Chapter Three
The rest of the train ride went without much event; in fact it was rather normal. They got off and James disappeared into the crowd of first years. The Sorting Ceremony went with the normal degree of joy, and much to Ron's dismay James was placed in Gryffindor. But Harry reminded him that James was a first year and they were third years, so they wouldn't see James often. This comforted Ron somewhat and quieted his complaining. James sat far away from the rest of the Gryffindor and into the shadows. Soon they were seated and listened patiently as Dumbledore welcomed the new students and shared some interesting things about his trip to some strange foreign land, fortunately before he got too involved and everyone starved he caught himself and he let them eat. The whole time Harry and his friends watched as James ate quietly, ignoring the chaos around him, his cloak still attached. They noticed he wore leather gloves of the same black rawhide as his boots. They gulped however as Malfoy, one of the most annoying people and a bully that made Dudley look like a saint tromped over with his friends and toadies, Crabbe and Goyle, stopping right in front of James. They waited anxiously to see what he would do." So first year, why are you wearing the cloak, are we hiding something underneath there?" Malfoy said with a sneer. James ignored him and continued eating with his fork. Crabbe placed a large hand on his head and prepared to yank it back. As quick as a snake James' hand grabbed Crabbe's wrist and twisted it sharply causing Crabbe to bite his tongue in pain. James continued to eat as he twisted Crabbe's arm. Finally he let it go, never stopping to put his fork down." Next time I break it. Don't touch the cloak." James said icily. Malfoy growled and tromped off with the moaning Crabbe and the dumbfounded Goyle. After a numb moment, Harry and Ron clapped as they walked over to James who showed no emotion as he ate. They sat in front of him." Good show, we thought they'd pummel you there for a second." Ron said, now warming to James. Harry nodded vigorously in agreement. "So where are you from?" Ron asked politely" Around," came the reply. Ron bit his lip." Okay... see you later eh?" Harry said before he and Ron returned to their plates, which were slowly cooling." I can't believe you would applaud something like that barbaric act." Hermoine growled as she stabbed at a piece of shepherd's pie." It wasn't barbaric, he just told him to back off." Ron said as he munched on a piece of asparagus." But he twisted his wrist, and then threatened to break it!" Hermoine squealed, slamming her fork to the table with frustration. Harry and Ron shrugged, seeing nothing wrong with the practice, and rather enjoying the moanings of Crabbe. Hermoine 'hmmph'ed and ate her pie without another word spoken to them. Harry and Ron arrived later that night, worn out from the festivities to their room. They spoke the new password, 'Snigglewort' to the picture of the woman in the pink silk dress and they entered and headed to their dorm, which they shared with Neville, Seamus, and Dean. When they entered their room they immediately noticed the difference from when they left. Instead of the regular five tall four post beds, there were six." Whoa..." muttered Seamus as he sat on his bed where his trunk was parked. At the foot of every bed sat their trunk with all their articles. In front of a sixth bed sat a wicker trunk, completely different from theirs, which were made of pressed wood." Now where has a seen that trunk..." Harry pondered as he paced around it. Just then Percy entered." Now this is highly unusual, but I guess you are an unusual person." He chattered as he entered the room, the out of the shadows appeared James. "Normally first years aren't with the third years, but Professor Dumbledore must see something special in you for you to be promoted up here." He said he pushed James in farther. He cleared his throat. "This is your new roommate, James. James, this is Neville, Seamus, Dean, my brother Ron, and of course the famous Harry Potter." Percy said with pride. James shrugged." Never heard of him." Almost everyone in the room gasped, including Harry. Finally there was someone who didn't know him, and was magical! That was a mindblower." Of course I don't much