Hogwarts Journeys : My Name Is James, The story so far (edited) Options

[StarWalker]

Chapter 1
An Unexpected Relative


James Potter sat in an otherwise empty compartment of the Hogwarts Express, looking out the window, and eagerly waiting for it to pull away from the platform. Barely able to sit still, he felt only a twinge of guilt at his hasty goodbye to his parents. Awkward as always standing next to one of the most famous wizards in history, he had needed to get away, and be by himself for a while, before cousins and other curious students surrounded him. He loved his cousins, but always felt a little different from them. Not better, but something about being who he was had made him … alone. He preferred being by himself at important times like this; important to him, anyway. His first trip on the Hogwarts Express, this was the beginning of his journey to become someone other than “James Potter – you know, Harry Potter’s son.” He glanced at the cage he had set on the opposite bench only moments before; his new owl, a young brown tawny, stared back at him. Despite his mother’s prodding, he still hadn’t given him a name.

"Just pick something, James. He's just an owl, not your firstborn child," she had said that morning, while juggling a breakfast pan with her wand hand, and his baby brother with the other. His father intervened, as he took baby Albert off her hands.

"Now, now… this isn't just any owl. It's his owl. James will name him when he needs to. It's important to some people, Gin. This little guy is going to be more than just his owl, he'll be a friend." James smiled at his dad then. He understood. He understood a lot of things about James that his mother just couldn't - not that she didn't try.

His new owl hooted, reminding him of a penny whistle, as the train lurched to a start. It was such a different voice than Hedwig's. James smiled. His father had known that this owl should be as different as could be from Hedwig. He stared out the window as they picked up speed, and quickly left the city. While the countryside flew by, he sat lost in his thoughts, fingering the wand in his pocket.

“Mahogany, ten and one-half inches, dragon heartstring core… very interesting,” Mr. Olivander had said. “This particular dragon was a Hungarian Horntail.”

“Why did he say, ‘Very interesting,’ Dad?” James had asked Harry when they’d left the store.

Harry had grinned and ruffled James’ hair. “I think he says that to everybody.”

It’s a good wand, James thought. I like dragons.

The compartment door slid open. James looked up to see a stocky, dark skinned girl and a tall blond boy.

“Ha! Found you, didn’t I, cousin!” said the girl, her long, dark curls bouncing as she pushed into the compartment, tugging her companion in with her.

“Hello, Serena,” James said dully. Just what I need – Little Miss Jabberjaw.

She turned to the blond boy. “This is my cousin, James Potter. His dad Harry – well, you know.”

“Wow!” said the boy. “Hi. I’m Philip. Philip McKenzie.”

“Philip’s a first year too,” said Serena, winding up for her spiel. “Both of his parents are muggles, and he lives in London. He was just telling me about the day his Hogwarts letter came – his parents were so surprised – but he’s really excited – and we were just talking about the Sorting – he doesn’t know what house he wants to be in – but I’m wanting Gryffindor, of course – and I’m sure you’ll be in Gryffindor too - ”

James interrupted. “Well, I don’t know. Ravenclaw wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”

Serena looked appalled. “What do you mean? Uncle Harry and Aunt Gin were both in Gryffindor, and my mum and dad, and Uncle Ron…”

“I know. The whole family,” James sighed. “Would it be so bad for one of us to be a little different for a change?”

“Oh James!” Serena grinned. “Always so independent. Next you’ll be saying you’re not going to play Quidditch!”

James tried to look serious, but he broke into a wide grin.

“My uncle is a wizard, so he’s been explaining things to me since my letter came.” Philip looked nervous. “Both of you’ve flown a broom before, I guess.”

“Oh, loads of times,” Serena said before James could open his mouth. “We play all the time with our cousins.”

Philip looked worried. “Oh. I’ve never -”

“No worries,” said James. “It’s easy.” Trying to change the topic, he pulled a velvet bag out of his knapsack. “Gobstones, anyone?”

Philip looked down at the bag. "I’m too nervous to play anything." He glanced at Serena. "I wonder if the teachers are nice."

"They’re okay," James assured him. "Our headmistress, Professor McGonagall, is very strict, but the Herbology teacher, Professor Longbottom, is nice."

Philip stood with his mouth open wide. "How do you know?"

"My dad and mum know everyone. They have them to dinner often."

"They’re wonderful. Professor Lovegood is a bit of a weirdo, Mum says, but she’s supposed to be a fine teacher,” added Serena. “She teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts."

The compartment door slid open. An older boy and girl entered, wearing prefect badges. The boy reached over to James, put his hand on his head, and messed his hair up.

"Hi, you two! How’ve you been?" He looked over to the unfamiliar face. "Hi. I'm Freddy Weasley. And this is my cousin, Lily.”

“That’s Lily Anne, you git!” Lily Anne poked Freddy, and turned to Philip expectantly.

“Philip McKenzie.” He peered at the two in utter confusion, and then looked back to Serena. "How much of your family is here?"

Before the volatile Serena could reply, Lily held up her hand and ticked off names on her fingers. "Well, James is my little brother, Freddy is Uncle Ron's son, Serena is Uncle George's daughter, and then there are the older cousins,” she paused, then smiled, “but I’m sure you’ll meet the rest later."

"How many uncles do you have?"

Freddy chimed in. "There were seven in Dad’s family all together, but Voldemort killed Uncle Percy, and Uncle Fred died during the..."

"You know we're not supposed to talk about that." James spoke sharply, flushing as he realized how he sounded.

Philip's eyes got wide. "I'm sorry, I was just asking."

The compartment door opened again. This time it was the witch with the food trolley. “Anything to eat, dearies? We’ve still a long way to go.” As they purchased their sweets, James watched amused while Serena and Lily Anne took turns giving Philip advice on what to buy. Eventually they bought a little of everything, sat down quietly and began eating.

James opened a chocolate frog, looked at his card, and quickly set it face down beside him. Raising his hand up to just below his eyes, he turned his palm up, carefully set the frog down, and stared at it, face to face, until it jumped. A swift jerk of his head, a quick snap of his teeth, and the frog was in his mouth.

“When did you learn to do that, James?” Serena made a face as Freddy laughed and Philip giggled. “That’s revolting!”

Lily looked over at James indulgently. "Who’d you get, little brother?"

James chewed his frog complacently, half grinning, and didn't answer. He turned his gaze back to the passing countryside.

“James, I asked you…”

Serena snatched up James' card. Her face split into a wide grin as she turned and handed it to Lily.

"Right, then." Lily beamed. "Thanks, Serena. This will go into the collection for Dad," she said as she handed it to Freddy.

Philip shook his head. "Your dad collects trading cards?"

Freddy smiled with a mischievous look as Lily continued. "He used to when he was younger. Now he just gets our extras. He makes such a big deal out of it, even though we know he really doesn't care about them. Thing is, though…"

Freddy interrupted. "We hide his cards."

Philip looked blankly at him.

"I mean, he's never seen his own wizard card! His old headmaster, Albus Dumbledore once said he didn't care what other wizards said about him professionally, as long as they didn't take him off the wizard cards. He was brilliant." Freddy stopped, as if he were considering the extent of Dumbledore’s odd behavior.

"So when my dad found out they had started making Harry Potter cards, he was very keen to get one," Lily chimed in, "But every time one of us kids gets one, we hide it. He thinks it must be the rarest wizard card in circulation. We've been collecting them for him for years and years. We've about…" Lily looked to Freddy.

"Two thousand, seven hundred and eighty-four. It's the most common one. Someday, we're going to jinx them and give them to him all at once." Freddy straightened up, adjusted his badge, and turned to Lily. "Shall we go? I think I saw some first-year Slytherin wannabes in the last car. Let's go give some Charms lessons."

Lily winked at Philip as she and Freddy left the compartment.

Philip was amused. "Those two are prefects? I thought prefects are supposed to be…"

James turned to him, bored. "They're not real prefects. If you'd read their badges closely, you'd have seen they said 'Perfect'."

Serena smiled proudly. "They're 'Marauders', Philip."

“Marauders?”

“Yeah,” said Serena, admiration sparkling in her eyes. James rolled his eyes upwards, but Serena took no notice. “The original Marauders were James’ granddad and his friends – a gang of mischief-makers. My dad and Uncle Fred were kinda like Marauders when they were a Hogwarts, too – although they didn’t use that name. And so were Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron, sort of – well they had the Map, anyway – but it wasn’t until Freddy and Lily Anne started Hogwarts that they started using the name ‘Marauders’ again. Everyone thinks they’re the best!”

“Don’t be fooled, Philip,” James said. “Some of their jokes are pretty funny – but they’re not all that great. Besides, if Freddy ever got in any real trouble, his mum would absolutely kill him. If Freddy doesn’t make his grades, he’s in hot water.”

“That’s certainly true. But Freddy also has his mum’s brains,” said Serena.

“Thank goodness for that,” James quipped. “If he had Uncle Ron’s -”

A loud bang echoed in the corridor, and Lily and Freddy slipped back into the compartment.

“If anyone asks,” said Freddy solemnly, “we’ve been in here the whole time.”

The compartment door slammed open, and two girls stood in the doorway, wearing school robes with Slytherin colors. The tallest girl, who looked about as friendly as a swarm of killer bees, stared at Lily.

"I guess it was you who threw the Whiz Bangs in the last compartment." The girl snarled, staring at Lily’s flushed face and the Whiz Bang lying on the compartment floor next to her foot.

Lily stood up, her wand held tight by her side. "What, did the giant lion firecracker scare all the slimy little snake wannabes?"

Freddy jumped up beside her and raised his wand. His sudden motion caused the girls to jump back slightly, and after a cursory glance at the others in the compartment, they left. With a tired look at Lily and Freddy, James reached for the door handle.

“Where are you going?” Freddy asked. His answer was the slam of the door as James headed for the front of the train. Finding an empty compartment, he stepped inside and stared out the window, thoughts in turmoil.

* * * * *

“It took me two trips up and down this train to find you,” Philip said, a short time later, as he entered and sat down. “So, is your family always this crazy?”

James turned and spoke bitterly. “You want stories about my family? How my dad saved the world? About the great Weasley twin that died to save my dad and Uncle Ron. Or how about…”

“I don’t care about that,” Philip interrupted. “I’m just trying to make a friend. I guess you don’t want one.” He turned to the door, then back as James spoke again.

“I’m sorry … I just … It was 20 years ago, and…I’m so tired of everybody…“ His stammered apology trailed off as the boys stared at each other. The sounds of laughing and yelling outside the door broke the silence of the awkward moment. James slowly slid open the door just enough to see what was going on. Through the gap, James saw a group of boys, their backs to him, taunting a small boy about James' age.

One of the larger boys was holding a leather wallet in the air. "Hey, everyone! Get a load of muggle boy and his muggle money!" He pulled out a handful of rectangular pieces of colored paper and waved them in the air. "Can you really buy stuff with this, muggle boy?"

James felt Philip standing behind him, peering into the corridor. "Should we do something?" Philip asked.

“Er - well, those guys are much bigger than we are."

"But that poor kid..."

"Maybe a prefect will show up."

Something crashed against the compartment door. A high-pitched voice let out a loud moan, and the deeper voices of the older boys laughed riotously.

Philip jumped up and jerked open the door. He grabbed the small boy, now sobbing on the floor, and pulled him into the compartment. James, following Philip's lead, shut the door and tried to hold the handle down to keep the door closed.

"Thanks," sobbed the boy. His eyes were swollen, and tears were streaming down his red cheeks

"Open up!" shouted the boys in the corridor. James shifted his weight to brace himself against the inevitable moment when the boys would manage to open the door.

"What's going on here?" a new voice demanded. James felt the hand on the outside of the handle let go. He opened the door to see a tall, stocky boy with a prefect badge looking around as the small boy's tormentors sauntered away, muttering.

"Everything all right?" asked the prefect.

"Yes. Thanks," said James.

"Sure." The tall boy continued his rounds, heading to the back of the train.

James returned to his seat. The boy had stopped crying, but his eyes were still red and he continually sniffed to try to keep his nose from running. Philip handed him a handkerchief.

"I'm Philip McKenzie."

The boy took the handkerchief and blew his nose loudly.

"I'm Duke Dursley."

James' eyes widened. "You're Duke Dursley? Dudley Dursley's son?"

"Uh-huh," said the boy. "How do you know…"

A look of comprehension spread across Duke's face. "You must be -"

James held out his hand. "I'm James Potter. We're, um, second cousins, I guess."

Duke looked horrified. He stared at James' outstretched hand. His faced flushed even redder as he fought to regain his composure.

"I don't need you to rescue me. You stay away from me."

"But I just wanted to -"

"I said stay away!" shouted Duke. Jumping from his seat, he threw open the door and darted into the corridor.

"What's was that about?" asked Philip.

James sighed. "Another long story.” He glanced out of the window. “The train’s slowing down. We must be almost there."

