I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC.
Hello guys, Badger here. I'm sorry if updates on the story have been a little slower recently, but please understand, I am in my final year at college, and I need time to work on my final piece, as well as working a part time job. So, for a while, updates may be a little slower, though I will make sure there is at least one chapter published every week.
Anyway, I had to take a couple of days off after the previous chapter, before I started writing this chapter. However, I was still pretty exhausted, meaning I can't be sure if the quality of this chapter would be as good as the previous chapter. Though I will leave the decision to you. Read on and enjoy.
Chapter 34
Happy memories
James shot up in his bed, sweat pouring down his brow. Since he faced his boggart a few weeks back, nightmares had started back up again. They weren't as bad, or as frequent as they were, several years back after the accident, though it still kept him restless. They made him think what could have been. What would she do in the future? How good would she be at magic? Would she be just as good as himself, or would she surpass him? Would she be in Slytherin or another House completely? With Aila's kind and innocent personality, he always saw her as a Hufflepuff. Sometimes, when eating in the Great Hall, he sometimes looked to the Hufflepuff table, expecting to see her sitting amongst them, where the harsh reality sunk in, immediatley afterwards. It hurt him deeply, though he refused to show it. Of course, Luna could tell straight away. Whether it was her Seer abilities, or having lost her mother at a young age, he couldn't be sure. Luna had also been on his mind a lot. He was confused as to why. There was just something about her that made him feel…happier. James rubbed his face, as he lay back on his bed, though he knew there was no point going back to sleep. With everything on his mind, sleep was impossible.
…
Harry was in the library, studying with Daphne, though his thoughts were on James. He could tell that James was going through something mentally. Over the past few weeks, James often looked tired and seemed distant from the others. He had a feeling as to why. It just made him wish he could help him. James was his godbrother. They were practically family. He just wanted to help in some way.
"If he wants help, he will ask for it Harry" Daphne spoke, not looking up from her book
"What?" Harry asked, snapping out of his thoughts
"I know what you are thinking" Daphne sighed, looking up at him "I have known James long enough to know that if James wants help, he will ask for it…it's just, sometimes, he finds it difficult…he doesn't like the idea of being helpless…he is often guarded and independent…just give him time…if he wants help, he will come to you"
Harry nodded. Though he wanted to help James in any way he could, he could at least understand what Daphne was saying. He just hoped he could help James, when the time came.
…
The next couple of days passed by with no hassle. Malfoy and Nott had kept to themselves, staying away from the Trio, something that had James on edge. Eventually, it was Saturday. Harry and James made their way to the Defence classroom, where Lupin was waiting for them.
"Ahh, you are here" He smiled "I'm glad"
"Sir, why are we here?" Harry asked
"Well, Harry, I'm sure you have noticed by now that the Dementors have a…disturbing effect on you" Lupin replied, to which Harry nodded, remembering what he felt in their presence "I will admit, I have never seen someone affected by the Dementors in such a way…so I will be teaching the both of you, the Patronus Charm, a charm made to drive them away…"
"Sir" James interrupted "I can understand why you are teaching Harry, but why are you teaching me?"
"No need to hide it James" Lupin replied "I saw how you were on the train…they may not affect you as badly as Harry, but I know they affect you worse than most"
James looked away slightly, in a mix of shame and embarrassment. An unreadable look in his eyes, as they looked at the floor. Lupin realised he may have touched a nerve, so he moved on.
"Now, while the Patronus Charm is easy in theory, it is much easier said then done" He explained "In order to get the spell to work, you need to speak the correct incantation: Expecto Patronum, whilst thinking about the happiest memory you can…if you have done everything right, you should produce a light, or shield strong enough to drive them away…it is also possible to produce a corporeal Patronus, which takes the form of an animal, depending on your personality, though not many can do so…perhaps you would like a demonstration?"
Harry and James nodded, to which Lupins wand flicked into his hand. He spoke the incantation, where a bright light escaped his wand, which turned into a blue, transparent wolf and began running around the room, before it disappeared into mist, much to Harry and James' awe.
"Now, it would be useful to have a Dementor at hand to practice, it wouldn't be wise to have one in the classroom, and without knowledge of your worst fear, a Boggart is out the question" Lupin said "Though it is possible to learn without it…are you ready?"
The two boys nodded, though Harry looked a little unsure about it. Lupin flicked his wand, where the surrounding tables moved away, to give them a bit more room. Following Lupins instructions, they closed their eyes, thinking about the memory that they believe to be their happiest. Harry found it pretty difficult to choose a memory. Finding out he was a wizard. Getting his Hogwarts letter. Meeting James. The Dursleys being arrested. Finding out James is his godbrother, there was were so many that gave him joy, he couldn't be sure which was his happiest memory. Harry wasn't sure how long he was there for, when he opened his eyes, his memory chosen. James still had his eyes closed, but opened them after a few moments.
"Chosen a memory?" Lupin asked, to which they nodded "Okay, keep thinking of the memory and speak the incantation"
There was another moment of silence, before they both flicked their wands:
"Expecto Patronum!"
Harry only had the spell up for a few seconds and sweat was already running down his brow. He accomplished nothing but a tiny ball of light, whereas James only managed some white mist. After another few seconds, they dropped the spell, panting heavily. Lupin watched what happened, taking in their results and nodded.
"Very good" He said "Most people don't even get any results their first time…may I ask, what memories you used?"
