Chapter 3- Tha calm after the storm.
The next day Jonathan Black informed James that his father had been taken to a cell in Azkaban. He would need to make a statement later on, but heaven forbid there had been enough ministry officials to witness a good deal of the situation.
The headlines on the front of the Daily Prophet read;
"Quidditch star looses his Quaffle!
Last night, star Quidditch player, Robert Potter, hit and threatened his own son, in front of half of the Ministry of Magic. His son, James Potter, stated that he loved his girlfriend, muggle born Lily Evans. This made Potter senior angry, and hit his son. Potter Junior then went on to reveal that his father had a history of violent behaviour against himself, his sister and mother. He also mention that Robert Potter's first daughter, Narcissa Potter (now Malfoy) was illegitimate and that the mother had mysteriously disappeared. The ministry is looking into claims that she had been murdered by him. At the moment Potter is waiting in Azkaban for his trial, where his own son will be revealing evidence against him. He will be facing charges of; Abuse, harassment, inappropriate curses/hexes, use of the unforgivable curses on his wife and maybe even murder. Chances are he will never leave Azkaban.
To go further into the previous night, the young muggle born witch, who the father/ son rift was over, protected James Potter from possible curses, when Robert Potter raised his wand at his son. She Cast the "Expellerus" charm just before anything could be done, flinging the grown wizard, known for his excellent reflexes on the Quidditch pitch, across the room. This was not all, she did this without a wand. It looks like Lily Evans, is more than a young witch of muggle heritage. She is a powerful witch who could rival many grown witches and wizards."
James would be staying at the Black residence for the time being. But after Hogwarts he would be moving into one of his mothers houses. "Godric's Hollow." Claire would already be there, but would be looking for somewhere else, because she wanted a salon. She would buy some property perhaps in Diagon alley or Hogsmeade, set up a salon on the lower floor and a flat to live in above. It was her dream. And now with her mother's inheritance (And if her father was sent to Azkaban, his too.) Her dream could become reality. Once again everyone was staying at the Blacks. James, Remus, Peter, Calire and Lily. In the day neither James nor Lily would be seen with out each other. With Lily, James almost seemed himself. But Claire seemed to be going through a patch of depression. And only Remus noticed. She always seemed to be alone, she had no friends there, only James as family and he was always off with Lily. She had to be totally independant. She would spend her days in the shade of a big oak tree in the Black's back garden. One day Remus aproached her.
"Why do you come out here so often?" He asked. "You seem so lonely." She frowned.
"It's not as if you care. Nobody does."
"That's not true, if I didn't care I wouldn't bother asking." He replied a charming smile across his face. Claire looked at him, not wanting to believe his reply.
"Why do you care then?" She asked.
"I care because you're my friends sister and he cares for you alot."
"Not now he has Lily, he doesn't."
"Claire you have both been through alot in the past month. And you have both dealt with the situation differently. You wanted solitude and the chance to clear your mind without everyone else. But James has come to rely on someone, that someone being Lily.
He has used her as his rock, his confident. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here to listen, ok?" He hugged her and left her to think about what he had just said.. She knew he was right it was her choice to close herself up. James copuldn't help but find someone else to confide in and Lily was ideal as they seemed made for each other. But it was sweet of Remus to offer his services to her, like a true gentleman. She often thought there must have been something more to Remus, but could never quite put her finger on it. He seemed the perfect gentleman, yet dangerously exciting at the same time. After a week or two, James was completely back to his old self, joking and pulling pranks with his mates. An owl had come from Gringots with his mothers official will. James and Claire had between them 5 properties and more money then they would ever need. James took Lily to look around Godric's hollow. They apparated outside. It looked nothing. It had 2 stories and was covered in ivy.
James unlocked the front door using a rusty old key, they stepped in, hand in hand to a corridor with no less then 10 doors down it. It was quite old and smelly, the paint was peeling and the pictures along the walls were all covered in dust- all the occupants were asleep. They went through all the doors revealing a living room, dinning room, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom with en-suite, banquet hall and 4 rooms which they couldn't figure out what were used for. Then they went upstairsto find 6 more bedrooms, all equipped with bathrooms. There was also another sitting room and a small room with lots of little beds, which James presumed was for house elevs. Finally there was an attic and a garden which stretched acres (Although it was a little over grown). James was really excited- this was his afterall!
"When we leave school Lil's, we can live here. It may need a little work but we'll sort that out and then we'll get married and have kids. Oh this is perfect! They can have a room each, I'll make the attic into a play room and the garden is perfect size for them to play Quidditch and we'll grow old together and our children's children will come over and play and we'll live happily ever after." Lily smiled at him.
"You really imagine us growing old together and having children?"
"Yeah!" He gushed, "We'll have 3 boys and 2 girls- that will fill up the upstairs bedrooms, and Sirius will have to use the downstairs one of course." Lily put her arm around James' waist. They walked back into the master bedroom and sat side by side on the four poster bed. There was a thick layer of dust covering the floor, wardrobe and bed side cabinet. The life sized picture of Godric Griffindor was asleep opposite the bed.
"I don't know if I could sleep with him opposite me though." Lily stated absent mindedly, nodding towards the picture. James grinned at the thought of sharing a bed with her.
"You could shut the hangings, my dear."
"But he would still beable to har me snore." She argued.
"Well if it bothers you that much, we can move him. I'm sure that theres a more noble place any how." Lily laid back on the bed, James following suit.
"Tell me more about our lives after after Hogwarts then." she said.
"Well," he stated dreamily, "When we leave Hogwarts, we will of course get married, then I will train as an aurour and you can train to be a healer or what ever you want to be. You don't have to do anything if you don't want, I can support us both. Then we will have our first child. It will be a girl, I'm thinking we name her Harriet after my mother. Then we will have to get her a pet. Not a cat because Sirius will dissagree with that.
Perhaps a dog. Then we will twin boys, the another girl and then another boy. The girls will be beautiful like there mother. All red heads with gorgeous eyes and the boys will all be rougishly hansome like their father. They will all go to Hogwarts and will be in any house but Slytherin, preferably Griffindor. We will miss them when they're away, but we will get some alone time too. And they will marry- who ever they want. And we will have oodles of grand children. We can look after them all here in Goric's Hollow, telling them about when their parents were little. We can go on country walks together and grow old in each others arms." Lily cuddled into his warm loving arms.
