"This class will not be easy," Snape said in his usual voice, "if you do not follow my instructions to the letter you will fail this class, no exceptions. Now Dumbledore has made me promise to introduce our newest second year, Mr. Smith. Now that is done, open your potion textbooks to page 7."

Class flew by that day; no potions were made today so it was just going over the "exact science of potion making". James was admittedly more focused on Hermione; He had been since they sat down, something about her bushy hair and shortness was adorable to him. He just wanted to pick her up and run off, speaking of, he had a date planned and he had forgot to ask her. He wrote her a note,

Dear Hermione, would you like to accompany me on a date by the lake?

As he slid it over to her side of the table, Snape zoomed in and snatched it up.

"Dear Hermione, would you like to accompany me on a date at the lake," Snape smirked, "Mr. Smith while I do not mind dates please do not write notes in class."

James was fuming with rage, "Sure professor sorry." He growled and gathered his things. Everyone was getting up to leave when Hermione stopped him.

"Lunch date?" she blushed heavily, "of course I would James!"

James pumped his fist in the air, picked up Hermione bridal style, and ran from the room straight to the lake. Hermione was giggling and red faced the entire time as she was wrapped in James' loving and strong arms. James was so focused on getting to the lake that he didn't hear Hagrid running after them calling their names.

"James 'ermione!" Hagrid bounded after them, "I need to speak with ya two!"

As James sat Hermione down on the blanket, he heard pounding steps and pulled out his wand.

"Whoa James," Hagrid flung his hands up, "It's just me 'Agrid!"

"Sorry Hagrid, I thought it was that slimy bastard Malfoy." James breathed.

"I wanted to ask ye a question James," Hagrid plopped down with a great thud, "'ave you ever seen a Thunderbird?"

"Well when I was little and couldn't sleep I went out into the canyons and was swept into the air by a great four winged bird with lightning trailing behind it, next thing I know I am riding him through the canyons and he is taking me somewhere but I am strangely calm. He sat me down and put his head in my lap. Then I- I oh you are gonna think this is ridiculous but he… he spoke to me!"

Hagrid gasped, "You can speak ta creatures! James we 'ave to go see Dumbledore now!"

"Hagrid I will gladly go to Dumbledore but first I would like to have this date with Hermione."

Hagrid blushed and nodded "meet me in me hut." With that he walked off.

"James this is incredible- "she was cut off by James he planted a kiss firmly on her lips.

"We can talk about this later." James whispered as he pulled out sandwiches that he had made.

They ate and talked for a good hour before Hermione snuggled against his chest and sighed happily, "You know James, I have never had a crush on anyone let alone have a boyfriend."

James laughed and wrapped his arms around her, "Neither have I, mom and dad made me focus on my studies and chores."

They lay there for another good thirty minutes before James started to clean up, "Would you like to go with me to speak with Dumbledore?" he asked.

Hermione nodded and jumped on his back, as if she was signaling him to go, he tore across the grounds headed for Hagrid's hut. When they reached their destination, Hagrid was waiting with his dog.

"Can ye try talking to Fang 'ere James?" Hagrid's eyes had lit up at the possibilities of such things.

"Well um Hagrid," James rubbed the back of his neck, "I have never really practiced or even knew I had this skill."

"Oh, sorry there James." Hagrid grumbled, "anyway follow me."

He walked towards the castle and they followed in silence. When they reached the gargoyle blocking the headmaster's office Hagrid muttered 'lemon drops' and the gargoyle side stepped and a spiral staircase appeared, they walked up, and Dumbledore called them into his office.

James stared in awe at the amount of things in his office, whirring, spinning, humming. Items of all sorts were in this mans office and James was stunned.

"I see you like my office," Dumbledore chuckled, "you are welcome to sit down, I have heard that you can speak to animals James, this is an extremely rare power and I am sure if I trained you, you could assist Hagrid during classes. Is that acceptable Hagrid?"

"Are ye serious Professor?" Hagrid's eyes lit up.

"Quite serious, Rubeus," Dumbledore had that twinkle in his eye as he looked back at James, "we could begin training now if you would like, this is both you and Ms. Granger's free time, she may stay and watch but please leave questions till after the lesson."

And so lessons began, James struggled greatly at first, but by the end of the lesson he could hold conversations with not only Fang, but Fawkes as well. James was ecstatic to talk to animals, he found them more understanding then humans anyway.

"Headmaster," James said as he was walking out, "thank you so much."

Dumbledore grinned and nodded his understanding. James and Hermione left his office and she immediately fired a barrage of questions at him.

"what does it feel like when you are talking, does it make you tired, how much are you going to use this, can you teach me?" Hermione was running out of breath as she fired away.

"It feels like normal talking, No more tired then when I am talking to you or Harry, I plan to use this all the time, and sadly Dumbledore's book said you can only be born with it."

Seeming satisfied, Hermione grabbed James' hand and ran to the common room, she had to tell Harry.