OKAY, I got a few reviews!!! Not good enough!!! Okay, I'll calm myself.
Thanks to all of my reviewers that did bother to push the pretty review
button down there. And before I go insane, here is the next chapter. By the
way, this is one of my favorite chapters. It's based on a theory I think is
true. Read the author's note at the end of this chapter when you're done
for more explanation. Luv ya!! Here it is: The Best Christmas Present Ever:
In the following couple of weeks, pregnancy was as generous to Hermione as to most women. Her lips were bright and rosy (Draco definitely liked this), her hair glossy and healthy. Her nails, as anyone who annoyed her soon found out, were extra strong. And she, much to her distaste, started packing on pounds.
The three boys wouldn't let her stop eating, and Draco had started bonding with Harry and Ron.
As she was only five and a half weeks in, Hermione hadn't started showing, but she would soon.
It was now Christmas Eve, and the four were seated in the Head Dorm common room, as it was bigger than both Harry and Ron's rooms.
It was eleven o'clock, and Harry and Ron were leaving.
"Come back tomorrow morning, all right?" said Hermione. "And bring your presents!"
"All right," agreed Harry. "Bye!"
As soon as the two boys left, Hermione and Draco snuggled on the couch.
"How's Devon?" asked Draco.
"Just fine," Hermione answered. "But I think he's going to be fat, with all this food."
"Over my dead body," said Draco. "Fat? Our first son?"
Hermione studied Draco's face. "What exactly do you mean by first?"
"I mean, will you marry me?" proposed Draco.
(A/N BET YOU WANNA FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS, RIGHT? YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT CHAPTER... THIS WAS AN AWFULLY SHORT ONE...)
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(OKAY, I WON'T BE THAT MEAN)
"My, my, what a pretty scene," said a cold, sneering voice. "And Draco, what a commitment."
Draco and Hermione turned to see Lucius Malfoy stepping out of the fire.
"Good evening," he said, smirking. "Tell me, Draco, it's true, then? She's pregnant?"
"How do you know?" Draco asked aggressively.
"Your bitch of a mother," he answered. "I sensed that she knew something, so I gave her a Truth Potion."
"My mother is not a bitch," hissed Draco. "She doesn't deserve a bastard like you."
Hermione was in temporary shock. One moment, Draco was proposing, the next he was swearing at his dad? These two sides of him looked very different...
"Watch your tongue," sneered Lucius. "I have no business in your affairs. Get married to the whore if you like. My only requirement is having the child. The Dark Lord will be very pleased."
He turned and disappeared into the fire.
Hermione's face was white when Draco looked at her.
"That, er... I mean, pretend you didn't see that whole thing, you know," he said.
"How did you live with him?" asked Hermione. "He's awful!"
"Yes, well, er, where were we?" he smirked, attempting to lighten the mood again. He pulled out a box and said, "Hermione, will you marry me?"
Hermione opened her mouth to talk, made a squeaking noise, and let a few tears slide down her cheeks before practically jumping on Draco in a kiss.
"Of course!" she replied, wiping her eyes. "I mean, how couldn't I? Because you're so- I don't know, Draco. I just love you!"
"And I always will, too," he whispered, sliding a gorgeous three diamond ring onto her finger.
She touched it with her forefinger and nearly started crying again.
She pulled him down in a tender, emotional, loving kiss.
She clung onto him with all she had and wouldn't let go. The engaged couple fell asleep right there, wrapped in each other's arms.
Hermione woke up the next morning at eight o'clock, feeling happy but not knowing why. She felt strong arms around her, and the memory of Draco proposing flooded back. She pushed a few platinum strands out of his face and kissed his forehead. He was an angel.
"What time is it?" he asked, cracking open one eye.
"Good morning, my love," she answered. "It's eight o'clock. Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas," he replied, sitting up and nearly toppling Hermione to the rug. He pulled her back up. The first thing he asked was: "Are you hungry?"
"Honestly, Draco, you keep forcing me to eat. If you don't want Devon to be fat, stop it!"
"Okay, okay," he said.
"Now get up," she instructed. "Harry and Ron'll be here soon."
