Living A Legend
Book 2- The Price of Glory
Chapter 4- Old Enemies and New Enemies
James had never felt entirely comfortable at Sirius's house, under the disapproving gaze of Sirius's mother, but since the incident when he had rescued Lily from Devin Goyle, Sirius's mother had been downright hostile towards him. The prospect of facing Sirius's entire family at once was quite unpleasant. Yet James was not one to let his best friend down, and he could no more give up a chance to harass Sirius's fouler relatives than he could make his messy hair lie flat against his head.
As unattractive as the offer seemed, James was more than inclined to take it. The thought of not going never even crossed his mind.
So, on the appointed day, James stood in front of his Grandmother's fireplace, dressed in his best and only suit for some reason he could not fathom. Some part of James knew that this reunion would be a big deal, and in an attempt to minimize the animosity directed at him, James unconsciously made efforts to make himself appear well groomed.
Taking a deep breath, James threw a handful of Floo Powder into the fireplace and spoke clearly, "Sirius's house."
James felt as if he were being pulled into the fireplace by his navel. When he was younger, he used to love traveling by Floo Powder, finding it very exciting. James was quite used to it by now, but he still enjoyed the few moments of weightlessness.
He coughed and brushed the soot off himself before looking up to find himself in Sirius's living room, surrounded by more people than he could count. James smiled around amiably, ignoring the hateful stares directed at him.
Unfortunately, Sirius was no where in sight and James was left to wander around purposefully, trying to ignore many familiar and hostile faces. Fortunately, James was rescued from the whispers of persecution by a familiar face belonging to one Nymphadora Tonks.
Nymphadora was one of Sirius's many cousins, she was the one cousin who James found remotely pleasant. In reality, she was his second cousin, the daughter of his first cousin Andromeda, but the difference did not matter to Sirius. Nymphadora was a year younger than James and Sirius, slightly tall for her age, good natured and clumsy. James had always been fascinated by her, she had the strange ability to alter her appearance at will.
Today, her eyes were a brilliant shade of purple and her hair was a shocking shade of orange. Her ordinarily perfect complexion was littered with freckles and her nose was shorter than usual. Still, James recognized Nymphadora right away from the way she carried herself. Also he was quite sure that no one else in Sirius's family would be caught dead with orange hair.
"Oh, James!" Nymphadora shrieked, throwing her skinny arms around him happily, although they had only met a few times before. "I'm so happy you are here!"
James hugged back hesitantly, a bit embarrassed at her vigor.
"Are you looking for Sirius?" Nymphadora asked, before James had a chance to respond. "I think he is being interrogated by the Crabbes. Everyone is terribly put out with you because of what you did to Devin. Personally I think he needs to be taught a lesson. But we mustn't talk about that, at least not here. You are not in any real danger I do not think. No one would so much as raise a wand against you in the Black house, it would mortify Sirius's mother."
James followed Nymphadora meekly as she led him over to where Sirius was standing with his head down, being lectured by an intimidating man. Nymphadora motioned for James to stop and the two stood in the background listening.
"Certainly, Sirius, you have the potential to go far. You come from a most noble house and look at the many fine wizards and witches which share your bloodline," The tall dark man who Nymphadora said was Geoffrey Crabbe was saying sternly. "You must watch the company you keep. That Potter boy is going nowhere and many people would be disappointed if you went down with him."
At that point, Nymphadora could restrain James no longer and he pushed in front of her, smiling up at Geoffrey Crabbe and his family. "I must say, I quite agree with you old chap," James spoke mockingly. "I would hate for Sirius to fall in with the wrong crowd."
Sirius grinned ecstatically and nodded his head. "James is right, we'll go and work on that together… right now!"
Geoffrey Crabbe and his wife both looked distinctly offended and their son, who James recognized from school took a menacing step forward. James vaguely recalled that his name was Oliver.
More than ready for a chance to get away, Sirius grabbed both James and Nymphadora and took off in the opposite direction before any of the Crabbe's had a chance to act. They were an intimidating bunch, both in social stature and in cruelty.