"I thought about the day I first met James" Harry replied
"I…I thought about the day my sister was born" James said
Lupins eyebrows raised in mild surprise, at James' comment, but said nothing. He thought about their answers for a moment, before he nodded again.
"Decent memories" He said "Though, you can't just use any memory at random…it may give you joy, but sometimes that isn't enough…the memory needs to flow through your entire body, making you feel so happy that nothing could ruin it…try again, but this time, use a different memory"
Over the next half an hour, Harry and James used different memories as they practiced the Patronus Charm, with varying results. Sometimes they produced a small light, sometimes they produced some mist and sometimes they achieved nothing at all. They continued, until Harry collapsed to his knees, exhausted, causing James and Lupin to rush to him, to make sure he was okay.
"I think that is enough for today" Lupin sighed "I want you to return next Saturday, where we can try again"
"Sir, I need to ask" Harry spoke up, before Lupin could leave "What do you think of, when using the charm"
"Your father" Lupin smiled
"I…don't understand" Harry replied
"I guess now is the right time to tell you" Lupin sighed "I was friends with your father during Hogwarts…he was a bit of a reckless, live for the moment individual and I was a more straightforward, nerdy person, who often calmed him down when he got to giddy…we were inseparable…then I got to know your mother…we were both prefects…when the two started dating, I was delighted…I could tell they were good for each other…we stayed friends after graduating and I was there at your birth and we spent a lot of time together, I was basically an uncle to you…on the train I knew who you were…the eyes gave it away"
"Then where were you for twelve years!" Harry snapped, as he thought about what Lupin said, as well as everything he went through at the Dursleys "Why didn't you look for me and get into contact!"
"I tried Harry" Lupin replied calmly "When I heard about what happened, I immediatley went to where your parents were hiding, to find them both dead and you missing…I made sure the two were buried and went to Dumbledore to find out where you were…he refused to tell me…I tried to get information out of him, but he told me nothing, even when I smashed up his office he gave me nothing…I left his office and began using tracking spells, potions and anything I could think of, but nothing worked, making me think Dumbledore placed wards to prevent such things from happening…after many years of trying and failing to find you, I decided to leave Britain, the memories were too painful…I probably should have tried to get into contact when you first came to Hogwarts, but I felt like it was too late for that…I believed you wouldn't remember me and it would be too overwhelming for you if I just popped into your life…when I was offered the job, I accepted, as I hoped that I could at least try to lay the groundworks of a relationship, though only if you wish"
Harry was quiet, as he thought about what the man said. It was similar to what James said about being his godbrother. In a way, Harry could understand. He probably would be overwhelmed if Lupin popped into his life and told him how he was an unofficial uncle. Plus, Lupin actually tried to find him, instead of just leaving him behind.
"I…I want to get to know you" Harry spoke "If what you said is true, I want us to reconnect…but, I can't completely forgive you just yet…you should have tried harder to find me"
"Thank you Harry" Lupin smiled "I am glad you would give me a chance…it is more then I deserve…I hope to earn your forgiveness…if you ever want to talk about your parents, my door is open…but for now, I will see you next Saturday"
Harry nodded, before he and James left the classroom. Harry had turned to the purple haired teen, who had been silent the whole time.
"You have something to say" Harry stated "What is it?"
"My fathers journals" James sighed "I was skimming through one of them, where I came across the name Lupin…as well as Sirius Black"
"Did they know each other?" Harry asked
"I don't know" James shrugged "I plan to go through them and read whatever I can find…maybe it will help with information about Sirius Black and why he is after you"
Harry nodded, as the two continued on their way. Lupin didn't mention Sirius, but it seemed James' dad knew both of them in some shape or form. He hoped James found some information soon. After Sirius had been spotted in Dufftown, Harry had been anxiously waiting for the inevitable day that he tried breaking into the school. It annoyed him that all he could do was wait. He hated waiting. Seems more of James seemed to be rubbing off on him.
…
There we go guys. That was the new chapter. What did you think? If I am being honest, I am worried that people are getting sick of the same story being updated with no new works. Is this true? I can't tell, so please let me know.
Anyway, there wasn't much here. This could be passed off as nothing but filler, seeing as the whole time travel story won't be happening, but what did you think. The starting portion with James suffering through nightmares and Harry wanting to help is based off real life experiences. I often lose sleep from nightmares, that like to ruin my time every single night, whether that is a mental health issue I can't be sure. Despite me feeling that way though, when I see people I care about going through something similar, I always think of a way to help, instead of trying to help myself with my problems. Is that bad?
Then, we come across Lupin teaching James and Harry the Patronus Charm. At first, it did involve Harrys Dementor Boggart, though it wouldn't make much sense, as it didn't have an appearance in previous chapters. Then I remembered that Dumbledore's Army learnt the charm without Dementors [In the movies at least], so I figured it would make sense here. Then there is Lupins explanation about where he has been for 12 years. In all honesty, that was one thing I hated about canon Remus. He just appears out of nowhere, where he and Harry immediatley start being friendly to one another. If I was Harry, I would at least question him on where he has been, considering he was friends with Harry's parents. No matter what excuse you may give, it still makes no sense. Because of this, my Remus actually tried to find Harry, confronting Dumbledore and smashing his office in retaliation when he was refused the information he wanted. That is what I expected Lupin to do.
Before I close off, I would like the chance to mention, I would like it if you would leave a small comment about what kind of animal you think Harry's and James' Patronus animal should be.
That is all for now, I hope you enjoyed, I am exhausted and I hope to see you in the next one.
Badger out.
