A/N: Well, hey, hello, hola, bonjour…yeah and every other way you can think of to say it. I've been busy lately, but I'm still working this story out. So don't worry, the updates will come…Oh yeah, recently Black Ice asked about Harry's height in comparison to Ron and Hermione…well in answer to that, the way I envision it in my twisted little head, is that since Harry is sixteen in the story, he's already pretty much (give or take and inch or two) the height he'll be for the rest of his life. At least that's the way it is with most guys…So the way I've always pictured it as Harry being about 5'9...Ron being about 6'0-6'1, and Hermione around 5'5. Although I have caught myself as envisioning Harry as smaller at times...he's not meant to be : )

"Can I help you?" Ron said in a very irritable tone.

"Wouldn't you like that," Malfoy said smiling dryly. "Not unless you plan on bending over and polishing my shoes."

"Well then," Ron said. "This conversation is thankfully over…"

"Can't I just say hello," Malfoy said trying to sound cheerful. "I mean we go so far back." Harry could see though his act though. He was still the superficial and selfish brat that he had always been.

"Not far enough," Ron said. "I don't think I could ever be far enough from you."

"Is that anyway to speak to the Minister of Magic?" Malfoy said raising an eyebrow and glancing towards Liz "That must be the daughter. Poor thing…"

'What is the hell is that suppose to mean?" Ron said stepping towards Malfoy. The look in Ron's eyes was all too familiar to Harry.

"Nothing," Malfoy said glancing casually to his side. "I take it you and the mudblo…" He stopped as if suddenly remembering he was a man of statue. "Granger…got together. She looks just like her."

"Yes," Ron said very forced. "We did, not that its any of your business. Eighteen very happy years."

"Cute," Malfoy said as his eyes stayed on Liz, who was scowling more at Malfoy than she ever had at Oliver Wood. "Isn't it funny what one person considers happiness, another considers…" He paused a laughed a little. "Oh never mind."

Ron was furious. Harry could tell that if Malfoy wasn't surrounded my his entourage, Ron would have pummeled him.

"Well," Malfoy said as he suddenly turned back to Harry. "James Potter. I haven't seen you since you were just a lost little boy. I've heard quite a bit about you. I'm…" He paused again to pick his word carefully. "Sorry about how things worked out for you. You seem to look normal enough though. Then again," He glanced quickly at Ron. "Your father looked normal as well, and he was anything but."

"How about you shut the hell up," Ron said. "You have absolutely no right to talk about Harry!"

"I haven't said one bad thing," Malfoy said innocently. "Your father was quite an interesting person. We had our moments of course…"

"Moments!" Ron said. "Harry despised you!"

"Well," Malfoy said as his eyes became cloudy. "At least the feeling was mutual."

Harry stood there wanting to scream at him. He wanted to jump on him and beat his face like that night at the ball. He couldn't though. Malfoy was a grown man now, who was heavily protected. He just stared at him, searching his brain for something to say. Anything.

"Well," Malfoy said. "I must be on my way. I need to meet my wife…"

"Who would ever be that desperate," Ron said glaring at him.

"Please," Malfoy said. "I have them fighting over me. I'm on the third one. I grow so tried of them after awhile."

"That's sick," Liz said.

"Liz," Ron said giving her a look as if to tell her not to speak. "Please…"

"Maybe you're little girl has a point," Malfoy said. "It may be a problem." He smiled wickedly. "But it's one in which the consequences are so right."

Harry just shook his head as he saw a young trophy looking blonde appear next to Malfoy. She couldn't have been older than twenty, and Harry guessed that number probably also matched her IQ level.

"Are we leaving?" she said. "This place has way too many children running around, and with children come germs and all that yucky stuff."

"We'll leave when I say we'll leave," Malfoy said with a wave of his hand. "Well, Weasley, as always…the pleasure is all yours."

"Sod off," Ron scoffed.

"Oh," Malfoy said faking a hurt look. "And in front of the children too! Such a pity…" He quickly looked at Harry and smiled evilly as he stepped up close to him and leaned in close.

"You know you can escape this," he whispered. "You come from a powerful family. Incredibly stupid, but powerful. I believe there is a reason for everything, including your father's…" He turned and coughed. "Disappearance. He would have wanted you to become successful. I can help you there."

Harry stared deep into the Malfoy eyes. Overcome with so many enraged emotions. "If what you are is successful," he drawled out slowly. "Then that's the absolute last thing I ever want."

Malfoy stood up straight and glared at the boy he thought was James. "Stupid just like him. I guess being orphaned without any parents will do that to a you." He came in close again and whispered even lower than before. "You'll end up just like him if you keep this up. Alone and pleading…just like him…" With that he stood up straight and left, his cape flowing behind him.

Harry stood there and blinked a few times, before turning to Ron. "What was that?"

"The worst sorts," Ron said enraged. "I can't believe…Uggg! I'm going to go get the car."

"So that was him," Liz said shaking her head as Ron walked off. "He really is as bad as people always said…"

"You had never met him before?" Harry asked looking at her. "McGonagall said that he was going to Hogwarts the other day…"

"He comes all the time," Liz said. "However, upon my parents requests, we are at all costs to keep James away from him."

