Author's note: The anvil reference has to do with a cartoon called Looney Toons, which is watched by American children. The character in question is a coyote who uses all sorts of means to capture a roadrunner for lunch, which almost always backfire on him.

James walked into the hospital wing quickly, knowing what he would find. As he suspected, Harry still hovered over Ginny's side. He'd made it clear that not even an order from Dumbledore could make him move. Professor McGonagall had spoken to him, and even threatened him with punishment, but Harry had only shaken his head, and sat back down. Eventually, the old professor had left, exasperated, but admiring Harry's courage. James had been bringing him his work ever since.

"She won't wake" James said softly. "She's still alive, but only just."

Harry flipped around and grabbed James by his neck so quickly that James was completely unprepared. After a moment, though, Harry released him, the colour slowly returning to his face.

"S-sorry. Someone else said that about her once" Harry explained.

James rubbed at his neck, and sighed. "Dad, I've seen this type of thing before. She can't wake up right now. She'll be fine, but it will take time. Beating yourself up like this won't help."

"Why"

"Her mind is trying to protect itself. You know what the Mirror of Erised is capable of. Think what it must have shown her after being affected by so much Dark Magic."

Before Harry could reply, Hermione walked in. The boys turned toward her and the atmosphere chilled considerably. Before James could speak, Harry did.

"What do you want, Hermione" Harry said, harshly.

"To see that she's all right" Hermione said timidly, her eyes brimming with tears.

"She's fine" Harry said, his voice cold. Hermione gave a small half sob, turned and fled. James looked after her for a moment, before slowly turning back toward Harry.

"What" Harry asked, irritably.

James waited a moment before speaking, in a level tone of voice. "You know, one of the first lessons I ever remember getting from you was about family. You told me that you hadn't had a real family until you were a wizard, and that things changed after that. You told me family was important, and that Hermione and Ron were part of yours." James paused. "I can understand your reactions, Dad. Maybe you should think about how they might affect Hermione. We don't know what caused her to turn. Maybe she was tired of being ignored."

With that, James walked out of the medical wing, with Harry staring back at him in silence.

"Hermione" James asked, a few minutes later. She ignored him, and kept walking.

James sighed, and increased his pace. Soon, he was walking beside her, though she did her best to pretend not to notice him.

"It hurts, doesn't it. Like the time Uncle Ron said you were a nightmare" James said softly. Hermione nodded slightly, but gave no other reaction.

"Has anyone even told you what happened" James asked.

"No. It doesn't matter" Hermione said shortly.

"I suppose. I don't think I'll ever understand what could cause you to switch sides."

Hermione stopped so suddenly she started to fall. James caught her and helped her regain her balance.

"What" she yelled in disbelief. James backed up a half step.

"I d" James began, but she cut him off.

"What are you talking about, switched sides? That's impossible" Hermione said hotly.

"I agree. Maybe you were under the Imperious Curse. I think- ahhhhhh" James stopped talking, and grabbed his scar. He backed up to the wall, and moaned, with fresh outbursts of pain wracking him.

"James" Hermione gasped, but he pushed her away.

"Don't! Come on" He turned and started back toward the medical wing, with Hermione in hot pursuit.

When they arrived, they found Harry on the floor, clutching his scar and trying to cover his face. The colour drained out of Hermione's face as she looked upon Harry, and she was almost knocked to the floor as Madam Pomfrey burst into the room.

"Out of my way! Out of my way" Madam Pomfrey said urgently. She bent toward Harry, but James thrust his hand out toward her, and the nurse found herself being pushed backward. James moved to Harry's side, and touched his hand to Harry's scar, while bringing Harry's hand to his own. The two boys stayed there for several moments, and suddenly relaxed.

"It's passed" James said weakly.

Harry moaned. "Now I know how that stupid Coyote feels."

"What" James asked.

"Ya know…with the anvil."

James laughed weakly, while Hermione smiled slightly.

Madam Pomfrey was in no mood for such foolishness. Before James knew what was happening, he found himself in a hospital bed next to Harry, with no idea how he'd got there. Hermione was gone, and Madam Pomfrey seemed to be muttering angrily under her breath- about him!

"Mad" James began, but she glared at him. Not knowing what else to do, James closed his mouth and lay back.

"Think I'm walking around for my health" she muttered audibly a few moments later. "You think you can just shove me out of the way? You move when I say move"

James closed his eyes, and tried to look like he was asleep.

The next day saw James and the rest of the Gryffindor sixth year class trudging toward their classes and listening to the blustery winds outside.

"No Quidditch practice today, Harry" Ron asked hopefully. Harry glanced at Ron and shook his head. "Who do you think I am? Oliver Wood"

"Well..." Ron began.

"I'd love to play in this" James cut in. "We didn't get to play nearly as often as I'd like at the Burrow. I don't think I would be able to concentrate on the game though."

"Ginny" Harry said simply. James nodded, along with Ron.

"Still" James said"I would enjoy playing in this weather."

"Well, you're nutters" Ron said calmly.