The three did not get far before they ran into Lucius Malfoy. Sirius sighed miserably. James was perhaps one of the only people (outside of Sirius's family) who knew that Sirius and Lucius were cousins. Sirius was related to a whole slew of horrible people, the Crabbes, the Goyles, the Lestranges and the Malfoys were just a few.
Lucius clucked his tongue. "Well, well, well… if it isn't the two biggest losers at Hogwarts. I had been trying to decide for a while, who in the school was truly the biggest loser. At first I had considered Severus, but mudblood lovers are worse. I am ashamed to call you family, what with the company you keep."
Sirius smiled back winningly. "At least we are both passing transfiguration without outside help," he retorted.
It was common knowledge that Lucius had failed that class, but his father had bought off people at the Ministry of Magic to give him a special exception.
Lucius snarled but ignored Sirius, turning instead to James, "It seems, that you have been meddling in other people's affairs. I you know what is good for you I suggest you stay out of things from now on. The little mudblood deserved what she would have got."
James stepped forward menacingly with Sirius right beside him.
At that moment, a dark haired little girl with pale skin and brilliantly red lips sidled up to Lucius. Her eyes roamed back and forth between James and Sirius and finally landed on Sirius.
"Let's drop the matter, shall we," she crooned persuasively. "It's hardly a surprise that Sirius and his friends are of questionable character. A bad egg may arise from even the finest of hens."
Sirius grimaced and Nymphadora stepped forward.
"Hello Bellatrix, and goodbye. Can't you see you are not wanted here?" Nymphadora exclaimed boldly, pulling both James and Sirius away by their arms.
Malfoy's face flamed an angry red but Bellatrix stayed calm, staring at Nymphadora silently as the three made haste towards Sirius's room. James recalled meeting Bellatrix Lestrange in the past. Initially she had been sugary sweet towards James, but he had not been fooled by this. Sirius had told James many times about Bellatrix's manipulative nature, and James found it best to stay away from the sly little minx. Though James was itching for the opportunity to wreak havoc on the nastier aspects of Sirius's bloodline, the odds against the Marauding duo were overwhelming.
Just as James, Sirius and Nymphadora were about to make their escape they ran into the last person they wanted to see, Sirius's mother.
She stood before them, a small but intimidating figure, clad in a solemn black dress and tall stiletto heels. Her hair was pulled up in a tight, no nonsense bun which reminded James of his own Grandmother. Both women shared the same harsh frown lines and sharp features, but while James's grandmother was merely strict, Sirius's mother was cruel. Though he was almost ashamed to say it aloud, James was sure that she was pure evil.
"Where do you think you are going?" Mrs. Black whispered frigidly.
Her eyes fell on James and a look of utter disgust came over her drawn features. She raised an eyebrow and turned to Sirius.
"What is this abomination doing in my house? Certainly you are aware of his part in your dear cousin Goyle's humiliation!" Sirius ducked but his mother grabbed him by his ear. "How dare you invite that muggle loving scoundrel good for nothing sissy into my home?"
She pushed the speechless Sirius away violently and turned to James with a menacing stare.
"I will let you stay, but only to spare myself the indignity of throwing you out of the door in front of my guests," Mrs. Black growled. "The three of you get back into the parlor, I will not tolerate impoliteness towards your relatives."
Sirius grabbed his friends and eagerly darted out of his mother's line of vision.
James laughed. "I really ticked her off with that whole saving Lily from Devin thing, huh?"
"Don't get me started," Sirius rolled his eyes. "She threatened to wipe my name from the Black Family Tapestry and refused to feed me for a week."
Sirius laughed at James's bewildered expression. "What, do you think that's something unusual? You should know my mum better than that by now. I can survive just fine even without her help."
Behind him, James heard a menacing growl. He ignored it until Nymphadora tapped him on the shoulder and motioned for him not to turn around. Of course, James could not resist looking.
When he turned, James came face to face with someone he hadn't seen for quite some time. Devin Goyle. Devin did not speak, but took a slow step forward, towering over James and Sirius. Beside him, another boy whom James did not recognize let out a deep chuckle.
