This chapter turned out longer then I expected, so it's not a short chapter as I said it would be.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Sorting Hat song found in this chapter - it belongs to JKRowling and Book5
Disclaimer 2: I do not own Dumbledore's or Umbridge's speech. They belong to JKRowling and Book5
Prongs Rides Again
Chapter Twelve: Meeting Longbottom
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville sat down in the centre of the Gryffindor House Table, next to Nearly Headless Nick. Looking up at the Staff Table Harry was surprised to see a familiar face. What was his father doing at Hogwarts? Sure enough, James Potter was sitting comfortably in one of the chairs, his bright hazel eyes scanning the hall. Next to him, laying on the floor at his feet was a giant black dog, and Harry felt himself grin. James Potter and Sirius Black were at Hogwarts.
"What's your father doing here?" Hermione asked.
Harry frowned. "I reckon he's here for the Defence post."
"I don't think so, Harry." Hermione replied, "He wouldn't have set us a theory book then would he?"
"Theory book? How'd you know that?" Ron asked.
"Because the title is Defensive Magical Theory. James wouldn't set us something like that. I reckon that woman set us that."
Harry scanned the staff table and his eyes fell on a face that he recognised: a pallid, toadlike face and a pair of prominent pouchy eyes. His mouth fell open as he recognised the woman. "It's that Umbridge woman! She was at my hearing! She works for Fudge!"
"What is she doing here?" Hermione wondered.
"We'll found out soon enough," Harry muttered, as the new first years filed in.
Placing a hat on the stool, Professor McGonagall waited for the hat to burst into song. Harry leaned back in his seat listening.
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning,
'Together we will build and teach!'
The four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might someday be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin "We'll teach those
Whose ancestry is purest."
Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest."
Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name."
Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same."
These differences caused little strife
When they first came to light,
For each of the four Founders had
A house in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blooded wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school.
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with duelling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into houses
Because that is what I'm here for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am split you
Still I worry that its wrong,
Though I must fulfil my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wander whether Sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you…
Let the Sorting now begin.
James listened to the hats song, entranced by the longevity of it all. Never in all his years at Hogwarts had the hat ever sprung such a song. The return of Voldemort had changed its way of thinking. The dark lord was a threat. Obviously the hatred that had cultivated during his years at Hogwarts had continued throughout, growing steadily worse and causing the houses to split apart. Gryffindor and Slytherin had to be at the top of the argument.
They always had been. Grimacing James sat back to watch as the sorting commenced. As he listened his mind wondered back to his own Sorting in September 1971, which had occurred twenty-four years ago. He sighed absentmindedly as he recalled his friend's being sorted, as well as getting his first glimpse of Lily.
James stood with the other eleven year olds waiting to see what house he would spend his time in. His parents had both been Gryffindors, and he fervently hoped that he could carry on the legacy his father had left behind.
The witch who was calling the names out, voice rang high as she told 'Black, Sirius' to step forward and be sorted. James had grown up knowing much about the purebloods of the Wizarding World, but he had never met someone who went against their family's views. Though he didn't know Sirius that well, he could already tell he was different. If he wasn't sorted into Slytherin, then perhaps they could be friends. James had been polite out of principle and also they had sat together on the train. If he was a Slytherin that would change their future friendship. Crossing his fingers he waited.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The hall was silent. No one had expected that. Then Dumbledore began clapping and the rest of the hall followed. Eyes sweeping over the Slytherin table, James saw the other Black relatives, glowering with rage. Yet James didn't seem to care. If he made it to Gryffindor he had at least a friend to rely on.
Consumed by his own thoughts the next few people rushed by, until McGonagall called out 'Evans, Lily'. He felt his breath drain away as his hazel eyes caught sight of a lovely redhead, bundle forward, excitement evident on her features. As the hat settled on her head, James saw startling green eyes staring out at the hall, and he immediately felt something stir within him.
"She's beautiful," he whispered, entranced.
