A Dance Through Thyme (Harry Potter)

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“It does not even need saying. I’m sure that you all are aware of what is happening outside the walls of Hogwarts that is concerning Voldemort.”

James could feel Lily stiffen beside him as Dumbledore said that name aloud. He often admired Dumbledore for his audacity with using the name that so many others were afraid of. However, the fact that his Lily was one of those people only made James internally scowl.

He reached his fingers over slightly so that they tickled the palm of Lily’s hand, before feeling a slight surge of satisfaction roll through him as she unclenched her fingers and allowed him to hold her hand.

“Therefore,” Dumbledore continued, “I urge you all to be extra vigilant when patrolling the school during your rounds. If you have any doubts or concerns, please do not hesitate that you contact your Head of House immediately. We want to ensure that Hogwarts remains the safe place it has always been for students.”

Dumbledore was met with several nodding heads from each of the prefects, and the head boy and girl, respectively.

“In that case, I bid you all a good evening. You may return to your dormitories.”

With his hand still firmly intertwined with Lily’s, James swivelled on the spot to escort her back to Gryffindor tower, however, before he could even take a step forward, Dumbledore’s voice stopped him.

“Except you, Mr Potter. May I have a word with you, privately?”

“Err... yeah... I suppose that’s okay.”

He looked at Lily who nodded towards him, but not without a perplexed look covering her face.

“Go ahead,” she encouraged him before dropping his hand gently to his side. James could not help but notice Dumbledore’s gaze drop ever so slightly to accommodate their now unclasped hands.

“That,” said Dumbledore rather shrewdly, “is a recent occurrence.”

James let an embarrassed smile fall onto his mouth. Lily had finally said that she would go to Hogsmeade with him over the previous weekend. To the astonishment of James, she had admitted to having a good time whilst there with him.

“We’re not exactly together,” said James slowly, not knowing how to navigate this conversation with his Headmaster.

He felt head suffuse his cheeks as he looked Dumbledore in the eye, only to be greeted with a discreet wink. He quickly pivoted himself on the spot, eyes seeking out the door to make sure that Lily had not been privy to that exchange. Thankfully, the door had been shut tight, and Lily was nowhere to be seen.

“Now, I am aware that you have been paying regular visits to Miss Granger, up on the seventh floor.”

“Yes...” replied James slowly, unsure of where the conversation was heading, and therefore not willing to give away too much information. Dumbledore, however, continued to speak despite James’ lack of participation in the conversation.

“You have encouraged several others to do the same. Correct?”

“Well, ‘encourage’ seems like a bit of a strong word to use,” was his reply, to which Dumbledore chuckled.

“I assure you Mr Potter, that I am not in any way angry or upset with you divulging this information to your friends, however, I implore you to ensure that it does not spread any further. I trust you understand that this includes Miss Evans as well. She is a shrewd learner, and I do not wish to underestimate her abilities in this case. Therefore, it is imperative that she does not know.”