James sighed when Harry bolted and was out of sight. He sat back down in the seat behind his desk and rubbed his temples. He wasn't exactly an old man, but he wasn't getting any younger. He really didn't need to deal with this right now. James only groaned inwardly when he saw Sirius walk in only seconds after Harry had run out. 'Great. Being pummeled is just what I need right now.' Only, Sirius didn't look about ready to pummel him.
"Sorry to have been eavesdropping. I didn't mean to do it at first," Sirius said blankly. James just shook his head. "So. You're Harry's father." He said after a moment of silence. He turned away, looking out the window. "I guess I always suspected, and that's why it doesn't come as much of a shock. I guess I just never wanted to admit it after I saw how much you were hurting after your argument with Lily. I figured that your having a son with her—well, that would just sting you more. So I blocked out all of the articles I read about him. I ignored the pictures on the front page. I guess I always really knew, but I never wanted to admit it to you or to myself." James looked up. Sirius wasn't very serious very often, yet he could tell by his stance that he was as serious as ever. Sirius turned his black gaze onto James. "I didn't want to believe, so I didn't. It just would hurt you too much, would've hurt Lily too much, would've hurt that boy too much. Yet, now it all comes out. I can't yell at you. I can't punch you like I did when you left Lily the way you did. As much as I'd like to beat the crap out of you right now James, I just can't find it in my heart to. So you better take care of that boy, James, before I find the heart to again." Sirius said.
"Sirius…" was all James could really say. He'd never heard him so impassioned before. Yet Sirius wouldn't stick around even if James had had something to say anyway. He just turned out the door and left. James just shook his head in bewilderment. He knew Sirius had cared about Lily…but had he cared about her as more than just a friend? James wondered. It would make sense certainly; everyone loved Lily, from Remus to James to Snape. Lily simply did not love any of them back. He did remember one time when she and Remus had come very close to dating, but Remus knew James was madly in love with Lily, and so he abstained from any romantic relationship with her. Thinking back on it, James couldn't believe that his friends had been so loyal to him in that way and then he'd gone and stabbed them all in the back by being a stupid pureblood and dumping Lily lack a sack of potatoes. James sighed. What a great mess of things he had made.
Suddenly a flame appeared in front of James, causing him to jump. Slowly the flame turned into a beautiful Phoenix.
"Oh, it's just you, Fawkes. What does Dumbledore need?" James asked, thinking that this was odd. Dumbledore only used Fawkes for Order of the Phoenix meetings. James, Remus and Sirius had not yet rejoined the Order—in fact, they weren't even sure if it still existed. Fawkes handed him a message with his talons and then, with a screech he burst into flames and disappeared. James read the neatly scrawled note.
'The Order of the Phoenix is to have a meeting tomorrow night in the Room of Requirement at seven pm sharp. Do not be late.'
James blinked at the note. So it was still in operation. James shrugged and placed the note in his pocket. He would rejoin then. After Voldemort returned, James had more passion to destroy him than ever since his murder of Lily. Even though now he knew that only Harry could defeat the Dark Lord. James shook his head and frowned. He wondered if the poor boy knew. What a terrible weight to be placed on such a young boy's head. He didn't deserve to have to go through that. In fact, he hadn't deserved to be in that ordeal with the Ministry, either. What else had the boy gone through that he shouldn't have? James' frown deepened. Come to think of it, he didn't know much about the boy at all. Well, that would change if he could help it.
Harry woke to a horrid screeching sound. He opened his eyes—everyone else had already left the dorm room. He put on his glasses and then turned to his left.
"Argh!" Harry yelled as he saw a bright gold and red creature in front of him. His heart rate slowed when he realized it was only Fawkes. "Oh, it's just you Fawkes. You nearly gave me a heart attack, you know!" Fawkes just looked at him and then handed him a note with his talons. Harry took it, confused, then thanked the Phoenix. Fawkes disappeared in a burst of flames. Harry looked at the note.
'Harry-
Usually Order of the Phoenix members must be of age, but due to
your unusual position I feel it necessary for you to join us. Perhaps if you know what is going on we can prevent further incidents like the one last year. I also do hope that you will continue on with Dumbledore's Army, Harry. With your lead, it may one day become the driving force against Voldemort when Phoenix members have died or are too old to fight. Back to the original topic, there is an Order meeting tonight at seven in the Room of Requirement. I bid you to come. Have a nice day, Harry.
-Professor Dumbledore'
Harry looked at the note, once, twice then stuffed it in his pocket. He would attend the order meeting, of course. The thought that he was finally, finally being let in on things was exciting. The part about the DA (Defense Association, aka Dumbledore's Army) however, caused some discomfort in Harry. He didn't like the idea that he would one day be on his own against Voldemort—though, he had to admit that now that he knew that Dumbledore was not, in fact, all-knowing, it didn't seem quite as scary as it would have in his third or fourth year.
Harry shrugged it off and went down the spiral staircase to the common room. Down there he saw Ginny was waiting—quite obviously for him. Harry felt an awful wave of guilt for consciously avoiding her since they kissed. Harry continued on down the stairs to face what he was quite sure would be the Weasley Woman Wrath. To Harry's surprise however, Ginny didn't look enraged—just very concerned, and possibly very confused as well. Harry sighed inwardly. That was all his fault.
"Hi," Harry said feebly.
"Hello stranger," Ginny said. "We need to talk." It was obvious she was trying very hard not to let any emotion of any kind show on her face or in her voice, and she was succeeding quite well.
"Right," Harry said, squirming slightly. When Harry would say no more, Ginny burst out,
"Why have you been avoiding me Harry?" Harry was taken slightly aback.
"I'm sorry Ginny, it's just that I--," Harry began, but Ginny interrupted with a sigh.
"It's just that you don't like me as anything more than your best mate's little sister."
"No, no Ginny, that's not it at all," Harry said, surprised she had even suggested that. "It's just that…well, I've found some stuff out lately, and I guess I just really didn't want to talk to anyone about it. I'm sorry." It was Ginny's turn to be surprised.
"You mean, about you and Professor Potter?"
"Well, yeah." Harry squirmed uncomfortably. Ginny looked relieved—slightly.
"Oh, well that's ok, then. But Harry, you can always talk to me about that. You know you can, or at least I really hope you know that!" Ginny said, looking at him and trying to read his expression. She was just so beautiful. Harry suddenly found himself pressed with that sudden urge he'd felt down in the kitchens—the impulse to kiss her until they both released, gasping for air. Harry took a step closer to her.
"I know, Ginny," he said.
"Harry…" she said, but whatever she was going to say next, Harry never discovered, for at that moment he put his arm around her waist, leaned in and kissed her. For a few moments, everything was right in the world. For a few precious moments Professor Potter was driven from Harry's mind, as were all of his other problems. For those few precious moments were the moments when Harry knew he was happier than he ever would be in his life. Then the moment ended, and he was still elated. If the blush on Ginny's face was any indication, he imagined that the moment had been just as special to her. "Just don't run off this time, okay?" Ginny said. Harry grinned.
"I didn't intend on it." They kissed again.