Chapter 10- Life Resumes

Verity woke up to the sun streaming though the curtains of her room. Perhaps everything did feel better in the morning. She stretched as she pushed herself off the bed and pulled on her dressing gown. James had promised to tell the others about what had happened… how she had broken up with Will. Verity gulped as she opened the door leading out of her bedroom. She hadn't left her room since she'd arrived back after the date the previous day. Verity sighed and exited through her door.

She wandered slowly down the stairs, falling over as she tripped on the last one. She felt James lift her back onto her feet before leading her to the kitchen for breakfast. They were the first ones there besides Lily and Ginny. Lily flashed her a sympathetic glance… no one said anything. The silence was aggravating… James apparently picked up on it.

"Hey Mum?" James asked. "I was thinking… me, Teddy and Verity, maybe we could go to Diagon Alley today. I need to get some more money out of my vault and we could get some ice-cream or something."

"That sounds lovely James." Ginny smiled. "Perhaps you can get a new present for your Grandfather as-well. All that's left of his Christmas Present is empty wrappers." She threw Lily a suspecting glance, causing the young girl to blush like mad.

"Can I go too?" Lily pestered.

"No." James snapped.

"Yes, Lily, I think it may be better if it's only the older kids today." Ginny told her. "But, hey, we can go together another day."

Lily scowled at her mother before staring at the plate in front of her.

Teddy walked in, he patted Lily on the head before walking over to Verity, he wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace.

"Thankyou Teddy, but I really don't want your sympathy. I like your idea, James… but perhaps everyone can go… we can make a day of it." Verity smiled.

"If you're sure you don't need any space." James hesitated.

"I've had enough space for now. William was a jerk." She said plainly.

"That's the spirit!" James laughed.

Diagon Alley was a nice distraction… at first. As she and James walked through the aisles at 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes', she began to feel disheartened. She felt anger and confusion take over her emotions at tears welled in her eyes. James gave her a friendly punch on the arm.

"Hey, don't worry about him. You were too good for him."

"You really think so?" Verity mumbled.

"I know so." James smirked. "Come-on, perhaps we can get something from Uncle George at a discount."

Verity smiled as he grasped her wrist and pulled her through the shop… perhaps everything would be alright after all.

"Told you I'd win!" James laughed after a game of wizard's chess later that day.

Verity narrowed her eyes at him, her hair turning an envious shade of green.

James smiled. "Good to see your hair has gone back to normal. See, you just needed to remember how much of an awesome person you have as your best friend."

Verity rolled her eyes and let her hair turn back to her favourite shade of pink. And then, she remembered…

"Hey James, I was in your room yesterday when I came across a book…" She was cut off by Harry abruptly walking into the Drawing Room.

"James, if you are under the impression that you are not cooking tonight, you better un-impression yourself right away." Harry said, with a slight sound of sternness in his tone.

"Hey, I think this punishment is entirely inappropriate for someone who just blew up half…that's HALF… a bathroom." James argued.

"Did you just hear the words come out of your mouth?" Verity giggled. "Come-on, I'll help you with the potatoes."

"Gee thanks." James said sarcastically.

"Hey, I wasn't the one who blew up a bathroom." Verity shrugged.

"It was half a bathroom.. and I thought it was pretty funny." James argued.

"Well, you kids have fun." Harry laughed. "I have to remind Lily and Al that they're doing the dishes tonight, perhaps it'll teach them not to fight over the 'best broomstick'."

James rolled his eyes as he pushed himself off the couch. Suddenly, there was a tapping at the window. James frowned before walking over to the window to untie the letter from the owl's leg.

"That's weird, it's from school." James frowned as he opened it.

Verity walked over to read the letter over his shoulder.

Dear fifth year students,

It has been brought to my attention the lack of knowledge regarding animagi in fifth year transfiguration classes. Despite it having should have been taught in your third year, we shall be revising animagi when term resumes. Please consult your text-books before arrival to my class, it is vital that you know this information for your exams.

Professor Minerva McGonagall.

James huffed and shoved the letter into his pocket.

"Come-on, we'll go start dinner."

The pair walked out of the drawing room and down the hallway towards the stairs. After a couple of moments of pure silence, James started doing what he did best… complaining.

"Argg… did you read the letter? She just assumes that we won't know anything about animagi!" James complained. "Of course I don't," he said in mock, "I didn't even think to read anything about them before I learnt how to do this!"

James abruptly leaped into his dog-form. Verity couldn't help but smile at the brown dog in front of her, James was certainly talented in transfiguration.

"JAMES SIRIUS POTTER!" A voice yelled from behind.

Verity gulped as she turned to face Harry Potter. James quickly transformed back into his normal self.

"Hey, Dad." James said nervously.

"How long have you been able to do that?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Well… a while… a couple of months.."

James prepared himself for a scolding.

"You cheeky, little devil." Harry laughed before pushing past them towards the stairs. "But you have to be careful… you too Verity. I don't want either of you getting hurt."

James and Verity exchanged confused looks. Verity shrugged.

"I am going to tell your mother." Harry yelled happily back at them. "And you ARE registering."

James just groaned in annoyance.

So, there's the next chapter!

Thanks to the people who reviewed! I really love reviews! :)

So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter… perhaps you're starting to see what's gonna happen? Nah, maybe more in the next couple of chapters :)

Anyways, just thought I'd say that I DON"T OWN HARRY POTTER. It feels like I haven't said (well... typed) it in a while…

I will be updating fairly regularly, Holidays have just started in Australia. :)

Silver :)