"Going," he muttered. He brushed his hair (why do it? It's perfect!) and brushed his teeth (same there) and changed into button-up silver warm- ups and a green t-shirt, predictably.
"Those colors look so good on you, you natural-born Slytherin," commented Hermione. "You look good in everything. I could kill you."
"No, you couldn't. You look utterly ravishing yourself," he replied. She giggled. Hermione had changed into green silk pants and a tight red spaghetti strap top.
There came a knock on the door.
"Draco, that's them," she whispered. "Behave."
"You're talking to me like I'm a dog," complained Draco. "I always behave."
"Come in!" called Hermione.
Harry and Ron walked in. "Happy Christmas," they said.
"You too," replied the couple.
Harry levitated in all of his and Ron's presents. The four were having an unwrapping party. Hermione added her and Draco's presents to their pile.
"How's Devon? Did you have breakfast?" asked Harry.
"You boys are absolutely killing me!" she exclaimed. "He's fine, and no I didn't have breakfast. I'm not hungry!"
"How do you k now Devon isn't?" asked Ron. "He might be starving, for all you know."
"Guys, just chill," she said calmly. "Let's open presents."
The boys immediately started ripping off wrapping paper, being boys. Draco was always unusually quiet around Harry and Ron, though.
The presents were all unwrapped twenty minutes later. Harry and Ron especially enjoyed their gifts from Hermione: the book New Quidditch Moves and Tactics and a box of assorted chocolates and candy, respectively.
"What's that?" asked Draco, picking up a letter laying on the floor. "It's for you." He gave it to Harry, who opened and read it (not aloud).
Harry,
It's been two months, too long. I miss you.
Harry looked up, shocked.
"What is it?" asked Hermione. "Is it bad?"
"No- Well, yes," replied Harry. "Really bad."
"Are you serious?" she asked.
"No, it's nothing," he lied. "It's just a Happy Christmas from Lupin."
"You still talk to him?" asked Draco. "I remember him from third year."
"Yeah, we're friends," replied Harry. "If you're going to join the Order, you should know its members. Lupin's one of them."
"How do you know him besides that?"
"Okay," began Harry. "You know my dad? Yeah, well he had three best friends. They called each other by nicknames. My dad, James, was Prongs." And Harry shared the story of his father's life, how Wormtail betrayed him, how Harry had kept a relationship with Sirius, and why Snape hated Harry so much.
"You have gone through some life," said Draco at the end. "Hermione, I still have to give you my present."
"But you already gave me so much," said Hermione, touching her ring.
"Holy crap! Let me see that!" demanded Ron. She slid off the ring and handed it to him.
"He proposed last night," she said proudly.
"If only my love life were that smooth," said Ron, giving back the ring.
"Yeah, what's up with you and Luna?" wondered Hermione. "Are you still going out?"
Ron's ears reddened. "Yeah," he replied.
Hermione could see that she was embarrassing him, so she left it at that.
"I was going to give you my gift before," said Draco, breaking the silence.
He pulled out a box and handed it to Hermione. Inside turned out to be a gorgeous three-stone ruby pendant. (A/N I WANT THIS GUY AS A HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!()
"You didn't have to!" she gasped. "I have so much jewelry from you. And they're all so expensive!"
"Yeah, I indulge you," said Draco. "So what? Get used to it. Living with me, you'll have so much stuff you won't know what to do with it."
Viper came slithering in.
"You haven't met Viper," said Draco to Harry and Ron. "He's my snake."
"Typical," muttered Harry. "Hey, Viper," he spoke in Parseltongue. "Do you like Malfoy?"
"What's that?" asked the snake.
"That's your owner," explained Harry, pointing to Draco. "I'm Harry. That's Hermione and Ron."
"Oh, thanks for explaining," said Viper. "I didn't know who all those people were."
"What are you telling him?" asked Draco.
"He didn't know who the hell you were," said Harry. "So I told him."
"Tell Malfoy that he hasn't fed me in two days," hissed Viper.
"His first name's Draco," informed Harry. "Hang on, I'll tell him." He switched to English. "Malfoy, he says you haven't fed him in two days and that he's hungry."
"Shit, I forgot," admitted Draco. He conjured two dead rats from his wand and fed them to Viper.
