Chapter 9 – TITLE TBA
Back inside the Great Hall, Lily stayed away all through dinner and pudding. Everyone waited for fifteen minutes after the other students had left, but eventually James clapped his hands together decisively and said "Well. She knows the way back to the common room." and with that they rose and left. "You're the Seeker for Gryffindor, right Harry?" he asked and the boys and Ginny immediately launched into a deep discussion of tactics and who was most likely to win the Cup this year. Hermione rolled her eyes and buried her nose in her Ancient Runes book – years of bookworming had taught her how to read and walk simultaneously.
They were stopped on the floor below the Fat Lady's portrait by McGonagall, who took them all to Dumbledore's office. "I have received a letter from the Ministry," he said, as Fawkes hooted softly. "Your Timeturner will be here in three weeks time, on December 28th, which means we must make arrangements for you and Miss Evans during the holidays. Now, Mr. Weasley, I understand that you have invited Harry back to the Burrow for the holidays."
"I think I might stay here," Harry broke in. "It's Christmas, and I want to spend it with my family."
"A wise decision, Harry," Dumbledore remarked. "I daresay Molly would not take too well to seeing James Potter and Lily Evans on her doorstep." Harry and Ron exchanged grins, imagining this scene.
"I'll stay," Ron volunteered, and Hermione and Ginny were quick to agree, and Ginny went to send Pig to Mrs. Weasley to inform her of the change in plans.
"Wonderful," Dumbledore mused. "Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, might I ask you to leave me and the Potters alone for a few minutes?" Ron and Hermione obliged, and Dumbledore showed them out. As soon as their heads disappeared down the moving stairs, he situated himself behind his desk and Harry and James sat in front of it. "Now," he said. "How are the both of you holding up? This must be unbelievably strange for the both of you."
James spoke first. "I don't know many seventeen-year-old guys who think about marrying anyone, much less their rival, having a son, and dying premature deaths. So yes, this is quite a shock."
Harry nodded. "I never thought I would see my parents anywhere else than out of the tip of Voldemort's wand," he mumbled. "I still can't believe this is happening."
Dumbledore made a somber noise of dissent. "Harry, if you would wait outside while I speak to Mr. Potter?" Harry nodded and disappeared down the moving stairs. As soon as he was out of sight, Dumbledore leaned towards James. "James." James did a double-take, as he had never heard Dumbledore address him by first name. "I hope I will not offend you when I say that during your time at Hogwarts, your sense of maturity did not exactly flourish." When James did look a bit offended, Dumbledore rushed on, "Believe me, you became a wonderful and mature man after leaving, but as a student you were known more for your sense of humor. Please listen to me when I say that Harry has been severely deprived of any kind of family for most of his life. He needs you and Lily to ignore any uncomfortable feelings you might have and be, if not parents, accepting of the fact that he will see you as parental figures. I trust Lily will be able to do this. Can you?"
"Yes sir," James said seriously.
"Good," replied Dumbledore just as seriously. "Off to bed with you." James left, feeling a little shell-shocked. All I wanted to do this year was get through my N.E.W.T.s and graduate in peace, he thought. Now I'm stuck 20 years in the future with Evans, my future wife, and our son! Shaking his head, he returned to his dormitory, looking forward to a long sleep.