As they pulled into Hogsmeade station, James stared out the window. He had been here many times before, of course. Even before Lily started Hogwarts, the family had made the trip several times. He remembered being here for Dumbledore’s grand retirement and then again for the most recent Triwizard Tournament, in which his dad had been a judge. He remembered being here just last spring to pick up Lily after she finished her second year.

And yet James’ anxiety was growing. Is it about Duke? Is he going to cause problems? James wondered. Well, at least he won’t be introducing me as ‘the son of Harry Potter.’ That thought cheered him, and he decided his feelings were more basic than that: no matter how often he’d been here, he’d never been here without his dad. Even with Lily here, happily chatting now with Freddy and their friend Marcus Wood, he felt a knot forming in his stomach.

He glanced at Philip, wondering what he must be feeling. Philip wore a broad grin as he took in the view that spread before them. Across the lake from the station, the high towers of Hogwarts glimmered in the twilight.

“Firs’ years, this way!” Hagrid’s familiar voice called over the din of students exiting the train. Philip looked up at the half-giant and then at James. James tried to reassure Philip with a small grin, but he found his face buried in moleskin.

“James!” laughed Hagrid. “Yer finally here! Good t’ see you. Get in t’ th’ boat, yeh scalawag!”

He ushered James and Philip into a boat where several other new students joined them. The nervous chatter faded into the background of James’ mind as they glided across the lake. He stared up at the castle in awe – large, imposing, warm, and mysterious - and felt as if he were seeing it for the first time.

This post has been edited by agrippa: Jun 20 2006, 11:41 AM

[StarWalker]

II
Surrounded By Cousins

James’ gaze was riveted on the castle that loomed over them when they slipped into the tunnel that pierced the bank and headed directly under the school. The boats stopped at a stone quay; where moisture dripped from the ceiling and walls as they disembarked. In the dim light, he could see an old stone staircase leading upwards; at the top, a figure stood motionless, outlined in flickering candlelight.

The first years piled up the stone steps in a mob, straining to see through the massive wooden doors that stood slightly ajar. A round-faced wizard held up his hand, and the group became silent.

"Er – welcome! I am Professor Longbottom, and if you would all just calm down, I’ll lead you into the dining hall in a minute. Before we all eat, however, you will be sorted into the houses, which will be your home for the next several months. Now, if you would all follow me, we’ll go this way, please. Oh - wait - I nearly forgot. Hagrid found somebody's pet."

He held up a large green toad with bulging eyes. "Does this belong to anyone?"

An excited boy near the back nearly knocked James over as he rushed to the front. "Rupert!" shouted the boy, hugging his toad to his chest. The rest of the students laughed. Blushing, he looked up at Professor Longbottom. "Thanks, professor."

"Not at all. Something very similar happened to me on my first day at Hogwarts." There was a twinkle in his eyes as he spoke. "All right, everyone? Let's go!"

The group moved quietly into the Great Hall, its enchanted ceiling sparkling with stars. A teacher James had never seen before brought out a small stool, put an old hat on it, and said, "Let the sorting begin!"

With that, a tear in the hat opened, and it began to sing:

So many years have come and gone
since Hogwarts first was founded,
when four brave souls put up these walls
and did with charms surround it.

Then I was made for but one job:
to peek into the mind
of every student ent’ring here,
and houses to assign.

For each of those who built the school,
who made my point and brim,
prized diff’rent qualities in those
who came to learn from them.

Brave Gryffindor, the lion-heart,
sought those both loyal and bold;
for Ravenclaw, the brainy maid,
the mind must power hold.

Sly Slytherin, the wily kind,
loved those with great ambition;
and Hufflepuff, the kindly lass,
took all, in any condition.

So now, sit down and try me on,
your noggins full of dreams!
Inside your head I’ll see the truth –
not all is what it seems.

But badger, eagle, snake or lion
I want you each to hear
Hogwarts School unites us all.
So let’s begin the year!

The older students, who had been quiet during the hat’s song, broke into raucous cheers. James found himself at the very front of the crowd of nervous first years, gazing at the Sorting Hat. Flanked on either side by Serena and Philip, he became very aware that he had a decision to make. The faces of all his family flashed in his mind. Gryffindor scarves and banners waved madly; a memory of the view round him in the stands at the Triwizard Cup's first task. He glanced at Serena, her face beaming with the proud confidence of knowing where she belonged as she waved to someone in the hall.

If only I could be so sure, he thought desperately. He closed his eyes and recalled the conversation with his father the morning after his Hogwarts letter arrived.

James had hardly slept the previous night. His mind was racing with dreams of the Great Hall, his own wand and playing quidditch.

"What if I'm not in Gryffindor, Dad?" James had asked, quietly. Harry looked surprised.

"Well, James, that wouldn’t be so bad. I mean, you wouldn't have your family around you so much, but you'd make plenty of very good friends to…" He paused. “Look, son. The sorting isn't a random thing. The hat isn't going to make you be someone you're not. It wanted to put me in Slytherin, if you can believe that."

"But why would…"

"It doesn't matter now. It was my decision that put me in Gryffindor. I just kept thinking anything but Slytherin."

James was puzzled. "You mean it just sorts you however you want?"

Harry smiled. "Almost. James, you know how I feel about Gryffindor House - how our whole family feels about Gryffindor House. Your mother and I would be thrilled if that is where you end up, surrounded by people who love you and care for you. But son, part of being sorted is choosing where you feel you belong, and if you think you're better off in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, the hat will understand, and so will we."

James grinned.

"Slytherin is another matter," Harry looked deeply into James' eyes then, very serious. "No matter what anyone tells you James, no matter how many good wizards have come from Slytherin, just being who you are means you wouldn't be safe in that House. Even if you thought you'd be suited there…"

James shook his head, his eyes wide. Never, in a million years, he thought. He could never share a House with the likes of those who had hurt his family so much.

He was brought back to the present by an elbow from Philip, who then nodded towards the hat. Duke Dursley sat shaking, his eyes darting from table to table, as the Hat's piercing voice shouted, "SLYTHERIN!" He removed the hat, plopping it back down on the stool as he stood, looking around to see where he should go. James' eyes followed, noticing a couple of the bullies who had taunted Duke on the train already sitting there. James wondered for a moment how a muggle born, especially one as weak as Duke appeared to be, would survive in Slytherin house. As his cousin made his way hesitantly towards the Slytherin table, amid cheers and jeers, he was thinking of Duke, ostracized, and neglected, when Philip's eyes met his.

"Wish me luck, James," he said. He turned and slowly walked up to the stool and sat. James suddenly had a very good view of the professor conducting the sorting. She was a very small witch, a little older than most of the professors he knew personally, with short, dark blond hair worn loose. As she turned to face him, he watched the little flip at the end bounce with her movement. Dressed in robes of the palest yellow, she was unusually pretty. James caught himself staring when she locked her eyes on his and smiled wanly. She seems as nervous as I am! He dropped his eyes, and was looking at the floor, when he realized people had begun whooping and cheering. Serena was among them, and she clapped James hard on the back.

"Gryffindor, James! I knew Philip would be with us!" Her voice hushed as she pushed out her ramble for James' ears only, "I had a really good feeling about him you know he's really clever but kind of nervous most of the time but I knew he would probably be in Gryffindor and I'm usually right about these kinds of things…" James tuned out, suddenly stricken with the realization that he might have lost his first, and only, unrelated friend at Hogwarts.

If I ask the hat for Ravenclaw… well I don't know anyone in there, do I? I'd meet people I could make friends with, but then how much time would I spend recounting the stories of my family again and again. On the other hand, I could ask the hat to put me in Gryffindor and I could be with Philip… but then I'd have to be around Serena and her babbling all the time … probably never get anything done, not to mention get lumped in with Lily's mischief and all the Weasleys.

James looked up to the Headmistress. Professor McGonagall was looking directly at him, her stern face lined with years of knowledge and experience. She was a strange witch, really. Brilliant mind, he knew, and strict. How on earth could she have been a Gryffindor?

"James Potter," the new professor called, looking at him.

James stepped forward and paused, looking back out over the crowded Hall. It was silent. His stomach fluttered, and he couldn't let his eyes rest anywhere. He turned again and stepped up to the stool, sitting down and sighing as the hat fell over his eyes.

"Hmmm. Potter, why are you making this so difficult? You're more like your father than your sister was."

James' collar got warm. What do you mean? You're not going to try and put me in Slytherin. I'd die in that house.

The hat chuckled. "This isn't hard for me, boy. I can see clearly where you belong. It's you who are uncertain."

I know. I'm not like the rest of them though, am I? I've been so excited about maybe not being hounded by family if I was in Ravenclaw. But then I met someone I want to be around. And you've gone and put him in Gryffindor.

"Ravenclaw, eh? And besides this great intellectual potential I see, what makes you think you'd be in Ravenclaw?"

James was shocked. Well there's nothing wrong with Hufflepuff, either… I mean... well, no offense but I just thought…

"You thought wrong. You do have a great mind, boy - no doubt about that. And you do have ambition. And yes, your loyalty and willingness to work hard stands out among these qualities. But boy, you've forgotten that you are yourself, no matter what I or anyone else thinks."

James sighed, and the hat fell silent. You're right. I am. James smiled. So just say it then, will you? They're all staring.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James looked to the Gryffindor table. He gave a slight chuckle as he walked to sit beside Philip.

"What are you laughing at?” Philip asked curiously.

"It almost looks like dinner with the family." James pointed around the table.

Philip eyed all the students while counting on his fingers. "Wow! There are what? Three, four – no, five counting you."

James had a bemused look on his face. "Well not exactly. The two next to Lily are Uncle Bill's kids. Twins! Finley and Fiona. They’re prefects this year." James could tell by the look on Philip's face he was confused. "They’re part Veela. That’s why they have the silvery blond hair, and what Mum calls ‘chiseled good looks.’" Philip snickered at James’ imitation of his mother, and then quieted as the rest of the students grew silent.

Professor McGonagall stood and gave a welcoming smile, “Enjoy the feast!”

The long tables suddenly groaned under the load of food that appeared on them. First years students looked on with amazement as the returning classes tucked in, and then they began to eat with the rest.

After everyone filled their stomachs, they began talking, mostly of Quidditch, while they waited for the meal to end. Philip was very interested in the subject, but James changed the topic quickly. He began arguing with Lily about who was going to tell their father about Duke being at Hogwarts. Lily won the argument, by pointing out that James didn’t know where the owlery was, nor did he know where his dormitory was, and would therefore be unable to go anywhere after dinner.

The last dessert had been eaten, and the students were becoming boisterous throughout the Great Hall. The tables were suddenly cleared and spotlessly cleaned. Professor McGonagall stood, and waited patiently until the room fell silent. “I trust you have all enjoyed the feast.” She paused, a slight smile on her face as she listened to the chorus of satisfied groans. “However, before I release you to go to your dormitories, I have a few announcements that require your attention.

“The forest on the school grounds is off limits to all students, not just first-years. It seems returning students require constant reminding that it is called the ‘Forbidden Forest’ for a reason.

“The list of…”

James missed the list of forbidden objects, when Lily poked him and whispered, “She always says the same thing, this is forbidden, don’t go here, don’t do that.” He grinned, in spite of his annoyance at being jabbed in the ribs, as the Headmistress continued.

“…gives me great pleasure to introduce several new faculty members, starting with Professor Wiles.” She indicated the tiny witch who had conducted the sorting ceremony, now standing at the staff table next to Professor Longbottom. “After a long and distinguished career here at Hogwarts, Professor Sinistra retired at the end of last year’s final term; and Professor Wiles will take her place. I’m certain your study of Astronomy will benefit from her considerable experience.

“Professor Jacobson, who has kindly offered his services to the school, will take the place of Professor Altero as he enjoys a well earned year’s sabbatical in India, where he is studying under some of the finest Eastern mystics. Professor Jacobson brings an impressive resume to his new profession as Hogwarts’ Transfiguration instructor.”

A somber looking wizard in black robes stood as she finished, and gave a short bow towards the students, and then quickly sat back down.

“And finally, I wish you to welcome back an old alumnus of Hogwarts. He both matriculated here and served as an instructor many years ago. Due to a most unfortunate malady, his teaching career was cut short, but he is now ready to start anew. I wish you to join us in a warm welcome to Professor Lockhart, who is our new charms teacher...”

Looking at Hagrid as Professor McGonagall finished her speech, James caught the look of amusement at the mention of Professor Lockhart’s name that replaced the polite interest shown in the others. He shifted his gaze to the man who had stood and was now waving to the students, a toothy smile on his handsome face. In contrast to the black robes worn by the other male wizards, his were of deep burnt orange, drawing a marked contrast to his perfectly coiffed, golden blond hair.