"I love you, and I love our future life. I can't wait to grow old with you." He looked into her eyes and then kissed her sweetly on the forhead. They both laid side by side thinking of what the future would hold for them and eventually they both fell asleep. They were found a few hours later by Claire and Sirius who had wondered where they were and came in search for them. Lily was snuggled in close to James, who had his arm around her waist.
"Aww, don't they look cute!" Claire gushed.
"You don't think they... yoy know?" Sirius implied. Claire slapped his arm.
"Don't be sick of course they didn't! For one they are both fully clothed and two he respects her. Your just sick minded." She paused thoughtfully. "They don't only look in love, they look made for each other. As if some greater force meant for them to be together."
"Like you and me babe!" Sirius grinned putting his arm around Claire.
"UH! BOYS!" She hurumphed abruptly pulling out of his grip.
"Come on, I get enough of the mushy crap from James!" James stirred.
"Whats all the noise about?" He questioned sleepily.
"We just wondered where you and Lily were, you've been gone for 6 hours! How long could it possibly take to look round a house?"
The next day was the one which James had been dreading. He was dressed in his smartest dress robes, walking down a long corridor in the ever foreboding Ministry or magic. He was following Mr Black and Claire. Finally they were at their required room. The superiour court room. Only really special people got tried here. They stepped inside and took a seat in the stands. Looking around James could tell this was the biggest, grandest court room the ministry had to offer. It made him some how feel nervous and inferior to his surroundings, almost as though his chance of seeing the back of his father was a tiny ant sized dot on the ground and he had to jump from a very high object in the sky to reach it. If they used this special court room for his father then surely he was still getting star treatment from his quidditch fame.
The odds seem very low in James' favour.
"Mr Potter, Miss Potter. May I ask you a few questions?" A young lady asked, holding a quill and a role of parchment. A man stood behind her with a camera snapping away at both James and Claire as if they were some sort of spectacular show.
"Excuse me miss, please do not bother these children. They have enough to worry about." Mr Black stepped in. Claire was greatful- she hated everyone needing to know her business.
"And who are you?" She snapped rather rudely.
"He is our real father." James said taking matters into his own hands. "Look if you leave us alone now, I will spare half an hour for you later."
"She smiled triumphantly, being the first to get the "Potter" Story would do he nicely, maybe even get her a promotion.
"Deal." She said turning on her hill. In fact it seemed she wasn't the only reporter after their story, no everybody and their uncle was there wanting to see what happened to the most famous quidditch player of the century. It seemed the head of the department of magical law himself was taking the court session.
"Order, order!" Crouch spoke. "The trial of mister Robert Fredrick Potter to commence." The doors opened and James felt a chill run down his spine. There in the doorway he saw his father, limp and pathetic being carried by two dementors and placed into a chair in the middle of the floor. The chains on the arms and legs of the chair fastened around his wrists and ankles, although he looked so weak, they seemed to be holding him up rather than locking him in.
Between the sight of his father and the feeling the dementors gave him, James began to remember all the beatings he, claire and his mother had received from the man in front of him. He heard a deep sobbing behind him, turning he saw Nacissa crying her eyes oyut. Malfoy comforting her, although not very well. He still held a sneer on his face whilst doing so.
"Mister Potter, you sit before my court, facing charges of abuse, harrassment, use of unforgivable curses and murder. How do you plead?" The court froze in silence.....
"Mister Potter you stand here before my court, facing charges of abuse, harrassment, use of unforgivable curses and murder. How do you plead?" The court froze in silence.
"Innocent." Robert Potter replied quietly. The young head of department looked infuriated, his neat, formal appearence seemed very slightly disturbed.
" I was at your wifes funeral Mister Potter.
I witnessed myself what you did. Firstly, discriminating purity of blood, I can't say anything to that as it is a matter of oppinion, it is frowned upon greatly, yet is not a crime as of now. Then you hit your son. He was being disrespectful towards your opinion, yes. But abuse is an offence. On it's own it would be worth your children being taken away from you and an act of disciplinery taken. Finally you pulled your wand out on your own son. A very serious matter in deed. In most cases it is worth at least 5 years in Azkaban. This is why I am disgusted at you pleed. Innocent?
In the space of half an hour you commited 2 crimes." He glared at Robert Potter. If there was one thing he hated, it was a dark wizard. "I would like to ask Mr Prewitt, a researcher from the department of mysteries to please enter." A small man came through the door and stood before the court. "Mr Prewett, what have you found?" The small man looked up to the court. He had grey hair and James thought he resembled a lost puppy.
"Mr Crouch, since the allogations were made against Mr Robert Potter. I have been looking into Mr Potter past. I looked into the records of patients giving birth on the days around when Mrs Nacissa Malfoy, formally Potter was born.
And I found numerous suspects for her real mother. I did my research into each candidate and found that a Miss Sarah Vermont, a pure blooded witch, gave birth to a little girl 11Ib 4oz. There was no father listed on the birth certificate. And it seems that both the mother and her daughter were reported missing, co-incidently on the exact same day, 3 days later. The same day infact that Mrs Harriet Potter was announced to have given birth to a little girl of 11Ib 4oz. The childs height, weight and appearence are the exact same on both sets of records. Therefore I am pressuming that they are the same child, that being Nacissa Malfoy." The court room gasped at this shocking evidence. "The only question, Mr Potter which I would like to ask you is, What did you do to miss Vermont?" Potter looked around the room anxiously, as if searching for an answer, but not finding one.
"I've never heard of a S... Sarah Vermont." He stated trying to sound firm but failing miserably. All the peices to the puzzle had now began to fit and Robert Potter was desperately trying to mishape them. " I have never had an affair." He denied. "I only ever shared myselfwith the woman I loved.
And that was the woman I married. Harriet Potter." The people in the court looked down on Mr Potter, pity in their eyes. They were begining to be fooled. James had to do something.
"Ah yes father." He stood up and everyone turned to him. "Yes indeed. That statement would've been quite convincing save one word. That word being 'loved'. A man who truely loves someone would never stop loving them be they dead or alive." A few people nodded in agreement.
"Mr Potter." Crouch adressed James. "May I ask you some questions?"
"Certainly."
"Your relationship with your father, is it a close one?"
