Author's Note: School started today and this fic seemed to be ignored for a bit. I've drowned in school work since the classes aren't that easy, but I should find time to keep writing this. I hope y'all keep reading it ^_^. James will be having yet another nightmare, but nothing like the first ^.~ So don't worry. Standard Disclaimers apply, I don't own them...Shoot.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ = Time/Scene Change
~*~********************************~*~
James awoke with a small pain in his arm. He hadn't shifted at all, so his body hurt. It was around five, and James thought it was much later than it actually was. He groaned lightly, shifting around in his own bed. As he sat up, he rubbed his eyes, looking toward his feet. Remus wasn't with him, and now he had been placed in his own bed. That dream, or rather, nightmare, that he had last night rushed back into his mind, causing him to groan out in fear. He reached beside him and put on his glasses, peering around the Dormitory. His first place to look was Sirius' bed, hoping that yesterday was just a dream. It wasn't.
With a saddened sigh, his eyes shifted toward Remus' bed, and surely enough, there lied the young boy, nuzzling into his pillow. Catching sight of Peter next, James noticed a pattern: everyone was asleep. What time was it? James rubbed his eyes once more, eyes turning toward the window. There wasn't any light outside, so it must've been early. He should go back to sleep...
Dropping his form gently down to his bed, he removed his glasses and set them on the nightstand beside him, snuggling back up underneath the covers. He wondered what the day was going to be like, until finally drifting back off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Only a couple hours later did James reawaken, groggy and tired. He heard hustle and bustle around him, the other 6th year boys getting ready for their classes. Once James sat up, two bodies walked in his direction, and when James put on his glasses, he identified them as two of the boys he didn't talk to too often.
The first boy, rather tall and dark skinned, with a deep voice, spoke. "James? Remus told me to tell you that he wanted you to meet him downstairs when you woke up."
The second boy nodded, running a hand through his short, semi-curly black hair. "Yeah, Peter's down there too." The both of them paused for a moment as they let James wake up fully, and take down the information. Not before long, the darker boy leaned in and sat on James' bed.
"So what happened with Sirius? Where is he?" he questioned, leaning in.
James grumbled lightly, wrinkling his nose as he stretched. His eyes caught the other boy's, but he shook his head a little. "Nothing important. He just got in trouble and he's gone for a while."
"Well, erm...Okay then...Mind if I ask you another question?"
James didn't much reply, simply because he was still partly asleep.
"What happened with you and Lily? You're not like...joined at the hip anymore. Did you break up?"
"Honestly?" James asked, slightly curious to see what would happen if he told the boys about him and Sirius. He quickly decided against it. "Technically yes...We were having some problems, and we couldn't much solve them."
"Sorry to hear that," the second boy stated softly, eyes shifting around uncomfortably. "Well, you should start getting ready, breakfast is in about a half hour. We've gotta finish getting ready too. See you at breakfast." With that he tugged on the other boy's arm, looking up to him.
The darker haired boy leaned down, pulling his arm away slowly. "Alright, alright, hang on Alex." He turned to look at James, and he stood up, towering over his company rather much. "We'll see you at breakfast, James."
"See you then, Danny, Alex." As James watched Alex pull Danny away, he laughed softly to himself. Poor Danny had the shorter one hanging on him quite a bit, but he didn't seem to mind.
James slid out of the bathroom a couple minutes later, dressed in his robes, his messy hair slightly normal, and his glasses on. He wasn't too tired anymore, and now that he was more awake, he ventured down the stairs to the Common Room. As his walked down them, he noticed Remus and Peter sitting on a nearby couch, Remus' face buried in a book, and Peter was jotting down some words onto paper. James walked across the floor to them, clearing his throat as he arrived. They both stopped what they were doing, their eyes landing on James. Remus was first to speak.
"Did you sleep well, James?"
James moved toward the couch, bumping his way between Remus and Peter, plopping down right in the middle.
"I did after I woke up that one time, but thanks for..." He leaned in to whisper in Remus' ear, "...staying with me."
"Not at all, James. After all, what're friends for?" Remus smiled, nudging James in the side. "It's not like I'd leave you out to dry."
James nodded. "Well, still, thanks. I didn't really dream much after that, but I'll tell you...I don't feel...all...-here-, today. Kind of like I'm half here, and then half not? You know what I mean?"
"Yes. Do you feel like going to class today? I bet you Dumbledore might pull some strings and let you miss a class or two."
"But I don't want to do that, Remus. If I miss classes, then my credit to the end of the year might not count, and I might not go on to 7th year..."
"Well, think about it," Peter said, turning his body toward Remus' and James', catching their attention. "If you don't focus, and you try to transfigure something, you could end up making it the complete opposite of what you wanted. Or...You could possibly transfigure a person! You don't want to do that."
"...You're right...But it's a chance I have to take. I need to pass the class."
