MY PLACE
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his wonderful universe don't belong to me, but to the real wizard, J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 36: Family and Friends
An inviting ray of sunshine fell across Harry's page causing his head to turnbrieflyand gaze longingly out the sun basked window. He couldn't wait for class to end so that he couldflee to the great outdoors with James and his friends, and even-sometimes-Lily. Once out there they would flop under the big beach tree by the lake where a nice breeze would caress their skin and play with their hair. Then slowly and lazily they would work through their homework all the while laughing, and having mild arguments that would turn into a slight tussle across the grassy Hogwarts lawns.
Harry couldn't remember ever having this much fun or beingthis happy ever. He was finally having fun with his parents and their friends.
Oddly enough, Harry found himself doing notably well in his classes. He wasn't as outrageously funny as James and Sirius were, and did actually pay attention in class. It was beyond Harry how (even if James and Sirius did have the photographic memories they claimed to have) did so well. Remus and Harry would end up feeling as though they had done most of the work, but somehow there would still bea number of questions James and Sirius had answered by the end of the "studying" sessions. Either way, Harry found himself receiving better marks than he'd ever received. Maybe it was the lacking presence of Snape, or Voldemort-which one, Harry wasn't sure.
The weather had seemingly taken its queue from Harry's uplifted feelings. It had taken on a decidedly summery front in the latter weeks.Nowleading to Harry's current excitement to be let out of class to frolic around the lawn with his future parents and friends. They had been doing so since the weather had taken a turn for the better instead of spending most of their time being cooped up in the common room.
"Harry Potter," Professor Limerick chortled; "I know I'm too green to be beautiful, but could you please pay attention."
Harry blushed and mumbled a quick apology, but James and Sirius slapped him on the back.
"Now, as I was saying before I had to redirect Harry's attention…Hogwarts is going to have its very first dueling tournament as your last assignment for your Defense mark. It's going to be worth a good chunk of your mark, so you better prepare yourselves."
"But sir," a Gryffindor mildly protested; "How can we prepare for a duel? Anything can happen in a duel."
Professor Limerick's tiny green eyes twinkled; "You could engage in a duel with someone in your house as practice-preferably a seventh year…"
At the horrified looks around the class he giggled.
"Perhaps not then," he confessed still giggling; "But you can research helpful spells."
The class deflated at this. Research? This was a research project?
Harry, however, likened this to the Triwizard Tournament. He had to stick to his strengths, and, he reminded himself, hehad a somewhat unfair advantage of having already dueled with Lord Voldemort himself.
"This won't be a duel to the death, but it will matter upon your choice of attack and counter spells. Don't keep using Protego. Use other spells. In fact, I'd like a three page essay on counter spells by tomorrow."
The class moaned as one.
"If anyone doesn't finish this assignment there will be no demonstration tomorrow." their green professor finished.
"What demonstration?"
"Ah, did I forget to tell you that as a treat we will be doing a lesson on defensive pranks tomorrow?"
James and Sirius's eyes lit up.
"Yes, I'll be demonstrating some techniques with my colony that's coming for a wee bit of a visit tomorrow." Professor Limerick added.
James and Sirius were nodding along with evil grins plastered firmly to their faces with glazed eyes.
Professor Limerick suddenly laughed; "I'm only joking-not about the paper mind you, and a change of topic too. I want a five page essay on defensive pranks by Friday. Class dismissed!"
The class grumbled, but shuffled eagerly off into the sunshine.
Sitting under the big beach tree watching the clouds manifest themselves and thinking dimly on the Charms question he was supposed to be coming upwith an answer for, Harry found he could easily forget he hadn't been born yet. Surrounded by friends and family Harry felt content and at home.
"Have you figured out the answer yet, Harry?" asked a voice cutting Harry's daydreams short.
"The answer?" Harry repeated dumbly then sat up and brushed himself off trying to shake cobwebs from his drifted mind. "I mean…" Harry amended; "I need…"
"How about starting off with your book in front of you?" Sirius piped up.
Harry shot him a nasty glance; "Er, right. James, could you get it for me?"
"No, why don't you go get it yourself?" James replied stubbornly; "You have a pair of working legs."
"So do you." Harry countered.
"Well, it is your book." James pointed out.
"Okay, fine, let's do Rock, Paper, Scissors for it-best of three." Harry proposed.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors!"
"Rock, Paper, Scissors!"
"Rock, Paper, Scissors!"
"Aw," James whined.
"You should have known better, James." Sirius smirked; "Harry's good at that game."
Harry grinned; "My Charms book, Sir James?"
James got to his feet still complaining, but slouched away.
"And make it snappy!" Sirius added clapping his hands jovially; "Hey, Harry, what's your trick?"
"Luck,"
Unfortunately Harry's luck was running out.
Half an hour James returned a positive thundercloud in their sunny afternoon.
"James, I thought I said snappy!" Sirius called out in greeting.
"Yeah," Peter echoed.
James ignored them though heading straight for where Harry was laughing carelessly with Remus.
He thrust a scrap of paper at Harry bellowing; "What's this?"
Harry sobered; "What? James…" He didn't want this to be the end of his happy times.
"You've been keeping secrets from us? Where is this…this No Name?" James continued in a mad rant, but Harry was catching on now.
"Now, wait a second!" Harry cried defensively; "I asked you to get my Charms text not rifle through my personal belongings!"
"Oh, yeah," James sneered cruelly; "So you could continue hiding important evidence and proof?"
Harry frowned; "He saved my life!"
"So what!" James roared breathing hard before turning away.
Many heads had turned their way and people were whispering, but everyone was lost as to what was happening.
James added in a hushed, yet still angry tone; "My dad has been working on that case for over a year! He's been working hard trying to find proof and figure out what happened, and you…you!" James shook his head at his voice rose again.
Harry was frozen in spot.
"My mum sees you as her son, my dad's overly fond of you, and even I thought of you as a bit of a brother…do you feel you have no responsibility to my family?" James added sound bitter and disappointed.
"Look, it's not like that." Harry insisted; "He saved my life! I have to honor that!"
"What about honoring your family!"
The words struck Harry hard, but he shook his head albeit sadly; "I'm sorry, but I'm not turning this over to authorities…he's my friend."