"No sir."
"Why not?"
"Because I hate him. He is the base to all the problems I have ever had."
"How so?"
"He would not let me be with the woman I love, because of her heritage. He abuses my sister and myself, when we do not do as he says. And he killed my mother."
Robert Potter spoke, "He has no proof!"
"Yes that is truth. James, son, you don't have any proof of those alligations."
"My mother dies of a curse my father and her family placed upon her. The altosy showed she was completely healthy, so it was either that curse of some one using the killing curse on her. That did not happen. Doctor Fitzgerald, Claire and I were there beside her when she died. and that was not the case. You saw yourself that he hit me the other night. That was not the first time. Mr Black has healed many cuts and bruises magically, when I have needed it." Mr Black stood up.
"Yes that is true." James smiled at him as he sat back down. Mr Black was a well respected aurour.
"However, one scar he could not heal is this one." James lifted a section of his messy black hair to show Mr Crouch.
The people in the court benches all crained their necks for a better look. Sure enough there was a scar running from his occipital bone to his crown. He didn't make a habbit of messing his hair up for nothing- it covered his scar. "It was from the time i told my father that I didn't want to play proffessional Quidditch and that I wanted to be an aurour. He pushed me over and slammed my head against the floor. I was in St Mungos for a week." Robert Potter thought fast.
"Complete and utter ludicrous. That was from a Quidditch incident, bludger to the head, rather nasty indeed." Jonathan Black stood up again... "Mr Crouch may I say something please?" Mr Crouch nodded. "I have known James since I did some business with Mr Potter a long time ago. He and my son are good friends. I have James over at my house every summer or whenever he is not at school. But not only because he is friends with my son, but because James is scared to stay with his own father. The numerous times he has flooed to my house with all sorts of injuries, each time telling me a different story, how he tripped or walked into a wall. But I have never believed him. It happens too often and I know he is a smart boy. He is capable of alot. If his father cares so much for him, then please tell me Robert, How many O.W.L.s did James get?" Robert Potter stuttered and stammered.
"That, my dear friend is a trick question." He suddenly started confidently. "He hasn't taken his O.W.L.s yet!"
"Mr Potter, James took his O.W.L.s over a year ago. He acheived the highest in his year and for about a decade. Since one Tom Riddle and then Albus Dumbledore himself. I bet you don't know he was Prefect either. If you need any more proof then why don't you check Mr Potter's wand." Mr Black sat down.
"Yes, yes of course. Mr Potter's wand please." A guarde came forward with a long box. It was magically sealed so the prisoner couldn't retrieve it. The Prior Incantatem spell was placed on it and it began to regurgitate spells. The echos of some simple things cames out, such as summoning charms. Then when they were just about to give up hope a small black skull with a snake emerging from it's mouth appeared. Most people in the room were confused by it. But Mr Black narrowed his eyes meanicingly, Mr Prewitt jumped and Mr Crouch began to speak. All 3 recognised this symbol.
"What do you have to say now Mr Potter. Your wand has found you guilty." Crouch spat.
"Fine, Fine! I admit it!" Potter had broken!
"I DID IT. ALL OF IT! I HAD THE AFFAIR, I KILLED THE WENCH TO SAVE MY REPUTATION. CURSED MY WIFE, HIT HER AND THE BRATS! HEXED THEM WHATEVER YOU WISH. EVERY ACCUSSATION MADE AGAINST ME IS TRUE! IT DOESN'T MATTER, MY LORD WILL GET YOU! ALL OF YOU! AND HE WILL RESCUE ME!" He laughed maliciously as he was dragged from the court room. Crouch had condemmed him to a life time in Azkaban. A man from the back of the seating area approached them. It was Dumbledore.
"You have both done me proud." He started. "I'm sorry about your father and what he has done to you. And I am sorry about your mothers passing.
It was I who helped her with her will. You did the right thing in standing up to your father. He got what he deserved." James and Claire both muttered a "thanks", and Dumbledore proceeded out the room.
" Mr Potter, your interveiw." The young reporter he met earlier, said simply. He followed her back to the stands and answered her questions.
The next day when the paper came, James found he had made the front page of the daily Prophet. It read:
Potter gets life!
Yesterday, star seeker Robert Potter, caught himself a life scentance in Azkaban. It seemed he had been playing away from home. The legend on the Quidditch pitch it seems is far less then perfect. Whilst we've been cheering for him, he has been up to all sorts of darstedly deeds and admitted himself that the allegations against him were true. These were of abuse, harrassment, Use of illegal curses and murder. I spoke to his only son, James Potter, asking him what he thought of the verdict. He said...
"I was extremely pleased. I can get on with my life now and live it the way I want, not how he makes me." James will be returning to Hogwarts where he will be starting his seventh year, in a few short weeks. He told us in his own words what his father did to his family. "Obvisoly he didn't love my mother.Before he married her, he had an affair with a miss Sarah Vermont. She fell pregnant and when the child was born my father kept it claiming my mother had birthed her. Miss Vermont went missing, he killed her.A year later Claire was born and a year later I was born. We didn't understand what was going on. We just knew our mummy cried alot. We were brought up mainly by house eleves. We attended many formal do's and I was taught Quidditch from an early age. Most boys my age tossed a Quaffle about with their fathers for fun. I on the other hand had to stay out there until I either got the move right or I passed out from exhastion. If anyone didn't agree with what my father said, or if he had, had a particularily rough day, we could expect some sort of punishment." James then went on to tell me about his latest girlfriend.
"I started dating Lily over a year ago. I tutored her even tho she didn't really need it. She just needed a little confidence. She is now one of the smartest students in the year. We hid our relationship from everyone, even our closest friends, so my father wouldn't find out. But eventually we began to grow so close, it was enevitable that some people would find out. Unfortunately the wrong person found out and told my father, who blew his top. At my mothers funeral was where he found out and I'm sure that if Lily hadn't stepped in I would be being burried next to my mother. At this point James looked down, his face sad and longing for the mother who had recently passed away. " I love my mother she died for me and I will never forget her." Breaking the tense moment, I asked James how Lily, his girlfriend saved him. "My father advanced on me with his wand and she said Expeliarmus and dissarmed him." He also confirmed the well known rumour that she managed this without A wand. All the time I talked to James, his mind seemed else where. I gathered it was due to the victory over his father being put away, but when I questioned him he replied that " He couldn't celebrate the victory over his father. It wouldn't have happened if it weren't for if it weren't for the loss of his mother. So really it was a no win situation." my final question to him was, asking him what the incriminating symbol which arose from Robet Potters wand. The black skull with a snake pertruding from the mouth, as shown in the right hand corner, came from Potter's wand when it was put under the Prior Incantatem spell. James nor any person I have spoken to know what this symbol means. All we know is it does not mean good, because Robert Potter was imprisoned almost as soon as it arose.."