"Tell Draco thanks," said Viper. "So long, Harry. It's nice to have a human friend."
"Bye," replied Harry.
Viper retreated to Draco's room.
"Draco, I'll give you your present later," said Hermione. "Oh! There's Hedwig!"
Hedwig was, indeed, hovering by the window. Harry let her in.
She was about as restless as Pig when Harry was trying to get the letter off her.
"Calm down!" demanded Harry.
She immediately stopped.
"Thank you!" he said. "Go to my room, all right?"
Harry sat down to read the letter.
Harry,
I have some excellent news for you. Come to my office immediately. Bring Hermione, Ron, and Draco if you wish.
Sincerely,
Dumbledore
"Dumbledore has some 'excellent news' for me, apparently," explained Harry. "We're supposed to go to his office immediately."
"Well, hurry!" urged Hermione.
Within minutes, after Hermione had changed, as she wouldn't want to walk around the castle in silk pants, they were seated in Dumbledore's office.
Lupin was also there, for no apparent reason.
The all "Happy Christmas"ed each other before sitting down.
"I called you here for some big news, Harry," smiled Albus. "I was and am very shocked, yet pleased."
"What is it?" asked Harry excitedly.
"I'll let Lupin take over from here," said Dumbledore. "If you wait just a second." He took out his wand and said a complex spell Harry didn't recognize.
What Harry saw next he did recognize, though it was anything but Lupin. Harry blacked out seconds after seeing his live father, James.
"Harry, would you wake up?" said a voice.
"Holy shit! I thought I saw-" started Harry, but he saw James in front of him again. The world got blurry once more.
"Harry?" asked James. "You okay?"
"Dad?" asked Harry, leaning on Ron for support. "How? What happened? You're dead, though!"
"I'm alive," confirmed James. He walked over to Harry and embraced him in a hug.
Hermione had tears in her eyes, but Draco and Ron were just frozen.
"James will now explain," said Dumbledore.
"You see," he started, "Lily and I-"
"Wait!" interrupted Harry. "Is she alive?"
"No," said James. "So we had doubts about Wormtail being our Secret- Keeper, and we took extra precautions. Lily performed a Switching Spell on me and Lupin. The real Lupin is dead. So I've been Lupin for the past seventeen years. Albus here contacted me and told me the war plans, thinking I was Lupin, and I decided to tell him the truth."
Sniffles from Hermione.
"I still can't believe it," said Harry. "All the times I was talking to Lupin, it was really you?"
"It really was," said James.
"And you know all about Hermione being pregnant and all?" asked Harry.
"Everything," replied James.
Harry started laughing.
"What?" asked Ron.
"The look on Snape's face will be priceless," smirked Harry.
"Oh, not him," James groaned.
Everyone laughed.
"Does anyone else know?" asked Harry.
"No, we'll be sure to tell Severus first," assured Albus.
Harry was still in partial shock.
"So, anyone up for a game of Quidditch?" asked James.
A few hours later, a frozen Harry, James, Ron, and Draco came inside after a mini Quidditch game. Hermione had stayed inside. James really was good.
Though he was forty, he could still beat Harry at getting the Snitch. And the thing was, James didn't look forty at all. He didn't have a single gray hair. He said he could never be ugly. Nice sense of humor. He definitely hadn't changed since Harry saw him in the Pensieve.
"Last time I saw you and Draco in the same room, Harry, you were as bad as me and Snape. You friends now?"
"You could say that," said Harry. "Maybe."
"You have now idea how hard it was," said James. "Not being able to talk to you as a father. And I felt so sorry for you, not having any family. And I couldn't do anything. The most hilarious thing ever was when you thought I was a prat when you saw me in the Pensieve. Yeah, I always showed off, especially in front of Lily. But you have no idea how depressed I was when Sirius died."
"He was like my dad," said Harry. "No offense, or anything. I was depressed, too."
Meanwhile, Ron and Draco were talking by themselves, allowing Harry and James much-needed dad-and-son time.
Harry just admired the way James acted like a teen. He felt like more of a best friend to Harry than a dad. He was quite sarcastic, outgoing, and didn't care if Harry swore.
