The World's Gone Crazy . . .
By Allanasha Ke Kiri

Chapter 35 --

James, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle quietly sat in the Room of Requirements. Their eyes were closed, and their breathing was steady. They were trying to find their animagus form. Of them all, only Crabbe was close to doing so. He at least knew that he was some kind of bird. Goyle was something red, Draco was small and white, and James still only knew that he was black, though he also knew that he was big.

"There has to be a better way to do this," Draco groaned, falling back onto the ground.

"We shouldn't expect to be able to do anything so soon," James said, even though he was feeling just a touch impatient as well. "It's said to take years to accomplish."

"There should still be a way to find out your animal faster, like a potion or something," Draco responded. Suddenly he sat up again. "Do you think there is?"

James shrugged. "There might be," he said. "It wouldn't hurt to look, anyway."

"Good."

"Have you figured out what the clue means yet?" Crabbe asked, popping his neck.

"Huh? Oh yeah, ages ago." It wasn't really a lie. He had found out what it meant ages ago. "It has something to do with the lake. I just need to figure out how to get some Gillyweed and I should be fine."

"Gillyweed?" Goyle asked, frowning.

"Well, it says," James closed his eyes, trying to remember the exact phrasing. "An hour long you'll have to look/ To discover what we took. Kind of makes me think that I have to be underwater for an hour. Any of you know where I can get some Gillyweed?"

They shook their heads.

"Professor Snape might have some," Draco said. "You might want to talk to him. And I'd do it soon. You've got less than a month before the next task."

James sighed, nodding. He'd hoped he wouldn't have to.

"It's almost curfew," he said, standing. "You should get back to the common room."

"Where are you going?" Draco asked, frowing up at him.

"To talk to Professor Snape, my rounds, then I've got to see Uncle Tom. I'll be back later."

"Enter."

James took a deep breath and entered the room. "Good evening, Professor."

"Mr. Medin," Snape said in greeting. "It's close to curfew."

James fought the urge to fidget. The man wasn't even being snarky. He hadn't been snarky to him for the entire time he'd been there, for Merin's sake! One would think he'd be able to be more . . . relaxed around his head of house.

"It's my turn to do rounds, sir. I'll be fine."

"Very well," Snape nodded. "Was there something I could help you with." his tone was very mild, as if he really was curious as to what James needed.

"Er, yes sir. I was wondering if you could tell me where I might get some Gillyweed."

Snape frowned, sitting back in his chair. "Why do you need it, Mr. Medin?"

"I cracked my clue a while ago, Professor. I'm thinking I'm going to have to search for something in the lake, and I can't hold my breath long enough to get to the bottom. So far, Gillyweed seems to be the only thing that I can think of to let me do that."

Snape sighed. "You should have come to me earlier, Mr. Medin. As it is, you will not have enough time to contact the supplier and get what you need before the next task."

James slumped. Gillyweed really was the only thing he knew would let him breath underwater.

"However," Snape said, drawing his attention once again. "I do believe I have some in my private stores."

James blinked. "Okay . . ."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome to it."

James blinked a few more times, not sure if he heard right. "Thank you, Professor."

Snape nodded once before standing and leaving the room. James waited silently for the man to come back with the promised plant. He was back quickly with a small jar. James recognized the Gillyweed immediately.

"You will have to store it some place cool, preferable damp until you have need of it. Do not let it dry up, or it will do you no good."

"Yes sir."

"A single handfull of it should last you an hour, though I would keep more on you, should you happen to need more than that."

James nodded once. "I'll keep that in mind, sir."
"Also, you will want to keep it from your snake. It has been known to be quite deadly to several of the magical species of snake."

James nodded again. "Thank you for telling me, Professor. I hadn't known that."

Snape nodded once, letting James take the jar form him. James turned to go.

"Might I ask you something, Mr. Medin?" Snape asked, sounding as if he were debating with himself.

James turned back. "Of course, sir."

The man was silent for just a moment. "You are always tense when around me. Why?"

James froze, he should have realized Snape would notice. He hadn't thought the man would come straight out an ask either. It just went to show that he didn't know everything there was to know about Severus Snape. "It's not something that I can tell you, sir."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"It has nothing to do with you, though, I promise."

And it didn't. It had to do with his Snape . . . and that just sounded wrong.

"Very well, Mr. Medin."

James nodded once and hurried from the room.

You are jarring me. Nataniel complained.

Sorry, James replied, slowing to a more reasonable pace. I just wanted to get out of there.

He makes you uncomfortable. Why?

He's the copy of someone who really doesn't like me.

Does he not like you?

James blinked. I don't think so.

Then why do you feel uncomfortable in his presence?

James shrugged.

