I Want to Be an Auror
Summary: After Harry's Careers Advice meeting with Professor McGonagall, he now faces his biggest challenge: Telling his parents, especially his father, that he's decided to be an Auror. How will James and Lily react?
This fic is in Honor of Father's Day.
Harry sat at the Gryffindor Table, picking at his breakfast, not feeling hungry. Today was the day of the Careers Advice meetings for the fifth-year students. Harry's was scheduled for 2:30 that afternoon. He scooped some porridge onto a spoon, only to dump it back in the bowl. He continued to do this until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he was greeted by the concerned face of his mother.
"Are you alright?" she asked quietly. "You're not still feeling sick, are you?" She placed her hand on his forehead, looking for a fever.
"No, I'm not feeling sick, just not hungry." He knew Lily wouldn't like the answer.
"You need to eat something," She reminded him.
"I know," Harry sighed.
Harry scooped some porridge in his mouth to please her, knowing he better eat before Lily pushed a nutrient potion down his throat. She had done it once over the summer when Harry wasn't eating or sleeping because of what happened last June. She only had to do it once.
"You don't need to eat the whole bowl. Have some toast, too," Lily suggested.
"Okay, Mum."
Harry banished the porridge once Lily left the Great Hall and picked up a piece of toast. His stomach was acting the same way it did on the mornings of Quidditch matches, twisting into knots and roiling uncomfortably. Even after all these years, he still got nervous before a Quidditch match. Lily didn't make him eat on those mornings. The one and only time she did, Harry threw up on her.
He was nervous about his Careers Advice meeting. He was more anxious about his parent's reaction to his chosen career: he wanted to be an auror. James and Sirius were aurors. Harry felt James would try to change his mind if his father found out his plans. Lily would worry about the dangers of the job and her son. Then again, Lily would worry about Harry even if he decided to leave the magical world and become a street performer in London. She worried about everything.
"Good morning," Hermione greeted, sitting down in front of Harry. "You're up early."
"I couldn't sleep last night," Harry replied. He laid awake the night before, picturing his parents' reaction in his mind. Each one was worse than the last. He didn't fall asleep until three in the morning.
"What time is your meeting with Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked.
"2:30." Harry pulled the crust off another piece of toast and began nibbling on the edges once the crust was gone.
Ginny entered the Great Hall, sitting down next to Harry. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Good morning, babe," she greeted. She looked closely and noticed how tired and pale he looked. "Are you okay?" With the back of her hand, she laid her hand on his forehead before moving her hand to his cheek. "You don't feel sick, do you?"
"I'm fine," Harry replied. "Just a little nervous about my Career Advice meeting this afternoon."
Hermione looked up from her breakfast, glancing from Ron to Harry. Ron was calmly eating his breakfast while reading the Quidditch articles in the Daily Prophet. Harry looked as if he was about to have an anxiety attack.
"You're not eating much, Harry. Are you feeling sick?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed. He and James had come down with the stomach flu during Easter break. While they were sick, the only person to enter the Potter house was Sirius, who brought Lily some things she needed from the store. He ended up staying to help Lily take care of James and Harry. Ginny mirror-called Harry several times to check on him, as did Hermione and Ron when they learned that Harry was sick. They were sick for two days. Lily used the remaining time off to recuperate when they were better, while James and Harry resumed their original plans to spend time together. To Harry's relief, the Careers Advice meeting never came up in conversation.
"No, but my stomach feels like it does on the morning of Quidditch matches. Twisting and roiling." Harry winced as his stomach proved his point.
Hermione accepted the answer, suggesting he should see Lily before class for a stomach soother while Ginny rubbed his back soothingly.
After some time had passed, Harry decided to tell his friends and girlfriend what he planned to discuss in his Career advice meeting.
In true Harry fashion, he blurted it out.
"I'm thinking about being an Auror."
Harry's sudden announcement made the fork in Hermione's hand clatter to her plate. Ginny's head swiveled to her boyfriend. Ron was unfazed as he knew Harry's plans. Neville, from his spot beside Ron, nearly choked on his tea. Ron pounded him on the back.
"Are you serious?" Hermione demanded.
"No, he's Sirius," Harry replied, pointing to the head table where Sirius was sitting. He had a smirk on his face as Ron and Ginny started snickering.
"That's not funny," Hermione huffed, returning to her breakfast.
