The aftermath
As James drifted through the bustling streets of London, all he could think about was that Remus had no idea what had happened last night. And what a horrible shock he would have when he checked the paper that morning. He was swiftly making his way to Remus’s apartment by floating through the people in his way. Luckily, James didn’t have to worry about bumping into anyone because he just drifted through them. Though on the odd occasion where he bumped into another ghost, they were very apologetic.
Once James had reached Moony and Padfoot’s flat he attempted to knock on the door, forgetting that he could float straight through. James found him eating his breakfast, toast with chocolate spread, whilst listening to the muggle news on the radio. After Remus had finished his breakfast, he switched off the radio and got dressed and put on his robes , ready for another day of fighting off dark wizards. Little did Remus know that his job as an auror had ended with the destruction of the Dark Lord.
Remus then called out ‘Bye Sirius’ before promptly grabbing a handful of floo powder. James couldn’t help but shed a tear, as he knew that Sirius now a resident in Azkaban prison, and would be until Peter’s plot was discovered. James followed Remus as he he made his way to the fireplace in their living room. He stepped into the unlit fireplace and clearly called out the words ‘The Ministry Of Magic’ before disappearing in a wave of green flames. James had no idea if he would be able to use the floo network at a ghost, but he decided to attempt it anyway. And thank god he did, as when he emerged from the flames, along with Moony, he had reached The Ministry Of Magic.
James was always awestruck to see the incredible, colossal, striking, black brick lined walls of the internal main room. He noticed that the cavernous room was unusually empty. James assumed this was because people were celebrating, after all Voldemort was dead.
He watched Remus grab one of the newspapers on a stand by the floo exit. This was it. This was the moment where Remus’s entire world would come crashing down. James saw as Remus started to read the headline.
‘The Dark Lord is dead!’
Remus looked utterly thrilled. Until he read on to find out three of his best friends had been murdered and his lover was in prison. Remus collapsed to the floor in tears, whilst James tried to console him by placing a hand on his shoulder. He then realised he was unable to do this as his hand passed straight through Remus. All James could do was also weep next to his friend.
He felt horrible, as Remus did not deserve this. Remus had always been kind and loving, even if a bit snarky at times. He had been dealt a bad hand early on. What with the his ‘furry little problem’, the homophobia of the 70s, and now the loss of everyone he held dear. James couldn’t believe how stupid he had been, to think that Remus could’ve been the spy.
Remus and James both sat on the floor of the empty, cavernous Ministry of Magic bawling their eyes out for at least ten minutes before Remus picked up his things and promptly headed home. James didn’t follow, as he wanted to get back to Lily and Harry, and he knew there was nothing he could do to help his friend. He once again wandered through the streets of London, then managed to catch a train, until he found himself on Privet Drive.
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As James reached the Dursleys house, he was met with an irritated glance from Lily.
‘Honestly James, I hate her.’
James noticed she was slightly teary but proceeded to ask.
‘What do you mean love?’
‘I mean’ she continued ‘Petunia is treating our son like he is a stray cat she found on the side of the road.’
‘What you mean by that’ James queried.
‘Well, I realised that she would love her own son more than her nephew, but honestly you should see the way she treats him.’
‘It’s all right sweetheart, I know you wanted to raise him in the most loving household there could be, but I suppose there’s nothing we can do about Petunia’s parenting techniques.’ He said solemnly.
‘Anyway’ Lily changed the subject ‘How were things with Remus’
‘Not good, but he’s tough and he’s been through a lot. I think, with some time, he’ll be okay’
Over the next few days, both parents stayed by Harry’s side. They also both agreed that Petunia and Vernon’s parenting techniques left much to be desired.
James seemed to grow more and more resentful towards Peter as the days went on, as he was the reason that Harry was growing up with a horrible family instead of with him and his wife. If Peter hadn’t framed Sirius, Harry would have been able to live with his godfather, he would’ve had a charmed life filled with broomsticks and chocolate frogs. But alas, there was nothing James or Lily could do.
Both James and Lily had noticed that their old Head of House, professor McGonagall seemed to visit every couple of weeks. She clearly had and interest in the boy, and despised the family he was placed with. She would transform into her animagus form and keep an eye on him. There were many times she looked as if she wanted to break down the door and whisk the small boy away, yet she didn’t. James assumed to was under strict orders from Dumbledore to not intervene.
James admired McGonagall greatly, he looked back at his fond school memories where she would find him, and the other marauders, hidden away in a small nook or cranny planing their next prank. And he knew, had it been her decision, she would’ve raised Harry herself.
Over time the days seemed to merge. James and Lily would follow Harry around at home, and at school, and when he went anywhere else. They hoped he could feel their presence but they didn’t know exactly how the rules of being a ghost worked. Slowly the days turned into weeks, the weeks into months, the months into years. Until one day, the day James and Lily had been waiting for, Harry went to retrieve the morning post. He noticed an odd letter addressed to him. James and Lily were ecstatic as they realised that their son was going to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.