Chapter 9
Flights and Fights
"What are you two up to?" Harry and Hermione turned around to see James looking at them curiously.
"Oh, you know. We have to keep up with our studies." Harry said, somewhat truthfully. "Aren't you supposed to be in lessons right now?"
"The classes are just about to end. I managed to persuade Professor McGonagall to let me out of class early. I figured that way I could warn you two ahead of time, so you could hide. In fact, I need to practice for our Quidditch game against Slytherin, so why don't you guys come with me?" James asked politely. Harry was excited at the idea of watching his father fly.
"Of course! I HATE Slytherin." Harry replied enthusiastically.
"I think I'm going to read this before we have to leave," Hermione broke in.
Harry gave her a look of surprise. "But Hermione--" he began to protest. She held up her hand and stood, walking over to him.
"You need to spend some time alone with your Dad," she whispered into his ear. "We'll spend some time together later." She winked at him. She took the book and headed out of the corridor. Harry supposed she was on her way to the library.
James was quiet for a few moments, watching Hermione disappear around a corner, and he turned back to Harry, one eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face. "What was that all about?" He asked. "Is there something going on between you two?"
Harry turned a bright shade of crimson. "Um--er--we--I mean--um--"
James just shook his head. "Come on." He encouraged, beckoning for Harry to follow him.
They left the castle and headed for the Quidditch field. James opened up the broom closet and handed Harry one of the school's Cleansweep Seven broomsticks. "You any good at flying, Neville?" James asked.
Harry blanched for a moment and didn't realize he had given his father a different name. "Well--sort of," he said.
James laughed and patted Harry's shoulder. "Don't worry." he said. "I'll give you a few pointers if you'd like." James mounted the broomstick and kicked off, zooming into the air. Harry stood on the ground, watching in awe as his father circled the field, his black hair blowing in the wind. It was eerie because at that far away, Harry could have sworn he was looking into a motion picture of himself. "Come on, Neville!" James called.
Harry mounted his own broom and kicked off. He had never felt so happy in his life as he caught up to his father, who was preparing to perform a loop-de-loop. Harry surpassed him and flew in circles around him, not realizing what he was doing. James called out to Harry "You can sort of fly, huh?" He asked. "Bit modest are we?"
Harry grinned proudly.
"Hey Potter! Who's your twin?"
Harry looked down only to see young Snape on the ground. James flew close to Harry and whispered "We've got to get out of here now. You're not supposed to be seen."
"It's a new charm I'm working on!" James lied. "Isn't it clever?"
Snape rolled his eyes. "Sure, Potter. You're not supposed to be experimenting with magic again. Remember what happened last time? Professor McGonagall said you'd be expelled if she caught you."
James replied, "Yeah--but she hasn't seen me doing anything. What are you going to do, Snape? Go and tell her?"
Snape's hands balled into fists. "I just may." He snarled, and stormed back into the castle.
Harry stared at his father who was taking a deep breath. "Let's get away from here--quick."
Once back inside the castle, Harry and James got into discussing their favorite parts of Quidditch and the manuevers that they knew. They met up with Sirius Black, Reumus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew a few moments later. James noticed Harry's wide eyes and misread his expression. "Oh--don't worry, Neville. They won't tell anyone. Professor Dumbledore already explained things to them. They're in Gryffindor too, so they can help hide your secret."
Harry stared at Wormtail, feeling a burst of anger. He couldn't believe his father trusted such a--such a--rat.
"Holy cow, James--he looks like a mini-version of you!" Young Sirius cried with surprise when they caught up with each other. "You in related to each other in some way? Long lost cousins or something?"
Harry laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "No--I'm Neville Longbottom, actually."
Reumus cocked his head to one side and gave Harry the once-over. "Longbottom," he pondered. "Isn't he an Auror? Any relation to him?"
Harry coughed. "Uh--not that I know of." He replied.
"Amazing, though," said Pettigrew. "How much the two of you look a like."
'How I'd like to pound your head in,' Harry thought, hiding his anger as best he could.
"Sorry, Sirius, Reumus and Peter. But I was hoping James could show me around the school. I figured the two of us walking together would attract less attention."
The four boys stared at Harry, who had not realized his blunder straight away.
Sirius folded his arms. "Wait a moment." He began. "Neville--how did you know who we were? I don't remember telling you my name."
Harry did a double-take when he realized what he had done. "Oh--James mentioned you guys earlier. I have a good memory."
Sirius still gave Harry a suspicioius look. "But how did you know what each of us looked like?" He asked.
