Love, Probably.

As James was gathering Harry’s belongings backstage while Harry looked for Ginny to say goodbye, he picked up Harry’s coat and a piece of paper fell out of the pocket. He looked around to check Harry was nowhere in sight and unfolded it. A very undignified mixture of a snort and a sob escaped his throat as he read:

'My precious Harry,

Remember you can do anything you set your mind to. Except dance… you take after your dad on that front I’m afraid. Go get ‘em, kid!

Love you always, Mum.’

He jumped when a voice shook him out of his thoughts.

“Hey, are you alright?” James spun around and took in the woman standing before him. Her purple curls were artfully ruffled in a way he had never been able to achieve with his hair, and her dark eyes bored into him, looking genuinely concerned. It took him a moment to process that she was American, or possibly Canadian. Probably American. He blinked a few times, realising he was still holding the piece of paper silently, eyes glassy.

“Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. Just found a note from my late wife in my son’s pocket.” He kicked himself for oversharing instantly, but she just nodded. “Sorry, am I in your way, or…?”

“No, you just looked kinda lost, so I thought I’d check you were ok.” She paused for a moment. “Wait, you’re not the prime minister’s brother are you?” James frowned slightly. Nobody had asked him this yet. “Oh, that came out weirdly, huh? I’m not a stalker I swear. I’m Remus’ friend. I’m Mary.”

She held out her hand awkwardly, and he shook it, an amused expression crossing his features momentarily. “Guilty as charged. I’m James. You’re the one who shouted ‘Get it, Remus’?”

“Guilty as charged.” She grinned. “Who could have seen that coming?”

“Oh as soon as they told me they were planning to watch from the wings, I knew they’d end up kissing. Can’t say I foresaw everyone seeing…” He chuckled.

“No, Remus’ little face was a picture. I assume someone will leak it to the press and it’s going to be a nightmare?” She asked, then looked down and realised they were still essentially holding hands. She let go slowly and smiled bashfully.

“Yeah, probably. Sorry.” James shrugged. “When Sirius first became an MP, someone saw me hug him goodbye after we went to the cinema and the press thought I was his secret boyfriend, my wife... late wife thought it was hilarious. It’s all so ridiculous, though. Fucking vultures…”

“Well, Remus better be sure this is what he wants, then.” Mary sighed. “I have to say, I loved Sirius’ speech telling off Greyback. That prick deserved as much, and worse!”

“He certainly does.” James

“Dad, I can’t find her!” Harry rushed into the room looking distraught. “I think she left already, they’re getting the train tonight!”

James looked from Harry to Mary and back again. “Come on then. Looks like we’re having a spontaneous trip to the station.”

“Really?” Harry’s face lit up. “Ok, let's go!”

“Lovely to meet you, Mary. I’m sure our paths will cross again soon if those two can sort their shit out.” He smiled, then rushed after Harry who was already halfway down the corridor. “Have a nice Christmas!”

“You too!” She called after him, with a laugh. “Go get ‘em!”

🌙✨🌙✨🌙

“So how come they’re getting the train to Liverpool and not driving?” James asked as he pulled out of the school car park after shooting Sirius a text explaining why they'd rushed off. “It may be better for the planet but a train for how many of them is there? Six? Seven? Well, that seems like it would be very expensive. Probably cheaper to fly, which is insane, eh, beta?”

“Well, it’s a long story, but basically Ginny’s dad had this old car that he loved and she has twin brothers who are 13ish, and they decided to try and drive it. It did not go well. Ginny said it actually left the ground at one point.” Harry said seriously, earning him a chuckle from his dad. “Ginny’s mum’s car won’t fit all of them, so she is driving up with the four older brothers who still live with them, and Ginny and her Dad are getting the train.”

“Ah so, train for two then.” James nodded. “Wait, her brothers wrecked their dad’s car?”

“Yeah, they’re always doing stuff like that, though. She always comes back to school on a Monday morning with a new story of what they’ve been up to. Oh…” Harry frowned, “I’m going to miss that.”

“Oh, jaanu…” James glanced over at Harry. “This has been a hell of a month. But also, it’s 2024, I’m sure there’s a way you can keep in touch. Look, Har… I know your phone is just for emergencies and annoying Sirius when he’s busy, but I think we could make an exception if Ginny and her parents are alright with it.”

Harry nodded, still looking pensive. “Yeah…”

“So tell me more about what her brothers get up to then. Sounds like something me and Sirius might have done back in the day.”

🌙✨🌙✨🌙

After parking and racing to Euston, they looked at the departures board and headed towards platform two, expecting that any barriers would be open at this time of night.

When they were met with closed barriers, James turned around to find a ticket machine but Harry rushed towards the barriers and for one moment, James thought Harry might jump the barriers and thoughts of the guy who was shot by police not long after the 7/7 attacks rushed into his head, even though that guy never actually jumped over the barrier. He managed to grab Harry by his sleeve as he reached the barriers. But Harry, thankfully, was evidently just going to talk to one of the station workers and not risk injury or death for his girl.

“Excuse me,” Harry said, ignoring James’ hand on his sleeve. “I was wondering if I could get to platform two to say goodbye to someone?”

The man looked down at him and frowned. “You’ll need a ticket for that, mate.”

“The train leaves so soon, please just—” but then Harry saw a flash of red hair. “Ginny!” He shouted and grinned as she turned around.

She looked up at her dad, who nodded, but looked anxiously at the board as she ran over to the barriers.

“Harry!” She returned his grin, “What are you doing here?”

Harry suddenly didn’t know what to say. “I— uh— I just wanted to say goodbye, I guess.” He looked down at the floor, pointedly ignoring the used plaster somehow wrapped around a cigarette butt next to the gate. “I’ll miss you. It won’t be the same without you.”

Ginny looked back at her dad, who awkwardly shifted from foot to foot. “I’ll miss you too. Perhaps we could—“

“Ginny, we really need to go,” Arthur called out to her.

“Sorry, I don’t want you to miss your train,” Harry said, before pulling out the piece of paper James had written Harry’s phone number on in the car. “Can we still be mates, d’you think?”

“Yeah!” She bounced on the balls of her feet a few times before leaning over the barrier and barely pressing her lips to Harry’s cheek. “Thanks for saying bye, Harry.”

“Ginny!”

“Alright! I’m coming!” She smiled at Harry before walking back to her dad, turning and waving just before they vanished out of sight.

Harry turned back to James who was pretending to scroll on his phone to not seem like he was eavesdropping. “Well, I think that went well.”

James laughed, “Yeah, I think it probably did. Now come on, let’s get you home, I bet Sirius has the kettle on as we speak.”