Survival Of James Potter

I Wish I could have been there

A few weeks after Harry left for summer, James received a letter from him. Looking at it, James thought the letter could have been from Lily, as they had the same swirly writing.

'Dad' it said. He never thought harry would call him that. 'I'm sorry I didn't write sooner, but Hedwig (the owl) has been taking letters to Ron for me. You probably know that the Quiddich world cup is being played in England this year, and I get to go! To the final! Mr Weasley got us tickets. I'm so excited but I wish you were coming to. It would be more fun. Write back soon. Love Harry'

******

James returned to Godrics Hollow at the end of the summer, as he always did. He had visited Lily soon after receiving his first letter from Harry. However the letters that followed were not so joyous and James was just glad that Harry was safe.

"Lily, something is happening. Something bad. Harry told me there was a death eater attack on the world cup and that the dark mark appeared. Harry and his friends are fine but a muggle family weren't so lucky. He's stirring Lils, I can feel it. I just pray we kill him before it goes back to the way it used to be. Before to many people end up dead"

******

Prongs watched as Harry walked across the grounds with his friends. They were chatting intensely, looking worried, which got Prongs concerned for their safety. It was only then that he realised that they were walking towards him. It was the first time that year, and the year had only just started.

Prongs nodded in hello and motioned for the trio to follow him. They reached the meadow that James had been living in and the trio held back as Prongs turned into James. Harry rushed forward to hug his dad, "I missed you, dad"

James wrapped his arms around his son. "I missed you to Harry. Now tell me, what brings you down to this part of the woods?"

Harry pulled back, "You mean I can't unexpectedly come and see my father"

"Now come on Harry," James said sternly, "I saw the look on your faces as you came down. What's wrong?"

The trio looked at each other. "The tri-wizard tournament had been reinstated and they're holding it at Hogwarts this year" as Harry said this, the colour drained from James face.

"Why" was all he asked.

"We don't know," came Hermione's reply, "But it'll be dangerous"

"Percy has been going on about it for weeks as 'Important ministry business'. Even Charlie knew and he tells even the biggest secrets." Ron said, which was true. At least, the bit about Charlie was.

"Well as long as they make it safer, I don't mind" James told them but Hermione didn't look sure

"The ministry said that no one under the age of 17 can enter. But I think something's going to go wrong and someone will get round the age limit"

******

Hermione was right, as always. Disaster struck on Halloween shortly after the names were picked for the tournament. Prongs was waiting for Harry when he heard his name.

"That's it, just go running to Prongs to drown your sorrows" It was Ron.

"It's Halloween Ron. Of course I'm going to see him! And it's not because of THAT!" That was Harry.

"Boys stop it!" that was Hermione, but it was too late. Ron turned back into the castle and Harry ran down the hill towards Prongs. Hermione stood there for a moment, defeated, then returned to the castle, allowing Prongs to turn his attention to Harry, who he had just caught with his antler as he tripped over a tree root.