“Yes, thank you, Gilderoy. If you would please –“The Headmistress motioned to the staff table, where Professor Jacobson jumped back to his feet and whispered something to the beaming Professor Lockhart. Both returned to their seats as Professor McGonagall concluded. “Tomorrow will arrive soon enough, so Prefects, take charge of your houses, and off to bed.”

As the students started to file out, Lily went straight to the owlery to send the message. James and Philip started up the stairs with the other first years; Serena soon joined them. She pointed out a small area of swamp to Philip.

"This was done by Uncle Fred and Dad in their seventh year. They quit school right afterwards. Thankfully, the headmaster pulled strings and they were allowed to take their N.E.W.T.s anyway. Considering everything that went on that year the examiners felt a bit sorry for them." Serena smiled at the boys and briskly climbed towards Fiona.

Finley began yelling from the top of the stairs. “Come on – come on, everyone, or you’ll get lost. Close it up now!”

"The new password is ‘Expecto Patronum’! If you don't remember it you’ll not be able to get into the common room," Fiona explained, as the portrait hole opened. “Boys up and left, girls up and right!”

James headed straight for his room followed closely by Philip. They were unpacking when the door opened and three boys entered. One was thin and very tall with curly dark hair and hazel eyes; another was short, with spiked, blond hair, and a face covered with freckles. The third boy looked as if he had fallen of the back of a truck. Dressed poorly, he carried a large toad tightly in his hands.

Philip extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Philip McKenzie.”

The tall boy stood proud. "I'm Carson Jones." He reached out and shook Philip’s hand.

"I'm Allan Smith." The toad jumped out of his hands and headed under the bed. "He’s a bit nervous. This is Sean Hughes." He indicated the third boy as he dove under the bed after his toad.

Carson looked at James. "You're the Potter boy aren't you? My auntie thought I might be here with you."

James gave them all a long look before he crawled into bed. "Yes. My name is James.” Say something more, his inner voice prodded. Unable to think of anything, he pulled the heavy curtains closed. “I’ll see you guys in the morning. I’m knackered.”

He lay there for a time, unable to fall asleep, yet not wanting to participate in the quiet banter of the others as they finished getting into bed. Gradually, the room grew silent, until there was only soft breathing to indicate the room was occupied.

This post has been edited by StarWalker: Jan 17 2005, 08:15 PM

[StarWalker]

III
An Inauspicious Beginning


Philip woke James early the next morning. "Come on James! Hurry up! Let’s get some breakfast."

After dressing quickly, the two boys went out the portrait hole and down to the Great Hall, where they found

Serena already eating. As they began to load up their plates with eggs and bacon, Professor Longbottom started handing out class schedules to the Gryffindors.

“Herbology at 8:00, and then Charms,” said James. “That’s not a bad morning.”

“Ooh. I hope we don’t have too many classes with the Slytherins. I can’t stand those ‘I think I am better than all of you because I am a pureblood’ gits,” said Serena.

Philip looked thoughtful. “But your cousin Duke’s in Slytherin, isn’t he? And both his parents are muggles.”

James quickly changed the subject as Serena frowned and opened her mouth. "So, have you made any new friends yet, Serena?"

Serena scrunched her face together as if trying to think. "I can't say that I have, honestly, but you know it takes time. The other girls think I talk too much."

The two boys looked at each other, holding back their laughter.

"Now why would they think that?" questioned James.

James regretted the question immediately. Serena told them all about last night in the girl’s dorm. The girls wanted to go to bed, but she was too excited to sleep. She stayed up most of the night telling them everything she knew about the school. Apparently, none of the others wanted to hear any of her stories. They had thrown pillows at her, and one of the girls even tried to put a silencing spell on her.

All through breakfast, Serena jabbered. When Lily and Freddy arrived with two of their friends, they sat across the table from James and the others.

After ten minutes of Serena's talking, and repeated requests from the others to be quiet, Freddy took action. "Silencio!"

Lily cracked up. "We told you to hush! You wouldn’t listen."

Serena jumped up angrily and stormed out of the room.

When they finished breakfast, the boys made their way to greenhouse one, for Herbology. Professor Longbottom was up to his elbows in potting soil when they arrived.

"Hello, James. How do you like the castle so far?" the professor asked.

James grinned. “Good morning Professor. It’s been gre…”

"Sucking up to the Professors already Potter? You must think you’re special because of your daddy," a Slytherin boy interrupted as he entered the room.

"No I don’t," James muttered.

Professor Longbottom shook the dirt from his hands. "That’s enough. I will not tolerate teasing or rude remarks in my classrooms. Now have a seat, please.”

James and Philip sat together at one of the worktables, and waited until the rest of the class arrived. As soon as everyone was seated, Professor Longbottom began the lesson.

"Herbology is very a very important aspect of magic. In this class, we will learn to nurture plants and understand their world. They can be great friends to wizards," said the professor as he surveyed the class of first-years. "In this class, as in every other you will take while you are here, you must remember that every wizard begins at the beginning. We are all here to learn, so I ask you to be kind and patient with each other."

A cough came from the direction of a group of Slytherins that sounded suspiciously like “lame.”

With little more than a raised-eyebrow glance at the Slytherins, he continued, "The plant kingdom has energy and powers which we can tap into. Many problems and conditions have a solution or remedy that plants can provide. Being in tune with this energy can be a powerful ally in your magical work. Do not think of plants as inanimate objects. They have feelings, and will absorb your attitudes whether you intend them to or not."

There was more shuffling and coughing. This time their coughs sounded like, "boring" and "snore".

"Mr. Dursley, will you..." he paused deciding on which other student would best suit the lesson he was about to teach, "... and Miss Weasley please come up here to the potting table and assist me?"

With a nervous glance at the other Slytherins, Duke stood up and made his way toward the potting table where he joined Serena. Professor Longbottom placed several pots, a pitcher of water, a pile of gravel, and a container of soil on the table. He then pulled two tall leafy plants from one of the rows in the greenhouse and brought them to the table at the front of the room

"These are Amazonius Reticulous. They are integral to several potions which cure sleeping curses and certain muscular problems," Neville said as he placed them in front of Serena and Duke. "Notice the beautiful shades of fuchsia and apricot in the flowers."

Duke looked over his shoulder at the Slytherins, who were suppressing laughter. Serena closely examined the delicate flowers on the plant nearest to her.

"These are heavy feeders that need either an abundant supply of nutrients, as they would get in their natural habitat, or frequent repotting. Place some of the stones in the bottom of the new pot and about a quart of soil." Serena and Duke did as instructed. Serena neatly filled her pot, but Duke spilled large amounts of soil on the table.

"Now, please gently grasp the stem near the base so we can transfer these plants to their new containers."

Serena gently picked her plant out of its old pot. Smiling, she glanced at the class. But everyone was staring open-mouthed at other end of the table.

Duke had roughly grabbed his plant and jerked it from its pot. The plant had retaliated by spinning no less than a dozen thick tendrils around his upper torso, pinning his arms to his sides, and covering his mouth. It seemed to have grown to three times its original size and somehow looked angry. Duke squirmed frantically, which only caused the plant to throw more tendrils about his body.

"This particular species is exceptionally receptive of the emotions with which we approach it," Professor Longbottom explained as he moved to help Duke. "It particularly dislikes being treated roughly.”

The class giggled. A very red blush spread across the portions of Duke's face not covered with tendrils and leaves. The professor began talking nicely to Duke’s plant. Serena followed suit, telling the plant how much she admired the delicate colors of its blooms and the gloss of its leaves. As the plant absorbed the appreciation and admiration, it released its hold on Duke, and relaxed back to its original size

"As I said, plants have feelings, and will absorb your attitudes - whether you intend them to or not," Professor Longbottom reiterated as Duke shuffled back to his table, head hung low. "Please remember not to underestimate our plant friends. Now, each of you has your own Amazonius at your table to re-pot. Let’s get to work.”

When class ended, Duke bolted out of the greenhouse as if the plants might chase him. James, Philip, and Serena finished cleaning up their table, and headed back to the castle for Charms.

As they rounded the corner of the greenhouse, they saw the Slytherin first-years huddled in a tight circle. One of them looked up as they approached and yelled, “Hey look, Duke! It’s your famous cousin. I bet you’d fancy a little chat with him.”

Duke’s classmates pushed him out to face James. He looked pale but determined as he stepped up to James.

“Em – sorry about that plant, Duke,” said James, hoping to disarm the situation. “Are you okay?”

Duke stared at him through narrowed eyes. “I don’t need your sympathy.” He looked back at his housemates and then whispered, “Just leave me alone.”

James nodded and began to walk away. “You’re not leaving, are you?” jeered one of the Slytherin boys. “Aren’t you going to tell him what you told us, Duke?”

James stopped in his tracks. Slowly he turned to face the Duke again. “What?”

“I - ” Duke paused. One of the Slytherins pushed him forward. “I said that I could take you anytime, anywhere.”

James raised one eyebrow. “Take me? Like, in a duel?” He fingered his wand in his robe pocket, trying to think if he knew a single spell that would be useful in a duel.

“Uh, yeah,” muttered Duke, staring at the ground.

“Fight!” screamed one of the Slytherin gang. James went for his wand, but before he could draw it, Duke had rushed at him, catching him off guard, and had tackled him.

“What’s going on here?” Professor Longbottom rounded the corner of the greenhouse as Philip jumped into the fray, trying to pull Duke off James. The Slytherin crowd ran for the castle, leaving only James, Philip, Duke struggling on the ground as Serena looked on. James knew they were in trouble, as they untangled themselves and stood.

“Boys, would you step into my office? Miss Weasley, you need to get to class.”

The three boys made their way to Professor Longbottom's office with their heads hung low. James whispered to Philip, "My father is going to kill me, and I didn't even do anything."

Philip stifled a laugh. "I thought it would help you, knowing everyone and all."

"Me too," James whispered.

The office seemed small, but only because so many plants filled the room. James and Philip looked around very curiously at the strange plants that bubbled and spewed at them.

Professor Longbottom entered the room behind them. He noticed the boys standing in front of a large plant which looked similar to a cactus. "That’s a Mimbulus Mimbletonia," he said.

James curled his nose. "What a disgusting-looking plant!"

The professor laughed, "Yes, I agree, Mr. Potter. He's not as beautiful as he was years ago. I got this plant for my fifteenth birthday. It started out the size of this one here." He pointed to a small plant which was much prettier.

"Wow! What’s this bubbling stuff?" Philip asked as he started to poke at the plant.

Professor Longbottom grabbed Philip’s arm. "I don't recommend you touch those. They have a tendency to explode. Your father and I learned that the hard way, James.” He paused. “Mr. Dursley, will you please wait in the greenhouse” – he pointed to a door – “while I talk to Mr. Potter and Mr. McKenzie?”

Duke nodded and shuffled through the doorway. Professor Longbottom turned to James and Philip. “Boys, please have a seat.”

James began to explain what had happened, but the Professor interrupted him. “I don’t care who did what to whom. But I wanted to tell you – and especially you, James – that I expect better from members of my house. You must learn to rise above the little taunts and insults of your classmates. I know your family, James, and I know how disappointed they would be to hear that you’ve been fighting on the first day of class. Mr. McKenzie, I don’t know you as well, but I expect the same maturity from all members of Gryffindor house. Now get to Charms.”

He scribbled a note excusing the boys for being late to class and sent them on their way.

Class had not yet started when the two entered the room. Everyone had heard what had happened after Herbology class and were whispering to each other about the fight. James and Philip made their way to the front of the classroom, and took seats near Serena.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Tell you later,” James whispered as the classroom door opened.

This post has been edited by StarWalker: Jan 17 2005, 08:00 PM

[StarWalker]

IV
Memories and Rivalries


Professor Lockhart entered the Charms classroom followed closely by the Headmistress. James hadn't paid much attention to the professor the night before, except to notice the look on Hagrid’s face when he was introduced. Now, though, James wondered how he could have ignored the gaudily dressed man. His dress and grooming reflected youth and vigor, but the lines in his face showed his true age. His robes were brilliant fuchsia, decorated with buttercup yellow flowers, and open at the neck, where a pale green silk ascot peeked out.

He paused in front of a mirror that hung next to his desk and, humming softly, adjusted the ascot, as the Headmistress spoke quietly. James could hear little of what she said and could make nothing of it. From the look on Philip’s face, he was also listening intently. “…believe you left … behind. I found … hall, and I know … lose him!” She held out her hand, and dropped a ball of cream-coloured fluff into Lockhart's outstretched palm, then turned and excused herself, giving a small smile to the students as she left.

The professor stood staring at the ceiling with a confused look on his face for several seconds after the door closed. Suddenly, he spun to face them, snapped his fingers, and broke into a huge grin. "That's it!" he yelled triumphantly. "Yes, as I was saying, I am Professor Lockhart and I will be your new Charms professor. You'll have to forgive my memory, it tends to stop working every now and then... I don't really remember why."

