Are You Coming?

Chapter 3

"Lily, did you pack that shirt of mine?" Scott yelled up the stairs.

"Which one, darling?" Lily called back from where she was folding clothes into a suitcase, in their bedroom.

"The black one," Scott replied.

"No, it needs to be ironed," she shouted, "do you want your tan slacks?"

"Yes," he responded.

Lily pushed her hair out of her eyes and counted the number of sets of clothes in her case. She checked she had everything she wanted and then closed the case. She looked over her shoulder to see Harry silently watching her. His green eyes were wide and innocent, but showed hurt.

"Mum," he said slowly, "why do you have to go?"

Lily blinked and took a deep breath. "We're going on holiday," she finally replied.

"But why?" Harry asked. "And why can't I come?"

"Harry," Lily began carefully, "sometimes people in love like to spend some time on their own… just the two of them."

"You spend time alone with Scott all the time," the little boy argued.

Lily pulled her son into a hug and he buried his face into her hair. "Sometimes grown-ups need a rest, Harry…"

Lily bit her lip as she pulled the boy tightly to her chest. To be honest she was just as scared as him. She'd never been apart from her only child for more than two days and the truth that they were to spend nearly two weeks apart was terrifying for them.

She kissed his forehead. "It'll be okay," she promised.

"Lily, do you have that case ready yet?" Scott said impatiently, his footfalls beating across the landing.

Lily tried to snake her arms from around Harry's waist, but he held tight. "Nearly."

"For goodness sake, hurry up."

"I'm trying," she insisted, as he entered the room.

He looked at Harry snuggled in her arms and obviously sobbing. "Oh grow up!" he exclaimed. "You should be desperate to get away from your mother at all costs by your age. A boy of your age should be a bit more independent."

"Scott, he's only five," Lily exclaimed. "And I've never left him alone for so long… it's new to him."

"Well, he'd better get used to it," Scott growled. "Hurry up and get those cases packed. I don't want to be packing tomorrow and risk missing the flights."

"Of course," Lily replied dumbly.

Lily gazed over Scott's sleeping body. She played with the ends of a lock of her hair. He was so gorgeous when he was asleep. Lily sighed, wondering when she had stopped feeling for him. She'd used to love and trust him so much. But now she was beginning to wonder what she really felt for him. She loved him. Of course she did. But before he'd never been so forceful or selfish or mean. She needed a man that would treat Harry like his own son. Harry needed a father. But more than she needed a lover?

Scott had been such a charmer when they'd first met. He'd taken her to posh restaurants and invited her back to his apartment where they'd had great fun making love. She'd gone to a party with her best friend, Alice, and had met him there. She decided to have a bit of fun and a short, meaningless fling with him. She hadn't told him about Harry, figuring it would make it too serious.

Two months later they'd still been together and Scott suggested she move in with him. It had seemed right. He was a nice guy and it looked like he would provide the perfect male figure for their little family. She'd agreed and then told him about Harry.

She never noticed before, but now realised that whenever Harry was around he'd always seemed distant. Harry had never really liked him either. His initial excitement at finally having a "daddy" quickly evaporated when he realised that living with another man meant Lily's attentions were now divided. This was especially due to the fact they couldn't do anything together.

She wondered why she'd never realised Scott was so condescending to her son. He treated Harry as a rival lover of hers, part of some ridiculous love triangle, he was jealous of the time they spent together… he didn't treat Harry like the small boy he was. It was like he was always trying to get one over him, be the most witty. But it wasn't really fair. Harry was a five year old boy and Scott was a man in his mid-twenties.

She felt Scott shift beside her and he turned over to look at her with clear blue eyes. He gave a smug smile as he realised what day it was.

"We're going away," he grinned.

Lily nodded, forcing a smile to rise on her cheeks. She wasn't going to ruin his excitement. He deserved this holiday. She may not be looking forward to it but he didn't have to know.

"Everything's ready," she said, "we have to leave in two hours, is all."

"Did you put the tickets somewhere safe?" he asked.

