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Chapter XI England vs Italy
The Christmas holidays were quickly approaching and the students, James included, were anxious for the break. School assignments had been relentless and even the first years were often forced to work late into the night to complete their required essays. Phillip and James had just spent another night working on a particularly long parchment for Professor Binns involving the Giant Wars of 1800 and though tired, James lay wide awake in his bed, unable to sleep.
Thoughts of the upcoming Quidditch Game kept swirling through his head. As excited as he was about the match, he couldn't help wondering what his friends would think of his Dad when they finally met him face to face. Even though Harry didn't act like a celebrity, he was always treated like one wherever he went. As used to it as James was, such reactions often made him feel uncomfortable. Would it bother his friends like it bothered him? What if they got annoyed with being in the shadow or worse, what if they started acting like hero worshipers?
Over in the next bed Philip snored and mumbled something unintelligible. Wishing he, too was asleep, James rolled over and pulled the covers tightly around himself, determined to catch at least a couple of hours of rest.
James awoke not long after to screams and giggles. Sitting up to get a better look at the commotion, he saw his dorm-mates all grouped by Allan's bed. It seemed Allan had been amusing the others by eating strange combinations of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
"Try these," Sean said, dropping a handful of multi-colored beans into Allan's outstretched hand.
"Don't do it, Allan," Philip said, looking a little nauseous despite his laughter.
The boys yelled in disgust as Allan took the handful of beans and put them in his mouth.
"What do you have there," James asked as he joined the group.
"Let's see," Allan said slowly through a mouthful of beans. "There's liver, marmalade, slug flavor, and… sardine? Yeah, it's definitely sardine."
"That's disgusting," Philip said, shaking his head. "This Bertie Bott person must be mental. Who would make candy that tastes like slugs?"
After Allan downed the last soap bean in combination with strawberry and grass, the boys dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. The Great Hall was packed as usual, but Carson spotted enough seats next to Lily and Freddy at the Gryffindor table. James saw Lily nudge a whispering Freddy into silence when she noticed the group approaching.
"What are you two going on about?" James asked, directing the question at Lily.
"Nothing that concerns you, little brother," she responded with a wink and a smile.
"James, you still meeting with Krum every week," Freddy asked, clearly keen to change the subject.
James nodded. "We brewed Wit-Sharpening Potion last week."
"Wit-Sharpening Potion, huh? You should give some of that to your cousin Duke. If he was a little sharper he might not need Lily to babysit him three nights a week," Freddy smirked.
"Actually, I've been thinking about asking Professor McGonagall to cut it down to two nights," Lily said. "We don't even work on Charms anymore. Lockhart says his marks have improved drastically."
"It's not from Lockhart's teaching, that's for sure. He's the worst teacher here. If it wasn't for Philip, we wouldn't know anything." James said.
Lily shrugged. "Maybe Duke's been paying attention to Philip."
"I wish I had someone to pay attention to," Philip said wistfully. "I've learned almost all I can from our Charms course book. It would be nice to learn something more advanced."
"Maybe Lily or Freddy could show you some stuff," James suggested.
"Don't volunteer me," Freddy said, shaking his head. "I have enough work."
"Same here. Sorry, Philip," Lily said.
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Hogwarts Journeys; Ch. 9-25, To be written!
evlpez Hogwarts Journeys; Ch. 9-25 Jan 17 2005, 08:05 PM
Jan 17 2005, 08:05 PM
