A/N: Well, sorry its taken me so long to update. I've had a bit of writer block, when it came to starting this chapter. So I sat and sat…then I sat some more…and well forced myself to write it. So here it is..!
Liz stood there and stared at her aunt with a look of astonishment in her eyes. "Ummm…Aunt Gin, if you don't mind me asking, how did you know that was Harry?"
Harry glanced at Ginny who blushed a little. He reached up to see if his hair was parted so that one could see his scar, but it wasn't.
"Well," Ginny said as she sat down at the kitchen table. "It's just…I mean Harry has always been so near and dear to me. I spent my childhood staring at that face. How could I ever forget it." She turned and faced Liz. "I don't know if your parents ever told you, but I happened to quite fancy Harry when we were younger."
Now it was Harry's turn to blush, although he wasn't sure why. He had always known that fact. It was just something about Ginny being so much older than him that made his cheeks tint a pale pink.
"Well," Liz said sitting down next to her. "They told James and I that you two dated for a stint, but I never knew it was a long term interest."
"Well," Ginny said as she turned back to look at Harry. She opened her mouth to say something, but suddenly stopped and smiled. Harry suddenly saw the Ginny her used to remember with that smile. "It was very true. It's so wonderful to see you Harry. Look at you…just as you were."
"Yeah," Harry said laughing nervously. "Everyone else has changed a bit though."
"I remember when this entire situation was reverse," Ginny said distantly. "When it was your mum."
Harry smiled. "I don't know which side I like being on more to be honest with you."
Ginny just stared through misty eyes. "I've missed you so much, Harry. I can't even tell you how difficult it's been with you…" She stopped suddenly, as if she realized she was beginning to say too much.
"It's ok," Liz said. "He knows everything."
"Oh god," Ginny said with a small sob. "It's just been so hard."
"Ginny," Harry said sitting down next to her. "I'm here now, that's all that matters. I'll get things figured out." Ginny smiled as Neville suddenly came into the room and surveyed the scene.
"Oh no," Neville said giving her Ginny a knowing look. "Dear, you really need to learn to control yourself around James…"
"Control herself? Harry whispered to Liz as Ginny stood up to grab a tissue.
"She has a tendency to cry whenever James is around," Liz whispered. "Mum said that she gets in these depressive stints, or moods, every so often because of the whole you missing thing. You two were still very close friends when you left, and to be honest, my mum doesn't think she ever really got over you."
"Your mum told you that?" Harry asked.
"We're very close," Liz said smiling. "My dad doesn't think she should put these sort of things in my head."
"What sort of things?" Ginny said sitting back down next to Liz.
"Nothing," Liz said trying to avoid the topic. "So Neville, how are things at work?"
"Ugggg…" Neville said as he walked out of the kitchen.
"He's in no mood to talk about it," Ginny said making a face. "Things have been difficult lately…"
"What do you mean?" Liz asked looking at Harry.
"Oh it's nothing," Ginny said unconvincingly. "There are more important matters to press right now." She turned to Harry. "I can't believe that Hermione and Ron didn't tell me."
"We really didn't want too many people to know," Harry said.
"It doesn't matter," Ginny said pushing the hair out of her face. "It's just been so difficult without you and not knowing anything…" She paused. "What does James think of all this?"
"I wish he'd tell me," Harry said shrugging.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.
"He's still getting used to all of this," Liz said sighing. "Things have been…odd lately."
"Odd?" Ginny asked. "Odd how?"
Liz and Harry proceeded to tell Ginny all about Draco Malfoy and their meeting at Kings Cross, the letters, and James disappearing.
"I can't believe it," Ginny said. "Malfoy still acts like the fourteen year old child he always was." She stood up and walked over to the refrigerator. "So you have no idea where James is?"
"Nope," Harry said. "Not the slightest clue. Liz says he does this often, but I really can't just sit around at home knowing he's out there and things are going on."
"We really should go and look for him," Liz said checking the clock on the wall. "Before it gets too late."
"Right," Harry said standing up. "Well Ginny, it has been wonderful seeing you."
"Oh Harry," Ginny said. "There's no way you'd know how much this visit has meant to me." She walked over and hugged him.
Liz smiled. She noticed the look in Ginny's face almost didn't want to let go of him. "You know," Liz began. "You should really come by the house tomorrow evening for dinner. Mum and dad would love to see you, as would the boys."
Ginny just stood silently for a moment before glancing at Harry. "You know, I just might….no in fact I will."
"Great," Liz said smiling. "I can't wait to tell them." She turned to Harry. "You ready to continue to the search?"
"Might as well," Harry said smiling a little as he glanced at Ginny. "See you tomorrow."
Ginny didn't say a word. She just smiled, but that smile was enough. As he said goodbye to Neville and Liz's cousins, he couldn't help but think about Ginny's reaction to him. Harry always knew that his friends cared about him, but lately he was seeing just how much he had meant to them.
