"So, tell me about my boy."
It was getting close to Christmas. James took polyjuice potion to disguise himself and visited Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled. "He is nice, polite, loyal, kind, well-mannered, and a pretty good student."
James smiled sadly. "Sounds like he takes after his mother. I'm glad."
Dumbledore hesitated before speaking. "He discovered the Mirror of Erised. A mirror that shows your utmost desires of your heart."
"I see." James said. "I'm guessing he saw...?"
"His family. Your family." Dumbledore replied. "I told him not to seek it out anymore. It would only drive him mad."
"I guess that makes sense." James sighed. "Did you look into the mirror?"
"I did. And I saw myself holding a brand-new pair of socks." Dumbledore said, smiling.
James seriously doubted it, but decided not to press. "And Snape? How are they getting along?"
Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. "He only sees what he wants to see. He did save Harry's life."
"Wait, what?" James asked, perplexed.
"Someone jinxed Harry's broom during his first Quidditch match." Dumbledore explained. "Severus performed a counter-curse. I assume it was to repay you for saving him from the Whomping Willow so many years ago."
James exhaled sharply. "Well, I'm glad I saved him, then. And I'm thankful to Snape for saving Harry."
"Good. That's good."
"So, he's the Seeker?" James asked in amazement. Dumbledore nodded. James laughed softly. "Wow! I...am so...so proud of him. When's his next Quidditch match? I wanna see..."
"James, remember what we discussed." Dumbledore cautioned.
"I know. Don't worry, I'm gonna wear an invisibility cloak. I won't say or do anything but watch the game quietly." James replied.
Dumbledore nodded. "All right. Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas."
XXX
"I just don't understand how you could still be okay with seeing Harry and pretend you don't know him."
James and Sirius were sitting in a cozy, almost-empty coffee shop in London. Christmas music played softly in the background.
James set down his hot chocolate. "Sirius, we have had this discussion several times over the last decade. I've already explained to you that this was his best chance."
"Growing up with the Dursleys? Really?"
James shook his head. "Unfortunately...Petunia is Lily's only family. Her only blood connection."
"Dumbledore really thinks Voldemort won't figure out where Harry lives just by living with his only blood relative?" Sirius asked.
"He seems to think so."
"What do you think?" Sirius asked.
"All right, Sirius...I would love nothing more than to knock on their door and announce that I'm alive." James said. "But I do not want to take the chance of Dumbledore's suspicion coming true."
Sirius sighed deeply and leaned back. "Okay. Fine. When exactly are you planning on telling Harry that you're alive?"
James sank his shoulders. "As soon as I am one hundred and ten percent sure Voldemort is gone for good."
"And you don't think he is." Sirius guessed.
"Hell no." James shook his head. "Let's talk about something else. What have you been up to lately?"
Sirius grinned. "I changed my last name to Jackson to distance myself from my family."
James was shocked, but not surprised. "Hmm. Sirius Jackson...doesn't have as good a ring to it as Sirius Black."
"Sod off." Sirius rolled his eyes. "Andromeda wasn't too thrilled, but she understands."
"How are Andromeda and Ted?"
"They're good." Sirius smiled. "I'm actually going to spend Christmas with them and Dora."
"Sounds exciting." James nodded.
"You should join." Sirius suggested.
James hesitated. "I'm supposed to be dead, Sirius."
"So, we'll find a disguise for you." Sirius said, not giving up. "Come on, Prongs. No one should spend the holidays alone."
James nodded. "Okay, sure. Why the hell not?"
"Excellent!" Sirius exclaimed.
"So what are you doing for a living?" James asked.
"I am bartending the Leaky Cauldron." Sirius replied.
"Really? I never imagined you would be a bartender." James said.
"Yeah, well...with my family's reputation, it's kind of hard to find a job." Sirius said. "That's also why I changed my name."
"Makes sense." James said.
"Have you ever thought of getting a job in the Wizarding World? You could disguise yourself." Sirius asked.
"I have thought about it." James admitted. "There's only so many scams I can run and pool I can hustle. I do rather miss butterbeer and chocolate frogs."
Sirius chuckled. "Well...we're gonna have to find you a convincing disguise."
"And a backstory to go with it." James said.
"This'll be fun." Sirius grinned from ear-to-ear.
I know this is short, but I wanted to update.