"Mr. Potter," said Ron.
"Whoa, dude, I'm James," James corrected. "What?"
"We'll meet you in the Head Dorm later, okay?" said Ron.
"Yeah," agreed Harry. "Take my broom. Thanks."
James and Harry returned to Dumbledore's office, but there was a problem there. A greasy-haired, hook-nosed problem. A problem called Severus Snape. As soon as James saw Snape, he turned to leave. But Snape had seen.
The expression on his face was priceless, just as Harry had said. He looked purely shocked, but scared and angry at the same time.
"Potter," he snarled.
"You haven't changed, Snivellus," hissed James.
Harry smiled. Neither had changed.
"James," said Dumbledore. "I've explained the story to Severus."
"There are two of you," groaned Snape.
James smirked at Harry. This was going to be fun.
"Severus, James," began Dumbledore. "You need to put your childish enmity behind you."
"What?!" asked James incredulously.
Harry knew this would take more convincing than he and Draco being friends.
"I'm afraid so," said Albus. "Truce?"
Both men quickly touched hands, but Harry knew they were doing it for Dumbledore. They would definitely not be friends. Ever.
"Let's go, Harry," said James. As soon as they were out, he said, "So you told me when I was Lupin that you were Head Boy. Good job."
"Yeah, but my room's in Gryffindor tower."
"Why?"
"Me and Malfoy moved so he and Hermione could be together," explained Harry bitterly.
"I know she and Draco are getting married," James said, "but weren't you and her dating?"
"Long story," said Harry. "We were. And you heard about the Love Potion and all?"
"Yeah."
"So, before that, we were in love. And she thought I dumped her. So she went for Malfoy."
"You still love her, don't you?" asked James.
Harry kicked a nearby pillar. "Yeah, like hell. I mean, she's getting married. I'm trying to get over her. But still..."
"Me and Lily started dating seventh year. I loved her so much...."
"Here we are," said Harry, knocking on the door.
"Come in!"
Harry spoke the password and they walked in.
"Do you want me to leave?" asked James.
"You don't have to," said Harry.
"No, I have to go talk to Dumbledore," James said. "See you later, Harry."
"Bye, dad." Harry loved the word. Dad.
He collapsed on the sofa.
"This is so great," said Hermione. "You must be so shocked."
"Understatement of the year," sighed Harry. "I can't believe it. All those years I had a dad."
"He's really cool," commented Ron. "And the best Quidditch player I've ever seen."
"I wish my dad were like that," said Draco.
"You should have seen Snape's face," laughed Harry.
"You guys saw him?" asked Ron.
"Yeah, it was hilarious."
"Now if Snape tortures you during Potions he'll have your dad to answer to," said Ron.
"Hermione, did you have lunch?" asked Draco. "It's two o'clock!"
He cringed as Hermione went to hit him.
"I did when you guys were outside," she said. "Did you?"
"I'm not really hungry," said Harry.
"Me neither," said Draco and Ron.
"That's a first, Ron!" exclaimed Hermione. "I'll have to write it down. The first time Ron wasn't hungry."
Ron laughed.
"What are we going to do?" asked Draco.
"Will you kill each other if I go take a nap?" asked Hermione.
"No," they answered. She left to her room.
The boys were silent.
"Lucius visited last night," said Draco after a while.
"You're kidding!" said Harry.
"Dead serious. He forced everything out of my mum. So he's gone and told Voldemort."
"Well, it wasn't going to be a secret forever," sighed Ron. "You-Know- Who knows everything."
"Almost everything," corrected Harry. "He doesn't know James is alive...."
"He'll be pretty pissed off when he finds out," said Draco.
"If he finds out," said Harry.
SO THERE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, the whole James thing I think is true. He switched bods with Lupin, so the real Lupin is dead. I'm 95% sure. Seriously!!! I have all of this proof. If you wanna hear any of it, email me. iluvdraco4eva@yahoo.com. Yeah, so.... Anyhoo, PLEASE REVIEW!! Especially after this chappie, there should be lotsa reviews... well I gotta go tuck in my little bro. Did I mention he looks like a baby Harry Potter clone, just without the green eyes? He has brown eyes.... Well, then I have to study for a History test... My teacher is a live version of Snape!!!! He sucks!!!! Well, anyway, I gotta go and get my hair cut too. So, toodles!! I'll update by two days from now!!!