"Yes, Hermione. I'm really considering being an Auror." Harry looked up at the head table at his mother. She was talking with Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall.
"I've considered joining the Aurors myself," Ron added. Hermione, apparently speechless, stammered, trying to find her words.
"Mum will freak when you tell her," Ginny informed her brother. Then, a realization dawned on her. She turned to Harry. "You haven't told your parents yet, have you?"
Harry shook his head. "Not even Sirius or Remus know."
Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Ginny shared a look. If there was something that Harry felt that he couldn't talk to his parents about something, he went to Sirius. And sometimes Remus. The fact that he hadn't told Sirius and Remus was a red flag, a sign of how nervous and scared Harry was to tell them his plans.
Knowing he had time before their first class, Harry got up, telling Neville, Ron, and Hermione he would meet them in class. He kissed Ginny's cheek, telling her he would see her at lunch. He had just left the Great Hall when Sirius came behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Got a minute?" Sirius asked. Harry nodded mutely and walked with Sirius. Luckily, the corridors were empty because everyone was at breakfast. They reached Sirius and Remus's shared quarters and entered the sitting room.
"What's on your mind?" Sirius inquired once they were sitting at the table.
"Careers Advice meeting this afternoon," Harry explained. "I'm more nervous about telling Mum and Dad what I decided more than the meeting itself." He braced his elbows on the kitchenette counter and placed his head in his hands.
He looked up at the soft thump and noticed a familiar pink vial now sitting on the counter. He took it silently, swallowing the potion. His stomach settled after a minute or two.
"Thanks, Sirius. I needed that."
"You're welcome, Prongslet. What did you decide you want to do?"
Harry looked up at Sirius, questioning whether or not he should say anything. But then, Harry had talked with Sirius, sometimes about serious topics (no pun intended), and Sirius never told James or Lily anything.
Taking a deep breath, Harry looked Sirius in the eye and told him.
"I want to be an Auror."
If Sirius was shocked, he didn't show it. He knew why Harry was nervous about telling his parents he wanted to be an auror. James's injury from two summers was still fresh in their minds. While in the hospital room, Lily said that she hoped Harry didn't become an Auror. But things have changed since that summer afternoon.
"I could understand why you would be nervous about telling them."
Harry nodded his head slowly, feeling relieved that he had told someone.
"I don't know whose reaction I dread more. Mum's or Dad's," Harry admitted.
Sirius walked over to Harry and pulled him into a comforting embrace. Then Harry returned the hug, relishing in the comfort.
"I think you're worrying for nothing, Pup. Just tell them, and I think they'll take it a lot better than what you're thinking," Sirius said, trying to assure his godson.
"You think so?" Harry asked, his voice partially muffled by Sirius's shoulder.
"I do." He checked the time and realized that if Harry didn't leave soon, he'd be late for his first class. "You better go, or you'll be late for History."
"I know," Harry grumbled, picking up his rucksack as he headed for the door. "I'll see you this afternoon," he called over his shoulder.
"Have a good day, Kiddo. Good luck!" Sirius called.
Harry walked down the corridor to head towards the History of Magic classroom. He walked in and sat down beside Ron at his usual desk. He was already ready for the day to be over.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry walked to Professor McGonagall's office a little after half past two, running late for his meeting. He had passed Lily on his way, who had reminded him of this meeting. He reached the door to Professor McGonagall's office and knocked.
"Come in," she called.
Harry opened the door, entered the office, and closed the door behind him.
"Sorry, professor, I had forgotten….." he trailed off when she raised a hand, telling him to stop.
"I figured. Fifth year is a very busy year. Especially as we approach the OWL Exams," Professor McGonagall explained." She looked up at Harry. "Tea?"
"No, thank you," Harry declined, remembering the manners Lily drilled into his head as a child.
"Well, let's begin, shall we? I'll ask you what career ideas you have. During this meeting, we'll also decide what subjects you'll continue in your sixth and seventh year."
Professor McGonagall smiled to herself. She watched Harry grow from the little baby in Lily's arms to the young man who sat across from her today.
"Well, I've thought of being an Auror," Harry replied.
Professor McGonagall noticed Harry drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair. She smiled softly, remembering Lily doing the same thing during her meeting. This drumming was a sign to her that he was nervous about something. And she had an idea of what that would be.
"You haven't told your parents, haven't you?" Professor McGonagall inquired, knowing the answer.