Harry had to think fast. "Well--I don't know which names go with who--that's why I said all three." He explained.
"Give him a break, Sirius." said James. "He's been through a lot in the past two days. Come on, Neville." James waved to his three friends before leading Harry away.
They stared talking again when they heard familiar voices. "Quick!" James said, and he pushed Harry into a nearby classroom, but he didn't manage to make it inside in time. "Hullo, Professor McGonagall." said James sweetly. "Hullo, Snape." He added, less politely.
"Potter," Professor McGonagall began. "It seems Snape has seen you doing more magical experiments."
James feigned innocence. "Well--what proof does he have? Pictures?"
Professor McGonagall turned to Snape. "He's right, Snape. How do I know you're not trying to get him into trouble again?"
Snape's face turned purple. "Why you selfish bastard! I ought to--" Suddenly, he lunged at James, knocking him to the ground. James fell, landing on his arm funny. From inside the classroom, Harry heard a sickening CRACK. James cried out in pain and Snape quickly stood up.
"Severus Snape--look what you've done! Fourty points from Slytherin!" Professor McGonagall hollered, kneeling down beside James. "Potter--does it hurt much?" She paused. "Do you think you'll be able to play in the match tomorrow?"
James gritted his teeth. Inside the classroom, Harry would have laughed, except he knew how grave the situation was. He knew how much Quidditch meant to McGonagall. It had gotten him out of nearly being expelled from Hogwarts.
"Y-yes, Professor." James stuttered. "I'll be able to play. Madame Pomfrey'll fix up my arm in no time."
Professor McGongall frowned. "But--"
"Don't worry." James grimaced as Professor McGonagall grabbed Snape by the ear and marched him to her office. When they were gone, the door to the classroom opened and Harry hurried out, kneeling down beside his father. "Even if Madame Pomfrey does heal this, there is no way you'll be able to play tomorrow," Harry groaned.
James managed to smile through the pain. "I know." He replied mischeviously.
Harry gave him a curious glance. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"That's why you're going to play for me."
Harry's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "WHAT?!" he cried. "Oh no--I couldn't--I don't know the Slytherin's moves or anything! I'll make a fool out of Gryffindor!"
James gasped, "Neville--listen. We don't have a reserve seeker, and I've seen you fly. You've got nothing to lose. Besides--if you don't know their moves, they won't know yours either. Besides--you look so much like me--no one'll be able to tell the difference since you're so high up. Heck--even from down here you look like my twin."
Harry, without thinking, threw his arms around James in a tight hug. "OW!" James yelled. Harry quickly let go.
"Oh--I'm sorry. Let me take you down to the hospital wing--"
"No--" James cut him off. "No. We'll have to wait until after the game tomorrow. It's Saturday so we don't have any classes. Here--help me up. I have something to show you in the dormitory."
Harry and James walked back to the Gryffindor common room. James hugged his injured arm close to him as they approached the portrait. "Ticklus Dragonis." James yelled and the painting swung open. Harry saw that the Maruarder's where not yet in the common room, and he was grateful for it. He had a feeling that Sirius didn't like him, which made him uncomfortable. That, and he just couldn't stand to be around Wormtail. James led Harry up to his year's bedroom, and went over to his trunk. Using one arm, he pulled out the invisibility cloak. "Do you know what this is?" James asked.
Harry had the deranged desire to shout "That's MY cloak!" but he didn't dare. "It's an invisibility cloak. They're rare, aren't they?"
James nodded, looking at Harry suspiciously. "You've obviously seen one before. You don't seem too thrilled to see this one."
"Oh--I am--" Harry licked his lips. "WOW." He grinned.
James wasn't buying it--he could tell. "Look," Harry began truthfully, "I'm just worried about your arm right now. But I am glad that you trust me enough with such a secret." He smiled warmly at his father. James smiled back.
"Yeah, well. This is the way I am going to be able to watch you during the Quidditch match. Meanwhile, you're going to act like me. I'll just fill my friends in and you'll be able to pull it off with no trouble."
Harry looked down at the ground. "Well--okay. If you're sure it won't be a big deal."
James laughed. "You worry too much, Neville. Relax. Breathe. In--out--in--out."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Shut up." He teased.
James eyes lit up with mischief. "Make me."
Harry lifted his finger. "I could--I could poke you."
James snorted. "Good point."
"Now PLEASE can we take you down to the hospital wing?" Harry asked.
James looked at him thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, I'm sure Professor McGonagall will check up with Madame Pomfrey to see if my arm is all right. I'll just have to leave the hospital wing a little early."