James gulped, apprehensive. Would they be in the same house? Then the hat proclaimed Lily Evans a Gryffindor. Delighted, James could only think of the fun they could have once they had a chance to get together. I'm going to marry her. he thought.
The Sorting continued. Another boy, James had sat with on the train, Remus Lupin, was also sorted into Gryffindor. Quite pleased, he was glad that he had two friends to rely on, and a third a romantic interest. If he was a Gryffindor…
He felt nerves stir up inside him as he waited. Just as he began to think they would never get to his name, 'Pettigrew, Peter' was sorted into Gryffindor (after five minutes) and finally it was James' turn. Numbly and conscious of all the eyes watching him, James sat himself upon the stall and waited.
The hat was lowered onto his head and James heard a voice echo inside.
"Well, I know you…you're exceptionally brave just like your father…a good brain…a good trait of Ravenclaw…but that house is not for you…especially for someone of your blood…"
James swallowed, hoping.
"It had better be GRYFFINDOR!"
Elated James grinned broadly and made his way to the Gryffindor table where he sat next to Sirius, and face-to-face with Lily. His heart skipped a beat. She looked up at him, suddenly, and gave him a smile. "Hello." James managed, putting on his best smile. "I'm James Potter."
"Lily Evans." The girl replied. They shook hands.
James was shaken out of the memory as the headmaster proclaimed the feast began. Shaking his head, he picked up a fork and began eating. His thoughts strayed to that memory again. Lily had been nice to him then, but that, he figured now, had been because hadn't shown her the bullying side of his personality. It was only after that first week had Lily started ignoring and insulting him. He sighed, he really had messed up in those first six years.
No one spoke to him throughout the whole meal allowing him to eat in peace and think about what is lessons would be like. He passed food to Sirius under the table. The black dog lay comfortably at his feet, ready to defend James if the need arose.
As the feast finished, Dumbledore stood up and did the welcome speech, most of which had remained the same since James' time at the school.
"First years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students - and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too."
James smirked remembering the first time he had entered the forest. He and Sirius had gone into the Forest to find out what Hagrid had been keeping in there. It had turned out to be a breed of half-horse, half-eagle. This creature had no name and Hagrid had been charged to destroy it by Dumbledore. As far as he knew, Hagrid had never done so. Wherever the creature was now, James was certain that it was still alive.
"Mr Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four-hundred-and-sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr Filch's office door."
James struggled to prevent a snigger from escaping. Half of those objects on the list had been banned because of him. He wondered if Dumbledore remembered that.
"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome Professor James Potter, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons."
James stood up, nodding at the students. A few students clapped, while others were too shocked to. Their eyes ran from James to Harry, from Harry to James as if assessing the two. He sat back down, catching Harry's eye as he did so. He grinned, and Harry returned the favour.
"We are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
A few clapped but most were still staring at James, as if they were daring him to disappear. James sighed. It would take the students a while to get used to him being alive. After all, they might even be intimidated by a dead man coming back to life.
Dumbledore began to speak again only to be interrupted by Professor Umbridge's 'hem, hem'. Eyes turned towards her. No one had ever dared to speak over Dumbledore. It was just not right, but then if Umbridge was a Ministry representative then she would be allowed to do so. Fudge would ensure that he had some control over the running of the school.
James cast a glance around the hall, seeing the many shocked expressions worn on the faces of the students. Then Professor Umbridge began to speak, preventing James from assessing the students. What she said surprised him, but more importantly angered him.
"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." She 'hemmed' again. "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!"
James felt Sirius' paws dig into his boot. He knew exactly was his friend was thinking. Who would be happy to know that someone with a high-pitched, breathy and girlish voice would be teaching them? He noted that no student looked happy, in fact the only one who seemed to be paying attention was Hermione. But then, if she was like Lily, then she would be adamant that to listen to whatever teacher said, even if they were a Ministry official.
