The words cut deep.
Jas opened his mouth but had nothing to say.
Lily stood stiffly.
To the Order of the Phoenix, they were heroic warriors. To most witches and wizards, saviors of the world. But facts were facts—absent for seventeen years of Harry’s life, they had undeniably failed as parents.
"Don’t take it to heart," Harry said gently. "Professor Snape didn’t exactly fulfill his duties as a teacher either."
Snape didn’t argue. He gave a cold snort, but didn’t turn away.
He had been responsible to Harry.
Spent countless nights refining potions for him—but only for him. He knew very well that as a professor, he was far from the gold standards of McGonagall, Sprout, or Flitwick.
Jas grasped Harry’s hand. "I’m sorry, we—"
"Don’t worry, Dad," Harry cut him off. "The culprit has been dealt with."
They may have been absent parents, but it hadn’t been by choice.
And Witchers weren’t built to deal with such grief.
"Voldemort’s dead?" Lily asked, surprised.
Harry nodded. "Yes. Dead."
Jas bead. "That’s the best news. How’s Remus? And Sirius—do you know him?"
The last question carried deeper emotion.
To those who didn’t know the truth, Sirius looked like a traitor. But Jas and Lily had never doubted him.
"Godfather’s doing well," Harry replied quietly—and those few words made Jas and Lily smile brightly.
"Uncle Remus is doing great too. Snape and I developed a cure for lycanthropy. He’s normal now, married, and has a child. Sirius is his kid’s godfather."
"Oh, and Sirius still hasn’t found a girlfriend," he added.
Jas glanced at Snape, expression complex. "Snivellus, never thought you’d actually do sothing good."
"Arrogant fool," Snape said, puffing his chest. "I’m the youngest Potions Master, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Head of Slytherin House. Curing lycanthropy was a trivial project."
"That accomplishnt made vice-chairman of the Potions Guild. When Albus finally retires, I’ll be Deputy Headmaster."
He spoke dryly, completely ignoring the question Jas had posed.
Jas feigned amazent. "The magical world must be going downhill if you managed all that."
"You’re dead—you wouldn’t understand brilliance," Snape retorted.
Jas clapped. "Brilliant enough to get your arm broken by my son in third year?"
"Potter!" Snape narrowed his eyes.
Jas raised a hand with a flick.
Snape, reflexively, cast a Shield Charm.
Jas doubled over laughing. "Oh rlin, look at you jump."
"Levicorpus!" Snape snapped.
Jas floated upward, twisting midair. But halfway up, the spell reversed. Jas grinned and stuck out his tongue. "Don’t look so hopeful, Snivellus. You couldn’t handle then, and you still can’t."
Snape couldn’t take it anymore. They began trading insults.
Lily gently pulled Harry and Hermione aside. "Let the boys have their bickering. You won’t be able to stay long, right?"
"Tell everything about you. And who’s this young lady?"
Hermione nervously nodded. "Hello, ma’am. I’m Hermione."
"Hermione Granger," Harry added, squeezing her hand. "A brilliant witch, just like you, Mum. And she’s my girlfriend."
Lily bead at them.
How wonderful.
Her child had grown up healthy—and found soone wonderful.
She could only see the result, not be part of the journey.
Harry told them his story.
He didn’t embellish or hide. He told the truth.
Growing up with the Dursleys, crossing worlds due to celestial alignnt, becoming a Witcher, returning to Hogwarts, the yearly adventures, and his complex relationship with Snape.
The n eventually stopped arguing and joined them, listening as Harry recounted everything.
Right up to graduation.
"Harry, you’ve done far more than your mother and I ever imagined," Jas said, voice heavy.
Harry smiled faintly. "Well, without parents, you find other ways to make up for it, right?"
Lily lowered her head, quietly wiping away tears.
Jas spoke again, eyes on the glowing Resurrection Stone clutched in Harry’s palm. "It’s not the best ti to ask this—but Harry, why did you co find us?"
Harry replied softly. "Don’t worry, Dad."
"I’m not here to use the Resurrection Stone for anything."
"I just wanted to see you. To tell you face-to-face, I’m doing well. Everything’s fine."
He paused, tightening his grip on Hermione’s hand.
"I grew up strong. I’m a great Seeker."
"My grades are excellent. Straight ’O’s on my NEWTs."
"I have soone I love—and who loves ."
"Remus, Sirius, even Aunt Petunia—they’re all healthy and doing fine."
"That’s all I wanted to say."
Jas and Lily breathed a sigh of relief. They had feared Harry might try to defy death.
"Harry, you really are extraordinary," Lily whispered.
The living couldn’t remain long in the world of the dead.
Ti to say goodbye.
Lily hugged Hermione. "Take care of Harry, future Mrs. Potter."
Harry hugged Jas as well.
"Snivellus, I hope I never see you again," Jas called loudly.
Snape curled his lip. "Arrogant twit, I feel the sa."
"Rest assured, I’ll outlive all of you."
"Especially that bastard Black."
Lily turned to Snape and said her second—and final—sentence to him: "Thank you."
Snape flinched slightly. He shook his head. "You’re welco, Mrs. Potter."
Then, after a pause, he added: "It was Albus who insisted I co with Harry. If the cloak had been big enough, I would’ve brought Mrs. Snape too—to show her how insufferable that arrogant twit still is."
Hermione stared at him, astonished. She knew Snape had no wife—or even a prospective one.
Lily smiled but said nothing.
Jas made a face.
Harry, hand-in-hand with Hermione, waved. "Goodbye, Mum. Dad."
"Maybe one day, we’ll et again here."
(The End)
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