Remus sniffed just slightly, his eyelids fluttering. He shuddered softly, looking away from the other two boys. "Is it...Getting a little hot in here?"
Both boys shook their heads, but Peter stood from the couch, brushing off his robes. "Ah...Anyone hungry?"
James felt a little off center, but he nodded. "Let's go, hm? Remus?"
Remus' attention turned back to the other boys, his golden eyes shimmering for just a moment before he stood. "I'm yready."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
James sat down at the long, slender table, taking his seat right between Remus and Peter, not something he was used to. It was always Sirius, him, Remus, then Peter. This was already starting to be a weird day.
"When do you think I'll get the owl from Sirius?" James whispered to Remus, fidgeting with his fork.
"It should come in a little bit, after breakfast, don't worry." His voice was smoother, more deep than usual. His irises were laced with the most faint gold, the color deepening as you closed in on the pupils.
"Don't worry, James. I'm sure you'll get it soon," Peter added, a smile on his face.
James sighed. "I hope you guys are right."
As the last of the remaining students entered the Great Hall, the tables filled up, and the food seemed as though it appeared out of no where. Basic breakfast foods were served, and the students ate, chattering among one another as the teachers did the same. Idle chatter became more present as the meal time passed, and students plates were emptied, some refilled upon request. James didn't speak much as he ate, mostly thoughts churning through his head as he gobbed down some eggs. The nightmare last night plagued him, and every time he tried to get it out of his head, he could hear Snape's disgusting laugh.
Shaking his head, James dropped his fork and trembled out a sigh, his eyes closing tightly. Most of the people around him didn't notice, but he didn't exactly want them to, the less attention drawn to him the better. Once he put another thought in his head, he finally opened his eyes to the sound of fluttering wings. Hundreds of multi-colored owls flew in from the tower windows, packages and letters, as well as the unpopular howlers, being dropped in front of students. James looked up at the wave of feathers and began to search for Sirius' Family's owl, whose distinctive black masked face was hidden among all the other owls. Just when James thought that he wasn't to receive a letter, the owl he had searched for flew past him in a gusty wind of feathers, leaving behind a note labeled "James".
Smiling like an idiot, James grabbed the note and fiddled with it, trying to rip it open. Once he calmed down and he got himself in a less hyper-ecstatic mood, he slid his index finger through the side, ripping a small slit in it. Slipping another finger into it, he retrieved the rough textured paper within, unfolding it and beginning to read it.
"Dear James:
I hope everything is going okay with you there. The express ride back was literally hell, even though Snape and I had different cars. He ended up visiting mine, though against my choice, and pestered me like mad. He wouldn't shut up about you, and he how he wanted to hurt you, he was so mad. I almost started a fight with him, but I kept myself in check so I didn't get in more trouble than I needed to. I got home around in the early morning, and I wrote you as soon as I got here. My parents are furious with me, and they have taken away everything but my basic needs. I can't use any magic to get anything, so I must do it the Muggle way. It's hell. I miss you like mad, James, you don't know how much. If only I could be there with you, holding you in my arms, caressing your soft face. I sit here at my desk, wishing you were with me, like you were last summer when your parents went away. Oops, forgive the smudge, I'm having a bit of a problem keeping my emotions inside ... What else is there to say? How are Remus and Peter? Lily? Is everything alright with you all? I hope so. I'm going to be checked on in a few minutes, so I must make this short. I love you. Please don't cry while I'm gone, James, I don't want you hurting over me not being there. I want you to be happy. Do well in Potions, and prove Professor Avalade that a Gryffindor prevails, hm? And, if I am lucky enough, I will be back to catch your Quidditch Game against Hufflepuff, but if I don't, good luck, and ride strong. I know I said it before, but I'll say it again; I love you. I hear my parents footsteps downstairs, so I'm going to have to go. I wish you well.
~Sirius"
James' eyes were welled with soft tears, but they were barely noticeable, as if they were from a yawn. Playing it as just that, James fake-yawned, the tears falling, some hitting the letter. They matched with Sirius'. He folded the note up, putting it in his robe pocket, where it would be safe. The lump he had in his throat to keep from softly crying was disappearing, his frequent swallows dissolving it. He felt eyes on him, and when he looked up, he noticed it was just Remus and Peter.
"We thought we'd wait to ask you about it until after you finished," Remus said, pursing his lips closed as he lifted his head up. He took a barely audible sniff at the air, a low, but almost silent growl forming in his throat. "Don't feel so sad, James..."
Honestly, James still wasn't used to that. Remus could read anyone like a book when it came to his monthly transformation. The nose of a werewolf must be enough to drive a person mad, simply with all the smells and the emotions...James nodded a bit, wrinkling up his nose.
"I'm...I'll write him back tonight. I'll show you the note, tonight."
"It's your personal property, I'm sure there's things in there you don't want us reading..." Peter stated.