He dropped into the chair behind his desk as if he were trying to remember something, toying idly with the ball of fluff in his hands. Finally, he dropped it unceremoniously on his desk, where it started to move slowly and hum softly. Lockhart raised his eyebrows and leaned towards it, poking it with an outstretched finger. It twittered at him and rolled over, humming louder.

Serena turned to James and whispered, "It is him, isn't it? He's the old bat that tried to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts when our parents were here! Remember our dads’ stories and the teasing they gave my mum about fancying him? "

James stifled a laugh. "You’re right! I thought I’d heard that name before. I’ll bet they just couldn't find anyone else for the job; I can’t believe they'd hire him otherwise. I wonder if he knows what he's doing." James soon discovered the answer to his own question. Lockhart looked up from the humming fluff on his desk and looked around the room confusedly.

"What are you all doing here?" he asked.

A girl on the other side of the room raised her hand, and then answered without bothering to wait for Lockhart to notice her. "This is Charms class, Professor. We're here for our lesson." Lockhart's brow furrowed and the girl spoke again. "Er... will you be teaching us then?"

Once again, Lockhart grinned. He jumped from his seat and puffed his chest out. "Ah, yes, Charms. This class will be most charming." He turned back to the girl. "What is your name, again?"

"Betsy," she replied.

"Ah, well, thank you very much Brumhilda. I was just testing you and you have passed marvelously. Now, Charms is a very important area of your education here at Hoggseldorf . . ."

Nobody even bothered to correct him. Most of the class, including James, quickly tuned out his rambling lecture. James amused himself by imagining the jokes Freddy and Lily would play on this poor teacher. He looked at Serena, whose head had drooped onto the desk as she snored quietly. On the other side of him, Philip was still regarding Lockhart with utter disbelief. "Well," James thought, "this should be interesting."

Other students were beginning to chat among themselves, oblivious to their professor, who seemed to be having a quiet conversation with the flowers on the sleeve of his robes. James opened his Charms textbook to the first chapter and nudged Philip.

"Hey, have you read any of this yet?" he whispered, breaking Philip out of his open-mouthed stare.

"Wha-? Oh, yeah - the first chapter is all history and stuff. The only charms it covers really are Lumos, Nox, and a few others. Even I understood it… what's wrong with our professor? Is he for real?"

James chuckled. "Yeah, pretty bad, isn't he? Serena just reminded me who he was; I didn’t recognize him last night, even though he looks just the way my dad described him. He lost his mind when my dad was in his second year. He was already an inept teacher, but then he hit himself with a memory charm." James looked keenly at Philip. "So, you know this chapter really well, then? How far into the book have you read?"

Philip shrugged. "I don't know; the first four chapters or so. I pretty much memorized it the day I got my school supplies." He shrugged. "I knew I'd have a lot to catch up on, being a muggle."

James smiled. "You're not a muggle Philip, you're a wizard. Your parents are muggles, but if you can do magic and got a Hogwarts letter, you're magical folk, just like everyone here." James' voice dropped even quieter. "I suspect you're going to be a very powerful wizard some day."

Philip blushed a bit. "Well, none of us will be if we have to rely on this oaf."

"We'd do better if you taught the lesson," James joked, grinning.

"Me?" Philip chuckled loudly, causing many of the students to look over. Serena awoke, sending her charms textbook flying forward, narrowly missing Professor Lockhart. He paused from his thoughts to regard the book lying on the floor.

"Hmm." He stooped to pick it up, reading the cover. "A Charms textbook? You know," he flashed a dazzling smile at Serena, "I teach Charms at Hogsworth. I'm just brilliant at it too, I'd wager."

Philip spoke up, "Erm, Professor? Could you give us all a demonstration of your teaching skills? I'm sure we'd all love it."

"Really?" Lockhart probed the class for encouragement. Most of the Gryffindors, getting the idea, chimed in with choruses of ‘lovely!”, “such a treat”, and '”ever so grateful.” On the other side of the classroom, the Slytherins sat clustered together silently rolling their eyes at one another.

"Very well, young man. Of course, I will oblige such a devoted fan! Would you be so kind as to stand up with me and demonstrate the first spell in chapter one of your textbook?" Lockhart handed Philip Serena's book and then began clapping, indicating to the class that this was something worthy of applause. A few students applauded politely; James and Serena both clapped loudly and enthusiastically. Philip handed the book to Serena with a smile and nudged James.

"I'll get you for this, Potter." Philip warned, chuckling as he got up from his seat, and joined Lockhart in front of the class.

Out of the corner of James' eye, he saw Duke cringe as he caught an elbow in the ribs from Claude Jugson, the boy who had pushed him into the fight with James.

“This oughtta be good. One of those annoying gits will finally get his," he hissed.

Duke just smirked as he rubbed his side.

"I just wanna use my wand on him after class," Jugson sneered, leaning over, close to Duke's ear, "since you can't seem to do anything but muggle fighting."

Philip glanced over the first spell in the book, now lying open on Serena's desk. James could almost hear him thinking to himself: Lumos. Twist of the wrist like so - That’s easy enough. I can do this Philip raised his wand. "Lumos!" The tip of his wand lit up brightly.

"This is a fairly easy spell. You simply hold your wand out, twist your wrist, and say “Lumos.” While you’re saying the words of the spell you have to think of what you want to happen.” Philip looked around the room. "Do you get it?"

The class stared at Philip. With a quirky smile, he pointed his wand at the professor. "Lumos! Lumos! Lumos! Why won't the lights come on?"

Everyone in the room burst out laughing. Professor Lockhart looked around, confused. "Why are you all laughing? The spell worked marvelously. Very good, Justin."

The professor walked over to his desk. He peered at a self-portrait for a good five minutes then walked back in front of the class. "So you have all come for my autograph. How wonderful." Pulling a stack of photographs of himself out of a desk drawer, he signed one and then shoved it into Philip’s hands. "Who's next? You! You look very eager for an autograph." He signed another and passed it over to Duke.

The class started laughing, and Duke, obviously thinking it was directed at him, became defensive "What am I going to do with this? I don't need this stupid picture!” He glared at Lockhart, threw the photograph on the desk, and then looked around belligerently.

"What's he fussing about?" asked the professor.

Just then, the bell rang, and he ducked behind his desk. "Who's there? What do you want with me?" When there was only silence, the professor stood and looked at the class, confused once again. “Ah – well – then, class dismissed!” He picked up the ball of purring fluff, and sat holding it, staring into space, a vacant look on his face.

A Slytherin girl with long, dark braids stood up, staring at him, as the students filed chattering from the room. "What's his deal, anyway?" She muttered to no one in particular.

"It's a long story. I'd be happy to tell you if you want." Serena, who was passing her at the time, answered eagerly, stepping closer.

The girl looked warily at Serena, seeming to consider it. "Sure. I'm Penelope Woodward by the way." She smiled and outstretched her hand awkwardly to Serena.

"I'm Serena. Serena Weasley. Nice to meet you." The two girls walked out of the class together, Serena talking away.

After a quick lunch, James, Philip, and Serena headed to the dungeons for double potions with the Ravenclaws. Comments about their Charms teacher filled the stone corridors, but the dark atmosphere of the passage dropped everyone's voices to a whisper. The three found their seats and took their cauldrons out of their bags.

"Wow!" said Philip. "Look at that big cauldron on the desk."

Indeed, at the front of the room, a gigantic iron cauldron bubbled, steamed, and sparked. Turquoise smoke filled the air, and every student seemed to be breathing deeply. James felt calmer than he had in a long time.

"You know," he said to Philip, "Dad was never much for potions. But I think this might be pretty cool."

The door of the professor's office opened and a tall, thin, duck-footed man slouched towards the front of the room.

"Velcome to your first potions lesson," said the professor. "I am Professor Krum. It is very good to see you all here."

He smiled at the class.

"So, I imagine you are all feeling ffery relaxed?"

"Yes, professor," sang the students.

"You've been breathing the fumes of a Stupor Draught. You." He pointed at Serena. "Vat is your name?"

"Sally Wilson," she said in a dreamy tone.

"Is that right?" he smiled. "And you?" He looked at a curly-headed boy in Ravenclaw robes.

"Walter Wilcox," the boy droned.

"I'd be villing to bet," Krum continued, "that neither of you gaffe me your correct name. Let's find out."

He pointed his wand at the cauldron. "Gelidus!" The cauldron stopped steaming. He waved his wand in the air, drawing a small circle, and the air in the dungeon classroom cleared. Suddenly, the room was alive with chatter.

"Quiet down, everyone, quiet down," shouted Krum. "Miss Vilson, I believe you said? Is that really your name?"

Serena went bright red. "No. I'm Serena Weasley."

"And you, Mr. - ah - Vilcox?"

The curly-headed boy stared at the floor. "I'm William Walters."

"Lesson one, then," said Krum as the words appeared magically on the blackboard behind him. "Ven you see a potion you aren't familiar vith, don't breath it, don't touch it, don't taste it."

The students scribbled furiously on their parchment as Professor Krum began to explain how to identify different types of potions and how to know which ones might be harmful. He lectured so long that James' hand was hurting, but he didn't mind. He was finding all of this fascinating.

Finally, the end of the double lesson drew near. "Any questions?" asked the professor.

James' hand went up.

"Ah, yes. Mr. Potter, isn't it?"

For once, James didn't even think to be embarrassed that the professor knew his dad. "What should we have done, professor, when we first came into the room? I mean, we couldn't leave the lesson, and the cauldron was smoking."

"An excellent question. But rather than me telling you, I haffe another idea. Fifty points, to the house of the first student to find a vay that you could haffe remained in the room and not suffered the effects of this potion. Just write your answer on a slip of parchment and send it to me. That's all for today. Please haffe read chapter two in Primary Potions for next lesson.”

James and Philip packed up their books and stood up to leave. James' head was teeming with all the information from the lecture. He felt giddy and looked forward to reading Primary Potions later.

"That was great, wasn't it?" James asked Philip on their way through the portrait hole.

Philip yawned. "It was all right. I hope someone from Gryffindor knows the answer to his question."

The boys stepped into the common room and were greeted immediately by Lily and Freddy.

"We heard about Charms, Philip!" started Freddy.

"Well done!" Lily chimed in, "Freddy had him twisted in knots by the end of our period this morning. He’s such a git!"

Freddy agreed. "It'll be the only good thing about Charms this year."

"Philip was brilliant," James beamed, "He should teach that class. He's the only reason we learned anything!"

Philip blushed and changed the subject. "Do either of you two know how to protect yourself from potion vapors? I mean, other than not breathing?"

Lily and Freddy looked at one another and shook their heads.

A boy with deep auburn hair looked up from the table beside them. "A Bubble-Head Charm would work. There are plenty of others too, but I'm surprised you didn't think of that, James. Remember Cedric Diggory in the Triwizard tournament with your dad?"

James blushed. Of course. He should have thought of that - he'd only heard the story a thousand times.

Philip was no longer surprised at meeting another red head in Gryffindor tower. He held his hand out, "Thanks! I’m Philip McKenzie, by the way. We haven’t met.”

"Charlie Weasley. Good to meet you, Philip.” Charlie shook Philip's hand and went back to his work at the table.

Lily and Freddy excused themselves and went out the portrait hole as James and Philip turned to put their bags in their room.

"Wow. Charlie doesn't usually say that much in one go, Philip. He's really quiet outside of the Quidditch pitch. Charlie's the captain for Gryffindor and this is his last year at Hogwarts. Dad told me he's been scouted for professional Quidditch!"

Philip was impressed. "That's something I can't wait to see. I've never even flown a broom, much less seen anyone play Quidditch."

James tore a piece of parchment off a roll in his bag and scribbled on it. "We should go see if Professor Krum is in his office. I want to get the answer to him before Ravenclaw does."

This post has been edited by StarWalker: Jan 20 2005, 08:22 PM

[StarWalker]

V
A Voice Unknown…


The aroma of cooking onions wafted through the hallways as they headed back toward the Potions classroom. It made their stomachs grumble.

"How long has it been since lunch?" James asked. “Do you think hunger is a side effect of that potion?"

"It’s been a little over two and a half hours," Philip answered, "and I’m hungry too. But then, I’m always hungry. Wonder what dinner’ll be like – they can’t all be like last night’s feast.” After a moment of silence, he shifted subjects. “So, what other ways are there to protect against vapors? If we come up with more than one maybe we can get even more points."

"I don't know. The contestants in that contest who didn't use the Bubble-Head Charm resorted to gills, including Dad. I can't think of any time I've seen a breathing-protection charm, or even heard of one. Not even at Uncle George's parties.” James rambled on, feeling as though he was responsible to know, yet resenting the feeling at the same time. "We’d better just get at least this answer to Profes...." James voice trailed off as Philip suddenly stood still. He turned to Philip with a puzzled expression. "What?"

Philip grabbed James' robe and dragged him through the closest doorway. “Quick, someone’s coming! In here!” He carefully closed the door, leaving just enough of a crack to be able to hear through.

