Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

Chapter Three

Author: Prongs

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all things 'Harry Potter.'

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last couple chapters!


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"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed when he saw where his best friend was looking.  "It's your father, mate!"

Harry ignored Ron and turned to stare at the headmaster.  "What's going on?" he asked quietly.  

"Aww, I was hoping you wouldn't find out this way, Mr. Potter.  However, since all of you are here, perhaps you would like to come in?"

"Albus, what on earth is-"

"All in good time, Severus.  Please come in and have a seat now."

Severus scowled and sat down as far away from all of the Gryffindors as he could possibly manage.

The entire time, James had been warily watching the scene unfold before him.  He couldn't believe that this was his own son…

"Aww, well, now that everyone is seated, I shall begin explaining," Dumbledore said.  "But first, would anyone like some tea?  Or maybe some-"

"No!" Harry and Severus shouted simultaneously.  Both glared at each other, but remained silent.

"No thank you," Hermione replied softly.  Ron just shook his head and continued to stare at James.  Professor McGonagall mumbled a quiet 'no.'

"I had a feeling you would all decline," the headmaster chuckled to himself.  "James, would you care to explain or shall I?"

Harry fixed his gaze on his father with wide green eyes.

Jameshed.hed.  "I'll explain," he finally spoke.

Dumbledore smiled and nodded his head.  "I think that would be for the best then."

"I never died," James began slowly.  "I-"

"Well, that's quite obvious, isn't it?" Severus spat.  "If you had died, you wouldn't be sitting here right now, would you?"

"Severus, please refrain from interrupting James," Dumbledore said sternly.

The Slytherin scowled and sat back in his seat.

"Voldemort has been keeping me locked away in a cell ever since that night," James explained quietly.  "I don't have a good memory of what exactly happened.  I just know that I've been locked away for years.  I tried escaping so many times…"  James' voice trailed off, and he stared at his son.

Harry met his father's gaze, but didn't speak.  Ron and Hermione worriedly looked between Harry and James.  Severus' eyes narrowed as he watched them.

"Harry, I didn't even know you were alive until-"

"How did you escape then?" Harry interrupted.  "Why are you here now?"

James looked slightly surprised at his son's tone.  

"For once, I have the same question as Potter," Severus said, smirking.  "Why are you here now?"

Dumbledore and McGonagall both glared at Snape who completely ignored them and continued to stare at James.

"Nearly ever single day, a deatheater would come in and bring some water and food.  This time, it was different.  The deatheater talked to me and told me about you, Harry."

"And he helped you escape?" Harry asked skeptically.

James nodded his head.  "He revealed his identity, and he helped me get to Hogsmeade."

"Who was it?" Harry asked.

"Peter," James replied.

Harry's eyes shone dangerously, but he said nothing.

"How did he help you escape?" Hermione asked, looking at James curiously.

"You trusted him?" Ron said right after Hermione.

James shook his head.  "He gave me a portkey to Hogsmeade.  And I didn't really trust him at all, but I figured I had nothing to lose by trying it.  I had already tried to escape hundreds of times and was entirely unsuccessful, so I-"

Severus snorted.

Harry stood up and glared at his professor.  "Did you know about this?" he asked angrily.  "You're a fucking deatheater! p;Evp;Even if you are a damn spy, you still know what the hell is going on with Voldemort.  Did you know my father was locked away for years?"

"Mr. Potter, calm down!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.  "You know better than to talk that way to-"

"I assure you, Harry, Professor Snape did not know about any of this," Dumbledore replied, interrupting McGonagall.

Harry turned from the headmaster to his potion's professor.  "The headmaster is correct," Severus replied, sneering.

Hermione put a hand on Harry's arm.  "Calm down," she whispered.

Harry removed Hermione's arm and sat back down in his seat.  He crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes.

Dumbledore watched the scene before him and thought for several moments.  Finally, he spoke.  "Shall we move on to a different topic entirely?  James, earlier you asked me about saving Sirius."

Severus groaned.  

James glared at Snape.  

"We can save him?" Harry asked.  "I thought you said it was impossible!"

"Now that James is here, it is quite possible," the headmaster replied, his eyes twinkling.

"Well, how?" Harry questioned.  "How is it possible?"

"If a person falls behind the veil, they can be saved by a combination of two things," Dumbledore explained.  "Whoever loves Sirius the most must drink a very complicated potion."

Harry arched an eyebrow curio.
.

"This potion, if brewed correctly, will allow a living person to go through the veil and bring back the person who has fallen beyond the veil," Dumbledore explained.  "They will only have a limited amount of time, but it can be done."

"You said whoever loves Sirius the most?" Harry questioned.

The headmaster nodded his head.  

"I love him!  Why didn't you let me save him?" Harry asked, his voice rising.

"It has to be done by the person who loves him more than any other person loves him," James explained softly.  

"You?" Harry questioned.  

James nodded his head.  "It wouldn't work if anyone else tried it."

"As a matter of fact, if anyone else ever tried it, they would also fall behind the veil," Dumbledore explained, leaning forward.  "Only James can successfully go behind the veil and bring Sirius back."

"The potion will allow Harry's father to stay in the world of the living then?" Hermione asked, curiously.

The headmaster nodded his head.  "That is correct, Miss Granger."

"Is Professor Snape going to brew the potion?" Hermione asked, glancing over at the Slytherin.

"I most certainly am not!" Severus replied, standing up.  "Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I have-"

"Sit down, Severus," Dumbledore ordered.  "You will brew this potion."

"Albus, you cannot-"

"You will do as I say," the headmaster interrupted.

Severus' black eyes narrowed and he stared at Dumbledore.

"Perhaps you four should leave," McGonagall suggested, motioning to the Gryffindors.  

"Excellent suggestion," Dumbledore agreed.  "Minerva, could you show James and Harry the room across the hall?  I'm sure they would like to talk for a while."

"Of course," McGonagall nodded her head.  

"Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, I would greatly appreciate it if you would not mention any of this to your classmates," the headmaster requested.  

"Of course, sir," Hermione replied while Ron nodded his head quickly.

"Splendid,mblembledore remarked.  "You two may return to your dorm while Harry and his father have a chance to get to know one another.  I will have Professor McGonagall find you in several hours for a late dinner, which we will all eat together."

"Thank you, sir," Hermione said.  She gave Harry an encouraging smile and then hurried out of Dumbledore's office.

Ron quickly patted his best friend on the back before following Hermione.

"Headmaster, if you don't mind my saying so, those three Gryffindors were brought up to your office for a reason," Severus pointed out.

"A reason which we have no need to discuss at this moment," Dumbledore remarked.  

McGonagall looked toward James and Harry.  "Follow me, you two," she said quietly as she led the way to a small, cozy room across from Dumbledore's office.  "I'll come and get you when it's time for dinner.  Until then, I think you should both talk some.  You need to."

James murmured a quiet 'thanks,' while Harry merely nodded his head and entered the room.

After McGonagall had closed the door, James stared at his son.  "Harry?  How do you feel about all of this?" James asked worriedly.

~*~

TBC

A/N: I'm sure you have some questions about WHY and HOW it's possible to bring Sirius back.  More will be revealed in upcoming chapters!