The Next Adventure

The not so bearded wizard

"Grandfather? What do you mean? I don't have a grandfather! Shouldn't I know..."

Harry kept saying before he looked at the photograph Fleamont had just left on his wooden office desk. There they were. His mother and father and the man he just met, all looking at the camera smiling widely and then laughing at how silly they thought they could look when they finally would see the photograph.

Lily Potter was wearing a white wedding dress. It was a strapless dress with a corset and a skirt made of what looked like very soft tulle. It wasn't too puffy, but also not too tight. Her hair were pulled back. Her veil was secured on her head with a flower crown.

James Potter was standing on right of Lily Potter. He was wearing black matt robes and a top hat which he would constantly take off and look at it laughing like he wanted to say "Whose idea was that?".

Behind the young couple there was Fleamont, looking younger than he was in his office that day. He was hugging both of them, looking firstly at the camera, then at the two of them and then at the sky, looking proud for the new husband and wife.

"Wha... How did you get that...?" Harry began to say but Fleamont was already ahead of him. He walked near a wooden library and took an old shoe box. After searching a little under the piles of letter stuck in that box he finally found the ones he needed. He took them out of the box, placed the box back on the library's shelf and gave the two letters to Harry.

Harry looked at the old papers. They were yellow on the edges and some of the ink was smudged. The first letter was written 18 years ago. The other one was written a year later. Harry took the oldest letter and started reading it.

August 27, 1980

My dearest father,

I'm writing to thank you once again for coming to our home. Lily and I were so happy to see you. We both believe it did good to you to see your new grandson.
I really did want he would have your name, but Sirius and Lily were right to tell me that «Fleamont» would be a burdon when he starts going at Hogwarts.
I know what you'll say. How do I know he'll be a wizard? The answer is simple. I can feel it. I can feel it in my bones.
You told me once that you knew I was a wizard from the moment you first saw me. Not because you wanted me to. But because you felt it. That's what happened to me.
Of course it wouldn't matter if he wasn't blessed with magical powers. Me and Lily would still love him the same. Besides, Muggles have achieved some pretty cool things with what they call «science». And with our guidance he will grow up to be a great man. Surely not like that Vernon Lily's sister, Petunia, has married. We've had a...disagreement last week.
Anyway, we've decided to name him Harry. It sounds very nice don't you think? Harry Potter. Son of Lily and James Potter. Harry James Potter. My son.
Why do I keep thinking of all this nonsense, you may ask me, when Voldemort is gathering more and more followers and power. We all try not to let fear consume us. Hope is the enemy of fear and also all we have left.
Things are looking very bad father. More and more people are joining Voldemort's army. Do you remember Barty Crouch? His son was revealed to be a Deatheater. Dumbledore said Crouch was devastated. It's hard to trust other people these days.
Things aren't well at the order either. We've lost so many friends. Their whole families went extinct. People have started to fear everyone to be a Deatheater. Even muggles have understood something is terribly wrong. Remus had to go on hiding for a while. Werewolves don't receive the best press especially nowadays. Next time you hear, they'll be saying that werewolves are just as bad as Deatheaters!
But what matters the most is that we're safe and united. Don't know how long will that last, but we should enjoy it while we can.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Your son,
James P.