In the following couple of weeks, pregnancy was as generous to Hermione as to most women. Her lips were bright and rosy (Draco definitely liked this), her hair glossy and healthy. Her nails, as anyone who annoyed her soon found out, were extra strong. And she, much to her distaste, started packing on pounds.
The three boys wouldn't let her stop eating, and Draco had started bonding with Harry and Ron.
As she was only five and a half weeks in, Hermione hadn't started showing, but she would soon.
It was now Christmas Eve, and the four were seated in the Head Dorm common room, as it was bigger than both Harry and Ron's rooms.
It was eleven o'clock, and Harry and Ron were leaving.
"Come back tomorrow morning, all right?" said Hermione. "And bring your presents!"
"All right," agreed Harry. "Bye!"
As soon as the two boys left, Hermione and Draco snuggled on the couch.
"How's Devon?" asked Draco.
"Just fine," Hermione answered. "But I think he's going to be fat, with all this food."
"Over my dead body," said Draco. "Fat? Our first son?"
Hermione studied Draco's face. "What exactly do you mean by first?"
"I mean, will you marry me?" proposed Draco.
(A/N BET YOU WANNA FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS, RIGHT? YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT CHAPTER... THIS WAS AN AWFULLY SHORT ONE...)
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(WELL, ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS?)
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(OKAY, I WON'T BE THAT MEAN)
"My, my, what a pretty scene," said a cold, sneering voice. "And Draco, what a commitment."
Draco and Hermione turned to see Lucius Malfoy stepping out of the fire.
"Good evening," he said, smirking. "Tell me, Draco, it's true, then? She's pregnant?"
"How do you know?" Draco asked aggressively.
"Your bitch of a mother," he answered. "I sensed that she knew something, so I gave her a Truth Potion."
"My mother is not a bitch," hissed Draco. "She doesn't deserve a bastard like you."
Hermione was in temporary shock. One moment, Draco was proposing, the next he was swearing at his dad? These two sides of him looked very different...
"Watch your tongue," sneered Lucius. "I have no business in your affairs. Get married to the whore if you like. My only requirement is having the child. The Dark Lord will be very pleased."
He turned and disappeared into the fire.
Hermione's face was white when Draco looked at her.
"That, er... I mean, pretend you didn't see that whole thing, you know," he said.
"How did you live with him?" asked Hermione. "He's awful!"
"Yes, well, er, where were we?" he smirked, attempting to lighten the mood again. He pulled out a box and said, "Hermione, will you marry me?"
Hermione opened her mouth to talk, made a squeaking noise, and let a few tears slide down her cheeks before practically jumping on Draco in a kiss.
"Of course!" she replied, wiping her eyes. "I mean, how couldn't I? Because you're so- I don't know, Draco. I just love you!"
"And I always will, too," he whispered, sliding a gorgeous three diamond ring onto her finger.
She touched it with her forefinger and nearly started crying again.
She pulled him down in a tender, emotional, loving kiss.
She clung onto him with all she had and wouldn't let go. The engaged couple fell asleep right there, wrapped in each other's arms.
Hermione woke up the next morning at eight o'clock, feeling happy but not knowing why. She felt strong arms around her, and the memory of Draco proposing flooded back. She pushed a few platinum strands out of his face and kissed his forehead. He was an angel.
"What time is it?" he asked, cracking open one eye.
"Good morning, my love," she answered. "It's eight o'clock. Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas," he replied, sitting up and nearly toppling Hermione to the rug. He pulled her back up. The first thing he asked was: "Are you hungry?"
"Honestly, Draco, you keep forcing me to eat. If you don't want Devon to be fat, stop it!"
"Okay, okay," he said.
"Now get up," she instructed. "Harry and Ron'll be here soon."
"Going," he muttered. He brushed his hair (why do it? It's perfect!) and brushed his teeth (same there) and changed into button-up silver warm- ups and a green t-shirt, predictably.
"Those colors look so good on you, you natural-born Slytherin," commented Hermione. "You look good in everything. I could kill you."
