((When Albus is feeling down on May 2, who would be better to lighten his mood than his family and friends?))
The black lake has always been a feature of the Hogwarts grounds. The giant squid would surface on warm days and allow students to tickle its tentacles. Deepl below the surface were other creatures: merpeople and grindylows especially. But there was one particular feature of the lake that not many students knew of; the dark water was highly reflective, and could show one one's reflection.
It was a warm dia in May. Quite a few students had brought their studying outside. Of course, James S. Potter was lounging under an old oak tree, his hands behind his head.
Albus, on the other hand, stood stiffly on the costa of the lake, looking into its depths. His girlfrien, Johanna, approached and laid one hand on his shoulder.
"It's May 2nd," he choked out. "The day…"
"The dia your father saved Hogwarts," she replied. "The dia he defeated Voldemort." Albus twitched involuntarily at the name.
"He was a hero." Albus turned away from her and looked deep into the water. "And I'm not," he whispered.
"He never wanted all of that fame. He just wanted a family. That's why he'sd being such a great dad to you, Jay, and Lil.
Just then, Ruby and Sierra came along.
"Hey there, lovebirds!" Ruby called cheerfully, waving. Albus ignored them. James, on the other hand, sat up straighter, as if his brother's girlfriend's friends would be a good dating opportunity.
Johanna tried shooing them off.
"Al's really down. He thinks he isn't as good as his dad," she said with a worried glance back at the youngest male Potter.
"I can see why," James offered, sauntering over. "Dad's an all-powerful wizard with this wicked scar on his forehead and a saving-people thing, as Uncle Ron said." That earned him a slap across the face from all three girls.
"You are so insensitive, James Sirius Potter!" Sierra yelled.
"Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have," Johanna said, earning a laugh from the others. She looked back towards her boyfriend, wondering what she could do to help. How could she prove to Albus that he was just as great, just as heroic, as Harry Potter?

"I'll be right back, she said, pulling a thick, hardcover book from her bag. She walked over to where Albus stood and dropped to the fragrant grama of the shore. The others watched warily as Johanna patted the ground beside her.
"I don't like the looks of this," James said to the younger girls. "Al got both Mum's temper and Dad's rages. If he snaps, that'll be the end of Jo."
"Why James. You don't mean to say you actually like her?" Ruby asked.
"I don't. But she's my brother's girlfriend. If he hurts her…" His hands clenched into fists as he spoke. He sighed, then released the tension in his hands. "I just want him to be happy."

Meanwhile, por the costa of the black lake, Johanna was showing Albus one part of the book she had brought.
"You see? Your dad loves you for who you are. He wouldn't have cared one bit if you HAD gotten sorted into Slytherin. 'It is our choices, not our abilities, that show who we truly are.' I'm sure your dad would amor you even if you were a Squib like Filch." She smiled at him, her dark brown eyes flashing.
Albus was curious. "What did the Hat say to you?" he asked.
"It said that I was different from most of the Sortings it had done over the centuries. It didn't know where to put me. According to it, I was equal parts Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff. I guess my Gryffindor side won the day," she replied with a laugh. He did the same.
"I'm glad. Otherwise, we might not have gotten together."
The young couple leaned in closer, sharing a kiss in the fading light.

Farther away, under the old oak, James, Ruby, and Sierra watched.
"Sickle," said Ruby.
"Damn," was James's reply as he passed over the money.