Deadly Secrets
Chapter Six
The Train to Hogwarts
(Disturbing News)
James and Jayson looked at the train once again.
Jayson had light brown hair like Penelopy's, and not the usually red found in the Weasley family. He was also tall, about the same height of James. He had green eyes, but not as bright as James or Harry's. He used to wear glasses, which made him look nerdy like his dad, but now, he wore contacts. He was pretty good looking.
"Woohoo, Hogwarts," Jayson moaned. "I wish I was home schooled rather than dealing with Snape."
"Who's Snape?" a familiar voice said behind them. James and Jayson spun around. Jjin, James thought.
"Oh, you," James said rudely. A man appeared behind her. He glared at James, and James shuddered.
"Me," Jjin said. Jayson looked at her oddly.
"Did you know your hair is purple?" he asked rudely. James recognized this as Jayson's way of teasing.
"And that's bad?" she asked.
"Jjin, you should put your things on the train," the man said. James thought that he was Jjin's father. He was very tall, maybe over six feet. He had cold black eyes that were looking at his daughter with no expression of love or caring. He had brown hair like Jjin's. Jjin kissed his cheek and he smiled down at her. James already knew that he didn't like him, the rudeness and coldness must be a family thing. Well, Jjin isn't cold, sort of cute, but rude. James and Jayson watched Jjin take her things to the back compartment, their compartment.
"You, stay away from my daughter," Jjin's father said.
"Or what?" Jayson blurted out rudely. The man gave him a nasty cold look. Then, his gaze was back on James. "You watch your back Potter." The man then disappeared. James and Jayson looked at each other.
"You shouldn't have said anything," James said to him. Jayson shrugged and they walked to the back compartment.
Jjin was sitting there, reading a book. She's as bad as my mum is, James thought.
"This is our compartment," Jayson said.
"Oh, where's it written," she said coolly, not even looking up from her book, which had a Latin title. "There is still room. Why can't we be friends, James?"
"Hey, why am I being ignored!" Jayson shouted. "What's up with your family and ignoring me?"
"I'm sorry, um, what's your name?" she asked sweetly. For the first time, she looked up from her book at Jayson. He looked back at her.
"I'm Jayson Weasley," he said. "Jjin right?"
"Yes," she replied, "Strange, my father told me the Weasley family had red hair."
"Well, I'm special," Jayson said. "Why did your dad name you after an alcohol?" She looked at him coldly.
"For the last time, I don't know! Every time I introduce myself to someone, that question always seems to pop up! Sorry, it gets annoying after a while, you know."
"No, I don't," James said coldly to her. Jjin looked at him and smiled.
"Are you going to sit down? The other compartments are all full."
"Might as well, James," Jayson shrugged. James reluctantly sat down, but as far away from Jjin as possible. He didn't want to be her friend. He couldn't; otherwise, he would feel bad for crushing her like a bug in their Quidditch match.
The train then started to move toward school. Another year of torture was the next stop.
Suddenly, the door burst open and a blonde girl came in. They all looked up.
"Jjin! You are going to Hogwarts too?"
Malfoy, James thought. She was in his year, and, to her father's disliking, she was in Ravenclaw rather than Slytherin. Also, she was one of the sweetest girls anyone could meet, unlike her parents. Harry and James both found that funny. She had light, light blonde hair like her father and mother and she had light blue eyes. She was usually smiling broadly. The one thing that James would change was her crush on him that she had had ever since first year. Her name was Soelia (Soul-ee-a) Malfoy.
"Yeah," Jjin replied. "Good to see you again, Soelia."
"So, how do you know Jayson and James?" Soelia asked.
"Oh, I just met Jayson today, but I met James in Diagon Alley." James looked at her coldly. Why couldn't he stand her, he didn't even know, but something about her bugged him. He felt like he couldn't trust her.
"Hello, Soelia," Jayson said, smiling at her, "How's your father?"
"Oh, the same as usual. He wants me to change houses…again and wants me to hate you all too. Dad says that he still hates your father and you."
"Thanks for that information," James said. "But it's always the same. Why can't Mr. Malfoy just except that you are different."
"He can't," Soelia said, shrugging. Soelia sat down next to Jjin. They started talking about school, and Soelia explained the houses and the teachers.
"…listen, Jjin, watch out for Snape. He's the potions master and he is mean. He is nicer to me than most students because he liked my father." Soelia explained, "Anyway, he favors Slytherin because he's the head of that house. He hates James," she added, looking at James.
