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A lush forest surrounded Minato, full of greenery, animals, and insects. It was a familiar sight, as were the gates ahead of him. Layered with the same symbols he'd walked past hundreds of times, that always made him feel a sense of pride and warmth because this was his home. Konohagakure, Village Hidden in the Leaves—the most powerful village in the Elemental Nations, where he presided as its protector, the Yondaime Hokage.
However, beyond the gate, this façade of life ended inside Konohagakure was empty and lifeless. No wares were being sold; no children were playing in the streets; no shinobis or people moved about, just empty buildings. "That's because this place is a stopping point; its features reflect your subconscious and where we can chat freely."
Turning around, Minato found Jiraiya, his mentor and the closest thing he had to a father standing behind him. Jiraiya wore his usual get-up, a short green kimono with matching pants, wooden sandals, and a red haori. His long spiky white hair was tied back into a ponytail, with the same side bangs that inspired Minato to grow his hair out instead of keeping it short.
After a moment, Jiraiya flashed a cheesy grin, and Minato half expected him to do his usually comedic dance, but instead, he moved beside him. His visage showed nostalgia as he surveyed the forest, gates, and village before refocusing on him. A knowing twinkle in his eyes reminded him of someone else. Who wore half-moon spectacles, liked lemon drops, and always knew about their pranks, even encouraged them at times? Wait, he never pranked, did he?
"Yes, you did, kid; I was quite proud of the stunts you and your friends pulled. Of course, you never used your cleverness or handy cloak to spy on the female quarters." Jiraiya-sensei flashed him a leering grin and gave him a nudge. "A missed opportunity full of endless possibilities, in my humble opinion."
Minato shook his head, remembering his sensei's 'research.' They'd been chased out of more than one town for it, and Minato had become very practiced in dodging soap, buckets, or anything else one could find in a bathhouse. Just as he was about to remind his sensei why he'd been banned from the general vicinity of the women's bathhouse in Konohagakure, Jiraiya-sensei clapped his hands and gestured for him to follow, forcing him to move forward or lose his sensei as he walked into the empty village, that was created from his subconscious.
Wait, did that mean Jiraiya-? "Yes, before you ask, I'm real; this place is real, don't ask me to explain how it works." His sensei gestured around them as he kept moving. "More importantly, you're James Potter, remember?" He stopped, feeling off at the name, because it felt familiar, but that wasn't his name, he wasn't James Potter, he was-. Before Minato could finish that thought, Jiraiya turned about and pushed a hand mirror into his hands. For a brief moment, he considered shoving it back into his sensei's grasp. Instead, he slowly turned it up and looked at its polished surface, feeling lost as he gazed upon his features that were the same but different. His hair was shorter and black, while his eyes were brown; no, they were hazel, predominately brown with specs of green. And he was wearing glasses? "Yeah, probably not the best way to jumpstart old memories, but Kurama isn't what one could call warm or patient."
Refocusing on his sensei, who began to move forward, Minato- no James followed.
However, like a turning point, he recognized the truth. He was James Potter. His parents were Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, his wife was Lily Evans Potter, and his son was Harry James Potter. He was a wizard, not a shinobi, and his home was in Godric's Hollow, not Konohagakure. His mind moved back to the instant Kurama kickstarted his memories, the pain, and confusion as he tried to remind himself that he was James, not Minato. This was followed by a certainty that he would kill Voldemort for threatening his family and utter relief when he upheld that vow.
However, the threat was gone, but his old memories were not fading; he was still aware of his past existence. Even as they walked through Konohagakure, he needed to remind himself that he was James Potter, not Namikaze Minato. Jiraiya continued, "I'm afraid you're stuck with those memories, and I doubt the confusion will end anytime soon, James." He stopped short when Jiraiya-sensei uttered his name; it sounded wrong. "It's your name, kid," Jiraiya then looked back and gave him a lopsided smile before he continued walking. "Better get used to it," he called over his shoulder.
Yes, it was.
Noting how far his sensei had gotten, James hurried to catch up and silently followed behind as his mind pulled at everything that had happened. Voldemort, the return of his memories, Voldemort's death? Maybe, he pushed aside that question as he contemplated the unwelcome reality of whether he could readjust to this influx of old memories, which included the Underworld. His hands fisted in irritation, hiding the slight shake as he frowned at the deliberation and his fear, sharply reminding himself that he would adjust. Because until he confirmed that Voldemort was dead, his family was not safe, nor was the wizarding community… Mina- James paused that consideration, pondering it carefully, and he didn't like what he recalled.