about your world." He said softly. Percy nodded and disappeared again. James crossed between the room of silent and stunned people and opened his trunk and began pulling out what looked like long strips of cloth. One side was a black, and the other a bright yellow. Next he pulled out string and wooden clips. He stood on the bed and began to securely wrapping the cord underneath the deep red velvet curtains, around each post before tying it off. Then he began clipping on all the curtains, five in all, black side out. When he was done, he came back out and began to unpack the rest of his things. His books sat on the floor beside his nightstand. The cauldron was slipped under the bed and his robes were placed in the chest of drawers inside the nightstand, and his wand on the top. He slammed the trunk shut, sighed, and sat down on the trunk. It was about this time that Neville came out of the stunned silence that only lasted about seven minutes." How... how... how can you NOT know Harry Potter?" He exclaimed. James looked like he was about to say something, from what they could tell, but then he started fidgeting. "I don't live near any witches or wizards." He replied his tone sounding like it was forced. He yawned and stretched his arms out. "I'm tired. See you later chaps." He said before disappearing into the curtain. Soon two pairs of gloves appeared on the line, and boots slid to the floor, and a cloak was slung over the top of a post. There was some rustling and a cloaked hand, grabbed something out of one of the drawers, too quick for them to see except a blur of white and then a robe was thrown over the other side. And then there was silence. They all shook themselves. Seamus creped closer towards the bed and tried to pull back the curtain, but nothing seemed to move, there was just blackness." What the...?" He said softly." Seamus! Don't be a peeper! Man's gotta have his privacy." Ron scolded loudly. Seamus flinched and snarled at her before returning his bed and changing into his night clothes. There was a long silence as everyone got dressed for bed. As soon as they were done Ron went to blow out the lamps. He reached the final one and a voice whispered in his ear." Thank you." It was mostly definitely James', but he was neither behind him, and his bed was on the other side of the room. Ron shuddered at the eeriness of it all before going to bed. James stood in front of the window, his cloak off, as the full moon glowed upon him. He felt hot tears trickle down his face at the sight. He missed home so much." You will survive, just remember them for now." He said. He whimpered under his breath, as he felt a sharp pain his chest. He bit his lip and nodded. Harry awoke abruptly; his scar was beginning to throb. James flinched and hid in the darkest shadows, making him impossible to see. Harry shrugged, seeing nothing and went back to sleep as the pain faded. James sighed, it had been close, and silently he crept back into bed. The very next morning they awoke at dawn as the sun began to hit their beds full force through the window. They bustled about in excitement in anticipation for the new day. Also they were wondering who would be their Professor of the Defense against the Dark Arts, since Quirrel and Lockhart both had left. It was then that they noticed that their strange roommate was yet to be seen. Harry crept softly towards the mysterious bed and noticed that the wand, the cauldron, the gloves and boots, and cape were gone. He shrugged to the others." Guess he's already gone." He suggested. "Must have left at the crack of dawn." He offered. Ron groaned." Who the heck would WANT to be up that early? Who would want to be up THIS early?" He moaned as he rubbed his eyes. Everyone shrugged and left for breakfast. They did not see James at breakfast either. One of the cooks said that they had seen the strange cloaked student, but he'd left long ago. Deciding to forget the whole mystery they took their food to their seats and began to eat. About halfway through Percy came bustling around the Gryffindor table and handed everyone a letter. Harry and Hermoine placed it beside their bowl for later, but Ron tore it open immediately. He read the contents and groaned." No... They didn't... they did." He sighed. Harry looked up from his cereal." What?"
