The days went by and James was surprised by how much he was enjoying himself. Of course, he missed his friends and he hated not being able to join in their joking around. He had to watch from afar at meal times (a table away) as his friends laughed over something stupid Peter had just said or something Sirius had done, but apart from that he loved it. For once in his life he didn't feel like he had to play up to a crowd; not that he really did anyway. The way he saw it, when he was with his friends he felt confident. Sirius in particular listened to his ideas, helped him put them into action. He went along with them because he didn't want to let his friends down…and he liked the confusion they caused. This suspension took him away from that, now he didn't feel the pressure of having to always be the one who came up with things. He got to experience a different side of himself. A side that could relax and concentrate on getting all the work done, he knew he could do it now. Except while he enjoyed this break, that's all it was to him: A break. He knew that when his month was over he would be back to concentrating on his Maraudering, maybe more so to make up for the time he'd missed.
It was evening now, and James was sat in his personal dormitory (If you can call a tiny room with a bed shoved in it a dormitory), making an attempt on his homework.
"James," a voice hissed. "Hey, James, are you there?"
Sirius' voice realised a grinning James. He grabbed the mirror. "Sir!" he cried brightly.
"Keep your voice down, someone will hear you." Sirius warned in surprisingly authoritive tones.
James would probably have flushed at this display of bad memory had they been in the same room. As it was, they weren't so he recovered quickly. "There's no one around," he replied off-handed. "What do you want, anyway?"
"Oh nice," Sirius said faking hurt. "I risk myself talking to you and you act like that."
James rolled his eyes obviously, quite aware that Sirius could see this action. "I'm at more risk than you so shut up."
Sirius seemed to realise this as the next time he spoke he was answering James' previous question.
"I'm just bored, that's all. I told Peter to sod off so he did, and Remus has gone home again. His mum's cousin's sister's son's nephew's grandmother is ill or something like that."
"Oh," James said as his mind wandered to trying to work out who was ill. "His mums' cousin," he muttered.
"What?" Sirius asked. James could see his image occupied with something else.
"Nothing," James answered. "What are you doing?"
"I just saw Alice outside," Sirius answered with a sly grin. "She's looking particularly nice today."
"Alice? Alice Howard?" James asked in awe. "But she's going out with Jordan."
"No, not her, the one from Hufflepuff. You know, the Head Girl."
"But she's in seventh year."
"And…?" was Sirius' overconfident response.
James laughed, he should have guessed. He heard the floor creak outside. "Sir, there's someone coming. I'll be right back." He whispered receiving some kind of muttered response.
James made his way to the door of his room. Opening it a fraction, James could hear voices outside.
"Thank you for taking over for me, Sophia." This voice belonged to McGonagall. She'd been the one watching over him today.
"No problem Minerva. It was this or take over escorting Lupin for you. Potter's a lot easier to handle." He recognized this as Jenkruss' voice.
"Lupin's not a problem so long as he's there before it gets dark. And you have to remember; it's not his fault." McGonagall spoke again.
James was confused, questions whirled around his head. What were they talking about – it's ok as long as it's not dark? Where was Remus going and why was Jenkruss so scared of him?
He leaned back for a better listen but only heard retreating footsteps. He was so close that he felt the full impact as the door opened fully.
"Potter, what are you doing?" demanded Jenkruss as he fell to the floor.
Clutching his mouth, James tried to speak but the words came out thick, and hurt to say.
"Oh dear," he heard her say before instructing him to follow her and before he knew it he was in the Hospital Wing having his jaw put back in position. When Doctor Nedalski was done Jenkruss questioned him again.
"I was doing my homework but my door was open so when you were outside talking it distracted me. I got up to close it when you opened the door in my face, breaking my jaw." This seemed like a plausible excuse.
It satisfied Jenkruss anyway. And adding that last bit as a plea of innocence seemed to have made her willing to drop the subject out of guilt.
"Very well Potter. Come along."
When James was back in his room, and he was sure Jenkruss was gone, he picked up the mirror again.
"Hey Sir, you'll never guess what?"
There was no answer; there was no face in the glass in the glass either. Cursing James put the mirror down, resolving to tell Sirius when his suspension was over. Once more he picked up his quill and parchment to finish his homework.
