A/N: Well hi! I don't know about all ya'll…but I've not enjoyed the fact that the site's been down! I haven't been able to get my fic fixes…sigh, oh well what can you do? So I went and saw the COS preview, and I have to admit I'm actually impressed by it. When I saw SS preview, I remember thinking…"Hmmm…" I wasn't so sure about it. However, now that I've seen the next one…well I was satisfied. Here's hoping for the best! Anyway, for those of you who have asked for me to email you when I update…I'm horrible at remembering that, so I apologize! If you really do want me to email you when I update, feel free to email me personally, cuz I'll never remember just from the message board…other than that…on with the show!
Harry's eyes widened in shock, while Liz's mouth dropped. James stood there staring intently at the two of them. Harry didn't know what to say or do, he only knew that something had triggered James to start thinking like this, and he most definitely wanted to know what.
"James Potter," Liz said very slowly. "I know damn well that you don't mean that."
James didn't say anything. He had a look in his eyes that almost looked like he was going to cry due to the anger that was surging though his body. He didn't though, he just turned and walked down the street in the direction of their house.
"What was that?" Harry said quietly as soon as James was out of ear shot.
"I don't know," Liz said watching James. "He's never ever done…" She paused and shook her head. "that before!"
"Sounded like it was a bit pent up," Harry said as he shifted his weight awkwardly.
"I never once would have ever thought that he thought…" Liz said rubbing her head. "I mean he's never once let on that he would ever have…What was that?!"
"You're the expert," Harry said. "You tell me."
"As far as I'm concerned," Liz said. "That wasn't James."
Harry just grinned. "I don't think he ever wants to see me again."
"Well," Liz said huffily. "If he keeps acting like that then I would consider yourself lucky. Come on, we need to talk to my parents." They both started walking, but made sure to keep their distance from where they thought James was. They turned the last corner to see James emerging from the house.
"Stop," Liz said as she held Harry back. They both watched as James, carrying a small duffel, stepped down the front steps and walked down the street, before disappearing into Mike's house.
"He's staying with Mike tonight," Liz said standing up straight. "It'll be better that way."
"What do you mean?" Harry said as they both crossed the road.
"To talk to my parents," Liz said. "I know James too well to know that he wouldn't just snap about something like that for no reason."
"Even if he's been keeping it inside?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Liz said. "James may be private, but if you know him as well as I do then you can start to pick up on his mannerisms. If this had been bothering him for awhile, then we would have realized something. James never looses his temper, ever. He has too many people that would have killed to witnessed a moment like that back there, simply for the fact that they can sell papers about his broken life and they way it's effected him."
"So what are you trying to say?" Harry said as they reached the front door.
"I'm saying," Liz said as she stopped short of turning the knob. "That something provoked him. That little comment at dinner wasn't enough to do it, but something did. Something made him start thinking like that…or someone."
Harry just stared at her as she opened the door and they both slowly walked in to see Hermione sitting on a chair reading the paper and Ron laying on the floor playing cards with one of the twins.
"You've just missed James," Hermione said casually. "He just came back."
"We know," Liz said aggravated as she slammed herself down next to her mum on the sofa. "Harry and I had a little encounter with him over off Teling Street."
"What?" Hermione asked as she watched Harry sit down in a nearby chair. "What's all this about?"
"What did James say when he came in?" Liz said not paying attention.
"Well," Hermione said looking at Ron. "He came in and Ron and I both asked him where he had been and he said something about playing Quidditch…"
"Then I told him how he shouldn't be out and about like that," Ron said cutting in, "and he made some comment about…what was it?"
"Something like, 'so I've heard,'" Hermione said. "Then he said that he was going over to Mike's and before we could get another word in edgewise he was already upstairs and back and then out the door. Ron and I decided not to touch it because he was obviously upset about something, and you know James. He talks when he's ready."
"You just let him go over to Mike's without questioning why he didn't want to be here?" Harry asked.
"He does it all the time," Liz said answering for her parents.
