Lily? What's going on? How are you here?
- James, silly… I will never leave you, remember? We gave each other pieces of our own souls the day we married. I might be dead and you may feel like part of you died… the part of your soul you gave to me, yes. But the piece of me in you is still there. It' s still a piece of you and it's never planning on leaving. No matter what. As for how am I here? It is all happening in your head, it's the talk of our spirits. It's real but also not at the same time.
- Oh Lily… I miss you so much… I'm trying to stay strong for everyone, especially for harry, but I am still crying at night, falling asleep from exhaustion… missing having you right next to me.
- I know James, believe me, I know. I can see that every night when I watch over you guys. And I am so proud of everything you did after I passed away. But you must grieve too. As much as I don't want you too, cause I'm still with you and not planning to leave any time soon. But I do understand your need.
- I just wish you were here to hold me, to give me strength in this situation and you can't. I won't be able to kiss you, touch you, love you. To get my support from the simple fact that you are right by my side….
- Oh James, you might not have me there in body but I will always be by your side. No matter where you are and what you are doing my spirit will always be next to you – she said, her form reaching for his hand. In that moment a current went through his hand, that weird feeling of fascination mixed with "oh- my- Merlin-how- can-that-be-happening" filling him wholly. As their fingers intertwined he held on to them tightly, remembering the old feeling of them and registering the new sensation at the same time. The comfort and strength he took from them was enormous and he chose to focus on that.
With the new reservoir of strength, and switch of his focus, the image his awareness created for him also cleared up. He realized that he was in the master bedroom, sprawled in the middle of his bed, with his son on his right side, sleeping calmly and his wife on his left side, seated next to him. He couldn't move much of his body, the real one that is. He felt her other hand go through his hair, something that she really enjoyed doing herself in their down time. He looked at her and, smiling, brought their joined hands to his lips. The current went to his lips as well, which only made him smile wider. He could feel whatever was happening.
- Do you also know what I have been thinking about recently, dear?
-Joining non-magical politics you mean? I must say I think Ted Tonks would be a great addition to the team if you will follow with that plan…
- I will. I am thinking about joining the House of Lords as they rejoin after the New Year's Eve. I will try to make you proud. But I meant something else. I am currently on leave from Aurors training, well ever since we went into hiding really. But due to your untimely death, I was reconsidering a few things in my life… And this recent fight just made it clearer for me…I will not rejoin them… I want something that will make sure I will be back home with Harry every night. I have had that every night recently and I have to say that I enjoy being able to play with him when I come back home. I pulled my application and asked for transfer to the Muggle Liaison Office. Considering that I am planning on being a Lord in both worlds I believe I can deal with non-magicals easier. I mean sure, the only positive experience I currently have with the other world was with your parents and Uncle Bill and just few others, and I can't say that about your brother in law or even your sister but I believe I might not be completely useless at it.
- And know you will try your best, James. But did you consider the position of advisor to the Minister of Magic? Of the Junior Assistant? I would believe that those two would be much more helpful in your position.
- I am also thinking that they would be more time consuming as well. As a Junior Assistant I would not have any authority, more likely I would be pushed around… And an advisor to Madame Bagnold? She is an ancient being already, I think my dad once mentioned that she is older than Dumbledore himself, I am not sure how many things did she not live through to be honest. I mean hello, she survived Grindelwald, she survived Voldemort… I am not sure on her outlook on the non-magical part of Britain, but the Muggle Liaison Office simply seems like a better, more sensible option. Besides, I can be helpful in both worlds this way. And understand the non-magical world a little bit better too.
- Seems like you really thought it through, James. I'm so proud of you, love…
- Let's hope I can pull it off, though. I am afraid at some point I might be overwhelmed with all of this taking place at the same time…
- Then don't do all of it at the same time… James, you said to me that the Potters are an old and powerful family, a rich one too. Use that for the time being… your uncle Charlus, his son died in the war sometime before me, didn't you say so? Let him help you in understanding the politics, he was in them a long time and as far as I know he is friends with Dumbledore too, right? I can't believe that Dumbledore could be friends with idiots, don't you think? With evil geniuses? Sure. Idiots, no.
- If I am not mistaken he also gives money for charities in magical Britain. Maybe we can make some work in this field too. The Potter and Evans charities that you set up or headed are amazing and from what Ted reports to me are doing an equally amazing job themselves. You set them up really nicely, love… I was thinking to actually add a magical spin to it, you know? But, that is for another time. Cause there will be another time, right?