"No, you couldn't. You look utterly ravishing yourself," he replied. She giggled. Hermione had changed into green silk pants and a tight red spaghetti strap top.
There came a knock on the door.
"Draco, that's them," she whispered. "Behave."
"You're talking to me like I'm a dog," complained Draco. "I always behave."
"Come in!" called Hermione.
Harry and Ron walked in. "Happy Christmas," they said.
"You too," replied the couple.
Harry levitated in all of his and Ron's presents. The four were having an unwrapping party. Hermione added her and Draco's presents to their pile.
"How's Devon? Did you have breakfast?" asked Harry.
"You boys are absolutely killing me!" she exclaimed. "He's fine, and no I didn't have breakfast. I'm not hungry!"
"How do you k now Devon isn't?" asked Ron. "He might be starving, for all you know."
"Guys, just chill," she said calmly. "Let's open presents."
The boys immediately started ripping off wrapping paper, being boys. Draco was always unusually quiet around Harry and Ron, though.
The presents were all unwrapped twenty minutes later. Harry and Ron especially enjoyed their gifts from Hermione: the book New Quidditch Moves and Tactics and a box of assorted chocolates and candy, respectively.
"What's that?" asked Draco, picking up a letter laying on the floor. "It's for you." He gave it to Harry, who opened and read it (not aloud).
Harry,
It's been two months, too long. I miss you.
Harry looked up, shocked.
"What is it?" asked Hermione. "Is it bad?"
"No- Well, yes," replied Harry. "Really bad."
"Are you serious?" she asked.
"No, it's nothing," he lied. "It's just a Happy Christmas from Lupin."
"You still talk to him?" asked Draco. "I remember him from third year."
"Yeah, we're friends," replied Harry. "If you're going to join the Order, you should know its members. Lupin's one of them."
"How do you know him besides that?"
"Okay," began Harry. "You know my dad? Yeah, well he had three best friends. They called each other by nicknames. My dad, James, was Prongs." And Harry shared the story of his father's life, how Wormtail betrayed him, how Harry had kept a relationship with Sirius, and why Snape hated Harry so much.
"You have gone through some life," said Draco at the end. "Hermione, I still have to give you my present."
"But you already gave me so much," said Hermione, touching her ring.
"Holy crap! Let me see that!" demanded Ron. She slid off the ring and handed it to him.
"He proposed last night," she said proudly.
"If only my love life were that smooth," said Ron, giving back the ring.
"Yeah, what's up with you and Luna?" wondered Hermione. "Are you still going out?"
Ron's ears reddened. "Yeah," he replied.
Hermione could see that she was embarrassing him, so she left it at that.
"I was going to give you my gift before," said Draco, breaking the silence.
He pulled out a box and handed it to Hermione. Inside turned out to be a gorgeous three-stone ruby pendant. (A/N I WANT THIS GUY AS A HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!()
"You didn't have to!" she gasped. "I have so much jewelry from you. And they're all so expensive!"
"Yeah, I indulge you," said Draco. "So what? Get used to it. Living with me, you'll have so much stuff you won't know what to do with it."
Viper came slithering in.
"You haven't met Viper," said Draco to Harry and Ron. "He's my snake."
"Typical," muttered Harry. "Hey, Viper," he spoke in Parseltongue. "Do you like Malfoy?"
"What's that?" asked the snake.
"That's your owner," explained Harry, pointing to Draco. "I'm Harry. That's Hermione and Ron."
"Oh, thanks for explaining," said Viper. "I didn't know who all those people were."
"What are you telling him?" asked Draco.
"He didn't know who the hell you were," said Harry. "So I told him."
"Tell Malfoy that he hasn't fed me in two days," hissed Viper.
"His first name's Draco," informed Harry. "Hang on, I'll tell him." He switched to English. "Malfoy, he says you haven't fed him in two days and that he's hungry."
"Shit, I forgot," admitted Draco. He conjured two dead rats from his wand and fed them to Viper.
"Tell Draco thanks," said Viper. "So long, Harry. It's nice to have a human friend."
"Bye," replied Harry.
Viper retreated to Draco's room.
