Chapter Eight: Hogwarts Homecoming
Disclaimer: I don't Malfoy, which I really don't mind, but I do own James, yes, oh yes, he's mine.
"Ravenclaw takes the quaffle and storms down the field passing from chaser to chaser." Dean's voice boomed over the loudspeaker. "Ravenclaw has outnumbered James Black the new Gryffindor two to one! Chaser Sarah Poliak receives the quaffle from Katie O'Day and pump fakes then releases a shot, and it's...stopped! YES! James stopped it! He's got a lot of talent he does." Rain poured down on the students of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw as they watched the Quidditch match. The score was Gryffindor 40, Ravenclaw 0. James hadn't allowed a single goal. There was no doubt he was one of the best keepers in the league. He threw the quaffle to Aleigha Taylor one of the new Gryffindor chasers, a fourth year.
Meanwhile, Harry soared up above looking for the Snitch. Earlier he and Cho had wished each other good luck, blushing. Harry continued to zoom on his Firebolt, his grip loose with on the wet wood of the broom. James was outnumbered. Harry soared down to help him. Sarah Poliak fired the shot against James. James jumped off his broom, deflecting the shot. However, he was no in a free-fall towards the ground. Harry pushed the Firebolt harder until he was feet, then inches away from James. James caught the Firebolt just mere inches from the ground and Harry flew him back to his broom.
Knowing James was okay, Harry resumed his searching. Then he saw it the glittering of the Snitch. He dove quickly. Harry saw the Snitch in front of him but did not see the Bludger behind him. James, who had just stopped another Ravenclaw shot grabbed the Quaffle and shouted to Harry. "Harry, Bludger!" Through the rain, though, Harry could not hear him. The Bludger was closing in. If James was going to do what he thought about, he had to do it now. He grasped the Quaffle and pretended like he was the Quarterback and the Bludger was his receiver. He launched the red ball. It soared through the air knocking the Bludger out of the way from Harry.
"What a spectacular play by Black! He used the Quaffle as his own Bludger to hit the Bludger from bludging Potter! Unbelievable!" Dean shouted, spittle flying from his mouth. Harry now had a wide-open grasp at the Snitch and was able to clasp his fingers around its tiny, golden wings. "And that's the game! Potter has captured the Snitch and Gryffindor wins 190-0! What a great display of teamwork between Potter and Black. Once again the final score Gryffindor 190, Ravenclaw 0. Make sure to see next weekends match as Hufflepuff takes on Slytherin. I'm Dean Thomas and for Professor McGonagal and the rest of the Hogwarts Staff, thank you for attending today's game.
It was now the middle of October and Harry, Hermione, and James were midway through their sixth year. The classes had turned out to be relatively easy for the three (mostly because of Hermione's help), and they were busier than ever with James and Harry on the Quidditch team and Hermione taking even more classes this year then years past. James seemed to fit in with Harry and Hermione perfectly and enjoyed Hogwarts tremendously.
One morning at breakfast, Professor Dumbledore rose and chimed his glass. The Great Hall fell quiet waiting for his announcement. "Attention students! Two weeks from now will be the first ever Hogwarts Homecoming. The Quidditch game will be on that Friday containing a Hogwarts All-Star Team vs. Sydney Omarr's Academy. Madam Hooch will post the team next week Monday and practices for the team will be every day after classes from 2:30 till 5:00. Also, on Saturday, there will be a dance here in the great hall starting at 7:00 and running until 11:00. The boys will need to ask the girls and at the first Sadie Hawkins Dance in the spring, the girls will ask the boys". When Professor Dumbledore spoke these words James and Hermione looked at each other then glanced away quickly setting their gazes on the floor, their cheeks as red as the Gryffindor Common Room. Professor finished with, "That is all." He sat down. There was a moment's pause, and then the Hall erupted with chatter about the upcoming event. Who was going to go with whom to the dance, and who would make the Quidditch team were the major topics of conversation. Harry, Hermione, and James sat silent for a minute then started talking about it them selves.
"Hey Harry, who are you going to ask to the dance?" James asked. Harry shrugged, thinking of Cho, her beautiful smile and gorgeous dark black hair pictured in Harry's head.
"So James, you know who your gonna ask to the dance? Huh?" Harry questioned.
James' reply was simply, "I have and idea."
Later that evening, the three sat around the Gryffindor Common Room, all alone, late at night. They were talking about classes and how funny Snape looked when Neville's potion exploded in his face. It was getting late so Harry decided to head up to bed. The three exchanged "G'nights." And Harry was off up the stairs towards the Boy's Dormitories. Meanwhile, James turned to Hermione and said, "Hermione I...um...have a question I'd like to ask you."
As he climbed the cold marble steps, Harry started to think about James, and even as he took off his shirt and pants and slipped into bed his thoughts still settled on the boy. Harry felt like James was good friend that he had known since childhood but couldn't help thinking that he was replacing Ron too quickly. Pain and sadness, anger and hatred soon filled Harry's heart as he thought of Ron. All the memories he had shared with the redhead, his first real friend, were now just faded pictures in the back of his brain. He questioned what he was doing, what Ron would have wanted him to do. He knew that Ron would not wanted him to mourn his death but he would not want him to forget all the memories they had experienced and shared together. Harry was still deep, and did not hear James enter the room. He only noticed his presence when James asked if he was still awake. He acknowledged.
As James undressed, he could feel as though something were bothering Harry. He crawled into bed, the sheets cold against his bare skin. Then he realized what it probably was that was bothering his friend. "Harry," he spoke "I am sorry that you lost Ron. I am sorry I never had the chance to have met him. He seemed like a great person with a warm heart that I would have loved to know. I realize that you must be confused and worried that Ron might think I was taking his place and I understand why you would think that, but you must understand that's not what I'm trying to do. I only want to be your friend."
It was at that point that Harry knew James belonged and that his and Harry's friendship would not pain Ron's memory and spirit. He turned over and pulled the warm covers over his body, and, his body filled with content, drifted into dreariness.
A:N Well, that's chapter eight. I hope it was long enough and interesting. I tried to through that Homecoming twist in there to speed up the romantic part of the story. I hope you guys liked the story and if you have any questions or ideas please please please feel free to put them in a review, I'd be happy to take any ideas you guys have into consideration and would love to hear your comments. Thanks again, yours truly, boltinpadfoot, author.