The wizarding community had become complacent, which was why Voldemort gained a foothold. Allowing that lunatic's ideals of blood supremacy to take root within their government and eventually spread throughout the wizarding world had been a grave error. According to prophecy, Harry was responsible for fixing this mess, just as it had been with Naruto. Except James wouldn't allow it. The wizarding community could rot; he'd sacrificed Naruto's happiness for Kushina and because he was a shinobi. Although Minato didn't regret allowing Naruto to interact with his mother, the shinobi's ideal of community first would no longer sway his thinking. This time his family would come first.
When he noted his sensei had stopped before the memorial stone, Min-James paused his bitter reflections and pace as his eyes darted to his name before moving to Kushina's. Recapping that he had not made this journey alone, "She still doesn't remember, correct?" His mind echoed that, like himself, Lily was an eerie reflection of their former selves, even more so than himself because her personality had remained the same from one life to the next. While admittedly, he'd been a tosser and a berk.
"Afraid not, kid; Kushina made certain if you were forced to remember everything, then she wouldn't be left behind." James shook his head in exasperated fondness since she would do that. Jiraiya-sensei clapped him on the back, but his hand remained in place, and looking up, he found his sensei grinning at him with pride and love.
"I know you blame yourself for everything, Naruto's childhood, Kushina, and Sani's deaths, even your student's fall." His sensei focused on him with sharp intent, and Minato straightened. Instinctively falling into formation as his sensei watched him critically before a loving smile pulled at his lips. "James, you're not wholly responsible for everything that transpired; remember, you're only one man, and you're not me, which puts you at a severe disadvantage." Jiraiya threw back his head and laughed uproariously at his comment, making Minato relax since the words and gestures were a familiar comfort. Before he could react, his sensei pulled him into a hug; Minato stiffened since Jiraiya-sensei wasn't a hugger. Praising or throwing him at women, with the occasional pat on the back or head, was how his sensei expressed pride and love.
"I've always been proud of you, kid; even when you were a runt, you never gave up or allowed yourself to accept failure. You studied harder and found another way to solve the problem. That bullheadedness and belief for a better tomorrow are what made you great, it's something you've passed down to one knucklehead, and I'm pretty sure Harry will follow in his brother's wake." Hearing this from his sensei, whose opinion meant the world to him, Minato- James relaxed into the embrace, accepting the comfort. "I know you'll find the answers you seek because I have the utmost faith in your success; after all, you're my student." Minutes passed, but Minato didn't care; with his sensei, this comfort was enough.
Jiraiya pulled back, warmth sufficing his features as he studied him. "Now, I've been here long enough, and you have people waiting on you." Jiraiya-sensei let go of him and directed his attention towards a light at the edge of the field that wasn't there earlier and was the opposite of the Underworld. His features were peaceful as he studied the distant light that James noted contained people who looked oddly familiar… Was that his mum? But when Jiraiya started towards it, Minato grabbed his hand before he could move further.
"You won't be here, will you, that light..." Mind jumping to the people resembling his mum, dad, and Rin. James swallowed, pushing down the childish urge to demand his sensei remain, releasing him, taking a breath before continuing. "It's the other side. Not the Underworld, but the Pure Land or Heaven."
Jiraiya dropped a hand onto his head, ruffling his hair as he'd done when he was a child, before nodding. "Something like that never felt right after you passed, but now I think I'm ready to check it out. Just needed to have a chat with my boy first."
Minato felt tears touch his cheeks, but Jiraiya waved off the sentiment. "Don't worry, kid. I expect to see you there when you're old and gray." His gaze was thoughtful, "both you and Lily have earned that right, and you'll do fine, James. You have great friends." With that, the space surrounding him shifted, and the last thing he saw was his sensei smiling at him with the love and pride of a father.
Hogwarts, November 1981
Blinking his eyes, hoping to clear the haziness that made it difficult to focus, Minato frowned; where was he? What happened? Was this…? However, even as his mind began to sharpen, his thoughts became unsettled as the night's events gradually unfolded across his growing awareness. Voldemort's attack, Kurama returning his memories, killing Voldemort, and saying goodbye to Jiraiya-sensei.
Wait, where was his family? Where were Lily and Harry!?
Mina-James snapped upright, ignoring the stiffness and pain of his sharp movement as he frantically searched for his family. Needing a physical verification that Lily and Harry were alive, and this time he kept them safe. Except, everything not but a foot off was blurred due to his poor eyesight, James's cognizance reminding him that he needed glasses to see correctly.
