The World's Gone Crazy
By Allanasha Ke Kiri
Chapter 11
"You're staying at the castle?"
James shrugged at his three friends, "It's not like I have any family outside these walls."
Draco grimaced, "Well, keep in touch, and don't do any Gryffindor stunts until I get back."
James laughed, "Wouldn't dream of it."
He said goodbye to Crabbe and Goyle, still playing the stupid bodyguards, and watched the three of them board the train to London. As he watched the train pull out, James felt rather. . . lonely.
Though he'd come to like Draco, and valued his friendship greatly, he really hadn't expected to miss the bloke.
It's only a few weeks, he told himself as the train rumbled down the tracks, He'll be back soon.
James blinked, I mean, they'll be back soon.
He sighed, shaking his head, before heading back up to the castle. There were still presents to wrap, now that he didn't have to worry about his room mates walking in while they were spread out on his bed.
Emily rolled her eyes while Harry boasted over his gifts, she really hadn't paid much attention to them. Her time had Hogwarts had made her look at her older brother with new eyes, and she wasn't sure she really liked the things she saw in him. She had always thought that he was great; always looking out for her, doing the "right" thing, and so on, but that wasn't what she had seen at Hogwarts. He was mean, and sometimes cruel; expecially to James, which she didn't get. The older boy was really nice.
"Alright, Emily," her father said, drawing her attention, "This one's from. . . James Medin?"
Emily froze, "James? He sent me a gift?"
She reached for it, but her father pulled it away, frowning.
"Who is this James Medin?"
"A friend, Daddy."
"A Slytherin," Harry offered.
"A Slytherin? What are you doing being friends with Slytherins?"
"He's a sweet boy, James," her mother interupted, "Mr. Medin even saved Harry."
"I don't want you hanging with Slytherins, Emily."
Emily rolled her eyes and took the present, not bothering to answer. She hurried back to her seat, barely fighting the urge to squeal in excitement. Just before she opened the wrapping, she noticed the card attatched. Curiosity winning over her want to see the present, she opened it. On the front was a Christmas tree with several lights, and a star on top. On the inside, it said:
'There are several lights that shine on Christmas, but I wish I could see yours this day.'
Below that, James had written something else.
'I hope you like the gift.
'An older brother without a younger sister,
'James Medin'
Emily practically wilted.
"What is it dear?" Lily asked.
"He sees me as a sister," she whispered.
"That's better than not seeing you at all, though, isn't it?"
Emily thought about it a moment before smiling, "Yeah, it is."
Her mind somewhat at ease, she ripped open her gift. As soon as she opened it her mouth dropped open.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, pulling out the expensive looking charm bracelet.
Draco took the rather large package from the house elf.
"Who is it from, dear?" Narcissa asked.
He opened the card, "James," he answered, before reading what it said.
"Who is that, son?" Lucius asked.
"He's a friend. The nephew of the headmaster."
"Ah," Narcissa breathed, "Well done, Draco."
Draco shrugged, not sure how to tell them that he wasn't friends with the boy because of his connections. James was a mystery. He didn't know what to expect from him, and he seemed to delight in surprising everybody. Draco turned back to the card to keep from answering.
'Since you obviously wouldn't do it yourself, here's something to help you in the final match against Gryffindor.
'James'
Draco frowned, what could he possibly use that would help him against Gryffindor? Shrugging, he unwrapped the gift. He blinked several times before actually focusing on it. It was a Firebolt.
"What is he doing giving you a Firebolt?" his father demanded, anger growing.
"He said," Draco answered, holding up the card, "that it's to help me in the final match, since I obviously wouldn't get one myself."
Lucius blinked in response.
Crabbe frowned down at his gift from James. What had the boy been thinking?"
"Something wrong, dear?"
"No, Mother, just wondering over a gift I got."
He glance once more at the card.
'Just thought you'd get a kick out of it.
'James'
"Well?" his mother asked.
Crabbe slowly lifted the book so his mother and father could read the title, 'Astrophysics for Dummies.'
"James, hmm?" her father mused, "Who's this James fellow?"
"He's just a friend," Hermione answered with a roll of her eyes.
"Really, dear?" her mother asked, smiling.
"Yes, really. Now, can I have his gift?"
"Of course."
Rolling her eyes at her parents, yet again, she reached for James' gift. It was rather small and rectangular. Hermione wondered what the Slytherin had gotten her. Wondering if it would hold a clue, she quickly read the card that accompanied it.
'I didn't know what to get you. A book seemed too obvious. Then, I ran across this, and thought you'd enjoy it.
