"You're late, Ms. Dursley," Professor Turnwise remarked as Alexandra skidded into class.
"Sorry, Professor," she panted, trying to catch her breath. "Won't happen again."
"I should hope not. Go on and take your seat. We were just discussing the fundamentals of transfiguring beetles into cockroaches…"
"Wretermoust knows about my dad," she whispered to Fred and Alanna when Turnwise had turned back to the blackboard.
"What?" they whispered back, confused looks creeping onto their faces.
"He knows I just live with my dad! I saw him the corridor after I left Slughorn's class; that's why I was late! He asked me if I enjoyed spending it with just my dad!"
"Well, Alexandra, I'm sure it's nothing," Alanna said logically. "He's just trying to spook you. Remember last year when he knew it was your birthday when you didn't tell him? I'm sure he's just got good ears, that's it."
"Yeah, the snake's probably been lurking around eavesdropping on all sorts of people, not just you," Fred told her. "Tries to get in everyone's business…"
"I will now be passing out beetles for you to practice on!" Professor Turnwise said loudly. "I expect that you will at least be able to get the body to become more narrow, if you can't quite get the entire transformation. I'd take care to put your best effort forth on this, there's a good chance it will be on the exam at the end of the year!"
Alexandra managed to get her beetle to resemble a cockroach towards the end off class, which was quite lucky, she thought, considering that her mind was still trying to sort out her encounter with Wretermoust.
"I can't believe I actually did it!" said Alanna happily as the three filed out of the classroom and headed to the Great Hall for dinner. She was not very good with wand work, although today she had been one of the first to successfully transfigure her insect.
"You must be getting better with your wand," Alexandra told her.
"I'm just glad mine finally stopped trying to crawl up my sleeve," Fred said, shuttering at the thought.
"Are you scared of cockroaches?" Alanna asked, grinning.
"I'm not scared of them," he defended. "I just try to avoid them if I can. My dad gave me a cockroach cluster when I was five, told me it was a peanut cluster…"
Alanna and Alexandra tried to stifle giggles as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.
"That ghost really knows how to make a bloke black out," James yawned, sitting down across from Fred. "History of Magic is by far the worst class I've had."
"You've only had four classes so far," Alanna said.
"Yeah, but at least they didn't put me to sleep," Louis muttered, sitting down next to James.
"Herbology was the best, though," James continued. "Neville let us look at these plants that had blue thorns all over them…And this one tulip nearly took my finger off; it was awesome! And then we-"
"Um, excuse us," a group a third year Hufflepuffes said, tapping James on the shoulder. "Are you Harry Potter's son?"
"Er," James said, looking rather uncomfortable. "Yes."
The girls broke into a giggle. "Is it true that when he was in school here, he was chosen to play for the Gryffindor Quidditch team when he was only a first year? Is it true that he was the youngest Seeker in a century?"
"Well, yes," James said. Alexandra couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"Does your dad still have his lightning bolt scar?"
"No," Fred snapped, stepping in. "It just fell off one day in the shower."
The girls frowned at him. Turning up their noses, though, they finally left.
"Thanks," James said gratefully, spooning a pile of peas onto his plate.
"Eh, don't mention it," Fred shrugged. "Honestly, does he still have the scar…and they made it this far? Surprised they haven't been kicked out yet for being blustering idiots!"
"That's nothing," James said, returning to his old manner. "One time when we went to Diagon Alley, these witches all started swarming dad asking if he'd touch their hair! Mum threatened to hex them all, though."
"Sounds rough," Alanna said.
"You get used to it," James shrugged. "But anyway, back to what I was saying about Herbology…"
….
"I'm going to be the Seeker for England when I grow up," Lily Potter said happily, zooming through the Potter's backyard on her broomstick. "Let the Snitch go again for me, daddy!"
"Alright, but this is the last time, okay Lil; it's getting dark out and your mum will have dinner ready soon." He released the tiny gold ball from his hand and watched his daughter chase after it.
"She could give you a run for your money," Ron commented as Lily performed a sort of loop-the-loop.
"Yeah, reckon she could," Harry replied, grinning. "We did this for about three hours last night. Looks like she'll be playing with her cousins at Christmas this year."
Harry and Ron were sitting at the small outdoor table, drinking butterbeer. Ginny was cooking in the kitchen, and Albus was inside trading Chocolate Frog cards with Rose and Hugo.
Suddenly there was a loud screech, and a large owl came flying into the yard, dropping a letter onto Harry's lap.
"It's from James," Harry said, recognizing the tawny owl he had bought for his son. He opened the letter. "Excellent! He's in Gryffindor!"
"Can't say I'm surprised," Ron said, taking a sip of his drink. "Did he say anything about Louis?"
"Yeah, he's been put in Gryffindor as well. Let's see… he asked me to send him the Dungbombs Ginny took from his trunk before he left, said that the castle's bigger than he thought, he can't wait to start learning spells, wants to know the best way to sneak out of the castle after hours, blimey, he's lucky Ginny didn't get her hands on this."
"Are you going to tell him how to sneak out then?" Ron asked, grinning.
"Reckon I'll let him figure that out on his own," Harry laughed. "I'm sure he'll know at least one way by the end of the week. Anyway," he said, his voice becoming serious. "I'm just glad he didn't mention anything about students bombarding him. I know how much he hates when he's only known as 'Harry Potter's Son', and he's right; it's not fair. Remember that time Teddy took him that Cannons game? Teddy told me that James met a group of boys there and was trying to talk to them, but all they wanted to hear about was whether or not I ever told him what Voldemort looked like!"
"I know mate, it's rough," Ron said. "But James will handle it; that kid's tough. Besides, I'm sure his cousins and Teddy will look after him. Neville and Hagrid as well. And you know Hell will freeze over before McGonagall treats him any different than another student."
"That's true," Harry nodded. "You're right, he'll be fine."
"Caught it!" Lily exclaimed, holding the snitch in her raised hand. "How long was that, daddy?"
"Three minutes, nineteen seconds," Harry answered, looking at his watch as Lily landed. "I bet you by next summer you'll be beating my time!"
"Really?"
"Dinners ready, you lot," Ginny said, coming outside. "Lily, go watch up."
"Okay, mum."
"Oh, did James write us?" Ginny asked spotting the owl.
"Er, yes," Harry said, slipping the parchment into his pocket before Ginny saw it. "He said he likes the school so far and has been sorted into Gryffindor, Louis as well."
"Can I see the letter."
"Ah, you know what? Ron here spilled butterbeer all over it! Smeared the ink and everything."
Ron's eyes narrowed at Harry, but he said nothing.
"Nice going, Ron," Ginny said, smacking the back of her brother's head. "Well, I supposed we'll write back after dinner."
"Thanks a lot," Ron snapped once Ginny had gone back inside, massaging his head.
"Sorry, mate," Harry laughed.