James nodded. "You're darn right I am, Uncle Ron." He turned to Harry with a grin and said"Did I tell you, Dad, that he bought me my first broom as soon as I learned how to walk? Mum nearly died when she found us in the air."

Ron immediately turned to glare at Harry, who suddenly found himself coughing uncontrollably.

"Yeah, mate. Laugh all you want. Just you wait" Ron said. Harry laughed out loud at that, but suddenly stopped when he saw someone turn the corner.

"Oh, hello Harr…Harry" Cho said, looking from James to Harry and back again. "So the rumors are true, then."

"What rumors, Cho" Harry asked, bored. "There are so many to choose from."

"You and that...that...red-headed waste of pure blood did get together after all. I thought you had more taste than that, Potter."

Ron and James protested violently at the description of Ginny, until Harry stopped them with a wave of his hand. "What are you going on about, Cho" he asked with narrowed eyes. "And is there a particular reason you just insulted Ginny Weasley? She's never done anything to you."

"Everyone knows they associate with murderers, Potter. The vaunted Sirius Black. He killed your parents, or have you forgotten"

James' jaw dropped as Harry's face turned white, and he yanked his wand out of its hiding place, but Hermione grabbed Harry's hand before he could do anything.

"No, Harry"

"That's right, Potter. Curse me" Cho said. Suddenly, Harry's expression changed.

"It's not worth it. You don't kiss well enough." Cho's face crumpled at this. Harry seemed to have hit a nerve. "Seriously, did you kiss Cedric the same way"

"Yeah, and I'll bet she enjoyed her frosted witchy flakes this morning" Dean cut in.

Cho spun on her heel, and ran down the corridor sobbing. James watched her for a moment, before turning to Harry.

"I thought you were going to hurt her" James said softly. Harry said nothing, but instead slid down the wall and covered her face in his hands.

"Cedric."

James nodded. He'd heard from his mother about how hard his father had taken that.

Thankfully, the group arrived at the dungeons without any further interruptions. They took their usual positions, and Professor Snape arrived a moment later.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for breaking and entering into the dungeons" he said right off. The Gryffindor students groaned as the Slytherin students filed into the room.

"Figures" Harry sighed.

"One point from Gryffindor for your cheek, Mr. Potter" Snape snapped.

Harry sighed. James leaned over to say something, but Snape noticed him too quickly.

"So. You're the new Potter who cured Longbottom's parents. Well then, if you're so powerful, tell me, where would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar? And why would you want one"

"You'd find one in the stomach of a goat. It protects you from most poisons."

"I see. And what's the difference between Veritaserum and Galahaad's Elixir"

"Veritaserum lasts a lot longer, and is safe to use. The elixir sometimes killed the victims."

Snape was taken aback for a moment, but then sneered. James shrugged. "I scored higher then you did on the potions OWL."

A dead silence filled the room. Snape walked up to James until he was less than a foot away. James calmly stood his ground.

"We'll just see about that. Malfoy" Snape yelled.

"Yes, Professor" Draco said.

"Give me your cauldron."

Draco did so, with a puzzled look on his face. Snape slammed it down in front of James, and walked to his office. When he returned, he slammed the ingredients in his hands down as well.

"The final potion taught at Hogwarts is called the Conlabor mix. Upon drinking this" Snape began, before James cut in.

"The victim would begin to cough up his or her own stomach. Properly mixed, this can be extended over a period of three days. We learn this because we must know how to defend ourselves from it, and from it's variants."

"Indeed."

Snape grabbed the first of the ingredients, and called to Draco again.

"Time me, Malfoy. Keep accurate record."

Malfoy waited a moment, before saying"Go."

Professor Snape's hands began to fly over the cauldron, ripping ingredients into their proper measurements, adding them, and mixing them. After a few moments, he dropped the last of the ingredients, and called out"Time."

"Thirty-three seconds, Professor." Draco said.

Snape sneered and used his wand to clear away the potion he'd made. He then retrieved a second set of ingredients. James nodded and grabbed the first set.

"Keep the record accurate, Malfoy" Snape said. Draco swallowed, and said"Go."

James' hands were a blur almost instantly. The only sound in the room was that of his own measured breathing. Eventually, he mixed the last of the ingredients and called for his time. Draco took several breaths before replying.

"T-twenty-eight seconds."

Professor Snape said nothing. James jumped in.

"Figures. This is the second time I've done this. I beat him last time, too. It's sad to see a grown man cry."

Another long silence permeated the room, until someone in Slytherin, whom James didn't know, spoke up.

"What do you mean" The boy said, dangerously.

"Last time we had this race, I beat the professor by three seconds. It was in front of the staff, and it made him cry for some reason" James said.

The colour drained from the professor's face, and his eyes narrowed. A vein began to raise out of his head, and he slammed his fist into the table.

"FIFTY POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR AND YOU GET DETENTION TONIGHT" The professor yelled, waving a hand at James. Snape took another breath and yelled"CLASS DISMISSED"

No one spoke as they gathered their things and ran out of the dungeons. Once the doors were closed, James wandered back. Through the wood, he almost thought he heard the sounds of the professor, cursing the Potter bloodline. James chuckled, and walked away.