“I don’t hear anything, and besides, who cares?”

“Shh! Don’t you remember Professor McGonagall last night, saying we’re not to be wandering the corridors during classtime?”

“Er – I wasn’t listening during that part. Lily Anne was telling me-“

“Shh! Later!” Philip whispered earnestly.
Both boys could hear the oncoming voices now, gradually growing clearer. One was a man’s voice, with a hard edge. "We have to do it this way." It definitely wasn't anyone who'd ever been to dinner at the Potter house, and didn’t sound like any of the professors the boys had met so far. "We have no choice."

The other voice was a woman’s and seemed slightly familiar to James “But if someone sees, or he starts to suspect –“

"That's what Memory Charms are for," the man groused. Their voices receded down the hallway, as Philip pulled James back away from the door.

"But, I really don't want to be linked..." the woman's voice faded out.

"Why’d you pull me back? We could have seen who they were!" James said irritably.

"Because this is just the first day of school, and I don’t want to get into any more trouble. Remember what Professor Longbottom said to us this morning after class. And I don’t have your father to help me." Philip stated flatly.

The two were silent for a few minutes, while James thought about Philip's comments. “Come on. Let’s find Professor Krum,” he said eventually.

“Who could that have been?" Philip asked James, as the two left the classroom, and headed back down the corridor.

"I am not sure who the man was, but I think the women may have been the new Astronomy teacher," James said.

"You mean the teacher who did the sorting? I felt sorry for her when she put the hat on my head. She seemed worried, but I thought it was just my nerves...Maybe it was her, though," Philip confided.

"Vat are you two doing down here in the dungeons?" The boys jumped as Professor Krum came up behind them.

"We were just - just…" James could not find the words to finish the sentence.

"We were on our way to your office, sir, but we saw a Ravenclaw and we didn't want them to know we had the answer to your question, and then we got lost and -" Philip spit out in one long breath.

Krum looked from one to the other as if a bit skeptical of their story, " Ffery vell then, vat is the answer you haffe come up vith?"

James was still a bit nervous, "It’s the Bubble-Head Charm Professor Krum, sir."

"That is correct, Mr. Potter, but I haffe already receiffed the answer. I must say I vas surpised you didn't haffe the answer in class," Krum said with obvious disappointment in his voice.

"Yes sir, I should have remembered that charm. Who did get it right?" James asked.

"At least someone in your family has heard the stories of your father. It vas your cousin, Miss Veasley. You two better get back to your common room. Remember, no vandering the corridors during class hours! The main entry hall is back that vay. Turn right at the first intersection" With a stern look, Krum left them.

"At least Gryffindor got the fifty points," Philip muttered when he saw the glum look on James' face.

“And Serena didn’t remember it in class either. I’ll bet she got it the same way we did – from Charlie.” James thought a minute. “Or maybe Fiona or Finley helped her.”

Heading back toward the Great Hall, Philip was unusually quiet. James kept mulling over in his mind what they'd overheard. Deep in thought, the two walked right past the corridor they had been told to take, and went even deeper into the dungeons.

"What are you two doing near our common room?" a voice startled both boys. Several of the first year Slytherins blocked their way, Duke Dursley in the rear. Claude Jugson, predictably, was the belligerent one in the front.

"Is there some sort of regulation that only Slytherins are allowed in this part of the castle now?" James retorted without thinking of possible consequences. He planted his feet and glared at Jugson.

"Uh – yeah, there is," one of the others replied. “Claude just made it, didn’t you hear. And Dukie,” he pushed Duke to the front, “is going to enforce it!” Duke tried to look tough, but the fear in his eyes merely made him look troubled.

Philip stepped up beside James, but before either could say anything in response to the challenge, a loud bang came from the hall behind them. Several sixth-years ran past toward the noise, along with a professor and Mr. Filch, the caretaker. The hallway started to swarm with concerned students and staff; James and Philip were pushed along with the crowd, while the Slytherins glared at them as they were drawn away.

"What is it with them?" Philip asked, as soon as they had put a bit of distance between themselves and the confusion.

"Got me. You were there when I met Duke, and I’ve never met Jugson or the rest of that crowd except during classes today." James shrugged.

Just then, Freddy raced into step beside the two of them, trying to look nonchalant and control his too-fast breathing.

* * * * *

“So, James," Lily said as she scooped her second helping of fluffy mashed potatoes out of the serving dish and onto her plate. "You named your little owl yet?"

"He's not little," snapped James.

"No need to get snippy," she said.

James scowled at her.

"Well," Lily continued, "you've got to name your huge owl sooner or later. Mum and Dad will be expecting a letter from you. My first year, I forgot to write them the first week. Don't think I've ever gotten a worse howler."

She paused. "You really haven't given the thing a name yet?"

"No."

"What about Frieda?" said Serena.

"Or Tulip?" suggested Lily.

"He's a boy!" growled James.

"What about Jack?" suggested Philip. "I had a terrier named Jack."

"I'm going to the owlery," said James, standing up suddenly. He spun around and stormed out of the hall.

* * * * *

Dear Mum and Dad,

Everything's fine here. We had our first classes today, Herbology, Charms, and Double Potions. Herbology and Potions are both good, but I think our charms teacher - well, it's Lockhart, so you know.

I've made at least one good friend. His name's Philip McKenzie, and he's from London.

James thought about telling his parents about Claude Jugson’s bullying, but decided it was better if he didn't. He certainly didn’t need other people to think he had to run to his dad everytime there was a little trouble.

Philip, Serena, and I are all in Gryffindor together. So I share my dormitory room with Philip and three others: Allan Smith, Sean Hughes, and Carson Jones.

You probably heard from Lily Anne that Duke Dursley's here. Did you have any idea he was a wizard? He's in Slytherin - who would have thought that - and always being goaded into picking a fight with me. Any advice on dealing with him? Not that it's been terrible. He's not much of a wizard, from what I can tell.

Anyway, send a reply back with…

His quill hesitated over the parchment. You've got to choose, he thought to himself.

... Prometheus. See, Mum? I finally named him.
Love always,
James

He found his tawny owl and tied the note to his leg. "To Mum and Dad, all right, Prometheus?"

Prometheus nipped his finger affectionately and took off into the night. As James stood watching his owl wing off over the forest, he felt a surge of pride. I named him by myself, Serena, Lily Anne. I don’t need you to do things for me or tell me how to do them. When Prometheus was no longer in sight, he turned and headed down the staircase and back to Gryffindor tower.

Entering the common room through the portrait hole, he found Philip reading in front of the fire. The room was full of students studying and doing their first homework assignments of the year. Philip looked up at James and closed his Charms textbook.

"I found something out," Philip said. James sat down on the couch beside him and Philip continued in a whisper, "I think you were right. I think that woman was the new Astronomy teacher. She’s the only instructor who didn’t have a class when we were going to see Professor Krum! She’s the only professor it could have been."

James felt elated. "Okay, I’ll go along with that." His thoughts skipped a bit. "Now we need to find out who she was talking to. He seemed to be the one making the decisions. Remember, she said she didn't want to be linked to… something."

"Right," Philip agreed, "We'll meet her Wednesday night anyway; we have Astronomy class at sundown. Do you still think that man was a teacher? I already told you she was the only one not in class then. Well, except for Professor Binns. But I asked Freddy about him, and he said he’s a ghost."

"Not Professor Binns, that’s for sure. Freddy’s right, he’s a ghost who’s been teaching History of Magic since he was alive, and Aunt Hermione says that was ages ago. But who else could he be, besides a professor? I mean - what other adults would be wandering around Hogwarts than the staff?" James asked, even as his thoughts raced. Could this man be from outside - someone wanting to hurt a student or a teacher?

"Well," Philip whispered, "Could he have been a student?"

After pondering this question, James looked at Philip and nodded in unspoken agreement. That thought cheered neither of them.

The other first year boys entered and sat down at a table behind the couch and started playing exploding snap, distracting James and Philip from their mystery. Grateful for a chance to learn wizard games, Philip jumped up and joined them. James spent a little time thinking about what they'd heard, but was soon standing behind Philip offering him unwanted advice. The mystery of Professor Wiles and the unknown man was forgotten, as he played games the rest of the evening with the others. Philip learned about Bertie Botts beans the hard way and James finally found someone other than Uncle Ron who could beat him at wizards' chess.

“Check and mate,” said Philip. James’ black king bowed low, and the red bishop decapitated him with his crosier.

“Too bad,” said Carson. “Well played, though, both of you.”

“Thanks.” James smiled and then frowned. “I can’t believe I didn’t see that coming.”

The fire in the hearth was getting low, and James was feeling drowsy. The common room was so cozy, and he was having so much fun with his new mates. Suddenly, an empty feeling in his stomach reminded him he needed to do something.

“Carson,” he said, “I’m sorry about last night and all. I didn’t mean…”

“Not at all,” Carson replied. “I‘ve always wondered what it was like to be famous like you, and your mum and dad.”

James smiled bitterly. “Not at all what you would think. And you forgot my older sister and baby brother…” He let the statement hang for a minute. “I meet people and they want to know about things I wasn’t alive for. They want to know how it feels to be the son of Harry Potter; they tell me how proud I must be because of what my father did, what he means to the world. Just once, I’d like to meet someone who says, ‘James, that’s a nice name. Let’s go swimming!’”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.” Carson looked at the table. Sean and Allan stood watching, eyes shifting between Carson and James.

Philip looked up from the box where he had been putting away the chessmen. “Give it a rest James. Twice in two days is enough, or shall I start calling you Jimmie boy, like Freddy?”

James gave Philip a look that meant, I’ll get you later, as he slowly smiled, defusing the tension building in the group. “You do and I’ll tell everyone you’re a Parseltongue.”

Philip looked puzzled. “I’m not a Parseltongue. I don’t even know what that is!”

“I know that, and you know that, but the people I tell won’t!”

Amid the laughter and general banter that followed this exchange, James began to feel more and more at home. It was like having four brothers – except better. Eventually they started the long climb to their room.

As they prepared for bed, the topic turned to the next day’s classes. Carson brought the subject up. Drawing a deep breath, he lowered his voice to a whisper. “Can I tell you guys something – I’m absolutely petrified that I won’t be any good at Defense Against the Dark Arts. We have it tomorrow first thing, don’t we? My whole family’s been involved in fighting the dark arts for generations.”

The boys were silent until Allan spoke up. “Come on, Carson. You’ll be great.”

“Yeah,” said James. “Professor Lovegood’s supposed to be fantastic.”

“I know,” said Carson glumly. “She’s a friend of my aunt’s. I hope she doesn’t expect me…”

“And what if she does?” asked Philip. “It’s just like what James was talking about downstairs. We’re not our parents, grandparents, or our aunts and uncles. If we were, I’d be a solicitor, like my dad, or a storekeeper like my Uncle Eric. We’re in this together, aren’t we, Gryffindors all?”

Sean, James, and Allan nodded in agreement.

“Thanks, mates.” Carson looked at the clock on the mantle. “Merlin’s beard! Look how late it is. We’d better get to bed.”

As James’ pulled his curtains around his four-poster, he smiled. He was beginning to understand why his dad was always going on about this place. This was going to be a great year.

This post has been edited by StarWalker: Jan 19 2005, 09:50 AM

[StarWalker]

VI
…But Not For Long


At breakfast the next morning, the topic of conversation at the Gryffindor table was their first class of the day. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes had an unsavory reputation at Hogwarts; and although Professor Lovegood had been the instructor for several years, the rumors of the position being jinxed remained. After breakfast, the students left the Great Hall as a group, and walked through the corridors quietly, until they stood before the door to the classroom.

Taking a deep breath, Philip pushed it open, and entered. The remaining members of his house followed, where their attention was immediately attracted to the imposing array of tanks and cages of strange creatures, arranged around the edge of the room. They walked past the shelves of cages, studying the odd assortment of inhabitants. James narrowly averted at least one accident when he jerked Allan’s arm away from a cage front, as a Doxy ripped at his hand with its sharp teeth.

“It’s not a good idea to get too close, You never can tell which of these things might do some real damage,” James said, moving on to the next cage.

The door opened behind them, and the Slytherins poured into the classroom as James spoke. Duke stepped away from his housemates, but one of the louder boys, Pollux Travers, grabbed his arm and pointed at the cage James had just left.

“Well, well. Your cousin is afraid of a little, black, furry thing.”

“Actually, I’ll let you touch it first, mate,” James challenged, glancing at the bully, who was now flanked by Claude. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid of a little tiny Doxy?” he taunted.

They hesitated. Duke glared at him hard and had just twisted his face into a sneer to match his friends' attitude when an adult voice interrupted them.

“Right you are, James. Many things in this room can hurt you, some in unexpected ways. Others look like something from your nightmares, but are harmless. And there are many things out in the world that most never see, and those that do are ridiculed.” All turned to the speaker, a witch dressed in robin’s egg blue robes, peering at them intently with bulging eyes.

