AN. Sorry it's been forever since I've updated. I've been working on Founders Four, which I highly suggest you check out. I'll still be updating as often as I can, but Founders Four takes high priority. Enjoy!
Do you know what is weird? To wake up and feel tired. I stretched my arms and though I felt refreshed I had this dull annoying ache in my limbs. I'm never dueling for an hour again.
"How long have I been sleeping?" I asked Marlene, who was still curled up with a book in a chair.
Should I start reading books all the time? Everyone seems to be doing it. Maybe I should...
"A while," she said breaking off my train of thought.
She sat up and stretched, before continuing, "Since we both have classes off is there anything you want to do?"
She grinned wickedly. A marauder at heart I see.
"Of course," she said, "You can't leave this room."
I sighed heavily and dramatically.
"James," she scolded.
"Alright," I sighed, "Tell me about yourself."
"You first," she said, leaning back in her chair as if preparing herself for a lon story.
"Alright," I said, "I'm a single child and heir to the Potter family-"
"You make it sound so important," she interrupted.
I mock glared at her.
"Sorry," she said raising her hands in defense.
"As I was saying, I'm the heir to the Potter family. I'm a Gryffindor seventh year."
She snorted. I looked at her. She covered her mouth with her hands but I could still tell she was smiling. Stupid, cool teacher.
"I'm part of the Mauraders, the most awesome, group of people you will ever meet-"
"Notorious for getting in trouble," she interrupted.
"Can I get a sentence out?" I grumbled.
"I try," she said innocently, "But you're just so fun to annoy."
"Are you sure you're a teacher?" I asked her doubtfully.
"Almost positive," she said grinning.
"Anyway, I've always thought that my goal in life was to help people, so I'm thinking of being an auror-"
She snorted.
"That's what I thought untill I was almost one. Bloody idiots, though there was Moody. He's a right peice of work. He's in the order, too, so you'll meet him."
"Aheem," I said annoyed, "I believe I was telling you about myself."'
"Oh, right," she said, "By all means continue."
"My three best friends are: Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. Now you."
"Aaaw, come on," she complained, "That was nothing."
"No you go," I said firmly.
"Ok, fine," she said, and then her expression turned sad and I was afraid I had asked something too personal.
"My parents are Jolene and Mark McKinnon; I had a little brother named Josh."
"Had?" I asked softly.
"They were killed last year, I survived."
"I'm so sorry," I said coming up behind her and wrapping her in embrace, "I can't imagine how you feel."
She let out a bark like laugh.
"But chances are you will, James," she said, "That's the thing about being talented, you survive when others don't."
"What do you mean?" I asked, scared of what she said next.
"When you duel, it's obvious who has the advantage, who will live and who will die. If you're good, which you are, James, you'll win the duel and you'll escape with your life and if you're not, you're dead in the snap of a finger. It's what war does James. Keep in mind the fact that the person you kill has a family that will cry when he dies, even if he's a deatheater. There are losses in both sides."
"Can't you end it without fighting?" I asked meekly.
She laughed again and I shrank back.
"Haven't you ever seen Dumbledore after he comes back from a battle, it kills him to hurt a soul and he does it. He did everything he could do save surrendering to stop a battle, but there is nothing he can do."
"I don't want to hurt anyone, I don't want to lose anyone," I said.
Her face softened and her blue eyes shown with tears.
"I'm sorry," she said embracing me, "I know you don't, you're such a good person, James. Don't let war catch you in it's jaw. You go. Classes will be done by now."
"I'm sorry," I said softly as I left.
She smiled sadly.
"You've got nothing to be sorry for."