James and Jayson were talking about Quidditch. Jayson was a Beater like Fred and George, which also bothered Percy. Jayson was on James's summer team too.
"…this year, I've heard the team that will probably the hardest to beat is Ravenclaw because they have a really good, new Seeker." Jayson started. James looked at Jjin.
"Where did you here that?" James asked, looking back at him.
"Oh, well, I have my sources," Jayson said, looking at him curiously, "Why do you ask?"
"Jjin plays Seeker," James said quietly. "Hey Jjin, what house are you in?" Jjin looked at him and smiled.
"You are talking to me now?" she asked, then smiled, "Ravenclaw. I was sorted by Professor Black yesterday. He brought the hat to me. He spoke highly of you. Why?"
"He's my dad's godfather," James answered.
"Oh, well, he's a very nice man. And he teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I've heard that he's the longest lasting DA teacher Hogwarts has ever had," Soelia added. "Snape hates that." Soelia giggled.
After that, the girls and the boys kept to themselves on the train ride. James thought that it lasted too long, definitely longer than usual. Night set in as the train approached the school.
Once again, the castle loomed before him. Great, James was stuck there for another year. James, Jayson, Jjin and Soelia got off the train together and into one of the horseless carriages. To James disliking, he sat across from Jjin, who was trying to talk to him the whole way. There was just something he couldn't stand about her. Anyway, they finally made it to the castle, which was a good thing because they were all starving.
The Great Hall was lit up by hundreds of floating candles. The enchanted ceiling was a dark blue like the night sky. The tables were set with the golden plates. It sort of felt good to be back, even though it was school.
His mum sat at the staff table next to Sirius, who were both waving to him and Jayson. James looked down at the ground. Every year it was the same. It was like it was their goal to make him the least popular student at Hogwarts. The first year when he had a question in Transfiguration, his mum called on him saying, "Yes honey?" Everyone just stared at him. Well, she never did that again. It was interesting having your mother as a teacher, mostly embarrassing. Sirius wasn't as bad. He treated him a little better than the other students, but he never called him "honey" or embarrassed him. He called him James, not Potter though.
Snape sat at the other end of the table. He hated his mum and Sirius, and now, he also had James to take his anger out on. That's why James hated Potions class. He still had greasy hair that came to his shoulders, and he still had cold menacing eyes. Next to him, sat the Herbology teacher, Smith. She was a nice old lady who James pictured had a garden with all sorts of plants. Any muggles who saw it must be shocked at the Venomous Tentactles and others.
In the center, sat the Headmaster. He was a younger Headmaster, just a little older than Harry. His name was Oliver Wood. James liked him because he played Quidditch. He was smiling at them all.
As soon as everyone was seated, the doors opened once again. The Charms teacher, Artemus Figgle, a middle aged man who was very kind, led in the First years.
The sorting was long and boring. James clapped for the new Gryffindors and the rest of the time sat there, bored out of his mind.
After the sorting, Wood gave the speech welcoming the First years to Hogwarts, warning about the Forbidden Forest and starting the banquet.
Finally, food, James thought happily as his plate filled with pork roast and potatoes.
Jayson looked up at James, "This is great," he mumbled happily as he jammed more food into his mouth.
James nodded as he dished up on potatoes.
The feast soon ended and all of the people were sleepy. James yawned as they walked up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. It was the same as it had always been, Hogwarts never was exciting. If only I had my dad's cool life, James thought as the approached the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Everyone, the new password is Draco Dormines," the prefect, Chelsea said to the First years. The Gryffindors all tumbled into to the fire-lit common room.
Jayson and James headed to the boy's dormitories sleepily. They slipped into their pajamas and then got into bed. They slowly nodded off to sleep.
"James, James, wake up, James," someone whispered above him as they shook him gently. James groaned and looked up. It was his mum.
"It's late," he muttered as he looked at the clock. It said 1:00 AM. "Mum, what is it?"
"I need to talk to you, now!" she said panicking. James sat up and looked at her.
"Okay, I'm coming," he yawned, stretching as he got up. He followed his mum into the common room. They sat down next to each other. His mum was pale and looked very scared and nervous.
"James, I just heard that your dad has been attacked," she said. Now he was awake.
"What? Attacked? When?" he said, shocked.
"An hour ago," she explained, "I knew we should have told you. Harry said no, but I think that you should know about…"
"Voldemort, he's alive. I heard that night," James said. Great, I'm in trouble, he thought miserably to himself.
