Chapter 8 – Detention with Potter!

Two months passed by and I was starting to get used to life at Hogwarts. I was doing well in my classes, showing everyone that American witches were just as bright as British ones. I was starting to see what James had told me about all Slytherins being evil, but I still couldn't help but feel sorry for one Scorpius Malfoy. When he wasn't surrounded by his friends, or when I found him alone in the library studying, he seemed like a good kid who had troubles. Then, he would turn into a prat and insult James or Sam, and I wouldn't feel as sorry for him anymore.

I had started becoming closer with my dorm mates. Samantha was a lovely girl who was chatty once you got to know her. She had finally opened up to me and told me who she was crushing on. We all vowed to help her to get him to notice her. Kate and I spoke about all the different books we had read and compared notes. That was about the only thing we had in common, but she was friendly all the same. Rebecca had become my confidante. She was probably the closest I had to a 'girl friend' and we quickly became inseparable. The professors were all nice to me, and so were the other students. Sierra had started speaking to me again at meal times and whenever she saw me in the corridors, which was great, because I knew it wouldn't be awkward when we got back home for the holidays. Sam had forgotten about what happened on the train and put it behind him. He was now one of my best friends. And then there was James. None of us had still gotten over the whole "soul-mate" thing, but we were coping well. People had started calling Sam, James and I "The New Golden Trio." I liked being part of the special group.

The only thing that bothered my mind was the letter I had gotten from Mom the first day of term.

Rose,

I need you to understand that what Ron said yesterday was all completely true. Yes, you and James are soul-mates, but that doesn't mean you have to be together. Don't wait for him; go out with other boys. I want you to be happy Rosie.

I know how hard this past year has been for you, but now you can relax. You are away from all of that and you have started a new life at Hogwarts. I tried to push you and James together when you were younger, and again when we moved back over here. I regret that now. You need to find true love yourself.

Please forgive me? Ron is very caught up in what he said. He has written a letter to Jason to apologise. Maybe you can forgive him too? I hope you can.

Hugo says hi and he is already missing you. I love you darling, and I hope you do the right thing.

Love, Mom x

I read that letter every night before going to sleep. I didn't tell James about it or the soul mate thing. I tried to forget about being his soul mate and took my mother's advice and flirted with other boys. I'm not sure what it is about these British wizards, but they are all very charming. I used the old tactic of helping them with homework during the late evenings in the common room or the library, all under the protective eyes of James of course. The only chance I had at alone time with any of these boys, not that anything ever happened, was when James was at Quidditch practice. I decided not to try out for the team this year, and to just enjoy my first Hogwarts Quidditch Tournament.

As the mild autumn months turned into the crisp winter, more announcements about the Forget-Me-Not Ball were put up once every two weeks: "REMINDER: The Hogwarts Express will be leaving at midnight the night of the Ball for those returning home for Christmas;" "SALE SALE SALE! Madam Malkin's Hogsmeade branch has 30% off all dress robes for Hogwarts students and faculty!" We also had dancing lessons in the Great Hall every Wednesday evening. We had four lessons already, but no one was getting near perfect enough for the opening dance that a select number of students had to partake in. I had been partnered up with Sam, a Hufflepuff boy named Evan, Matthew Corner in Ravenclaw and, unfortunately, Scorpius from Slytherin. He was as insufferable as ever when dancing, trying to flirt with all of the girls and succeeding in his charming ways. Still, I could sense that he was a sensitive guy underneath it all; he just needed the right person to bring it out of him. But, of course, he had a date to the Ball, unlike me. I had been asked by five guys already, but I didn't feel a connection with them. Rebecca was going with Fred Weasley, Samantha was still waiting on the right person to ask her, Sam was too afraid to ask anyone and even Kate had a date with a Ravenclaw! James had none and said he 'would only go with the hottest girl that asked him'! I didn't believe this for a second. He had his nervous laugh every time the Ball was brought up. I wanted to know the real reason he just didn't ask someone. I found my answer one day in Defence.

"Because that just seems like I'm desperate for a date! Now stop going on about it before you get us into trouble!"

We had been practicing non-verbal spells on each other, but Professor Potter didn't like it when we spoke during class, even practical classes such as this one. I was annoyed with how James was treating the situation. If he wanted to go with a certain girl then he should just ask her. That was the next thing I said to him.

"I said drop it Rosie!" Harry was on his way over to us to see how we were getting on.

"Well guys, how is everything?" He was smiling at us hoping that things were perfect. James went first and he nearly got it (my wand jerked and he told us that he was trying to disarm me). Harry was very pleased with his son and was hoping for the same thing from me. I ended up saying the spell quietly under my breath, but Harry caught me. "And for homework Miss Davis," he was walking to the top of the class now, "practice!"

"I told you to shut up during class!" James said to me during dinner.

"In your own words James," I stared at him, "drop it!"