"Why?" Harry asked. "Does Malfoy know this?"

"I don't think he has any idea," Liz said shrugging. "He's never gone out of his way to get to James or anything. My parents have a bad feeling though. That's why my dad was so angry."

"Well," Harry said grinning a little. "He'll get over it. I mean after all, he met me, not James."

"True," Liz said as James and Mike reappeared with a trolley of trunks.

"What's up!" Mike said sliding up to Liz. "Your dad go to get the car?"

"Yeah," Liz said. "We just had a wonderful run in with the Minister of Magic."

"Malfoy?" Mike said. "Gross…you know in the paper, they make him out to look really rat like. Does he look like that in person?"

"All that and more," Harry said shaking his head.

"Ewww…" Mike said making a face.

"He thought Harry was you," Liz said looking at James, who was leaning quietly against the trolley.

"Yeah," Harry said turning towards his son. "Don't worry though. I think I handled him well enough."

"Well," James said looking at the ground and nodding slightly. "I appreciate that."

Harry stood there staring at James. He stood a good two inches taller than him, but their builds were identical. With the exception of James's bright blue eyes, lack of glasses and scar, and his new shorter hair, Harry would have thought he was looking in a mirror.

"You know," Harry said. "I wish I could say something to make this easier for you. I know what happened, and all though on some level it is my fault, at the same time there's absolutely nothing I can do. Right now I'm just a sixteen year old kid whose going through some weird experience. I'm really sorry though. I'd really like to get along with you."

James looked up at Harry. Harry could see so much in those blue eyes. So much pain and anguish. "I know," James said. "It's just…weird. It's not your fault, but it's still something I'm getting used to."

"I completely understand," Harry said smiling meekly. He turned to see Ron coming back in. "Come on I'll help you all get your stuff in the car." They all grabbed the trunks and started lugging them out to the car.

"Hey," said a voice that belonged to a fellow Gryffindor. "You kids have a good summer!"

"You too Paul," James said smiling to his roommate. "We'll owl you sometime and see if you can come visit." Paul waved as he walked away just as James turned around to see Liz throw a heavy bag at him.

"Umph..!" James exclaimed as he looked at Liz. "You know that a little 'heads up' would be appreciated?"

"I know," Liz said smiling. "Tell you what, I'll make it up to you. Heads up."

"What?" James said looking at her puzzled.

"Hi there," said a strained female voice from behind James. James's eyes suddenly went very wide as he looked at Liz, almost pleading with her silently.

"Hi Gina," Liz said forcing a smile. "How are you?"

"No, no, no…" James was mumbling under his breath still glaring at Liz.

"Fine," said the girl with the short curly black hair. "I just saw you leaving and thought I should come and wish you all a good summer."

"Well," Liz said with a very sneaky smile on her face. "Isn't that sweet. Don't you think James?"

"I hate you…" James whispered to Liz before he turned around to face the girl. "Hi."

"Oh James," Gina said smiling. "I just love your hair like that. You look so…distinguished." At that Liz and Mike burst out laughing and quickly turned around.

"Thank you," James said very awkwardly and apparently very forced.

"What's so funny," Harry asked.

"That," Liz said nodding towards the girl. "Is Regina Boot. She's a completely obnoxious Ravenclaw girl."

"She only thinks she's obnoxious," Mike said grinning at Liz. "Because she's her only real competition for head girl."

"Stupid know it all," Liz said rolling her eyes. "Anyway, she also happens to fancy James to absolutely no end. Practically the president of his fan club. He, however, doesn't feel the same way…She's way too self centered for him."

"And he's too nice…" Mike began. "Or maybe it's shy…we really haven't figured out which yet. Either way, he won't just tell her bug off."

Harry grinned. He glanced over his shoulder and watched his son standing there, trying to be polite, but wanting to get out of that situation as soon as possible.

"Your birthday is next week isn't it?" Gina asked. "You must be excited. Seventeen…it's such a grown up age."

"Yeah," James said nodding slowly. "It's really nothing special, It's just another day. I never really celebrate."

"Oh that's a shame," she said sounding sympathetic for some reason. "Well, maybe this year will be different. I mean if you surround yourself with the right people." She seemed to accentuate the word people, as if she was hinting at something. James turned around and glared at the group as if begging for help. Even Ron was standing there grinning at him.

"Well I intend to," James said. "Umm…I mean, my friends are around, all the people I care about…and…and…" He paused as if an idea came into his head. "My girlfriend!"

"Your what?" Gina said staring at James as if she just got hit by a truck. "You have a girlfriend?"

"Yes," James said nodding. "Yes I do. Infact," He turned around took a deep breath. "I think it's time it stopped being a secret. Right, Liz?"

"Come again?" Liz said looking at James like he had three heads.

"Oh," James said coming over to her and pulling her over to Gina. "Don't play silly, dear. There's really no point in keeping it a secret for any longer."

"You're off your rocker," Liz said laughing a little.

"I thought you too were just best friends," Gina asked skeptically.