"Look at that! Front page! I made the front page!" James sang after reading tha artical.
"Don't get too excited. It's only because your father is the now Infamous Robbert Potter!" Claire replied drolely. "Anyway, you had better start being nice to me. Afterall, I've just been made your legal guardian." She smiled smugly. The now orphaned James was in his older sisters control untilhe also reached the age of 18. Meanwhile in a cave, on a hill where a band of cloaked figures had met. A man stepped forward. He was a very young man, but one of many evil ways. He spoke from under his cloak and behind his mask.
"Sir, I believe I have found them, the heirs." His voice was quiet, clear and silky.
"You mean Miss Evans and Mr Potter? Do you Lucuis?" The dark lord spoke.
"Your lordship how did you know?" Lucius Malfoy asked.
"Ah Lucius, do you forget who it is you are talking to? I like you have read the prophet. I was curious as to how Robert Potter, a faithful alli to myself got put away. Yes soon it will be time to strike. But we cannot defeat the heirs when they are together. No, they are too powerful, even now. I have been gaining power, gone through many transformations, but not yet am I strong enough I would need also to further my insites in to immortality. But if I can seperate them, then we will have a chance. We need them to hate each other Potter will never join our forces. But it may be possible to gain the Mudbloods trust. Yes, the only way to destroy them now, is for them to destroy each other." The dark lord laughed an evil laugh, his slimy followers joining him. "What we need is a spy. We need someone close to the heirs, someone who will perhaps be able to stir things and someone who could pass information as to what they are doing."
"Master," A female voice said, as a deatheater stepped forward. "My worthless cousin is good friends with Potter. I am sure he cannot be corrupted, however I may be able to get to another in their little group." The dark lord smiled a twisted smile.
"Yes corruption of a close friend... I like it. Pity those who will trust in anyone. I know you will be able to do so discreetly Bellatrix." She mimicked his evil expression linking eyes with him.
"Why my lord, you know discreation is my speciality." She chauckled at the joke, which very few understood.
It was on the very same day the article came, the very same day that evil was planned, that was the very same day the Hogwarts letters were received. Mr Black stumbled into the kitchen at lunch with letters for the 5 "to be" seventh years. However, in comparison two of the letters were considerably bulkier than the others.
"No way!" Sirius exclaimed as one of them was passed to James. "The only letters I get from Hogwarts which are that thick are the ones containig the lists of detentions which I have and need to go to." James snig*ered
"Yeah and we used to hide them upstairs..."
"Sirius! What letters are these?" Sirius gulped.
"Oops I forgot you were still here." he was marched out into the hall Mr Black demanding to see these letters. After 5 minutes of laughing at there mate, the others opened their letters. The first piece of parchment as usual was inviting them into their final year. It said there would be a final departure ball, and would be held on the last day, parents and guardians would be invited to watch.James remembered that both his parents had attended Claire and Nacissa's. The secondpiece of parchment was a list of all the things they needed. This included formal dress robes- James had plenty of these. Finally only Lily and James had a third sheet of parchment. They read:
Dear Miss Evans/ Mr Potter,
We are delighted to inform you that you have received one of this years 2 head positions. This is a very important role and must not be looked upon lightly. During the course of the year you will be expected to;
Guide all students to carridges/ boats upon arrival at Hogsmeade station, September 1st.
Keep students orderly at all times (Points may be taken taken or giveen to houses and detentions given in the process where neccessary)
Assistance must be given to proffessors when needed.
You must help to organise and watch over every future Hogsmeade trip.
You must help organise any school evetns to proceed in school.
You must organise and hold prefects meetings.
You will need to write and say a depature speech for the end of year ball.
You must enjoy your new position of authority.
You will receive a badge which you must wear at all times, so you can be recognised by all other students.
You will also receive access to your own train carridge on the Howarts expres,
A head students lounge
And finally a head students bathroom. I expect you will treat your assigned duties with grave responsibility.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M Mcgonagall 2 chairs scraped the kitchen floor as 2 excited teenagers jumped up.
"I made head girl/ boy!" They screamed together, then pausing, taking in what the other had just said.
"You made head boy/ girl?" They questionned astonished. Grins filled both faces as James ran round the side of the table and swung the petite Ravenclaw round. Mr Black stood in the door frame watching the scene after returning from upstairs. He remembered when Michelle and himself were like that. Any excuse to hold her, touch her, or even just say her name to feel that warm shiver run down his spine.
"I hope my ears are deceiving me. Did I hear correctly? Head boy and head girl? Under my roof? I don't think so!Remus Peter and I want to break some rules, we can't have no authority figures watching over us!" Sirius had re- entered, as usual wanting to stir things.
"Shut up Padfoot, it's not as if I'm going to change." James defended, taking Lily's hand. Sirius watched.
"Is Dumbledore crazy? He's just given you two more excuses to sneak off snogging!" Lily smirked at Sirius. As James defended them
"We're not just gona snea.." Lily pulled James' head down to her level and began to kiss him on the lips.
"AGH! Get. A. Room!" Sirius said.
"OK!" James said pulling Lily upstairs.
"NOT MY ROOM!" Sirius shouted after them, "WELL JUST AS LONG AS THERE AREN'T ANY HEAD BABIES!" He gave in. Mr Black was laughing at his son. He trusted that James and Lily wouldn't do anything stupid, and they were just trying to wind Sirius up. They were succeding. In the last week of the holidays Lily insisted on going home. She had hardly seen her parents and they wanted to spoil her after hearing about her new found glory. James was moping around the Black house like a lost puppy. This was the first time he had been seperated from Lily longer than a few hours, since his mothers death. He had found comfort in her and now she was gone, he felt strangly empty. Little did he know he would have a dose of this feeling, but a million times stronger next summer.