'James'
Hermione frowned, her curiosity piqued. Forcing herself to maintain self-control, she opened the present. her eyes widened as she read the title. Slowly, a grin gormed on her lips, she really would enjoy this book.
"What is it, Hermione?"
Carefully, she read the book's title aloud, "How to Ward Electronics to Work in a Magical Enviroment."
Goyle slowly unwrapped his gift, wondering at the card that had accompanied it.
'Thought you'd get a kick out of it,' he thought, silently repeating it contents.
Once unwrapped, he silently blinked down at the book infront of him.
"Genetics for Dummies?" he asked aloud, having no one to over hear him.
Goyle bit his lip beore opening the book, his intellectual curiosity piqued.
Harry looked at his pile of gifts. He'd gotten a book from Hermione titled 'Famous Wizarding Tricks and How They Were Done', a box of jokes from Draco (not the Weasley's of course), a Broom Maintanence Kit from Crabbe, and another book from Goyle titled 'Potions for the Brave of Heart.' He wasn't quite sure what to make of that one.
"You're turn," he told Tom, handing the man his gift.
"Thank you, Harry," he answered, opening it.
Hary had looked over the headmaster's collection of reality books several times.
"I noticed you didn't have these," Harry told him, "I think they're new, and, knowing your hobby, I figured it was the least I could do."
"Thank you, Harry," Tom repeated, a soft smile on his lips.
Harry nodded, glad the man had liked the gift.
"Now, I believe you still have two gifts to open."
"Huh?" was Harry's reply as he looked down at his stack.
"Over here, Harry,"
Harry looked up to see Tom handing him two wrapped gifts.
"I can't Tom," he protested, "You've already done so much for me. I-"
"Harry," Tom said, gently cuting him off, "Right now, the world sees you as James Medin, my nephew. I would look rather odd if I didn't give my nephew a few gifts for Christmas. Besides," he added, obviously seeing Harry's doubt, "It's not like I'm going to be doing anything else with the money."
Still looking fairly doubtful, Harry took the two gifts. The first one was a practice snitch. Harry laughed despite himself. The Second gift was a book of popular Quidditch tricks.
"You see," Tom told him, "Nothing you can't use in your matches against the other houses."
"So what are you going to do when I leave?" Harry asked quietly.
Tom was silent a moment, "Fake your death," he answered finally, "Or just have you disappear on an errand for longer than necessary and file you as missing. A search will be made, but when you're not found, you will be proclaimed dead."
Harry nodded, not looking at the man before him. He didn't want to leave. Here, he didn't have to worry about prophecy, or death at a young age, or living up to what people expected from the Boy-Who-Lived. But he had to go back; the prophecy said that only he could kill Voldemort.
"What are you going to do?" Tom asked, "When you get back."
Harry shrugged, "Convince everyone that I'm still alive. Give them hope because I'm back. Kill Voldemort."
He winced at how full of himself that sounded, but the truth was, people seemed to expect him to be able to kill Voldemort, and they got hope from that.
Tom nodded.
"You seem to be rather excited, Harry," Tom said, "what's the occasion?"
"Draco's coming back tomorrow."
"Ah, yes. Young Mr. Malfoy."
"And Crabbe and Goyle," Harry added quickly.
"I see. Do you plan on meeting them at the train station?"
"Of course. I can say hi to the others as well.
"Others?"
"You know, Emily and Hermione."
"Ah, yes. How are you getting along with Ms. Granger?"
Harry shrugged, "Great. She's a lot like the Hermione from my world."
"And how is Mr. Malfoy reacting to her?"
"He tolerates her," Harry responded, "I don't think they're ever going to be good friends, but they might get to the point that he actually talks to her."
Tom chuckled.
"So," Harry continued, turning serious, "Have you found anything?"
Tom sighed but shook his head, "I have not."
"There has to be a way. If I got here, I have to be able to get back." He stood, moving over to the far wall, "Because of that damned prophecy, I'm the only one who can defeat that, that. . . Man!"
"We will find a way, Harry," Tom said quietly.
Harry turned back to him, trying to shake off the seed of doubt he felt. It was beginning to think it might actually be impossible.
Hey everybody. I'd have updated Wednesday, but I was visiting family in another city, and couldn't bring the story with me. Anyway, in the spirit of Christmas grin here's a Christmasy chapter! I hope you all enjoy!
potterinu - um, could clarify exactly what you meant in you're review? I found myself staring at it for a good 3 minutes in confusion. Thanks!
Until next time
Allanasha ke kiri