“Since it’s time to start class, and you’re all here now, I’ll just move the tables out of the way,” she said pointing her wand to start the process. As the tables bumped past, they knocked several students off balance, but she didn’t seem to notice.

“How many of you have had experience with magical creatures?” she continued. “A show of hands…” The somewhat taken aback students mumbled and milled around, a few tentatively raising hands, as they tried to find seats at the tables, which were still sliding around.

“And were any of those Yetis?” she earnestly asked the closest student with raised hand, her direct eye contact making the hapless boy very uncomfortable. Her face was only about eight inches from the student’s as she leaned forward expectantly, awaiting an answer. After a prolonged silence, during which she continued to stare intently at the boy, she shook her head disappointedly, “Ahhh, more’s the pity.”

A funny-shaped chunk of gold dangled from one earlobe, banging back and forth against her cheek and neck when she shook her head. James knew this was a tiny piece of a statue blown apart during a fight in the Department of Mysteries when his father had still been in school. The family had talked about it once when she’d come over for dinner. He also knew she’d been hurt there, and wondered if she was this goofy from the injury or if she had always been slightly bonkers.

Stashing her wand behind her other ear, she turned her back on the class and bent over, providing them a less-than-dignified view of their Professor. “We are going to start today with an easy creature. Many wizard children keep these as pets,” she said pulling a crate from behind her desk. Inside was a pile of cream-yellow fur balls. Flipping the top open, she lifted one of them out, and shoved it into the arms of the first available person, who nearly dropped his armload of books. The little critter purred and before long, each of the class had come forward for one.

“Not many creatures are as nice as these puffskeins,” she said, walking over to a large enclosed tank with an orange snake curled in the corner. As she tapped the side of the tank, the snake uncoiled, lifting its three heads as if to strike at the glass. Had he not been holding the calming puffskeins, James thought, the snake would have been quite frightening. “This is exactly why these were a favorite choice for a pet by some dark wizards. They allowed them to handle and work with their less than savory allies without panicking.” She carried on without missing a beat, pacing the room as she spoke. “A potion made of its eggs will enhance mental abilities. You won’t learn that potion until fifth year, so you still must take notes in class to pass exams at the end of the year.”

She paused and looked around. “What I mean is, maybe this is a good place to start taking notes.” As an afterthought she added, “I’m Professor Lovegood, by the way. We will be exploring Defense Against the Dark Arts this year, and I will do my best to enlighten you. Please feel free to come to me with any questions. My door is always open.”

Duke had already put his puffskein back into the crate and was approaching the snake tank. “What are these called?” he called over his shoulder, without bothering to look at the teacher. James turned to watch him while the rest of the class settled at desks and pulled out parchment and quills. Duke seemed genuinely interested in the snake case.

“These are called Runespoors. They’re from Burkina Faso. Professor Lovegood drew her wand again - several of the students exchanged nervous glances - and transported a different tank to the middle of the area where they were all sitting. “Now this is a nest of Occamy eggs. Come up and look at them closely.”

The class was soon comfortably discussing the various serpents Luna brought before them, taking notes as to their wizarding uses, things to be cautious of around each, and their countries of origin.

Time flew so quickly that all of them were startled to hear the bell ring.

“That was a great class," Philip said, as they left the room, and headed to the library.

"She is kind of strange, though." Allan looked back in the room at the Professor, "Just look at her."

"Dad says she’s always been strange. Helpful and brave, but strange. She fought with him against Voldemort several times," said James.

Carson's eyes bugged out of his head, "You say his name! Even after all these years, people don't just say his name!"

James shrugged his shoulders, and the boys continued down the hall.

"Stop, you guys!" Serena was yelling as she ran towards them, Penelope behind her.

James held out his arm to stop everyone, "What do you need Serena?"

"The Slytherin boys are going to try and get you in trouble - Penelope overheard them talking last night - they’re not too happy that they didn’t get you in trouble yesterday." Serena looked over at Penelope and nodded her head, "That’s what you heard, right, Penelope?"

"Slow down Serena. What on earth are you talking about? Tell us a little slower this time," said Philip.

"What're they planning on doing to us?" James asked. Penelope spoke quietly, almost timidly. "I didn't hear the plans, but I would watch your back if I were you. Pollux Travers and Claude Jugson cornered Duke Dursley last evening in the common room. They're determined to make Duke pay you back for him losing house points, especially since you didn't get into any trouble from Professor Longbottom.”

She looked around. “I’ve got to go now. We’ve got Transfiguration next."

“I’ll walk with you,” said Serena. “Meet me in the library, James?” Serena and Penelope walked away, leaving the boys standing dumbfounded.

"I can't get in trouble. My folks will kill me." Allan was now worried.

"Let's get to the library. We can figure this out later." James looked back at Duke. Claude and Pollux were on either side of him, whispering, and laughing. Duke stared determinedly down the hall.

"I hope the History of Magic class is as good as that one," Carson said changing the subject, as they entered the Library, and found a table away from Madame Pince.

“I guess we’ll find out in a couple of hours,” Philip said. “Let’s get started on the reading Professor Lovegood assigned. Then maybe we’ll have tonight free.”

* * * * *

Unfortunately, History of Magic class was nothing of the sort.

“How can they allow a ghost to keep teaching this course?” said Serena as they left the classroom. “If it’s possible, I think he’s actually more boring than death itself!”

“Well,” said Philip. “I don’t suppose they have to pay him, do they? Probably doesn’t even need his own rooms.”

“Or eat much,” sighed James. “I’m starving, though.”

They entered the Great Hall and tucked in at the Gryffindor table. James helped himself to a leg of roast chicken. They ate in silence for a few minutes, trying to recover from the lecture on ancient Greek wizards. As James looked down the table to see where the rolls had gone, he saw a tawny owl winging his direction.

“Prometheus!” he shouted.

Serena looked up. “You named him, then? And he’s got a letter – and a package. But why didn’t it come with the morning post?”

Prometheus landed in front of James, who took the letter from his leg.

Dear James,

Your mum and I are thrilled, naturally, that you’re in Gryffindor. It sounds like you’re doing well. Please make sure to say “hello” to Neville, Luna, and Viktor for us – although, I guess that’s Professors Longbottom, Lovegood, and Krum to you!

Of course, we had no idea about Duke. I’ve rarely spoken to Dudley or any of the Dursleys since I came of age. I’m sorry if that made it awkward when you met him. I suppose it was rather strange to find a cousin you had never met going to school with you.

Sorry if you were waiting for this letter a long time. It took Prometheus a little bit longer than most to find us, but he’ll get better the more you use him. Mum says she really likes the name you chose for him. Study hard and keep your chin up!

Love,
Dad

PS: if you’re reading this in the Great Hall, don’t open the package. Wait until you’re in your dormitory.

James was terribly curious about what was in the package. He untied it from the leg of his owl, which was now happily nibbling a bit of chicken from his plate. Putting it to his ear, he shook it a bit; but it made no noise.

“Well? Open it!” said Serena, as Philip nodded vigorously.

“Can’t,” whispered James. “Dad says to open it later in the dorm. Besides, we’re going to be late for Transfiguration if we don’t get going.” The three pushed away from the table and slipped out of the doors, and hurried down the corridor.

The Transfiguration classroom was simple but stately. James, Philip, and Serena found a table in the middle row, and in a few minutes, Sean, Allan, and Carson took the table in front of them.

“Haven’t started yet, have we?” asked Carson. “We were afraid we were going to be-”

The front door of the classroom opened with a bang and a tall wizard strode out. He took his place behind the front table.

“Accio chalkboard.”

A portable chalkboard rolled up to him.

“Good afternoon, and welcome to Transfiguration. In this class, you will learn the secrets of transformation, one of the most important branches of magical study.”

The words Transfiguration and most important branch of magical study appeared on the board.

“Well?” said the professor. “Don’t you see what’s on the chalkboard? Write it down.”

The students scrambled furiously for their quills and parchment.

“I,” continued the professor, “am Professor Jacobson, and I will be guiding you on your adventures through Transfiguration. This is my first year at Hogwarts, as the Headmistress stated at the opening feast. After I took my N.E.W.T.s here, I spent twenty years working in the Ministry of Magic’s research division, then spent an additional five years training to be a healer. The last seven years I have been a healer at St. Mungo’s. I’m married, and you will meet my wife when you attend Astronomy Wednesday night.”

Class was conducted quietly. Jacobson was a no-nonsense sort and it didn't take long for the students to see that there was no time for chatter in his class. When it was finally over, Philip looked meaningfully at James and they left together ahead of the rest of the class. When they were out of hearing distance, Philip expressed his feelings. "I don't like him."

"What is it?" James asked curiously.

"I don't know. His attitude, maybe."

James' eyes opened wide. "Oh no. I forgot my bag. I'll be right back." He ran back down the hall and into the classroom. Grabbing his bag, he turned to leave, but before he reached the door, it burst open, and Professor Wiles ran in.

“Will, I’ve got to… Oh, I’m sorry. Do you know where Professor Jacobson might be?”

Before James could answer, Professor Jacobson entered through his office door. “Is there something I can do for you?” he asked James pleasantly.

“No, sir. I just came back to get my bag.” James opened the door and turned back. “Good bye, Professor.” As the door closed, James saw Jacobson glare at his wife, even while he watched the door swing shut. As soon as he heard the latch catch, he pressed his ear against the center of the wooden panel.

"You shouldn’t come to my office like this," James heard Professor Jacobson say angrily.

The women sounded scared, "But we need to go over the plans. I’m not sure if I remember them all. I know I’m supposed to act like I....”

"That’s enough. We’ll talk about this later." It sounded as if he had slammed his fist on the desk.

James ran down the hall until he was out of sight of the classroom, then started walking to the Gryffindor Common Room, determined to tell Philip what he had heard. Philip, however, wasn’t there when he arrived. The room was empty, so James curled up to wait in a chair in front of the fire. Staring at the flickering flames, he was soon asleep.

“...orry about…never…up...” James woke slowly, catching pieces of a conversation. He opened his eyes and looked around, without moving.

Lily and Freddy sat at the table across the room talking so quietly that James missed a few of their words here and there. Freddy looked unhappy, as he turned back to Lily, just as James opened his eyes. He could see a book lying on the on the table in front of them, and ripped wrapping thrown to the side.

Lily, on the other hand, was pointing her wand at another book, which was whimsically flying around the room. The book flexed at the spine, looking much like a bird flapping its wings as it circled.

“You don’t understand…” Freddy said in a tone similar to that of a condemned prisoner. “Your mother…”

“Will be here, too. Just like yours,” Lily interrupted.

“But it’s not … same.”

Lily looked him straight in the face. The distraction caused her book to stop flapping its pages and plummet, though she easily caught it with her wand and settled it onto the table near her, all the while continuing to look steadily at him. “Okay, so your Mum is the book police. You really are doomed,” she said matter-of-factly, raising her voice. She sighed loudly “Now that we’ve come to an agreement on that, let’s get on with things!”

Freddy shot her a look that made James shiver. He continued to stare at the books as though they were the bearer of ill tidings.
“Right, then,” Lily went on brightly. “You up for a small foray or do you want to sit here until the Magic Council meets in, what, seven months?”

He glared.

“Fine.” She jumped up and headed for the portrait hole, book in hand.

Freddy raised his hand to smack the table in frustration, but stopped mid-swing. He looked over at James, but didn’t notice the barely opened eyes that followed him as he sprang to his feet, grabbed his book, and followed her out. James continued to lay there for a moment. Then, checking the time, he jumped to his feet and ducked out through the exit too.

What that was all about? he thought, as he headed for the Great Hall and dinner. And where did Philip and the rest go?

The Great Hall was quickly filling with hungry students as James arrived and claimed a place mid-table next to Philip.

“Where did you go?” he asked, as he dropped onto the bench, and looked around for Serena. “I went to the Common Room, but no one was there”

“I went to the Library to wait for you.” Philip answered quietly. “Why didn’t you come up there?”

“I fell asleep by the fire.” He looked at Freddy and Lily, who were sitting a few places down the table. “When we’re done here, I’ve got some things to tell you,” he whispered.

“Why can’t you –“ Philip’s question was interrupted as Headmistress McGonagall stood and cleared her throat. The students and staff quieted as she waited to address them.

“Before we begin our dinner this evening I wish to announce a great honour which has been bestowed upon Hogwarts. At various times throughout Wizarding history, the Council of Magic has convened. It has been nearly fifty years since the last meeting. The international magical community recently declared the need for a new council, and we will have the honour of hosting it.

“Wizards from all over the world will meet here at the school, in mid-March. We have many, many preparations to make, of course. These will begin immediately. I cannot overstress the magnitude of this honour for our School.” She paused and smiled widely. “You will be given more information as the year progresses. Now go ahead and enjoy your dinners.”