James quavered under Devin's gaze and inadvertently took a step backwards. Sirius jumped in front of James looked about to say something unpleasant, when Nymphadora bounded forward, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process.
"Why hello Devin! I see you have already met James. Since we have all been introduced, I suppose it is time for us to leave!" Nymphadora insisted hastily, trying to buffer the situation. James thought that she played the role of the buffer fairly often with a family like hers.
Still, James had too much in him to allow himself to be buffered when it came to a confrontation such as this. The thought that Devin Goyle, who had attempted murder, walked free ate at him all of the time. All of his life James had had faith in the Ministry of Magic to take care of criminals, and to make the magical world a safe place. His faith had been very quickly dispelled after the way that the incident had gone unresolved.
"Stand aside Tonks," James insisted harshly but with obvious affection. "I think I can fight my own battles." He stepped forward this time with purpose, refusing to show weakness to the older boy.
Devin wrinkled his forehead. "If this were a battlefield you would be dead. It is lucky for you that we are in the Black home. I would not sully the family name simply for vermin like you. I assure you that you will be dealt with."
James clenched his fists and managed to control his anger, but Sirius leapt forward with his wand out.
"Deal with this! Verminexosis!" He shouted.
James and Nymphadora both flinched at the nasty spell Sirius had sent towards his own cousin. Sirius had always had a tendency to overdo things.
Devin fell to the ground quickly, his body convulsing quickly. He began to retch and choke, and in moments pulled a small rodent out of his throat.
"Quick, let's get out of here!" James called, grasping Sirius's robes.
Devin's companion quickly stepped forward and uttered a spell. Sirius dodged it and so did James. Nymphadora got hit straight on and her eyes promptly glued themselves shut.
Nymphadora screamed and brought her hands to her eyes, frantically trying to pry them open. "I'm blind! I'm blind!" Hysterically she began to run around in circles.
She ran smack into Severus Snape who fell to the ground with a thump where he began to cry pathetically.
James ran to Nymphadora's side, the latter of whom had just ran headfirst into a wall, and Sirius ran about trying to hide as his mother approached with little Bellatrix Lestrange at her side.
Nearby a haggard looking house elf shook his head and muttered spitefully under his breath, "dratted nasty little traitors, bringing shame on the house of my dear mistress!"
Despite Sirius's attempts to hide, his mother found him and pulled him up violently by the collar, cutting off his air supply so Sirius gasped and coughed. "That is about enough young man! I want you out of my house! Out! And take your dirty mudblood loving friend with you!" she screeched. "If the two of you are not gone in thirty seconds I will take no responsibility to what may happen to you under this roof!"
Sirius quickly grabbed James and the two boys dragged the struggling Nymphadora to the fireplace, where Floo powder was quickly taken advantage of.
Moments later the three breathless children appeared in Cornelia Morgana Potter's sitting room, where she was enjoying her afternoon cup of tea.
James's rigid grandmother screamed with alarm and dropped her teacup where it shattered on the hardwood floor.
Nymphadora screamed in return and James hurriedly explained the situation to his grandmother while Sirius tried to quiet his cousin.
As strict as Cornelia Potter was, she was a sensible woman. She had no wish to allow this screaming witch to disrupt her daily life. So she quickly and flawlessly delivered the counter curse and sent Sirius and Nymphadora on their way. Since neither of them were in a fit state to return to the Black manor, James escorted them next door to the Evans home.
Lily's mother cooked and cared for the duo until they found it suitable to return home. During this time, Lily confined herself to her room, emerging only when required and not speaking to either Sirius or Nymphadora at all.
Nymphadora tried several times to make conversation with Lily, and to befriend her, but Lily had already condemned Nymphadora as a friend of James. Lily was sure that no friend of James could be worth knowing. Even Sirius, who she normally tolerated, found that Lily was not willing to acknowledge his presence.
Lily herself was having a most miserable summer and was very anxious for the school year to start, where she would at least have her friends for allies.