"Draco, I'll give you your present later," said Hermione. "Oh! There's Hedwig!"
Hedwig was, indeed, hovering by the window. Harry let her in.
She was about as restless as Pig when Harry was trying to get the letter off her.
"Calm down!" demanded Harry.
She immediately stopped.
"Thank you!" he said. "Go to my room, all right?"
Harry sat down to read the letter.
Harry,
I have some excellent news for you. Come to my office immediately. Bring Hermione, Ron, and Draco if you wish.
Sincerely,
Dumbledore
"Dumbledore has some 'excellent news' for me, apparently," explained Harry. "We're supposed to go to his office immediately."
"Well, hurry!" urged Hermione.
Within minutes, after Hermione had changed, as she wouldn't want to walk around the castle in silk pants, they were seated in Dumbledore's office.
Lupin was also there, for no apparent reason.
The all "Happy Christmas"ed each other before sitting down.
"I called you here for some big news, Harry," smiled Albus. "I was and am very shocked, yet pleased."
"What is it?" asked Harry excitedly.
"I'll let Lupin take over from here," said Dumbledore. "If you wait just a second." He took out his wand and said a complex spell Harry didn't recognize.
What Harry saw next he did recognize, though it was anything but Lupin. Harry blacked out seconds after seeing his live father, James.
"Harry, would you wake up?" said a voice.
"Holy shit! I thought I saw-" started Harry, but he saw James in front of him again. The world got blurry once more.
"Harry?" asked James. "You okay?"
"Dad?" asked Harry, leaning on Ron for support. "How? What happened? You're dead, though!"
"I'm alive," confirmed James. He walked over to Harry and embraced him in a hug.
Hermione had tears in her eyes, but Draco and Ron were just frozen.
"James will now explain," said Dumbledore.
"You see," he started, "Lily and I-"
"Wait!" interrupted Harry. "Is she alive?"
"No," said James. "So we had doubts about Wormtail being our Secret- Keeper, and we took extra precautions. Lily performed a Switching Spell on me and Lupin. The real Lupin is dead. So I've been Lupin for the past seventeen years. Albus here contacted me and told me the war plans, thinking I was Lupin, and I decided to tell him the truth."
Sniffles from Hermione.
"I still can't believe it," said Harry. "All the times I was talking to Lupin, it was really you?"
"It really was," said James.
"And you know all about Hermione being pregnant and all?" asked Harry.
"Everything," replied James.
Harry started laughing.
"What?" asked Ron.
"The look on Snape's face will be priceless," smirked Harry.
"Oh, not him," James groaned.
Everyone laughed.
"Does anyone else know?" asked Harry.
"No, we'll be sure to tell Severus first," assured Albus.
Harry was still in partial shock.
"So, anyone up for a game of Quidditch?" asked James.
A few hours later, a frozen Harry, James, Ron, and Draco came inside after a mini Quidditch game. Hermione had stayed inside. James really was good.
Though he was forty, he could still beat Harry at getting the Snitch. And the thing was, James didn't look forty at all. He didn't have a single gray hair. He said he could never be ugly. Nice sense of humor. He definitely hadn't changed since Harry saw him in the Pensieve.
"Last time I saw you and Draco in the same room, Harry, you were as bad as me and Snape. You friends now?"
"You could say that," said Harry. "Maybe."
"You have now idea how hard it was," said James. "Not being able to talk to you as a father. And I felt so sorry for you, not having any family. And I couldn't do anything. The most hilarious thing ever was when you thought I was a prat when you saw me in the Pensieve. Yeah, I always showed off, especially in front of Lily. But you have no idea how depressed I was when Sirius died."
"He was like my dad," said Harry. "No offense, or anything. I was depressed, too."
Meanwhile, Ron and Draco were talking by themselves, allowing Harry and James much-needed dad-and-son time.
Harry just admired the way James acted like a teen. He felt like more of a best friend to Harry than a dad. He was quite sarcastic, outgoing, and didn't care if Harry swore.
"Mr. Potter," said Ron.
"Whoa, dude, I'm James," James corrected. "What?"
"We'll meet you in the Head Dorm later, okay?" said Ron.
