Chapter Ten: I Eat A Lot of Ice Cream

(Albus)

"Are you serious?" I demanded.

"No joke," Louis replied.

"But that impossible!" Rose argued.

"Want to see?"

Rose and I nodded eagerly. Louis claimed that he could put both his legs behind his head and walk on his hands.

He did this easily and even did a handstand to show off. "Nothing's impossible unless you want it to be."

Rose and I clapped appreciatively. Three was a moment of silence before rose spoke.

"You know what today is?"

"James' birthday?" I guessed.

"What? No. Well, I suppose so but I was referring to the fact that we have a ginormous Defence test on Monday. We should be studying."

Rose raced out of the Room of Requirement, most likely to the library so she could study.

"What do you think of our discovery?" asked Louis. It was clear that he had been aching to talk about the realization of how horrible our new staff really was. Last night The Resistance had found out that Macmillan and Stony were more than just cruel, they were evil. They had plans to turn the whole school into mindless zombies and had already done so to about thirty kids, including my cousin.

"I think it's… a lot to process. I mean, will they succeed? Is there anything we can do about it?"

"We could go to our parents," Louis suggested.

"We already tried that. It didn't work, remember? For some reason we can't talk about it to anyone outside of the castle."

"I guess there's only one thing we can do."

"What's that?"

"Fight back."

Later that night everyone was getting ready for the party we had organized for James. It was supposed to be a surprise party but since he got one thrown for him every single year you could hardly call it a surprise.

"Are we ready?" I asked Fred who was helping me set up.

"All set," he nodded.

We turned out all the lights and Fred told Alice she could bring James back to the common room via the magic notepad.

When James walked in no one yelled surprise or moved an inch. We stayed still in the dark waiting for our plan to play out.

James walked in and a bucket of water was dumped on him. He screeched, and stumbled a bit, before falling over and landing on the launch pad. The launch pad flung him in the air where he flailed helplessly before falling onto the couch which caused a bunch of decorations to fly everywhere. Then everyone in Gryffindor, and a few others who had been invited, jumped up from their hiding places and yelled "Surprise!"

James stood staring at us a second before he shouted, "Let's get this party started!"

The party broke out and everyone had a good time. There was every kind of food imaginable, tons of candies, and a variety of drinks. I tried Firewhisky- because I was dared by James. Which ended up into a contest of who could drink the most butterbeer while laying upside-down on the couch.

"GO! GO! GO!" shouted the watching crowd. James and I both last for about ten minutes before he drank some that ended up going up his nose. I stopped after that. According to him since I quit he won but I disagreed. We called it a tie or a James said I'll-just-pretend-Albus-won-to-make-him-feel-better. He was such a liar.

"I'm not a liar," James said to me suddenly. "I'm very honest. And I did win."

"How do you know what I'm thinking? When'd you learn Legilimency?"

"What are you talking about, Al?" asked James. "You just called me a lair out loud."

"No, I didn't," I argued. This had been happening for a while, James responding to things I said in my head, and I wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"What do you think we have some sort of sibling telepathy?" James demanded sounding slightly annoyed and very sarcastic.

"I'll think of a number between one and ten. Try and guess it."

"Seven," James said.

"Right."

"That proves nothing! Everyone knows that for someone reason no matter who you ask the number is always seven."

"Number between one and fifty."

"Sixty-two," James said exasperated. "And before you say anything, it still proves nothing!"

"Lily!" I called.

Our little sister came running towards us. "Something wrong?" she asked somewhat tensely. I suddenly felt guilty. Were our lives truly so messed up that I couldn't call my little sister without something being wrong?

"Nothing's wrong," James said. "I just need to make sure not all the Potter kids have gone cuckoo."

"Oh, yeah, because if one of us is nuts it's definitely me." I rolled my eyes.

"Exactly!"

"You needed something?" Lily asked tapping her foot.

"Right," I began, "I think we can read each other's minds."

"You're in- actually you might be right."

James grabbed his hair and started pulling on it. "What is wrong with you two?"

"James, haven't you noticed we've been hearing things in each other's mind?" Lily pointed out. "Things that we didn't say out loud but somehow were able to hear?"