"It's...It'll be alright. Nothing in there I can't let you two read. He asked how you were doing, so I'll write about it."
Remus paused, a hand reaching up toward his chin. He stroked the now slightly fur covered skin, nodding gently. "Well, we should get going to class, hm? Professor McGonagall doesn't like it when we're late."
"Transfiguration..." James muttered, sighing softly. "Sirius' favorite class..." His words were barely audible.
"It'll be okay, James. You can work with Peter and I today. I don't think McGonagall will care."
"Thanks, Remus."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Almost late, boys," McGonagall stated, sitting at her desk as she watched Remus, James and Peter walk in. Just as they did, the door shut behind them with a slam, causing them all to jump.
"We're on time, though," James said, about to hurry to his seat. McGonagall cleared her throat and motioned for him to come to her desk, but she waved away Peter and Remus.
"I've spoken with Headmaster Dumbledore, so you're exempted from some things. If you mess up, I'll understand."
James was a little astonished. Did she know he and Sirius were...? Nah, she couldn't.
"I know how important Mr. Black is to you, and having him gone will disrupt your focus. We're going to be working with inanimate objects and turning them into animals; do you think you can do that?" Her tone was much softer than usual, more caring.
James nodded meekly, holding his books to his chest. "I...I'll try."
"Well, at any point you feel as though you can't do it, don't be afraid to ask for help."
James nodded once more, and when McGonagall excused him, he hurried back toward his empty table. Remus and Peter sat in front of him. McGonagall began to talk about the ancient works of how to take an inanimate object and make it move, and the concentration it took to do so. Everyone had a rock on their desk, as well as a few papers, even a book. To pass the class today, each object had to be transfigured into an animal of their choice; within reason. James figured he'd try to turn the rock into a bunny. Sounded simple enough.
After McGonagall showed them how it was done, the class went at it, but James just stared at his rock, holding his wand. He focused on a rabbit's body, it's shape, it's inner self. He pointed his wand toward the rock, the medium sized stone beginning to shake. It popped out the the long ears, the head, hind legs, the front little arms, the puffy soft tail. But...The body didn't transform. Upon James' desk lied a half rock, half rabbit creature. Once he caught sight of what it looked like, he coughed out loudly.
McGonagall turned from where she was standing, looking over in James' direction. Once she saw what happened, she immediately glided over to him, a fretful sigh escaping her.
"I thought this might happen."
James looked up at McGonagall sheepishly, a little laugh coming from him. Setting his wand on the table, he looked around the room as everyone stopped what they were doing, eyes focused on him. This was quite embarrassing.
"James, you focused, right? All aspects of the animal?" She looked to the atrocity that sat upon his desk, the little creature trying to move, but failing horribly.
James nodded weakly, shooting his gaze toward the floor. "I did...Or so I thought."
"Well, that's alright." She pointed her wand at the semi-creature, turning it back into a rock within seconds. James sighed softly to himself, shaking his head.
"Do you want to do something else, Mr. Potter? Or possibly continue with this...and maybe succeed?" McGonagall looked around the classroom before her eyes landed on James once more, staring intently at him.
"I...I think I wanna continue on this. I can do it this time."
"You're quite sure about this?"
"Yes..."
"I'll work with him, Professor." It was a voice that made McGonagall's glance jot to the other side of the room, and she instinctively knew who it was.
"Alright then, Mr. Lupin, you can work with him. Mr. Pettigrew, you may also." She began to walk away from James' desk, and both Remus and Peter slid their way over to their friend.
"Thanks, you guys," James sighed, looking at the rock as if it could kill him. He couldn't even transfigure this...How was he going to transfigure himself when Remus went through his transformation? This was going to be much harder than he thought...Especially since he couldn't even focus right. The full moon was to come out tonight, thus giving him a short amount of time before he could shake the problems from his mind. The remnants of last night's dream came back to him, and he shook his head.
"James? Are you alright, there? You seemed to doze off into space..." Remus' voice broke James' thought, but none too soon.
"Oh...Y-yeah, I'm fine. Sorry to have worried you." He leaned in, peering up at Remus with a quirked brow. "The full moon is coming out tonight, isn't it?"
"And the award goes to your strikingly quick self, James..." Remus chuckled, his voice a little deeper than it even was earlier that morning. "But...Yes...I've got to go speak with Dumbledore tonight. He knows, I'm sure."
"Well, I'll be there, don't expect any different."
"Do you think you can...you know? I mean, if you can't do it to a rock-"
"Just...Believe me."
Remus nodded meakly, but he trusted James enough to not question it. "Well, alright then, how about we work on this then? Help me with the rock."