"Yeah," agreed Harry. "Take my broom. Thanks."
James and Harry returned to Dumbledore's office, but there was a problem there. A greasy-haired, hook-nosed problem. A problem called Severus Snape. As soon as James saw Snape, he turned to leave. But Snape had seen.
The expression on his face was priceless, just as Harry had said. He looked purely shocked, but scared and angry at the same time.
"Potter," he snarled.
"You haven't changed, Snivellus," hissed James.
Harry smiled. Neither had changed.
"James," said Dumbledore. "I've explained the story to Severus."
"There are two of you," groaned Snape.
James smirked at Harry. This was going to be fun.
"Severus, James," began Dumbledore. "You need to put your childish enmity behind you."
"What?!" asked James incredulously.
Harry knew this would take more convincing than he and Draco being friends.
"I'm afraid so," said Albus. "Truce?"
Both men quickly touched hands, but Harry knew they were doing it for Dumbledore. They would definitely not be friends. Ever.
"Let's go, Harry," said James. As soon as they were out, he said, "So you told me when I was Lupin that you were Head Boy. Good job."
"Yeah, but my room's in Gryffindor tower."
"Why?"
"Me and Malfoy moved so he and Hermione could be together," explained Harry bitterly.
"I know she and Draco are getting married," James said, "but weren't you and her dating?"
"Long story," said Harry. "We were. And you heard about the Love Potion and all?"
"Yeah."
"So, before that, we were in love. And she thought I dumped her. So she went for Malfoy."
"You still love her, don't you?" asked James.
Harry kicked a nearby pillar. "Yeah, like hell. I mean, she's getting married. I'm trying to get over her. But still..."
"Me and Lily started dating seventh year. I loved her so much...."
"Here we are," said Harry, knocking on the door.
"Come in!"
Harry spoke the password and they walked in.
"Do you want me to leave?" asked James.
"You don't have to," said Harry.
"No, I have to go talk to Dumbledore," James said. "See you later, Harry."
"Bye, dad." Harry loved the word. Dad.
He collapsed on the sofa.
"This is so great," said Hermione. "You must be so shocked."
"Understatement of the year," sighed Harry. "I can't believe it. All those years I had a dad."
"He's really cool," commented Ron. "And the best Quidditch player I've ever seen."
"I wish my dad were like that," said Draco.
"You should have seen Snape's face," laughed Harry.
"You guys saw him?" asked Ron.
"Yeah, it was hilarious."
"Now if Snape tortures you during Potions he'll have your dad to answer to," said Ron.
"Hermione, did you have lunch?" asked Draco. "It's two o'clock!"
He cringed as Hermione went to hit him.
"I did when you guys were outside," she said. "Did you?"
"I'm not really hungry," said Harry.
"Me neither," said Draco and Ron.
"That's a first, Ron!" exclaimed Hermione. "I'll have to write it down. The first time Ron wasn't hungry."
Ron laughed.
"What are we going to do?" asked Draco.
"Will you kill each other if I go take a nap?" asked Hermione.
"No," they answered. She left to her room.
The boys were silent.
"Lucius visited last night," said Draco after a while.
"You're kidding!" said Harry.
"Dead serious. He forced everything out of my mum. So he's gone and told Voldemort."
"Well, it wasn't going to be a secret forever," sighed Ron. "You-Know- Who knows everything."
"Almost everything," corrected Harry. "He doesn't know James is alive...."
"He'll be pretty pissed off when he finds out," said Draco.
"If he finds out," said Harry.
SO THERE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, the whole James thing I think is true. He switched bods with Lupin, so the real Lupin is dead. I'm 95% sure. Seriously!!! I have all of this proof. If you wanna hear any of it, email me. iluvdraco4eva@yahoo.com. Yeah, so.... Anyhoo, PLEASE REVIEW!! Especially after this chappie, there should be lotsa reviews... well I gotta go tuck in my little bro. Did I mention he looks like a baby Harry Potter clone, just without the green eyes? He has brown eyes.... Well, then I have to study for a History test... My teacher is a live version of Snape!!!! He sucks!!!! Well, anyway, I gotta go and get my hair cut too. So, toodles!! I'll update by two days from now!!!