The next day Jonathan Black informed James that his father had been taken to a cell in Azkaban. He would need to make a statement later on, but heaven forbid there had been enough ministry officials to witness a good deal of the situation.
The headlines on the front of the Daily Prophet read;
"Quidditch star looses his Quaffle!
Last night, star Quidditch player, Robert Potter, hit and threatened his own son, in front of half of the Ministry of Magic. His son, James Potter, stated that he loved his girlfriend, muggle born Lily Evans. This made Potter senior angry, and hit his son. Potter Junior then went on to reveal that his father had a history of violent behaviour against himself, his sister and mother. He also mention that Robert Potter's first daughter, Narcissa Potter (now Malfoy) was illegitimate and that the mother had mysteriously disappeared. The ministry is looking into claims that she had been murdered by him. At the moment Potter is waiting in Azkaban for his trial, where his own son will be revealing evidence against him. He will be facing charges of; Abuse, harassment, inappropriate curses/hexes, use of the unforgivable curses on his wife and maybe even murder. Chances are he will never leave Azkaban.
To go further into the previous night, the young muggle born witch, who the father/ son rift was over, protected James Potter from possible curses, when Robert Potter raised his wand at his son. She Cast the "Expellerus" charm just before anything could be done, flinging the grown wizard, known for his excellent reflexes on the Quidditch pitch, across the room. This was not all, she did this without a wand. It looks like Lily Evans, is more than a young witch of muggle heritage. She is a powerful witch who could rival many grown witches and wizards."
James would be staying at the Black residence for the time being. But after Hogwarts he would be moving into one of his mothers houses. "Godric's Hollow." Claire would already be there, but would be looking for somewhere else, because she wanted a salon. She would buy some property perhaps in Diagon alley or Hogsmeade, set up a salon on the lower floor and a flat to live in above. It was her dream. And now with her mother's inheritance (And if her father was sent to Azkaban, his too.) Her dream could become reality. Once again everyone was staying at the Blacks. James, Remus, Peter, Calire and Lily. In the day neither James nor Lily would be seen with out each other. With Lily, James almost seemed himself. But Claire seemed to be going through a patch of depression. And only Remus noticed. She always seemed to be alone, she had no friends there, only James as family and he was always off with Lily. She had to be totally independant. She would spend her days in the shade of a big oak tree in the Black's back garden. One day Remus aproached her.
"Why do you come out here so often?" He asked. "You seem so lonely." She frowned.
"It's not as if you care. Nobody does."
"That's not true, if I didn't care I wouldn't bother asking." He replied a charming smile across his face. Claire looked at him, not wanting to believe his reply.
"Why do you care then?" She asked.
"I care because you're my friends sister and he cares for you alot."
"Not now he has Lily, he doesn't."
"Claire you have both been through alot in the past month. And you have both dealt with the situation differently. You wanted solitude and the chance to clear your mind without everyone else. But James has come to rely on someone, that someone being Lily.
He has used her as his rock, his confident. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here to listen, ok?" He hugged her and left her to think about what he had just said.. She knew he was right it was her choice to close herself up. James copuldn't help but find someone else to confide in and Lily was ideal as they seemed made for each other. But it was sweet of Remus to offer his services to her, like a true gentleman. She often thought there must have been something more to Remus, but could never quite put her finger on it. He seemed the perfect gentleman, yet dangerously exciting at the same time. After a week or two, James was completely back to his old self, joking and pulling pranks with his mates. An owl had come from Gringots with his mothers official will. James and Claire had between them 5 properties and more money then they would ever need. James took Lily to look around Godric's hollow. They apparated outside. It looked nothing. It had 2 stories and was covered in ivy.
James unlocked the front door using a rusty old key, they stepped in, hand in hand to a corridor with no less then 10 doors down it. It was quite old and smelly, the paint was peeling and the pictures along the walls were all covered in dust- all the occupants were asleep. They went through all the doors revealing a living room, dinning room, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom with en-suite, banquet hall and 4 rooms which they couldn't figure out what were used for. Then they went upstairsto find 6 more bedrooms, all equipped with bathrooms. There was also another sitting room and a small room with lots of little beds, which James presumed was for house elevs. Finally there was an attic and a garden which stretched acres (Although it was a little over grown). James was really excited- this was his afterall!
"When we leave school Lil's, we can live here. It may need a little work but we'll sort that out and then we'll get married and have kids. Oh this is perfect! They can have a room each, I'll make the attic into a play room and the garden is perfect size for them to play Quidditch and we'll grow old together and our children's children will come over and play and we'll live happily ever after." Lily smiled at him.
"You really imagine us growing old together and having children?"
"Yeah!" He gushed, "We'll have 3 boys and 2 girls- that will fill up the upstairs bedrooms, and Sirius will have to use the downstairs one of course." Lily put her arm around James' waist. They walked back into the master bedroom and sat side by side on the four poster bed. There was a thick layer of dust covering the floor, wardrobe and bed side cabinet. The life sized picture of Godric Griffindor was asleep opposite the bed.
"I don't know if I could sleep with him opposite me though." Lily stated absent mindedly, nodding towards the picture. James grinned at the thought of sharing a bed with her.
"You could shut the hangings, my dear."
"But he would still beable to har me snore." She argued.
"Well if it bothers you that much, we can move him. I'm sure that theres a more noble place any how." Lily laid back on the bed, James following suit.
"Tell me more about our lives after after Hogwarts then." she said.
"Well," he stated dreamily, "When we leave Hogwarts, we will of course get married, then I will train as an aurour and you can train to be a healer or what ever you want to be. You don't have to do anything if you don't want, I can support us both. Then we will have our first child. It will be a girl, I'm thinking we name her Harriet after my mother. Then we will have to get her a pet. Not a cat because Sirius will dissagree with that.
Perhaps a dog. Then we will twin boys, the another girl and then another boy. The girls will be beautiful like there mother. All red heads with gorgeous eyes and the boys will all be rougishly hansome like their father. They will all go to Hogwarts and will be in any house but Slytherin, preferably Griffindor. We will miss them when they're away, but we will get some alone time too. And they will marry- who ever they want. And we will have oodles of grand children. We can look after them all here in Goric's Hollow, telling them about when their parents were little. We can go on country walks together and grow old in each others arms." Lily cuddled into his warm loving arms.