Flights and Fights
"What are you two up to?" Harry and Hermione turned around to see James looking at them curiously.
"Oh, you know. We have to keep up with our studies." Harry said, somewhat truthfully. "Aren't you supposed to be in lessons right now?"
"The classes are just about to end. I managed to persuade Professor McGonagall to let me out of class early. I figured that way I could warn you two ahead of time, so you could hide. In fact, I need to practice for our Quidditch game against Slytherin, so why don't you guys come with me?" James asked politely. Harry was excited at the idea of watching his father fly.
"Of course! I HATE Slytherin." Harry replied enthusiastically.
"I think I'm going to read this before we have to leave," Hermione broke in.
Harry gave her a look of surprise. "But Hermione--" he began to protest. She held up her hand and stood, walking over to him.
"You need to spend some time alone with your Dad," she whispered into his ear. "We'll spend some time together later." She winked at him. She took the book and headed out of the corridor. Harry supposed she was on her way to the library.
James was quiet for a few moments, watching Hermione disappear around a corner, and he turned back to Harry, one eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face. "What was that all about?" He asked. "Is there something going on between you two?"
Harry turned a bright shade of crimson. "Um--er--we--I mean--um--"
James just shook his head. "Come on." He encouraged, beckoning for Harry to follow him.
They left the castle and headed for the Quidditch field. James opened up the broom closet and handed Harry one of the school's Cleansweep Seven broomsticks. "You any good at flying, Neville?" James asked.
Harry blanched for a moment and didn't realize he had given his father a different name. "Well--sort of," he said.
James laughed and patted Harry's shoulder. "Don't worry." he said. "I'll give you a few pointers if you'd like." James mounted the broomstick and kicked off, zooming into the air. Harry stood on the ground, watching in awe as his father circled the field, his black hair blowing in the wind. It was eerie because at that far away, Harry could have sworn he was looking into a motion picture of himself. "Come on, Neville!" James called.
Harry mounted his own broom and kicked off. He had never felt so happy in his life as he caught up to his father, who was preparing to perform a loop-de-loop. Harry surpassed him and flew in circles around him, not realizing what he was doing. James called out to Harry "You can sort of fly, huh?" He asked. "Bit modest are we?"
Harry grinned proudly.
"Hey Potter! Who's your twin?"
Harry looked down only to see young Snape on the ground. James flew close to Harry and whispered "We've got to get out of here now. You're not supposed to be seen."
"It's a new charm I'm working on!" James lied. "Isn't it clever?"
Snape rolled his eyes. "Sure, Potter. You're not supposed to be experimenting with magic again. Remember what happened last time? Professor McGonagall said you'd be expelled if she caught you."
James replied, "Yeah--but she hasn't seen me doing anything. What are you going to do, Snape? Go and tell her?"
Snape's hands balled into fists. "I just may." He snarled, and stormed back into the castle.
Harry stared at his father who was taking a deep breath. "Let's get away from here--quick."
Once back inside the castle, Harry and James got into discussing their favorite parts of Quidditch and the manuevers that they knew. They met up with Sirius Black, Reumus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew a few moments later. James noticed Harry's wide eyes and misread his expression. "Oh--don't worry, Neville. They won't tell anyone. Professor Dumbledore already explained things to them. They're in Gryffindor too, so they can help hide your secret."
Harry stared at Wormtail, feeling a burst of anger. He couldn't believe his father trusted such a--such a--rat.
"Holy cow, James--he looks like a mini-version of you!" Young Sirius cried with surprise when they caught up with each other. "You in related to each other in some way? Long lost cousins or something?"
Harry laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "No--I'm Neville Longbottom, actually."
Reumus cocked his head to one side and gave Harry the once-over. "Longbottom," he pondered. "Isn't he an Auror? Any relation to him?"
Harry coughed. "Uh--not that I know of." He replied.
"Amazing, though," said Pettigrew. "How much the two of you look a like."
'How I'd like to pound your head in,' Harry thought, hiding his anger as best he could.
"Sorry, Sirius, Reumus and Peter. But I was hoping James could show me around the school. I figured the two of us walking together would attract less attention."
The four boys stared at Harry, who had not realized his blunder straight away.
Sirius folded his arms. "Wait a moment." He began. "Neville--how did you know who we were? I don't remember telling you my name."
Harry did a double-take when he realized what he had done. "Oh--James mentioned you guys earlier. I have a good memory."
Sirius still gave Harry a suspicioius look. "But how did you know what each of us looked like?" He asked.
