All right, here it is! The last part. I swear I am not doing another Never Apart series! I said that the last time didn't I? Oh well, I own James, the teachers you don't know, Laurie and John. And any students I mention if I do. So I hope you like it, there are probably mistakes I stink at English but enjoy the story. Please r/r
"James!" Harry called up the stairs. He waited. He stood at the bottom of the stairs in their house in Hogsmeade. They had moved out of Hogwarts 6 years ago when Laurie was born. They didn't have enough room for 4 people in the place they had in Hogwarts. They had moved into this house in Hogsmeade since it was next to Hogwarts. "James!" he called again. It was September 1st and James was starting Hogwarts. He had just come back from Hogwarts to pick James up. He went up the stairs to James's room.
In his room he found him sitting on his trunk looking out the window, "Did you hear me calling you?" he asked.
"I can't go Dad," James said. Though a little pale right now he could have been Harry's twin. He had inherited the Potter looks, the black messy hair and the glasses. He didn't have Harry's emerald green eyes though.
"James, you've been looking forward to Hogwarts since you were born!" Harry sighed. He looked at his son, he knew Hogwarts inside out, and he knew all the teachers he had nothing to be afraid of. He wondered if it was living at Hogwarts from now on or meeting the other students. He hugged James. "It will be all right."
"Dad, tell me the story about when you were a 1st year and the train ride!" James pleaded.
"There isn't time," Harry told him. "You've been waiting for this day your whole life. Don't back out of it. I will be there and so will Uncle Remus."
"What if I don't get into Gryffindor?" James asked.
"Then I won't think any less of you," Harry promised. He hugged him again. "Come on the train will be here soon."
Harry took James' trunk and dragged it downstairs. There was a carriage waiting for them. Harry loaded his trunk in the carriage and they rode to the station, it was just a few minutes walk but Harry needed the carriage to get to Hogwarts after he let James off. As they got out and stood on the Platform the wind flew past them whipping Harry's robes.
"The annual trip across the lake won't be all that fun since you've seen Hogwarts before," Harry looked down at him.
"It will be okay," James replied. "I get to see how the others react."
"And you know all about the Sorting," Harry laughed. "The most well kept secret, well one of them among the 1st years. No one knows what's going to happen until it does. And you know."
"Its all right, I won't tell anyone!" James smiled up at his father. "ITS HERE! I see it, the train!"
Harry smiled; James was all right now. He knew his son would go through with it. He looked out at the train; all they could see was the smoke. He remembered his own trip to Hogwarts. "Ah there she is."
"Doesn't Hagrid bring the 1st years across the lake?" James asked.
"He will," Harry said. "I'm just seeing my son off. I'm waiting until Hagrid comes." They watched the train come closer.
"'Lo Harry," a deep voice said behind him.
Harry turned to see Hagrid smiling at him. Still as large as ever Harry did notice something different about him, his beard was gray. "Hello Hagrid."
"Well look who it is," Hagrid hugged James. "'Lo James."
"This is where I leave you," Harry hugged James. "Good luck. See you in a few minutes Hagrid."
Harry got in the carriage and rode off. He watched his son and Hagrid; he was getting so big.
The train came to a stop in a few minutes and everyone got off. "Come here James," Hagrid instructed. "First years! First years!" He called to the crowd.
When the 1st years came they walked along the path and into the boats. James didn't know who was in the boat with him. As they saw Hogwarts everyone gasped but James was looking for the giant squid his father had talked about. Hagrid walked up to the giant doors and knocked. His father answered the door. He looked very impressing in his black robes. The other 1st years looked up at him scared but James smiled.
"Thank you Hagrid," he said and took the 1st years. They walked silently to a room. James knew they were right near the Great Hall. In the room James looked at him, he always wondered what he did with the 1st years before they entered the Great Hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, I am Professor Harry Potter. I am Head of Gryffindor, Transfiguration Teacher and Deputy Headmaster." Harry said looking around. He continued. "In a few minutes you will be joining the rest of the school in the Great Hall but first you must be sorted. The Houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Your house will be your home for the next 7 years. You will sleep in your house dorms and work in your house common rooms. The House Cup is awarded every year; the House with the most points wins it. Your victories earn points while any rule breaking loses points. It is a great honor to win the House Cup and I hope you can take credit if your house wins. Wait here while I see if they are ready for you."
James looked around; the other 1st years were scared and worried. He felt a little queasy though he knew what happened.