"I love you, and I love our future life. I can't wait to grow old with you." He looked into her eyes and then kissed her sweetly on the forhead. They both laid side by side thinking of what the future would hold for them and eventually they both fell asleep. They were found a few hours later by Claire and Sirius who had wondered where they were and came in search for them. Lily was snuggled in close to James, who had his arm around her waist.
"Aww, don't they look cute!" Claire gushed.
"You don't think they... yoy know?" Sirius implied. Claire slapped his arm.
"Don't be sick of course they didn't! For one they are both fully clothed and two he respects her. Your just sick minded." She paused thoughtfully. "They don't only look in love, they look made for each other. As if some greater force meant for them to be together."
"Like you and me babe!" Sirius grinned putting his arm around Claire.
"UH! BOYS!" She hurumphed abruptly pulling out of his grip.
"Come on, I get enough of the mushy crap from James!" James stirred.
"Whats all the noise about?" He questioned sleepily.
"We just wondered where you and Lily were, you've been gone for 6 hours! How long could it possibly take to look round a house?"
The next day was the one which James had been dreading. He was dressed in his smartest dress robes, walking down a long corridor in the ever foreboding Ministry or magic. He was following Mr Black and Claire. Finally they were at their required room. The superiour court room. Only really special people got tried here. They stepped inside and took a seat in the stands. Looking around James could tell this was the biggest, grandest court room the ministry had to offer. It made him some how feel nervous and inferior to his surroundings, almost as though his chance of seeing the back of his father was a tiny ant sized dot on the ground and he had to jump from a very high object in the sky to reach it. If they used this special court room for his father then surely he was still getting star treatment from his quidditch fame.
The odds seem very low in James' favour.
"Mr Potter, Miss Potter. May I ask you a few questions?" A young lady asked, holding a quill and a role of parchment. A man stood behind her with a camera snapping away at both James and Claire as if they were some sort of spectacular show.
"Excuse me miss, please do not bother these children. They have enough to worry about." Mr Black stepped in. Claire was greatful- she hated everyone needing to know her business.
"And who are you?" She snapped rather rudely.
"He is our real father." James said taking matters into his own hands. "Look if you leave us alone now, I will spare half an hour for you later."
"She smiled triumphantly, being the first to get the "Potter" Story would do he nicely, maybe even get her a promotion.
"Deal." She said turning on her hill. In fact it seemed she wasn't the only reporter after their story, no everybody and their uncle was there wanting to see what happened to the most famous quidditch player of the century. It seemed the head of the department of magical law himself was taking the court session.
"Order, order!" Crouch spoke. "The trial of mister Robert Fredrick Potter to commence." The doors opened and James felt a chill run down his spine. There in the doorway he saw his father, limp and pathetic being carried by two dementors and placed into a chair in the middle of the floor. The chains on the arms and legs of the chair fastened around his wrists and ankles, although he looked so weak, they seemed to be holding him up rather than locking him in.
Between the sight of his father and the feeling the dementors gave him, James began to remember all the beatings he, claire and his mother had received from the man in front of him. He heard a deep sobbing behind him, turning he saw Nacissa crying her eyes oyut. Malfoy comforting her, although not very well. He still held a sneer on his face whilst doing so.
"Mister Potter, you sit before my court, facing charges of abuse, harrassment, use of unforgivable curses and murder. How do you plead?" The court froze in silence.....
"Mister Potter you stand here before my court, facing charges of abuse, harrassment, use of unforgivable curses and murder. How do you plead?" The court froze in silence.
"Innocent." Robert Potter replied quietly. The young head of department looked infuriated, his neat, formal appearence seemed very slightly disturbed.
" I was at your wifes funeral Mister Potter.
I witnessed myself what you did. Firstly, discriminating purity of blood, I can't say anything to that as it is a matter of oppinion, it is frowned upon greatly, yet is not a crime as of now. Then you hit your son. He was being disrespectful towards your opinion, yes. But abuse is an offence. On it's own it would be worth your children being taken away from you and an act of disciplinery taken. Finally you pulled your wand out on your own son. A very serious matter in deed. In most cases it is worth at least 5 years in Azkaban. This is why I am disgusted at you pleed. Innocent?
In the space of half an hour you commited 2 crimes." He glared at Robert Potter. If there was one thing he hated, it was a dark wizard. "I would like to ask Mr Prewitt, a researcher from the department of mysteries to please enter." A small man came through the door and stood before the court. "Mr Prewett, what have you found?" The small man looked up to the court. He had grey hair and James thought he resembled a lost puppy.
"Mr Crouch, since the allogations were made against Mr Robert Potter. I have been looking into Mr Potter past. I looked into the records of patients giving birth on the days around when Mrs Nacissa Malfoy, formally Potter was born.
And I found numerous suspects for her real mother. I did my research into each candidate and found that a Miss Sarah Vermont, a pure blooded witch, gave birth to a little girl 11Ib 4oz. There was no father listed on the birth certificate. And it seems that both the mother and her daughter were reported missing, co-incidently on the exact same day, 3 days later. The same day infact that Mrs Harriet Potter was announced to have given birth to a little girl of 11Ib 4oz. The childs height, weight and appearence are the exact same on both sets of records. Therefore I am pressuming that they are the same child, that being Nacissa Malfoy." The court room gasped at this shocking evidence. "The only question, Mr Potter which I would like to ask you is, What did you do to miss Vermont?" Potter looked around the room anxiously, as if searching for an answer, but not finding one.
"I've never heard of a S... Sarah Vermont." He stated trying to sound firm but failing miserably. All the peices to the puzzle had now began to fit and Robert Potter was desperately trying to mishape them. " I have never had an affair." He denied. "I only ever shared myselfwith the woman I loved.
And that was the woman I married. Harriet Potter." The people in the court looked down on Mr Potter, pity in their eyes. They were begining to be fooled. James had to do something.
"Ah yes father." He stood up and everyone turned to him. "Yes indeed. That statement would've been quite convincing save one word. That word being 'loved'. A man who truely loves someone would never stop loving them be they dead or alive." A few people nodded in agreement.
"Mr Potter." Crouch adressed James. "May I ask you some questions?"
"Certainly."
"Your relationship with your father, is it a close one?"
"No sir."