"No," Harry deadpanned. "Sirius knows. And Ron, Neville, Hermione, and Gin."
Professor McGonagall nodded. She knew why Harry was nervous to tell his parents about his career goals. It was more than the fact James was an Auror. While Harry had a good relationship with his parents, he often went to Sirius when he needed to talk or vent. Unlike his mother, Sirius never said that Harry was too young. Sirius once said that James follows Lily's lead, and that's where most of the problem was. Lily was overprotective of Harry. To some instinct, so was James.
"How sure are you this is what you want to do?"
"Very," Harry replied
Professor McGonagall looked at Harry over her glasses, seeing the same look of determination on Harry's face she had seen on James's face before. At times like this, she was reminded of just how much Harry looked like James.
"Alright then."
Professor McGonagall continued the conversation by reviewing N.E.W.T.S requirements for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, and Potions and the character and aptitude tests the Ministry performed.
"Do you have any questions?" She asked after explaining everything.
"No," Harry answered. He picked up the packet McGonagall handed him with all the information she had just told him, including the packet about training.
"Harry," She said as he got up to leave.
Harry turned around at her voice. "Yes, Professor?"
Minvera smiled softly at him. "If you need anything, come see me."
Harry nodded. "Thank you, Aunt Minnie."
Minvera smiled, shaking her head and cursing James Potter for teaching Harry to call her that.
"You're welcome."
Harry left her office, heading towards the Defense corridor.
He walked in a fog to Defense Against the Dark Arts. He had reached the classroom door when Sirius met him at the door. He sighed in relief, glad that this meeting was behind him.
"How did it go?" Sirius inquired.
"Okay. I got information on training and what classes I would need to take. I'll need an Outstanding in Potions to get into the NEWT level class. Mum would kill me if I failed it." He winced as he imagined his mother's look of disappointment. Harry knocked himself out, trying to please his parents, especially his mother.
No one knew that Harry put so much pressure on himself to make his parents proud.
"She won't, Pup," his godfather assured him. "Disappointed? Maybe."
Harry looked up at his godfather.
"I don't know what else I would want to do, Sirius."
Sirius wrapped an arm around his godson, and together, they walked into the classroom, where they reviewed the material for the OWL exam.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
After class, Harry gathered his books and notes, stuffing them neatly into his rucksack. He needed a moment to get his thoughts together before telling his parents of his ambitions. Harry decided to head to his dorm and change out of his uniform before heading to his mother's quarters. This would buy him an hour to get his thoughts together.
"Tell Mum I'm going to change clothes and be there soon," Harry told Sirius.
"I will," Sirius assured him.
Harry heaved his rucksack on his shoulder and was heading out the door when Sirius called him back.
"Harry."
"Yeah?" he asked, turning around to face his godfather.
Sirius approached him, embracing him in a loving and warm hug.
"Don't worry about it too much. You'll have me and Remus there for support," he whispered in his ear.
"Thanks, Padfoot. Tell Mum I'll be there soon," he reminded his godfather.
Because James was coming to spend the week at Hogwarts to work with the seventh-years who wanted to be Aurors, Lily decided to have a family dinner. She had told Harry about it when they came back to school yesterday. Harry had never been nervous about one of these dinners before now.
He walked from the Defense classroom and headed straight to Gryffindor Tower. He was already thinking about how he would tell his parents about his plans, hoping it would all go as well as he thought it would.
He came to the entrance of Gryffindor Tower before he knew it.
"Statim finis," Harry told the Fat Lady. He shook his head as he remembered the row the password had caused for Ron and Hermione. As a perfect, it was Ron's turn to set a password, and he had Hermione look up the Latin term for "the end is near."
She refused, so Ron resorted to asking Harry. After an hour, he finally went to Lily, who told him. Harry didn't say it, but it fits the feeling for the seventh and fifth years.
Harry understood what Ron was referring to. He was referring to their OWLS exam.
Harry headed upstairs to his dorm to change into something comfortable and returned to the common room to kill some time before he needed to be at his mother's quarters. He collapsed on the couch in front of the fire, wanting a minute to decompress before he headed to his mother's quarters.
Harry swallowed thickly, imagining his family's reactions to his career choice. As time went on and dinner got closer, he started to feel more nervous about telling his parents.
"Harry?"
He turned at the sound of his name and smiled to see his girlfriend, Ginny.
"Hey, Gin." He reached for her hand. She took it, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand.
