somebody told me (james)

Harry had been hoping to meet with each of kids during their first weeks of school. He hadn't been the best father for James, because he just didn't understand that kid. But he also knew that it was his duty as a father to try and reach out to him. He hadn't been busy with work recently, which was shocking, no dark wizards to catch as of right now, or at least cases that were put on the back burner for the time being.

This would be perfect for reconnecting with his family.

Harry sat at a table at The Three Broomsticks with hopes that James would stop by, he knew his other kids would end up coming to see him. James he wasn't sure, but a man could hope. His track record as a dad sucked.

@James Potter

Although James knew he was insanely recognizable, he wanted to see if he could exploit his fame to grab a couple of alcoholic drinks during Hogsmeade weekend. That plan came to a screeching halt when he was confronted by his dad's appearance at The Three Broomsticks.

Fuck.

Now he was in a dilemma. What kind of headlines would he want to hear about when mail was delivered in the morning? Potter heir shuns father or Harry Potter and Heir enjoy a meal together?

The way he was already talk of the school, he wasn't sure what would be the better option. Perhaps the latter since he already rejoined the quidditch team.

James walked towards Harry, feeling somewhat tense, and took the seat across from him. "Er, hey, dad..."

@Harry Potter

Harry had been shocked when James had made an appearance. He knew the media would have a field day with it since they loved making stories about them. He had looked unrecognizable and he let out a laugh. “You trying to avoid the reporters? Or trying to get things you aren't supposed too?” he chuckled.

He loved enjoying butterbeers with his friends.

“Are you down for a butterbeer? On me?” he said trying to be approachable. He did love his son. “How’s school?”

@James Potter

"Er, both?" he answered honestly. James wasn't going to give specifics. His dad was an auror. No way he was going to open himself to a lecture. That too would wind up in the papers.

James nodded. "Yeah, sure." As much as he resented being the Potter heir, James couldn't totally reject his dad's attempts at connecting. "School's alright, I guess. I, er, rejoined the quidditch team..."

@Harry Potter

Harry thought about his good times during his school days. They were mainly with Ron and Hermione who were his rocks to this day and he'd do anything for them. “You know I used to get in trouble all the time. One time my professor told me that she couldn't believe anytime something happened it was always the trio.” he pointed out.

He did love Professor McGonagall.

“I am glad I know I am not the greatest father. I have some off time from dark wizards.” he said giving James a smile. “What made you do that? Let me guess Al wanting both bros?”

He would have to make a match this year.

@James Potter

"..."

They were very alike. A lot more alike than James would like to admit. He never quite knew how to deal with it. He tried to deny it. He wanted to deny it. Anything that would get people to realize that he isn't an extension of his dad.

James looked afar from Harry and squinted with really no idea of what he wanted to look at. There was nothing over there to look at, but it was better than dealing with each realization of their similarities.

"I dunno, just felt like I was, er, ready to play again. I'm a chaser this time. Er, the captain already made herself seeker..."

Dammit.

@Harry Potter

Harry knew that James struggled being his son, because he had the name of two heroes. He just wish that he didn't see it as such a big deal, but he needed to relate to him. This was his son that he created, he needed to understand him. The boy looked a lot like him and had his same height, and he sighed. It broke his heart, and when he told him that he didn't make seeker it wasn't that big of a deal.

"You are better off knowing multiple positions. I wish I did." he commented. He wish knew more positions, so that he could be a better Quidditch captain during his day. "Your mum can give you a whole bunch of tips. How's your brother handling his keeper gig I been talking to Oliver Wood about coaching him." he commented.

He liked to use his fame to help get kids places.

"Any girls?"

@James Potter

"Shit, I forgot I could ask mum about that." He smiled somewhat. He was going to have to ask her later. "Er..."

How would he explain how Al's feeling about being a keeper.

"Er, he loves it? I dunno if he wants to go pro or not, but he gets on me 'bout takin' the sport seriously 'cause he thinks I'm lazy at everything! I don't try to be, but it's bloody hard!"

How could he get anything done when he was constantly under a microscope?

His eyes widened upon his dad's next question. Change of topic much? He moistened his lips and answered with a nod. Since he technically did have one? Well, they weren't together or anything official, but he knew he liked her and she liked him.

@Harry Potter

Harry had always believed that Ginny knew what she was talking about with Quidditch, and was a far better Quidditch than he could ever be in his life-time. He had sort of lost his Quidditch skills once he entered the workforce, and his life became trying to make sure the ministry was happy with everything.

He longed to play again though.

"Al spreads himself too thin, and it's like you are only fifteen." he said. He knew that he often got caught up in the successes of Albus, and didn't spend much time with James. "You do sometimes give people that impression, but I know it's who you are, but I want you to enjoy being a kid." he commented. He knew that James complained about things that weren't worth complaining about at times, but he lacked being understanding.

He gave his son a smile, "I want to be a better father."

@James Potter

Were they moving on from that question about girls or..?

James blinked at his dad, unsure of how he should respond.

It meant a lot.

He just didn't know what to say.

@Harry Potter

Harry didn't know what to make of James reaction, but it gave him a warm feeling.

"I been told you like music."

He had never been that good of a singer.

"What sparked your interest in it?"

@James Potter

"I just wanted to try somethin' different, y'know?" James answered. He did wonder which of his siblings mentioned that to dad. Maybe it was a cousin. He wasn't quite sure. "I, er, discovered that I really enjoyed it..."

@Harry Potter

Harry had liked music every now and them. One of his favorite songs being "O Children" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds He had remembered listening it to it with Hermione and how calming the song had been.

"Did you ever listen to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds?"

@James Potter

"They are one of my favorite bands."

He listened to their music a lot in his free time at work.

@James Potter

"They are? I, er, had no idea..."

James didn't even know what to say about music he liked. The Beatles was too obvious. He wasn't used to talking to his dad like this; why was he able to gloss over his love life quicker than everyone at Hogwarts?

@Harry Potter

Harry loved all kinds of music during his youth. He had mostly taste in muggle songs. “Yeah I grew up in the muggle world, so my exposure to muggle music was just fitting.”

He never knew what it was like to grow up purely wizard, but he also had the worst childhood. Thankfully his aunt and uncle have come a long way since the days, but the mistrust was still broken.

Their butterbeers had finally come, and his face lit up. “My favorite drink, you know. When I was your age, I had to watch your mother kiss one of her exes her. The butterbeer got me through it.”

“You know I been trying to find ways to keep Edith out of our business.”

@James Potter

"Er, yeah, I know that..."

Even though Harry was his dad, James didn't really know him all that much as an actual person who happened to be his father. Between work and the way he was so mythologized in magical Britain... He was beginning to feel as if he should've made more of an effort on his part.

"You did? Er, did ya ever see anyone else before marryin' mum..?"

He raised an eyebrow. Hopefully that was the case. "How?"

@Harry Potter

Harry had very few girlfriends in his lifetime and the one he remembered was Cho Chang. The girl he idolized for two years until realizing his feelings for his wife. "I had liked this girl, Cho. Who I guess you could say got my friends and I in trouble, because Professor Umbridge was trying to find out information about a club. She threw us under the bus, and there went that relationship. I also liked this muggle for a short time right before my sixth year." he said trying to recall.

Ginny was really his one and only. He can't say the same for her.

"I been talking to higher ups about Edith being unpractical, and using kids to exploit them. I am thinking maybe it could put a stop to her madness, and let you have a normal life."

@James Potter