"Professor Snape's taken over teaching Dark Arts Defense, now we've got him twice a day, in one sitting." Ron groaned. Harry groaned with him. "Why, why did this happen?" Harry moaned as he beat his head on the table." Probably because they couldn't find anyone else to take the Dark Arts position." Hermoine said simply as she continued to eat her oatmeal. "Hogwarts hasn't got the best of records for keeping a Dark Arts Defense teacher. After Professor Quirrel happened to be related to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, and Professor Lockhart tragically losing his memory. Who would want a position here? And Snape's wanted to teach Dark Arts Defense for a long time any way." She said, never looking up. Harry and Ron stared at her for a moment before shrugging and returning their cereal. James stood on the edge of the forbidden forest, gazing out into the trees. They reminded him so much of home. He felt his eyes water as a sharp pain hit him in the chest again. "'Ey boy! Whatcha doin out 'ere?" Bellowed a kind voice. James whipped around quickly to see a tall, bushy haired man in large leather boots. He gulped as he approached. He ducked his head even though he was sure no on could see him close up. Hagrid drew closer to the small boy, who looked even smaller compared to him, standing on the edge of the forbidden forest. He placed a large hand on his shoulder. "'Ey you know that you aren't supposed ta be ou' 'ere. Whatcha doin' 'ere?" Hagrid said forcefully. The figure trembled under the cloak. "S... sorry, s... sir. I was just... l... looking at the forr...est." He stuttered before pulling back from Hagrid. "And I'm sorry for what happened." He said softly, just barely catching Hagrid's ear, before dashing off towards the school. Hagrid shrugged as the mysterious student disappeared into the school. Calling Fluffy, a large three headed dog, who was rummaging in the forest in search of birds, he continued patrolling the
grounds. Classes seemed normal as ever. First Period they had Professor Binns, a ghost who had left his body on accident, and the only ghost teacher around, continued his lessons in the History of Magic, which normally put the class to sleep, while occasionally being aware enough to take a note or too. Second Period they had Professor Flitwick, a miniature magician that taught about Charms. He was quite an interesting person, and really enthusiastic, but not much more was known about the petite professor, because they never saw him anywhere except the classroom. Of course it might have been that Flitwick was around a whole lot, and they'd never looked to the floor before. Third Period they had Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall, the second in command at Hogwarts, and the Professor of the Gryffindor house. She had announced that they were going to begin working on changing slightly larger objects (like books and other knickknacks) into various things, and if they worked hard they might start on animal/animal transfigurements. Then they broke for Lunch. Fourth was added to the dreaded periods along with Fifth for Harry and Ron, for this was when they had Professor Snape, a hook nosed and gaunt Potions master, as well as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Sometimes they had other classes, like Herbology three days a week to learn about various plants, and Astrology on Wednesday nights. Slowly they trudged into fourth period along with the Slytherins, practically the Gryffindor' arch enemy. James entered solemnly, his posture giving away nothing. As soon as he entered, Snape glared at him, squinting nastily at him for a long while. James froze, and remained motionless, nothing showing. He sneered. James still remained motionless." Well Mr. James..." He said haughtily, before he was cut off by James, which was a surprise, since NO ONE DARED cut off Professor Snape, and Harry figured that the news about Snape would have gotten around to him by now. "Professor Snape, sir, due to custom, I must ask you not to use my second name, for various reasons, and if you were to use it sir, it would make me very uncomfortable." James said primly, silver lights glowing out of his hood. Snape glared fiercely at him, but once again met defeat. Still snarling and huffing a bit, he pointed to a seat in the back, the far back, closest to the supposedly abandoned cells, which occasionally made snapping and growling noises." Sit back there Mr. James. I do hope you will be able to keep up with these third years with the lack of experience you have in any magical art." He said roughly, not sounding concerned at all, and more of that he would be rather pleased if James were thrown out. James nodded and walked off, his footsteps not heard on the hard brick flooring." Look its hood boy!" Crabbe hooted as James passed him. A couple of the Slytherins snickered. Malfoy stood and stepped in front of James causing him to stop abruptly." I do say, old chap, are you that hideous that you must wear a cape?" He said with a pompous tone. James walked right on passed him, knocking him into his as he went, not saying anything in response. Hermoine leaned over to Ron. "I see what you mean by walking death." she whispered in his ear. Ron slapped her playfully. "Hermoine! What a rude thing to say!" He scolded in a high voice. Hermoine scowled and focused back on her text book.