I was glad Lily was on my side. And that she was able to explain it to James because he slowly let go of his hair. "I guess," James said slowly. "But…"

"James, I know it's a lot to take in. I know you don't want to except the fact that something else weird might be happening to us, I know you want Code to be the end of it, but let's face it guys. You said it yourself last year, James, it's just the beginning. Code's gone but we have a new evil to face, whatever it is."

James sighed and didn't say anything for a minute. I was hoping he had got something out of my speech, Lily certainly had, she came up to me and gave me a hug. I grabbed James' arm and pulled him in too.

"You're right," he finally said, "We can read each other's minds."

(Lily)

It had been two weeks since Albus discovered we could read each other's minds, and I still wasn't really over the shock of it. Before we knew we could do this it only happened once in a while, by accident, but now it was constant. I couldn't think a private thought around James. Albus was more polite, not bothering to read my mind but James looked into my thoughts whenever I was near- apparently it didn't work if we were standing a certain distance apart- and I was pissed off.

"Go away, James," I shrieked as I realized my brother was behind the couch I was sitting on.

James didn't do as I asked and instead decided to give me a big hug. Albus, who was sitting not far from me, grabbed James by the arm and dragged him away.

"Silencio," I heard from across the common room.

I turned to look at the amusing sight. Rose and Scorpius were both holding one of James' flailing arms as Albus tried to hit him with a silence spell. James kept moving though. I was glad Albus as at least trying to punish my brother for what he was doing. Unfortunately it didn't work, I could fee James in my head.

"Get out!" I shouted.

Albus punched James in the stomach and they ended up fighting on the floor. No one in the Common room paid any attention, it was not an unusual sight to see Albus and James or James and Fred rolling around on the floor fighting. They were just goofing around.

"I didn't know you had it in you to be so violent, Al," I said teasingly as my brother walked back towards me.

"He was being annoying," Al replied with a shrug. "He's been reading my mind too."

"I wish we hadn't told him about this."

"He would have found out anyway. I'm actually kind of surprised James didn't figure it out himself. He's been so on guard since the first time we fought Code."

I nodded. Albus stayed quiet for a while before his face brightened up.

"I almost forgot to tell you," he said. "I just realized that by thinking about pain will give James pain if he reads your mind."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"Well, if I think 'James has a headache' he'll get a headache. I've been experimenting with this whole mind reading thing."

"Why do you think it happened to us?" I asked, knowing my brother wouldn't have an answer.

"I think our family had been asking that question for generations."

A few days later James had learned to stay clear of me. Every time he dared come near me I'd blast him with a headache that didn't go away until he stopped trying to break into my mind. I'd done some investigating like Al and discovered we could also send thoughts to each other, like talking in our mind.

I tuned back into the world as Neville asked the class for quiet, starting his lesson.

"Hey Roxy," I said sitting beside my cousin.

Roxanne looked around the room before turning to me and giving me a totally fake smile. "Hey, Lily, what's up?"

I was trying to play it cool but I was really annoyed with my cousin. She hadn't talked to me in so long, not since Winter break. She had been avoiding me.

"Don't 'hey Lily' me," I said angrily. "You haven't talked to me in a month! What's goin on?"

I was running out of friends. I was already not talking to Jacob since because it was so awkward between us, Lucy had turned into a zombie, Frank was constantly trying to figure out why Lucy was so detached, Roxy was now avoiding me… now all I had was Hugo and he got irritating very easily. Sometimes I hung out with Liam but without Jacob and Roxy there it seemed like all I could do was flirt with him and act like a boy-crazy girl.

"Nothing's going on," Roxanne lied badly. She had always been a bad liar. "You're not talking to Jacob either, go harass him."

"So this is about Jacob?" I inferred.

Roxanne pointedly looked at Professor Longbottom.

"Come on, just tell me! Are you two planning a prank? Can I join in?"

"We're not pranking," she insisted.

"Yes you are!"

"No we aren't."

That went on for about ten minutes.

"Lily and Roxanne, please focus!"

Roxanne and I looked guiltily up at Neville's somewhat annoyed face.

"Sorry Ne- er Professor."

Neville went back to teaching and I turned to Roxanne. "If you're not pranking then what are you doing?"

"D- Nothing."