"How did the meeting go with Professor McGonagall?" Ginny asked when she remembered that Harry's Careers Advice Meeting was scheduled for that day.
"Good." Harry took a deep breath and sighed. "Now I have to tell my parents."
"Are you nervous about telling them?" Ginny knew Harry was afraid to tell his parents, especially James. Lily would probably say that it's a dangerous profession and end up supporting Harry's decision, while James would argue that being an Auror was something he didn't want for his son.
She knew this because there was nothing before now that Harry said he was scared to tell his parents. But something told Ginny that because James was an Auror, he might not be as accepting of his son following in his footsteps.
"Very," Harry murmured. He leaned back against the pillows, lying on the couch.
"Sit up," Ginny directed.
Harry obeyed without question. Once he was sitting up, Ginny moved behind him and began to massage his neck and shoulders.
"Have I told you I love you lately?" Harry asked, sighing as Ginny worked on his tense shoulders.
Ginny chuckled. "Yes, you have. You seem to say that anytime I give you a massage. Last time, you called me a saint."
"You are," Harry insisted. "You've kept me from going off the deep end regarding stress. I'd do the same for you if you were me."
Harry turned his head to look at his girlfriend, smiling softly at her.
Ginny leaned forward until her face was centimeters from Harry's. "I'm holding you to it next year."
Harry smiled. "I will take care of you like you've taken care of me this year. I promise."
Ginny continued to help Harry relax until he had to go to his mother's quarters. Ginny kissed him on the cheek before he left, but he grabbed her, kissed her, and whispered "good night" as he wasn't returning to Gryffindor Tower until the next day.
On his walk to his mother's quarters, the butterflies returned full force in Harry's stomach.
"You can do this, Harry. Just tell them and get it over with," he whispered.
He reached the portrait of Nurse Helga. He took a deep breath and entered his mother's quarters. He never dreaded telling his parents anything, especially his Dad, until now.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry sat at the table, picking at his dinner. Lily was a fabulous cook. No one turned down her cooking. It was no wonder that Sirius was at the Potters for breakfast and dinner when Lily was home. Sirius was a good cook but lazy. He often said it was easier to show up at the Potter's house for breakfast than to fix it himself.
James, to Lily's relief, was a decent cook. He could fix the simpler meals. At least she didn't have to worry about Harry starving if she needed to be gone. But sometimes, father and son would head out to the village to the diner, to London to their favorite burger place, or get a pizza to bring in.
Lily had a plan to teach Harry to cook this summer. The only thing Harry knew how to fix was himself breakfast.
"Harry?" Lily asked, bringing him to the attention of those at the table. "Are you alright, sweetheart? You've barely touched your dinner."
"I'm fine, Mum." Harry stabbed a carrot and stuffed it in his mouth to prove it.
The conversation returned to what James had planned for the seventh-year students who wanted to join the Aurors.
Harry listened silently. He knew the tests James and the other Auror who oversaw the new recruits were. When he accompanied James to work one day last summer, Sirius challenged Harry to complete the obstacle course with him. The loser had to do what the winner asked for. If Sirius won, Harry would have to clean his car, inside and out. If Harry won, Sirius had to do Harry's outside chores, weeding the garden and mowing the lawn.
Harry beat Sirius by five minutes. Thus, a challenge started, and by the end of the day, a fifteen-year-old had beaten every Auror who challenged him.
The conversation then floated to what was on the agenda for Remus's classes, and the werewolf asked James if he would like to speak with the sixth- and fifth-year students interested in becoming an Auror.
"We'll have to talk with the Heads of House who have a student interested in becoming an Auror. We should know about the fifth years, as they had their Careers Advice meeting today," Remus said to James.
"Speaking of Careers Advice meetings," James started, he turned to Lily. "Wasn't Harry's meeting today?"
Lily nodded. Sitting her fork down, she turned to her son.
"Harry, you never mentioned how your meeting with Professor McGonagall went? How did it go?"
Harry looked at Sirius, who gave him an encouraging smile.
"It went well," Harry replied, quickly grabbing his cup and taking a long drink of iced tea Lily had made.
"Well?" James prompted. "What have you decided?"
Harry took a deep breath. "I've decided that I." He broke off and looked at his Dad. "Iwanttobeabeanauror," he said fast.
A fork clattering on a plate told Harry that James understood him clearly.
Collecting himself, James leaned forward, his eyes not leaving his son.
