Dolores Jane Umbridge pushed open the door to the Hospital Wing angrily.
What on earth is going on here?!
Remus stood but James Potter didn't turn around as the short, stout woman in a pink dressing gown stormed into the infirmary, nor as her shrill, indignant voice pierced the silence, only shushed her as he sat next to his son's bed. "What on earth is going on here-"
"Shush!"
"I…I…who are you?"
"James Potter, go away or shut up, you're going to wake up my son."
Dolores peered over his shoulder, scowling down at the sleeping face of Harry Potter, then gasped.
"James Potter? But you're-"
"Dead? Yeah, yeah, I know."
"But…but…"
"Shush!"
"What are you doing here at Hogwarts?"
"Looking after my son, what are you doing?"
"I'm the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher here. Dolores Umbridge, Undersecretary for the Minister, and I'm afraid you can't lie about your identity to me if you want to avoid the courts of this land. Leave, or I'm calling Cornelius!"
James frowned, turning to Remus.
"Remus, who is this woman? And why is she being an asshat?"
Remus gave a little wry smile. "James, meet Dolores Umbridge. Defence teacher, as she said. Of some minor importance in the Ministry."
"Minor importance?" Dolores sounded horrified. "Who do you think you are, werewolf?"
James' head shot up, eyes dangerous. "I never liked the Ministry. A bunch of pompous dickheads. What's this about you working there?"
"I…you…" Dolores composed herself. "I am Cornelius' deputy."
"So you're an assistant."
"I…no, I'm-"
"An assistant."
"No, I am the Undersecretary-"
"Like a PA?"
"No, I'm-"
"Great, go get me a coffee." James waved his hand at her, flicking it towards the door.
"What?"
"Extra milk. Extra sugar."
"Who do you think you are?!"
"James Potter, I told you! Now are you going to be quiet or am I going to have to get my wife?"
"Your wife?"
"Yeah, Lily Potter. Got the highest Charms OWL score recorded in a hundred years. Shall I fetch her for you?"
Dolores blustered through her confusion. "I…what…"
Professor McGonagall opened the Hospital Wing door.
"I haven't found Umbridge yet, Mr Potter, but...ah, Dolores. There you are."
"Ah, Professor McGonagall! Who is this man?"
"I AM JAMES POTTER!" James thundered, looking frustrated, and Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows. "It seems he has introduced himself, Dolores. Unless you are hard of hearing?"
"I'm afraid you must be mentally instable, Minerva, if you believe this ridiculous lie."
"I'm afraid it's you who must be mentally inept if you haven't even thought to listen and question this man, who, by the way, is telling the complete truth about his identity."
Dolores laughed, a light, obnoxious giggle. "But Minerva that is completely impossible. James Potter is dead, rotting in the ground, and he left behind this arrogant, pathological liar of a son whose constant cock and bull stories and exaggerations of false events for attention are pathetic."
James Potter stood up quietly.
"Say that again."
"James…" Remus held out a hand warningly, and Dolores smiled, victoriously, sickeningly sweet.
"Your son is an arrogant, lazy liar who makes up stories for attention because he thrives off of other people's sympathy and his own deception."
Professor McGonagall said sharply. "Dolores, that's enough."
Remus walked quickly and stood in front of James, back to Umbridge.
"Remus, move."
"James, calm down."
"Remus, move out of my way-"
"James?" Lily stepped into the Hospital Wing. "What's going on?"
"Just a second, dear!" James stepped to the right, scowling at his friend. "Remus, move!"
"This is exactly the same kind of behaviour I'd expect from Harry Potter's father." Dolores sneered, and Lily frowned, moving forward into the room more.
"Excuse me?"
"You must be Mrs Potter, I take it? How lovely to meet you, seeing as you're dead and buried. What ridiculous lie are you going to tell the Undersecretary for the Minister this time?"
"I'm sorry, what? I understand that you ignorant of what's going on, but there's no need to be rude-"
"Yeah, or talk shit about my son!"
"Alright, James. Just stop for a second, and let me talk, then you can say your bit. So, name?"
"Dolores Umbridge, Undersecretary for the-"
"Yeah, you said that already. You don't have to say your job title every time you introduce yourself. It's not like it's your middle name."
"I'm afraid-"
"It's not like you're called Dolores Undersecretary Umbridge."
"I think you might be-"
"Because that'd be really fricking stupid. Anyway, what's your problem?"
"WHO ARE YOU?"
"Lily and James Potter." Lily said, matter-of-factly. "Yes, we were dead, no, we are not anymore. It's some sort of weird magic thing I don't understand. If you want the details, you should ask Hermione Granger, but in the morning because she's a student in bed right now. We are both very much alive, and not dead, and I know that I don't appreciate the way you've addressed me or my husband since you've arrived here. If you would like to have a civil conversation with us, I suggest you wait until my husband and I have calmed down as I know you have insulted him. Is that okay?"
Her calm manner seemed to appease Umbridge slightly, and the toad-like woman sniffed.
"I am still not convinced you are who you say you are. I feel it necessary to summon the authorities."
"Alright then." Lily smiled pleasantly. "I'd be happy to speak to them. While they're here, by the way, you might want to inform them that Albus Dumbledore currently is AWOL and may not be returning anytime in the foreseeable future and so Professor McGonagall will be taking the role of Headmistress temporarily until an official decision has been made, I presume."
"Dumbledore's gone?" Dolores looked suddenly excited.
"Yes, he is, after being confronted by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Remus Lupin."
"The liar, the Mudblood and the werewolf?" Dolores scorned, and Lily's face turned cold.
"I'd be very grateful if you wouldn't use language like that in front of me."
Dolores started to speak, but James spoke sharply, suddenly. "Lily! Harry!"
Lily gasped and hurried around the bed, where Harry was tossing and turning.
Harry Potter was flying. Upwards, and fast, through the blackness.
Then awake, with a bump and a sharp intake of breath and bright searing into his eyes.
"Oh my God!" There was a shocked exclamation in a soft woman's voice, and Harry opened his eyes, squinting up at the small crowd of people collected around his bed. "Wh…what?"
"Harry…" The smiling, tearful redhead Harry, stunned, recognised as his mother widened her eyes, and his mind was racing because Mum Mum Mum Mum Mum and then a stunned looking man with spiky black hair leant over him and Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad.
Sorry it's been a while, I've been really busy at the moment, but I hope you liked this chapter!
Harry and James/Lily interaction next chapter! Please follow and favourite if you liked and leave a review letting me know what you thought!
Fly xx