PRONGSLET AND THE RETURN OF THE MARAUDERS (ON HOLD)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

[Chapter Twenty-Nine]

While there was plenty going on whether it was dealing with Gods, Goddesses, or the devil herself, Umbridge, there were reminders of little distractions that made it easier for the lot to get through the day. Since Ron had been made Keeper, Milo was curious as to how his father was going to end up playing and all of those that were aware were curious too. After all, it had been quite some time since James had familiarised himself with a broomstick and while he had been an excellent Chaser during his school time, he was taken on a position that he had only filled in a couple of times as a substitute. Since Harry was a Seeker and all the Chaser positions were filled, he really didn't stand a choice.

"And here I was, looking forward to seeing who was the better Chaser between the two of us," James teased Milo one afternoon before he had his first Quidditch practice with an entirely new Gryffindor team.

"I could have saved you the trouble there, Dad," Milo whispered to him as they walked along the corridor towards the courtyard, " the answer is me. Even Mum said so and she's seen both of us play."

James gasped and placed his hand to his chest, it took him a moment to realise that Milo wasn't talking about Lily, but still, the utter betrayal coming from McGonagall herself was unacceptable. However, his expression alone brought Milo to laugh and it was good to hear his son laugh, or rather, just smile in general. James truly hated subjected his son to everything that was going on around him, knowing what was going to fall on the shoulders of his sons and the rest of the young souls and it wasn't fair.

Hogwarts was supposed to be some of the best years of a young wizard's or witch's life, and for Harry and Milo, it seemed to be nothing but drama. It was one thing back when James and his friends were younger, they had all joined up to fight the war willingly, but Harry, Milo, and the rest of the group, really didn't have much of a choice. Harry was turning out to be the sacrificial lamb and Milo was going to have to carry all of that when it was all said and done.

Suddenly, James knew how Elspeth felt when it came to having information that was beyond life-changing. She had knowingly played matchmaker, taking Lily from her soulmate, but James was holding out on a secret from his son that was going to be absolutely devastating to Milo when the time came.

Since James didn't respond as he became lost in thought, Milo believed that some of the awkwardness was still carrying over from the last time they spoke and ended up getting into somewhat of a spat. With Harry's skin scarred from the likes of Umbridge, Milo knew it wasn't his father's intentions, but still, James needed to practise better care or control or something bad was going to happen.  Yet, Milo still felt pretty bad about getting into a fight with him after James had just been more than relieved to see that Milo was alright.

"Listen, Dad," he said in a low voice, " I'm really sorry about the other time, you know, getting on your back about Umbridge. I was out of place and-"