"Should we have?" Hermione asked. "You two aren't telling me something…"
"Something's gotten into James," Liz said as she stared at the wall.
"Maybe it's a brain eating spider," Conner said from the floor. "Nicholas Thomas from our class was telling us about these big ones that live in Africa that come and…"
"Conner sweetie," Hermione said standing up. "Why don't you go upstairs and help Aiden with his homework?"
Conner took a long hard look at his mother before glancing to Ron for help.
"Go on Con," Ron said shrugging.
"Sheeesh," Conner said collecting his cards. "If I didn't know any better I could swear that you all are hiding something." He got up and headed upstairs, all the while mocking his parents under his breath. "Go upstairs, Conner. Go play with your brother, Conner…"
"So now what's this about something getting into James?" Hermione asked. "What happened out there?"
"He snapped," Liz said as she began to recall the events of what had happened with James out in the street.
"He doesn't want anything to do with Harry? He doesn't mean that," Ron said very seriously. "He can't mean that.."
"Of course he doesn't," Hermione said somewhat shocked. "I mean he knows how much his father cared about him."
"I know he knows," Liz said. "But where would all that come from?"
"Well," Harry said. "Like you suggested earlier, something could have happened to him out there. What we were afraid of…"
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"Someone caught up to him…" Harry said flatly.
"Maybe I should call Katie and ask her to send him back…" Hermione began to say.
"No," Harry said. "Let him stay. We'll talk to him later."
"I'm going to bed," Liz said suddenly. "I've got a headache."
"Feel better sweetheart," Ron said as he kissed Liz on the cheek before she disappeared upstairs.
"Well," Hermione said heavily. "That was quite the first day back."
"How many more months until Hogwarts starts up again?" Ron asked sarcastically.
"Oh you mean to tell me that this doesn't happen very often?" Harry said as he rubbed his head.
"I'm going to call Katie and have her send James home first thing tomorrow," Hermione said as she walked off to the kitchen.
"I'm going to go and get the boys in bed," Ron said as he to also walked off sighing heavily.
Harry sat there thinking about all that had transpired that night. James's allegations that he, or his father, didn't care about him. He didn't feel angry or upset by anything that had been said, but instead felt complete sympathy for James. Where was adult Harry? If he was still alive he essentially did abandon all those people he cared about. A chilling thought ran through Harry's mind. Ever since he could remember being famous, he had wished he could take it all back to be a normal wizard. At least as far a reporters and what not were concerned. What if his adult self did just that? Ran off without a trace so that he could live a normal life?
"No," Harry said out loud to himself. "You would never do that the people you love."
Hermione suddenly appeared and sat down in a nearby chair. She glanced up at Harry, "You went to Katie's didn't you?"
"Huh?" Harry asked snapping back into reality. "Oh yeah, I think so, yeah…why?"
"Well," Hermione said a tiny smile crept across her lips. "She's confused about James's hair."
"Hmm…" Harry said. "I can only wonder what James told her."
"She didn't ask him," Hermione said. "She asked me. I just laughed it off, not really knowing what to say. We'll have to work out some sort of story for that."
"Yeah…" Harry said distantly.
"Harry," Hermione said as Ron reappeared in the room. "Things will be better. We'll have a long discussion tomorrow with James. We'll see what's going on and what's bothering him."
Harry didn't say anything. He just stared up at Ron. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Shoot," Ron said shrugging.
"I would have never just left because I wanted to escape the world," Harry began to say. "Would I?"
"You mean leave just to leave?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah…" Harry said.
"Not that I could conceive," Ron said. "Not without giving us some warning. When you disappeared, you were in the best spirits we had seen you in ages."
"Yeah," Hermione said. "You were really achieving a lot of progress at work and in your petitions against the corruption of the Ministry, you were thrilled with James and the fact that he was doing so well, and you were finally in a good relationship. We were thrilled with the fact that for the first time in forever you were actually happy."
"Nothing makes sense," Harry said. "I can't even figure out where I was coming from."
