The Weight

The Weight

The Weight

Chapter Six: Father & Son

Author: Prongs

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

A/N: Thank you SO much to everyone who has reviewed or commented on this story.  I really appreciate all of your feedback.  Please make sure you read the author's notes that come after the chapter, too.  Thanks!!

~*~

"Are you going to be there, too?" Harry asked as he stood up.

Sirius nodded his head and silently cursed Wormtail for ruining everything.  Harry and James should not be nervous to see each other.  They should already know each other and feel completely comfortable together.  Sirius bit his lip and forced a smile.  

"I'll stay for however long you both want me to," Sirius said.

"Thank you," Harry replied.  "How is he?"

"Pretty good, all things considered," Sirius replied.  "He's looking forward to meeting you, Harry."

"What does he know about me?" Harry asked.  "And about you?  Or…that's none of my business, I'm-"

"Don't apologize," Sirius and Draco said simultaneously.

Harry snickered.  "You two have a lot in common, you know?"

Draco grinned and clutched Harry's hand in his own.

"He knows about Azkaban," Sirius said quietly.  "And he knows that you grew up with the Dursleys.  He knows you play quidditch, and he knows you're in Gryffindor.  And that you defeated Voldemort, which is something I still would like to know more about."

"I will tell you soon," Harry said quietly.  "What do you think he'll think of me?"

"I already know he loves you so much," Sirius replied.  "And I know he will be very proud of you.  Are you ready, Harry?  He's waiting."

"Will you wait out here?" Harry asked, looking at his boyfriend.

Draco smiled and nodded his head.  He gently pecked Harry on the cheek and then motioned for Harry and Sirius to visit James.

As they were walking towards James' room, Harry spoke softly.  "Did you tell him about Draco?"

Sirius shook his head.  "I figured you should do that.  And Harry?"

"Yes?"

"Madam Pomfrey has James' glasses, so make sure you get up close to him so that he can see you."

"Should we ask her for them?"

"Not right now.  James said he'll worry about that later-he wants to meet you first."

"And I want to meet him," Harry said, taking a deep breath.  

Sirius opened the door and motioned for Harry to walk into the room first.  Harry quickly entered and stared at his father.

Sirius gently nudged Harry towards James' bed, and Harry made his way across the room.  He sat down and swallowed hard, not knowing what to say.

James just stared at his son in shock.  Like Harry, he really wasn't sure what to say.  An awkward moment like this should never take place between a father and son.  James knew he had to say something-the sooner the first thing was said, the sooner talking would become easier between them.  After all, this was his son!  

"Thank you," James finally spoke as he continued to study his son.  "Will you sit down on the bed so that I can see you better?"

Harry obliged quickly and looked into his father's brown eyes.  He couldn't believe that the man before him was James Potter.  He was actually meeting his father.  This was a moment he had dreamed about for so long-it never had occurred to him that it could possibly come true.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," Harry said quietly.  

"Neither can I," James replied.  "It feels like just yesterday you were born and now…you're sixteen."

Harry nodded in understanding.  "How do you feel?  Are you all right?"

"The aging potion makes me feel a bit odd, but that's about it.  It does feel strange to be here again, but I'm so glad I'm here.  Thank you for doing this, Harry."

"You're welcome, but I don't know what I did to be honest.  Dumbledore just told me I could pick two people to bring back to life.  I've always wanted to meet you."

James smiled, "I'm so glad we're here again," he said as he glanced in Sirius' direction.

Sirius wiped the tears out of his eyes and nodded his head in agreement.  He still was so upset that Harry and James were nervous around each other.  He hated Pettigrew more right now than he ever had before.

"I wish I could have been here for you," James said softly.  "I wish I could have watched you grow up.  I feel awful that your childhood was spent with those stupid muggles.  You should have grown up with Sirius and myself."

Harry smiled sadly.  "I wish I had," he replied.  "But I'm so happy you're both alive again.  I'm happy that I'm finally seeing you."

"I know," James whispered.  He couldn't believe that this grown man before him was his son.  Harry's eyes were Lily's emerald green color-perhaps they had even brightened since Harry had been a baby.  His hair was the color of James'-a deep, raven black.  Although Harry's locks were unruly, they were styled slightly and therefore a bit different than James'.  His build was similar to his father's, and his skin was tanned.

James sighed.  This awkwardness had to go.

"Sirius tells me you play quidditch," James said, trying to change the subject to something happier and more apt to start a regular conversation.

Harry grinned.  "Yeah, I'm a seeker.  I didn't even know what quidditch was until I came here.  I got onto the team in my first year."