Harry had to think fast. "Well--I don't know which names go with who--that's why I said all three." He explained.
"Give him a break, Sirius." said James. "He's been through a lot in the past two days. Come on, Neville." James waved to his three friends before leading Harry away.
They stared talking again when they heard familiar voices. "Quick!" James said, and he pushed Harry into a nearby classroom, but he didn't manage to make it inside in time. "Hullo, Professor McGonagall." said James sweetly. "Hullo, Snape." He added, less politely.
"Potter," Professor McGonagall began. "It seems Snape has seen you doing more magical experiments."
James feigned innocence. "Well--what proof does he have? Pictures?"
Professor McGonagall turned to Snape. "He's right, Snape. How do I know you're not trying to get him into trouble again?"
Snape's face turned purple. "Why you selfish bastard! I ought to--" Suddenly, he lunged at James, knocking him to the ground. James fell, landing on his arm funny. From inside the classroom, Harry heard a sickening CRACK. James cried out in pain and Snape quickly stood up.
"Severus Snape--look what you've done! Fourty points from Slytherin!" Professor McGonagall hollered, kneeling down beside James. "Potter--does it hurt much?" She paused. "Do you think you'll be able to play in the match tomorrow?"
James gritted his teeth. Inside the classroom, Harry would have laughed, except he knew how grave the situation was. He knew how much Quidditch meant to McGonagall. It had gotten him out of nearly being expelled from Hogwarts.
"Y-yes, Professor." James stuttered. "I'll be able to play. Madame Pomfrey'll fix up my arm in no time."
Professor McGongall frowned. "But--"
"Don't worry." James grimaced as Professor McGonagall grabbed Snape by the ear and marched him to her office. When they were gone, the door to the classroom opened and Harry hurried out, kneeling down beside his father. "Even if Madame Pomfrey does heal this, there is no way you'll be able to play tomorrow," Harry groaned.
James managed to smile through the pain. "I know." He replied mischeviously.
Harry gave him a curious glance. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"That's why you're going to play for me."
Harry's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "WHAT?!" he cried. "Oh no--I couldn't--I don't know the Slytherin's moves or anything! I'll make a fool out of Gryffindor!"
James gasped, "Neville--listen. We don't have a reserve seeker, and I've seen you fly. You've got nothing to lose. Besides--if you don't know their moves, they won't know yours either. Besides--you look so much like me--no one'll be able to tell the difference since you're so high up. Heck--even from down here you look like my twin."
Harry, without thinking, threw his arms around James in a tight hug. "OW!" James yelled. Harry quickly let go.
"Oh--I'm sorry. Let me take you down to the hospital wing--"
"No--" James cut him off. "No. We'll have to wait until after the game tomorrow. It's Saturday so we don't have any classes. Here--help me up. I have something to show you in the dormitory."
Harry and James walked back to the Gryffindor common room. James hugged his injured arm close to him as they approached the portrait. "Ticklus Dragonis." James yelled and the painting swung open. Harry saw that the Maruarder's where not yet in the common room, and he was grateful for it. He had a feeling that Sirius didn't like him, which made him uncomfortable. That, and he just couldn't stand to be around Wormtail. James led Harry up to his year's bedroom, and went over to his trunk. Using one arm, he pulled out the invisibility cloak. "Do you know what this is?" James asked.
Harry had the deranged desire to shout "That's MY cloak!" but he didn't dare. "It's an invisibility cloak. They're rare, aren't they?"
James nodded, looking at Harry suspiciously. "You've obviously seen one before. You don't seem too thrilled to see this one."
"Oh--I am--" Harry licked his lips. "WOW." He grinned.
James wasn't buying it--he could tell. "Look," Harry began truthfully, "I'm just worried about your arm right now. But I am glad that you trust me enough with such a secret." He smiled warmly at his father. James smiled back.
"Yeah, well. This is the way I am going to be able to watch you during the Quidditch match. Meanwhile, you're going to act like me. I'll just fill my friends in and you'll be able to pull it off with no trouble."
Harry looked down at the ground. "Well--okay. If you're sure it won't be a big deal."
James laughed. "You worry too much, Neville. Relax. Breathe. In--out--in--out."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Shut up." He teased.
James eyes lit up with mischief. "Make me."
Harry lifted his finger. "I could--I could poke you."
James snorted. "Good point."
"Now PLEASE can we take you down to the hospital wing?" Harry asked.
James looked at him thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, I'm sure Professor McGonagall will check up with Madame Pomfrey to see if my arm is all right. I'll just have to leave the hospital wing a little early."