"Well," Hermione said. "Maybe we can figure something out tomorrow when we head down to the Ministry. Although I don't know how much that will help us. Draco Malfoy doesn't exactly love talking to us. I don't even know how we're going to get him to see us…I've tried in the past."
"I've already thought of that," Harry said. "He may not want anything to do with all of you, but I know for a fact that there is one person that he more than wants to talk to."
Ron and Hermione both exchanged confused glances before it hit them. "James…"
"Exactly," Harry said. "Now we obviously don't want the real James in there, especially in the mind set he's in currently, so we need to find someone who looks like him…"
Ron and Hermione both just smiled. "That just might work," Hermione said.
"It'll work," Harry said confidently. "It'll work better than we could have ever hoped…"
***************************
The next morning came quickly. Harry had barely slept a wink. He had spend his entire evening planning out how he was going to handle his encounter with Malfoy tomorrow. One slip up and their cover could be blown. He really needed to make sure that his plan was full proof.
He climbed out of bed and got dressed in some of James's old clothes. He made his way downstairs to see Ron sitting on the couch with the boys watching some cartoons on the television.
"Hey," Harry said as he sat down. Ron looked up, but neither of boys could be bothered.
"Hey Harry," Ron said smiling. "You're up early."
"Didn't sleep much," Harry said as he glanced over a the nearby clock that said it was 'early.'
"Well," Ron said. "There's a big day ahead of you and Hermione."
"Your not going to come?" Harry said a little surprised.
"I would," Ron said breathing deeply. "Since fighting Malfoy has always been our thing, but fighting adult Malfoy has always been Hermione and your thing. Plus I've got to go down to the bank and do some work."
"Geez," Harry said running a hand through his hair. "Ron Weasley actually grew up and took on some responsibility."
"Don't remind me," Ron said grinning as he stood up.
"Whose going to watch the them?" Harry said gesturing towards the boys.
"Liz and James," Ron said. "Well, at least Liz will. James still hasn't come back yet. It's still early though."
"Well," Hermione said appearing out of the kitchen. "We'll need to stay and talk to him before we go anywhere. I want to know where he's getting all these silly ideas. Katie said she'd send him home right after breakfast. She has to be to at the Prophet early today and Mike's due at his dad's." At the mere finish of that sentence however, the front door opened, and in came James.
"James," Ron said looking at him sternly. "We need to talk."
James took a very deep breath. "I guess it can't wait can it?"
"No," Hermione said just as sternly as Ron had. "I want to know what happened last night."
"I went and played Quidditch with the Wood brothers and some other people from school," James said shrugging.
"So," Ron said seriously as Harry just looked on. "Was it before or after the snitch was caught that you realized you harbor all this resentment towards your father?"
James stood silent for a moment. "I'd say a little from column A and a little from column B."
"Don't get cheeky, James," Hermione said. "I want to know where all this came from and why it's never come up before."
"I don't know," James said frustrated. "I mean it makes sense that I feel this way, doesn't it?"
"It would," Ron said. "But after almost seven years of not having and ill thought towards your father, suddenly having quite a few is a bit surprising."
"Well," James said. "Maybe it just took me longer to realize it."
"Hmmm…" Ron said looking over at Hermione and Harry. "I don't believe it, do you?"
"You don't have to believe it," James said. "I can't help the way I feel."
"James," Hermione said. "Something had to have happened. Is it the fact that Harry's here?"
"No and yes I guess," James said as he looked at Harry. "I don't harbor any resentment towards you. You're just a kid, you're not my dad…yet. I'm sorry if it's seemed that way, but the fact that you're here has just brought up a lot of things that I've had to deal with."
"I understand," Harry said nodding. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right," James said sighing. "I'm mad at Harry Potter the man, my father. Not Harry Potter the sixteen year old kid."
"Good to know," Harry said.
"James if you've felt like this," Hermione began. "Then how come you haven't talked about it with us?"
"How can I?" James asked. "One, with him being here, it's been a bit awkward to breach the subject, and two, you two always sticking up for my dad."