James raised an eyebrow.  "I didn't think they'd let you on in your first year?"

Sirius smirked from across the roombsp;bsp;"You'll have to watch him play, James.  He's a natural.  He's better than you, I think."

James squinted at his lover.  "Why are you standing over there?  I can't see you very well, you know."

"Do you both really want me to stay in here?" Sirius asked.  "I think maybe you should spend some time together-just the two of you."

James and Harry glanced at each other, and for the first time, father and son silently shared an understanding merely by reading facial expressions.  Sirius was very special to both of them, and both had just gotten him back, as well.  There was still a feeling of strangeness between them, and they knew that with Sirius there, they would begin to feel more comfortable.  After all, Sirius knew them both so well.

"Will you stay?" James finally asked.

"And move over here?" Harry put in.

Sirius smiled sadly and walked across the room.

"Have you seen Harry play quidditch?" James asked, looking at Sirius.

"In his third year," Sirius replied.  "As Padfoot, anyway."

Harry looked depressed and stared at his godfather.  "There's a game next Saturday," he said.  "We play Slytherin.  You both should come and watch it.  I want you to be there."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," James said, grinning.  "Are you captain, too?"

"How did you know?" Harry questioned.

"You are?" Sirius asked, looking surprised.  "That's wonderful!"

"Not according to ioneione," Harry replied, smirking at his godfather.

"What did she say?" Sirius asked.

"Who's Hermione?" James said, looking between his son and lover.  As much as he felt sad at not having known Harry, James was also terribly happy that Sirius and Harry obviously got along so well.  

"Sorry," Harry said apologetically.

"Why?" James asked.

"Because we went off talking, and we should have explained to you-"

James put his hand on his son's and shook his head.  "Don't apologize for that, Harry.  You have no idea how happy I am that you and Sirius get along so well.  I love both of you so much, and it means the world to me that at least for a short while, you both had each other."

Harry just stared at his father.  He all of a sudden felt this urge to hug the man before him, but he wasn't sure how his dad would react.  They really didn't know each other, and he was sixteen.  Harry bit his lip and then decided that he had never really embraced his father before.  He didn't count the times when he was a baby.  After all, he had absolutely no memory of thembsp;bsp;And anyway, he had just hugged Sirius several times without even thinking about it.

Harry leaned forward and wrapped his arms around James.  "I love you," he whispered.  "And I'm so glad that I finally know you.  I'm sorry I keep saying that.  It's just that I…I've always dreamed about a moment like this, and I can't believe it's actually happening."

James clutched his son tightly and closed his eyes.  "I can't either, Harry," he said softly.  "I keep thinking the same thing.  You don't have to say you're sorry for saying it-I know that Sirius and I feel the same way that you do about all of this."

Harry sniffled slightly and nodded his head.  He didn't care if he was sixteen.  He was finally with his father, and his godfather was here again, too.  It was asnearnearly everyone was getting a second chance.  

Harry suddenly felt uneasy.  Everyone, except for Remus, that is.  He thought for a moment about asking his father and Sirius about Remus, but he decided against it.  Now wasn't the time to bring it up.  He crinkled his forward and continued to embrace his father.  Where was Remus?  Hadn't Dumbledore told him about Sirius and James being alive again?

Finally, Harry pulled away.  He glanced over at Sirius who had tears in his eyes again.  "Hermion one one of my best friends," he finally replied.  "She's very…"

"Book-ish," Sirius filled in.

James raised an eow. ow.

"She's a wonderful person, and she's one of the smartest people I have ever met," Harry explained.  "She adores going to the library, and she loves studying. &nShe'She's always trying to force Ron and me to spend more time doing our homework and stuff.  We always wait until the last minute, and it really bothers her.  Ron is my other best friend."

"Ron Weasley," Sirius said, looking over at his lover.

"Molly and Arthur?" James asked.  "How many kids do they have now?"

Sirius and Harry snorted.  

"A lot," Harry replied.  "They're a great family, though.  They've let me stay at their place before, and Ron's mum is always looking after me.  Let's see…" Harry thought briefly and then smirked.  "They have seven kids."

James whistled.  "That's a lot.  Is Ron the youngest?"

Harry shook his head.  "Ginny is-she's the only girl."

"Why is Hermione upset that you're quidditch captain?" Sirius asked.  "Because it will take time away from your studying?"

Harry rolled his eyes.  "I love her, I really do, but good grief!  She knows I love quidditch."

Sirius and James laughed.  