"Well...I'll do my best."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Time had flown by this day, surprisingly. The newly shortened three Marauder boys went through their classes, through lunch, and now sat in the stream time between the end of classes and dinner. The only teacher to give James much homework was, without a doubt, Professor Avalade, but that didn't seem to discourage him any. He went through Herbology just as well as he usually did, and with minimal effort, he passed through Defense Against the Dark Arts class. As much as he seemed to feel out of it, he was getting along normally now. Here he sat on his bed, upstairs in the Tower, his only real moment alone today. No one else was around, and he kept that noted. No one seemed to much want to be in the Dormitory unless it was to sleep.
Remus had gone off to Dumbledore's office earlier on, and Peter went to the library to check out some old books he needed for his History of Magic report, that of which James still needed to do as well. It wasn't due until a couple more days, so he figured it would be okay to get the books later. As he sat on his bed, he peered around at all the others that occupied the room, his mind wandering. He thought of Sirius, of what would happen when he came back, and how everything would be well again.
Feeling a little tired now, he fell back softly onto his bed, his eyes fighting as if to choose which was better: staying open, or closing. Finally resulting in the latter, James felt himself drift off into sleep, his body slowing down, but his mind busy at work still
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"James, wake up."
James rolled over on his bed, grumbling a little. He buried his face into his pillow, brown, messy tresses hiding his eyes.
"James Potter, wake up now before I ground you."
That voice was all too familiar, but James hadn't heard it in some time. He slowly rolled over in the opposite direction, his eyes opening in the slightest. He caught sight of someone he hadn't seen in all too long. His mother.
"M-mom...?" James whispered groggily, a hand rising to his face and rubbing his eyes.
"Yes. Now, get up. You've got chores to do."
'Chores...?' James thought to himself. He should be in school...What was he doing here? As he sat up and watched his mom leave, he reached to his nightstand and put on his glasses. Looking around his surroundings, something was becoming more apparent. He -was- at home, and not in school. The thought just occurred to him: His mom sounded rather angry...What did he do?
After a few moments, James slid out of his bed, stumbling over to his closet half-asleep. He opened the double doors and gazed over his clothes, deciding on a simple pair of jeans and a dark, forest green shirt. He tossed those to his bed, leaning his form against the frame of his closet door.
"What am I...doing here?" he asked himself as his eyes moved to the doorway, peering out into the empty hall.
There rang a voice from down the hall, seemingly down some stairs. "James, get down here!"
It was his dad this time. -He- sounded even angrier than his mother did...Why was this? Quickly dressing, James slipped out of his bedroom and down the stairs, arriving in the kitchen of his home. He hadn't seen this in a while, either...
"Eat and then get working." His dad didn't even say good morning - how rude. James stepped over to the counter of the island that stood in the center of his kitchen, a single glass of milk and an apple sitting atop it. -This- was breakfast? Where was the eggs? The bacon? The fresh juice? How weird.
"A-alright then..." His comment was a tad late, but James didn't care for the moment. Both of his parents were acting odder than usual, and he was at home, which made things even weirder than before. He took the apple in hand, biting into it with a semi-sigh. He had to figure things out.
After James finished the 'breakfast' he had, he walked into the living room where his mother and father sat, both of them looking up to him with sharpened eyes. His father cleared his throat and ruffled the "Daily Prophet" he had in his hands, his eyes returning to the text, while his mother put down her book, her eyes still on him.
"Something the matter, James?"
"Actually...Now that you mention it..."
"You know where everything is. What can't you find?"
"That's not what I meant, Mom. I mean...What am I doing home? I was at school just like...a minute ago and-"
"Nonsense, James. You were suspended for the rest of the week. Why are you worrying about School?" She seemed rather calm about this...
James was beginning to get a little more worried now. -He- was suspended from school? What? This couldn't be. Sirius was the one who was suspended...How'd the whole thing flip?
"What are you talking about? I wasn't the one who got suspended, it was Sirius! Granted, it was my fault, but it wasn't me!"
"James, don't start with that. You were the one who hit that Severus boy that you pester constantly. Sirius wasn't even there." She sighed, annoyed.
"That's not the truth, Mother! It wasn't -me-!" James stomped his foot, arms crossing over his chest in an angry fashion.
"James, don't you yell at me! Denying what happened will only make it worse! Now, go do your chores!" With that, his mother picked up her book, pulling out the mark and starting to read once again, thus ending the discussion.
James huffed angrily and turned around, stomping off to his room. Once he got in there, he slammed his door loudly, locking it shut. He dropped onto his bed with a heavy, annoyed sigh, burying his face into his pillow. Making sure he was muffled, James yelled loudly, releasing some of the pent up frustration and confusion he had. This was just too weird. He wasn't the one suspended, he knew that for sure! But what an odd turn of events...
As he lied there, James heard his parents downstairs yelling his name, telling him to come downstairs and get his chores done. It was becoming all too much for him. James buried his face into the pillow so deeply, he had to close his eyes. While the world blacked out from view, James' hearing followed, until he finally slid into another sleep.