"He's our best friend," Ron said.
"Maybe so," James said. "And I'm sure that he was a fantastic best friend, but you also have to realize that he's my father, and he hasn't exactly been the greatest father. He's been missing for seven years, and he was only in my life for ten. The good and bad are starting to even out."
"Oh James," Hermione said. "I know how hard this is, but believe me Harry would not have just abandoned you for no reason."
"Well," James said. "Let's hope so. Right now I've got some reason to doubt that…"
"No one said anything to you to make you think this way?" Ron asked suddenly.
"Maybe," James finally said. "I guess Dan Wood's comment."
"What did Dan Wood say?" Hermione said.
"After what happened at dinner," James said looking at the floor. "I just got to thinking about dad and the letters and crap from Malfoy. It was all just swirling in my head. So I took off out the window with my broom to do the one thing that clears my mind…"
"Play Quidditch…" Harry interrupted.
"Yeah…" James said looking at Harry. "Anyway, I picked up a game with the Wood guys and after awhile while we were on the ground and Dan got on my case about not being on top of things. My game was slacking or something. So since Dan and I haven't ever really gotten along because of the crap he gives Mike, I came right back at him telling him he was one to talk about having a bad day, since he lost the cup for us because his girlfriend broke up with him that day."
"Ok?" Ron asked.
"There's a point," James said. "Anyway that's when he said something that really got me….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What the hell is wrong with you Potter?!" Dan Wood yelled.
"Me?" James said full of anger. "What's wrong with you? Are you the only one allowed to have a bad day?"
"No!" Dan yelled. "But I had to play Quidditch that day. No ones forcing you to play. Especially so bloody bad!"
"Yeah?" James asked. "Well this game isn't for the Quidditch cup now is it?!"
"Bastard," Dan said. "Seriously Potter, what is it that you have against me?"
"Maybe the fact that you're a right prat?" James said.
"Well," Dan said. "So is that little git you call your best mate, but you two still seem to get along just fine."
"I know you're not talking about Mike," James said walking right up to Dan.
"And if I am?" Dan said staring James straight in the eye."
"Don't push me Wood," James said sternly. "Right now I'll kick the bloody crap out of you."
"I'm shaking," Dan said sarcastically.
"You want to know why I don't like you?" James said. "This is why. You're an ass. You treat Mike like crap just because your dad went and cheated on your mum and for once got caught because he had a kid."
"You did not just say that," Dan said furiously.
"Yeah I did," James said. "You're and ass and your dad's an ass. Mike's a human being and you treat him like ooze. He didn't ask to be your father's illegitimate child. He didn't ask to have his dad forget he exists."
Dan didn't say a word. He just stood there and glared at James like he was about to pull out his wand and hex him to kingdom come.
"Yeah," James said smiling smugly. "That's what I thought." He turned and picked up his broom and start to walk away.
"You'd know all about that wouldn't you, Potter?" Dan said suddenly.
"Come again?" James said. "Sorry I missed that."
"I said," Dan said taking a step closer. "You'd know all about that."
"All about what?" James asked sarcastically.
"About your dad forgetting you exist." Dan said maliciously. "As much as you may hate my dad because, as I'm sure Mike tells it, he's not the ideal picture of fatherhood, but at least he's there. Which is a hell of a lot more than you can say. My father could have just picked up and paid off Mike's mum, but at least he makes an effort to be in that little brat's life. As half assed as you may find his attempts, it's a hell of a lot more than what you've got."
James stood there, his fists began to clench and he was ready to beat the crap out of Dan Wood. He was ready to bash in that pretty boy face and kick this living crap out of him. Forget magic, and hexes, and wands, and just fight with his fists.
"Go ahead and hit me," Dan said. "You want to know why it makes you so angry?"
"Shut up," James said fiercely.
"It wouldn't be bothering you so much if you didn't know it was true," Dan said smiling a little.
"Shut up!" James yelled.
"Your dad went and left you," Dan said. "He's left, and I highly doubt he's ever coming back…"