Chapter 26- Mixing the Potters

On Christmas morning Harry was woken up by Ron throwing a pillow at him and yelling "Oy! Presents."

All the gifts were wonderful, but after they were all opened there was one left. Harry could hardly believe it, because the box was big enough to hold a broom. He hadn't thought his dad could afford one this soon. And when he opened it, it wasn't just any broom. It was a Firebolt! It was the best broom in the world. And it was his.

"Wow, Harry. I knew your dad said he'd get you another broom. But this! Wow!"

But somehow there was something wrong with that.

"I don't think he gave it to me. He loves me, but he can only afford so much. I wouldn't even think to ask him for something like this. And besides, we're exchanging gifts in his quarters later. He needs to sleep this morning."

So the two waited until they were sure Remus would be awake and then went to see him. After exchanging their gifts Harry showed his dad the Firebolt, and Remus examined it carefully, as if he were almost afraid of Harry having it.

"Harry, I know you need a new broom, but do me a favor and don't ride this yet."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure anything is wrong, but I'd like to be sure."

Ron and Hermione were fighting again about Crookshanks and Scabbers when it was time for Christmas dinner, and Harry's Christmas spirit was lowered further when he heard the Patil twins saying Professor Trelawny had told them neither he nor his dad would live much longer. In fact Remus was looking ill since it had been the full moon again the night before. But he made sure to sleep through the morning so he would be refreshed enough to spend most of Christmas with his son.

After dinner was over, Remus and Professor McGonagall asked Harry to go get his broom, and McGonagall looked at it the same way Remus had.

"You have no idea who gave this to you?" she asked Harry. He shook his head.

"Then I'm afraid I will have to confiscate it."

"Confiscate it!"

"Only long enough to check it for jinxes. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks."

Taking the broom, she left.

Oliver didn't help Harry's longing for the Firebolt by reminding him that he'd need to get a new broom before the next game. The old Shooting Star he was using just wasn't fast enough for Quidditch. Harry hated to see the excitement on Oliver's face fade when he heard Harry had gotten a Firebolt only to have it taken away.

"It's not like I asked to have it checked for jinxes, Oliver! But maybe it is better to be safe about it. I'll just have to hope I get it back before we play Ravenclaw."

Oliver wasn't settling for that.

"I'll make her see reason Harry. Imagine- A Firebolt! On our team!"

Oliver also reminded Harry about his problem with the Dementors, and Harry assured him that Remus was helping him with it. He was worried how the lessons would be though, because he knew now that the woman he'd heard had been his mother, and he half wanted to hear her again. He would have to stop thinking that way if he wanted to cast a decent Patronus. That Thursday they met in the History of Magic classroom with Remus bringing in a large trunk.

"Another boggart," Remus explained. "Since your worst fear is Dementors it should turn into one when it sees you, so you can practice on it."

Harry nodded, and listened as his dad explained how to cast a Patronus. He thought of what happy memories he might use. He'd had many happy times with his dad, with the Weasleys, and at school. He finally decided on the first Quidditch match he won for Gryffindor.

"Got your happy memory?"

"Yeah."

"All right. Now concentrate on the memory while saying the incantation. Try to feel the way you did at that time."

Harry thought of that day again, and repeated the words "Expecto Patronum " a few times. A whisp of silver came out the end of his wand.

"Did you see that?" he asked excitedly.

"Very good," Remus said smiling. He sounded proud.

But when the boggart was let out of the case, Harry wasn't able to face it without fainting. Remus never let Harry fall and always had chocolate ready, but after two tries it had only gotten worse. Now instead of hearing only his mother's last moments, he could hear James' dying fight. When he told his dad that, he'd given Harry a hug and said "Maybe we should stop. This charm is ridiculously advanced."

"Could I have just one more try? Please?"

"Harry, remember your promise. You said you'd stop if it was getting too hard on you."

"I know. Just one more try and then I'll wait until next Thursday."

Remus looked reluctant, but said. "Just one more then. That's all though. Agreed?"

Harry nodded. "Agreed."