Suddenly the tables were laden with food, and the Great Hall buzzed with excitement about the coming Council of Magic meeting. As they ate, James forgot to tell Philip what he had learned. Speculation about the reason and agenda of the Council meeting was the sole topic of conversation.

When dinner ended, James and Philip went up to their room. James took the package from his dad out of his book bag and examined it.

“What d’you suppose it is?” asked Philip.

“Dunno,” said James. The package felt a little heavy. A small book, maybe, he thought. But what kind of book shouldn’t be seen in the Great Hall? Dad wouldn’t be sending me dark magic!

He ripped open the package to find that it was indeed a book, entitled A Brief History of the Councils of Magic. Tucked inside the front cover was a brown envelope, containing a letter. Handing the book to Philip, James read aloud:

James –

The book is from your Aunt Hermione. I’m sure she’s sent it to all your cousins, too. She’s very excited to have been asked to serve on the upcoming Council, and she was “absolutely positive” that you’d all want to read up on the Council before this “historic event” happened at your very own school. I'm serving on it too, and your uncle Ron will be heading the security team provided by the Ministry.

The part I didn’t want you to open in the Hall is in this envelope. I thought maybe you and your dorm-mates might want to go, but I thought I’d let you choose whom you’d like to come along. At any rate, there are five of them. Let me know who’ll be coming and I'll start making arrangements.

Love,
Dad

Sight of the book reminded him of the conversation he had overheard between Freddy and Lily. “So this is what they were talking about!” At Philip’s questioning look, he recounted the incident, then fished in the envelope and pulled out five purple tickets. He scanned them quickly and nearly knocked Philip over when he raised his fist and yelled, “Wicked!”

“What are they?” asked Philip.

“Five tickets to the Quidditch World Cup qualifier match between England and Italy!” James suddenly dropped his voice to a whisper, not wanting anyone who might be nearby to hear.

“Wow!” said Philip, trying to sound enthusiastic. It was clear he had no idea how lucky they were to have these tickets. “Who’re you going to take?”

“Well, I think Dad’s right, don’t you? You, Carson, Allan, Sean – and me. It's December 17th, that means we'll get to see each other over Christmas holidays! It’ll be great!”

“Wow,” said Philip again, with more excitement.

James’ eyes danced with delight. “You should probably brush up on Quidditch before we go, Philip. Let’s get down to the library and see if we can find some books. We’ll tell the others on the way through the common room.”

This post has been edited by StarWalker: Jan 19 2005, 11:19 AM

[StarWalker]

VII
Cheaters


“No, no. Blagging is when you grab someone’s broom to slow him down. Blatching is intentionally flying to knock someone off.” James pointed to the moving photographs in the copy of Quidditch Through the Ages he had checked out of the library. “This is blatching. That’s blagging.”

Philip nodded and the pointed to a third picture. “OK. And this is... stooging?”

Sean shook his head. “No. That’s bumphing. See the bludger heading into the crowd?” The crowd in the picture gasped and dove under the bleachers.

The portrait of the fat lady flew open and Freddy stomped into the common room.

“Whoa! What’s that smell?” asked Carson.

The whole common room turned to look at Freddy, noses crinkled in disgust.

“I know, I know,” Freddy grumbled. “I’ve been cleaning up the owlery.”

“Cleaning the owlery?” asked Serena from her favorite chair next to the fire. “Why?”

“Well, not because I wanted to make sure the little owls had a nice, clean place to sleep, I’ll tell you that. Today in transfiguration my pincushion ran up Professor Jacobson’s pant-leg, and he gave me detention.”

“He made you clean the owlery?” said Lily.

“Your pincushion had legs?” Fiona smirked.

“Shut up!” shot Freddy. “Anyway, the owlery was a nightmare. I’ll spare you the details. I’m going to take a shower.”

Freddy stomped up the stairs to the lavatory.

“That reminds me,” said James to his dorm mates. “I need to send an owl to Dad telling him that you’re all coming to the match.”

The boys entered the now sparkling owlery. Fresh straw covered the floor, and the perches gleamed in the evening light.

“Wow,” laughed James. “Freddy sure did a good job in here.”

James pulled out a piece of parchment and a self-inking quill and scribbled a quick note.

Dad

I have asked my roommates to come to the game with us. They’re going to write home to see if it is going to be OK with their parents. They are Philip McKenzie, Carson Jones, Allan Smith, and Sean Hughes. Who else is going besides us?

Tell mum I miss her.

James

James found Prometheus napping on the far side of the room. “Hey, boy,” he whispered, patting the owl on the head. “Can you take this to Dad?”

Prometheus hooted, and James tied the parchment to his leg. He fished an owl treat out of his pocket and gave it to Prometheus, who devoured it greedily. Then he took off, the sunset silhouetting his shape as he began to turn southwards.

Carson had found his owl, too. "To Mum, McGuffin. I'm expecting a reply."

"I've never sent an owl before. Will it know where my parents are? I mean, they're muggles…" Philip said uncertainly as he held his note out to a sleek screech owl wearing a Hogwarts Crested leather ring around one foot.

Sean came over. "Well, a school owl found you, right? I’ve got to use a school owl, too." He took Philip over to a group of school owls and showed him how to send one. “For me mum in Dublin, OK?” The owl nodded and flew off.

Philip tied a note to a small dark brown barn owl. "This goes to my parents - the McKenzies, in London. Can you find them?" The owl seemed to roll its eyes before checking its leg and taking flight.

As they made their way back to Gryffindor tower, they passed their transfiguration classroom. Glancing inside, James noticed Professor Jacobson in the empty room. He grabbed Philip and pointed into the room, where the Professor was in the far corner, pulling items out of a wardrobe. Suddenly, he climbed in and shut the door behind him.

"Did you see that?" Allan was shocked.

"It must be a secret passage or something. My dad says that you have to be careful about things like that. He said that one year a boy got lost for weeks. When they found him he had almost lost his mind." Carson seemed worried.

James let out a small laugh, "That sounds like the boy that my uncles pushed in the vanishing cabinet when my dad was in his fifth year." James could tell that Carson was nervous, "I don't think it’s that sort of thing. I think it’s just a hiding place for something."

"Hiding place! What would he want to hide?" Allan asked.

“Dunno,” said Philip. “Let’s get out of here before he comes back out. The owlery’s clean – I can only imagine what he’d make us clean if he caught us spying on him.”

* * * * *

The professors steadily piled more and more homework on the first-years as October flew by. The only bright spot on James’ horizon, was that the first quidditch match of the year, Gryffindor against Slytherin, was fast approaching.

But there was one large hurdle between James and the quidditch match: the first major exam of the year, in Herbology. On the Sunday before the exam, the whole first year of Gryffindor breakfasted with their noses buried in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. That afternoon, Professor Longbottom had promised to open the Greenhouse One so the students could make sure they were able to recognize all the different plants on sight. Hardly anyone looked up when the owls swept in with the mail.

Elisa Fontaine managed to tear herself away from her book to glance up at the owls. Serena, who was sitting next to her, looked up, too.

“Are you expecting a package?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Elisa. “Mum’s promised to send a batch of her butterscotch fudge. Hey! Look at that beautiful old snowy!”

“James.” Serena elbowed him in the ribs, breaking his concentration. “It’s Hedwig.”

“Wha – oh.” The majestic owl landed in front of James, holding out his right leg. James untied the letter and pushed some bacon and toast to the side of his plate for Hedwig to eat.

Dear James –

Thanks for the note. We’ll pick you up at King’s Cross, on the first day of the Christmas holidays and catch a portkey to the match. (You might want to prepare your friend Philip for that.)

See you soon!

Love,
Dad

James smiled to himself as he pocketed the note. Hedwig was looking at him as if she expected a quick reply. “You can go up to the owlery, Heddy. I’ll send a reply after our greenhouse session tonight. But if you need to go back home, I can send my reply with Prometheus.”

Hedwig blinked her understanding and flew out the doors of the Great Hall. James returned his attention to the entry on belladonna he had been reading.

James barely noticed Philip lean back and stretch his arms until one of his hands gently tapped James' arm. With little more than a slight head nod, Philip indicated "Look at Sean," who was studying across the table from them. Or rather, he was sitting with his face pointing at One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, with eyes as big as galleons, surreptitiously watching Allan.

Allan's eating habits had become legend in the Gryffindor tower. Shy skinny Allan ate like three starving lumberjacks, though he never seemed to put on weight. He also tended to combine foods uniquely; cherry tarts with mustard, ham with salmon sandwiches. Sometime during their second week at Hogwarts, Carson had mentioned seeing Allan eat Jammy Dodgers with catsup. He regularly ate pancakes with corn relish and applesauce piled on them.

Studying, as all the others were today, Allan had his book propped against a pitcher of juice on the far side of his plate. He almost inhaled a dozen small sausages, first dipping each into something disgustingly green and drippy, while he quietly recited the properties and uses of various plants. Alternately, he would take bites of a chocolate éclair that he was dipping into a bright red vinegary sauce.

Sean began to go pale. "And everyone says I eat a lot! I think I'll go study in the Common Room for a while."

Sean's departure left a gap across the table that allowed a clear view of the Slytherin table.

"Look at them," James mumbled to Philip. "They don't seem to be studying anywhere near as hard as the rest of us."

"I have enough to worry about passing this myself; if they want to be idiots, let 'em," Philip mumbled back. “Hey, does wormwood have oval or reticulated leaves?"

Next day, the Herbology exam was every bit as difficult as the first-year Gryffindors had been expecting. There were at least fifty different plants, herbs, and fungi that had to be identified, as the students milled around greenhouse from pot to pot, scribbling down the names of the plants, describing how to care for them, and listing their properties. They had only an hour to complete the exam, and students were nearly elbowing each other out of the way to get to the pots they needed to see.

James was looking at what he desperately hoped was some kind of shrivelfig bush – what kind exactly, he wasn’t so sure – when Professor Longbottom yelled, “Accio parchment!” James nearly jumped out of his shoes, and the parchment flew by his ear on the way to the teacher’s desk.

The whole class was staring at the professor. “Mr. Dursley!”

Duke did not look up. He appeared to be concentrating very hard on a bag of potting soil.

“What,” asked the professor “is this?”

“Just a spare bit of parchment,” replied Duke.

“Mr. Dursley, this parchment is not exactly scrap. I’m going to have to ask you to leave the greenhouse now.”

“But I’m not finished with my exam!” Duke’s voice was now at least two steps higher than it had been a moment ago.

“On the contrary, Mr. Dursley, you are finished. We’ll take this up with your head of house.”

“But…”

“Now, Mr. Dursley. Leave the green house now. We’ll discuss this later.”

Duke slowly exited through the greenhouse door, casting a frightened look in Professor Longbottom’s direction as he left.

“Does anyone else want to confess that they, too, have some scraps of parchment they shouldn’t have brought to the exam today?”

No one spoke.

“This is your last chance. If you bring up these sheets to me now, your punishment will be much less severe.”

Again, the room was silent.

Professor Longbottom pointed his want at Duke’s parchment. “Duplices Ardentes!”

James heard screams from the back of the room. He turned to see several other Slytherins waving their hands in the air or sticking them into pitchers of water. On the floor, flames were swiftly consuming pieces of parchment that James assumed must have been copies of Duke’s cheat sheet.

“If you have a bit of a hot hand right now,” said Professor Longbottom, “you also need to leave the greenhouse.”

He watched sternly as the Slytherins filed out, hands in their pockets.

“Sorry about that interruption. I will give an extra five minutes to compensate the rest of you for the disruption.”

At lunch that day, the incident in the Herbology exam was the only topic of conversation. Duke and the rest of the Slytherins who had been thrown out of class were conspicuously absent.

“So what do you think will happen to them?” James asked Lily.

“I don’t know,” said Lily thoughtfully. I don’t know that anyone’s ever been caught cheating like that before.”

“I do,” said Finley from across the table. “In my first year, Darcy Hooper had the answers to a potions exam written on the side of her wand. Or at least we think she did. Her wand burned up in a flash of purple flame. As everyone knows, if you put ink on your wand, the results can be catastrophic.”

“But I’ve never heard of anyone cheating on this scale,” declared Fiona. “I mean, there were – how many of them with the same parchment?”

“Seven,” said Philip.

“Wow,” said Fiona. “I mean, why do that? You’ve got to know this stuff. Otherwise, you’ll never be a proper wizard or witch. And in the first year! If you can’t hand first year Herbology – well, you can’t imagine how difficult N.E.W.T. level potions is.”

“And to put dear Professor Longbottom in such a bad position,” said Lily.

“I just had a horrible thought,” Serena said, suddenly looking up from her roast beef. “What if the Slytherins have been cheating for ages, but nobody was stupid enough to get caught until this crew?”

