Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all the characters find themselves in. Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

Happy New Year to All!

Asking For Help

Seth rooted around in his best friend's school bag for the Transfiguration book James had borrowed from him earlier, the Gryffindor too busy arguing Quidditch with one of the portraits to do it himself. Leaving the two to their discussion Seth made a sound of relief when he spotted the textbook, which James hadn't been a hundred percent sure he'd remembered to bring. Grabbing the book Seth's eyes happened to land on the book cover of the paperback beside his textbook. Raising an eyebrow Seth pulled the novel out, reading the back blurb before returning it to the bag.

Since James and this particular portrait could argue for hours about the finer points of Quidditch Seth settled the book bag strap back on James's shoulder and then made their good byes to the old wizard, pulling James into the crowd in the process.

"I couldn't help but notice the paperback in your bag." Seth began as he tucked his textbook into his own bag, keeping his voice down just in case. "Since when are you interested in romance novels?"

James grinned, understanding the other man's surprise. "I borrowed a bunch of them from Domi and her ilk last week. They make me really thankful I'm no longer interested in the female gender if those books' so called heroes are what they're looking for in a man. Talk about exalting standards."

"Too true. Not that you aren't ten times better then any of those so called 'heroes' in those books, James." Seth assured his idol loyally. "But you still haven't explained why you're reading that rubbish. My mum reads the Muggle versions all the time and I think that's one of the reasons why she goes through men quicker than I go through quills. She keeps expecting Prince Charming or she latches onto some dark and brooding bloke that she's convinced she can somehow save."

"Well they don't exactly stimulate one's intelligence but they're all right. And besides, I'm not reading them for entertainment. They're research."

"Research into what? How women wish all their men could be gorgeous, built, and constantly giving them multiple orgasms? Who doesn't want that?"

Laughing, James grinned affectionately at his friend with mischievous eyes. "Hence me reading up on the subject of how women give men that last requirement."

"Oh." Putting two and two together Seth shook his head at the Gryffindor, reaching out to flick James's forehead teasingly. "Well why didn't you say so? My mum bought me books on that particular subject when I came out to her. I'll have her ship me some for you to read. At least those books don't pretend to be anything but what they are."

"Your mother bought you books on how to have sex with men?" James asked, though he could see Seth's mom doing precisely that. Seth's mom was as unique as Seth.

"She did. She said that with my obsessive personality and stalker tendencies, finding a life partner would be difficult for me. Apparently she figured that if I'm spectacular in the sack I'll be able to keep one around long enough to get a ring on his finger before he realizes what he's getting into."

"Whatever works I guess."

)

Neville leaned back against the wall, watching James and Mr. Kelsey walk down the opposite hallway together, their heads together as they laughed over something James had just said. A smile curling his lips as well Neville had to marvel how James being happy made him so happy in return. It was like he was slowly being infected by James, becoming happier, more bold and eager to take on the world. Possibly because he didn't feel like the weight of the world was solely on his shoulders anymore. James's shoulders were now available to help, and though Neville had no intention of putting his problems on the younger man's shoulders, just knowing he could made the weight he had always carried seem somehow insubstantial now.

His eyes following James' progression down the crowded hallway, Neville didn't fail to see that he wasn't the only one who was watching the popular Gryffindor. Turning his gaze Neville watched Lucy Amandes watch James, a shiver of warning going up his spine at the sight of the girl's intense focus. There was just something not quite right about the girl these days, Neville thought as he fingered the wand in his pocket instinctively, confirming it was still there if needed. And he wasn't the only one who thought so. He had heard more than one teacher comment on the Head Girl's recent behavior, though like him they couldn't seem to quite put their finger on what it was about her that now gave them...well...the creeps. And students were starting to stay away from her too, or eyeing her in as way that suggested they were bewildered by their instinctual reactions to her and were trying to talk themselves out of their behavior. Neville wasn't sure that was wise. The less people around Lucy Amandes, he felt, the better.

"Good afternoon, Professor Longbottom."

The softly spoken words breaking through his thoughts Neville turned his head to smile at Grey Lady, who had come to hover at his side. "Good afternoon to you as well, Miss. Ravenclaw. Heading somewhere in particular?"