"So, you're playing Slytherin?" Sirius said.  "Won't you be playing against…"

Harry sighed and nodded his head.  "Yeah.  It's going to be weird."  He looked at James, "My boyfriend is in Slytherin," he explained.  "He's also a seeker."

James smiled.  "What's his name?"

Harry bit his lip.  "Promise me you're not going to have a heart attack or something?"

"It's not a Snape, is it?" James asked, looking alarmed.

Sirius burst out laughing and gently kissed his lover's face.  "Snape is here.  Did you know that?"

Harry smiled at the affection displayed between his father and Sirius.  "He teaches potions," he explained.  "And he certainly cannot stand me.  He's always taking points away from Gryffindor for no reason."

"Apparently he hasn't changed at all then?" James asked.

Sirius shook his head.

"He did spy for Dumbledore," Harry said quietly.  "I know he has done a lot of dangerous work for our side, and I do respect him for that.  However, I really don't think he always has to treat me the way he does."

James looked thoughtful and then smirked.  "I suppose I'll just have to pay him a visit later on in the week.  

"I'm sure that will be extremely enjoyable," Sirius mumbled.

Harry opened his mouth to speak and clo closed it.  He briefly remembered the time he saw Snape's memory, but he pushed the thought out of his mind for a while.  He knew there was much more to his father than that one memory.

"So, who is your boyfriend?" James asked, looking at his son.

"Draco Malfoy," Harry replied.

"Lucius' son?" James questioned.

Harry nodded.  "Lucius was actually a spy, as well."

"They Malfoy's are good?" James looked surprised.

"Yes," Harry replied, smiling.  "Lucius is actually a very nice person."

"You're on a first name basis with two Slytherins already, Harry," Sirius said, grinning.  "That's a little but worrisome."

Harry laughed.  "You liked Draco, didn't you?"

"Yes," Sirius answered honestly.  "He seems like a very nice person, and I'm glad he's here for you.  I can tell that he cares about you a lot."

"e hee here?" James asked.

"Yeah, he's waiting out there," Harry said, pointing to the main room of the infirmary.

"Well, I would like to meet him," James said.

Harry grinned.  "I'm glad.  Before we do that, can I ask you both something?"

Sirius and James nodded their heads.  

"You haven't seen Remus yet, have you?"

"No," Sirius replied.  "I want to see him, though.  I wonder why he isn't here?  Do you think Dumbledore didn't tell him about us?"

"He has to know," Harry replied.  "Maybe he just wanted to give us some time together first."

"Well, I do want to see him soon," James said.  "Madam Pomfrey is making me stay here tonight, though.  Maybe he can come visit us?" he glanced over at Sirius.

Sirius nodded his head.  "Harry, can go go find him later?"

"Of course," Harry replied.  "Should I go get Draco?"

"Yes," James said, smiling.  "I would love to meet him."

Harry grinned and hurried out the door.

~*~

TBC

A/N: I hope everyone like this chapter.  It was difficult to write the conversation between Harry and James since they really don't know each other.  I hope I did it okay!  

Challenge Information: I just posted a new challenge to the SiriusxJames group.  If you are already a member of the group, then you have probably already read the challenge rules!  If you haven't read them, I am going to post them below.  You do NOT have to belong to the group in order to reply to this challenge!  Here are the rules:


The Whomping Willow Challenge

By: Prongs (Padfoot79)  
E-mail: HASbeatles@aol.com


RU

1) This can be any length.  It can be a series of drabbles or a story with regular chaptersbsp;bsp;It can be one long story.  It's entirely up to you.

2) After the Whomping Willow incident, James, Remus, and Peter are upset with Sirius.  They basically ignore him.

3) Sirius becomes very depressed.  After all, his family hates him, and now his friends hate him, too.  He's especially upset because he hasn't just lost his best friend-he secretly was in love with James, too.

4) They all go home for a holiday or the summer.  Sirius' father abuses him either physically, sexually, or both.

5) James spends his entire vacation worrying because he knows he overreacted with Sirius.  James loves Sirius, but hasn't admitted it to anyone.

6) They return to Hogwarts, and James immediately realizes that something is wrong with Sirius.  James feels so worried and guilty.

7) Sirius feels completely depressed and suicidal.

8) James eventually talks to Sirius and finds out about Sirius' father.  James comforts Sirius.

9) Eventually, James and Sirius admit their feelings to each other and become a couple.

10) Please make sure you mention that you are replying to Prongs' Whomping Willow Challenge.


** I know this challenge has a lot of rules, but I still think that people should be able to come up with different stories! &nbf yof you have any questions, please let me know. **