Hindsight

Summary: "Ten years," James whispered to his wife. "We've been dead for Ten years… how is this possible?" Ten years after the tragedy at Godric's Hollow, James and Lily come back to life and find their world turned upside down.

AN: Sorry for the wait again, guys! I usually have two or three more chapters ready to upload but because I keep getting bogged down at work, I usually end up coming home and sleeping for most of the day so sorry!

Also, I got a rather vicious review which (and I'm saying this with completely honestly) bothered me not because I was hurt, but because it pains me greatly to imagine someone telling my little brother or little sister to "go and die." I can't even imagine anyone being spoken to that way without getting a sick feeling in my stomach. I guess this is just a PSA to remember that writing things like that can actually be really hurtful to people. You never know what will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, you never know how easy it might be to push someone to a state of depression, and you never know what someone's triggers are. Be mindful and stop this unnecessary bullying already. I may be a person who can take the blows, but there's an overwhelming amount of people that can't.

SECOND comment about that review, I can't believe people are still using "gay" as an insult. *roll of eyes, hair flip, z-snap* Please. I wish I was. I understand girls more than I'll ever understand guys LOL.

Sorry, this is such a short chapter, but enjoy!

Chapter 23

Snape was turning a violent shade of purple that couldn't possibly be on the visible spectrum.

Remus, who had been called for help, was trying futilely to haul James off of the potions master. When he got to them, Severus was on his back and James was on top of him, his knee digging into Snape's chest and his hands locked around Snape's neck. He had no idea what was going on, but all he had to see was Severus clawing desperately at James' fingers to jump into action. "James! James, enough! Let him go!" But the man refused to listen. He'd even elbowed Remus in the face in an effort to get him off. Eventually, Lily and McGonagall had to join in as well. Together, the three of them were finally able to pry him away. Remus tackled James into a wall and held him there, the both of them struggling against each other. "Stop it! What's gotten into you?!"

"You son of a bitch," James snarled over the werewolf's shoulder. Snape was lying on his side now, gulping in air. "You son of a bitch, I trusted you and you LIED TO MY FACE! YOU LET ME BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE A GOOD MAN!"

"I-" Severus gasped out desperately. "Didn't-"

"SHUT UP! YOU FUCKING BASTARD, I'LL KILL Y-"

"James!" Remus hissed. "Look at your son!"

Half of Harry's body was poking out the doorway of the classroom as he watched the scene unfold. He was looking at his father warily, never having seen him so furious- not even when he had crashed Mr. Weasley's car into the Whomping Willow with Ron and Neville. Part of him regretted telling his dad anything, and now that his professor was near death, he felt more pity than fear towards the man.

Seeing the look on his son's face brought James back down, but he didn't lose his anger. James took hold of his wife's wrist and pulled her along, ignoring the way she tried to stop him so they could talk about what had just happened. He wrapped an arm around Harry and guided them both away.

"Ronald!" The poor boy jumped in his spot. "Come!"

Remus, who had turned his attention to Severus once he was sure James had calmed, left the professor in Albus' hands as he rushed to follow his family.

Ron scurried after them. "Mr. Potter- err, James... I…"

"Come on, Ronald," James muttered. "You're coming with us."

"Where are we going, dad?" Harry asked quietly.

"Home. And we'll take Ron and Neville with us too."

Mother and son glanced at each other, both of them clearly worried. Lily still had no idea what had upset James enough to want to kill a man but all she truly cared about about was getting him out of Hogwarts and away from Snape. Harry, caught between knowing what his professor did and the knowledge of an evil snake on the loose, just wanted to feel safe again.

"But what about Hermione, dad? She's a muggle-born. The snake will attack her and all the other muggle-borns before it attacks anyone else."

James halted and turned to the boy. "Snake?"

Ron nodded. "We figured it out. We don't know what kind it is, but the monster is a snake! We were on our way to tell Snape like you told us to and then Harry heard him say… well, the point is that it's a snake."

Lily and Remus shared a knowing stare. "Basilisk," she murmured solemnly.

"Indeed," Remus whispered back.

James nodded slowly then continued towards Gryffindor Tower. "Remus, go back. Tell Dumbledore about the basilisk. I'm going to round the children up and take them home."

The man hesitated. "James, we can't just take children out of school without their parents-"

"We'll owl the Weasleys, the Grangers and Augusta. Just do it. Now."

He left no room for argument and, with a sigh, Remus pivoted on his heel and jogged back to the hallway they came from.

"Darling, what is going on?" Lily questioned. He didn't answer her but quickened his pace. "James…"

"I'll explain later," he snapped. "Just- I need to get you out of here. I won't feel better until we're thousands of miles away from this fucking castle."

"I don't understand… what got you- what did Severus-"

James's hand unconsciously tightened around her wrist and she pressed her lips together, realizing it was time to stop interrogating her husband. She could wait until he was calmer and, well, not murderous. The moment they got to Gryffindor Tower, Lily ran up to the girls' dormitories and James sent Harry up the other way to grab his friends. Many minutes later, The twins, Percy and Neville were rushing down the stairs on the left and Lily had Ginny and Hermione tucked into her sides. Harry came down last with Sally coiled around his neck and chest like a necklace.