"Not really. I sometimes help students find books in the library, since our present librarian isn't the most welcoming sort...but I'm not expected there." And since she and the Herbology teacher were on somewhat friendly terms now the ghost gave in to her curiosity. "I saw you watching Miss. Amandes with the most peculiar expression on your face. It aroused my curiosity. Has she done something wrong?"

Neville made sure there weren't any students in eavesdropping distance before answering the Ravenclaw. "I think she might have. And that the worst is yet to come."

"You're worried she'll hurt Miss. Murphy for stealing James from her?" The ghost guessed, having heard all about the brawling that had gone on.

"You call him James?" Neville asked in surprise, having never heard the ghost speak about a student so casually.

The woman's cheeks darkened a little, suggesting she would be blushing were she still alive to do so. "He insisted I call him by his first name. He's a lovely young man. He even makes time to talk to Myrtle when he sees her. She has a horrible crush on him, and she fancies his father still too. I imagine she'll be sighing over James's brother before too long, he looks like he'll be as attractive as his brother and father."

Albus really was the spitting image of Harry, Neville thought fondly. And he was so very, very thankful that that wasn't the case with James. Things were awkward and bizarre enough as it was without the man he found himself fancying looking like a young replica of one of his oldest friends, Neville thought with a slight shudder, eagerly pushing that thought aside to answer her earlier question. "And no, it's not her hurting Miss. Murphy that I'm worried about. I think she's up to something where James is concerned. We have reason to believe she might be trying to manipulate a prophecy concerning him for some reason."

"I see. And mental instability does run in her paternal line." When he gave her a questioning look Helena elaborated only a little, as she wasn't the gossiping sort. "One of Miss. Amandes' ancestors is in WWHAM with me. She's told us all about the family's self control problems since it was that mental instability that led her husband to murder her back in the fifteenth century. He poisoned her."

Neville gaze was piercing in its intensity as he focused all his attention on her. "What is WWHAM and what kind of mental instability are we talking about? Do people in her family tree have a history of homicidal behavior?"

"WWHAM stands for Witches Who Hate Assehole Men. It was originally founded as Witches Who Hate Idiotic Men, but the new club president changed it two hundred and thirty three years ago. She thought calling them idiotic wasn't strong enough to accurately convey our feelings on the subject of the men who killed us. That's the condition of joining the club you see. We were all killed by a man in our life who played a significant role in it before he ended it. There are a lot of us, we have branches in various countries now. Personally I think using the A word is vulgar, but I was outvoted." That she was still peeved about that was clear in her voice.

This was the first time he'd heard of the club, and Neville made a mental note to ask her more about it later, but first he wanted to know about the threat the Amandes family might pose to James.

When he repeated his earlier question Helena searched her considerable memory to recall everything she knew about the family. It was obviously very important to him and she trusted he wasn't just asking for the sake of fresh gossip. "From what I understand members of the Amandes family tend to be very goal oriented, obsessive types who don't deal with failure well. Rather than learn from their mistakes and move on they refuse to believe they've made a mistake at all. They blame others and often become obsessed with the people they feel are sabotaging them and their lives. They become paranoid, secretive, and in some cases violent. I do recall Jocelene expressing concern that one of her latest ancestors had joined the Department of Mysteries. That's not the ideal place for someone with his background apparently. But she said that he quite fancied a seer that worked there and took the job to be closer to her. Backfired on him horribly though, as she ended up meeting the man's younger brother through him and she fell for him instead. They died though, he was a Potions Master and something went wrong. They left behind a daughter I believe, who would be Miss. Amandes' second aunt. I don't think Jocelene ever mentioned Miss Amandes' parents in any of our sessions together."

Deeply troubled by the ghost's words Neville gave her an imploring look as he turned this new information around in his head. "Could you go see her, this Jocelene? And ask her if she knows anything about her family intending to harm James or the Potter family in general. I know it's a big favor to ask, and I wouldn't if I didn't think it was important. Could she be trusted not to tell Miss. Amandes' family?"

Helena's gaze was thoughtful for several moments before she slowly nodded her agreement. "There are very few truly good men in the world. It would be a shame if something were to happen to James. I'll visit Jocelene tomorrow during morning classes. There shouldn't be anyone at the Amandes manor to overhear us. If I learn anything of interest I shall pass it along to you. I believe she can be trusted, she's a sensible sort. She voted to keep us as WWHIM too."

"Thank you, I appreciate your help." Neville gave her a grateful look.