"Repeat that," James said gently. "Slowly."
After another deep breath and an encouraging look from Sirius, Harry repeated.
"I've decided that I want to be an Auror."
James sat there, in shock—his only son. The little boy, who would come running to him when he came home from work, said he wanted to be an Auror. James was stunned. He figured Harry wanted to play Quidditch professionally, considering how good of a seeker he was.
"Dad, please say something." James looked at his son, who had a scared look on his face.
"Were you afraid of how I would react?" James asked gently.
Harry nodded his head slowly and looked down at his plate. He asked his mother if he could be excused from the table. Lily nodded.
Once Harry left, James looked at Lily.
"What do you think?" He asked his wife.
Lily took a sip of her tea, collecting her thoughts on the matter.
She sighed. "We can't change Harry's mind. James, if you think about it, Harry has talked about being an Auror since he learned what you did for a living. He wants to follow in your footsteps. He's gotten more serious about it in recent times."
"He has already, in a way," Remus noted.
"How's that?" James inquired.
"By falling for a redhead," Sirius replied. "Remember the Potter family curse. Every Potter man falls for a redhead."
Lily smiled at the mention of Ginny.
"I've seen them walking together in the halls, holding hands and the quick kisses when they separate to go to their own classes. It reminds me of James and me. He's his father's son."
James sat at the table, thinking about what Harry had just told him. He knew that there was no changing Harry's mind. If this was what Harry wanted to do, then James decided he would support his son's ambitions.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Lily knocked on the door to her son's room before turning the knob and entering the bedroom. Harry had decided to stay in James and Lily's quarters and return to Gryffindor Tower in the morning.
"I made you a sandwich. I figured you would be hungry, considering you didn't eat much at dinner."
Lily sat the plate down on the desk, careful not to sit it on the parchment with the plans for the next Defense Club meeting.
Harry looked at the plate. There was a chicken sandwich with some crisps and a bottle of Butterbeer.
"Thanks, Mum."
Lily sat down on Harry's bed, picking up a blanket and folding it for something to do with her hands while she talked.
"Why were you afraid to tell us?" She only asked because she wanted to know.
Harry swallowed the bite of the sandwich he had just taken. He thought of words as he turned to face his mother.
"Your reaction. I was scared you would be mad at me for choosing a dangerous career. With everything going on in this world, I want to help, and I couldn't think of anything else that I could do to help other than being an Auror."
Lily stood up and hugged her son from behind. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head.
"Sweetheart, I'm proud of you. I can't think of anything else to say other than that. I got used to you playing Quidditch. Even though I thought you were too young to play, I got used to it for you. I've known you've wanted to be an Auror since you were a little boy. I'm not going to stand in your way. I'll support you, even if you decide later that you want to do something else."
Harry released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thanks, Mum."
She kissed his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too, Mum."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
"Are you really okay with Harry becoming an Auror?" James asked when he and Lily were in their room.
Lily searched for her words carefully before replying.
"Yes, I'm okay with Harry being an Auror. It's the same as when you told me you wanted to be an Auror. I'm more concerned than anything. I've thought about what I've been through with you, and I'm thinking of going through the same thing with Harry. As much as I want to say no, I can't. He's at the age where we no longer have a say."
James settled on the foot of the bed, taking off his boots. He thought about the day he had at the office yesterday. It was quiet, a day filled with catching up with paperwork and attending a few meetings. As Deputy Head, James would replace the Head Auror if they could not attend meetings. But days like yesterday were far and few between. Any moment could, he and any of the Aurors be called to a raid or something dangerous. James had seen friends he had made in the Aurors die in the line of duty.
Was he sure he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps?
"I don't know whether to be proud or scared," he admitted.
Lily crawled up behind him, wrapped her arm around him, resting her chin on his shoulder.
"He's fifteen, almost sixteen. It's not like we can say anything. I don't think we can change his mind."
James hummed in response.
"I think Harry took your silence as your disapproval."
James nodded, realizing he hadn't spoken to Harry since his announcement.
Getting up, she walked to the vanity in the corner of the room and got some lotion. She rubbed the lotion into the dry skin of her hands.
"I talked to Harry when I took him the sandwich I made him," Lily began. "It's more than following in your footsteps. It's also about helping with what's happening in our world currently. Being an Auror is how Harry sees that he could help."