Book 2- The Price of Glory
Chapter 4- Old Enemies and New Enemies
James had never felt entirely comfortable at Sirius's house, under the disapproving gaze of Sirius's mother, but since the incident when he had rescued Lily from Devin Goyle, Sirius's mother had been downright hostile towards him. The prospect of facing Sirius's entire family at once was quite unpleasant. Yet James was not one to let his best friend down, and he could no more give up a chance to harass Sirius's fouler relatives than he could make his messy hair lie flat against his head.
As unattractive as the offer seemed, James was more than inclined to take it. The thought of not going never even crossed his mind.
So, on the appointed day, James stood in front of his Grandmother's fireplace, dressed in his best and only suit for some reason he could not fathom. Some part of James knew that this reunion would be a big deal, and in an attempt to minimize the animosity directed at him, James unconsciously made efforts to make himself appear well groomed.
Taking a deep breath, James threw a handful of Floo Powder into the fireplace and spoke clearly, "Sirius's house."
James felt as if he were being pulled into the fireplace by his navel. When he was younger, he used to love traveling by Floo Powder, finding it very exciting. James was quite used to it by now, but he still enjoyed the few moments of weightlessness.
He coughed and brushed the soot off himself before looking up to find himself in Sirius's living room, surrounded by more people than he could count. James smiled around amiably, ignoring the hateful stares directed at him.
Unfortunately, Sirius was no where in sight and James was left to wander around purposefully, trying to ignore many familiar and hostile faces. Fortunately, James was rescued from the whispers of persecution by a familiar face belonging to one Nymphadora Tonks.
Nymphadora was one of Sirius's many cousins, she was the one cousin who James found remotely pleasant. In reality, she was his second cousin, the daughter of his first cousin Andromeda, but the difference did not matter to Sirius. Nymphadora was a year younger than James and Sirius, slightly tall for her age, good natured and clumsy. James had always been fascinated by her, she had the strange ability to alter her appearance at will.
Today, her eyes were a brilliant shade of purple and her hair was a shocking shade of orange. Her ordinarily perfect complexion was littered with freckles and her nose was shorter than usual. Still, James recognized Nymphadora right away from the way she carried herself. Also he was quite sure that no one else in Sirius's family would be caught dead with orange hair.
"Oh, James!" Nymphadora shrieked, throwing her skinny arms around him happily, although they had only met a few times before. "I'm so happy you are here!"
James hugged back hesitantly, a bit embarrassed at her vigor.
"Are you looking for Sirius?" Nymphadora asked, before James had a chance to respond. "I think he is being interrogated by the Crabbes. Everyone is terribly put out with you because of what you did to Devin. Personally I think he needs to be taught a lesson. But we mustn't talk about that, at least not here. You are not in any real danger I do not think. No one would so much as raise a wand against you in the Black house, it would mortify Sirius's mother."
James followed Nymphadora meekly as she led him over to where Sirius was standing with his head down, being lectured by an intimidating man. Nymphadora motioned for James to stop and the two stood in the background listening.
"Certainly, Sirius, you have the potential to go far. You come from a most noble house and look at the many fine wizards and witches which share your bloodline," The tall dark man who Nymphadora said was Geoffrey Crabbe was saying sternly. "You must watch the company you keep. That Potter boy is going nowhere and many people would be disappointed if you went down with him."
At that point, Nymphadora could restrain James no longer and he pushed in front of her, smiling up at Geoffrey Crabbe and his family. "I must say, I quite agree with you old chap," James spoke mockingly. "I would hate for Sirius to fall in with the wrong crowd."
Sirius grinned ecstatically and nodded his head. "James is right, we'll go and work on that together… right now!"
Geoffrey Crabbe and his wife both looked distinctly offended and their son, who James recognized from school took a menacing step forward. James vaguely recalled that his name was Oliver.
More than ready for a chance to get away, Sirius grabbed both James and Nymphadora and took off in the opposite direction before any of the Crabbe's had a chance to act. They were an intimidating bunch, both in social stature and in cruelty.