Smiling the ghost nodded and bid him adieu, flying off in the direction of the library with a final regal wave.

Returning the wave Neville caught sight of someone watching her go as well, the déjà vu of it causing the Herbology professor to turn his head to meet the gaze of the Bloody Baron, who was giving him the universal 'She's mine, hand off' look. Wondering what the Grey Lady would have to say about the Baron's possessive feelings Neville made a mental note to mention it to her as he raised his hands in the universal signal that said he intended to keep his hands to himself where the Lady was concerned.

)

Neville waited until the D.A. meeting was well underway before he made his way to James and then to Mr. Kelsey's, informing them both that he wished to speak with them once the meeting was over. Mr. Kelsey's presence wasn't necessary of course, James would no doubt pass the information to Miss. Murphy later on and could have done the same where Kelsey was concerned. But Neville thought it wise to have someone in the room to chaperon them when the other students were gone.

And how sad was it that at nearly forty he thought he needed one.

But as foolish as that fact made him feel, Neville had to admit that it was amusing too. It certainly made him eagerly anticipating every meeting with James, and the reactions they had to each other now that they were both manning up to the fact that they were romantically interested in the other. And talk about a potent brew, Neville thought with a small, secretive smile as he distracted himself by correcting the form of one of his students. The chemistry he and James had brewing beneath the surface was more explosive than anything he'd ever created when he was taking potions.

It was certainly an interesting experience to learn what it felt like to be a regular, horny teenager, Neville mused to himself, even if it had taken him two decades longer than most to get there. He was also starting to understand why his students had such problems concentrating in his class. He certainly had problems concentrating in class, especially his seventh year one. At least he only had one class with the object of his desire; Neville wasn't sure how the students with multiple classes with their crushes got any work done.

Belatedly noticing that everyone appeared to be staring or pointing at something in front of him Neville looked down, a grin breaking across his face at the sight of the golden retriever wagging his tail before him, the magically created canine made up of white, swirling mist.

James' patronus.

Looking over at James Neville nodded his acceptance of the challenge and retrieved his own wand from his pocket, calling forth his own patronus with a gleam in his eyes.

And just like that James's retriever and his own sheep dog took off running around after each other, the pair bouncing off the various walls and even the ceiling as they drew laughs from the students who only moments before had been frustrated by their own lack of progress where their patronuses were concerned. Now they clapped and cheered the two canines on, laughing when the two passed through them like harmless fog in their delighted play.

The two patronuses were soon joined by more, James's relatives and older friends adding their own creatures to the mix. The tussling, teasing mini menagerie soon loosened up the mood so much that by the time the meeting was over a number of the students had made a lot of progress in developing their own animals.

)

Once the students were all gone and only James and his stalker remained Neville informed them of his first conversation with the Grey Lady and what she had told him earlier that day after her visit to the Amandes estate.

"So according to the Grey Lady Jocelene Amandes doesn't know anything about a plot or a prophecy concerning you, James, but she's willing to keep her ears open on the slight chance that she might overhear something. Apparently she haunted her husband quite thoroughly after her death and there are magical shields around certain rooms so that she can't enter them. One of those is Miss. Amandes' great uncle's study unfortunately."

"Wow, I am so glad I've never stumbled on a WWHAM meeting accidentally." Seth said with a slow shake of his head. "I mean sure they're dead and all, but seriously, those would not be witches a guy wants to cross on a bad day."

Neville and James had to agree with that.

"The ability to predict the future is generally passed down through the genes right?" James asked, thinking out loud as he considered their new information. "And there aren't that many seers in the world. At least not genuinely talented ones. And if Lucy's father's aunt was a seer…then maybe this second aunt of Lucy's could be a seer as well. Maybe even the seer who made a prophecy about me."

"It would explain why they think they can keep a lid on the prophecy too." Seth added thoughtfully. "If the only people who know about it are members of the Amandes family, keeping their interfering from the public would be easy."

"So we should maybe try to find Lucy's aunt. Or at least a picture of her so that we know if she's the one that James met at the zoo." Neville cautioned, seeing the implications of the two's words. "She could be playing both sides or trying to lead you into a trap, James."

James gave a rueful shrug. "Aren't I the popular one?"

"Such is the price you pay for your perfection." Seth told his friend with a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

"Yay, me."