James sighed, knowing he needed to make it right with Harry. It was too late to do it tonight. Harry would be asleep.
"I need to talk to him tomorrow. Make sure he knows that I support his decision."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
"How did it go?" Ron asked when Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table for breakfast.
"When I told them, they didn't say anything. Mum came into my room later and said she was supporting my decision. Dad hasn't said anything."
"Wow," Ron deadpanned. "Do you think you'll change your mind?"
"I don't think so," Harry said, pilling eggs, fried sausage, and fried tomatoes on his plate. He ate his breakfast quickly and decided he'd go for a walk before Charms.
"I'll see you in class, Ron." Harry left the table before the redhead could respond. He passed Hermione on his way out of the Great Hall and only greeted her with a 'Good morning, Hermione' before he headed out the doors.
He hadn't walked too far when he heard someone come up behind him.
"It's Dad. Can we talk, son?"
Harry nodded. "I was going to go for a walk."
"I'll join you," James said.
He walked beside his son until they were in step with each other. Lily found it cute, while Remus and Sirius found it amusing. Like father, like son.
"Harry, were you afraid to tell me that you decided that you want to be an Auror?" James asked without preamble.
Harry swallowed, nodding.
"Why?"
Harry looked at his Dad. "Because it's considered a dangerous job, you would try to talk me out of it. After the events of last year and this year, I decided I wanted to help fight and being an Auror would be how I would."
He looked away, looking out towards the Black Lake. The weather was nice for late April. Maybe he could talk Ginny into lunch outside. It was unusually warm for late April in Scotland.
"When I first thought about being an Auror, I was afraid you would be mad at me instead of proud of me."
James cupped his hand under Harry's chin, turned his head gently, and lifted his head to look him in the eyes.
"Harry James Potter, I would never be mad at you for choosing to follow your dreams. I know you've wanted to be an Auror for a while. I may have some reservations, but I won't stand in your way. I'm proud of you for choosing to follow in my footsteps."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Really." James pulled Harry to him, embracing him in a hug. Glancing up at the castle, he noticed Lily watching from a window. She smiled at them and left, most likely heading to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"I'm supporting your decision to be an Auror, son. I promise to help you in any way I can."
Harry knew that James meant what he was saying. If Lily was okay with it, he could try the beginner's training session that summer and do the obstacle course again.
James smiled, hugging his son one more time. "I will always be proud of you, son. Never forget that."
"Thanks, Dad."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
James smiled with pride as he watched Harry complete the obstacle course for the sixth time over the last half hour. He had officially beaten Sirius's and his combined time. He had worked his way up to the top of the record of the fastest time, although they couldn't formally document it until he became an Auror Trainee.
"I've never seen a kid with more drive and determination than I have with your son, Potter," Savage commented beside him.
The whistle blew, signaling time was up, and the other Auror groaned when he realized a fifteen-year-old had beaten him.
"When will he be sixteen, James?" Proudfoot asked.
"In a few weeks," James replied. Lily was already crying about Harry's birthday, muttering about her baby growing up too fast.
"It's hard to believe he's going to be sixteen," Dawlish added. "I'm used to the little shy boy who hid behind Lily when they visited."
James chuckled at the memory, knowing that Harry had outgrown his shyness when he was twelve.
"He'll deny it if you ask about it," he said. James glanced up at the obstacle record board and noticed that Harry had even beaten Mad-Eye Moody's time. "My son beat Moody's time and lived to tell about it!"
"Yes," Tonks chuckled. "Moody's in a mood about it."
This statement prompted a burst of laughter from the gathered Aurors, watching the show of Harry and an Auror competing in the obstacle course.
A whistle blew, signaling the end of the course. The Trainee instructor berated the trainees, saying that a fifteen-year-old had beaten them. How did that happen?
Savage turned to James, patting his shoulder.
"You must be so proud of your son," He told James.
James smiled, nodding, watching his son from across the room while Harry talked to Kingsley.
"More than words could say."
AN: Thank you to everyone who voted in Harry's Animagus form. I will reveal my decision in a fic about Harry being an Animagus. If anyone has suggestions on what they would like to see, mention them in the reviews or a private message.
To answer a question I got in reviews: Lily lives at Hogwarts because she works there as a healer. Since other people like Madam Pomfrey and the professors live there, Lily would too, but only from September to June. I hope this clears that up.
To address the request for Harry and Ginny's wedding, that will be a special fic on its own.