"It's all sorted, honey, you just need to enjoy yourself," she told him.

"You're the best…" he breathed, giving her a soft kiss.

Their romantic moment was interrupted by the telephone ringing.

"Dammit," Scott said.

"I'll answer it quickly, then I'll be right back," she promised.

She walked into the kitchen and picked the phone up. "Lily Evans speaking," she said quietly. It was really only her muggle friends and family that had the number. Scott used the floo network to communicate.

"Mum?" Lily said softly. "What? No way!" she paused as her mother continued. "What am I supposed to do?" Another pause. "But?" Her mother put the phone down at the other end.

"Oh shit!" Lily exclaimed to herself.

She walked back up the stairs and slid into the bed next to Scott. He grinned slowly and brought her closer for as long, passionate kiss.

"Scott," she said urgently.

"What?" he asked, laughing slightly. The thought of going away had obviously put him in a good mood. He tried to pull her lips to his again.

"That was my mum…" she told him through his attempts.

"Oh?" he said, pulling back and raising an eyebrow at her.

"She's ill and the doctor said she shouldn't have contact with anyone, especially children…" she exclaimed.

"So?" Scott asked.

"So?! My mother is ill!" Lily said.

"Is she okay?" Scott corrected.

"Yeah, she'll be alright," Lily nodded.

"Then what's the problem?" he asked.

"She can't look after Harry," Lily reminded him.

"Oh shit," he snapped, repeating her earlier sentiment. "What are we gonna do with him?"

"Scott, we're going to have to cancel or at least postpone the trip," she said, cupping his cheek with her hand.

"What?!" he snapped, "no way! We're going in two hours time… and that's final. Look, Lily, I don't care what you do with him, but you find a solution right now. I expect you in the car in two hours and no later. Is that clear? He's your son and not of my problem. You sort it."

"Yes," she replied quietly, getting out of bed and dressing. She walked to Harry's room and knocked on the door. A few minutes later he opened the door, still in his pyjamas.

"Get dressed," she said, "Grandma's ill."

"Are you still going away?" he asked, hoping the answer was no.

"Yes," Lily replied briskly, grabbing his suitcase for the next two weeks.

"Where am I going to stay?" he asked slowly.

"Not sure yet," Lily said, rushing past him.

"Mummy, do you reckon my Daddy would help?" he asked shyly.

Lily blinked. The boy was a genius.

"I'm afraid Mr Potter won't see you, miss," the maid standing in front of Lily said.

"I don't care how busy he is. I need to see him now!" Lily exclaimed.

The maid shook her head, "he's given his word."

Lily paused before trying a new tactic, "did you give him my name?"

"No, I didn't get a chance…" the maid trailed off as Lily pushed past her, pulling Harry with her towards James' office. She gave a sharp knock before striding into the office.

"I said NOT NOW!" James snapped. His face was stony as his eyes focused on Lily. They softened for a moment before hardening again. "Lily?" he asked, his tone clearly conveying he wanted to know exactly what she was doing there.

Lily ushered Harry into the room and shut the door behind them. "James, I need your help…" she said slowly.

"Who's this?" James cut her off and stared pointedly at Harry.

"James, remember before I left Hogwarts… on the last day of school, when we… you know," Lily replied, biting her lip.

"Yeah?" James answered, returning his eyes to the report in front of him.

"A week after we moved to France, I… uh… found out-I-I was p-pregnant," she admitted quietly.

"What?" James exclaimed, "you mean?"

"Yeah," Lily clarified, "you're his dad."

"Dad?" Harry cut in.

"I have a son?" James asked.

"You do," she smiled sweetly.

"Why didn't you ever bother to tell me?" he enquired.

"My mum wouldn't let me contact you when I found out I was pregnant and when I left home and Harry was born, I went looking for you but I didn't have any luck. Then I met Scott and I intended it to be a fling but it became kind of serious…" she finished her story.

"How'd you find me now then?" James asked coldly.