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Author's Notes: I know it's a short chapter, but I had to post what I had before my evil, EVIL writer's block. The dream was literally where I stopped, so I have to just wait until it comes back to my mind, and I'll edit it, alrighty? Please Review!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ = Time/Scene Change
~*~********************************~*~
James awoke with a small pain in his arm. He hadn't shifted at all, so his body hurt. It was around five, and James thought it was much later than it actually was. He groaned lightly, shifting around in his own bed. As he sat up, he rubbed his eyes, looking toward his feet. Remus wasn't with him, and now he had been placed in his own bed. That dream, or rather, nightmare, that he had last night rushed back into his mind, causing him to groan out in fear. He reached beside him and put on his glasses, peering around the Dormitory. His first place to look was Sirius' bed, hoping that yesterday was just a dream. It wasn't.
With a saddened sigh, his eyes shifted toward Remus' bed, and surely enough, there lied the young boy, nuzzling into his pillow. Catching sight of Peter next, James noticed a pattern: everyone was asleep. What time was it? James rubbed his eyes once more, eyes turning toward the window. There wasn't any light outside, so it must've been early. He should go back to sleep...
Dropping his form gently down to his bed, he removed his glasses and set them on the nightstand beside him, snuggling back up underneath the covers. He wondered what the day was going to be like, until finally drifting back off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Only a couple hours later did James reawaken, groggy and tired. He heard hustle and bustle around him, the other 6th year boys getting ready for their classes. Once James sat up, two bodies walked in his direction, and when James put on his glasses, he identified them as two of the boys he didn't talk to too often.
The first boy, rather tall and dark skinned, with a deep voice, spoke. "James? Remus told me to tell you that he wanted you to meet him downstairs when you woke up."
The second boy nodded, running a hand through his short, semi-curly black hair. "Yeah, Peter's down there too." The both of them paused for a moment as they let James wake up fully, and take down the information. Not before long, the darker boy leaned in and sat on James' bed.
"So what happened with Sirius? Where is he?" he questioned, leaning in.
James grumbled lightly, wrinkling his nose as he stretched. His eyes caught the other boy's, but he shook his head a little. "Nothing important. He just got in trouble and he's gone for a while."
"Well, erm...Okay then...Mind if I ask you another question?"
James didn't much reply, simply because he was still partly asleep.
"What happened with you and Lily? You're not like...joined at the hip anymore. Did you break up?"
"Honestly?" James asked, slightly curious to see what would happen if he told the boys about him and Sirius. He quickly decided against it. "Technically yes...We were having some problems, and we couldn't much solve them."
"Sorry to hear that," the second boy stated softly, eyes shifting around uncomfortably. "Well, you should start getting ready, breakfast is in about a half hour. We've gotta finish getting ready too. See you at breakfast." With that he tugged on the other boy's arm, looking up to him.
The darker haired boy leaned down, pulling his arm away slowly. "Alright, alright, hang on Alex." He turned to look at James, and he stood up, towering over his company rather much. "We'll see you at breakfast, James."
"See you then, Danny, Alex." As James watched Alex pull Danny away, he laughed softly to himself. Poor Danny had the shorter one hanging on him quite a bit, but he didn't seem to mind.
James slid out of the bathroom a couple minutes later, dressed in his robes, his messy hair slightly normal, and his glasses on. He wasn't too tired anymore, and now that he was more awake, he ventured down the stairs to the Common Room. As his walked down them, he noticed Remus and Peter sitting on a nearby couch, Remus' face buried in a book, and Peter was jotting down some words onto paper. James walked across the floor to them, clearing his throat as he arrived. They both stopped what they were doing, their eyes landing on James. Remus was first to speak.
"Did you sleep well, James?"
James moved toward the couch, bumping his way between Remus and Peter, plopping down right in the middle.
"I did after I woke up that one time, but thanks for..." He leaned in to whisper in Remus' ear, "...staying with me."
"Not at all, James. After all, what're friends for?" Remus smiled, nudging James in the side. "It's not like I'd leave you out to dry."
James nodded. "Well, still, thanks. I didn't really dream much after that, but I'll tell you...I don't feel...all...-here-, today. Kind of like I'm half here, and then half not? You know what I mean?"
"Yes. Do you feel like going to class today? I bet you Dumbledore might pull some strings and let you miss a class or two."
"But I don't want to do that, Remus. If I miss classes, then my credit to the end of the year might not count, and I might not go on to 7th year..."
"Well, think about it," Peter said, turning his body toward Remus' and James', catching their attention. "If you don't focus, and you try to transfigure something, you could end up making it the complete opposite of what you wanted. Or...You could possibly transfigure a person! You don't want to do that."
"...You're right...But it's a chance I have to take. I need to pass the class."
Remus sniffed just slightly, his eyelids fluttering. He shuddered softly, looking away from the other two boys. "Is it...Getting a little hot in here?"
