Letters

August 31, 2016

Dear James,

Tomorrow you're going to go to Hogwarts. It can be some of the best times you will have. You will have lots of family around you at school: Victoire, Madeline, Isabella, Jacob, Fred, and Parker. If you need anything, ask them. Or go see your Head of House. If you're in Gryffindor (and I'm sure you will be) it'll be Neville. But it doesn't matter what House you're in. You will always be my son, and I will love you, no matter what.

Your mum will tell you all the practical things, like do your homework on time, don't go wandering out after curfew, and make sure you dress warmly. Why? Well, she's your mum, and that's what mums do. She'll also try to go through your trunk in the morning to make sure you packed enough clean underwear. Don't fight it, just let her do it.

Now, if you get into trouble, you will serve your detention, or any other consequence, and no trying to weasel out of it. You really don't want to get a Howler from Mum, do you? Remember, though, your mum and I will not be around to bail you out of mischief, so do try to keep your nose clean, eh?

But what I really want to tell you are a few things that you won't learn from books.

One... if you're hungry, and you missed dinner or something, there's a painting of a bowl of fruit. If you stroke the pear, it will turn into a handle, and the painting becomes the door to the kitchens. No matter what your Aunt Hermione tries to tell you, the house elves will feed you like Grandmum does - of their own volition. They'll even pack some food for you to take away with you. Remember though, the elves at Hogwarts are not to be taken advantage of.

Two... it takes a lot of courage to stand up to your friends. Especially if they're doing something you know is wrong. That's a sign of true courage. Never be afraid to stand up to your friends. They will get over it.

Three... Hagrid will invite you over for tea. The tea itself is fine. He does make a good cuppa. But don't eat the food. Don't refuse it, but just... move it around on your plate. And if you want to keep all your teeth, do not eat the rock cakes! Or the treacle fudge!

Four... Don't waste your time with Divination. Yes, Professor Trelawney has made some real predictions, but the rest of the time, she will tell you all the horrific ways you're going to die. If I had paid any attention at all to her my third year, I'd have been dead before our final exams that year. Take something else. Anything else. Please... do your dad a favor and spare yourself the misery.

Five... if there is an event, like a Yule Ball, for instance, and you really like a girl, do not wait until the last minute to ask her to go with you!!! Girls at that age do tend to travel in packs, so just take a deep breath and do it. They'll giggle a lot, too, but seeing as how you've grown up with Lily and all your girl cousins, I think you'll be okay. Oh, and speaking of girls... stay away from Madame Puddifoot's. Not unless you want to lose your lunch.

Six... most importantly, the 'coolest' people don't always make the best friends. Some of the best friends I made at school were hardly the coolest students. But when I needed help, they were willing to give it to me, no questions asked.

Seven... do what makes you happy. If it's taking advanced Potions or Herbology, or even Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, do it. You will be completely and utterly miserable doing something that makes you unhappy.

That's about all I can think of now, James. If anything else comes up, I'll send you an owl.

Just do your best. That's all your mum and I can ask of you.

Love,

Dad

Harry sealed the letter to James, and tiptoed into the kitchen to lay it on the table at James' place. When he came down for breakfast in the morning, it would be waiting for him.

He crept up the stairs to his and Ginny's bedroom and slid into bed next to Ginny. She turned over and cuddled into him. 'Did you write it?'

He stroked the hair from her face. 'Yeah.'

'What'd you say?'

'That's between James and me, love. Go back to sleep.'

*****

James Potter sat on his bed in the seventh year dormitory. He held a ragged letter in his hand, reading it. Over the last seven years, he had often taken it out, and read his father's advice. As much as he hated to admit it, it was good advice. James ruefully shook his messy black hair out of his eyes and picked up a clean piece of parchment.

Dear Dad,

It's my last night at Hogwarts. You were right. I did have a lot of good times here.

I wanted to take the time to tell you I still have that letter you wrote to me the night before I started school. I have it next to me right now. It seemed really dorky at the time, Dad, but it helped. Especially that time Fred and Jacob tried to spike Professor Williams' pumpkin juice with flobberworm mucus.

So, as part of leaving school, I wanted to tell you what I've learned. Aside from the magical.

I did learn to ask the girl out in advance. The first time I wanted to ask a girl to go to Hogsmeade with me, I scoffed at your advice and waited until that morning. Needless to say, next time, I asked as soon as the weekend was announced.

And I did do what made me happy. Professor Flitwick says I'm almost as good as Mum in Charms. I think I got an Outstanding on my Charms N.E.W.T. I have a feeling my Runes and Arithmancy scores will be good, as well. And DADA... well, when your father is Harry Potter, you'd better do a good job at DADA. I was a much better Quidditch announcer than player, strangely enough. But I am good at it. Actually, if you want to see something amazing on a broomstick, watch Al play. If I ever had to create a picture of joy, it would be Al on his Lighteningbolt 350.

Speaking of Al on a broom (and this is between you and me, Dad) Montrose has been out to scout him a few times. Flying makes him happy, Dad.

I never did eat anything Hagrid cooked. I usually said I wasn't hungry.

I only had to use the house elves a few times. I missed dinner a couple of times and I snuck down for a sandwich. They were dead helpful, Dad. I usually got more sandwiches than I could eat, biscuits, tea... You name it, they gave it to me. I've never seen anyone who liked to feed people so much. Except maybe Grandmum...

I'm sure there's much more I could tell you, Dad. And if anything else comes up, I'll send you an owl.

I hope I've made you and Mum proud of me.

If I can be half the man you are, Dad, I'd say that's a pretty good life.

Love,

James

James stepped off the train and waked up to Harry. 'Hey, Dad.'

'James!' Harry enfolded James into a back-pounding hug.

'So, Dad, I have something for you.' James held out the folded parchment. 'I finally wrote a reply to the letter you sent me my first year.'