Guys, it has been some time since I uploaded but I had my monthly tests. I did not do that good . Don't know when I will upload next. Please read, review honestly.
I don't own Harry Potter. Joanne Kathleen Rowling does.
Please review. It means a lot when you do.
Chapter – 3
Conversations
"So what house did you get into?"
"Thunderbird. Dom also got into Thunderbird and Louis got into Horned Serpent."
"Interesting", Ginny Potter said through the fire.
"There is nothing interesting there. Don't pretend at least."
"Sorry. What subjects did you take?"
"All the ones I had at Hogwarts and Advanced Arts."
"What is Advanced Arts."
"It higher study of Defence, Transfiguration and Charms. The kind they teach you in auror training. Well I thought the word 'advanced' would give you a hint but I was wrong."
"Nothing dangerous. Right?"
"God mom, stop worrying. There is nothing dangerous. You know the other subjects are easy. But they say that the exam is very difficult to pass and if I do fail they would not let me go to the eighth year."
"Don't fail, alright or we will disown you."
"I promise I won't fail." James had the urge to tell his mother what Stan had told him. But the expression on Stan's face reminded him how serious he had been when he had told him not to tell anyone.
"How is Lily?"
"She is fine. She is studying."
"How is Albus?"
"He is... well not great but I think he is doing better."
"Really?"
"I don't know James. He does not talk much. He talks to his father but not to me. He writes to Scorpius a lot."
James felt a pang of guilt. He did not like to imagine his brother being alone.
"Wait everyone is coming down for dinner. Lily come its James."
The ever smiling face of Lily came into view.
"How are you doing James."
"Good. How are you doing?"
"I have been studying."
"Yeah, good."
"I will do well this year."
"Just don't fail this time."
"Mom..", she yelled.
"James."
"Sorry. So you made a boyfriend."
"No I did not."
"God, what is the matter with you. "
"Well I remember you being in year four when you and Alice started going out."
"Yes...", James said trying to get Alice out of his head.
"Where is Albus?"
"Oh, he is right here, Albus come here."
"Hi James", Albus's green eyes looked at him sadly.
"Hi, how are you doing?"
"Good. Mom told us you got sorted into Thunderbird. What is the castle like?"
"Well, I haven't seen any of it yet. We have gone through the back entrance twice but never seen it fully."
"Ok", he sounded a bit disappointed."
"Don't worry I will explore the castle, maybe I will right my own Marauders Map."
"That would be fun."
"It would."
"How are you Albus? Really, how are you?"
"I will not kill myself James, don't worry."
Someone had started edging Albus to the side.
"Dad stop pushing."
"What, I want to talk to my son."
"How are you dad?"
"Great, how are you?"
"Fine. How is work?"
"It is not the best but I will survive."
"How is Malfoy?"
"He still pretends as if he hates me but I know that is not true", he said smiling.
James was smiling.
"Well Ron and Hermione might come to visit you next month. There is some conference in Manhattan and Hermione has to be there. Ron is tagging along."
"Why?"
"He says he wants to meet his godson and take care of his wife but.."
"He is coming to assess the market for the joke shop."
"Exactly."
"Well, wish him luck for that."
"I did."
"Dad, how is Albus? Mom said he does not talk much, he talks only to you and writes a lot to Scorpius."
"Well to be honest James, I don't exactly know how he is. He does talk to me but I think he is still hurt after what happened. Him getting betrayed like that. He finally came to know what the real world is about."
"Yeah."
"Well moving on from that, how was the sorting. The people at work tell me that the ceremony is very unique and beautiful."
James told him everything, from the Gordian Knot Symbol, the houses giving their signal. He did not however tell him about getting picked by four houses and Stan's warning.
"Wow, that is amazing."
"It was."
"Well if you do meet Hermione, give her congratulations."
"For what?"
"The SPEW Legislation is about to be passed."
"What?"
"Yes, the council is ready, almost three-fourth were in favour of it. The woman was crying the whole time."
"Well obviously."
"I think she has been working for this since 2006."
"16 years, damn."
"There is going to be a huge party."
"There should be. What about the elite squad Formation?"
"Well, there is another International Summit in December in France. We will see what happens then. Hermione, Draco and me are trying our level best to make sure that the bill is not passed but it looks like we will be outvoted. "
"The formation of an Elite Squad with unlimited powers is very dangerous. The squad can go rogue, then what happens. There will no records of them. The Squad could commit mass assassinations whenever they want. Take down governments. Muggle killings can take place."
"That is exactly our point. It is too dangerous to give anyone so much power."
"Right."
"You wrote to Alice?", he asked shrewdly.
"Where did that come from?"
"Wherever it needed to. You tell me, did you?"
"No, and I am not going to."
"James we talked about this."
"Yes, we did and I told you that I am not going to."
"Fine then, don't talk."
"Is Neville mad at me?"
"Neville, are you mad. He told me- "Relationships go sour. Look at me and Hannah."
"Phew, that's a relief." It indeed was. James had been scared that Neville would hate him for what had happened. Every father would.
"You alright son."
"Yeah dad, just a bit tired."
"Ok, go to sleep then. Write to us when you get there ok."
"I will."
"Good night James."
"Good night dad."
The fire went out. James had a sinking feeling in his stomach that he was going to regret not telling his father what had happened.