Both boys shook their heads, but Peter stood from the couch, brushing off his robes. "Ah...Anyone hungry?"
James felt a little off center, but he nodded. "Let's go, hm? Remus?"
Remus' attention turned back to the other boys, his golden eyes shimmering for just a moment before he stood. "I'm yready."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
James sat down at the long, slender table, taking his seat right between Remus and Peter, not something he was used to. It was always Sirius, him, Remus, then Peter. This was already starting to be a weird day.
"When do you think I'll get the owl from Sirius?" James whispered to Remus, fidgeting with his fork.
"It should come in a little bit, after breakfast, don't worry." His voice was smoother, more deep than usual. His irises were laced with the most faint gold, the color deepening as you closed in on the pupils.
"Don't worry, James. I'm sure you'll get it soon," Peter added, a smile on his face.
James sighed. "I hope you guys are right."
As the last of the remaining students entered the Great Hall, the tables filled up, and the food seemed as though it appeared out of no where. Basic breakfast foods were served, and the students ate, chattering among one another as the teachers did the same. Idle chatter became more present as the meal time passed, and students plates were emptied, some refilled upon request. James didn't speak much as he ate, mostly thoughts churning through his head as he gobbed down some eggs. The nightmare last night plagued him, and every time he tried to get it out of his head, he could hear Snape's disgusting laugh.
Shaking his head, James dropped his fork and trembled out a sigh, his eyes closing tightly. Most of the people around him didn't notice, but he didn't exactly want them to, the less attention drawn to him the better. Once he put another thought in his head, he finally opened his eyes to the sound of fluttering wings. Hundreds of multi-colored owls flew in from the tower windows, packages and letters, as well as the unpopular howlers, being dropped in front of students. James looked up at the wave of feathers and began to search for Sirius' Family's owl, whose distinctive black masked face was hidden among all the other owls. Just when James thought that he wasn't to receive a letter, the owl he had searched for flew past him in a gusty wind of feathers, leaving behind a note labeled "James".
Smiling like an idiot, James grabbed the note and fiddled with it, trying to rip it open. Once he calmed down and he got himself in a less hyper-ecstatic mood, he slid his index finger through the side, ripping a small slit in it. Slipping another finger into it, he retrieved the rough textured paper within, unfolding it and beginning to read it.
"Dear James:
I hope everything is going okay with you there. The express ride back was literally hell, even though Snape and I had different cars. He ended up visiting mine, though against my choice, and pestered me like mad. He wouldn't shut up about you, and he how he wanted to hurt you, he was so mad. I almost started a fight with him, but I kept myself in check so I didn't get in more trouble than I needed to. I got home around in the early morning, and I wrote you as soon as I got here. My parents are furious with me, and they have taken away everything but my basic needs. I can't use any magic to get anything, so I must do it the Muggle way. It's hell. I miss you like mad, James, you don't know how much. If only I could be there with you, holding you in my arms, caressing your soft face. I sit here at my desk, wishing you were with me, like you were last summer when your parents went away. Oops, forgive the smudge, I'm having a bit of a problem keeping my emotions inside ... What else is there to say? How are Remus and Peter? Lily? Is everything alright with you all? I hope so. I'm going to be checked on in a few minutes, so I must make this short. I love you. Please don't cry while I'm gone, James, I don't want you hurting over me not being there. I want you to be happy. Do well in Potions, and prove Professor Avalade that a Gryffindor prevails, hm? And, if I am lucky enough, I will be back to catch your Quidditch Game against Hufflepuff, but if I don't, good luck, and ride strong. I know I said it before, but I'll say it again; I love you. I hear my parents footsteps downstairs, so I'm going to have to go. I wish you well.
~Sirius"
James' eyes were welled with soft tears, but they were barely noticeable, as if they were from a yawn. Playing it as just that, James fake-yawned, the tears falling, some hitting the letter. They matched with Sirius'. He folded the note up, putting it in his robe pocket, where it would be safe. The lump he had in his throat to keep from softly crying was disappearing, his frequent swallows dissolving it. He felt eyes on him, and when he looked up, he noticed it was just Remus and Peter.
"We thought we'd wait to ask you about it until after you finished," Remus said, pursing his lips closed as he lifted his head up. He took a barely audible sniff at the air, a low, but almost silent growl forming in his throat. "Don't feel so sad, James..."
Honestly, James still wasn't used to that. Remus could read anyone like a book when it came to his monthly transformation. The nose of a werewolf must be enough to drive a person mad, simply with all the smells and the emotions...James nodded a bit, wrinkling up his nose.
"I'm...I'll write him back tonight. I'll show you the note, tonight."
"It's your personal property, I'm sure there's things in there you don't want us reading..." Peter stated.
"It's...It'll be alright. Nothing in there I can't let you two read. He asked how you were doing, so I'll write about it."