"Scott told me where you lived," she answered. "And that's why I'm here… I need your help. Scott and I are going away and mum was supposed to watch Harry but she's ill. Can you care for him while we're away?"

"Lily, I'm so busy!" he said, eyes wide with disbelief, "not at this short notice."

"James! Please! Scott is leaving in two hours, regardless of whether Harry is safe or not!" Lily said desperately. "Don't you care if your son is safe or not!?"

"You obviously don't if you plan on leaving him here," James retorted.

"What!?" Lily asked incredulously, narrowing her eyes.

"I mean do you just plan on abandoning him here like you abandoned me before?" he asked frostily.

"No," she snapped, "and I never abandoned you!"

"I didn't even know you were leaving," he growled.

"My parents didn't exactly give me much notice; my dad's job got moved to France at the last minute," she sighed.

"You could have told me where you'd gone!" James snarled.

"I wasn't allowed!"

"Well, you could have owled me without her knowing!" he said, talking to her as if she was very stupid.

"I couldn't risk it, James!" Lily cried.

"Why not? What could she have done?" he bellowed, "Get out!"

"James!" Lily pleaded, "I really need your help!"

"GET OUT!" he repeated.

"The reason that I didn't contact you was that she'd have forced me to have an abortion," Lily said, her tone deathly quiet. James' eyes opened widely in shock at the thought of his child no longer existing even though he'd only just discovered his existence.

"Goodbye, Harry, love, I'll pick you up as soon as I get back; I love you," she bent to kiss his forehead. "Look after him," she directed the warning to James, before she turned round and stormed out the room, slamming the door behind her.

James watched her go, angry that she could just dump this on him. He frowned and berated himself for allowing Lily to walk out of his life once again.

His eyes slowly turned to the young boy standing in the centre of the room. His face showed wide, innocent eyes filled with fear- very familiar eyes. He smiled at the beautiful, almond-shaped green eyes. The ones he'd fallen in love with. Lily's eyes. He studied the small child for a moment. He was scrawny but quite tall for his age with pale skin. His hair was dark and wild; his face thin, his nose long and perched on top of it was a pair of round glasses. James slowly realised these were all near replicas of his own features. He sighed; this was definitely his son.

There was a knock on the door and his maid walked in nervously. "Sir, the young woman, she's left."

"Left?" James echoed.

"Well, she stormed out here and I watched her go to the door and apparate off the driveway," she clarified.

"Dammit!" James breathed. He looked at Harry for a second, realising he was here to stay. What was he supposed to do with him? He looked to his maid, "take the boy to a spare room, Eve. Make him comfortable; give him food if he's hungry."

"Yes, sir," she gave a slight bow of her head before ushering Harry out of the room.

"Dad?" Harry asked quietly.

James didn't look up from his report. "Take him…" he repeated.

He woke up, shivering. His lips were dry and a cold sweat surrounded him. "Mum!" he yelled in instinct. He opened his eyes, throwing his duvet off his small body. The duvets were not the normal blue with animals printed on them. Instead they were an incredibly boring cream, in Harry's opinion.

He shivered, remembering he was at his newfound father's house- well mansion. He shuddered, violent images of his dream shadowing his mind. He bit his lip, terrified. He didn't know what to do. He always went to his mum when he had dreams like this but he didn't know how his dad would react to that.

Well, he wouldn't get to sleep now and it would give him a chance to see his dad again. Perhaps James would be less busy now and have time to spend with him and talk to him. After all, his mum had said he was a nice guy. He must have just been very busy earlier.

So it was decided, he'd go and find James.

Harry slid out of bed, ignoring the rather large drop that hadn't seemed so bad when he'd climbed onto the bed. He grabbed his small, stuffed deer that he'd had since he was a few months old and padded over to the door. He pressed down the handle, listening to the soft click that told him the door was open. It was almost eerie in the moonlit darkness of the hallway.

He set off on his journey down the seemingly long corridor. It was like the mansions in old horror films, such as Casper the Ghost, which Harry had watched with his mother last Christmas when Scott was working. He hoped a friendly ghost would come and guide him to his father's study and protect him from the other creatures of the night.

