James and Angus appeared in their home dropping down on the living room floor. Angus groaned rolling to his side Ava came to his side and started helping him get his jacket off while James stared in confusion. "What's going on?"
"James help me get your father's jacket and shirt off. Quickly help me! We have to get him up to the bathroom." She said.
James hurried getting off Angus' jacket. Ava threw the jacket aside as someone came into the room with heavy boots on. James caught a glimpse of the man's long jean legs as he went to stand over them facing the door. He looked up at the man's wide back and the black wand in his hand and then James quickly looked away.
Ava got out a knife from Angus' traveling bag as she began to rip away Angus' shirt and rolled him onto his side gentle. James stared at the massive long ugly black scar going down his back.
"I put in new wards on the property and surrounding the house. James help your mother take your father to the down stairs bathroom. I'll keep watch." The man spoke calmly in a deep voice.
"Yes Sir." James said without looking up at the man.
James kept his gaze on Angus as he and Ava helped him to his feet and they made the journey to the bathroom. Inside was a large tub that was filled with pink water and the scent of sage and lavender in the air.
They helped Angus into the tub. Angus gritted his teeth on long hiss and stiffened up at the feel of the water before relaxing back into the tub. Ava took a wash cloth dipping it in the water and bathing his face and chest.
"James take your father's boots off after that I need you help guard the house in the back while Sir guards the front of the house." Ava said.
"Mom-"
"No. No explanations right now. Please do what I say. I have to take care of your father. He'll be alright in a few hours but I have to watch him during that time. I need you to protect the family. Don't go outside of the house just protect the back entrance."
James took one look at Angus' tightly closed eyes and heavy breathing then he got up taking up his wand and heading to the back of the house. He was careful in avoiding the other man or speaking to him. He focused on his mission.
Several hours past as James watched the back of the house with his wand ready. He heard the man in the front's boots move against the floor boards but nothing else. The sunset after awhile then after what seemed like a life time of waiting the man cleared his throat.
"Your father wants to see you James. He's looking good and he can explain somethings to you now."
James nodded but he didn't move. "I don't know who you are and I'm not supposed to see you yet Sir."
"James. You know who I am."
James shook his head. "No. I don't. I have an idea. Your either my grandfather or your my great grandfather. Either case is strange enough. Both are supposed to be dead."
The man laughed. "It's okay. I'm just an ordinary man. I was never that special or that great of wizard in my day. I did what I had to do. I did what I was supposed to do."
James sighed and nervously turned around slowly. He froze staring at the scar. He had gray hair but he was still strangely well built. His glasses where square. They stared at each other. "Hello, James." Harry Potter greeted him.
"Hello, Grandpa Harry." James said softly. "You look good for your age? You look kind ah young in a way."
Harry chuckled. "Yeah. Well it wasn't intentional on my part but that's another story for another time. Your father wants to speak with you."
James nodded and hurried back to the bathroom. He came to the bathroom to see his father sitting up with Ava still close beside him on the floor.
Angus smiled and waved him inside. "Hey."
"Hey. How is your back Dad?"
Angus snorted. "It hurts like a sum-ah-bitch. Besides that it'll be alright. You meet Grandpa Harry?" He asked.
James nodded coming into the bathroom to sit on the floor by the tub. "So is the scar permanent?"
"Oh yeah. Very permanent. It'll hurt for a bit and then I'll be good. I might get me tattoo artist to cover it up. I'm thinking either a picture of your mother and you or a lightning bolt like Grand Harry's scar. I'm thinking on some ideas." Angus said.
James stared at him. "Are you really okay?"
Angus nodded. "Yes. I am. I'll be right and ready for your wedding coming up. Do you want do know how I survived?"
James shook his head. "I'm a spell engineer. I figured it when I saw the scar and then when I saw Grandpa Harry I remembered the selfless love charm. But, Professor Longbottom already guessed as much. How many people know he's still alive?"
Angus shrugged. "Well only family. We've had our little moments here and there and things went to shit afterward but we managed it as best as we could. Now It's different."
"Because of me." James said.
Angus shook his head. "No. It was only a matter time before people would find out he's alive. So we deal with it."
James rubbed a hand over his face. "This is all weird bro." He said.
Angus nodded. "I know. I know."
"I thought he died. It's in the history books at Hogwarts. Does Neville know?"
Both Ava and Angus gave him a look. James groaned shaking his head. "Stupid question. Of course he's knows. Why did Grandpa Harry go into hiding all this time?"
Ava shook her head. "It wasn't his choice as his life became a series of duels and assassination attempts he soon had to retire. He didn't have a choice when our enemies nearly assassinated his children and grandchildren. It's along story."
James shook his head. "What do I do now?"
Angus shook his head. "No. He's living his life. You live yours and do what you want to do with it. He just wants to talk to you occasionally. He's just Grandpa Harry."
James snorted. "He's not just Grandpa Harry."
"I am." Harry said from the doorway.
James grimaced and looked up to see him holding a tray of cups of tea and cookies.
"So enough about old man. Who is this young lady your about to marry?" Harry said coming into the bathroom and offering them cups of tea.
James sighing taking the cup and sipping it before setting it down in his lap. Harry waited watching him.
James snorted. "Mara is the granddaughter of your friend Luna. She's very attached to me and she has a whimsical personality."
Harry laughed. "I would bet. She was always a true friend in school and afterward. If your Mara is half the lady of grandmother then it would an honor to meet her. What's she do?"
James smiled. "She's a scholar. She writes books, articles on historical events in magical history and works on consolations with political figures in the ministry and she also does some magical repair and spell engineering."
Harry nodded. "Sounds like a smart young lady. She reminds me Hermione. She and Luna still put flowers on my Jinny's place on her birthday."
James stared at him. "What happened to you?" He asked.
Harry sighed with shrug. "Life. I had my good years bad years and everything else in between James. I don't have anything to complain about. I'm just glad to be here and help where I can." He said.
James looked at the wand at his hip that was attached to Harry's belt. Harry noticed James gaze. "Oh no that's not the wand. It's just one I won from a school friend of mean." He said. "The Elder wand is buried in history were it belongs. So what was your first year like?"
James blinked in surprise. "What?"
Harry nodded sipping his tea. "Your first year at Hogwarts. Though I have to admit I would like to hear about all your years at Hogwarts. I would enjoy hearing how was it like?"
James snorted shaking his head. "It was rather boring Grandpa Harry. Almost all my years at Hogwarts were like that. I spent all my years at Hogwarts trying to befriend who I could establish myself and future alliances though I have to say it wasn't easy with being put into house Slytherin. I got in a row with the big headed dummies in house Gryffindors for a couple of-"
Harry and Angus started laughing.