"You knew this whole summer?" his mum asked.
"Er…yeah," James said quietly.
"I'm glad, I thought you should have known all along." James sighed with relief. She wasn't mad at him. She stood up and he did too. His mum then hugged him tightly. "Harry is in the hospital. Ron found him and told us to stay here. Everything will be fine, so don't worry about it," she said stroking his hair. "Now, go back to sleep." His mum let him go and walked out of the common room. She was shaking a little which was not pleasant to watch. Like James would be able to fall asleep that night.
That morning, everybody stared at James when he walked into the common room. James felt awkward when they were. He sat down next to Jayson, who was also looking at him.
A first year came up to him and she asked, "Is your dad gonna be okay?"
How did they know? Surely the paper hadn't come yet to them, and if it did, he didn't know if the story would even be in there.
"Er…" James said, puzzled. The whole common room was silent and everybody was waiting to hear his reply. What was he going to say?
"Is You Know Who really alive?" someone asked. James was shocked. Where the hell did they hear that? No one knew except the Potters.
Suddenly, to his relief, his mum came in. That broke everyone's looks at him for a second.
"James, we need to talk," she said, grabbing his hand and half dragging him up to the empty boy's dorm.
"Mum, they all know! How do they know?" James asked. "Did you tell them?"
"I think one of the students overheard our conversation last night. Anyway, Ron just called and said there was a note. It said that…should I tell you this?"
"Yes, go on," James said, eager to know.
"It said…that you…well…are next," she stuttered. James went a little pale. Him? Why? He was surprised that his dad wasn't dead yet. But, why waste time by taking him?
"Oh, right," he said faintly. His mum hugged him tightly again. She kissed his forehead even though it bugged him when she did.
"Be careful, honey," she said.
"Don't call me that," James replied. She let him go and they both walked out to the common room. They saw a lot of kids sitting by the door.
His mum left the common room quickly as Jayson came up to James.
"I HEARD!" a First year boy screamed to the whole common room. "YOU'RE A TARGET FOR YOU KNOW WHO!" Everyone looked at him again. Some girls came up to him and were acting worried. A quiet murmur started up in Gryffindor common room.
Great, now everyone knew.
Chapter Six
The Train to Hogwarts
(Disturbing News)
James and Jayson looked at the train once again.
Jayson had light brown hair like Penelopy's, and not the usually red found in the Weasley family. He was also tall, about the same height of James. He had green eyes, but not as bright as James or Harry's. He used to wear glasses, which made him look nerdy like his dad, but now, he wore contacts. He was pretty good looking.
"Woohoo, Hogwarts," Jayson moaned. "I wish I was home schooled rather than dealing with Snape."
"Who's Snape?" a familiar voice said behind them. James and Jayson spun around. Jjin, James thought.
"Oh, you," James said rudely. A man appeared behind her. He glared at James, and James shuddered.
"Me," Jjin said. Jayson looked at her oddly.
"Did you know your hair is purple?" he asked rudely. James recognized this as Jayson's way of teasing.
"And that's bad?" she asked.
"Jjin, you should put your things on the train," the man said. James thought that he was Jjin's father. He was very tall, maybe over six feet. He had cold black eyes that were looking at his daughter with no expression of love or caring. He had brown hair like Jjin's. Jjin kissed his cheek and he smiled down at her. James already knew that he didn't like him, the rudeness and coldness must be a family thing. Well, Jjin isn't cold, sort of cute, but rude. James and Jayson watched Jjin take her things to the back compartment, their compartment.
"You, stay away from my daughter," Jjin's father said.
"Or what?" Jayson blurted out rudely. The man gave him a nasty cold look. Then, his gaze was back on James. "You watch your back Potter." The man then disappeared. James and Jayson looked at each other.
"You shouldn't have said anything," James said to him. Jayson shrugged and they walked to the back compartment.
Jjin was sitting there, reading a book. She's as bad as my mum is, James thought.
"This is our compartment," Jayson said.
"Oh, where's it written," she said coolly, not even looking up from her book, which had a Latin title. "There is still room. Why can't we be friends, James?"
"Hey, why am I being ignored!" Jayson shouted. "What's up with your family and ignoring me?"
"I'm sorry, um, what's your name?" she asked sweetly. For the first time, she looked up from her book at Jayson. He looked back at her.
"I'm Jayson Weasley," he said. "Jjin right?"