"Well," James said nervously. "You know how that goes. One day its platonic and the next thing you know, you're in love. Right Liz?"

"Maddly," Liz said very dryly.

"Well," Gina said a little shocked. "I need to go. I have to see my parents. Have a good summer."

"You too," Liz said smiling widely and waving at her as she walked away. When she was out of earshot she elbowed James in the ribs. "What was that?"

"Hi Gina, how are you?" James said mocking Liz. "What was that?"

"I was saying hello," Liz said as she walked over to the car. "Not declaring my undying love."

"I wouldn't say undying," James said glaring at her. "Right now it's on serious life support."

"You're impossible," Liz said. "You know she's going to tell people."

"Who cares," James said. "People won't believe her. You shouldn't be worried. The guy of your dreams isn't in school anymore."

"I don't fancy him," Liz said aggravated as she got in the car

"Fancy who?" Mike asked.

"No one," Liz said practically yelling.

"I wouldn't mind knowing," Ron said smiling a little.

"Dad," Liz said embarrassed and blushing furiously. "Don't listen to a word that comes out of their mouths."

"Oh let's get going before Liz goes mad," James said laughing as everyone else got in the car. He began to get in too before he heard someone say his name. He turned and the smile on his face suddenly disappeared and was replaced by an uncertain expression. "What?" He mumbled incoherently.

"I said," a pretty girl with shoulder length brown hair and green eyes said as she walked by, "Hope you have a good summer, James."

"I…" James stammered. "I…thanks. You too."

"Oh by the way," she said stopping for a brief second. "I think your hair is quite…interesting."

"Yeah," James said. "Yours too."

The girl looked a little confused, but smiled anyway. "Oh, what's this Gina was rambling about you and Liz as a couple? She seemed a little distraught by it."

"What?" James asked looking back and Liz and then back at the girl. "There's nothing. We're just friends."

"Oh don't be silly, James," Liz said smiling at the girl. "He really wants to keep it secret. So if you could, don't tell too many people."

"She's kidding," James said. "I swear."

"Isn't he cute?" Liz said smiling widely as she grabbed his arm.

"We're just friends," James said shaking Liz off. "She's like a sister to me. I swear."

"Ok," the girl said smiling a little. "Well, I hope you have a terrific summer. See you in the fall."

"I sure hope so," James said as she girl smiled and walked away. He turned to Liz. "I hate you."

"Sorry," Liz said getting back in the car. "Temporary madness. I'm all better now."

"And who was that?" Ron asked as he pulled out of the parking area and onto the street. "She was cute."

"That," Liz said. "Would be Anne Bradley. "Otherwise know as the girl that James has been head over heel's in love with since our sorting ceremony. Oh how he hated it when she got put into Ravenclaw."

"He was actually mad when he got put into Gryffindor for that sole reason," Mike said laughing.

"So," Ron said looking in the rearview. "What going on with that?"

"Nothing now," James said. "Apparently she thinks I have a girlfriend!"

"She'll get over it," Liz said as she and Mike started laughing.

"Well," Ron asked glancing over to Harry. "With all you've got going for you, why doesn't she fancy you?"

"Because I'm James Potter," James mumbled.

"Come again?" Ron asked.

"She's muggle born," Mike said. "So she didn't know anything about any of this world. When James tried to talk to her…and I do say try because usually he turns into a mess whenever he's around her…people would always say something. She eventually read somewhere about the whole Potter past."

"So," Harry asked a little angered. "What's wrong with the Potter past?

"Nothing," James said shaking his head. "It's just she doesn't want anything to do with me because of the reporters and the stories and the newspapers. She doesn't want anything to do with a celebrity."

"I think she's coming around," Liz said.

"I would have thought so too," James said. "Until your little demonstration…I swear, I'm going to get you back. I'll make a little call to a certain guy you happen to fancy…"

"You wouldn't…" Liz said wide eyed.

"Watch me," James said grinning.

Harry turned to Ron, who was smiling a little as he drove. "Is it always like this?"

"Well," Ron said. "Add two loud nine year old boys who like to yell and not sit still and then it's a normal day. Believe it or not, those three really are the best of friends."

"I wouldn't doubt it," Harry said. "Especially our two."

"Those two…" Ron said sighing. "You're right."

'That's great though," Harry said. "I mean it's really great to know that our kids became as close…actually probably closer than the three of us."

Ron smiled. "It is pretty remarkable."

Harry smiled as he turned and looked out the window. He thought about everything that had just happened, and found his thoughts drifting back to Malfoy. "I can't believe he would say that to James." Harry thought to himself. "I can help you succeed…" Then suddenly, like a ton of bricks, Harry thought of something. Something almost cryptic. How had he not caught it before? Maybe he had been so shocked by the fact that Malfoy would try to convince James of working with him, that he hadn't realized it.

"You'll end up just like him if you keep this up. Alone and pleading…just like him."

"Malfoy knows something about me," Harry said out loud in a shocking tone.

"Pardon?" Ron said. "What did you just say?

"He knows something about what happened to me," Harry said slowly. "He told me himself…!"