"Why not?"
"Because I hate him. He is the base to all the problems I have ever had."
"How so?"
"He would not let me be with the woman I love, because of her heritage. He abuses my sister and myself, when we do not do as he says. And he killed my mother."
Robert Potter spoke, "He has no proof!"
"Yes that is truth. James, son, you don't have any proof of those alligations."
"My mother dies of a curse my father and her family placed upon her. The altosy showed she was completely healthy, so it was either that curse of some one using the killing curse on her. That did not happen. Doctor Fitzgerald, Claire and I were there beside her when she died. and that was not the case. You saw yourself that he hit me the other night. That was not the first time. Mr Black has healed many cuts and bruises magically, when I have needed it." Mr Black stood up.
"Yes that is true." James smiled at him as he sat back down. Mr Black was a well respected aurour.
"However, one scar he could not heal is this one." James lifted a section of his messy black hair to show Mr Crouch.
The people in the court benches all crained their necks for a better look. Sure enough there was a scar running from his occipital bone to his crown. He didn't make a habbit of messing his hair up for nothing- it covered his scar. "It was from the time i told my father that I didn't want to play proffessional Quidditch and that I wanted to be an aurour. He pushed me over and slammed my head against the floor. I was in St Mungos for a week." Robert Potter thought fast.
"Complete and utter ludicrous. That was from a Quidditch incident, bludger to the head, rather nasty indeed." Jonathan Black stood up again... "Mr Crouch may I say something please?" Mr Crouch nodded. "I have known James since I did some business with Mr Potter a long time ago. He and my son are good friends. I have James over at my house every summer or whenever he is not at school. But not only because he is friends with my son, but because James is scared to stay with his own father. The numerous times he has flooed to my house with all sorts of injuries, each time telling me a different story, how he tripped or walked into a wall. But I have never believed him. It happens too often and I know he is a smart boy. He is capable of alot. If his father cares so much for him, then please tell me Robert, How many O.W.L.s did James get?" Robert Potter stuttered and stammered.
"That, my dear friend is a trick question." He suddenly started confidently. "He hasn't taken his O.W.L.s yet!"
"Mr Potter, James took his O.W.L.s over a year ago. He acheived the highest in his year and for about a decade. Since one Tom Riddle and then Albus Dumbledore himself. I bet you don't know he was Prefect either. If you need any more proof then why don't you check Mr Potter's wand." Mr Black sat down.
"Yes, yes of course. Mr Potter's wand please." A guarde came forward with a long box. It was magically sealed so the prisoner couldn't retrieve it. The Prior Incantatem spell was placed on it and it began to regurgitate spells. The echos of some simple things cames out, such as summoning charms. Then when they were just about to give up hope a small black skull with a snake emerging from it's mouth appeared. Most people in the room were confused by it. But Mr Black narrowed his eyes meanicingly, Mr Prewitt jumped and Mr Crouch began to speak. All 3 recognised this symbol.
"What do you have to say now Mr Potter. Your wand has found you guilty." Crouch spat.
"Fine, Fine! I admit it!" Potter had broken!
"I DID IT. ALL OF IT! I HAD THE AFFAIR, I KILLED THE WENCH TO SAVE MY REPUTATION. CURSED MY WIFE, HIT HER AND THE BRATS! HEXED THEM WHATEVER YOU WISH. EVERY ACCUSSATION MADE AGAINST ME IS TRUE! IT DOESN'T MATTER, MY LORD WILL GET YOU! ALL OF YOU! AND HE WILL RESCUE ME!" He laughed maliciously as he was dragged from the court room. Crouch had condemmed him to a life time in Azkaban. A man from the back of the seating area approached them. It was Dumbledore.
"You have both done me proud." He started. "I'm sorry about your father and what he has done to you. And I am sorry about your mothers passing.
It was I who helped her with her will. You did the right thing in standing up to your father. He got what he deserved." James and Claire both muttered a "thanks", and Dumbledore proceeded out the room.
" Mr Potter, your interveiw." The young reporter he met earlier, said simply. He followed her back to the stands and answered her questions.
The next day when the paper came, James found he had made the front page of the daily Prophet. It read:
Potter gets life!
Yesterday, star seeker Robert Potter, caught himself a life scentance in Azkaban. It seemed he had been playing away from home. The legend on the Quidditch pitch it seems is far less then perfect. Whilst we've been cheering for him, he has been up to all sorts of darstedly deeds and admitted himself that the allegations against him were true. These were of abuse, harrassment, Use of illegal curses and murder. I spoke to his only son, James Potter, asking him what he thought of the verdict. He said...
"I was extremely pleased. I can get on with my life now and live it the way I want, not how he makes me." James will be returning to Hogwarts where he will be starting his seventh year, in a few short weeks. He told us in his own words what his father did to his family. "Obvisoly he didn't love my mother.Before he married her, he had an affair with a miss Sarah Vermont. She fell pregnant and when the child was born my father kept it claiming my mother had birthed her. Miss Vermont went missing, he killed her.A year later Claire was born and a year later I was born. We didn't understand what was going on. We just knew our mummy cried alot. We were brought up mainly by house eleves. We attended many formal do's and I was taught Quidditch from an early age. Most boys my age tossed a Quaffle about with their fathers for fun. I on the other hand had to stay out there until I either got the move right or I passed out from exhastion. If anyone didn't agree with what my father said, or if he had, had a particularily rough day, we could expect some sort of punishment." James then went on to tell me about his latest girlfriend.
"I started dating Lily over a year ago. I tutored her even tho she didn't really need it. She just needed a little confidence. She is now one of the smartest students in the year. We hid our relationship from everyone, even our closest friends, so my father wouldn't find out. But eventually we began to grow so close, it was enevitable that some people would find out. Unfortunately the wrong person found out and told my father, who blew his top. At my mothers funeral was where he found out and I'm sure that if Lily hadn't stepped in I would be being burried next to my mother. At this point James looked down, his face sad and longing for the mother who had recently passed away. " I love my mother she died for me and I will never forget her." Breaking the tense moment, I asked James how Lily, his girlfriend saved him. "My father advanced on me with his wand and she said Expeliarmus and dissarmed him." He also confirmed the well known rumour that she managed this without A wand. All the time I talked to James, his mind seemed else where. I gathered it was due to the victory over his father being put away, but when I questioned him he replied that " He couldn't celebrate the victory over his father. It wouldn't have happened if it weren't for if it weren't for the loss of his mother. So really it was a no win situation." my final question to him was, asking him what the incriminating symbol which arose from Robet Potters wand. The black skull with a snake pertruding from the mouth, as shown in the right hand corner, came from Potter's wand when it was put under the Prior Incantatem spell. James nor any person I have spoken to know what this symbol means. All we know is it does not mean good, because Robert Potter was imprisoned almost as soon as it arose.."