--------
James walked down the abandoned corridors, his footsteps echoing, shattering the eerie silence. The halls seemed to be going on forever, they looked different too. Looking at one curiously he realised they were bare. None of the usual paintings and portraits decorated the wall; there were no suits of armour around either. As he stood watching, the walls began to ripple. He frowned; Hogwarts could be so weird sometimes. Cool but weird.
He moved in for a closer look. This investigation revealed that the walls weren't actually moving because there were no walls to move. Instead there was layer upon layer of slimy insects wriggling to get on top of each other. He felt disgusted by the sight in front of him but he couldn't turn away. He stepped closer to the wall with one arm outstretched. One finger poked through a small hole followed closely by the rest of his hand. Worms and maggots fell at his feet but he didn't care. He stepped through, not bothering to brush the caterpillars and grubs off his clothes and out of his hair.
He stepped through into the darkness. A small light illuminated a tiny section revealing a corner of wall. He was in a small room. Barely audible noise sounded, incomprehensible at first but as time went by it became more and more recognisable as quiet mumblings. In the pitch dark he could not see who, or what, was making the noise, only the general direction it was coming from. He reached for his wand lighting it with a simple Lumos spell. Its light offered little penetration into the darkness, providing only a small beam of light. This was enough for him to see faintly.
He could make out the image of a small child sat crouched against the wall. As he moved closer and the light concentrated on the figure more, James could see the person was a girl no more than 3 years old. Her dark hair tied back limply whilst her startling blue eyes showed a hidden fear. James took another couple of steps forward.
"Hi," he began to say before the girl moved away from him, scuttling into the darkness once again.
Once more James followed the murmurings in the hope of finding the girl again. This time though he saw a boy. Remus.
"Remus, what are you doing here?" James walked towards his friend who, instead of smiling, growled as he too ran from James.
Again James went after him, now Remus was gone and a man left in his place. A round man with ginger hair, he looked to be in his late forties.
Learning from his past mistakes, James stood away from the man instead shining his wands light on him. A deeper growl sounded as he too ran into the darkness.
"The light…" James heard a woman's voice. He headed towards it in time to see the same ginger-haired man, talking in a woman's voice, turn into an old woman who fitted the rusty tones.
Shocked, James moved into the light away from the woman so that it cast a pale, eerie glow on her.
He watched in amazement as the woman now changed, Remus appeared again. James blinked in awe. When his eyes re-opened the light from his wand dimmed.
'The spell must be running out,' he thought wildly as he was plunged into darkness.
"Lum-off," he began to say as something hurtled into his stomach, knocking him to the ground.
His wand flew from his hand. He scrambled to get it until something grabbed his leg, dragging him across the hard floor.
Wandless and winded, James struggled in vain against his captor as they went back through the wall of the room, James narrowly avoiding a mouthful of frogspawn and wasps.
Instead of being back in the corridor, James found he was outside in a small area surrounded by trees. Lying on the grass he became aware of a full moon above him and a howling beside him. He looked in its direction to see a creature covered in thick, wiry brown fur and blood red eyes with a yellow glow. Its teeth were bared as it growled at him before heading into the trees.
James took a while to register that this creature was a werewolf and that he should try to escape while it was gone. Sitting up, James looked around him but found he didn't know where he was. He could see yellow glows in the distance and knew instinctively that he didn't have much time. The wolf was coming back; he needed to go, quick!
He got to his feet and began running furiously. He wasn't fast enough though as the creature flung itself at his back, pinning him to the ground. Before James knew what was happening he was being turned over and looking into the eyes of the werewolf. No longer were they red but completely glowing yellow. James didn't fight as he looked into those oddly soothing eyes. Didn't cry out as the creature sat upon his stomach tearing chunks out of his upper torso. Didn't scream or shout as it, and now several others, took bites out of him. He just lay there, still and calm, as he continued to look into those yellow eyes. And soon darkness took over.
Lilchocolatechip01 It was nasty, but essential. Hope this satisfies you for now.
Miss Lady Padfoot I take it you liked the chapter then? lol
Marauders-Wzrd10 Have you started back at school yet? Sorry I didn't get to update any before you went back. Hopefully I'll be able to do it fairly regularly so you'll be able to unwind when you get home and read. You really think Lily's sassy? Interesting…
Sirius'-muggle13 I already like you…We have the same name! I'm glad the characters are so great for you to read, I'm trying to make them as real as possible.