If he is not the one who does not like you, then why do you not feel comfortable?

I don't know. I just don't. They're so much alike that it's eerie, and I know that if he found out who I was, he wouldn't like me.

Are you sure?

Well, yeah. He doesn't like the person he thinks is my dad.

You should not be uncomfortable. The other speaker says that he will not find out with the magic on you. And if he does not find out, he will not hate you, so you should not be uncomfortable.

It's not that easy, Nataniel. James said as he moved down the halls.

Why not?

It is an . . . James paused, trying to find an easy explanation. An instinct. I do not have any control over it. I do not believe I am safe, so I become uncomfortable.

There was a pause. I will protect you, Masster, you need not worry about your safety.

James gave a breathy laugh. I know.

So do not be uncomfortable.

I'll try Nataniel, James told him, giving up.

Remus paused in his rounds when he caught a familiar scent. Harry. What was the boy doing out of the common room after curfew? Frowning, he followed the scent. He'd thought he'd broken the cub of the night time wonderings two years ago, apperantly not.

"Harry," he began as he rounded a corner. "You should -- Oh, good evening, Mr. Medin. Have you seen Harry around?"

Medin frowned, shaking his head. "No, sir. In fact, your the first person I've seen yet. It looks like it's going to be a quiet night."

Remus nodded distractedly. He still smelled Harry, in fact, it was rather strong in this corridor. "Well, good night, Mr. Medin."

"Good night, Professor."

James watched Lupin move down the hall. The man seemed distracted. But he didn't know why. It couldn't be the full moon; it was still a week and a half away. Shrugging, he turned to continue his rounds. He was sure that, if it was important, he'd learn about it eventually, and he didn't think that it could be anything life threatening.

20 minutes later, the halls were still empty, and he was still incredibly bored. Unfortunately, he had about another 30 to go before his 'shift' was over. James sighed, pausing in his walk to rub his eyes.

Nataniel had moved to his neck as it was easier to grip when the snake slept. One of his hands drifted up to stroke the small creature. It amazed him that something so small would get to be so big and deadly.

Not to me though, he thought fondly. Never to me.

He stopped when he reached a turn off to another corridor. Frowning, he turned to look down it. So, someone was out. James gave a small sigh before straightening out and giving a scowl.

"Whoever you are, I suggest you get back to your dorms immediately. You're out after curfew." The noise stopped. James' eyes narrowed. "Unless you want points taken I suggest you move!"

Still nothing. His scowl changed to an actual frown, something wasn't right. Silently, he drew out his wand, making sure to keep it hidden in his robe, and moved forward into the dark hallway. It wasn't until he was several feet down that he heard anything. Whispers. They were coming from a room to his right. Rolling his eyes, he strode forward, going to throw open the door.

"Do you suppose it's him?"

James froze, not recognizing the voice.

"Don't know, I wasn't there, remember. And it's not like I can call out and ask him."

"It's quiet," a third voice interupted. "You think he left?"

"Might have," said the first, a female.

"Well, how do you suppose we find him?"

"How am I supposed to know. He just wanted us to find the boy and find out his answer."

James felt his eyes widen. Either he was dreaming, mishearing, or these weren't people that should be in Hogwarts. Professors would be good to get, but who was close enough? He knew Lupin was somewhere, but other than that, he didn't know what other professors were out, or where any of them might be. Except Tom, but that wasn't all that close.

"How long do we wait?" The second voice asked.

"A few more minutes, we want to be sure that the prefect doesn't hear us."

"What if it was him?" the third voice asked.

"Then we'll find him again."

Tom would be a good option, James decided. Hopefully, no stray students came across them. Slowly, careful not to make a sound, James took several steps back. Unfortunately, he stumbled when a cat screetched, and tore down the hall. James hit the ground and rolled, scrambling for his wand before moving to his feet. A wand to the back of the neck had him freezing.

"I wouldn't move if I were you," the woman said. "And I think I'll be taking that while we talk."

James' jaw clenched as she took his wand and tugged him into the room.

Hehehe. I'm so mean. Harry/James just can't get any rest can he? What happens to our favorite little hero? Why are they in the school? You'll have to read to find out! I realize that this just kind of jumps forward, but stories do that sometime, so bare with me.

And, I'm sorry about the relative shortness of this chapter. The next one is longer, I promise. Also, I would like to thank you all for your words last chapter. It was nice to know that others sympathised.

I'd apologize for the cliffy, but I think it's the first that I've given you, so I'm not going to. :) If I get 10 reviews I'll update early. If not, you should know my schedule by now. If not you must be new, so: I update on Wednesday and Saturday.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the update.

Until next time

Allanasha Ke Kiri