"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"
James stifled a laugh. She wanted to make an impression but was failing. Obviously Fudge wanted her to prove to the students and the staff that Dumbledore was wrong. He had a feeling that Umbridge would even try to find out if he was truly loyal to Dumbledore or if he was just doing it because his son was. He had no doubt that Umbridge would have a lot of satisfaction if she managed to convince James Potter that the Dark Lord was just a figment of his son's befuddled brain.
While he had been thinking about that, Umbridge had continued her mountainous speech, and by the time James had looked at the students again, he found that they were bored. On the Ravenclaw table he noticed a very pretty girl chatting with her friends; another reading a magazine; the Hufflepuff table was similar, while Fred and George Weasley, at the Gryffindor table, were chattering excitedly together and trading looks at Umbridge, James had the sneaky suspicion they were planning something.
The speech ended and Dumbledore clapped loudly. James clapped once and rested his hands at the table. The end of her talk had left him speechless. By analysing her words carefully one could tell that the Ministry was interfering at Hogwarts. He hated the fact that the Minister did not trust Dumbledore anymore. He also disliked the fact that he had sent this hound - hag - to teach his son during his O.W.L year and if she hated Harry (because he was supposed to be a lying, muddled, attention-seeking boy) then his son would find it hard to pass any of his O.W.L exams. Hopefully, Harry would behave and not get into trouble. James grimaced. If he was a student faced with Umbridge as a teacher, he would just not turn up.
The hall was suddenly filled with the squabbling of feet rushing to get to their dormitories. Over the crowd he saw Harry walk away without Ron and Hermione. His friends were busy herding the new students out of the hall.
Looking down at Sirius, he said: "Come on, let's go to our room."
Taking the teacher's entrance out, James headed into the corridors. He did not notice Professor Umbridge watching him, nor did he see her eyes flick to the black dog beside him and grin nastily.
"How is it that you get a luxury bed and anything you want, and I get a dog basket?" Sirius asked as he looked around the room he and James shared.
James shrugged, struggling to hold back a laugh. "Not many people know you are an Animagus. I suppose who ever might come in here will expect to see a dog basket? Besides what if that Umbridge woman comes here looking for ways to find that I am insane? Won't she find it strange that there is no facilities for a dog in this room?"
Sirius sighed. "I hate this."
Signing, James sat next to his friend who had perched himself on the edge of his bed. "Hey, at least you're out of your mother's house and able to spend time with me and Harry."
"I suppose there is a good reason for it." Sirius said. "All right, I'll stick to it, but if I'm discovered I'm blaming you."
James laughed. "Oh come now, Padfoot, who's going to find out about you? You're not going to suddenly transform back into a man when we're in lessons and scare my students away."
Sirius' eyes twinkled. "I might have done."
James rolled his eyes. "I think I should stop giving you ideas. I need rest. I've got to prepare for my lessons tomorrow."
There was a knock at his quarters door the following morning. James had been laying in bed. He had no lessons until the afternoon, and it would be with the third years. He would be teaching Harry the next day. James sat up when the knock came. He turned his gaze to Sirius who had been writing a letter and both of their eyes widened in shock. Who would be visiting them?
"Quick! Transform!" James hissed. Sirius did so, letting out a bark as he did so. Scrambling out of bed, James rushed to the door. He wore only a pair of light trousers. He leaned against the door and asked: "Who is it?"
"Harry."
James sighed. He unlocked his door and let Harry step into his quarters. Behind him came another boy who James hadn't met.
"Hey, kiddo." He grinned.
"Dad," Harry said, stepping inside, "I want you to meet Neville Longbottom."
James gasped. "Frank Longbottom's son?" He had seen Neville as a baby as he and Frank had worked together in the Aurors.
Neville nodded, a little frightened of James. "Yes Professor."
"I remember your parents well, I was good friends with them."
"You were?" Neville's face brightened.
"Is Frank still an Auror? And Alice?"
