The summer weeks past by in a blur for James. It seemed wrong, strange that life continued after his parents had died, yet days passed, by, indifferent to James opinion.
Throughout the weeks, James did not go anywhere without Sirius or Blinky following him, keeping him aware of life around him. They stayed at Potter's Manor; its grounds so large and open and hidden from prying eyes, it kept them free of outside interference. James was quite sure Blinky and Sirius were talking behind his back, but James couldn't make himself feel irritated. He knew they were trying to help and he constantly reminded himself he was not the only person who would miss his parents.
Every day, Blinky would wake him and Sirius, who was staying in James's room, up, and give them breakfast. She would then badger them to wash and dress and then would shoo them outside, only letting them back in for a very large lunch or dinner, threatening to tie them to their chairs until they ate enough for her satisfaction.
When the school holidays started, they were often visited by Remus and Peter. Together with Sirius, they seemed to have made it their mission to help James get out of his 'funk', as Peter helpfully put it. Remus was sympathetic and logical and James found it easier at times to confide in him. Peter and Sirius would try and think of pranks for their next and last year of Hogwarts.
"Come on Prongs" Sirius pleaded for about the umpteenth time.
"I don't know Padfoot" James sighed exasperately. After all of the drama of his parents' deaths and funerals, he was gradually taking an interest in life again. To his surprise, talking to Sirius or Remus really did help. He hadn't wanted to burden his friends but was touched and grateful when he realized they wouldn't budge. Peter tried, but in all honesty, both teens knew this wasn't really his area.
Sirius however, was doing something he had to a fine art-distraction. He would badger James to death about his feelings, but when it came to his own, Sirius was more tight-lipped than Professor McGonagall when she was furious. He led people away from his feelings by acting the fool and clowning around but James could tell instantly. But a very stubborn Sirius was never a good thing to handle early in the morning.
"Prongs, we are the Marauders, the epitome of pranksters and coolness" Sirius declared solemnly. The four Marauders in question were sitting under an old oak tree in the middle of one of the many Potter owned fields, one near the house. Remus and Peter had stayed the night and sat on either side of James and Sirius.
Remus yawned loudly, causing Sirius to throw him a dirty look. "Mate, it's going to be our last year. We HAVE to do something spectacular."
"Why are we planning now?" Remus inquired. "We normally just make do with opportunity that comes our way."
"Because it-is-our-last-year" Sirius stressed delicately.
"I'm with Moony Padfoot" James said firmly. "Pranks work better when we know details."
"Details?" Sirius goggled at him. "Prongs, we organise these things for about a week at most. We don't plan absolutely everything to the last detail."
"You sound like Moony" Peter laughed and Remus snorted. "Look Pads if we come up with ideas, we'll give them to you to take down. But I'm not spending the whole summer organising strategies on how to turn Slytherin's common room pink or how to put firecrabs into Snape's pants."
"Have we done that?" Peter asked curiously.
"No" Moony sighed reluctantly as Sirius scribbled down the ideas. "What do you plan to do for the summer then James?"
There was a pause.
"I don't know" James sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "But I need to go to Diagon Alley and the outside world eventually."
"We know" Remus nodded.
"But you know everyone's talking about...." Peter broke off, quailing under the furious stare Sirius was giving him. James smiled inwardly.
"My parents? I kind of figured Wormy. I'd be more surprised if they weren't. At least I know Blinky's wards are working; only you guys have been able to get into the place since the funeral."
"How do they work?" Remus asked curiously, the book worm side of him showing.
"Not sure, but I think she's just cast some charms that stop people she doesn't want coming onto the grounds. You should have seen her handle the Daily Prophet reporters hiding in the front bushes. She went nuts. She asked permission to put wards around the whole property and they only let certain people in."
James glanced at Sirius during this and saw he was looking at his list as though it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.
"You helped with those wards huh?"
Sirius looked up sheepishly. "Yeah. One of the days you were lying in, she and I chased those hags from the Prophet away from the house for about the tenth time, she mentioned them. She was going to do them anyway, but was going to ask permission, you know for appearances. I told her the people that the wards didn't need to affect. So there are us four, Blinky herself, Dumbledore and Minnie."
"Anything else you'd like to change about my house Mr. Padfoot while you're on a roll?" James asked archly.
"Now that you mention it, Mr. Prongs, I do believe the third floor would make a fine indoors Quidditch pitch" Sirius returned smoothly.
James snorted. "Not a hope in hell. Mum would come back from the dead and hex me into oblivion if I did that."
The two boys laughed; after making sure the two were okay with talking about Caroline Potter, Remus and Peter joined them.