The boggart was let out of the trunk again, and this time Harry thought of how glad he'd been when his dad finally got to teach at Hogwarts the way he'd always wanted to. Now when he heard the screaming, it wasn't nearly so loud or clear. The silver whisp was more of a silver shadow now. The boggart- Dementor had actually halted, and although Harry still felt weak, at least he was standing. Remus forced the boggart back into the trunk as Harry let himself sink into a chair.

"Excellent, Cub," Remus said, coming over and laying a hand on his son's shoulder. "That was fantastic. A brilliant start." He handed Harry some chocolate, which the thirteen year old gratefully accepted. He wished he could have produced a better Patronus, but Remus had told him before that he'd never heard of anyone as young as Harry even casting a non- corporal Patronus before.

With the lesson over for the day, Harry got up to leave when Remus asked "What's that in your pocket?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I nearly forgot."

And it was the truth. He had almost forgotten the Marauder's Map. He'd planned to give it to his dad after that day's lesson, but in concentrating on his Patronus the map had slipped his mind. He held it out to his dad, but Remus was giving him "the look' that let you know he suspected something. He took the map, looked at it sentimentally a brief moment, then said

"Harry, I think you know perfectly well this isn't a plain piece of parchment."

"I know," Harry said. "I was just going to-" But Remus had cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"I know how bad you wanted to see Hogsmead, but is it worth the gamble knowing Black is out there?" His voice wasn't angry, but he did sound hurt. Harry wished he knew why.

"What are you talking about? I haven't taken any gambles."

"You haven't been to Hogsmead?"

"No! I wouldn't do anything that stupid."

"Given your history, I think I have a reason for my suspicions. We'll talk about it later. For now I think it would be best if you went back to the tower, since it's close to curfew."

Looking defeated, Harry headed back to his dorm. Remus felt terrible talking to Harry that way, but he didn't know what to do anymore when his son did this type of thing. He laid the map on an empty desk.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The ink lines spread across the parchment, and Remus searched the map for Harry.

"So much like James," he said sadly. Knowing that, Harry was probably anywhere except where he was supposed to be. Yet- there was Harry, headed strait to Gryffindor Tower. Once he saw that Harry was back in his dorm, he went to his own office to think. And the more he thought, the worse he felt.

After Defense the next day, Harry was asked to stay behind. He knew it had to be about the map, but he hadn't expected his dad to say "I'm sorry, son. I made a big mistake yesterday."

Harry was quiet a moment before asking "How did you find out I wasn't using the map?"

"I realized I know you better than that," Remus answered. "You've nearly given me heart failure with some of the stunts you've pulled, but you've never just gone trying to put yourself in danger. You did those things because you didn't see any other choice at the time. I'm still not happy about all that you've done," he said slowly. "But I know that even though you've been through more already than most wizards even have to go through in a lifetime, you're still only thirteen. You can't be expected to know everything. And I know you're not the type of person to go sneaking into Hogsmead."

'Why did you think I would do that?"

Remus had a look on his face that told Harry he was remembering his Marauder days.

"I made the same mistake I believe Severus made." At Harry's questioning look he continued. "For a moment I saw you as James instead of yourself. Except for your eyes you look so much like him I doubt even James would believe it. And since you look so much like him its easy to expect you to act like him."

"I know you said I get my Quidditch talent from him," Harry said, hoping to get things on a lighter note

"Yes, and there's more of his personality in you than I think you know. In time you may realize just how much of both James and your mother is in you." He paused. "But your more studious and thoughtful than James. You're confident in yourself, but you don't have that touch of arrogance he had. You've joined Fred and George in their pranks, but you don't come up with nearly insane ideas just to watch the result."

Harry looked like something about what Remus had said had bothered him.

"Do you ever wish I was more like him?" Harry finally asked.

"I miss James very much," Remus said. Then he pulled Harry into a hug. "But that doesn't mean I wish you were more like him. Every person is unique Harry. Nobody could ever replace James and I would never want anyone to try. Nobody could ever replace you either. That's why I worry so much. And I'm just glad you're you."

AN: I am sooooooooooooooo sorry about taking so long to update. I had computer problems and couldn't get online, but I'm back now. My thanks to everyone still reading this story and to PadyandMoony for help with this chapter.