There was exactly three months of school left when James's life was thrown upside down. He was minding his own business, studying in the library when Tobias came rushing in making all kind of hand gestures. James looked up from the book he was reading. "What is it Toby?" Only Tobias's friends were allowed to call him Toby. If anyone else tried they would be spending a week in the infirmary.
Toby leaned against the table and took several deep breaths. "The Minister of Magic just announced that there is going to be a quidditch cup between the schools. He said that he wanted the students of other schools to get to know each other. And guess who we are paired with, Jamie?" He lays the newspaper that he was holding onto the table, in front of James.
James blinks and picks the paper up. He reads the headline story and his eyes widen. "We are paired with Hogwarts. How can we be paired with that...that...that disgrace for a school?" He looked horrified. He lays the newspaper, The Riser, back to the table.
Toby shakes his head. "I don't know. But this is your chance, Jamie. You can finally show those worthless excuses for wizards what you have become." He was grinning from ear to ear.
"But I said that I would never see them again if I could help it." James's brow furrows as he runs a hand through his messy black hair, it was getting too long and would soon need to be cut to the regulation length. A skull earing dangled out of his left ear. The other two members of The Sneaks also had matching earrings. They were a gift from Professor Morell at Christmas.
"But you can't help it, Jamie. Your our captain so that means you don't have a choice." Toby states.
James nods and shuts the book that he was studying from. He didn't have to worry about being loud since the librarian was also one of the biggest quidditch fans around. So that meant that she was very loud herself. "Your right, Toby. I can't hide from them forever. I need to rub it in their faces that they did not break me." He stands, his chair scrapping the dusty old floor. "How long do we have before the cup?"
"The paper says two weeks then we are going to be flooed over to Hogwarts. So we have two weeks to get our act together and practice." Toby says. It wondered why they weren't talking the ship but dismissed it from his mind.
James nods and strokes his stubbled chin. He was trying to grow a beard but it wasn't working. "Go find Hugo and tell him to spread the word that there is going to practice every afternoon for the next two weeks." He grabs the book off the table and shoves it into his dragon hide bag. He then puts the strap of the bag over his head and snaps it shut. "I need to speak with Headmaster Karkaroff."
"Ok, Jamie." Toby takes off out of the library in search for his other friend. A grin playing on his lips.
He strides out of the library and towards the headmasters office. It was behind a large red oak door that had the mans last name etched in gold across the middle. He stops in front and knocks. He enters when he hears the headmaster call Enter. "Sir, may I speak to you?" He hurries over to one of the arm chairs sitting in front of the large desk. He sits down and looks around. This office was nothing like Dumbledore's. There wasn't hundreds of moving pictures on the wall or gadgets sitting around on tables. This office had one large picture hanging over a stone fireplace. It was of Durmstrang. And there was only a vase with black lily's sitting on a small table in the corner. The floor was hardwood as was the paneling on the walls.
Headmaster Karkaroff matched his office. He was tall and thin with jet black hair, slicked back on his head. He had a neatly trimmed beard to match and wore an outfit that matched the students'. James thought that this was what Severus Snape was going to look like when he got older. "Ah James. What a pleasure for you to visit me. What do you need to speak to me about?" He never smiled, all he did was smirk.
"Is it true about the quidditch cup between schools?" James prayed that the headmaster said that it was all a hoax.
The smirk fades from Karkaroff's face. He sets his lips into a tight straight line. "Yes. I am afraid so. The Minister seems to think that the students from each of the schools deserve the right to mingle with others their own age. If you ask me, it's hogwash." He folds his hands on his desk. "If you don't wish to attend..." He trails off and eyes the black haired boy.
James shakes his head. "No sir. I will attend. This is our big chance to show them up. To show them that we are the better school." He says a little bit arrogant.
Karkaroff smirks. "That's my boy. I will assume that you have already informed the team of this little situation?"
"Yes, sir. I have Toby looking for Hugo. He will inform the team of our practice every afternoon until the day we leave. Is that acceptable?" James asks.
"Yes, of course it is. Your one of the best quidditch players that we've had in a long time, James. Just remember that." He unfolds his hands and begins to dig through several papers on his desk.
James stands and makes his way out of the office. His stomach was in knots. But he would handle it. This was his big break. His chance to show them what they lost. He heads in the direction of his level's dorms. He pulls open the door and steps inside. He smiles at the people who were lounging around on the floor and the couches. "Has anyone seen Morgana today?" He receives several answers of no. "Ok." He hums to himself as he walks to his room door and pushes it open. The inside of the room was done in a deep earthly brown. The bed had brown wool sheets on them and in the middle was a very skimpy dressed Morgana. James drops his bag and stares, wide eyed. "Wh...What are you doing?" He shuts the door behind him and adjusts his silver rimmed glasses.
Morgana smiles, seductively and motions James over. "Jamie. We've been going out for seven months and I thought that I would give you a very special gift."
James licks his dry lips and feels his face begin to flush. "Morgana. There is no need for you to give me this. I can wait. I told you that. I care for you very much and I am willing to wait until your ready." He gives her a smile.
Morgana begins to sniffle then bursts into tears. "Your too good to me, Jamie. The others say that if I don't give you this you will leave me for someone who can."
James sits down on the bed and pulls her into a hug. He kisses her hair. He did care for her but his heart still belonged to Lily. "I am not going to leave you. Don't listen to those silly rumors. I am not like that."
Morgana nods and clings to him. "I should get back to my room then. I have to study for Professor Morell's test." She gives him a kiss on the cheek before grabbing her robe, the girls were allowed to wear robes when they weren't in class or participating in a school activity, and putting it on. "See you tomorrow, love." With that she exits the room and heads off to her room.
James lays down on his back and stares at the ceiling. He hated leading Morgana on. He was so confused. He loved Lily and couldn't let her go but maybe he needed to move on with Morgana. He was really considering marriage and would have asked if this stupid quidditch cup hadn't came up. Maybe he still had a chance with Lily. He rolls over faces the wall. His eyes shut and he drifts off into a sound sleep, with emerald green eyes dancing in his dreams.