I stared at Roxanne through narrowed eyes. "You said 'D' what are you doing that starts with D?"

Roxanne didn't answer and ignored me. I tried to sit beside her at lunch but she didn't show up. I got annoyed. Once I noticed Jacob was missing too I got furious.

"James!" I shouted from across the Gryffindor table. Iwas marching up to my brother when a hand grabbed my shoulder.

"There is no yelling in the Great Hall, Miss Potter," said Macmillan.

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Can you make this quick?"

I know I was being rude but I didn't have time to deal with Mr. Bad Breath right now. I had to get the Marauder's Map form James and find Jacob and Roxanne.

"Don't speak to me that way," Macmillan demanded squeezing the life out of my shoulder.

"Why not? You're just a power abusing arse anyway."

"Perhaps you should come with me," he said.

Suddenly Teddy was standing next to me. "I know you have a class soon, Professor. Would you like me to supervise Miss Potter's detention?"

"It's quite alright, Lupin. The detention will take place tonight at six o'clock. Don't be late Potter."

I was about to argue when Teddy talked quietly and quickly before I had the chance. "Very well, Professor."

"You better shut your mouth, Lily," Teddy growled at me once Macmillan was gone.

"He started-"

"Lily, you're not five years old. I'm tired of this 'he started it' crap. You need to be the bigger person and just accept your punishment!"

"Oh, like you did when you were in school!"

"This isn't like when I was in school! This is a huge problem. Stop challenging them, stop being defiant. What is it with you and James? I don't have to talk to Al about this."

"Al doesn't have the guts."

"No, Al is just smarter than you two. I swear Lily you better listen to me."

"Or what?"

"Don't go there with me. I'm a teacher now and you are still a student. Obey me and ask no questions."

"And if I don't?"

"I'll treat you like the five-year-old you're acting like and follow you around everywhere until you learn to behave. Or I could just keep you in detention constantly."

"That shut me up effectively."

"That's what I thought." Teddy smirked and walked off.

James had been waiting by the door watching the scene between me and teddy. "Acting like a jerk, eh?" James commented. "He's serious about following you around though. Did it to me last weekend."

I was about to tell James I needed the map but he interrupted me. "Yeah, I know you want the map. And for the record I didn't read your mind." James handed me the map, winked, and disappeared through the great hall door.

I didn't waste any time. I opened the map hurriedly and searched for the dots labeled Roxanne Weasley and Jacob Cadler. Just like I suspected they were together. In the kitchens? I didn't except that part.

I went to go investigate. Unfortunately, I had forgot to get the Cloak from James. In fact I think he purposely wanted me to forget the cloak for whatever reason.

I half walked half ran down the halls. It didn't take to long for me to get to the kitchens. I tickled the pear in a hurry. I was shocked at the sight I saw in the kitchens. Roxanne and Jacob holding hands.

"What?!" I demanded without thinking.

Jacob and Roxanne turned around stunned. Roxy looked guilty immediately and Jacob jerked his hand away from Roxanne's.

I had seen so many muggle shows where the girls get totally boy crazy and start cry when they see the boy they just broke up with hanging out with a another girl. I always thought they were crazy and emotional. But now seeing Jacob hold hands with my cousin I wanted him back. I wanted to punch her and I wanted to grab Jacob and never let him go.

"Dating," said trying to keep the tears that were threatening to fall out of my voice. "The D word was dating."

"Lily-" Roxanne started.

"Don't bother," I interrupted shakily. I turned and ran out of the room as quickly as possible.

Hugo was waiting for me outside. He hugged me. I wanted to ask so many questions to say so many things, but I couldn't get the words out. I couldn't do anything.

I still hadn't gotten over it when February rolled around. It made the dorm really awkward and I ended up sleeping in the second years dorm with Rose. She was being surprisingly considerate. Rose, like Lucy, was usually all facts and no consideration but right now she was being a great friend.

"How are you Lily?" asked Rose as I stepped out of the bathroom.

I smiled thankfully at Rose. "I'm fine, Rose, really. You don't need to do all this for me."

"I like doing all this for you," Rose disagreed. "Do you need anything?"

"No," I replied.