"Look at that! Front page! I made the front page!" James sang after reading tha artical.
"Don't get too excited. It's only because your father is the now Infamous Robbert Potter!" Claire replied drolely. "Anyway, you had better start being nice to me. Afterall, I've just been made your legal guardian." She smiled smugly. The now orphaned James was in his older sisters control untilhe also reached the age of 18. Meanwhile in a cave, on a hill where a band of cloaked figures had met. A man stepped forward. He was a very young man, but one of many evil ways. He spoke from under his cloak and behind his mask.
"Sir, I believe I have found them, the heirs." His voice was quiet, clear and silky.
"You mean Miss Evans and Mr Potter? Do you Lucuis?" The dark lord spoke.
"Your lordship how did you know?" Lucius Malfoy asked.
"Ah Lucius, do you forget who it is you are talking to? I like you have read the prophet. I was curious as to how Robert Potter, a faithful alli to myself got put away. Yes soon it will be time to strike. But we cannot defeat the heirs when they are together. No, they are too powerful, even now. I have been gaining power, gone through many transformations, but not yet am I strong enough I would need also to further my insites in to immortality. But if I can seperate them, then we will have a chance. We need them to hate each other Potter will never join our forces. But it may be possible to gain the Mudbloods trust. Yes, the only way to destroy them now, is for them to destroy each other." The dark lord laughed an evil laugh, his slimy followers joining him. "What we need is a spy. We need someone close to the heirs, someone who will perhaps be able to stir things and someone who could pass information as to what they are doing."
"Master," A female voice said, as a deatheater stepped forward. "My worthless cousin is good friends with Potter. I am sure he cannot be corrupted, however I may be able to get to another in their little group." The dark lord smiled a twisted smile.
"Yes corruption of a close friend... I like it. Pity those who will trust in anyone. I know you will be able to do so discreetly Bellatrix." She mimicked his evil expression linking eyes with him.
"Why my lord, you know discreation is my speciality." She chauckled at the joke, which very few understood.
It was on the very same day the article came, the very same day that evil was planned, that was the very same day the Hogwarts letters were received. Mr Black stumbled into the kitchen at lunch with letters for the 5 "to be" seventh years. However, in comparison two of the letters were considerably bulkier than the others.
"No way!" Sirius exclaimed as one of them was passed to James. "The only letters I get from Hogwarts which are that thick are the ones containig the lists of detentions which I have and need to go to." James snig*ered
"Yeah and we used to hide them upstairs..."
"Sirius! What letters are these?" Sirius gulped.
"Oops I forgot you were still here." he was marched out into the hall Mr Black demanding to see these letters. After 5 minutes of laughing at there mate, the others opened their letters. The first piece of parchment as usual was inviting them into their final year. It said there would be a final departure ball, and would be held on the last day, parents and guardians would be invited to watch.James remembered that both his parents had attended Claire and Nacissa's. The secondpiece of parchment was a list of all the things they needed. This included formal dress robes- James had plenty of these. Finally only Lily and James had a third sheet of parchment. They read:
Dear Miss Evans/ Mr Potter,
We are delighted to inform you that you have received one of this years 2 head positions. This is a very important role and must not be looked upon lightly. During the course of the year you will be expected to;
Guide all students to carridges/ boats upon arrival at Hogsmeade station, September 1st.
Keep students orderly at all times (Points may be taken taken or giveen to houses and detentions given in the process where neccessary)
Assistance must be given to proffessors when needed.
You must help to organise and watch over every future Hogsmeade trip.
You must help organise any school evetns to proceed in school.
You must organise and hold prefects meetings.
You will need to write and say a depature speech for the end of year ball.
You must enjoy your new position of authority.
You will receive a badge which you must wear at all times, so you can be recognised by all other students.
You will also receive access to your own train carridge on the Howarts expres,
A head students lounge
And finally a head students bathroom. I expect you will treat your assigned duties with grave responsibility.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M Mcgonagall 2 chairs scraped the kitchen floor as 2 excited teenagers jumped up.
"I made head girl/ boy!" They screamed together, then pausing, taking in what the other had just said.
"You made head boy/ girl?" They questionned astonished. Grins filled both faces as James ran round the side of the table and swung the petite Ravenclaw round. Mr Black stood in the door frame watching the scene after returning from upstairs. He remembered when Michelle and himself were like that. Any excuse to hold her, touch her, or even just say her name to feel that warm shiver run down his spine.
"I hope my ears are deceiving me. Did I hear correctly? Head boy and head girl? Under my roof? I don't think so!Remus Peter and I want to break some rules, we can't have no authority figures watching over us!" Sirius had re- entered, as usual wanting to stir things.
"Shut up Padfoot, it's not as if I'm going to change." James defended, taking Lily's hand. Sirius watched.
"Is Dumbledore crazy? He's just given you two more excuses to sneak off snogging!" Lily smirked at Sirius. As James defended them
"We're not just gona snea.." Lily pulled James' head down to her level and began to kiss him on the lips.
"AGH! Get. A. Room!" Sirius said.
"OK!" James said pulling Lily upstairs.
"NOT MY ROOM!" Sirius shouted after them, "WELL JUST AS LONG AS THERE AREN'T ANY HEAD BABIES!" He gave in. Mr Black was laughing at his son. He trusted that James and Lily wouldn't do anything stupid, and they were just trying to wind Sirius up. They were succeding. In the last week of the holidays Lily insisted on going home. She had hardly seen her parents and they wanted to spoil her after hearing about her new found glory. James was moping around the Black house like a lost puppy. This was the first time he had been seperated from Lily longer than a few hours, since his mothers death. He had found comfort in her and now she was gone, he felt strangly empty. Little did he know he would have a dose of this feeling, but a million times stronger next summer.