Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Nope, sorry, don't own Harry Potter.

"Merlin!" Sabrina Weasley exclaimed the next morning at breakfast while she was looking over her new schedule. "I have N.E.W.T. Potions first thing this morning! I should have known that was coming when I got an Outstanding in it."

James was simply staring at his schedule, which caused Lily to wave her hand in front of his face and say, "Earth to James!"

"Oh, sorry," he said, a grin coming to his face.

"Mate, if you're happy about classes, you need a brain charm," Theodore said, helping himself to more bacon.

"You would be happy, too, if you only had N.E.W.T. Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology, plus electives!" James replied, looking very pleased with himself.

"How did you get out of Potions? I thought everyone had to have that," Alice Longbottom asked. Like her father, she had to take Remedial Potions.

James was about to answer when Lily cut in and said, "He cut a deal with McGonagall last year before O.W.L.s. She said that if he got an Outstanding in Potions, she would give him Advanced Transfiguration and Occlumency as two of his three electives. That way he can still follow Mum's wish of his being an auror without having to suffer Snape."

"I've never heard of those classes," Bridget commented.

"That's because McGonagall only gives them to special students. James has never done any wrong in her eyes," Lily said, giving her brother a playful nudge.

"Can I help it if I am really good at Transfiguration? Now, if you nosy badgers will please excuse me, I have an appointment with a certain Slytherin," he said, and he, Devin, Corin, Nigel, and Theodore left the girls at the table to wonder what they were up to.

"Are you sure we won't get caught?" Theodore asked nervously, taking another glance at the Marauders' Map to reassure himself that no one was in the vicinity.

"Have we ever, Mr. Prefect?" Nigel said, sarcastically.

"No. It would just be a terrible waste of all these things Uncle Fred and Uncle George sent us," he replied. Fred and George kept their sons and nephews well stocked with items from Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.

"That's more like it, Teddy. Now be quiet and get ready. Rookwood is coming this way," James said, getting a Percy Peeve at the ready.

They were all well hidden behind statues when Rookwood came sauntering down the corridor with his 'entourage', a.k.a. Gregory Goyle, Jr., and Vincent Crabbe, Jr., who had as many gorilla-like qualities as their fathers. Just as they passed the first statue, they were pelted with Percy Peeves, Hornet Powder, Floating Dust, and Furry Feathers. Within seconds, they all resembled flying, itching, irritated chickens. The Gryffindors roared with laughter.

Wiping a tear from his eye, James said, "You guys go on! I have a free period at the moment, and I think these fellows need to be moved into a more public spot."

The others headed towards the dungeons for Potions still laughing while James used a levitating charm to float Rookwood, Crabbe, and Goyle to the entrance hall. Just as he rounded the corner, out stepped two sixth year Slytherin girls, Severna Pucey and Felicienne Montagu. With a snicker, Severna said, "Caught red-handed, ay, Potter?"