An odd noise reverberated around the grounds, cutting them off. James instinctively leapt to his feet, pulling out his wand. Sirius and Remus copied him and a beat or two later, Peter did.
"That was the warning" Sirius frowned. "It means that someone's entered the grounds with permission. Must be Dumbledore or McGonagall."
"I didn't hear them earlier when Wormy and Moony came."
"Blinky was expecting them; she turned the volume down."
Despite this, James held onto his wand. He was glad he was seventeen and didn't have to worry about underage magic. Crossing the field, he was in the pantry in moments. A loud crack announced Blinky's presence.
"Master Jamsie" her old nickname for him "Professor Dumbledore is waiting for you in the sitting room."
"Thanks Blinky. Tell him we're coming." Blinky bowed again and Disapparated.
Within a minute, he and fellow Marauders were sitting down across from the Professor; Peter squirming slightly. Normally so close to the Professor meant they were in trouble. But this wasn't the case.
"Hello Professor" James greeted briefly; the others quietly chiming in. They knew of Dumbledore's promise to look over the murder of the Potters.
"Did you learn anything Professor?" James inquired, skipping over Dumbledore's offer of sherbet lemons. Blinky fluttered her eyelids in disapproval, but said nothing as she set tea, cakes and biscuits on the table.
"I told you I would look into your parents' murders" Dumbledore looked at James intently.
"And?" James prompted.
"It is my belief they were killed by Death Eaters." Dumbledore looked grave.
"Your father was trying to end werewolf and part human discrimination. By eliminating them, it turns people away from ending the prejudice, in fear for their safety and strengthens hatred and misunderstanding among part humans. Voldemort" Peter flinched "can therefore offer something werewolves don't have under Ministry rule-freedom. Pointing that people are unwilling to change old age racism and wish to stick to tradition where they are outcasts support in Voldemort's ranks grows."
"Pretty complicated plan Professor" Sirius said sceptically. "Killing the people trying to bring change and pinning it on anti-werewolf movement, as so to bolster your own support?"
"It does make sense" Remus murmured. He was pale.
"Yes" Dumbledore agreed. "By implicating anti werewolf legislation and prejudice among the ordinary people of the wizarding world in a time of war, portrays a society that will not try and change things for the discriminated. Of course, there is great prejudice among part humans" he looked at Remus "for werewolves in particular. Turning them against the rest of the society means Voldemort has strong allies in werewolves and giants especially."
"Not this werewolf" Remus snarled, his voice harsh. James looked at his friend in silent understanding and gratitude. He knew Remus was sensitive about his condition and how he felt about werewolves working for Voldemort.
Dumbledore nodded at Remus, smiling very slightly at the somewhat chagrined look Remus had on his face for his outburst. Sirius patted his arm.
"How about the people how caused the riot?" James then asked.
Dumbledore sighed heavily. "Aurors' arrived at the scene very quickly as you know and managed to place anti Apparation spells before the crowd could disperse. I have no doubt someone in their custody is one of the Death Eaters, maybe even one who killed them. I have been trying to arrange a visit to the captured men, but it's proving tedious. The Ministry is not communicating well with each other and I have a suspicion they do not want me to interfere in their-methods-of interrogation."
James clenched his jaw in frustration. Being stuck in the house with not much contact clearly left him in the dark somewhat. Knowing that his parents' murderers could still possibly be at large or simply in oblivious Aurors hands made him angry.
"I shall of course, keep looking" Dumbledore looked at James intently. "I know this is hard, but I must stress the dangers we are facing. Seeking revenge in this brewing conflict would almost certainly spell your death boys."
What a way with words Dumbledore, James thought sardonically. But he nodded, fighting the other side of him that burned with the fury of vengeance.
"On that note, I must go" Dumbledore stood. "Despite all that has happened, life does go on and I find myself yet again, searching for a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." He shook his head ruefully. "Here are your Hogwarts letters; it saves the bother of sending an owl through the excellent wards Blinky has set up." He smiled at the elf, who bowed deeply, delighted.
With a final chorus of goodbyes, the Headmaster left by Floo. James sighed and absentmindedly slit open his letter.
"You ok mate?" Sirius asked quietly.
James shrugged and ran a hand through his unruly hair before letting the contents of the envelope onto his lap. Something heavier caught his attention and he pulled the source up, attached to it another letter. His mouth fell open.
"What is it?" Sirius asked puzzled, eyeing James.
"Dumbledore gave me Moony's badge!"
A/N: And on that, I take my leave for the moment. Having somebody review this actually encourages me to continue but I have no idea if it is actually any good.Let me know will you? Oh and also about Dumbledore's talk about werewolves actually make sense? I can't tell any more.
Until then.