Restlessly turning about to grab his glasses from the nightstand, he ignored his mounting panic until someone caught his wrist, and Minato nearly jabbed the offender in the throat. He aimed for a pressure point that would leave them vulnerable to attack until he caught sight of… Remus? The urge to attack remained for a heartbeat until he recalled that Remus was his friend. This recognition pulled forth other memories as he gazed into familiar bronze eyes. Befriending Remus in their first year at Hogwarts, visiting Remus in the hospital wing after a full moon, laughing as Remus lectured them on the importance of OWLS, and so many other brilliant memories poured in. James began to feel overwhelmed as they clashed with his old memories. Both sides fought for dominance, leaving him with increasing dread as he attempted to put his thoughts in order and ignore his mounting anxiety.
Closing his eyes, hoping to stem the chaos, Mina-James took a deep breath to calm his agitation, reminding himself that he was James Potter, not Namikaze Minato, and Remus wasn't a threat but a dear friend. This prompt helped somewhat, and when he opened his eyes, he found Remus had released his wrist and was sitting next to him. His gaze now showed a hint of unease as he studied him carefully.
This sight made James realize that he needed to straighten out his head, or they'd doubtless throw him in the psych ward at St. Mungos. Of course, if he ever told anyone that, he and his wife had been reincarnated, and he was friends with a demon tied to his soul while haunted by memories of the Underworld. Where he'd been tortured for years, Minato predicted they'd skip the psych ward and toss him into a looney bin with a matching straight jacket.
Yet James recognized he'd do it all again to protect those he cherished and licked his lips. His hands unconsciously clenched and unclenched as old painful memories continued to overwhelm what little control he'd gained until he took another deep breath and forced himself to calm down. Finding some calm, James's hands continued to fidget, but otherwise, he remained in control because he needed to know where Lily and Harry were.
"James," hearing the strain in Remus's tone, he took another breath before focusing on his old friend. Who was still eyeing him cautiously, with the same look Lily had thrown at him when he killed Voldemort, fear.
His memory jumped to the moment Voldemort self-detonated, he'd been too out of it to recognize Lily's response, but now James identified it readily. After all, he'd seen this reaction across hundreds of faces as he cut them down. Terror! Kami! No wonder Lily and Harry weren't close; they were afraid of him.
Feelings of shame washed over him at this realization. Quelling any remaining agitation as humiliation covered it. James ducked his head forward to hide behind his bangs and then remembered with frustration that his hair was shorter. He really needed to grow that back out and cleared his throat. "Sorry, Re-Moony. Just a little confused." His words were low and slightly shaky, but a second passed before a hand settled on his shoulder, making him tense before Min-James forced himself to relax and looked up at Remus.
"It's quite alright, Prongs, and you'll need these." A warm smile had fallen across Remus's features. However, he could see Moony's concern persisted as he contemplated him carefully. James ignored the underlying tension and focused on the glasses in Remus's other hand. Ducking his head gratefully, he took his glasses and slipped them on.
He then looked around his environment, hoping to find his wife and son. Except James found neither panic returned along with puzzlement. Where was he? Where was Lily-? Wait, this was Hogwarts, specifically the hospital wing. James had become familiar with it over his school years from various mishaps on the pitch and Moony's monthly trips during their earlier years in Hogwarts.
Refocusing on Remus, who'd dropped his hand and was waiting on him with patience, his previous tension had disappeared, helping James to relax somewhat. His chaotic thoughts were still unclear, but he forced them into a box that helped him survive the Underworld and nodded for Moony to continue.
"Lily took Harry out earlier," a smile showed on his softening features. "To see if she could persuade the house elves to make a good bowl of miso ramen or borrow the kitchen to prepare it herself." James was sure he looked flabbergasted from the growing amusement he could see in Moony's bronze eyes. However, if what Jiraiya-sensei stated was correct, Lily remembered everything from their past. Her reaction shouldn't surprise him since Kushina said she'd leave him for a great bowl of Miso-ramen. It's the primary reason he often joked with Teuchi that Kushina would divorce him and remarry the ramen chef if he ever felt so inclined. His smile returned with genuine warmth at this rumination. While he considered this new information, he was oblivious to his surroundings.
Remus's previous caution melted further, and he leaned back. Content to let his friend go at his own pace.