The three did not get far before they ran into Lucius Malfoy. Sirius sighed miserably. James was perhaps one of the only people (outside of Sirius's family) who knew that Sirius and Lucius were cousins. Sirius was related to a whole slew of horrible people, the Crabbes, the Goyles, the Lestranges and the Malfoys were just a few.
Lucius clucked his tongue. "Well, well, well… if it isn't the two biggest losers at Hogwarts. I had been trying to decide for a while, who in the school was truly the biggest loser. At first I had considered Severus, but mudblood lovers are worse. I am ashamed to call you family, what with the company you keep."
Sirius smiled back winningly. "At least we are both passing transfiguration without outside help," he retorted.
It was common knowledge that Lucius had failed that class, but his father had bought off people at the Ministry of Magic to give him a special exception.
Lucius snarled but ignored Sirius, turning instead to James, "It seems, that you have been meddling in other people's affairs. I you know what is good for you I suggest you stay out of things from now on. The little mudblood deserved what she would have got."
James stepped forward menacingly with Sirius right beside him.
At that moment, a dark haired little girl with pale skin and brilliantly red lips sidled up to Lucius. Her eyes roamed back and forth between James and Sirius and finally landed on Sirius.
"Let's drop the matter, shall we," she crooned persuasively. "It's hardly a surprise that Sirius and his friends are of questionable character. A bad egg may arise from even the finest of hens."
Sirius grimaced and Nymphadora stepped forward.
"Hello Bellatrix, and goodbye. Can't you see you are not wanted here?" Nymphadora exclaimed boldly, pulling both James and Sirius away by their arms.
Malfoy's face flamed an angry red but Bellatrix stayed calm, staring at Nymphadora silently as the three made haste towards Sirius's room. James recalled meeting Bellatrix Lestrange in the past. Initially she had been sugary sweet towards James, but he had not been fooled by this. Sirius had told James many times about Bellatrix's manipulative nature, and James found it best to stay away from the sly little minx. Though James was itching for the opportunity to wreak havoc on the nastier aspects of Sirius's bloodline, the odds against the Marauding duo were overwhelming.
Just as James, Sirius and Nymphadora were about to make their escape they ran into the last person they wanted to see, Sirius's mother.
She stood before them, a small but intimidating figure, clad in a solemn black dress and tall stiletto heels. Her hair was pulled up in a tight, no nonsense bun which reminded James of his own Grandmother. Both women shared the same harsh frown lines and sharp features, but while James's grandmother was merely strict, Sirius's mother was cruel. Though he was almost ashamed to say it aloud, James was sure that she was pure evil.
"Where do you think you are going?" Mrs. Black whispered frigidly.
Her eyes fell on James and a look of utter disgust came over her drawn features. She raised an eyebrow and turned to Sirius.
"What is this abomination doing in my house? Certainly you are aware of his part in your dear cousin Goyle's humiliation!" Sirius ducked but his mother grabbed him by his ear. "How dare you invite that muggle loving scoundrel good for nothing sissy into my home?"
She pushed the speechless Sirius away violently and turned to James with a menacing stare.
"I will let you stay, but only to spare myself the indignity of throwing you out of the door in front of my guests," Mrs. Black growled. "The three of you get back into the parlor, I will not tolerate impoliteness towards your relatives."
Sirius grabbed his friends and eagerly darted out of his mother's line of vision.
James laughed. "I really ticked her off with that whole saving Lily from Devin thing, huh?"
"Don't get me started," Sirius rolled his eyes. "She threatened to wipe my name from the Black Family Tapestry and refused to feed me for a week."
Sirius laughed at James's bewildered expression. "What, do you think that's something unusual? You should know my mum better than that by now. I can survive just fine even without her help."
Behind him, James heard a menacing growl. He ignored it until Nymphadora tapped him on the shoulder and motioned for him not to turn around. Of course, James could not resist looking.
When he turned, James came face to face with someone he hadn't seen for quite some time. Devin Goyle. Devin did not speak, but took a slow step forward, towering over James and Sirius. Beside him, another boy whom James did not recognize let out a deep chuckle.