Neville bowed his head and mumbled something. James didn't catch it.
Suddenly, Sirius in his Animagus form bounded up to them, barking and placing his paws on Neville's chest.
"Snuffles!" James shouted, trying to pull the black dog away. "I was talking!"
"Can he understand you?" Neville asked.
Harry sniggered. He could guess why Sirius had interrupted the conversation. Obviously James had no clue about the Longbottom's incapacity, and Harry wasn't supposed to know either. Neville was afraid of what people would think of him if they discovered what had happened, and so since accidentally finding out in Dumbledore's Pensieve, Harry had remained quiet.
James fumbled for an answer. "I've trained him to understand me. I only got him a few weeks ago though so he finds it hard to understand instructions." He cast a dirty look in Sirius direction, who in return thumped his tail on the ground.
"We've got to go, dad. Lessons are starting." Harry said, "I only came to see you…Neville wanted to see if we look alike which is why I brought him along."
James nodded. "I'll see you later. Let me know how your lessons go."
He watched them walk down the hall and then he shut his door and magically sealed it. He turned his hazel eyes onto Sirius who had transformed back into a man and was raising his hands in surrender.
"Look, I have a good reason to do what I just did."
"I asked him about Frank! What's wrong with that?"
Sirius folded his arms. "Because, James, Frank and Alice Longbottom are permanently insane. They were tortured into insanity by the Lestranges before they were sentenced to Azkaban. It happened a few weeks after you died. I don't think Neville wanted to say, so I intervened."
James' anger evaporated. "Frank and Alice? That shouldn't have happened…I just didn't think. I didn't realise…" he ran a hand over his face. "I'm sorry, Padfoot. I jumped to the wrong conclusions, again."
Sirius shook his head, laughing. "I didn't expect you to know. Anyway, get dressed and we can go and have breakfast. I'm starving!"
TBC
James can really jump to conclusions can't he?
Thank you's go to the following: cms; Eric2; Smorefan; Loonie Potter; PrincessSkywalkerOrgana; IamSiriusgrl; HandsOff; amrawo; sirius-black-sfan;Barbossa'sApples; jamesismine; Crazy-Physco; Lunatic Pandora1; ambereyes2873; Siriusly Sirius Lily Black; zippyfox; dweem-angel; Inumara12; squiddie; Dadaiiro;
darkdanny: I don't know anyone who could help you with beta-reading or co-authoring your stories, however I suggest that you search on google for other Harry Potter fanfiction sites and possibly ask about beta-readers and co-authors there. I'm sure someone would be willing to help you. I'd volunteer myself, but I'm busy writing my own stories and trying to find a job and complete school at the same time.
magicgirl45852: Draco will appear in the next chapter and James will have a hard time controlling him. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
empathicallychosen: I'll try not to turn Harry into an idiot jerk.
littlewolf-moony: You'll have to see if James is sent back when Hagrid returns. I can't say as it will ruin the plot.
HarrysGrrl: The question "Have you ever considered having James in the sixth book?" intrigued me. So here's your answer: at the moment I am planning on continuing this story until the end of the seventh book, (yes, that'll make the story about 100 chapters?) however it will depend on what happens in the next two books of the series. The problem that I'm facing is at the moment, (due to demand by other reviewers and by me) I have planned out a different end to the 'Order of the Phoenix' then the one that is the in the book, so it might not work out or fit into the HBP story line. I am hoping to stick with the main plot of the books in some form but whether I continue the story into Harry's Sixth year, will depend on what happens in it. As I'm a quick reader I should be able to read the 'Half-blood Prince' within four days and be able to analyse how I can fit this story into the sixth book, otherwise I'll just have to make up my own sixth year plot. Thank you for your review!
Padfoot's Sidekick: As James is a professor and Sirius is forced to remain as a dog then it might be a bit difficult for them to pull pranks, but I'll see what I can do.