"Come," his father was back. James watched him as he let the 1st years into the Great Hall. Most of the 1st years gapped at the ceiling but James didn't as he had looked up at the ceiling for half his life.
His father put a Hat and a stool in front of them. Everyone was looking at the Hat and it started the sing. James listened carefully; he loved the Sorting Hat and its songs. He wondered if he ever repeated a song. He doubted.
His father started to call names. James waited and waited. The Hat took a while on some people while with others he shouted the House right away.
"Potter, James," Harry called. He looked back at Minerva and Hermione.
James walked up to the Hat. He didn't look at his father though he felt his eyes and a lot of others upon him. Minerva sat up and watched with more interest.
James put them Hat on and it fell over his eyes.
"Ah James Potter, I've been waiting for you. Um, where to put you. You are much like your father, brave, loyal, ohh look at that power. Um not Slytherin, um Hufflepuff of course not. GRYFFINDOR!"
James sighed. He took off the Hat and smiled at his father. He was clapping and cheering along with everyone else. James walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to a ghost.
"Hey Nick," He greeted him.
"Good to see you again young Potter," Nick laughed. "We haven't seen you in awhile. The other ghosts are hoping that now you are back at Hogwarts you will visit us?"
"Yeah I'd love to!" James smiled. "Ever since we moved out I haven't had time."
"We understand completely!" Nick said.
They watched the rest of the Sorting. A boy named "Tang, John" was sorted into Gryffindor and Nick moved over to let John sit next to him. James wondered why he did this; he still wanted to talk to Nick. But then James thought Nick wanted him to meet his new classmates. When the sorting was over Minerva got up.
"Welcome to a new year." She said and looked around. "Eat up!" She laughed and sat down.
James started helping himself to food. He loved the food at Hogwarts; the house elves made very good food.
"So what's your name?" he asked John.
"John," he replied. "You?"
"James Potter," James said.
"So that's your dad up there?" asked John pointing to his father.
"Yeah, he's talking to my godfather," answered James. "Are you pure blood?"
"Half," John told him. "But my dad died when I was little so I've lived in the wizard world my whole life."
"So have I of course," James shrugged.
They continued to eat. When they finished eating Minerva stood up.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Now that we are fed I have a few things to say. First no magic in the corridors, no one is go near the Forbidden Forest and Quidditch Trials will begin 2 weeks into term," She looked around. "Off to bed."
A boy stood up at the other side of the table. He had a shiny badge on, James couldn't see the writing on it but he guessed it was a Perfect. He called to the 1st years and they went of towards the Gryffindor Common Room. James felt so full of food and a little tired that a few times he almost went a different way because he knew shortcuts. At the picture of the Fat Lady the boy said, "Shooting Star." And they entered.
James knew where to go and John followed him. They found their trunks, "I see our trunks are next to each other." They laughed and got ready for bed.
The next day James got up a few minutes before breakfast. As he and John walked down to breakfast he felt good. He knew where to go unlike his other classmates. Down in the Great Hall he noticed his father was not there. He took a seat and got his schedule. He looked at it and sighed.
"We have Harry Potter first!" he heard people say and John hit him on the shoulder.
"Oh yeah great," James sighed. He was hoping he wouldn't have his father's class so soon. He was wondering if his classmates would treat him differently. Would they think his father would give him special treatment? The Gryffindors had been treating him okay so far. Some stared but most ignored him.
"James," John said. "We don't want to be late to your dad's class!"
James sighed and left with John. John followed James to the Transfiguration room since James knew where it was.
In the room there were two other student who had taken first room seats. They looked pretty scared. James shook his head and went to the back. As they went by his dad's desk Harry greeted them barely looking up. He was sitting at this desk reading something.
James and John took two seats in the back. They waited for everyone else.
When the bell rang Harry stood up. He saw the rest of the class waiting outside. Harry told hem to come in. They looked really nervous.
"Welcome everyone," he greeted them and took roll card. When he got to James' name he did the same thing he did to the others, he called his name and looked up as they said "Here". James smiled; his father didn't wink at him or anything.
The lesson went all right; Harry gave them all a lot of notes and then set them to work. James sighed and he worked next to John, his father made everything look so easy but he couldn't transfigure the pin into a needle.
At the end of the lesson only James and John were able to do it. James tried repeating everything his father did when he transfigured things but he found out quickly that it didn't work because all he does is flick his wrist. When the bell rang James packed quickly and started to leave with John but Harry called him back.
