When James Potter received a personalized letter from none other than Albus Dumbledore, he was prepared for the worst. Perhaps his last prank before he had left for summer holiday had gone a little farther than he had anticipated. James just hoped that this wasn't a letter of expulsion. He practically lived in detention, but being expelled was something he had narrowly escaped from on numerous occasions.
James was about to start his final year at Hogwarts, if he got expelled now...well he didn't know how he could bare the shame. How would he explain that one to his parents?
James took a deep, shuddering breath as he put his wand under the flap of the envelope and used it as a letter opener. He slowly pulled out the neatly folded paper, letting the envelope fall to the ground with a thud. He was so focused on what his punishment would be that he forgot that empty envelopes aren't supposed to make sound when they hit the floor. Instead, James began to read the pristine cursive. At first James was relieved to find a list of school supplies, but as he continued reading a feeling of utter shock and disbelief followed with each looping word.
Once his eyes reached the bottom of the page, he studied Dumbledore's signature for signs of fraud. There was no way that this was a real letter. There must be a mistake. If it wasn't a mistake then Albus Dumbledore had just made James Potter the new Head Boy. That was impossible. He was one of the most troublemaking student Hogwarts might have ever seen. He rivaled even Peeves's shenanigans.
As James reread the letter, thoughts flew through his mind. This was definitely a mistake. Why would I ever be head boy? Maybe Dumbledore meant to send the letter to Remus. Yeah, that had to be it. I will just put the letter back and send it on its way. Merlin! Where is that envelope?! James looked around frantically until he spotted the envelope laying slightly under his dresser. He quickly bent down and snatched it up, reading the addressed name. 'James Fleamont Potter' was written across the front in Dumbledore's flowing cursive. How could this be happening? I am the last person who should be Head Boy! There must be some mistake!
James groaned in frustration and tried to crumple to envelope but felt his hand close around something rough and hard. He curiously glanced down at the covered object and dug it out of the wadded up paper.
James was once again dumbfounded when he realized that in his hand was a badge that clearly read 'Head Boy' across the front in gold lettering. He started to feel queazy and lightheaded so he let himself plop down onto the edge of his bed. James sat and stared at the floor for what could have been hours. He was too stunned to do anything except stare in numb silence at nothing in particular. James was in such a state of shock that he hadn't noticed his mother calling him to dinner.
After the third time with no answer, Euphemia Potter marched to her son's room and opened the door. She had been prepared to tease him for being just like his father but when she saw him staring at the floor looking slightly pale, she instantly grew worried. "James? Sweetie what happened?" She rushed over to him. James hardly reacted, he simply handed his mother the letter. After a few moments of silent reading Euphemia gasped. "James! This is wonderful! Aren't you excited?!" She asked with a beaming smile. James slowly looked up at her incredulously, "Dumbledore can't be serious. I wasn't even a prefect! How could he think that I should be the one to be Head Boy? And over Remus?!? This must be some sort of joke!" He didn't know when he had moved, but James was now standing in front of his mother, heart racing.
Euphemia just smiled and gently took his hands, "Sweetie, Dumbledore has his reasons. He clearly sees how incredibly brave, caring, and smart your father and I raised you to be. You have always been a leader James. I know you will be a magnificent Head Boy." James looked down at his mother with a slight smile. He still wasn't convinced that he was the right person for the job. But if his mother believed he could do it then he would try his absolute best to be the greatest Head Boy Hogwarts had ever seen. "Thanks mum, I wont let you or dad down." Euphemia smiled kindly and squeezed his hands before letting go, "You could never let us down sweetie, now lets go downstairs before dinner gets cold."
During dinner James showed his father the letter. Fleamont Potter jumped up and cheered loudly when he finished reading it. He couldn't have been more proud. The rest of the night James and his parents celebrated with a family movie and game night.
When it was nearly time for bed James sat at his desk in his room and wrote a letter. He had to apologize to Remus for taking the Head Boy position. James had to explain that he never wanted to take it from him.
Once the letter was finished and sent on its way, James laid down in bed. He fell asleep, wondering who would be the Head Girl this year. James secretly hoped that it would be a certain fiery redhead with gorgeous emerald eyes.