the_debt_of_time

James looked surprised but excited. "I thought we were going to Diagon Alley next
week?" he asked as he refilled both his and Hermione's pumpkin juice from the carafe,
oblivious of her astonished reaction.
She had never seen a boy do such a thing without an ulterior motive.
Dorea sighed in mild frustration. "No, we told you last week that we were
going this week. Tomorrow in fact. Charlus, are you certain he's ready to go to Hogwarts
on his own? Poor boy might get lost on the train or fall in the lake."
"No one falls in the lake." Charlus laughed.
Hermione joined in, chuckling at the memory of a young Dennis Creevey, who
actually had fallen in the lake on the inaugural boat ride to the Sorting Ceremony.
Tilly appeared, clearing away plates and levitating new dishes to the table and
refilling cups that the Potters had not refilled themselves. The small family smiled at her,
all saying words of gratitude as she moved around the table with a determined air. "Tilly's
young Master will not fall in the lake," she insisted. "Tilly taught him to swim—oh, yes she
did."
"Tilly," James said with a pout, "Mum's not sure I'm ready to go to Hogwarts." He
let his pout turn into a grin, and Hermione furrowed her brows, recognising the look. It
was the same look Harry got whenever he and Ron planned on sneaking out of the castle
beneath the cloak.
Tilly suddenly turned on Dorea, and with a fierce voice, said, "Tilly's young
Master will go to Hogwarts. Young Master is the smartest wizard, brave and valiant. They
lets young Master into Hogwarts to be the greatest wizard." She left a silent "or else"
hanging in the air.
Hermione stared at the scene, only ever having heard a house-elf speak like that
before when Sirius and Kreacher were in a row; those never ended well. However, Charlus
was chuckling under his breath, Dorea seemed only mildly put out, and James looked smug
at Tilly's endorsement. Well, now Hermione was certain she knew who was responsible for
James's abundant self-confidence.
"I can't believe you turned a house-elf against your mum," she quietly scolded him.
"Our mum," James corrected, throwing her a crooked smile.
Hermione smiled, shaking her head and reaching for her empty plate as she stood.