"James wait," Harry called. "How are you finding school?"
James looked quickly at everyone else leaving, "Its great Dad."
Harry smiled, "Do you like Gryffindor?"
"Yes, its good!" James said. "I have to go get to my next class!" And he hurried off with Harry watching him.
**
"Hermione, I'm home," Harry called as he entered the house that night.
"Daddy!" Laurie screamed and came running. Harry picked her up and hugged her.
"Hello sweetie!" He kissed her.
"Did you bring James home?" she asked.
"He's at school silly," Harry laughed. He tickled her.
"Harry?" Hermione called from the kitchen.
"Coming," he entered the kitchen still holding Laurie.
"How is James?" Hermione asked at once.
"I love you too Hermione," Harry laughed and put down Laurie. "He's fine! You know we have it good, other parents don't see their children until Christmas, or the end of the year."
"I know," Hermione replied. "I just hope he likes it."
"He told me he did," Harry hugged her. "And we still have the little devil."
"Oh I forgot to tell you," Hermione started to smile. "Sirius stopped by today. He got something for Laurie."
"Oh no," Harry sighed.
Laurie came running in holding a broomstick. "I can fly Daddy!"
"Trust Sirius to give her a broomstick," Harry laughed weakly. "And don't tell me, um I can see the future, I see me showing her how to ride it."
"Sirius said you are the famous Seeker," Hermione laughed.
"Good old Sirius," Harry said.
"Daddy will you teach me to fly?" Laurie asked.
Harry sighed, "Yes but not tonight. This weekend maybe."
"Sirius is always looking out for the good of the kids," Hermione laughed.
"He treats them like grandchildren," Harry said. "Though I possible he almost is, as he was the closest thing to my father."
"I say they are growing up better than you or I ever did," said Hermione.
"Much better than me!" Harry said.
**
It was five weeks into term, and Harry was starting to notice James was very quiet. He wondered if something was wrong but he didn't dwell on it. He was always with John Tang and he had no doubt they were best friends. Quidditch Trials had been the past week and though James tried out he didn't make it. First years never made it.
One day Harry was in his office. It was right after breakfast but he didn't have a class. He had just taken off his heavy cloak; it was starting to get cool. November was here and bringing in the cold weather. But with the roar of the fire in his office and with his heavy cloak on it felt like summer. He settled it to start correcting papers when someone knocked on the door. He opened it to let Minerva in. She looked harassed.
"Here you are!" she said to him. "We have a problem!"
"What is it?" Harry asked facing her.
"Someone broke into Mullen's office," Minerva said.
"How much damage?" asked Harry.
"Stink Pellets, some things broken, a ripped Slytherin flag and a Gryffindor flag," Minerva reported.
"So it was a Gryffindor," Harry leaned back in his chair.
"It looks like it," Minerva said grimly.
"I'll talk to them," Harry promised.
That night he did talk to them. They didn't seem surprised that he was there, word gets around quickly at Hogwarts. No one came forward though but Harry wasn't surprised.
Harry thought his talk had done it. He had told them if it ever happened again he would find out who it was and he would punish them greatly. For two weeks nothing happened and things were back to normal. Until one morning…
Harry stood in Neville's office; it had been hit the night before.
"I'll kill them!" Harry threw something down and walked out. Neville started cleaning things not daring to look at Harry who looked like he could kill. He talked to them again, but nothing happened because of it.
And then it started; every night another room would be hit. Harry didn't know what to do, teacher's locked their doors but they were still hit. Harry's room still wasn't hit and soon only he and Remus were safe.
A week later Remus rushed into his office, he had just been to his and it had been hit. Harry rushed there, it was Gryffindors, and the flag was there.
"I don't believe this!" Harry was outraged.
Remus had to laugh, "I thought the Gryffindors liked me."
"I'll kill them," Harry said. "I will kill them!"
"Harry just calm down," Remus said.
"What are they playing at?" I can understand Mullen's, but yours and everyone else's?" Harry put his hand in his hair. "I swear I will get down to the bottom of this!"
**
A week later when Harry walked in his office he was surprised to find someone else all ready there.
"Harry, I came to talk to you and I found this," Minerva said pointing to his office.
Harry stepped inside; it was a complete mess. His desk drawers were all pulled out, a few plants were on the ground, his pictures were messed up and his Firebolt was on the ground. Harry closed his eyes and opened them it wasn't a dream.