Remus paused, a hand reaching up toward his chin. He stroked the now slightly fur covered skin, nodding gently. "Well, we should get going to class, hm? Professor McGonagall doesn't like it when we're late."
"Transfiguration..." James muttered, sighing softly. "Sirius' favorite class..." His words were barely audible.
"It'll be okay, James. You can work with Peter and I today. I don't think McGonagall will care."
"Thanks, Remus."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Almost late, boys," McGonagall stated, sitting at her desk as she watched Remus, James and Peter walk in. Just as they did, the door shut behind them with a slam, causing them all to jump.
"We're on time, though," James said, about to hurry to his seat. McGonagall cleared her throat and motioned for him to come to her desk, but she waved away Peter and Remus.
"I've spoken with Headmaster Dumbledore, so you're exempted from some things. If you mess up, I'll understand."
James was a little astonished. Did she know he and Sirius were...? Nah, she couldn't.
"I know how important Mr. Black is to you, and having him gone will disrupt your focus. We're going to be working with inanimate objects and turning them into animals; do you think you can do that?" Her tone was much softer than usual, more caring.
James nodded meekly, holding his books to his chest. "I...I'll try."
"Well, at any point you feel as though you can't do it, don't be afraid to ask for help."
James nodded once more, and when McGonagall excused him, he hurried back toward his empty table. Remus and Peter sat in front of him. McGonagall began to talk about the ancient works of how to take an inanimate object and make it move, and the concentration it took to do so. Everyone had a rock on their desk, as well as a few papers, even a book. To pass the class today, each object had to be transfigured into an animal of their choice; within reason. James figured he'd try to turn the rock into a bunny. Sounded simple enough.
After McGonagall showed them how it was done, the class went at it, but James just stared at his rock, holding his wand. He focused on a rabbit's body, it's shape, it's inner self. He pointed his wand toward the rock, the medium sized stone beginning to shake. It popped out the the long ears, the head, hind legs, the front little arms, the puffy soft tail. But...The body didn't transform. Upon James' desk lied a half rock, half rabbit creature. Once he caught sight of what it looked like, he coughed out loudly.
McGonagall turned from where she was standing, looking over in James' direction. Once she saw what happened, she immediately glided over to him, a fretful sigh escaping her.
"I thought this might happen."
James looked up at McGonagall sheepishly, a little laugh coming from him. Setting his wand on the table, he looked around the room as everyone stopped what they were doing, eyes focused on him. This was quite embarrassing.
"James, you focused, right? All aspects of the animal?" She looked to the atrocity that sat upon his desk, the little creature trying to move, but failing horribly.
James nodded weakly, shooting his gaze toward the floor. "I did...Or so I thought."
"Well, that's alright." She pointed her wand at the semi-creature, turning it back into a rock within seconds. James sighed softly to himself, shaking his head.
"Do you want to do something else, Mr. Potter? Or possibly continue with this...and maybe succeed?" McGonagall looked around the classroom before her eyes landed on James once more, staring intently at him.
"I...I think I wanna continue on this. I can do it this time."
"You're quite sure about this?"
"Yes..."
"I'll work with him, Professor." It was a voice that made McGonagall's glance jot to the other side of the room, and she instinctively knew who it was.
"Alright then, Mr. Lupin, you can work with him. Mr. Pettigrew, you may also." She began to walk away from James' desk, and both Remus and Peter slid their way over to their friend.
"Thanks, you guys," James sighed, looking at the rock as if it could kill him. He couldn't even transfigure this...How was he going to transfigure himself when Remus went through his transformation? This was going to be much harder than he thought...Especially since he couldn't even focus right. The full moon was to come out tonight, thus giving him a short amount of time before he could shake the problems from his mind. The remnants of last night's dream came back to him, and he shook his head.
"James? Are you alright, there? You seemed to doze off into space..." Remus' voice broke James' thought, but none too soon.
"Oh...Y-yeah, I'm fine. Sorry to have worried you." He leaned in, peering up at Remus with a quirked brow. "The full moon is coming out tonight, isn't it?"
"And the award goes to your strikingly quick self, James..." Remus chuckled, his voice a little deeper than it even was earlier that morning. "But...Yes...I've got to go speak with Dumbledore tonight. He knows, I'm sure."
"Well, I'll be there, don't expect any different."
"Do you think you can...you know? I mean, if you can't do it to a rock-"
"Just...Believe me."
Remus nodded meakly, but he trusted James enough to not question it. "Well, alright then, how about we work on this then? Help me with the rock."
"Well...I'll do my best."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Time had flown by this day, surprisingly. The newly shortened three Marauder boys went through their classes, through lunch, and now sat in the stream time between the end of classes and dinner. The only teacher to give James much homework was, without a doubt, Professor Avalade, but that didn't seem to discourage him any. He went through Herbology just as well as he usually did, and with minimal effort, he passed through Defense Against the Dark Arts class. As much as he seemed to feel out of it, he was getting along normally now. Here he sat on his bed, upstairs in the Tower, his only real moment alone today. No one else was around, and he kept that noted. No one seemed to much want to be in the Dormitory unless it was to sleep.