Rose nodded and left the room. It was lunch but I didn't feel much like eating. I just wanted to cry and be alone and sulk but Rose wouldn't let me for which I was annoyed and grateful. This was actually the first time she'd left me alone in a week. I grabbed a box of tissues and let it all out.

I really didn't know why I was crying. I had declined his offer. If anything he should be the one crying. Expect Jacob didn't cry, he went out and did things. Thinking of Jacob made me feel bad.

You're such a bad person Lily said a voice in my head. Jacob has to deal with so much more than you do and he's not crying over something that he made happen himself.

"It's not my fault," I wailed. "He- he-he's dating my cousin."

And you rejected him when he asked you. It's not like he rejected you or anything.

"Why are you being so mean?"

The voice didn't respond.

I felt kind of stupid talking to myself. What kind of sane person did that? Then again I was not sane. Far from it. My life was one messed up event after the other. Like it was some sort of book specifically meant to entertain people.

Lunch was only an hour long and since I was a bit hungry I decided the best thing I could do was eat ice cream. In the Muggle shows they ate ice cream after a break-up.

So I called Lukey the house elf and asked if he could bring me ice cream. I felt kind of bad asking him but he assured me it was no trouble. He appeared a few seconds after I called him bringing the frozen treat I had asked for.

I ate it quickly. Too quickly. Despite the fact that the tub was giant it was gone in ten minutes. My throat felt frozen but I didn't care. I asked Lukey to bring me more. He did. This went on for about forty minutes before I realized I was late for Potions.

I wiped away the tears on my face, thanked Lukey and kindly asked him to take back the empty tub.

I practically had to run to Potions. Actually I did run. I would have never made it if I hadn't took a bunch of secret passage ways. Even though I arrived one second after class started Parkinson still yelled at me.

"Have a seat, Potter," Parkinson commanded. "And you can join me for detention."

"If you want to scare me you're going to have to better than that," I snapped exasperated. "You teachers are already give me detention five times a week. It's seriously getting old."

I was seriously too annoyed to deal with Parkinson. I was busy dealing with emotional problems and she wanted to make my life even more miserable? Well she can get in the freaking line.

She was about to say something else but I cut her of "Just save it would you? I don't care."

I sat down in my spot next to Hugo. "Are you okay?" he asked me.

"I'll let you know next time I don't feel like crap," I responded moodily.

Hugo decided to say nothing. Smart.

We were brewing some sort of potion that allowed you to see better. I was really distracted though. Hugo, who was horrible at Potions, was doing all the work.

"I can help, Hugo," I said half-heartedly.

"It's alright I don't need you to."

When the class was finished Parkinson came around looking at everyone's potion. To my great annoyance Roxanne and Jacob's were perfect.

"What is this?" Parkinson questioned with a look on her face.

"What does it look like?" I shot back. "It's a potion."

Usually I wasn't this rude to teachers. That was James' job. I would throw an insult here and there but I kept to myself for the most part unless they did something to me first. Right now, however, I did not care.

"Do not talk to me like that or else."

"You know when people say 'or else' it means they don't have an actual threat."

"What is this supposed to be?" Parkinson repeated glaring at the potion.

"It's a potion."

"If you think it's made perfectly drink it."

I gripped the cup Parkinson handed me Hugo was shaking his head but ignored him. I tipped my head back and the thick liquid poured down my throat. It burned a bit but I tried not to let that show.

"Can you see better?" asked Lucy.

I turned to her in shock. Despite being a zombie she still walked and pretty much looked like the normal Lucy. She till ate and went to the loo but she hadn't talked to me since winter break.

"Uh, yeah," I lied smiling triumphantly.

"You'll join me for detention Potter," Parkinson reminded me.

"Yeah, whatever," I replied before something dawned on me. "Wait when?"

Parkinson smiled, glad to finally get some fear out of me. "Let's see, how about Saturday."

Parkinson smiled evilly as I tried not to show my disappointment. Saturday was Gryffindor's second Quidditch match of the season and James already told me he wanted me as a Seeker.

"Now run along."

I slumped my shoulder and left the classroom.

"Lily," James whispered to me, "What's wrong?"

I turned around in shock when I saw my brother. Then I remembered he always had potions after me. This was nothing new.

"I got detention on the day of the match," I told James defeated. "I can't play."

James cursed. "Well, I'll try and convince her to reschedule."