James quavered under Devin's gaze and inadvertently took a step backwards. Sirius jumped in front of James looked about to say something unpleasant, when Nymphadora bounded forward, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process.
"Why hello Devin! I see you have already met James. Since we have all been introduced, I suppose it is time for us to leave!" Nymphadora insisted hastily, trying to buffer the situation. James thought that she played the role of the buffer fairly often with a family like hers.
Still, James had too much in him to allow himself to be buffered when it came to a confrontation such as this. The thought that Devin Goyle, who had attempted murder, walked free ate at him all of the time. All of his life James had had faith in the Ministry of Magic to take care of criminals, and to make the magical world a safe place. His faith had been very quickly dispelled after the way that the incident had gone unresolved.
"Stand aside Tonks," James insisted harshly but with obvious affection. "I think I can fight my own battles." He stepped forward this time with purpose, refusing to show weakness to the older boy.
Devin wrinkled his forehead. "If this were a battlefield you would be dead. It is lucky for you that we are in the Black home. I would not sully the family name simply for vermin like you. I assure you that you will be dealt with."
James clenched his fists and managed to control his anger, but Sirius leapt forward with his wand out.
"Deal with this! Verminexosis!" He shouted.
James and Nymphadora both flinched at the nasty spell Sirius had sent towards his own cousin. Sirius had always had a tendency to overdo things.
Devin fell to the ground quickly, his body convulsing quickly. He began to retch and choke, and in moments pulled a small rodent out of his throat.
"Quick, let's get out of here!" James called, grasping Sirius's robes.
Devin's companion quickly stepped forward and uttered a spell. Sirius dodged it and so did James. Nymphadora got hit straight on and her eyes promptly glued themselves shut.
Nymphadora screamed and brought her hands to her eyes, frantically trying to pry them open. "I'm blind! I'm blind!" Hysterically she began to run around in circles.
She ran smack into Severus Snape who fell to the ground with a thump where he began to cry pathetically.
James ran to Nymphadora's side, the latter of whom had just ran headfirst into a wall, and Sirius ran about trying to hide as his mother approached with little Bellatrix Lestrange at her side.
Nearby a haggard looking house elf shook his head and muttered spitefully under his breath, "dratted nasty little traitors, bringing shame on the house of my dear mistress!"
Despite Sirius's attempts to hide, his mother found him and pulled him up violently by the collar, cutting off his air supply so Sirius gasped and coughed. "That is about enough young man! I want you out of my house! Out! And take your dirty mudblood loving friend with you!" she screeched. "If the two of you are not gone in thirty seconds I will take no responsibility to what may happen to you under this roof!"
Sirius quickly grabbed James and the two boys dragged the struggling Nymphadora to the fireplace, where Floo powder was quickly taken advantage of.
Moments later the three breathless children appeared in Cornelia Morgana Potter's sitting room, where she was enjoying her afternoon cup of tea.
James's rigid grandmother screamed with alarm and dropped her teacup where it shattered on the hardwood floor.
Nymphadora screamed in return and James hurriedly explained the situation to his grandmother while Sirius tried to quiet his cousin.
As strict as Cornelia Potter was, she was a sensible woman. She had no wish to allow this screaming witch to disrupt her daily life. So she quickly and flawlessly delivered the counter curse and sent Sirius and Nymphadora on their way. Since neither of them were in a fit state to return to the Black manor, James escorted them next door to the Evans home.
Lily's mother cooked and cared for the duo until they found it suitable to return home. During this time, Lily confined herself to her room, emerging only when required and not speaking to either Sirius or Nymphadora at all.
Nymphadora tried several times to make conversation with Lily, and to befriend her, but Lily had already condemned Nymphadora as a friend of James. Lily was sure that no friend of James could be worth knowing. Even Sirius, who she normally tolerated, found that Lily was not willing to acknowledge his presence.
Lily herself was having a most miserable summer and was very anxious for the school year to start, where she would at least have her friends for allies.