Remus had gone off to Dumbledore's office earlier on, and Peter went to the library to check out some old books he needed for his History of Magic report, that of which James still needed to do as well. It wasn't due until a couple more days, so he figured it would be okay to get the books later. As he sat on his bed, he peered around at all the others that occupied the room, his mind wandering. He thought of Sirius, of what would happen when he came back, and how everything would be well again.
Feeling a little tired now, he fell back softly onto his bed, his eyes fighting as if to choose which was better: staying open, or closing. Finally resulting in the latter, James felt himself drift off into sleep, his body slowing down, but his mind busy at work still
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"James, wake up."
James rolled over on his bed, grumbling a little. He buried his face into his pillow, brown, messy tresses hiding his eyes.
"James Potter, wake up now before I ground you."
That voice was all too familiar, but James hadn't heard it in some time. He slowly rolled over in the opposite direction, his eyes opening in the slightest. He caught sight of someone he hadn't seen in all too long. His mother.
"M-mom...?" James whispered groggily, a hand rising to his face and rubbing his eyes.
"Yes. Now, get up. You've got chores to do."
'Chores...?' James thought to himself. He should be in school...What was he doing here? As he sat up and watched his mom leave, he reached to his nightstand and put on his glasses. Looking around his surroundings, something was becoming more apparent. He -was- at home, and not in school. The thought just occurred to him: His mom sounded rather angry...What did he do?
After a few moments, James slid out of his bed, stumbling over to his closet half-asleep. He opened the double doors and gazed over his clothes, deciding on a simple pair of jeans and a dark, forest green shirt. He tossed those to his bed, leaning his form against the frame of his closet door.
"What am I...doing here?" he asked himself as his eyes moved to the doorway, peering out into the empty hall.
There rang a voice from down the hall, seemingly down some stairs. "James, get down here!"
It was his dad this time. -He- sounded even angrier than his mother did...Why was this? Quickly dressing, James slipped out of his bedroom and down the stairs, arriving in the kitchen of his home. He hadn't seen this in a while, either...
"Eat and then get working." His dad didn't even say good morning - how rude. James stepped over to the counter of the island that stood in the center of his kitchen, a single glass of milk and an apple sitting atop it. -This- was breakfast? Where was the eggs? The bacon? The fresh juice? How weird.
"A-alright then..." His comment was a tad late, but James didn't care for the moment. Both of his parents were acting odder than usual, and he was at home, which made things even weirder than before. He took the apple in hand, biting into it with a semi-sigh. He had to figure things out.
After James finished the 'breakfast' he had, he walked into the living room where his mother and father sat, both of them looking up to him with sharpened eyes. His father cleared his throat and ruffled the "Daily Prophet" he had in his hands, his eyes returning to the text, while his mother put down her book, her eyes still on him.
"Something the matter, James?"
"Actually...Now that you mention it..."
"You know where everything is. What can't you find?"
"That's not what I meant, Mom. I mean...What am I doing home? I was at school just like...a minute ago and-"
"Nonsense, James. You were suspended for the rest of the week. Why are you worrying about School?" She seemed rather calm about this...
James was beginning to get a little more worried now. -He- was suspended from school? What? This couldn't be. Sirius was the one who was suspended...How'd the whole thing flip?
"What are you talking about? I wasn't the one who got suspended, it was Sirius! Granted, it was my fault, but it wasn't me!"
"James, don't start with that. You were the one who hit that Severus boy that you pester constantly. Sirius wasn't even there." She sighed, annoyed.
"That's not the truth, Mother! It wasn't -me-!" James stomped his foot, arms crossing over his chest in an angry fashion.
"James, don't you yell at me! Denying what happened will only make it worse! Now, go do your chores!" With that, his mother picked up her book, pulling out the mark and starting to read once again, thus ending the discussion.
James huffed angrily and turned around, stomping off to his room. Once he got in there, he slammed his door loudly, locking it shut. He dropped onto his bed with a heavy, annoyed sigh, burying his face into his pillow. Making sure he was muffled, James yelled loudly, releasing some of the pent up frustration and confusion he had. This was just too weird. He wasn't the one suspended, he knew that for sure! But what an odd turn of events...
As he lied there, James heard his parents downstairs yelling his name, telling him to come downstairs and get his chores done. It was becoming all too much for him. James buried his face into the pillow so deeply, he had to close his eyes. While the world blacked out from view, James' hearing followed, until he finally slid into another sleep.
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Author's Notes: I know it's a short chapter, but I had to post what I had before my evil, EVIL writer's block. The dream was literally where I stopped, so I have to just wait until it comes back to my mind, and I'll edit it, alrighty? Please Review!