Running In Circles
AN: Sorry for taking so long! (trembles under stares) Someone asked about Lily, and yes, I admit, I'm going to keep her out of the story for a bit. Don't worry, you'll find out about her in the later chapters. And a head's up - Snape's finally in this one.
To all my reviewers: Strawberry Sorbet! (hands out spoons) I love you guys!
III. Meetings
James seriously began to question his sanity.
Caradoc's words had been spinning around his mind all day, making it nearly impossible for him to file anything in their correct categories. His boss - after spotting him sort a "Mikhailovich" file under the letter "T" – sent him home early with a brief reprimanding.
Trying to forget his pathetic life as a working class muggle, he turned his thoughts towards Harry, wondering if he was all right.
He should really stop worrying. The tragic death of his best friend was no reason for him to become a nervous wreck.
Immediately, he went back to questioning his sanity.
But honestly now, what could he do? He could only trust Caradoc's word that his son was being protected, and it's not like he knew where Harry lived during the summer months anyways.
Sighing heavily, James rested his head against the plastic window of the underground tube. The dark grey walls slid past and the wheels jostled noisily along the rails. The one thing about being a muggle, was that it included daily, peaceful rides home on the tube where no one bothered him. The rides were rather long, mind you. But if he focused really hard, and watched everything rushing past, it was almost like riding out in the sky.
James shut his eyes. God, did he miss quidditch.
Severus Snape walked hurriedly down the street, cursing quietly as a large family of muggles walked into his path. Stopping briefly, he cast a nervous glance over his shoulder, trying to decipher if a particular blond-haired wizard was following him.
He never did enjoy run-ins with Lucius Malfoy.
And he especially wouldn't enjoy one this week, thank you very much. Recently, there had been numerous Death Eater raids that he made every effort not to attend. His sole explanation was that Dumbledore had kept him occupied at Hogwarts, and that the old man would grow suspicious if he were to suddenly disappear. Of course, it wasn't an excuse that would work if Malfoy found him shopping casually at the Apothecary for various potions ingredients.
Which, he reminded himself, he would always order for by owl from now on.
Continuing his mad getaway, and earning several glances from reproachful muggles, Snape darted ahead. There was still a chance that Lucius hadn't seen him, and he desperately hoped that was the case. Otherwise, he'd have to think of an utterly brilliant reason for his attempt to flee from a fellow Death Eater.
Perhaps he could say it had something to do with Dumbledore again.
He glanced behind again, and, seeing no one, he slowed to a normal pace. He probably looked like a criminal, glancing back like that while running away. Taking a deep breath, he stopped walking and removed his hand from his side where he had been desperately clutching his wand.
Warily, he took in his surroundings and realized he must have run several blocks away from Diagon Alley. After all those turns he made, it would be a miracle to find his way back.
Not that he wanted to go back, of course. He wasn't an idiot.
Frowning thoughtfully, he noticed a crowd of muggles sauntering down a set of stairs to his right while chatting animatedly amongst each other. Probably one of their train stations, he mused. Deciding that he should find a place to apparate back to Hogwarts, he followed them down the steps, trying to become lost in the crowd.
A rush of noise mounted as the next tube came to a halt.
James lifted a hand and massaged the back of his neck. For summer, the weather was stifling. He longed to change out of his suit, but just settled in loosening his tie. Opening his eyes, he found the tube slowing to a halt and a sign saying PIMLICO coming into view.
Six more stops.
He frowned in disgust. Idiot muggles. Couldn't make the tubes any faster could they?
He watched as two blundering business men made their way towards the opening doors. They were waving tiny, electrical fans into their faces, laughing heartily at some joke or another. The shorter one stepped onto the tube first, waving his friend to a pair of seats by the window.
James scowled to himself, feeling a pang of jealousy. He missed Remus too.
He turned his attention back to the boarding crowd. He spotted a mother with a hysterical toddler, who seemed unsure whether to get on the tube or not, a man with hideously greasy hair, and an extremely attractive girl talking loudly into her cell phone.
James grinned to himself. He remembered a Slytherin kid with hideously greasy hair whom he used to tease back in school. Merlin, Sirius used to just laugh himself silly making fun of him.
Snivellus.
Yeah, that was it. Severin Snape. No…Severus… or whatever. Poor kid.
Actually, that reminded him of something he read in the Daily Prophet. James had heard a while back that a 'Professor Snape' had been recruited into Hogwarts.
Well if it was Severin …Severus…he must have been hired to teach Divination or some other piece of rubbish. He had never been actually good at anything.
The doors to the tube slid shut.
It hurt how much he missed his old days in Hogwarts. Of course, now his own son was that age, and he was probably on the quidditch team as chaser or something.
Hogwarts.
James frowned and glanced back at the greasy-haired man out on the platform, who was walking oddly about; almost as if he was looking for something.
James squinted.
Black hair...hooked nose…
Hogwarts.
James blinked. It had been fifteen years since he went into hiding. He was probably just seeing things. That couldn't be Severin. Severus. Besides, it wasn't like he was desperate enough to approach (who could be) a total stranger just to find out where Harry was spending the summer.
Plus, it wasn't like James was that desperate for any possible contact from the Wizarding world.
Other than Caradoc Dearborn, of course.
The man was scowling, and began to turn on his heel back towards the stairway.
Was he?
Harry.
Before the train could kick into motion, James had already forced open the doors and was sprinting frantically across the platform.
Review! I need to be encouraged:D Hope you enjoyed it.