"It's dark," Harry said looking out into the now night sky.
"Watch James have already gone back," Liz said heavily. "I can really only think of one other place that he would have gone."
"Where's that?" Harry asked.
"Come on," Liz said pointing to a nearby wooded area. "It's just on the other side over there."
Harry and her started walking in that direction, but Harry hadn't noticed that he was completely lost in thought to the point that he almost his a pole.
"Watch it," Liz said grabbing him and pulling him out of the way. "You didn't even see that there, did you?"
"No," Harry said shaking his head. "No I didn't."
"What are you thinking about?" Liz asked looking at Harry concerned.
"Everything," Harry said as a cold wind blew down the street. "All my friends and everything going on here."
"I see," Liz said nodding slowly. "My aunt sure was excited to see you. I mean she tends to get emotional when she sees James or when you're brought up, but that was the biggest display of emotion on that subject that I've ever seen. In fact, I've only ever seen her get more upset about one other thing."
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"Right before the twins were born," Liz said. "My grandmum and Ginny were throwing my mum a shower and my grandmum started telling a story about how difficult it was to deliver my uncles Fred and George. She began to say that all the births of her children had been so simple with the exception of them and…" Liz stopped and looked at Harry. "Then she stopped. As if she never wanted to finish the sentence. I never knew what was going on, but my mum tried her hardest to change the subject, and aunt Ginny just burst into tears."
"I don't get it," Harry asked.
"Well," Liz said. "I asked my mum why Ginny was so upset, and she said that it reminded her of someone who was no longer around. I didn't find out until a few years later that it was my uncle Percy she was talking about. Turns out that it was the anniversary of his death the following day and Ginny was already on edge about it. I never knew him…"
"So I've heard," Harry said as they began to walk into the wooded area.
"Did you know him?" Liz asked.
"Yeah," Harry said. "Your dad, Fred, and George used to make fun of him for being a perfectionist and such a stickler to the rules."
"We're not allowed to talk about him," Liz said heavily. "I brought it up once at Christmas when the whole family was around, simply because I wanted some answers. I don't think I have ever seen a room get so quiet. My mum and my uncle Charlie sat me down and explained it all to me. I didn't know he ended up doing something so terrible…"
"He wasn't a terrible person though," Harry said suddenly. "I mean he was a bit of a stiff, but he really was a good person deep down."
Liz smiled. "Well, that's good to know. I always thought that if he hadn't cracked that him and I may have gotten along."
"I'm sure you would have," Harry said as he saw a break in the trees. "He wasn't a horrible person. Just a bit misguided."
Liz quickly made her way ahead and stopped once she got through the trees. Harry followed suit and saw now what Liz had been referring to. It was a large Quidditch pitch.
"Wow," Harry said.
"It's invisible to muggles," Liz said as she looked around. Harry could see a father teaching his young son how to fly off in the center of the pitch and a group of guys packing up equipment.
"I don't see him," Harry said.
"It was worth a shot," Liz said as she scanned the field one last time. "Him and Mike spend a lot of time down here so I thought that it was possible…"
"HEADS UP!" a voice yelled from behind them. Liz and Harry turned and ducked just in time to see a bludger screaming past them.
"What the…?" Liz asked looking up to see a tall guy running up to them.
"Sorry," he said as he approached. "We were putting it away and it sort of got loose."
"It's ok," Liz said standing up and looking to see who it was.
"Do I know you?" the guy said looking at Liz. Liz immediately knew who it was however. Andrew Wood.
"Yeah," Liz said blushing a little as Harry stood up. "I knew you when you were at Hogwarts. You were the 5th year prefect who helped us the year I started."
"Oh," Andrew said smiling a little. "That was awhile ago. What's your name?"
"Liz Weasley," Liz said."
"Are you related to Ellie?" He asked.
"Yes," Liz said. "She's my cousin."
"Really?" he said smiling a little. "So Charlie's your uncle?"
"Yes," Liz said still blushing.
"Well then," he said nodding. "You'll have to tell him I said hi. Ellie was in my class and we dated for a while. Your uncle was always playing Quidditch with us."
Liz nodded. Harry noticed that she really seemed interested in Andrew's face.
"You're not James though," Andrew said turning to Harry.
Liz snapped back into reality. "What?" she asked startled.
"He's not James," Andrew said nodding towards Harry. "You look just like him though. The resemblance is bloody remarkable."
"Well," Liz asked searching for something to say. "You would be one of the first people who didn't mistake him for James."
"I probably would have had he not just been here," Andrew said as he looked at Harry. "Drew Wood, and you are?"
"Uhhh…" Harry said racking his brain. He obviously couldn't introduce himself as Harry, since everyone in the wizarding world knew him. So he said the first name that came to him. "I'm Neville."
"Nice to meet you Neville," Drew said nodding politely. "You related to James?"
"We're like 3rd cousins or something," Harry lied. "Did you say he was here?"
