Dear Harry,
I'm sorry that you went through that. I hope you're alright. Would you like me to come over? I would gladly do so and it's no trouble at all for me. I'm relieved that you aren't in any trouble especially when none of it was your fault. I'm afraid that I have no answers to why you heard voices but am trying to investigate. As for the Chamber of Secrets, the only information I have so far is the brief history of it on Hogwarts: A History. I've attached your copy with the page folded so you, Ron and Hermione can read. But don't you worry about a thing. I'll owl Dumbledore and do my best to find out what's going on.
Take Care.
Love, dad.
Dear dad,
Thank you for understanding. I'm alright. I promise. No, dad, please. It wouldn't be necessary for you come over. Please don't be worried about me. Thank you for sending over my copy of Hogwarts: A History. I've read the history. Who do you think is the Heir of Slytherin? Ron and I think it might be Draco Malfoy. Hermione thinks we're being silly.
A few kids at school think that I'm the Heir of Slytherin including Justin Finch-Fletchey, all because I happened to find Filch's cat.
Take care.
Love, Harry.
Dear Harry,
I'm glad you're alright. I understand and I'll respect your wishes about not coming over. That's funny, your Uncle Sirius and I briefly suspected Snape could be the heir. But your Uncle Remus made us fairly acknowledge we had no proof and it was solely based on our personal bias. I'm not sure of the history of the Malfoys or whether they could be the heirs of Slytherin. I wouldn't be surprised if they were but as your Uncle Remus would say, we should wait for more evidence before charging them as guilty.
Don't worry about those kids. Kids can be idiots. If anyone directly accuses or insults you for it, the only appropriate thing you can do if you they accuse you to your face is stand up for yourself by denying it and reason that there's no evidence to their accusation. If they're still unreasonable, they aren't worth it. Ignore them. The gossipers whispering behind your back instead of directly confronting you aren't worthy of an explanation or your time. And their silly beliefs aren't worth getting yourself down over. Ignore them unless they antagonize you beyond just gossiping. I know it can be hard to ignore such people but you need to keep stay strong, keep your head up and remember that you have plenty of family and friends who love you and believe you. The idiots will understand the truth soon enough as the truth will always come out.
Take care,
Love, dad.
Harry felt better reading his father's letter. He didn't include the part where they were planning on using Polyjuice Potion to spy on Draco Malfoy. His dad was relaxed about rules, but he didn't think his dad would be calm about them going that far in breaking rules. Harry really did want to see his dad for comfort but told him not come over as he didn't want to worry him. On top of that, he didn't want to look like some baby needing daddy to come comfort him if the school found out his dad came over. It might also have made the situation look even more serious than it was and draw more attention to himself. Harry knew that James also really wanted to come over but was respecting his wishes. He was even skeptical of telling his dad about kids avoiding him and thinking he was Heir of Slytherin but chose to open up mainly because he wanted his father's advise.
Unfortunately, it would take a whole month to prepare a Polyjuice potion. The book they needed to brew a Polyjuice potion was in the Restricted Section and students weren't allowed to take out any book from the restricted section without a signed permission slip from a professor. Fortunately, Hermione managed to butter Lockhart up into signing her permission slip to take the book out. Speaking of Lockhart, Harry and Ron found him to be an incompetent idiot who never failed to demonstrate that at least once each class, but Hermione for some reason fancied him. She would defend and make excuses for him every time Harry or Ron brought up something against him. For some reason, her crush on Lockhart irritated Harry more than it probably should have.
It was finally the day of the Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match when James made his way to the Gryffindor tenth with Sirius and Remus. He enthusiastically hugged his little boy who hugged him back just as tightly. Sirius and Remus took their turns hugging Harry when they were done.
"Malfoy's the seeker in this game," Harry scowled.
He put his hands on Harry's shoulder "Harry, it doesn't matter who has the better broom. Your skills count for more. You just do your best, and you'll have reason to be proud regardless of the outcome, alright?"
Harry nodded.
James had offered to get Harry a Nimbus 2001, but Harry had declined as he didn't want to seem like some petty spoilt kid getting one right after Malfoy showed off with his. Despite his own objections to such behavior, he had even offered to get the whole Gryffindor team Nimbus 2001s as well if it was Harry's wish, but his son thought the same way as him declined. If it was just against Slytherin, they could convince themselves it was even, but they would have an unfair advantage against the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs if the whole team had Nimbus 2001s and be no different that Slytherins in doing so.
James, Sirius and Remus left for the stands a few minutes before the game.
Things were going good at first with Gryffindor leading and Harry and Draco still being on the lookout for the snitch. But soon, it seemed the bludger was targeting Harry. But it couldn't be. He must have been imagining it. James saw Wood call a time out but couldn't hear what they were discussing. He had half a mind to go up there and find out what was going on but he didn't want to be one of those annoying interfering parents especially when no other parent went up there. James also didn't want to embarrass Harry lest people think he had some over-protective coddling daddy.
Things didn't get better when the game resumed. The bludger still seemed to be targeting Harry. James didn't know what to do short of just walking up there and blasting the bludger or yelling the game be called off. He refrained from both those things the whole game but had finally reached a breaking point and was about to do something when he saw the bludger hit Harry's arm.
James's heart was beating rapidly as he stood up and began making his way to where Harry was. The bludger tried to make a second attack towards Harry but he managed to avoid it before making a dive for Draco. James was confused at first but noticed the snitch above his head. His boy was trying to catch snitch despite the pain he probably felt and a bludger out to get him. His heart went out to his son and a part of him wished he didn't pass down such stubbornness and determination to his son. It would keep his son much safer. James kept his wand out and his eye on the bludger as he heard the Gryffindor stands erupt with cheers. Harry had managed to catch the snitch. James couldn't be any prouder of his son. He ran towards Harry and noticed that Sirius and Remus had been behind him all along.
It took a while before he managed to get the through the crowd surrounding Harry.
"Don't worry, I'll fix it" came Lockhart's voice.
James's nerves tensed up. He didn't like the sound of Lockhart fixing anything on Harry. He heard Harry protest but Lockhart dismiss it and cast a spell before he finally reached the front of the crowd. Harry was bending his arm like rubber.
"Harry!" he ran towards him.
"Dad"
"Are you alright? What's wrong?" James put his arms around him and began fussing over him.
"Harry broke his arm and with this fool's brilliant spell work, he's got no bones left in his arm," said Hagrid angrily.
James felt himself flaring up. "You bastard. Look at what you did to my son". He wanted nothing more than to punch Lockhart or cast a really nasty spell on him but he took a deep breath and calmed himself. He was an adult man with self-control. He especially didn't want to attack his son's teacher in front of his son.
He saw Sirius and Remus look just as angry as him.
"I really meant to …" began Lockhart.
"Let's get him to the hospital wing," said Remus.
With that, Harry was brought to the hospital wing.
=to be continued=