"Ready."

"What's going on?" Percy asked, very concerned. "Is the school being evacuated?"

"Percy, meet my parents," Harry explained hurriedly. "I'm sure Mrs. Weasley told you about them. They're getting us somewhere safe."

"What? But what is-"

"There's a very large monster roaming around the school and attacking children. I need to make sure my child and his friends are safe," James told them with an air of authority. "I'll be telling your parents and I'm sure Harry's uncle is telling Professor Dumbledore right now. You'll be coming to our home."

Percy stared at them dubiously. "Is that allowed?"

"What does it matter, Percy?" George snapped. "They're trying to save us from being killed."

"Honestly, Perce," Fred grunted irritably. "To care about rules at a time like this. What are we waiting for, Mr. Prongs? Let's get out of here."

Hermione buried herself against Lily, fright clear on her face. "But what about the other students? How will they be kept safe?"

"The Professors will take care of them," Lily assured her. "And James, Sirius, Remus and I will come back to help once you're all safe. Don't worry, Hermione. They'll be okay." Ginny was sniffling on the other side of her. "Oh, come here, love." The tiny redhead threw herself into Lily, who picked her up immediately and held her like a babe. "It's okay, Ginny. Everything will be okay."

"Let's get them home," James told his wife.

Lily nodded. "Harry, sweetheart?"

"Right behind you, mum."

Dumbledore was waiting for them when they got to his office. There was no sign of Remus, which meant he was either helping McGonagall with Snape or back home already. Lily gave the Headmaster a pleading look, silently begging him to step back and leave her husband alone.

"James, I am begging you to reconsider-"

"I'm taking my son and my friends' children out of school until the basilisk is dealt with," he muttered emotionlessly. "We'll be back to help."

"James-"

"Lily, take them through."

She ushered them into the fireplace one by one. She and Harry were the last to go. The boy frowned hard at the old man, his eyes shining with betrayal before he disappeared in the flames. James locked his hands on his hips and gave Albus an icy glare. Dumbledore did not back down.

"James-"

"You lied to me."

"I didn't lie."

"No, you just withheld more truths," James answered sarcastically. "All this time… all this time you knew who ran to Voldemort and told him about the prophecy and you kept it from us."

"He's a changed man, James."

"He can hand feed orphans for all I care! How could you, Albus? How could you keep this from us?!"

Albus shook his head sadly. "He switched sides the moment he found out it was Lily's life on the line. He begged for all of you to be hidden away. Don't you see he regrets his actions?"

"Regrets them enough to bully and taunt my son and Neville?! Regrets them enough to still act like the horrible, miserable bastard he is?!"

"You would be just as bitter with the world as he is if you went through the same horrors… I understand your anger, James-"

"You understand nothing about my anger!" he roared. "The horrors he went through? He made his choices! He put a target on Harry's back. On an innocent child! Do you honestly think I wouldn't have killed him if Remus and Lily weren't there to stop me?"

Dumbledore gaped openly. For the first time in many years, he was at a loss of what to say. "James…"

James marched to the fireplace and snatched floo powder out from a pot hanging on the wall. "Potter Terrace."

In a burst of green flames, Albus was alone.

Hermione was sitting on Harry's bed with Neville, wondering what would happen in the next few hours. The Weasley boys were in the living room with their parents and Lily, who was explaining why they had taken the children out of school. Mrs. Longbottom, after much pleading from Neville, allowed her grandson to stay with the Potters. Hermione's parents were already on their way to see her, though it would take them quite some time. Still unused to magical transportation, they were driving all the way from London to get to her.

Ron entered the room and smiled softly at them. "Mum and dad are letting me stay but my brothers are going home with them. She said she'd send Percy back to give me some clothes."

Hermione sat up. "Is Ginny going with them?"

He nodded. "She's been so scared that she hasn't stopped crying since we left. Mum would never leave her alone in that state. Dad said they'd be back to get her later when she's awake."

"Hasn't come out of Remus' room yet either," Neville sighed sadly. "She must be so shaken. Can you imagine? A basilisk attacking students during your first year at Hogwarts?"

"Poor Gin," Ron mumbled. "I should go make sure she's okay."

Hermione smiled. "You're a good brother, Ron."

The boy turned as red as his hair. "I, well…" He grumbled some form of thanks then rushed out.

Neville got off the bed and peered out the window. "Do you think Harry and Mr. Potter are okay?"

"I don't know..."

Down in the garden, Harry was sitting next to his father on the grass. James was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Sally slithering from Harry's lap into his. The snake was staring up at his friend's father with a great deal of concern. Neither of them had ever seen James like this before. Harry called for Sally, who went back to him immediately.

"Your father still seemss lost."

"He is," Harry responded.

"Why?"

"He put his trust in an old enemy and was proven wrong."

"And what do you think?"