After a few moments passed, James looked up, waiting on Remus, and he nodded before continuing. "It's been two days since Voldemort attempted to kill Harry," Remus remained calm, but his earlier smile had dropped, and James could see he was waiting for a reaction. However, James showed nothing since losing two days was the least of his concerns and waved for Moony to continue. "Not long after the attack, Sirius showed up at the cottage; Lily stunned him with the body-freezing curse." Kami, Mina-James pondered as his hands unconsciously fidgeted while he looked around, expecting his best mate to show up.
Sirius remained absent despite James growing wishes otherwise, and Remus continued explaining that Hagrid came not long after. From there, they went straight to Hogwarts, where it was confirmed that Sirius was innocent, his injuries weren't life-threatening, and Harry had obtained a cursed scar. At this last part, James held up a hand, wanting more clarification, and Remus showed nothing, his gaze inscrutable as he nodded. "Dumbledore believes when the killing curse slew Voldemort, it backfired and marked Harry, however…."
Now Remus's features displayed distaste, which meant he suspected there was information being left unspoken. "You think there's more to it, and Dumbledore hasn't expounded?" At his question, Remus refocused on him and nodded. This was likely the reason for Remus's ill thoughts since Moony thought the world of Dumbledore, and James agreed Dumbledore was a great man. Still, he had also taken up the responsibility of a leader during the war with Voldemort. Taking up that responsibility meant choosing what was best for everyone versus what was better for the individual. It was something all leaders understood and practiced. James grasped what it meant to carry that weight because it was partly why he sealed a demon inside his son. However, James silently repeated the words he'd spoken before killing Voldemort.
'Not this time; his family and friends would come first while the rest of the world could burn.'
Feeling a weight upon his left hand, James tensed briefly as he looked up, finding Remus had slipped a hand over his shaking hands, understanding and concern clear within his bronze gaze. He forced himself to relax because Remus was his friend, "dattebane." But flinched at the word; only one woman muttered when she was excited or cross and looked toward the hospital wing's entrance. James found his wife standing there, a smile gracing her lovely features, while Harry was in his baby carrier bouncing excitedly with Snuffles, the stuffed dog grasped tightly in one fist, and Madame Pomfrey stood a few feet behind them. However, James ignored her and everything else, as his vision narrowed down until Lily and Harry remained within sight.
His family, who were alive and had been terrified of his actions, anything he was about to say, closed up at this remembrance, remorse growing. However, Kushina's tight smile faded as she studied him with knowing eyes and sighed, exhaustion pointedly showing in her gaze. "You Toerag," with this articulated Ku-Lily marched forth, Harry's gaze focused on him as he squealed 'da' before Lily stopped before him. Hands moved to her hips; Lily looked every inch the ferocious woman who would forever carry his heart. Minato's eyes moved to her fiery hair expecting it to do that crazy thing that always happened when she was aggravated. Except it remained in place, he guessed magic couldn't produce the same results as chakra, and his gaze snapped back to her eyes, not gray-lavender, but emerald-green.
"Why don't I give you two a moment," Mina-James suddenly remembered they weren't alone and looked over to Moony, who'd released his hand and had stood up.
An understanding smile upon his worn but handsome features, "Remus, could you bring up two bowls of Miso-ramen for yourself and James? You both need it." Lily directed as she looked over to Remus, a smile pushing away her earlier frown. He nodded to the command, but James noted the question in his gaze before he turned away and exited the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey had entered her office, leaving himself, Lily, and Harry alone.
"Da, ra yum," Harry exclaimed excitedly, driving away his building tension.
Harry's words gained traction through his scattered thoughts, and he smiled at Lily in amusement. Who in turn appeared somewhat flustered but pleased with Harry's words. "So you're turning our son into a ramen junkie?" Lily shrugged, her smile beatific and not denying the accusation. Nothing else was spoken between them for a few moments except for Harry's insistent babbling about ramen and everything else that had grabbed his attention. Finally, Lily reached down and caught his hand; she took it within hers as she sat beside him, his trembling subsiding at her touch. And she began to trace out the kanji he drew into her palm when Naruto was born, 'thank you.'
Minato felt his throat squeeze up because nothing else needed to be spoken between them before Kushina raised his hand to her lips and gently kissed it. "Toerag." He met her gaze and smiled shyly with as much cheer as he could muster despite his rolling emotions and muddled thoughts. "We'll make it through this." Her words were confident, and Min-James nodded because she was right; no matter what happened, with Lily at his side, James could endure anything.