Elizabeth Annette: Will Sirius die? Unfortunately I can't reveal that at the moment. Sorry.
luna-rocker: You've read all 11 chapters? Thank you for reviewing and telling me your thoughts!
angelicmayuka: Will Harry have romance? I might touch on it a bit but I'm not sure. Would James really want to handle his son's love problems when he's still suffering from losing Lily? Heh, heh, Umbridge will definitely be a pain for James. Wait and see!
LiLaZnGrLy: Wormtail plays a semi-important role at the end of the Book 5 part of this story (I am changing the ending slightly). I am hoping to keep this story going on until the end of Book 7. I'll be able to incorporate Book 6 shortly, with it being released, and I should be able to keep writing until I've finished that part of the story. I do plan to continue to the end of Harry's seventh year. Don't feel sad that you don't understand e-mail language: I don't either and I'm 17! Your question about people thinking James is a nutter: but the Minister knows that its James even if he doesn't want to believe it, he can't prove that James isn't James so students would respect him since Fudge has not said anything bad about James, yet. You'll have to see if James keeps his teaching post when Hagrid returns. I haven't really taken out the rivalry between James and Snape but for the sake of the school they are putting their differences aside. There will be some sort of rivalry but not much as they are grown ups now and should be above things like that. James can't tell Harry the prophecy for several reasons but I can't say as it is relevant later on in the story. Just out of curiosity do you live in/near London (UK) because I live not that far from London somewhere in Kent? Thank you for the really long review! It was nice to get such a positive response from you. I hope you liked this chapter!
Lady Taliesin: You are not a snazzy little blue alien like Stitch. I picture you like my one of my friends (who is obsessed with hp) and has blond hair, startling blue eyes and is rather excitable when it comes to anything to do with hp (even if you don't have features like that, that is who you remind me of, for some reason). I really hope that didn't insult you, describing you like my friend. Yes, I do love ranting, and when I start I usually can't stop unless my brother gags me with a cloth, which is rare as he's never at home anymore. Okay, the issue with Wormtail seems to bother you. I don't like him, but he's an okay character to read about as he's intriguing. Why did he betray the Potters? Could it have been because of his childhood? I won't judge him properly until the end of the series. You never know you might like Peter at the end of this story….because of what he does….let's just say it involves a really angry James and…(can't say anymore or I'll ruin the plot!) Right, onto your proper review now: (Do I ever get the urge to play Minesweeper? You bet I do! What's your lowest score? I did beginner in 6 seconds; 35 seconds for intermediate and 108 seconds for Expert.) Glad you liked the Prongslet name! I just wanted to use it and it seemed an appropriate time. Another random bit of INSANESS! Don't worry, I don't mind reading that. Your reviews always make me laugh in some way, so don't stop unless you run out of ideas. Never use the homework argument…hm that is a bit hard for me to use as I don't get homework any more as I have tons of free periods at school and I do all the work then :-) but then I don't get homework as I am doing my A-level courses. Yes, I hate Snivellus. Come to the point, the same girl who I described you as, has this thing for Snivellus to. She calls herself 'Narcissa Malfoy' and goes around saying that Draco is her son, Lucius is her first husband, Voldemort is her second husband and Snape is her boyfriend! She's honestly mental and it drives me crazy. She likes all the bad guys in HP but I prefer the good guys like (Harry…Sirius…Remus…James) Another error! DOH! And this writing is coming from someone who got a high B in her GCSE exams last summer! How can I not know that Wisdom is not an adjective? I'm such a dweedle-pot sometimes. DOH! Thanks for pointing out another of my silly mistakes! You'll have to wait and see what happens to James when Hagrid comes back, won't you? Oh, I am so evil…Well that's it for the long review!
Next chapter is entitled (rather ironically) 'Prongs Rides Again' in which Umbridge concocts an evil scheme….and Remus comes to Hogwarts for the full moon…available to read this weekend!
Thanks to all,
MissBlackPotter