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Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 484

Duels Are Dumb

To say it had been a rough day would be an understatement. James rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. Tomorrow would likely be worse, since the letter from his parents would undoubtedly arrive, full of censure and disappointment.

James hated disappointing his dad; he'd much rather deal with rage because it dissipated faster.

His mum on the other hand… she would give him the rage he dreaded but knew he deserved. It was going to be awful.

"Can we agree that duels are dumb and immature?"

James blinked and looked around to see the Headmistress walking towards him. He stood quickly.

"Professor McGonagall," he murmured, respectfully.

She smiled at him and gestured for him to sit back down on the bench in the bleachers of the Quidditch Pitch.

"Are you not cold, Mr Potter?"

James shook his head. "Not really but… I love the cold. It reminds me of Christmas… my Dad loves Christmas."

Professor McGonagall's smile widened slightly and she nodded. "I remember. He spent many of his Christmasses in the castle when he was a student here, and he always seemed mesmerised by it. Particularly his first year."

James listened, rapt as he always was when the professors mentioned his parent's time in school. He loved to hear normal things about his dad especially; so many people were too happy to talk about Harry Potter, but James liked to head about just Harry.

"So, can we?" she asked, and he frowned slightly before he remembered her words as she approached him.

Nodding sheepishly, he replied, "Yes, Professor."

She nodded. "In your father's first year here, he had a midnight duel with another student. I believe he regretted it much the same as you do now, although the way I hear it, you weren't quite stupid enough to prearrange it?"

"No, Professor. I just… lost my temper."

"Of course. It does happen, James, although I hope next time, you will handle it better, yes?"

Swallowing hard, James nodded again.

She laid a red-gloved hand on his shoulder. "Come. It may be warm inside the castle, but I happen to have biscuits in my office. And there is someone there who'd like to see you."

Confused, James followed the headmistress into the castle and through the halls to her office. Once up the spiral staircase, his eyes widened when he saw his father, chatting happily with Professor Dumbledores' portrait.

"I hope you're not spreading gossip again, Albus," Professor McGonagall intoned, though even James could hear the humor in her voice.

He focused on his dad, who looked at him for a long moment before he opened his arms. "Come here, Son."

It wasn't until he was wrapped in a hug that James realised this was what he'd been needed. A hug from his dad and to be told that everything would be okay.

"It'll be okay, Son. We all make silly mistakes."

Written for:

Disney - C7. Someone who loves the cold.

Showtime - 39. James Sirius Potter

Attic - 15. "Can we agree that duels are dumb and immature?"

Pop Figures - Peggy Carter - 1. Red. / 2. Minerva McGonagall

North Funfair - Photo Booth - Beauty and the Beast Theme - 4. Castle Background - Hogwarts.

East Funfair - Gnome Throwing - Minerva McGonagall

South Funfair - Pygmy Puff - Colette - Rage

365. 243. Rough