Change the Future

*James and Rory*

James sits on his bed in the boys dorm watching the Marauders Map.

"What you doing?" Remus asks as he walks out of the bathroom.

"Just checking on my kids, that still feels so weird to say"

"It certainly does. We need to make sure we fix the future James, those kids need to grow up in a better world than they have so far"

"I agree" James says his eyes watching Rory's name as she leaves the room she was staying in. He checks the time and see's its almost midnight. "I'll be back soon Moony" He says as he takes the map and invisibilty cloak, Remus nods understanding it's to do with one of James kids. James checks the map again and notices Rory is by the black lake so he hurries to get there. When he reaches the lake he see's the outline of his daughter sat, watching the water a small ball of fire sat on the ground in front of her. Slowly he walks towards her after pulling the cloak off.

"Hi dad" She says, sniffling slightly which is when James notices she's crying as he sits beside her.

"What's wrong?" James asks.

"Nothing important"

"You wouldn't be upset if it wasn't important" She looks at him quickly before looking down at her lap.

"Harry wasn't lying when he told you about the nightmares but he has no idea how much worse they've got. He thinks he understands because he sometimes gets them but he doesn't, no one does" James looks at her sadly.

"Tell me about them so I can help"

"I have nightmares about everything, every night dad. I see the werewolf attacks, I see the dark mark, I watch as you and mum die, I see Moony's body lifeless and Fred's, I see Pad's die because I couldn't save him, I see the torture Bellatrix and Wormtail put me through for 9 months and I'm expected to just act like it never happened until its shown in my memories because thats what Hermione decided would be best. I have to pretend I'm fine when I'm not" James looks at his daughter, horrified at just how much has happened to his little girl in her life that he wasn't there to stop.

"Its okay to not be fine Rory and I promise I will do everything in my power to stop all of that from ever happening to you. I am so proud of how strong you are sweetheart" James moved then, slowly, hesitantly. He reached out, unsure. She didn’t pull away. His hand rested on her shoulder. She stiffened, then leaned into it slightly. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I should’ve had my wand that night. I should’ve been faster”

“You were a father” she said looking up at him. “You got us out of the room. You told Mum to run. You tried to hold him off with nothing but yourself. You died doing the right thing.” Her voice cracked now. “You were brave. You were enough. You just... didn’t get to finish the job” James was quiet for a long time before he pulled her to him. James held her tightly, one hand cupping the back of her head, the other across her shoulders. He could feel her chest moving with every breath she tried to keep steady. Her tears soaked into his shirt, and he didn’t care. He just closed his eyes and held her. She wasn’t the almost four year old that saw him die anymore. She was fierce but hurting.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there," he whispered against her hair.

"You were" she whispered back. "Just not long enough"