He thought of the night before. He had snuck out of his room to eavesdrop on the adults when they thought everyone was asleep. Remus and Lily were explaining what had happened to Sirius, and despite all of them being just slightly less angrier than James, he could hear them bringing up very valid points of why they shouldn't outright kill Severus for his actions.

Harry looked at his father for a moment. He shook him by the shoulder. James blinked rapidly and turned to the boy with a frown.

"Everything all right, Harry?"

He nodded slowly. "Dad… what if we're wrong? What if Professor Snape really is trying to change and he was just too ashamed to admit what he'd done? I mean, I heard mum and Remus talking last night. She sounds pretty cross herself but she figures he's trying, right?"

James looked into the distance once more. "I know, son. I don't doubt that he really did switch sides when he found out it was Lily and you, her son, on the line… and I'm sure he did regret it and has been keeping you safe as a way to redeem himself."

"Which I guess isn't so bad," Harry muttered hesitantly. "So what's got you so down if you think Snape's really on our side?" He saw James' gaze flicker down to his hands. "Oh." Harry reached forward and took both his father's hands into his. He rubbed the larger palms with the pads of his thumbs and smiled up at his dad gently. James felt overwhelmed with shame and tried to pull away.

"Harry, no…"

"It's okay, dad," he insisted, reeling his father back to him. "I'm not scared of you after seeing what you did or anything."

"It was wrong," James breathed despondently. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Of course you shouldn't have," he snorted while massaging his father's fingers. "That was wicked horrible, dad, but I know why you did it. I know you regret it now, just as much as Snape regrets almost getting us all killed… well he did get you and mum killed, didn't he…"

The older Potter huffed amusedly.

"The point is that I know you're a good man. Even Snape can agree with that despite how much you hate each other. You don't have to say sorry to him or anything, at least that's my opinion. He probably thinks he deserved getting strangled, anyway. But maybe you should find a way to let him know you acknowledge that he's changed. I'll be nicer too if that makes it better. Show him that I appreciate the fact that he tried to fix his mistake… but he's still a git. Imagine, he's been bloody awful for two years already and all this time, he was hiding that he ran and told Voldemort about the prophecy? Oh, funny you should mention the prophecy, dad-"

"No."

"But!"

"No, Harry," James stated firmly. "Your mother and I spoke to you about this already. We'll tell you when you're older and ready to hear about it."

He shoved his father away and crossed his arms. "You're both being ridiculous about this. Don't you think I should be ready for whatever it is that's going on? I half wish Pettigrew would find me already so I could get the information out of him."

"Harry James, that's not a funny thing to joke-"

"MR. POTTER! MR. POTTER, HARRY! HELP!"

They looked over their shoulders to see Ron and Neville sprinting their way. James got to his feet immediately and caught Ron by the shoulders. The boy looked crazed and worried beyond imagination. Neville was panting hard, trying to force an explanation out but couldn't do it since he was fighting for breath. They turned back to Ron instead.

"Ron? Ronald, look at me, what's going on?"

"It's Ginny! She was crying and I was trying to make her feel better but- so I'm hugging her and then the next thing you know she pushed me off the bed and ran to the fireplace! She went back to Hogwarts and I don't know why! And Hermione! Hermione's followed her to try and stop her!" he wailed. "She kept going on about her diary and how it was her fault that students were going to die! What does that even mean? How could it possibly be her fault?!"

"Shit," James hissed. "Where's Lily?"

"She went after Gin, told us to come tell you! Remus and Sirius went with her!"

"All of you, get inside now!"

"But-"

"We want to help!" Neville cried. "Our friends-"

"I know," the man answered empathetically. "But I can't put you all at risk too. I want you all to floo over to the Weasleys and tell them what's happening. Tell your dad he needs to get over to Hogwarts as quickly as possible, do you understand, Ron?"

The redhead nodded obediently.

"All right, everyone inside. Let's go!"

They all took turns flooing away to the Burrow until James and Harry were the only ones left. Harry allowed Sally to curl around his shoulders under his shirt before turning to his father.

"Don't get killed," Harry joked weakly. He was just about to step into the fireplace when James grabbed his arm and pulled him back. They stared at each other. Harry could see his father wanted to say something, but the man kept opening and closing his mouth with great indecision. He was clearly distraught with whatever it is he wanted to ask. "What? What is it?"

"I… I need you to come to Hogwarts with me, Harry."

His eyes bulged out and he gawked at his father. "You're serious?"

"You're the only one that might be able to help us avoid running into the basilisk or... I don't want to do this but… Listen to me. You will stay at my side at all times and don't you ever look up. Keep your eyes on the ground." He grabbed a book off the shelf and transfigured it into a pocket mirror. "Use this to look behind you and around corners. Whatever you do, Harry, if it appears don't look the basilisk in the eyes. Do you understand me?"

"Y-yes, of course," he stuttered fearfully.

James' brows furrowed. "Tell me you want to go to the Weasleys and I'll let you. I would never force this on you, Har."

"No… no, I want to come, I have to. Mum and my friends… I can't leave you if there's a chance I can help you."

"Together, then?"

"Together."

James nodded at the boy. "Let's go save the day."