That's My Boy

Professor Albus Dumbledore yawned loudly and sank down into his bed, grateful for the good night´s rest in front of him. Some of Hagrid´s giant mutated gerbils had escaped from his thatched hut today, and had terrorized Hogwarts all morning. As if that wasn´t chaotic enough, trying to catch them had proved more difficult than one might imagine, and the now rabid gerbils had fled into the plumbing. Gerbils in the plumbing, he chuckled to himself. Just another day in the life of a Hogwarts headmaster...

Dumbledore quickly fell into a deep slumber. He was dreaming about playful artichokes dancing in a field of cheerful barely when suddenly his surroundings vanished and he was in the Hogwarts library. Sitting down as if expecting someone, he was not at all surprised when James Potter, a former student, poked his head out from behind a bookcase and grinned.

"I wondered if it would be you," Dumbledore said gently with a smile. "I´ve been expecting a visit from you for a long time, James."

"You´re plenty asleep, then? So we can talk?" James said in a voice that Dumbledore remembered so well.

"Yes, of course. I never awaken from a conversation."

"Good," James sighed in relief, taking a seat across from Dumbledore. "How´s Hogwarts these days, Professor?"

"Gerbils in the plumbing."

"I see. So not much different?"

"No, not really. What brings you here tonight, James? I must ask what took you so long?"

James´ face darkened somewhat. "A bloody risp. The fool. Got behind on his clients. I applied for a new one, you know. Can´t stand the one I´ve got. A snotty little git at that."

"I see. I´m assuming this is about Harry, then?"

"Yes," James said urgently. "I´m worried about my son sir. I understand you wanted him to grow up to be humble and not exposed to fame, but have you even looked in on him?"

"A few times," Dumbledore said, stroking his beard. "I know its not the most loving environment, but-"

"You can say that again," James said hotly. "Why hasn´t he been moved?" 

Dumbledore sighed. James hadn´t changed; still determined, still bull-headed. Something was oddly comforting about that. He laughed softly. "Oh James, so many reasons. He´s safer there, for one. Have you thought of that?"

James was silent for a moment, lost in thought. "I...I suppose you´re right there..." he said, sounding somewhat defeated.

"The Dursleys aren´t doing him any harm that can´t be reversed. For now, it´s the best place for him, plain and simple."

James looked peeved, but convinced. "But can´t anything be done? Can´t anyone...go over there, or something?"

Dumbledore arched an eyebrow. "´Go over there´?"

"You know, can´t Harry have some sort of wizard mentor, or something? So he doesn´t think that all adults are miserable creatures? So he doesn´t think he´s a miserable creature?"

Even eight years after his death, James could still take Dumbledore by surprise. "I must say James, that´s not an altogether bad idea."

"Of course its not," James said pompously. "I thought of it, didn´t I?"

Dumbledore couldn´t help but smile at James´ haughtiness. If death hadn´t deflated James´ ego, nothing ever would. "Have you talked to Lily about this?"

"Yes, of course. She feels the same way. Even more so, I´d say. She would have come tonight, but she had a rendezvous with James Dean, that bloody American. She always did have a thing for him. Let her go, I say, because once I find Marilyn Monroe-"

"James, James, James," Dumbledore laughed quietly. "I know you don´t have all night to say what you came here to say."

"That´s right, they put me on a ten minute limit. Can you believe that? I said to them, I said-"

"James."

"Oh, right. Got about two minutes left, Professor, so I´ll just say what I need to." James´ presence took on a more serious air and he continued in a pleading voice,

"Please sir, we love our son. We loved him enough to die for him. I know you did what you felt was right, but it still tears me apart to see my son suffering. I wish I could relate to you in words how it feels to see your son degraded and mistreated. He´s so small, and pale, and quiet. I can see it in his eyes, Professor, he´s horribly unhappy! But my little son is so brave, he just carries on in spite of the life he´s leading. He doesn´t know any different. He doesn´t know that he doesn´t deserve getting the smallest portions at the dinner table, or getting teased in school, or humiliated at home. He doesn´t know, and its not fair! Its not fair that I can´t help him! Its not fair that he has to live this way, and all I can do is watch! Believe me Professor, more than anything I just want to scoop him up in my arms and tell him that he´s wanted, he´s needed, he´s loved by someone, even if we can´t be near him! Please, please, please Professor Dumbledore, please send someone to my son that he can look up to! Someone that can tell him that he´s important, that he´s not worthless, that he deserves to be here just as much as anyone else! I can´t be there for my son, but please, he needs someone who can be! Won´t you do this for us, Professor? Won´t you?"

Dumbledore studied the heartbroken face of a boy he once knew so well. He had never seen James quite so serious which is why he felt so compelled to help him. Every fiber in Dumbledore´s body screamed that it wasn´t fair what had happened to James and Lily, and that Harry deserved to have parents. Maybe he could do the next best thing. "Yes James. I will do this thing for you and Lily, and for Harry."

Relief flooded James´ face and a grin reappeared. "Oh, thank you sir! We appreciate more than you could ever imagine!" James´ ears perked at an invisible noise and an annoyed look crossed his face. "They´re calling me back. I have to go. So you´ll take care of it then?" Dumbledore nodded. James grinned broadly and waved goodbye. "Thank you again, sir. I´ll see you again soon." James slipped behind the bookcase from whence he came and all was silent in the library once again.

Dumbledore sat back in his seat, a small smile creeping across his face. "And I know just the man for the job..."