"Yes," she replied, "Strange, my father told me the Weasley family had red hair."
"Well, I'm special," Jayson said. "Why did your dad name you after an alcohol?" She looked at him coldly.
"For the last time, I don't know! Every time I introduce myself to someone, that question always seems to pop up! Sorry, it gets annoying after a while, you know."
"No, I don't," James said coldly to her. Jjin looked at him and smiled.
"Are you going to sit down? The other compartments are all full."
"Might as well, James," Jayson shrugged. James reluctantly sat down, but as far away from Jjin as possible. He didn't want to be her friend. He couldn't; otherwise, he would feel bad for crushing her like a bug in their Quidditch match.
The train then started to move toward school. Another year of torture was the next stop.
Suddenly, the door burst open and a blonde girl came in. They all looked up.
"Jjin! You are going to Hogwarts too?"
Malfoy, James thought. She was in his year, and, to her father's disliking, she was in Ravenclaw rather than Slytherin. Also, she was one of the sweetest girls anyone could meet, unlike her parents. Harry and James both found that funny. She had light, light blonde hair like her father and mother and she had light blue eyes. She was usually smiling broadly. The one thing that James would change was her crush on him that she had had ever since first year. Her name was Soelia (Soul-ee-a) Malfoy.
"Yeah," Jjin replied. "Good to see you again, Soelia."
"So, how do you know Jayson and James?" Soelia asked.
"Oh, I just met Jayson today, but I met James in Diagon Alley." James looked at her coldly. Why couldn't he stand her, he didn't even know, but something about her bugged him. He felt like he couldn't trust her.
"Hello, Soelia," Jayson said, smiling at her, "How's your father?"
"Oh, the same as usual. He wants me to change houses…again and wants me to hate you all too. Dad says that he still hates your father and you."
"Thanks for that information," James said. "But it's always the same. Why can't Mr. Malfoy just except that you are different."
"He can't," Soelia said, shrugging. Soelia sat down next to Jjin. They started talking about school, and Soelia explained the houses and the teachers.
"…listen, Jjin, watch out for Snape. He's the potions master and he is mean. He is nicer to me than most students because he liked my father." Soelia explained, "Anyway, he favors Slytherin because he's the head of that house. He hates James," she added, looking at James.
James and Jayson were talking about Quidditch. Jayson was a Beater like Fred and George, which also bothered Percy. Jayson was on James's summer team too.
"…this year, I've heard the team that will probably the hardest to beat is Ravenclaw because they have a really good, new Seeker." Jayson started. James looked at Jjin.
"Where did you here that?" James asked, looking back at him.
"Oh, well, I have my sources," Jayson said, looking at him curiously, "Why do you ask?"
"Jjin plays Seeker," James said quietly. "Hey Jjin, what house are you in?" Jjin looked at him and smiled.
"You are talking to me now?" she asked, then smiled, "Ravenclaw. I was sorted by Professor Black yesterday. He brought the hat to me. He spoke highly of you. Why?"
"He's my dad's godfather," James answered.
"Oh, well, he's a very nice man. And he teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I've heard that he's the longest lasting DA teacher Hogwarts has ever had," Soelia added. "Snape hates that." Soelia giggled.
After that, the girls and the boys kept to themselves on the train ride. James thought that it lasted too long, definitely longer than usual. Night set in as the train approached the school.
Once again, the castle loomed before him. Great, James was stuck there for another year. James, Jayson, Jjin and Soelia got off the train together and into one of the horseless carriages. To James disliking, he sat across from Jjin, who was trying to talk to him the whole way. There was just something he couldn't stand about her. Anyway, they finally made it to the castle, which was a good thing because they were all starving.
The Great Hall was lit up by hundreds of floating candles. The enchanted ceiling was a dark blue like the night sky. The tables were set with the golden plates. It sort of felt good to be back, even though it was school.
His mum sat at the staff table next to Sirius, who were both waving to him and Jayson. James looked down at the ground. Every year it was the same. It was like it was their goal to make him the least popular student at Hogwarts. The first year when he had a question in Transfiguration, his mum called on him saying, "Yes honey?" Everyone just stared at him. Well, she never did that again. It was interesting having your mother as a teacher, mostly embarrassing. Sirius wasn't as bad. He treated him a little better than the other students, but he never called him "honey" or embarrassed him. He called him James, not Potter though.