"No, James, don't. You'll just wind up getting detention yourself. I wouldn't have been much good anyway. I'm not in a great mood."

"Just to let you know Fred told Roxy off." James flashed me a smile and jogged into class.

I was shocked for a second that James even knew about Roxy and Jacob dating, they were keeping it quiet. But James knew everything about this castle. I don't think anything around here happened without him knowing of it.

(Albus)

"So are you going for chess?" asked Scorpius randomly.

"What do you mean?" I responded confused.

"Didn't you hear? Stony's setting up a chess tournament. It's later this afternoon. You like chess so I just assumed…"

"I think that'd be awesome."

"I think it's suspicious," said Rose appearing beside me.

"Are you going to go on with this stupid theory again?" muttered Scorpius. "Seriously, Rose, it doesn't make sense."

"Let me spell it out for you: past three years at Hogwarts we don't do any extracurricular activities. Suddenly, a bunch of weird stuff starts happening, Stony fires all the good professors, he tortures kids during detention, and he's putting on a bunch of activities for fun? It doesn't add up."

I thought about what Rose was saying and decided I should mention it at the next meeting of the Resistance.

"You're wrong Rose. I know you don't know what it feels like to be wrong, but you can join us normal people who are wrong all the time."

You're being prats," Rose said to us before storming off. Presumably to talk to Lily.

The chess tournament was later that afternoon. Stony was leading it which I had to admit- the more I thought about Rose's theory- was weird. Why the heck was a headmaster who hated kids so much he tortured them set up various tournaments for their enjoyment? He claimed it was so we could make friends in other house which was total bull.

"Okay, remember everyone this is just for fun but the winner from each year gets twenty points for their house."

Stony talked with such gentleness in his voice it made me want to puke. Did he think we were idiots or something? I could see right through his act and I'm pretty sure almost everyone else could too.

The first person I faced was Tiana Bates, Tommy's sister. I beat her easily. I was pretty good at Wizard's Chess. I played James and Lily all the time and could beat both of them. Lily was a little harder to beat than James. He got to distracted and made the wrong moves.

I noticed James was in the tournament too but I couldn't be facing him since he was in a different year.

I faced tons of people, after Tiana but the only person who was a bit go a challenge was Jonah Greengrass. He was a lot better than I thought he'd be. I actually had to try hard I ended up checkmating him with a queen and a rook.

"The winner from first year is Dylan Corner of Ravenclaw." I clapped politely along with everyone else as Dylan was awarded a medal.

The second year winner is Seth Saltzman of Hufflepuff."

I was surprised my sister didn't win. even though I could beat her she was still really good. She was the only person in our family who could beat me besides Hugo, who had not entered the match.

"Albus Potter of Gryffindor from third year."

Stony glared at me when he gave me the medal. I glared right back.

"From fourth year Cassidy Vitali of Ravenclaw."

I was wasn't surprised to hear Scone was from fifth year Dom from sixth years and a random Slytherin won the Seventh years.

"The overall winner Ravenclaw with three wins. Congratulations eagles."

I saw James talking to Cassidy and epically embarrassing himself like always. For some reason he just couldn't talk to her. I guess that was one thing I did better than my older brother.

"We are going full out on this one. Last time we got beat by the Creampuffs. The Creampuffs. That was an embarrassment to Gryffindors everywhere."

The whole team started laughing as James made the crazy speech me announced before every game. It was always very entertaining.

"Do you reckon he does this just to get us in a good mood," whispered Matt, "Or is he serious?"

"I think he's just a little bit mental."

"Hey, you got to be a little bit mental if you want to win," James said shrugging.

"True enough," I agreed.

"Okay you guys remember the plan? Fred, Roxanne please work with Albus. This is our only plan. I know it will work. As for Jacob and Dominique you guys remember our plays, right? The one where we do-"

"Stop freaking out, James, we remember," Dominique assured me.

"And the Gryffindor team," came the voice of Tommy, the new announcer.

James excited first with the Chasers, then me, then Roxy and Fred, and finally Matt our Keeper.

The game began and I raced after the snitch but quickly lost it. The weather was absolutely horrible for seeking. I couldn't see anything. It was windy, snowy, and cold. I don't think the weather could have been worse. The whole team would suffer from this weather, really. I just hoped Roxy and Fred would still keep to the plan we formed.