He noticed the magical pictures were mostly asleep in their golden frames. A few, still awake, gazed at him with beady and watchful eyes as he walked. Harry looked up at them in fear, holding Deer tighter to him. The pictures were all a lot older than the ones in Scott's house and creepier looking.

He grumbled, wondering why it seemed like he'd been placed in the room furthest away from his father's office. He was sure the corridor hadn't seemed so long in the daylight.

There was a smooth bench placed against the wall underneath one of the high windows and Harry reached up and stood on it to gaze out the window. The trees were blowing in the wind and rain spattered against the panes.

He wondered what his mother was doing. He hoped she was having a lovely time with Scott. Though he wished she hadn't left him here.

He noticed he was now looking onto the back garden, the opposite side of the house to the one they'd entered by. There was a large lawn with a few flowerbeds and a patio. Behind this was dense collection of trees that Harry guessed to be a forest.

He clambered down from the bench, tripping slightly and landing awkwardly on the floor. He groaned, but quickly picked himself up and continued on his journey.

The moon went behind a cloud and Harry quivered slightly, images from his nightmare still clear in his mind. He wished his father's office was nearer.

He came to a set of two other corridors. Which one did he choose? He vaguely remembered seeing another corridor on his right coming towards his room, so decided to take the one on his current left. This place was like a maze.

Harry continued walking, trying to forget the wind howling outside the building. It sounded like a werewolf, but why would there be a werewolf here? His dad didn't have anything to do with werewolves, right?

A few minutes later, he discovered that his memory had seemed to serve him right. He was back at the main staircase, a grand, polished wood. At the top was his father's office.

He tiredly struggled over to the door. It wasn't this difficult to get to round his own home.

He yawned widely, pausing. Should he knock? What if his dad was busy? Would he be cross? Harry didn't want his new Dad angry with him.

He sighed, deciding to think about it for a minute. He sat down on the floor and before he could make the decision, he fell asleep on the carpeted floor.

Inside the office, James, tired from his work- as it was nearly three o'clock in the morning and he hadn't had a break, fell asleep. His dreams were filled with images of a very familiar redhead.

Early the next morning, James woke with a start, not at all surprised to be met with his wooden desk rather than a soft pillow. It had happened fairly often recently. He stretched slightly, looking at where he had got to in the report. Much better than he'd expected.

He yawned, realising that he would like some coffee before he continued the work.

He stood, deciding to get his maid to get some for him, as well as having a hot shower and get changed.

He could remember having a very pleasant dream, but wasn't quite sure what it had been about. He didn't think it had been work related, but it didn't really matter. It wasn't important. Dreams weren't going to earn him money or get his work done.

He walked over to the window, the birds were tweeting and a small cat sat on the lawn. He snorted, remembering how he'd used to love scenes like this. Sitting outside with Lily and watching them, what a waste of time! He was glad he was done with love. It was no wonder Bradley was falling behind his own company.

He smoothed back his hair and came to the door. He pushed it opened, feeling it come into contact with a solid object on the other side. He frowned, giving it another push.

Whatever was there moved at the contact and James pushed the door open fully.

Kneeling by the door was his small son, who looked like he'd just woken up.

"What are you doing?" James asked coldly.

"Um… I had a bad dream and I came to find you…" Harry started, watching as James walked past him. "And I fell asleep…" Harry continued; trying to keep up with his father's fast pace. "And then…"

"Go back to your room," James instructed, interrupting his story. He didn't look back, continuing to the downstairs of the house.

"Oh, okay…" Harry replied.

He watched his father striding down the stairs before turning around and sighing loudly. He just didn't understand. His mother had said his father was such a nice man but Harry just couldn't see it. Why was he nothing like she'd said?

He missed her and he couldn't wait to go home.

I'm sorry for the wait guys, I really am... I started this weeks ago... But only just got it finished. Sorry!

I hope you like, but tell me what ya think...

With love JLF xoxo