“I wouldn’t put it past them,” Philip said thoughtfully. “And if they’re cheating and not getting caught, and the rest of us are surviving only on our wits – well, it’s not a level playing field, is it?”

“If that’s true,” declared Freddy solemnly, “then it is our absolute duty to defend the honor of Gryffindor by cheating ourselves!”

Fiona and Findley shot him such a dirty look that James, sitting next to him, could almost feel the heat of their stares.

“I’m just kidding,” said Freddy. “I bet the professors catch nearly all the cheaters.”

“And besides,” said Fiona, looking less menacing now, “on the only exams that matter – the O.W.Ls and the N.E.W.Ts – there are so many anti-cheating charms that no one could possibly…”

She trailed off, apparently lost in a world of her own. The Gryffindors had just enough time to finish their lunch before the tower bell announced the beginning of afternoon classes.

[StarWalker]

VIII
Dudley To the Rescue



Later that night in the common room, James remembered he wanted to talk to Freddy and Lily about the conversations he and Philip had overheard between Jacobson and his wife, and Jacobson’s strange actions in his classroom at the start of the year .

“What do you think they’re up to?” James asked them after he finished the story.

“Dunno,” said Freddy. “Only one way to find out, right, Lily Anne?”

“I suppose so,” she said. “Tonight?”

“Sounds good”

“I’m exhausted,” said James. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’m going to bed early.”

“Well,” said Lily, “I guess we can wait until tomorrow night to sneak into the Transfiguration classroom and see what Jacobson’s hiding in that wardrobe.”

James wondered if this plan wasn’t a little reckless, but decided he could think about it more tomorrow when his brain didn’t feel like a bowl of porridge.

The next day at breakfast, Lily sidled up to James. “We’ve got a plan,” she whispered. “Meet us at the statue of Uric the Oddball on the fourth floor at a quarter before midnight.”

“So what’s the plan?” asked James.

“Tell you later!” she said, as Findley sat down next to them.

James worried about Lily’s plan all day. In Defense Against the Dark Arts, he knocked over an inkbottle and ruined an entire page of notes on hags. In Transfiguration, the earthworm he was supposed to be turning into a length of string, shriveled into dust. Philip seemed nervous, too. He kept glancing back at the wardrobe, then at Jacobson, and then looking meaningfully at James.

“Stop it,” whispered James as he brought a new earthworm back to his table. “You’re making me nervous.”

The two went to bed early that night, hoping to get some sleep before their rendezvous with Freddy and Lily. Before they got to sleep, though, James heard footsteps on the stairs.

“Did you see how far he hit that bludger?” said Sean’s voice as the door opened, and then closed.

“Amazing,” said Carson. “Almost the length of the pitch.”

James remembered that Sean had said he was going to watch the Gryffindor quidditch practice tonight. Carson must have gone with him.

“Charlie’s a cracking good beater,” said Sean fervently. “And the rest of the team is sharp, too. They’ll have a good chance at the Quidditch Cup this year.”

James heard someone pour a glass of water.

“There are lots of talented quidditch players in Gryffindor,” came Sean’s voice again. “I wonder if I’ll ever get on the team.”

“Don’t worry, Sean. You’ve got plenty of time,” Carson responded.

There was a pause.

“Right. Plenty of time,” said Sean doubtfully. He sighed. “Well, I’m going to sleep. G’night, Carson.”

* * * * *

In what felt like only minutes later, Philip was poking James in the ribs.

“Wake up!” he hissed. “It’s time.”

James dressed quickly and the two friends crept silently thought the common room and out the portrait hole.

James and Philip found Lily and Freddy leaning against the statue of Uric, talking in quiet voices. “Ready to go?” he whispered. The boys nodded, and Lily led them onto the staircase and started up towards the transfiguration wing. They had gone about two floors when Philip came to a sudden stop.

“Listen!” he whispered urgently. James froze as loud footsteps sounded below. Several people were coming up the stairs. The group scrambled up to the next landing, left the staircase, and hid in a nearby closet. Whoever was on the stairs came out on the same floor, and heavy footsteps moved past the closet.

"Really, Mr. Dursley!" Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the silence. "You can't just barge in here at midnight demanding a meeting!"

"Hrumph!" said a voice that could only have belonged to Dudley Dursley. He was panting a little from climbing so many flights of stairs. "Well. I was intending – to be here – in time for dinner – but you – people – don't make it so easy – to find this place – do you?"

"If you had simply sent us an owl," responded the headmistress, "we would have been glad to accommodate you."

"An owl?" Dudley howled. "As if I even owned – as if I would want – ridiculous!"

"Step in here, Mr. Dursley," Professor McGonagall sighed. "The heads of house have already been summoned, and I’ve roused as many of Duke’s teachers as I could."

Hearing the heavy clink of a door-bolt, Freddy cautiously opened the closet door. He peered around the door. "All clear," he whispered.

They stepped out of the closet. Down the hall, a shaft of light radiated from beneath a heavy door.

"What do you think Dad's cousin is doing here?" James whispered to Lily.

"Dunno," Lily said. "But we're going to find out."

She pulled what looked like a pink wad of bubble-gum out of her robe pocket. With a well-practiced flick of the wrist, she unrolled the mass into long strands.

"Extendable ears," James whispered to Philip, noticing his look of curiosity.

"New and improved extendable ears," said Freddy proudly. "Just one listener, but multiple ear-pieces."

"So," said Philip, "back in the closet?"

Lily nodded and rolled out one fleshy pink strand towards the room where the meeting was taking place. It slipped itself under the small crack at the bottom of the door. She handed an earpiece to each one of them as they stuffed themselves back into the closet.

The first voice they heard was Dudley's. "So, as you can clearly see, my son had nothing to do with this whole thing, and so I'm sure you'll want to take him off – er – disciplinary probation - immediately."

"Mr. Dursley," said Professor McGonagall in her kindest tone, "your son had a copy of the cheat-sheet in his hand during the test. I would think that you'd be glad the consequences were not much more severe."

"If I were head of house," said a voice that James recognized as Professor Jacobson's, "he would have been expelled immediately."

"As it is," said Professor Krum, "Young Mr. Dursley is in Slytherin, and therefore is my responsibility. I, too, was inclined to expel him. But Professor Longbottom –"

"I thought he deserved a second chance," said Professor Longbottom. "It's clear to me that Dudley cheated mostly because he's finding the coursework here at Hogwarts very difficult, since he came from a mug – ah – since he doesn't come from a wizarding family."

"Not from a wizarding family!" thundered Dudley. "He's related to the biggest blasted freakish – er – wizard in the whole world. You do know who my cousin is, don't you?"

James stifled a laugh, and he could tell from the shaking beside him that Lily was doing the same.

"Be that as it may," said Professor McGonagall icily, "young Mr. Dursley's marks thus far are quite low. We're very concerned –"

"MY SON IS NOT AN IDIOT!" yelled Dudley. Everyone in the closet moved their extendables a few inches from their ears to avoid permanent hearing loss.

"We're not saying that, Mr. Dursley," said Professor Longbottom. "We're just saying that we're concerned. We'd like him to get a little extra help. We would set him up with an older student to tutor him."

"Tutor him? One of your kind?" Dudley's voice was low and menacing. "Over my dead body."

"I see," said Professor McGonagall. "Then you leave us no choice. I'll just send Professor Krum to fetch your son from the Slytherin dormitory and you two can return home together."

A long silence followed. When Dudley spoke again, he was much more conciliatory. "Th-there's no need for that. Being here really means a lot to Duke. He'd be absolutely furious with me if he had to leave."

"Very well," said Professor McGonagall briskly. "Professor Krum will find a suitable tutor for your son, and he will be allowed to stay, provided that there is no further academic dishonesty on his part. Would it be all right, Mr. Dursley, if we all returned to our beds? I'll be happy to have a guest room made up for you."

"Th-thank you," stuttered Dudley.

Lily slipped briefly out of the closet and retracted the extendable ears. She closed the door until all the footsteps had died away.

"Well!" she giggled. "Our little cousin's in deep, isn't he?"

"Who do you suppose Krum will get to tutor him?" James chortled.

"Dunno," said Freddy, "but they'll have their work cut out for them."

Let’s check that wardrobe,” Lily urged, “before someone finds us.”

Those in the closet were quiet for a few seconds. “Maybe we better forget it for tonight,” Philip cautioned. “Too many teachers are up now.”

No one required much urging. Being caught out of bed, and out of bounds, was definitely not in their plans. The thought of the punishment they would receive was enough to send them scurrying back to their dormitories, though when Philip and James entered the Gryffindor common room, no one was behind them.

James looked around, puzzled, and then poked his head back into the hallway to see if the others were coming. “Where’d they go?” he muttered, shaking his head.

“I don’t know,” Philip got out around a yawn, “but they can take care of themselves, and I’m sure we’ll hear what they did in the morning.”

Stumbling up the stairs, James stifled his own yawn. “Suppose you’re right,” he mumbled as the two tumbled into their beds. The even breathing and soft snoring of the others drowned his next question, even as it trailed off. “You don’t” – he yawned – “think they’re doing something to Duke's dad …”

Sean, Carson, and Allan had already left when Philip woke James. After hurriedly dressing, they headed down for breakfast, anxious to see where Lily and Freddy had gone last night. Even though it was after 7:30, the passages seemed strangely empty to the two, as they rushed to the Great Hall. As they drew closer, however, a boisterous murmur ebbed and swelled, becoming deafeningly loud as they opened the doors and entered.

“I’ve never seen this many people here for breakfast, this late,” James said to Philip, frowning, as they slipped into two empty spots at the Gryffindor table, and filled their plates.

“James! Look!” Lily yelled from a dozen seats away, though her voice was almost lost in the background clamor of the room.

Philip elbowed him in the ribs, and pointed to the head table. “Who’s that up there next to Professor McGonagall?”

After stuffing a sausage in his mouth, James turned to look at his schoolmates, and saw that they, too, were all staring at the head table. Indeed, whatever was there appeared to be keeping everyone here, talking. Excited now, James turned to the front, anxious to see for himself the source of entertainment.

His initial glance revealed that the professors all looked as if they had swallowed something bitter, though a closer look showed many twinkling eyes, despite the set of their faces. Professor Jacobson looked furious, staring intently at his plate, and eating as though each bite was arguing with him. James stifled a giggle as that thought struck him. Professor Wiles, on the other hand, was studiously ignoring her husband, and was calmly clearing her plate, a half smile on her lips. Hagrid, ravenous as always, laughed as he emptied his plate and reached for more. When he picked up a platter of ham, James suddenly saw who was sitting next to Hagrid.

“Oh!” James saw Professor McGonagall, sitting stiffly and drinking a mug of pumpkin juice, while between her and Hagrid sat a man who could only be Dudley Dursley. Though his father had spoken of Dudley many times, the reality was something else entirely. “That’s Duke’s dad,” he told Philip.

Although James knew that Dudley had been a champion boxer in his school days, the intervening years had obviously taken their toll. Dudley was by far the largest person – other than Hagrid, or course – that James had ever seen. He had a great, drooping, walrus mustache that bested his dad’s descriptions of his Uncle Vernon’s. Balding, he was vain enough to attempt to conceal it by letting his hair grow longer, and brushing it over to try to cover the vast, shiny expanse of skin.

Dudley looked as though he had slept in his clothes, if, indeed, he had slept at all. Disheveled, he sat on the edge of his seat, and between mouthfuls, he looked around wild-eyed. A caricature of gluttony, his plate piled with food, he was eating as if he were starving. Clearly, sitting next to the man who had given him a pig’s tail so many years before did not affect his appetite.

James glanced at Lily, who surreptitiously pointed back to the head table, then pointed up, grinning hugely. Freddy sat next to her, trying to look nonchalant, but failing miserably. High above Dudley, James could see what everyone was staying to watch. Visible only to the students, because of where they sat in relation to Dudley, were letters 6 feet tall, flashing silver and green, proclaiming to all:

DUDLEY DURSLEY
DUKE’S DAD
SO SAD

Philip nudged him and pointed to the Slytherin table. “Look at Duke!”

James turned to see Duke staring at the sight of his father sitting beneath the sparkling sign, stuffing his face in front of the entire school. His face was flushed, his cheeks damp as he got up to leave. Turning back to Philip, James motioned to the door, and headed for class.

Serena caught up with them as they left the Great Hall. “Guess what - Lily had to go see Professor McGonagall – Professor Longbottom told her – did you see that sign above – was that was your cousin – he went with her to see – not your cousin, Professor Longbottom –“

James tuned out her chatter. Professor Krum had stopped to talk to Duke, and James tried to slow down enough to hear what they were saying. He only caught a fragment as he, Philip, and Serena headed out to the quidditch pitch for flying lessons: “…see the Head Mistress vith…”

James thought that Krum must be talking to Duke about meeting with a tutor. It was a crisp October morning with a brisk wind. A good day for flying, thought James, as his thoughts turned to their lesson.