- Are you really planning on putting yourself in grave danger again, James? Cause that is what brought me forward this time around. I am constantly with you and I know what you are doing but I cannot promise you that I will always be able to visit you in your dreams. You were on the brink of death and that was what woke up my soul so quickly… and because my soul woke up, you shall be able to talk to me through my portrait as well. And I have to admit that it was super smart of you to request so many copies of them. Even if I argued against them so much. Wherever you hang them now we will be able to talk, not only in your study here in the house.
- Lily Potter, did you just call me super smart? I can't wait until I tell Padfood and Moony about it!
- And you think they will believe you? That you talked to me?
- Hey, we live surrounded by magic. It's just a different dimension of it. But you're exactly right about that. I might not want to tell them about it… having that as my own little secret… then again, answering your question, no, I am not planning on throwing myself into a situation like this any time soon... again. This hits way too close to home and I do not want our son to end up as an orphan. I have no doubts that Sirius would gladly take care of him for us, but still, I'd like to be here with him. I still remember that one battle when I was afraid I would lose you…
A vision of his Lily filled his mind, but something was off. Something was wrong. Her face, it was not the smiling face he had come to enjoy and cherish. As he looked closer, her pained expression brought a sense of urgency as his surroundings lurched back into movement.
- LILY!- James yelled as she fell to the ground in a heap.
- Don't lose your cool, Potter! She's only knocked out!- Mad-eye Moody bellowed as James dashed over to her. He switched his casting to cover James as he sped towards his fallen mate. Growling he called out- Remus! Sirius! Make sure he doesn't get hit with a dam killing curse!
They both looked over and nodded, while calling out their hexes as they tried to stave off the death eaters.
As the barrier surrounded him and Lily, james realized his friends were there yelling at him about incoming presence. As he looked away from her, he saw it. A ghastly black shape swiftly whipped through the battlefield, materializing on a hill with a couple of death eaters at the base of it.
- FOOLSSSS!- all fighting settled down as a dry raspy voice boomed from the still shifting image of Lord Voldemort.- Did you not think it too easy to reach this place? Did it not seem strange that there were so few keeping watch?
As he began to cackle, Lily began to stir. As she opened her eyes he sat her up and motioned for her to stay put, putting a firm hand on her shoulder for reassurance that she clasped briefly. James stood to face the dark Lord with her behind him trying to fully clear her vision.
- So that's how it is, is it Voldy?- James bellowed to him.
- Shhhhh James, I understand you're angry but now is not the time for taunts.- Sirius for once looking concerned. - They have us outnumbered, let's ju…
- Don't be such a lady, Black!- Mad-Eye said sternly as he hobbled up next to them.- I saw your people lying in wait, did you not think we didn't come prepared?- as if on command Albus and Aberfoth Dumbledore apparated near them, with the Longbottoms behind them.
Feeling a small hand on his shoulder, James looked back and saw a fire in those emerald eyes as his fiancé got back to her feet and stood next to him.
- We came here to stop you! You will not harm any muggles or wizards today. - She stood tall and defiant against the disgusted glares of the death eaters.
-Well said, Ms. Evans. Steel yourselves everyone, it looks like they are done boasting. -the newcomers readied their wands and began their enchantments.
As the battle resumed a bright explosion struck in front of them causing him to close his eyes in response. When he opened them, Mad-Eye and Dumbledore's were just dispelling a shield right in front of a half crater. James took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
- Oh James, that was a long time ago…
- And I still lost you Lily… Not in the fight, that's true but on the seemingly regular day. You gave me these amazing kids, but I still lost you. You, who were my rock, my strength, my reason for being.
- James, love, you have only lost my body sweetheart…
- And that was important to me too, Lily. I mean hello, I started learning how to drive a car for you. That trap of a machinery, that made me suffocate without you in it. Sure, I still don't have the license for it but it is not as I am going to need it.
- Don't say that. You will always need it.
- What for? It was meant to be a surprise for our next anniversary, we were supposed to go for vacation in it. And now, with me accepting the role of lord politician I am getting a chauffeur. Ted thinks that it is a proper thing to do.
- And I would agree. It shows your status after all. But you don't need a chauffeur all the time, do you? What happened to Thomas, the chauffeur from before we had to go into hiding?
- I tried to find him but it seems he retired not long after we disappeared. You think I should try to convince him to return from the retirement?
- Only if he is willing to. Don't try to force him please. I mean he is in his sixties now, isn't he?