He pulled out his chair; he wanted to see if anything was under it.
"Minerva I wish I-" But he stopped. On the chair was a silvery cloth. Harry touched it; he felt a piece of parchment under it. And it was an old piece of parchment. "Minerva, I think I know who it is."
That night after dinner Harry walked stiffly to the Gryffindor Table. James was just leaving with his friends.
"James," Harry said. "You're coming with me tonight!"
"Dad, I have homework to do," James pointed out.
"You can do it at home," Harry replied. "Move NOW!"
James looking sick didn't reply. He and Harry walked briskly out of Hogwarts without talking. In the carriage to bring them to Hogsmeade James looked out the window not daring to look at his father who was staring straight ahead.
At home James ran to his room and Harry stormed into the kitchen where Hermione was.
"Harry what's wrong?" she asked as he entered.
"I went to my office today only to find out someone had broken into it," Harry paced the whole room unable to stay still. "And the mystery person left a cloak on the chair. My Cloak was left on that chair."
"Oh no Harry," Hermione grasped. "He wouldn't."
"He did," Harry said. "I thought he would be okay with the Cloak, but no he's used it to hurt people. And not only did he mess up my room and almost every teacher's room, he messed up his godfather's. The one who helped get him that Cloak!"
"Have you talked to him yet?" Hermione asked.
"I've bee too mad," said Harry. "I'm going up there as soon as I can cool down."
A half an hour later Harry rapped on James' bedroom door. James didn't reply and Harry entered.
"James."
"Dad," James said not looking up.
"I'm glad to tell you I've caught the kid messing up the offices," Harry told him. "Give him back the cloak he left in my office for me." He held out the Cloak.
James didn't reply.
"Why James?" Harry asked.
James put down his quill; "I'm not you. And I'll never be you."
"People think you are suppose to be me?"
"People expect me to be like you," James told him. "And they were pretty disappointed. They told me I'm not a Potter, I couldn't even make the House team. They said if I did this, I'd be a Potter."
Harry sighed he remembered being a 5th year and thinking he had to be greater than his father… he looked down at James who looked pretty scared. He knew how he felt though he never destroyed teacher's rooms. "When I was a 5th year I thought the same thing you did."
James looked at him a little confused. But then he frowned, "Couldn't have been too hard for you. All those times you defeated Voldemort."
"Oh yes but I was young and foolish. I was made Quidditch Captain and everyone thought I would be just like my father because they said he was the greatest Captain Gryffindor ever had," Harry stopped remembering winning the Cup as Captain for the first time. "Quidditch practices were horrible. I didn't know what to do and the Beaters were always fooling around."
"Did you get over it?" James asked. He loved hearing Harry's stories. "We did. We won all our games and the Cup. But just like my father, I did something that he would do with out even thinking about it. And that is what makes me like my father. I learned that year that my father was the greatest but so was I just in different ways."
"When will I be as great as you?" James asked.
"You all ready are," Harry told him. "Ever since you were born you were as great as me. I know it, your mother knows it and everyone else will know it soon. But you don't have to go out proving it."
"I'm sorry Dad that I did that thing to the teacher's rooms," James said quietly.
"Its forgiven James," Harry said. "But I think your godfather would like to know who did it and you will be the one to say it."
"Why?" asked James.
"Because he's your godfather," Harry insisted.
"Okay I will Dad," said James. "Hey Dad, um well John was showing me some stuff the other day, you know Dungbombs and stuff. Well if we use them will you get mad?"
"Now I know why I named you after my father," Harry laughed. "As long as you don't hurt anyone."
He hugged James and started to walk out of the room. He turned around though, "If you want tips, go to your godfather, if you want the whole story, go to Uncle Sirius."
"I love you Dad," James told him.
"I love you too James," Harry said and closed the door behind him. Out in the hall he heard Hermione talking to Laurie.
"Now go to bed honey," she said quietly.
"Where's Daddy?" Laurie asked.
"Good night sweetie," Harry said from the door. She smiled at him and blew him a kiss, which he caught and sent one back to her. She giggled.
Hermione came out into the hall, "How did it go?" she asked.
"It went all right," Harry said leading her into their bedroom. "But I think we have a troublemaker on our hands."
"Oh no," Hermione sighed and closed the door behind them.
Hope you liked it. Please r/r. J.K Rowling owns Harry, Hermione, Neville, Neville, Sirius, Remus and any character you know from the books!