We were versing Slytherin today and I knew this was an important match for James. He had something to prove to the exchange students, most of whom were playing on the team. The Wright brothers were the Chasers, and Goldberg the Keeper. He would have to work hard to beat them.

I was facing Dennis Alter as Seeker. He was in his sixth year now and most people thought I would screw up just like I did in my first year, especially since I was younger. I felt I needed to prove that I wasn't a horrible Seeker. Not only to everyone else but to myself.

I peered around trying to see the snitch. It was impossible though. Even with Impervious on my glasses I couldn't see a foot in front of me. I flew around trying to find Fred or Roxanne instead. It was time to use the plan.

"And that's another goal for Gryffindor," cheered Tommy trying to sound unbiased and failing. "The score is now 60-180 with Slytherin in the lead."

I groaned. Apparently I had tuned out when Slytherin scored all those gaols. I decided I needed to catch the snitch even more than I did before. The Seeker was supposed to be the hero of the team. That's why almost all Seekers were captains. They came in and saved the day. That's what I needed to do.

It was so cold my whole body was numb. I couldn't feel a thing but I suppose that was better than getting frostbite. I tried to ignore it and remembered how I wanted to activate the plan.

"Fred!" I shouted as I saw- or rather heard- a Beater's bat slam into a bludger.

"Albus!" Fred called back.

"Time to activate the plan."

"Are you blind? It's way to snowy for the plan."

"You are doing the plan and you are succeeding," James demanded as he flew by us.

"I guess were doing the plan," Fred reasoned.

Fred flew off and found Roxy who thought the weather might actually work to our advantage since nobody would be able to see us well. The problem is we wouldn't be able to see each other well either.

I knew that most of this was on me. If I didn't have perfect control over my broom, this whole thing would fail. And I had to catch the snitch. I couldn't forget the format or anything.

"And go!" shouted Fred at the top of his lungs.

Freed and Roxanne started blasting bludgers between each other like crazy. Just back and forth not hitting anyone. This confused the Slytherins and allowed Jacob to score a goal.

I was following Fred and Roxy until I spotted Alter. He grinned at me before speeding away. I signaled the Beaters to speed up and they did. I followed Alter.

"And dive," I muttered to myself.

I dove at just the right time. Alter saw me and followed. Fred and Roxy were still passing the bludger back and forth when they slammed it into me. I groaned but kept speeding.

Alter laughed. He must've thinking that Gryffindor had the worst beater's in the Hogwarts league. He sped in the other direction just as I victoriously closed my hands around the snitch.

Tommy had been narrating what was going on the whole time but I had tuned him out "-Potter has the snitch. What an incredible fake-out. For those of you who are still confused let me recap. Albus Potter was going for a fake-out. Alter followed him. Then the Weasleys Beaters hit him with a bludger on purpose to distract Alter. Little did he know they were hitting the snitch with the Beater's bat. So then Fred Weasley slams the snitch and Potter catches it. Amazing Gryffindor wins!"

"Lions! Lions! Lions!" chanted the Gryffindors.

"Albus Potter! Albus Potter!"

Cassidy came up to me and gave me a hug as I excited the pitch. "That was amazing, Al," she praised. "You were so good."

"Er, thanks," I said. I couldn't help but notice James give me a totally fake smile and stalk off into change room.

James had become totally unpopular. I had just taken his one and only shining moment left; Quidditch. Everyone hated him, believed the lies the paper told them calling him an attention seeking prat. Now the only person he had left that wasn't family, the one person who believed him, was here complimenting me. It made me feel bad for him. Was I a bad person? Was it my fault? No it couldn't be.

James had made the announcement that started all this for him, and I deserved a little praise. He had ignored me all of last year when I was unpopular. He deserved this.

And I felt like an asshole but the situation made me smile.

A/N: Don't have much time I'll make this quick.

1: Updates will be on Tuesdays until the end of February.

2: I would appreciate some reviews. I was very disappointing with the amount I got over the past week. But thanks to crazysongbrid for reviewing.

"All the stories are true," Hodge Starkweather, City of Bones

-Monkeywoman14