Time Travel

Chapter 13

As soon as James exited the floo, he had to step aside as Severus came in a few seconds later. He smiled at him and was about to turn around when a voice he never heard spoke.

"Dad?" He looked at the person spoke. Even though he didn't know who she is calling, he felt it was him. He looked at the new person and smiled. He knew it is her. His daughter, she looks just like his mum. So beautiful.

"Holly" He said before covering the distance in four long strides and she looked shocked at him not moving. "Are you fine?" He asked concerned.

Holly snapped out of her stupor and hugged him tightly. She cried onto his shoulder. This is the first time that she is seeing his father alive and not a portrait. He is alive and free of compulsions. He is fine and is going to be fine. She is going to make sure that he is going to be fine. Nothing is going to happen to her father while she is here. She hugged even tightly if possible.

James rubbed her back gently as she hugged him tightly crying on his shoulder. According to what Severus has said, this is the first time that she is meeting him. He saw that others left the room to give them some privacy. He sat on the couch where Sirius sat previously with her in his lap.

"I'm here and fine. There is no need to cry Bambi. Calm down." He said soothingly.

"I know. You are here. I'm sorry for crying." She said pulling apart.

"There is no need to be sorry. You just got emotional. I don't blame you." He smiled at her.

"How do you know me? I mean according to what Moony and Grandfather said you fainted before hearing anything." Holly asked him.

"Severus told me briefly about you and Draco." James shrugged.

"Snape?" She asked frowning. "But he didn't believe me. He said I'm lying and you are lying too. He said so many bad things about you, me and always praised Lily. What did he even tell you?"

"He even explained about why he acted like that with you. He was under compulsions Bambi. You can't blame him. It's not his fault." James said trying to calm her down.

"But he hates us. I don't like him. I hate him too." She exclaimed.

"He doesn't hate us Bambi. As I said he was under compulsions." James said trying to make her understand. Why is she so stubborn on disliking Severus? James thought to himself. She just huffed not liking that her dad is supporting Snape. He said so many bad things about her dad and even herself. She won't forgive him.

"Why don't we join others? They must be gone to the dining room. It's late for lunch and aren't you hungry?" He asked her and her stomach grumbled at that moment making her blush. He chuckled and stood up with her.

"I was woken up by Draco. I just came here without eating anything. So yeah, I'm hungry." She explained.

"Where are you staying?" He asked her as they walked towards the dining room.

"I'm staying with Rabastan. I can't stay at Malfoy Manor as Voldemort can come at any time along with Bellatrix." She informed him.

"Lestrange?" James asked skeptical.

"He is not a death eater. It's Bellatrix who is forcing him and his brother to be a death eater." She said trying to ease his worries. "He is so nice to me. They even gave this to me." She showed the chain. "It belonged to their mum."

"If you are sure." He said nodding. "But you can come here now."

"What about Lily?" Severus asked as they entered the dining room. James looked at him and had to shake his head to clear his head. What's happening to him? He thought to himself. All of his original feelings and emotions haven't returned to him yet.