Chapter 4 Start all over

This summer was the quietist in both James and Sirius life. There wasn't much messing around. It passed very slowly. Both boys couldn't wait for school to start up again.

About a week before September first, two scrawny owls flew through the open window. One went to Sirius and one to James.

"Hogwarts letters," Sirius stated shortly as he pried the wax off to open his. James was doing the same. Something fell out of his envelope. It looked like a badge… well two badges. His mouth fell open as he stared at the letters on the silver one.

"Nearly all of the same books as last year… just newer versions." Sirius stopped when he saw the expression on his best mates face. He looked around wide eyed, seeing nothing he asked, "What?" James didn't answer, he just held up the badge. Sirius looked just as surprised but recovered shortly and began to laugh. "This has got to be a joke. Congratulations…. Do you realize how much stuff we can get away with this year? Looks like we're not going to be getting very many detentions." He finished with a sly grin.

James scowled, "If this isn't a joke then I don't think I will be able to abuse the power like that, Padfoot." James said with a straight face.

"Not even a little bit?" Sirius held up his thumb and forefinger a centimeter apart.

James smiled. "Well as long as we don't get caught."

"I'm tired of being in this house. Let's get our spell books and stuff right now." They apparated into the alley behind the Leaky Cauldron and then tapped the bricks. The usual archway appeared. They walked in gazing at the new things that had come over the summer. James and Sirius first stopped at Gringotts Wizard bank. There were goblins at every entrance. When they were inside the building they saw desks filled with goblins. James went to the one his father used to and asked if he had time to help. The goblin nodded and beckoned them to follow.

"Where do you need to go?" the short beast asked.

"To the Potters and Blacks… well Sirius Blacks vault." They hopped into a cart and it started moving immediately. There was a loud clunk when it stopped. The goblin unlocked the door and let James in to get what he needed then did the same for Sirius.

Once outside the bank, the boys headed to the first book shop, flourish and Blotts. They got all their spell books there and then went to the potions store next door. They got new potions kits and left without a word. Next they came to Madam Malkins dress robes for all occasions she measured them then cut out material to make the robes fit. Finally she sent them on their way with one more parcel to carry.

"So Prongs, who do you think the other head is?"

"Probably Lily but I won't get my hopes up too high this year."

"Listen, you can just use your brain Prongs and realize that Lily is never going to come around and you can find someone else who will actually like you." Sirius took a blow to the back of his head. "Ow Prongs what was that for?"

"You know as well as I do that I can't just automatically start liking another girl." Sirius nodded and James continued. "But you're right I guess." He hung his shoulders.

"Plus Prongs you don't have to like the girl at first. You will just learn to like her. I know you're not a quitter and I know you won't drop it."

"No I think your right. It's time to move on to someone else. The first time I asked her out it was a joke but then, I don't know what happened, I suddenly started really wanting to go out with her. You probably wouldn't understand though because you are trying to get as many girls as you can. You don't even stop to think about them."

"I stop to think about them. I guess I just haven't found the perfect girl yet."

"Wow, Padfoot is all touchy feely inside. Who would have thought?" It was James turn to take the blow. "So now that you're going to be all serious this year what are you going to do?"

"Not too serious, Prongs, just serious enough."

"Right," James rolled his eyes.

The boys went home and packed for the next few days. Finally the day came when they would be headed back to school for the seventh year. James put his trunk out on his front doorstep where Sirius had already put his, and he locked the house up. "Hurry up Sirius we have to go."

"Hey James are you the quidditch captain this year?"

"Yah, c'mon"

"How do you know?"

"'Cause, Padfoot the letter is in my pocket, it came with my booklist and badge."

"Can I be on the team?"

"Padfoot hurry up."

"Can I?"

"Yes." James yelled. "We are going to be late."

Sirius smiled. "YES!" They stepped out on the front porch, held their luggage tightly and then turned on the spot. The now familiar sensation of apparition engulfed James. The air was being sucked out of his lungs. When he felt as though he would suffocate he broke through and gulped the air. They were now at Kings Cross Station. They loaded their trunks in an empty compartment then stepped back off the train to meet their friends.

Remus came bounding out of the magical barrier to platform nine and three quarters. "Why didn't you just apparate Moony?" Sirius called.

Remus trotted over muttering something about his parents and asked, "How was your summer?"

Sirius glanced over at James. James cut in, "It was lousy. We did pretty much nothing the whole time."

"James are you okay?" Remus asked looking concerned.

"I'm fine Moony," he answered honestly, but he didn't want to talk about it. He made up his mind that he was not going to dwell on the past. He was going to look to the future and what it would bring him.

James snapped out of his thoughts and saw that Sirius was trying and failing to help Remus get his luggage on the train. "Come on Prongs. We need your help. Moony seems to have brought his whole house this year." James went over to help. "Seriously Moony what is in here?"

"Books." He answered as they finally heaved the trunk on board.

"Do you think you brought enough?"

"I'm not so sure." Remus replied with a smirk. Sirius shrugged and marched off. Just then James noticed the badge on Remus's chest.

"You're a prefect?"

"Yah I am. I wonder who Head Boy is."

"Me too," James stopped himself. "Actually I am," He apologized. "I think maybe they accidentally gave it to me instead of you."