- I believe so. If I remember correctly he said something about his son and daughter in law trying for kids. He might want to stay with them if they succeeded. But that would be such a nice thing to Have at least one known face from before. And he was a super pleasant person as well. I remember Mrs. Thomas as well, she used to make the best ginger cookies I ever ate.
- Yeah, I remember you telling me that. And then I needed to get that recipe from her too…just so you would stop talking about them so much…
- Hey, don't blame me… you tried them too, you know they were exceptional…
- True. They definitely were. She was also such a support during my pregnancy. With mom dying a few weeks after dad, and your parents murdered soon after our wedding we didn't really have anyone to be there for us apart from Madame Pomfrey. And my pregnancy hormones acted way too muggle for her to be much of a help… now, with that cleared, how is our little treasure doing?
- Better than me I think. He wakes up a few times at night still, screaming "Mama!", I think he dreams of your murder, but once I take him into my hands he calms down relatively easily.
- He was always daddy's boy.
- Hey, it's not my fault he loves to fly since he was just slightly older than a newborn.
- I did not buy him his first broom on his 1st birthday.
- It wasn't me either. This you can completely blame on Sirius and Peter.
- I still blame you, buddy, it's your passion that he had inherited, not mine.
- I'm not gonna win this discussion, am I?
- Have you ever?
- Good point.
A moment of comforting silence fell on the two of them as they lay on the bed. Their vision centered on little Harry, they kept their connected hands tightly together.
- What are your plans for him now?
- Well the fact is that with my willingness to enter the political world of non-magical Britain I need some help in taking care of Harry. Truth is that Amelia is soon going to move back to her house and Sirius has his Auror training to finish up. Remus is apprenticing under McGonagall still and the only helpful presence at this moment is Andromeda who stays at home with her little daughter. Ok, a daughter seven years older than our Harry, but with child none-the-less. She offered to watch over Harry. Yara also doesn't leave him for a second out of her sight. He will be well taken care of. I am sure of that. Add to it the fact that Andromeda is from a proud pure blooded family – she had proper etiquette instilled since she was a small kid - and you might be sure that our son will have the manners of the lord in him. I promise to teach him to respect non-magical people too.
- Thank you love – Lily said before kissing his cheek.
- For you everything love.
- Did you consider sending him to day care or preschool?
- Day care? Preschool?
- In my world day care is a place where mothers leave their kids in the care of competent people to take care of while they are at work. Preschool starts before the elementary school… We talked about it love…
- I'm sorry sweetheart, I might have had my mind otherwise occupied then… No, I haven't to be honest. But I think I would rather have him at home at least until I learn more about both of those concepts. And I promise I will look them up.
- I know you will, honey, I entrust you with taking care of our kiddo here. You would never harm him in any way.
- One last thing, why can't I control my body? When will I wake up?
- It will come with time. Currently you are in coma, lying in the very same bed, but your body isn't responding much. Yes, you have moved your hand, calmed Harry down but that was due to the pure magic, power of your will and the parental need to support your child. Your body needs some time to recuperate, gain it's strength back. But you did great, fought your way out of the darkness. You are winning this fight with every passing moment. So take your time, regain your strength, and I will talk to you again when you wake up. Now go back to sleep.
For the last time James closed his mental eyelids and dived in to the land of dreams. As soon as the restful sleep overcame him the spirit of Lily dissipated with a final kiss to James's forehead.
Potter Manor, outside of James' head
One thought appeared in everyone's mind, the rising fear froze their blood.
James Potter got worse…
The moment the alarm sounded in the house everyone woke up, out of tune until they realized what the alarm meant. The cry of Harry soon mixed into the noise and the sound of running feet on the floor joined as well. Sirius ran into Harry's bedroom only to see an empty cot. Panicked he ran outside only to see Amelia, Remus and Lady Augusta standing with little Neville in the doors of the Master bedroom and looking inside of it. As he joined them he was shocked by what he saw. In the middle of the bed there lay father and son, Harry quietly sleeping under James' palm. On the side of the bed Andromeda stood, her wand in hand, murmuring charms quietly so not to disturb the sleeping family. As she dropped her hand and moved away from the bed she noticed the group.