Once he reached the Common Room again, people instantly started to congratulate him.

"Wow James" Ron said"That was bloody brilliant"

"Amazing" Dean yelled. Neville opened his mouth, but then just pounded the arm of his chair in mute triumph.

"You probably could have been a bit more tactful" Hermione said flatly. Everyone in the room turned to stare at her.

"You're sympathizing with him" Harry asked, furious.

"N-no" Hermione said.

"It makes perfect sense, doesn't it James" Harry asked"She is on his side. No wonder she tried to kill us in your time."

Everyone in the room froze, as every glass object in Gryffindor Tower exploded at once. A moment later, Hermione burst into tears.

"H-Harry" she said, her voice thick. "You bloody...bastard! No wonder your parents got themselves killed! Who'd want to be related to a git like you" Hermione screamed, before storming out of the room.

Harry tensed up, like he was going to go after her, but James put a restraining hand on his shoulder.

"Don't" James said, very firmly. Harry glared at him.

"Harry, she's a witch, and a very good one. Do you really want to tangle with her, again"

"She"

"I won't let you duel with her, Dad. I have a vested interest in seeing that you live a few more years" James said, seriously.

Harry waited a moment, before deflating. "Whatever."

James sighed. "I can't debate this right now Dad. I have a detention to report to."

"I'm going" Harry said flatly. "Can't have him kill my son."

James grinned. "Yeah."

Sighing, Harry waved his hand in the general direction of the door. "Let's go."

"Maybe you should get your invisibility cloak first? Or would you rather borrow mine? Which is also yours, actually."

"Will my head always hurt this much when you get confused" Harry asked.

James shrugged, and sprinted up the stairs, returning with his father's own cloak. Harry took it and slipped it on. James nodded, though he could no longer see Harry's face, squared his shoulders, and began to walk.

"Potter" Snape said, the vein still bulging out on his head. "You're going to clean this entire dungeon from top to bottom without magic! If I see so much as a spot of dirt when you're done, you'll be in detention for the next year"

"Whatever you say, Professor" James said, setting his wand on Snape's desk. Snape snatched it up and sealed it into his desk.

"I'd like to see you get a hold of it now, boy" Snape snarled. "Now get to work"

James began to scrub at the floors with a sponge, while Snape retired to his office.

"I can help if you want" Harry asked.

James thought for a moment, before shaking his head. "I think it's time you know."

"Know what" Harry asked, his voice low but tinged with curiosity.

"Scourgify" James said, waving his hand over the spot he was trying to clean. Instantly, the slime and muck vanished.

"Sweet Merlin" Harry breathed. "How did you do that"

"I don't need a wand to focus my magic"

"But you've been using one all this time" Harry protested.

"Have I? If you take a hold of it, you'll understand. Go take a good luck at it, Harry."

Harry walked over to James' wand, still covered in the invisibility cloak.

"I know. It looks a lot like my wand, so what"

"Look closer. It is your wand" James replied.

"But I've held your wand before and it didn't do anything. Shouldn't it acknowledge me in some way, since it was mine before" Harry asked.

"The Phoenix feather is gone. I gave it to the Headmaster for use in the time travel spell. It was the only focus point we could find with enough magical energy" James replied.

"So, all the magic you've done has been wandless" Harry asked.

"Yes."

Harry said nothing for a long while. Eventually, Professor Snape returned, to see James just finishing the dungeons. He took a look around, desperately trying to find anything wrong with it. Eventually, he glared at James.

"You used your wand somehow" he accused.

"Nope. Check for yourself. It's still embedded."

Snape did so, finding that it was. He jumped to the next logical conclusion. "You had help."

"From who"

"Anyone in your upstart House" Snape thundered.

"There is no one else, here" James retorted.

"Don't lie to me, Potter" Snape yelled. James looked him dead in the eye.

"Give me some Veritaserum, then."

Snape narrowed his eyes. He turned around and grabbed a vial of liquid.

"You want it straight"

"I wasn't expecting you to actually do this, but no" James said, conjuring up mug of tea.

"Be careful what you wish for" Snape said, dropping a drop of the serum into James' drink. James drank it quickly, trying to avoid the unpleasant aftertaste the serum would provide.

"Who are you" Snape said.

"My name is James Potter."

"Who are your parents"

"My parents are Harry and Ginny Potter."

"Who else is in here, with you"

"No one."

"You lied about seeing me cry, didn't you."

"No. I did beat you twice. You cried both times."

"What do you mean, both times" Snape snarled.

"I heard you after class, today."

"If you ever say anything of that nature again, I'll kill you. Now GET OUT" Snape yelled. James calmly walked out of the doors, turning around and glancing back at the professor to give Harry time to leave as well.

"You lied under Veritaserum" Harry whispered.

"I put something in the tea that hasn't been discovered yet."

"Bloody hell."

"Let's go. I need rest."

"You go on. I have something I want to do, first."

"Night Dad."

"Night James."