Sam, Rebecca and Samantha roared with laughter. James avoided my gaze for the rest of the evening as we did our homework in the common room. It was midnight by the time I remembered that I had to practice non-verbal spells for Defence, but I was too tired to even try. I saw that James and I were the only ones left in the common room; everyone else was gone to bed.

"Well James, that's me done. I'm off to bed now. Goodnight," I said quickly as I gathered up my things and walked towards the girls' staircase.

"You didn't do your Defence homework," was all he said. He looked up at me with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"Well James, they're called non-verbal spells. So obviously, you didn't hear me practice them, but I did! So, drop it and say goodnight," I smiled at him. He laughed. Things were back to normal!

"OK Rose, let's see how you got on last night with your homework," Harry said to me the next day in class. I was so nervous because, of course, I didn't practice. James knew this and started smirking, waiting for me to mess up.

"Sure thing Professor," I said, trying to sound confident. I raised my wand, pointed it at James and thought "Expelliarmus" in my head. Nothing happened at first so I whispered the incantation out of the corner of my mouth, but once again I was caught.

"Detention Miss Davis. 8 o'clock tonight. My office," he said as he walked to the top of the room. I was going to be in so much trouble when Mom found out.

"I don't think I've ever witnessed Dad giving a detention to anyone in the four years I've been here!"

We were walking to the Great Hall for lunch after class and James had not shut up about me getting detention from the famous Harry Potter.

"I mean, I did tell you to do your homework last night. You only have yourself to blame," he said when we were sat in our seats at the Gryffindor table.

"Yes James," I sighed, "I promise to listen to you from now on."

"That's all I ask," he replied with a smirk, digging into his cottage pie. He knew he was annoying, but he also knew I wouldn't stay mad at him for too long.

At ten to eight that night, I left James and Sam in the common room and headed towards Harry's office on the fifth floor where I would serve my time for "not listening to James!" I got there five minutes early, hoping that my punctuality would soften the Professor up a bit. I knocked on the door and stepped inside silently.

"Evening Miss Davis. Please take a seat," he motioned for me to take the seat across from him. I sat down nervously. "This isn't a punishment Rose; it's a chance for us to talk. I'm sorry I had to embarrass you in class like that. Tell me, how are you getting on at Hogwarts?"

I breathed a sigh of relief before answering him.

"Well, I'm having a great time really. It's starting to feel like a home away from home to be honest." A hint of a smile crept on to Harry's face. There was something I had wanted to ask him since the first day back, but I hadn't had the opportunity. "There is something that has been bothering me since the Sorting, though. The hat said that I was the most difficult person to sort since, well, you. What does that mean?"

"I suppose it's time I told someone. During my Sorting, there was a few seconds when the hat considered putting me into Slytherin. It was very close to it too, saying I would do well there. In the end, I asked to be in Gryffindor, and it took my choice into consideration and put me in Gryffindor. I was one difficult student alright!" He laughed as if he was remembering an old friend. "Is there anything else bothering you Rose?"

"Yes actually, I got a letter from my Mom the day after the Sorting. It was about the train station and Ron. She told me that everything about me and James is true. Can you confirm that?" He ruffled his hair like James did when he was nervous.

"Yeah, I suppose I can. When your mum and I were fifteen, we heard our Divination teacher, Professor Trelawney, make a real prophecy. "The daughter of brains and the son of courage will unite on the fifteenth year." We didn't realise at the time it meant my son and her daughter because we were busy with our own lives in fifth year. But after Voldemort was defeated and everything was normal, Hermione cornered me and made me recite the prophecy I knew I'd never forget. It's not every day you hear a true prophecy. She told me how she had been researching soul mates, as only your mother would, and had come to the conclusion that the prophecy was about me and her. When James was born, Hermione was pregnant. Two months after James, you came along and Hermione and I were forcing you together to prove the prophecy right, or wrong. Your dad wasn't happy with our childish behaviour and brought you and Hermione back to his family in America and away from here. We never found out if the prophecy was true or not because you weren't here. When Hermione brought you back, it was our chance. Seeing you and James together over the past few months has been amazing. I really believe that the prophecy is true and will prove us all right, or wrong, on your fifteenth birthday." I took in everything he said. So it was true but James would only realise it on my fifteenth birthday.

"Are you going to tell James any of this?"

"No. I think I'll let him figure it out for himself. I hope you won't say anything to him either? Well, Rose, I think it's time you went back to the Tower, unless there's anything else you want to ask me?" I thought for a moment.

"No, I think I'm ok. Thanks Harry. Goodnight."

"Night Rose."

James and Sam were still up when I got back to the Common Room, waiting to hear what punishment I had received.

"He just had me write lines about how I promised to always do my homework. My hand hurts from all the writing." I shook my wrist to emphasise this lie. Sam seemed to take the bait, but I could see James didn't really believe me. "I'm going to head up to bed, long day tomorrow! Night boys!" I ran up the stairs before they could question me anymore.

It took me forever to get to sleep that night. I thought about my Mom's letter; I thought about Harry's story; I thought about James. My birthday was New Year's Eve, just over a month away. It was going to be a long winter.