I should be put up against a wall and shot! Okay, maybe that's a little drastic. But I'm so sorry fro taking so long to post this part and the saddest part is that I've been done for a while but I wanted to add more. I got stuck though. *sigh* So this is the important part coming up:
I need a beta. Really, desperately so. I keep getting stuck on stupid little glitches. However, I've never had a beta before, so I'm not sure what to want or expect. But I'd really appreciate some help. ^.^ You can email me at: sara13@sympatico.ca
And hopefully with a little bit of help it won't take me as long to get these chapters posted. ^.^
Mind
Chapter 2
"Okay, let me get this straight," James said out loud. Thankfully, the dorm room was still empty. James was stretched out on Harry's bed, eyes unfocused, arms crossed behind his head, staring up at the red canopy overhead. "First, you're my son. Your name is Harry and you are at Hogwarts in your fifth year." He felt the hint of agreement from Harry. "And it's the year 1995." James tone was faintly sceptical, time travel was extremely rare, and when it did happened the person always went into the past, not the future. However, stranger things had happened, and the Daily Post had proven that is was indeed the year 1995.
James sighed. "And you can't tell me anything else because that may mess up your past and my future."
Another conflicting wave of emotion swirled in the place James had come to term as Harry. It was clear that the other boy wanted to tell him something but if he was that worried about it, it must be pretty big. And probably have fairly big consequences on his future.
Yes.
James nodded. Harry appeared to have come to a decision about the issue, and whatever the big secret was James wasn't going to be told. James accepted that, he had been warned before of the repercussions of changing history. Although he couldn't help but feel curious about it, maybe he could pick up some hints while he was here.
Hey, you don't suppose I could get my body back for a little while?
James jumped. "Oh, yeah sure. It is your body after all." He paused, "Umm, do you know how to switch?"
I'm not sure; I think if you just step aside I should be able to get back in control. The mental voice was a bit unsure, but the plan sounded good.
James closed his eyes and concentrated in moving aside for Harry, he could feel the other boy getting closer but he frowned when he realized that he didn't seem to be moving. He actually felt kind of crowded now. He could feel himself being pushed out of the way then…
Owww! James cried mentally, once more shoving Harry out of the way.
What? Harry asked worriedly.
It hurt! An understatement, James thought. That grinding ripping pain had started as soon as he lost control. He could feel Harry thinking this new development over. James has his own theory though.
It doesn't hurt where you are right? He asked.
No, Harry answered, confusion evident in his tone.
I'm not sure about this but maybe you are in your mind, I mean your subconscious, while I'm just kind of on the outskirts. I think that when you try to move me out of the way I don't have anyplace to go but into your mind, which I guess is a bad thing cause it hurts!
Harry thought that through before answering. So if that's true, then I guess you have to stay in control all the time.
Yeah, James agreed. Do you think you can check to see if I'm right?
How?
Maybe… Just see if you can find a boundary, someplace that I can't cross.
Silence fell; James could feel a faint tickling sensation he'd come to associate with Harry moving around.
Anything? He asked.
Wait! I think I found it. Didn't notice it before. Almost looks like a curtain. Can you see it?
James concentrated on feeling out where Harry was, and soon he caught that faint shifting. Doesn't look much like a curtain to me. More like a shield.
Maybe it is a shield to you, Harry pointed out. Try to get through it.
James reached out and lightly brushed against the shield. Letting out a loud yelp, he said. Oww! Bad idea. I guess we figured out where the problem lies.
Yeah, I guess you're in charge of my body 'till we can get this thing figured out. You better take good care of it.
James laughed. Well, you'll be right here, so you can make sure of it. So which teacher should we go to for help?
Emotions rose again, James caught worry, fear, a hint of annoyance, before finally centring on disagreement. We can't.
What? Why not? James asked, confused. If James had been able to see Harry, he was sure the other boy would be avoiding his eyes. The mental movements made were ones of uneasiness.
There have been some recent… developments. Harry said slowly. Unfortunately, I don't think that telling anybody that my dead father is now in my head would go over well.
Well, why… wait, DEAD! I'm dead! James yelled. What happened?
Harry flinched. Not even half and hour had gone by and already he'd let a secret slip. This was going to be far harder then he thought. He wanted so badly to tell James everything, but what if it made it worse. What if instead of Voldemort being killed, he lived. Would he wake up one day and find the world ruled by the Dark Lord. Is so would he even be alive, would any of his friends. So many variables, Harry didn't know what to do. He wished he could find a little place where he could be alone; he needed to sort out these feelings running rampant.
James was still waiting for an answer when he felt Harry pull back. Within moments all traces of the other boy was gone, fading into an area James couldn't reach.
Harry. Harry! He cried, but received no answer. He didn't know what had happened, he reached in even farther, and caught a faint trace of the other boy but it knocked him back, giving him an impression of a locked door.
"Oh great," James muttered. Harry must have withdrawn to sort some things out. He probably would be able to reach him until the other boy decided to come out.
He pressed his hands against his eyes. A headache was storming it way through his brain at the moment, he didn't want to have to deal with the fact that he died, was dead, will die… Damn time travel; it's always so confusing.
A door slammed and James jerked upright, his heart beating a mile a minute.
A red-haired boy, looking vaguely like Arthur Weasly, was standing in the room. James blinked rapidly but before he could process anything the boy moved forward and grabbed his arm.
"Come on Harry. You can't stay in this room all day. It's lunch."
James let himself be pulled along, fighting not to show his confusion.
"How are you feeling?" The boy asked, concern evident in his tone.
"Hmm, oh, I feel fine. Bit of a headache but that's it. I was just sorting some things out." The other boy grinned like he'd won the Wizard Lottery.
"That's great, Harry. I'm glad you're finally coming out of that shell."
"Shell?" James mumbled but the other boy didn't hear.
They walked into the Hall, where lunch was being served. James followed the boy over to the Gyffindor table and sat next to a bushy haired girl.
"Harry! I'm glad you decided to come down and eat," the girl exclaimed, a wide smile on her face. James smiled faintly, deciding that keeping his mouth shut would be the best recourse.
Harry, you'd better get back here soon.
*****
I know, I know, short chapter but hopefully the next one will be longer and out faster. I really would like to hear your comments and thanks to those who offered title ideas but I've found this one grow on me.
Thanks for reading.