The boy's arm caught Jake in mid run. "Where you off to so fast,, little buddy?" Jake looked up, startled.

Jake looked back down, sad that he had been caught. "I wanted to see what you and your friends were doing today"

"You were going to follow us." The older boy, who had jet black hair ,and piercing hazel eyes seemed to laughing as Jake struggled for an answer.

"Yes" He finally answered, knowing enough to try and look shamefaced, at the very least.

"Why didn't you just ask, little buddy?"

It was a lot longer before Jake answered this question. "I wanted to try a small prank on you," He answered cheerfully, when he did answer.

The boy grinned and laughed. "You should know better then trying to prank us" He pulled Jake into a one armed hug. "Come on, you"

Jake shot up in bed, covered in sweat, breathing heavily.

Dear Mrs. Andrews,

Please do not be alarmed. I hope that my owl, Hedwig, has found you when I hoped she would, and not when Justin is around.

I know of Justin's drinking habits. He was a… personal acquaintance when we were both boys. I know of his past, and because of his past, feel it is my duty to at least tell you that I know what is going on in your home. You can call it spying, if you wish.

I have my secrets, as do you. I write happily that Jake is doing very well in his classes, very extraordinary in Defense against the Dark Arts, if I do say myself. He seems to be a shy boy, and lonely however, whenever not with Ms. Amy Hunter.

I'm sure he would love a letter from his mum. I think I have figured out a way for you to communicate with him, if you wish, without having your husband know.

Answer with Hedwig.

Harry Potter

Ginny wondered what Harry meant by personal acquaintance. But she didn't care. Harry was going to help her correspond with Jake. She was overwhelmingly proud of Jake. Harry had praised him very high, in Defense against the Dark Arts, which was not to be taken lightly. Harry himself must be very proud of his young student to talk about him in that way. Quickly, without pondering any consequences, she grabbed a pen, a piece of paper, scribbled a reply, and sent Hedwig off.

Jake yawned as he sat down next to Amy at the Ravenclaw table, on the chilly, October morning.

The first day he had sat down at the table with Amy, she had openly stared at him, as other students had around him. He looked around, and then up at the staff table to find that few teachers were watching what was happening as the students broke out in whispers, pointing him out.

The few that were paying attention were Professor Potter, who nodded at Jake, looking very pleased, and Headmistress McGonagall, who had a small smile on her face, which was told to be a rare treat if you were on the receiving end of it.

James looked around. What had he done? Everyone was whispering, and more teachers were beginning to notice. It seemed everyone was looking at him, and for one of the first times in history, the Great Hall was completely silent. James looked at his empty plate, wishing he had just sat down at the Gryffindor table like normal.

Then a clapping filled the empty room.

Everyone's eyes snapped from Jake to the person who was standing, and clapping. Slowly, one by one, teachers joined the leader of the clapping. Then older students caught on, and one by one, everyone was clapping except most of the Slytherins.

It died down, and everyone sat down. One stayed standing. "Jake, in all my years as a student at Hogwarts, in my very few years of teaching ---" Laughter broke out, as he had not yet completed a year of teaching – "I have never seen a house member move to another house's table. Thank you, for breaking that horrible barrier that had been set there." Professor Potter looked around. "Let it be a lesson learned by all of us." He sat down, and continued his meal as if nothing had happened; ignoring the curious stares he had drawn to himself.

James had become a regular at the table, and so, when he sat down no one even bother to look up, except Amy who smiled and greeted him over her own plate.

When she looked up again, she studied him closer, as he yawned a second time, and looked around with dull eyes, trying to wake up, blinking still.

"Tired?" She asked.

He nodded.

"Another one?" She probed.

He nodded again.

She frowned and reached for his plate, filling it with his favorites. As she put it back in place, she whispered, "We'll figure it out, I promise.

The mail came, and a snowy white owl flew in, and dropped one next to Jake. He looked at the letter, wondering who it could be from.

He tore it open, read a few lines, and looked up at the staff table at Harry Potter who was looking down at him and smiling, with the snowy owl on his shoulder.

After the first year Gryffindor/Ravenclaw class of Defense against the Dark Arts, Jake stayed behind, telling Amy to go ahead to dinner that he'd catch up with her.

"Thank you" Jake said to his Professor, who smiled and sat down on the edge of his desk.

Harry smiled at the young boy. "You're welcome. I thought a letter from your mum would make you happy"

"It did. I was surprised. It made me very happy though." He looked down at the ground, wondering how much it would be right to say to his Professor.

Harry laid a hand on Jake's shoulder. It was a firm grip, but not to hard, just enough to show strength and a caring hand. Jake liked the feeling.

"Anything you want to tell or ask me Jake?"

A sudden courage jumped in Jake, and he looked up and said very softly, "Thank you for watching our house. I don't know why you did, but I remember you. I saw you once in the park, just watching kids play. I didn't recognize you right away, because of your… appearance. But I saw your scar once. I'm almost certain it was you. Am I right?"

"Seeing me once is that convincing?"

Jake looked up into the eyes of his young Professor. He was relieved to see he didn't seem to be angry. "No Sir. Mum said you were watching us. Kind of making sure Justin didn't do anything too bad was how she put it. I just connected it after.

"She told you that?"

"Yes. She knows I always worry about her. She said to stop, because a man has been watching and protecting us from ever letting Justin get too angry."

"And you connected it?"

"No"

"Ah. You had help form Ms. Hunter on that one"

Jake looked up and smiled sheepishly. "Yes."

"I'm glad you found a good friend yourself a good friend. She's a bright witch. Reminds me of my godson's mother, Hermione Granger. Have you heard of her?"

"Yes. I know a little. She was one of your best friends when you were in school, and keep was said to have been the one who kept you inline. She – uh – died with her fiancé in the final battle."

Harry swallowed. "Yes, she was, and yes, she did." Harry chuckled. "Oh how many times she got Ron and I out of trouble"

And that night, with stories and laughter of Harry's past, Jake and Harry formed a friendship that not many teachers and students share.

Jake learned all about the real Harry Potter. Not the one in the stories he had read. He saw the raw emotions that Harry felt through some of the stories and accounts. There were many. Harry went on for hours. Jake never once was bored. The stories were absolutely stunning sometimes.

Harry told many stories. Many stories. Finally, he noticed the time, and escorted James back to Gryffindor tower, apologizing for keeping Jake so late. Jake hadn't cared, and he said over and over. It had been fun, that night.

One thing struck him as odd though.

When he sat thinking of some of Harry's many adventures, he noticed that Harry had never mentioned Ginny Weasley dying. He had only said that they had 'broken it off' that night. His face had been a mask, and he had quickly moved on about Ron Jr.

It struck James as odd, because as far as any book has said, she had died with Harry's best friends.

But Harry had said it as if she was still alive.