Snape sat at the other end of the table. He hated his mum and Sirius, and now, he also had James to take his anger out on. That's why James hated Potions class. He still had greasy hair that came to his shoulders, and he still had cold menacing eyes. Next to him, sat the Herbology teacher, Smith. She was a nice old lady who James pictured had a garden with all sorts of plants. Any muggles who saw it must be shocked at the Venomous Tentactles and others.
In the center, sat the Headmaster. He was a younger Headmaster, just a little older than Harry. His name was Oliver Wood. James liked him because he played Quidditch. He was smiling at them all.
As soon as everyone was seated, the doors opened once again. The Charms teacher, Artemus Figgle, a middle aged man who was very kind, led in the First years.
The sorting was long and boring. James clapped for the new Gryffindors and the rest of the time sat there, bored out of his mind.
After the sorting, Wood gave the speech welcoming the First years to Hogwarts, warning about the Forbidden Forest and starting the banquet.
Finally, food, James thought happily as his plate filled with pork roast and potatoes.
Jayson looked up at James, "This is great," he mumbled happily as he jammed more food into his mouth.
James nodded as he dished up on potatoes.
The feast soon ended and all of the people were sleepy. James yawned as they walked up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. It was the same as it had always been, Hogwarts never was exciting. If only I had my dad's cool life, James thought as the approached the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Everyone, the new password is Draco Dormines," the prefect, Chelsea said to the First years. The Gryffindors all tumbled into to the fire-lit common room.
Jayson and James headed to the boy's dormitories sleepily. They slipped into their pajamas and then got into bed. They slowly nodded off to sleep.
"James, James, wake up, James," someone whispered above him as they shook him gently. James groaned and looked up. It was his mum.
"It's late," he muttered as he looked at the clock. It said 1:00 AM. "Mum, what is it?"
"I need to talk to you, now!" she said panicking. James sat up and looked at her.
"Okay, I'm coming," he yawned, stretching as he got up. He followed his mum into the common room. They sat down next to each other. His mum was pale and looked very scared and nervous.
"James, I just heard that your dad has been attacked," she said. Now he was awake.
"What? Attacked? When?" he said, shocked.
"An hour ago," she explained, "I knew we should have told you. Harry said no, but I think that you should know about…"
"Voldemort, he's alive. I heard that night," James said. Great, I'm in trouble, he thought miserably to himself.
"You knew this whole summer?" his mum asked.
"Er…yeah," James said quietly.
"I'm glad, I thought you should have known all along." James sighed with relief. She wasn't mad at him. She stood up and he did too. His mum then hugged him tightly. "Harry is in the hospital. Ron found him and told us to stay here. Everything will be fine, so don't worry about it," she said stroking his hair. "Now, go back to sleep." His mum let him go and walked out of the common room. She was shaking a little which was not pleasant to watch. Like James would be able to fall asleep that night.
That morning, everybody stared at James when he walked into the common room. James felt awkward when they were. He sat down next to Jayson, who was also looking at him.
A first year came up to him and she asked, "Is your dad gonna be okay?"
How did they know? Surely the paper hadn't come yet to them, and if it did, he didn't know if the story would even be in there.
"Er…" James said, puzzled. The whole common room was silent and everybody was waiting to hear his reply. What was he going to say?
"Is You Know Who really alive?" someone asked. James was shocked. Where the hell did they hear that? No one knew except the Potters.
Suddenly, to his relief, his mum came in. That broke everyone's looks at him for a second.
"James, we need to talk," she said, grabbing his hand and half dragging him up to the empty boy's dorm.
"Mum, they all know! How do they know?" James asked. "Did you tell them?"
"I think one of the students overheard our conversation last night. Anyway, Ron just called and said there was a note. It said that…should I tell you this?"
"Yes, go on," James said, eager to know.
"It said…that you…well…are next," she stuttered. James went a little pale. Him? Why? He was surprised that his dad wasn't dead yet. But, why waste time by taking him?
"Oh, right," he said faintly. His mum hugged him tightly again. She kissed his forehead even though it bugged him when she did.
"Be careful, honey," she said.
"Don't call me that," James replied. She let him go and they both walked out to the common room. They saw a lot of kids sitting by the door.
His mum left the common room quickly as Jayson came up to James.
"I HEARD!" a First year boy screamed to the whole common room. "YOU'RE A TARGET FOR YOU KNOW WHO!" Everyone looked at him again. Some girls came up to him and were acting worried. A quiet murmur started up in Gryffindor common room.
Great, now everyone knew.