Encounters of the Future Sort

How Unparticular

by IHaveASiriusObsession

-...-

This particular Sunday, or perhaps this unparticular Sunday, was like any other perfectly dreary Sunday at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Heavy rain pelted the flooded spring grounds causing mudslides with the force of quicksand, which meant the only desire of the student inhabitants of the castle was to curl up beside a roaring fire. That, or perhaps tightly draw the curtains around their four-poster, so they could easily sleep in until one in the afternoon.

Yes, it was a perfectly unparticular Sunday indeed. That is, it would have been, if the year was 1986 (which it was incidentally not) and a teenage James Potter was not gaping at his teenage son (which he incidentally was).

-…-

A bit beforehand…

-…-

"Minnie! You haven't aged a day!" James Potter exclaimed, becoming quite aware that he was indeed in the future as his former (or rather current) Transfiguration teacher stood before him, about twenty years older.

"Why thank you, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, immediately disregarding the lapse in character. "Now, Miss Granger—" Her eyes took a double-take. She turned chalk white and put a hand over her heart. "Are you…feeling all right, Potter?"

James shrugged, grinning. "Fantastic, Professor, considering you still remember me as if I only saw you yesterday." He paused, knitting his brow. "Which I suppose I did…"

McGonagall just looked at him as though he had risen from the dead. Her eyes fell upon his forehead, then his hazel eyes. "You aren't Harry, are you?"

"Merlin," James exasperated, "this bloke must be my identical twin!"

"It took us ages to figure it out!" Ron supplied, adding to the confusion.

Hermione grinned timidly. "Let me explain, Professor…"

"Yes," McGonagall said, eyes fixed on James, "yes—you'd best explain Miss Granger…" She broke her gaze and glanced around for a moment, as though she had forgotten what Hermione had just said. "Right—this way you three…"

After McGonagall had led Hermione, Ron, and James into an empty classroom, conjured herself a chair and sat down, Hermione had explained to her what little was known about the situation. Her mouth, which was usually pursed into a tight line, hung agape, and she had to catch her pointed black hat from falling off her head at least three times.

"My goodness…I-I just don't see how this is possible…"

James ran a hand through his unruly black hair and said with a slightly cocky air, "I don't understand it myself, Professor, if that clears things up at all for you."

At the sound of James's voice, McGonagall jumped slightly and had to catch her hat again.

"But may I say," James continued, stepping closer to McGonagall with an air of flirtatious sophistication, "that your beauty is as timeless as your—"

"Enough Potter," McGonagall's pursed mouth pulled at the corners as she analyzed James. "Unless you three are in grave cahoots with Mr. Fred and George Weasley, I have not a doubt in my mind you are James Potter."

James put a finger to his nose as if he were an unrecognized actor. "There's been a lot of debate around that this afternoon…"

McGonagall nearly smiled.

"This is really happening," Hermione assured with wide eyes. "Remus, Pettigrew, and Sirius are here too—"

"Sirius?" McGonagall stood very quickly, the little smile vanished. "Where is he now?"

"In the Gryffindor common room," Ron supplied, "but I don't reckon he'll stay put for long. He—"

"He must not be seen," McGonagall interrupted urgently. "Neither should you James, but you look so much like Harry that—oh but never mind that…Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, can you gather everyone in my office as soon as possible?"

Hermione nodded fervently. "Of course, Professor."

"You must be careful not to be seen by her," McGonagall added importantly. "Oh I don't know what she'd do if—" she shook this idea from her head. "Mr. Potter, you must come with me."

-...-

A/N:

Hi guys!

So it's been awhile. About four years to be exact. But hooray! An update!

I was feeling nostalgic and then this little piece happened. This is kind of a "should I continue writing this or not" snippet. I had a lot of fun with it, but I'd like to know what you think, because let's face it, it's been four years and I'm a little rusty.

Thanks for reading!