Chapter 36

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything.

It had been 2 weeks since James had returned and on Saturday Harry and James stood outside Snape's office.

"I really don't like Snape." Harry said honestly.

"Me too, but he is the best person to help you. Lily trusted him, you know?" James said. Harry and James had spoken a lot about Lily over the week. James had enjoyed making Harry smile and his eyes light up with interest whenever Harry heard a new story. His son would savour every bit of information about her that he got. He treasured everything he heard about her.

Harry nodded and knocked on the door. Snape answered it with a scowl.

"Mr Potter. Come in. No, not Potter senior." Snape blocked James' entry.

"I told Harry that I would be present at the lessons!" James said. Harry had admitted that he was nervous about the occlumency lessons.

"Well you shouldn't make promises you can't keep then, should you, Potter?" Snape snapped.

"I will tell Dumbledore." James said.

"Don't be so immature, Potter. We are not children anymore." Snape said and shut the door in James' face.

James ran off to find Dumbledore.

In the potion master's office Harry was instructed to sit on a chair that was placed in the centre of the cold room and he did as he was told.

"Please, sir, can my dad not just sit in on a few lessons?" Harry asked.

"Are you incapable of going 5 minutes without your daddy, Potter? I do apologise, but I thought you were 15 not 5." Snape smirked at Harry's frown.

Harry sat quietly in the chair and Snape explained what he had to do. Harry had read up on the subject.

James knocked on Dumbledore's office door and walked in.

"Snape won't let me sit in on the lessons, Albus! He can't tell me what to do. I am Harry's father and if I see it fit that I am present at the lessons then I will!" James said to the man sitting at the desk.

"James, Harry has begun to rely on you greatly, we can all see that. But Harry is still a very independent boy." Dumbledore reasoned.

"I know that! But Harry wanted me to be there. You know that occlumency is difficult." James said defiantly.

"Exactly, James, occlumency is incredibly difficult. I believe that Severus knows that Harry will not be solely concentrating on occlumency if you are there. Severus knows what he is doing; you have to trust him." Dumbledore said.

James sighed and walked out. He sat against the door of Snape's office, waiting for the lesson to end.

Harry wasn't having a great time either. He felt completely vulnerable against Snape's attacks against his mind. The first time his thoughts were invaded he almost went into shock. But now it was just painful. He had a blasting headache and he was facing the good and bad memories of his past. It was the fifth time Snape had use Legilimency on him and he finally collapsed onto the floor.

James who had been outside and listening in heard the distinct sound of a body hitting the floor. He was up and blasting through the door in seconds. He found Harry breathing heavily and curled in a ball in front of Snape who just stood there with a passive look on his face.

James knelt at Harry's side and tried to pry his son's hands from his face. Harry let go and slowly opened his eyes.

"Dad?" he whispered.

James smiled and nodded and helped Harry sit up and lean against him.

"What on Earth were you thinking, Snape?" James thundered.

"Your son failed to follow simple instructions and once more failed to even try to occlude. It is not my fault that Mr Potter is inadequate at this branch of magic." Snape stated.

"You should have known when to stop. Sure, I understand that it is natural for him to be tired but this is ridiculous!" James shouted and picked his son up, which Harry protested weakly to.

"Harry, do you really think you can walk up all of those stairs?" James asked. Harry gave in and with a glare at Snape James carried his son out. Harry fell asleep half way through the corridor. James thought he was really lucky that he hadn't bumped into anyone so far but he was met with the sight of Hermione and Ron in a verbal battle with Draco Malfoy and another Slytherin. They stood in a vacant hallway hollering insults at each other. James knew that they hadn't noticed and looked down at his skinny son who was cradled in his arms. Harry was sound asleep.

"What on Earth is going on here?" James shouted as he speed walked to the students.

"Is Harry okay?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, yes... just over-tired. Fell asleep in a hallway." James lied.

Malfoy sniggered but stopped with a sharp look from James.

"You are in no position to laugh at my son, My Malfoy. 10 points from both Gryffindor and Slytherin for fighting and 5 points from Slytherin for being unkind to another student." James said. "Now go back to your common room." James finished.

The two Slytherins left but Ron and Hermione knew that what James had said was a lie. James turned to them and smiled comfortingly.

"He will be fine. He is just tired. Snape went and bloody overdid the legilimency." James complained.

Ron scowled. "I hat Snap;, he expects the impossible from everyone except his Snakes." Ron said.

James nodded. "I think my knees have about 5 minutes before they buckle so I better get Harry to bed. I'm sure you will see him soon. He really does love you dearly." James smiled.

"We love him too." Hermione said and Ron nodded.

James lay Harry in Harry's new bed 5 minutes later and tucked him in. Sirius and Remus were in the living room planning revenge on Snape. James felt that a repeat of the great prank of 1974 was in order and his fellow marauders were now working on the details.

James sat in Harry's desk chair and looked down at the desk. Harry had sat at the desk that morning with a muggle pencil and had been concentrating on something. James now looked down on what had his son so focussed. Harry had been drawing a picture. James had seen a drawing a few days ago of Hedwig and knew that Harry was quite talented at drawing. This picture made James tremble. It was a copy of James' favourite picture of him, Harry and Lily. Harry had just turned 1 and was being held by James and his hand was being kissed by Lily and his forehead kissed by James. The drawing projected so much love.

"You can keep it." Came a quiet voice from the bed.

James smiled but couldn't speak because of the lump in his throat. Before he could say anything Harry had fallen asleep again.

Author's note: Thank you so much! Over 200 reviews! You are all so kind and I appreciate your words so much! Thank you, thank you so much! Thank you to everybody who has reviewed, favourited, or put the story on alert! I am very grateful! I hope you have enjoyed the chapter and the story!

THANK YOU!

With Love from,

Fantasybean

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