- It seems there was a breakdown happening. The organism started to shut down, organs started to stop their proper work. And then, out of nowhere, little Harry pops in. He appeared right where you see him and he wouldn't budge when I tried to take him away. Cried even harder if it was possible. But it seems that it was what brought James out of the darkness. His body started to respond again, started fighting for survival. At some point his hand moved, calming Harry a bit. Now James is in state of slumber and all we can do is wait for him to wake up. I'll be pouring the nutrient potions down his throat every day to keep him strong, but it all depends on him now when he wakes up. It is too a good thing that we are all here, some time may pass before that happens. Lady Augusta, your family was administered a Dreamless Sleep potion, they should still be deep in sleep.
- Thank you, Andromeda.
- Now, I would like to know who turned on this devishly loud alarm. Sirius, Remus?
- It wasn't either of us cousin. From what I had a chance of learning while living here with the Potters it's a charm, that's a part of the wards. It lets everyone know if there is someone in danger in the house. Or like in such a case as this here, if someone's state is getting worse. I remember that sound in our fifth year, when James's father was sick. I imagine it sounded again when his parents were passing away in their bed. Quite possibly also when Lily was passing away. Once you belong to the family, once you are a Potter, this will react on any occasion where something happens to you. That's why James's parents were there every time their son landed in the infirmary. They always knew when something happened to him. Harry will be the same way.
- What on earth was this sound? – a flustered Ted Tonks with little Dora right behind him stopped running next to his wife – It scared the hell out of me, woke up our little Nymph and made me run like crazy here… I need to start running again… - he said still panting.
- That, dearest husband of mine was an alarm charm. Your boss was slipping, and the wards decided to warn everyone about it. It seems like literally everyone indeed.
- Alarm charm? Could wake up the dead.
- It did – the voice from the side said with a small chuckle. As gathered turned in the direction of the voice the frame showed the group of men and women all gathered around the small table – what is going on?
- Fleamont, Euphemia, it's just James playing again with our nerves.
- Sirius, welcome back.
- Everyone, let me introduce you to Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, parents of James, Harry's grandparents – Sirius said. – Right behind them you can see the rest of Potter ancestors.
- Oh Monty! James is worse than ever. I have never heard the charm ring so loud for him.
- Don't worry love, he will pull through, you know he will. He always does.
- Monty, Euphemia, your son is in bad shape but I'm afraid it's my family I have to place the blame for that on.
- Oh Augusta, you know that Frank and James fight, but I don't believe it would be so bad… - the Potter mother said to her childhood friend.
- It's not even that. He was one of the group who saved my dearest Frank and Alice from certain death...
- Dearest Augusta, I'm so very much sorry to hear that. How are they now?
- Recuperating. Should be fine after a while. James instead got the worst of them all. I am so sorry for that.
- It is not your fault Dowager Longbottom – the formal sounding voice in the frame said to her. – You cannot blame yourself for that. What you can do instead is to take the time to rest, and then take care of our descendant. He will need a female to help him grow his son. To make him a little Lord. We live in the frames of this house, we know what is going on. Yes, we know about the untimely death of his Lady and we feel his sorrow with him. Similarly, we know what is still ahead of him. – an older man in the back of the group said.
- Knowing my son, my dearest friend, he will not settle with anyone else after he had his life with his beloved and as a friend of mine I am asking you to help him out. – Euphemia said to her friend. – Yes, our portraits are here and we will help him as much as we can but still, we won't be able to help with everything…
- Oh Mia, you know I will help as much as possible. He is after all a godson to my daughter -in -law.
- Thank you, Augusta. That calms me down a lot. – She had looked at the group standing in front of her and reflecting at the conversation she just had in front of them, she said – I do not mean to say that you guys are not to help, or that I do not appreciate what you are doing. I do recognize, that without you guys he wouldn't be able to push thru as well as he does. So, thank you for what you did. I also do recognize, that you cannot put your lives on hold because of him. So please, live your life, especially now, with the time that was granted to you, with the sacrifice of Lady Lily Potter. Sirius, son, marry Amelia at last! Or I'll leave the portrait and shake some brain into you…
- Yes Mrs. Mia. Whatever you say Mrs. Mia. – Sirius smiled at her and turning towards Amelia said – You have no choice now dear, you heard her…
- Oh, my dearest mutt, it is you who has to marry me… I haven't said yes… yet… - Amelia said with a blush on her face.
- You will say yes… One day you will…
The two of them stood in their embrace, his arms around her shoulders, hers around his waist and bickered among themselves while Euphemia focused on the rest of your group. They talked until they tired some more and it was dawn time when all of them dispersed to their reflective rooms.
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Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone! See ya all in 2017!