Moony smiled, "Don't be silly Prongs. Congratulations. Dumbledore probably decided you needed some responsibility besides if I got it I would ask if I could resign."

"Why?"

"Because I wouldn't be able to do everything they require because of my problem."

"Oh yah but I'm going to be with you the whole time so I can't either."

"Not if it conflicts with your duties you're not."

James tried to find something to say to that but couldn't so he just shrugged. Sirius came back with Peter just as the train began to move.

"James you have to go meet with the Head Girl in the prefects' carriage."

Prongs looked worried. "Where is it?" Remus got up to show him.

The two boys pushed the door open. Remus walked right in but James hesitated. Finally he followed.

"What are you doing in here Potter?" said an all too familiar voice. "This is the Prefects carriage." James tuned to the beautiful red haired girl. She was wearing her Head Girl badge and a scowl. He gave her a small smile.

"Sorry." He said, and then made his way toward the door he had just come though.

"Don't be ridiculous Prongs just tell her." Remus piped up. James took a badge out of his pocket. Lily gasped.

"What? Are you joking? How could he do that?" She looked angry.

James decided to defend himself, "It's not my fault Lily." She glared at him for a while then dropped her gaze and was silent. James took the seat marked head boy.

"I guess we'll begin now that everybody is here." Lily started. "Prefects have the responsibility to patrol the compartments. If you see any trouble, stop it immediately. We will also be patrolling the castle at nights. Do you have anything to add?" She tilted her head toward James. He thought for a moment then shook his head. "You may go now." Lily finished. He and Lily were the only people in the compartment left. Lily seemed like she wanted to say something but stopped herself. James went back to his compartment.

"So Prongs Lily head girl," Sirius stated. James nodded gloomily. "What are you going to do?" James shrugged.

Peter laughed "Well this year is going to be interesting."

"Shut up Wormtail," Remus cut in. "why were you going to just walk out?" James shrugged again. "And why in the world are you worried you have to work with Lily for a year? You would have killed to be in your position just a year ago."

"She hates me." James said. Nobody could cheer him up so they dropped the subject altogether.

"Can't wait for the feast." Sirius said rubbing his stomach. The train came to a stop and let all the students out. The familiar booming voice of Hagrid the game keeper came calling the first years over to him. James saw a couple of first years looking frighteningly at the giant of a man.

He made his way to the small kids and said, "You know when I was your age I was afraid of him too but in reality, he wouldn't hurt a fly. He'll help you get to the castle safely. It's beautiful, you'll see." He left the first years with Hagrid and then scampered off toward the horseless carriage his friends were in. It brought them to the castle.

Everybody filed in towards their house table.

Five minutes later Professor McGonagall brought in all the first years just as Professor Flitwick brought in a stool and an old ripped up hat. The hat was placed on the stool and everybody stared at it. A ripped part of the hat opened and began singing a song. It was about the four houses and how to qualify for each one. As soon as it stopped the crowd erupted in cheers. When everyone was quiet Professor McGonagall started calling names.

"Angel, Faline." The hat waited for a while then called Slytherin.

"Hall, Jeremy," Hufflepuff. When the last person was called Professor Dumbledore stood, "To our new students, welcome. To our old, welcome back. I hope you all had good summers. I just want to remind you that the forbidden forest is out of bounds. Dig in." And the platters on the table filled with food. The students stuffed their plates and ate with a clatter. When everybody had had their fill, they left the great hall to go to their warm beds.

James was swept away along with the rest of the crowd. He battled his way toward the Gryffindor tower. When he got to the door he realized he didn't know the password. Remembering that he was the one that was supposed to know it he started back down the stairs.

"Hey aren't you going to tell us the password Head Boy?" someone yelled. He ignored them and went to find Lily. She was with her friends watching out for a few first year stragglers. He made his way over. Lily stared at him as he walked over.

"Do you know the password?" She nodded and walked passed him and went up to the portrait of the fat lady and said, "Bauble-nute." The hidden door was revealed as the portrait swung open and the students trafficked into the common room.

Feeling really stupid James followed. He went straight up to his dormitory and spread out on his four poster bed. Since his stomach was full of food, it was very easy for him to fall asleep.

The next morning he was awakened by Remus calling his name. He felt refreshed and started getting his robes on. Peter and Sirius were already downstairs. James with Remus scurried out to meet them.

The breakfast feast looked delicious. The two boys took their usual seats next to Sirius and Peter. Sirius was in an argument with the person next to him which was very usual because you usually couldn't find him when he wasn't arguing or pulling a prank. This went on for a fair amount of time until finally James stepped in.

"Sirius!" he hollered, "Just shut up your giving me a head ache." Giving James an apologetic glance Sirius shut his mouth.

Professor McGonagall moved towards the long table to hand out the class schedules. When she came across James and Sirius, they took theirs without a word. They both looked at the schedule and then set them down and began eating again.

From across the table, Remus put down his fork and reached across the table for both James and Sirius schedules. He had already compared his and peters.

Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail had the exact same schedules. Moony would too except he took a few more classes than the other three boys. As soon as they finished breakfast they all started off toward transfiguration.

Since this was the seventh year all the teachers had pretty much the exact same introductions as each other. They all warned the seventh year students about their upcoming NEWT exams and told them that they were going to have tons more homework than any of the previous years.

It was only the first day of class but every professor had insisted on giving the students loads of homework.