"Yeah," Drew said. "My brother Dan and some friends decided to come out here and play. He came by a little bit later and asked if he could join us. He seemed a bit preoccupied though, because his game was off. We used to be on the house team together at Hogwarts. You just missed him really."
"Damn," Harry said.
"He's gone back then," Liz said looking at Harry.
"How do you kno…" He stopped when he realized what he was saying.
"I just know," Liz said smiling. "We'd better get back to the house." She turned towards Drew. "It was nice talking to you."
"You too," Drew said flashing his million dollar smile. "Give your uncle and Ellie my regards."
"I will," Liz said slowly as he turned as walked back towards where he had come from.
"You know," Harry said. "You might want to blink…"
"You sound like James," Liz said shooting Harry a look. "Come on, we'd better get back. Mum will worry."
"All right," Harry said as he let Liz lead the way back towards Ron and Hermione's. "How far a walk is it?"
"Only a few blocks," Liz said. "Harry can I ask you a question?"
"Of course," Harry asked.
"Do you think that Malfoy is behind your disappearance?" Liz asked.
"I think Malfoy always has something to do with bad things that happen to me," Harry said shrugging.
"What are you going to do then?" Liz asked. "I mean I heard you ask my mum to take off work and what not."
"I'm not exactly sure yet," Harry said sighing. "I know your parents and I can think of something. I just have this sinking feeling that I was brought here for a reason, and this is it. I know I'm going to be able to do something about it."
Liz stopped walking and looked nervously at Harry. "What happens if you find out that you're…you know?"
"Dead?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Liz said slowly.
"Well," Harry said breathing deeply. "It'll be closure won't it?"
"It'll be hell," Liz said. "James will be crushed. I know he still believes that you're out there. He won't say it, but I know it."
Harry looked at Liz. "I hope for everyone's sake, especially James's, that I am. I don't know what to believe though. I mean if I've been missing for almost seven years now, then where I have I been?"
"I wish I knew," Liz said.
"I'm going to find out," Harry said as they started walking. "I have nothing to loose and everything to gain."
"I wish it was that simple for everyone," said a voice. They both stopped as James stepped out of an alley and appeared in front of them.
"James," Liz said walking up to him. "How long were you standing there?"
"Long enough," James said staring down at her. "Out for a stroll?"
"Looking for you," Liz said adamantly. "We were worried."
"I can take care of myself," James said coolly.
"Still," Harry said. "It's not safe to be out and about right now."
"Why?" James said. "What's changed?"
"James," Harry said. "We don't know what's going on. It'd just be better if you were careful and didn't go running off in the night."
James just glared at Harry. Harry didn't know how to react, but that fact that Liz was slowly backing away from him was not exactly a comforting sign. James looked upset about something, and the look he was giving Harry was not exactly reassuring.
"And who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?" James said very slowly. Harry just stared back, unaware of what to say back.
"James…" Liz said slowly. "He just cares about you…"
"He doesn't even know me," James said turning his glare on Liz. "How the hell can he care if he doesn't even know me!"
"James," Liz said defensively. "I don't what's gotten into you. He's your father…"
"HE'S NOT MY FATHER!!" James screamed loudly as Harry and Liz both jumped back. "He may be it one day, but he sure as hell isn't right now! My father went off one day and he never came back, or haven't you read the papers?"
"James…" Liz said with a touch of nervousness in her voice. "I don't understand…"
"What don't you understand?" James yelled. "My father is missing! My father hasn't made contact with me in seven years! My father apparently doesn't give a damn!"
"You know that's not true," Liz said in shock as Harry just stared gawk jawed.
"What else am I suppose to believe?" James yelled as he threw a rock very hard at the ground. "If my father is still alive then I'm suppose to just forgive him for abandoning me for seven years!? For not giving a damn about what happened to me?!"
"James…" Liz said looking him in the eye. "You're scaring me. You've never acted like this before…"
"Yeah?" James asked. "Well maybe I've been thinking a lot lately. If my dad's not dead, then what's his excuse, Liz? What's his excuse for leaving me that day!?"
"I don't know," Liz said shaking her head and looking at Harry.
"No one knows!" James said as he picked up another rock and threw it down the street very aggressively. "No one ever knows!!"
"James please calm down," Liz begged.
"Liz you don't get it," James said slowly. "That's all right because I only recently got it myself..."
"Got what?" Liz asked.
"Everyone always wants to help me." James began. "Poor little James Potter, his mum's dead and his dad just might be as well. Let's pity him, shall we? 'Oh James, we'll find you're dad. He's out there, have faith."
Liz and Harry just stared and didn't say a word.
"Well," James said. "I've had faith. More faith than anyone. After all this time I've come to one conclusion."
"Wha...what's that?" Liz stammered.
"If my dad's still alive and one day gets found or wants to come back into my life,"
James said slowly. "I don't know how much I want him to be there…"
A/N: There's my attempt at angst. Poor James : (