Title: Father Knows Best
Title: Father Knows Best
Rating: PG
Word Count: 477
A/N(optional): Thank you to my wonderful beta, Andi. Written for genhp_ldws , Prompt was: Conversations with a ghost.
Harry collapsed on his bed in Gryffindor Tower, still fully dressed. He managed to kick off one of his shoes before sleep claimed him.
He was woken by the sound of hooves clattering across the stone floor of the dormitory. Straightening his glasses he hadn't bothered to take off, he sat up in bed to see a stag galloping towards him. He tried to remember conjuring a Patronus. The stag stopped at the foot of the bed. As Harry watched, the animal transformed into a man and James Potter was soon standing at the foot of the bed.
"Dad!"
James sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at his son. "Do you know how proud we are of you? You've ended Voldemort's reign."
"It wasn't me. Everyone-”
"Everyone helped, but it was you that had to sacrifice in order for him to die." James smiled at his son before continuing. "I know Dumbledore gave you the choice to return. Why did you come back?"
Harry looked at his father. Did James think he had made the wrong choice?
"I'm sorry, I should have stayed with you and mum-”
James shook he head. "No, son, you were right to return. But, why did you? I'm sure there were several, but what was the main reason, the one reason, you came back?"
Harry saw the Marauder's Map on his bedside table and remembered watching her dot. "Ginny."
James nodded. "I thought so. But yet you haven't spoken to her since the battle ended."
Harry opened his mouth to answer. He had to talk to Dumbledore; he had to return the Elder Wand; he had to talk to everyone else and listen to their stories. His excuses sounded unconvincing even in his mind.
"Your mother and I wasted so much time. I was an arrogant toerag for years, as your mum reminds me to this day." James laughed. "All along I was trying to impress her and failing miserably at it. But somehow, she finally decided to give me a chance. We had a few years together, but it really wasn't enough time." James paused to let Harry think about that. "Don't waste any more time."
Harry watched as his father faded from view. He reached out but only succeeded in falling off the bed. From the floor, Harry sat up and adjusted his glasses that were askew. He heard the soft sound of Neville breathing, but otherwise the room was silent and empty. He felt around in the dark for his shoe and slipped it on before rushing from the room.
He burst into the empty common room and headed for the girls' dormitory. He hoped everyone would understand when the stairs sent out the warning that a male student was present, but he knew, at that moment, nothing would keep him from his future.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 477
A/N(optional): Thank you to my wonderful beta, Andi. Written for genhp_ldws , Prompt was: Conversations with a ghost.
Harry collapsed on his bed in Gryffindor Tower, still fully dressed. He managed to kick off one of his shoes before sleep claimed him.
He was woken by the sound of hooves clattering across the stone floor of the dormitory. Straightening his glasses he hadn't bothered to take off, he sat up in bed to see a stag galloping towards him. He tried to remember conjuring a Patronus. The stag stopped at the foot of the bed. As Harry watched, the animal transformed into a man and James Potter was soon standing at the foot of the bed.
"Dad!"
James sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at his son. "Do you know how proud we are of you? You've ended Voldemort's reign."
"It wasn't me. Everyone-”
"Everyone helped, but it was you that had to sacrifice in order for him to die." James smiled at his son before continuing. "I know Dumbledore gave you the choice to return. Why did you come back?"
Harry looked at his father. Did James think he had made the wrong choice?
"I'm sorry, I should have stayed with you and mum-”
James shook he head. "No, son, you were right to return. But, why did you? I'm sure there were several, but what was the main reason, the one reason, you came back?"
Harry saw the Marauder's Map on his bedside table and remembered watching her dot. "Ginny."
James nodded. "I thought so. But yet you haven't spoken to her since the battle ended."
Harry opened his mouth to answer. He had to talk to Dumbledore; he had to return the Elder Wand; he had to talk to everyone else and listen to their stories. His excuses sounded unconvincing even in his mind.
"Your mother and I wasted so much time. I was an arrogant toerag for years, as your mum reminds me to this day." James laughed. "All along I was trying to impress her and failing miserably at it. But somehow, she finally decided to give me a chance. We had a few years together, but it really wasn't enough time." James paused to let Harry think about that. "Don't waste any more time."
Harry watched as his father faded from view. He reached out but only succeeded in falling off the bed. From the floor, Harry sat up and adjusted his glasses that were askew. He heard the soft sound of Neville breathing, but otherwise the room was silent and empty. He felt around in the dark for his shoe and slipped it on before rushing from the room.
He burst into the empty common room and headed for the girls' dormitory. He hoped everyone would understand when the stairs sent out the warning that a male student was present, but he knew, at that moment, nothing would keep him from his future.