Malfoy Manor, November 1981
Lucius carefully surveyed the group around him; they were part of Lord Voldemort's inner circle. Those who had been placed in positions of power within the ministry and other apparatus of power to see that not only were Voldemort's needs met. But the ideals Voldemort strived to see implemented. The protection of blood purity amongst the wizarding community, stripping out the mud-bloods and putting muggle society in its place before they could develop beyond their control. All of it was at risk of crumbling without Voldemort to hold them together.
He and Rookwood realized this and called the meeting after Pettigrew brought forward his intelligence regarding Lord Voldemort's death. Before Pettigrew came forward, they had only rumors, some claiming the Dark Lord was dead, others asserting that he'd slain the Potters and disappeared. There were more; most were rather preposterous, and even Pettigrew's story was hard to swallow.
A nine-tailed intelligent animal had created a double of James Potter, saving him from the killing curse. According to Pettigrew, this animal was the devil incarnate and knew Potter intimately. It made little sense; typically, he would have dismissed such a fantastical tale.
But the truth, despite his disbelief, remained: James Potter had killed Lord Voldemort. His spies confirmed that the Potters were safely tucked away in Hogwarts. While in contrast, no sign of the Dark Lord remained.
This meant that a few divergent paths could happen with Voldemort's death. They would lose the power that had fallen into their hands over the war, or they could react with some coherence and keep the power Voldemort obtained. But to do that, the one who slew Voldemort, James Potter, must die. The symbolism of it would be the only way to keep Voldemort's agenda alive and the masses terrified.
However, with Potter at Hogwarts, killing him would be nigh impossible. However, there was a method that would bring James Potter to them, which was the purpose of this meeting. Raising a hand to quiet the room, he waited patiently until silence fell.
Clearing his throat, Lucius recognized he was about to cause an uproar, and Rookwood followed his lead. Once silence had fallen, he gestured for Pettigrew to step forward. The disgusting worm quivered with fear as he stepped closer, gaze darting about like a rat. No wonder such a filthy vermin was the man's animagus. It suited him. "Pettigrew, why don't you tell them what you witnessed at the Potter's cottage."
The rat nodded, swallowing hard, seemingly terrified as his gaze darted to Bellatrix, who was openly playing with her knife, gaze murderous. Thankfully, Narcissa would keep her sister in check. She was the only one outside of Voldemort Bellatrix would listen to. His wife nodded in understanding, and as Pettigrew began to babble through his explanation, leaving out the animal, Bellatrix stopped playing with her knife. Rolling her eyes at Narcissa, and listened, but once Pettigrew finished speaking, her control looked ready to snap.
Everyone in the room began talking over one another, some arguing for revenge, and a few believing they should drag Potter from Hogwarts to end the blood traitor's life. Bellatrix, in particular, was rather vocal about her desire to make James Potter suffer before they killed him. The conversation eventually divulged into shouting, and before it could come to blows, Lucius again raised his hand to catch everyone's attention.
"We cannot storm Hogwarts to retrieve Potter. Even without Dumbledore, the school is protected under heavy magical charms that would make it impossible."
"Scared, cousin?" Bellatrix crooned, features twisted between her growing madness and contempt. However, only a few others bothered to agree with Bellatrix's words. These were the shortsighted ones within the Death Eaters; everyone else knew what would happen if they attacked Hogwarts to retrieve Potter.
Lucius sneered, ensuring it carried his complete disdain. "No, dearest Bellatrix, I merely wish to succeed without diminishing our numbers to extinction." He then nodded to Pettigrew. "We have confirmed that Sirius Black is searching for Pettigrew as we speak." Bellatrix blinked, then smiled, understanding setting in, aware of how close Potter and Black were. Lucius let his gaze roam to every face within the room, "I simply suggest we have Potter come to us." Then his eyes settled on Bellatrix, "would you care to lead the hunt, cousin?"
Her features had grown bloodthirsty; pure pleasure showed upon her features as she smiled with murderous glee. "Yes, that sounds lovely; it's been ages since I last spoke to little Siri."
Notes:
1. We're getting to the main plot point for the first part of this story.
2. On my deviant art page deviantart- mearn-tahl (look up my name), you can see the pictures I've posted for this fic. It's a little since I'm not an artist, but I've enjoyed finding different pictures that work for this fic.
3. Yes, James interacting with Jiraiya is similar to when Harry interacted with Dumbledore; I played around with that idea and came up with that scene.