Chapter4
Harry had found a common line, in the few facts that he knew about James. The common line was that Snape absolutely hated the both of them. Of course, to Snape's surprise and chagrin, James was able to keep up, and excel at the third level classes. However one Saturday, they found James' weakness, or rather it was told to them. Percy entered the dorm room early enough in the morning to make sure that everyone would be there to receive the announcement. He cleared his throat." If everybody could please get up, I have an important announcement!" He shouted loudly, and was greeted with several pillows aimed for his face, which narrowly missed. "Perrrcccyyy!" whined Ron. "What could be so important that you'd wake us up so early on a Saturday?" Ron said, a tuft of red hair appearing out of the covers." It's really important, and you all should be up any way." Percy said huffily. From the way he was acting, Harry never could have guessed that the mastermind that had freed him from the Dursley's had been Percy, from the way he was acting now." It is a beautiful morning. Although there are lots of clouds" James said, appearing out from the curtains wearing his usual dark attire." Someone who agrees with me." Percy said with jubilance. Everyone groaned and realized that Percy wouldn't leave until he had said what he wanted. They sat up, everyone's hair mussed and sticking out all over the place. "Thank you. Now, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall have decided to let the Gryffindor house go on a special trip and camp out, since you've all excelled so well, considering the fact you are behind in some classes." Percy said discreetly, not mentioning the incompetence of Professor Lockhart. "So they will take you all out to Loch Ness Lake for a camp out, and all the second years and up will be taking their own brooms, or ones loaned to them by the school. Firsts will be using Floo powder. All are reminded to wear Muggle clothing and not to bring their wands. We shall be going out late tonight." Percy said chipperly. James cleared his throat nervously." What if you don't know how to ride a broomstick?" said his voice, softer than usual. Everyone stared at him, including Percy, causing him to shift uncomfortably." You don't know how to ride?" James shook his head at Percy's question. "Well I would teach you, but I'm so busy with this trip thing, which was quite unexpected, umm... how about Harry? He's the star player of our Quidditch team. The seeker you know!" Percy said, puffing up with the pride that the star of the teams would be under his guidance. Harry groaned internally, he didn't know if he could teach someone, let alone someone as closed off as James. James looked as equally unnerved. Harry nodded, trying to seem enthused about the whole thing. "Which reminds me Harry, Mrs. Hooch wanted to talk to you, something about a new captain, since Wood's graduated, she said it wasn't too urgent and could wait until practice Monday." Percy said before disappearing again. Harry groaned loudly this time. Last year Wood had become a nightmare with early morning practices that were often so rough it was unbelievable, and now he'd be getting up that early again. Hopefully Wood had toned down his enthusiasm a bit more. Of course Harry had gotten a break, as well as everyone else, after he broke his arm trying to get the Snitch. The snitch was a little golden ball with silver wings, and was incredibly hard to see. But if one caught it, it was immediately 150 points for your team. Of course you also had to dodge other players and bludgers, which were large black balls that tried to knock you off your broom as you were flying in the air. However, hardly anyone died during a game of Quidditch; they might break their jaw, but nothing terribly serious." Come on James, I'll take you out to the Quidditch field and get you a broom from the storehouse." Harry said as he grabbed his Nimbus Two Thousand. It was one of the newer brooms on the market, except for the Nimbus Two Thousand and One, which was superior, in the right hands. Harry snorted at the thought. The Slytherins had been outfitted with Nimbus Two Thousands and Ones after they let Malfoy be their seeker, and everyone knew that the brooms were a part of the deal. Unfortunately, Slytherin lost horribly to them, and Harry was the only one on a Nimbus. As soon as they stepped out into the halls of Hogwarts, James spoke. "Th... Thank you, Harry." He said softly, falling in step silently behind him. His voice was filled with nervous anticipation and honest thanks, both of which made Harry feel bad for not wanting to help. Obviously James was good at studying and magical practice, but he hadn't been taught much hands on." So, how'd your family take it when you got your letter from Hogwarts?" Harry said as they reached the main floor. An aura of tension radiated off of James. "Uhh... well... th... they took it quite well... considering..." He stuttered. Harry stopped and turned around, and gave a small smile." So they were completely shocked about the magical world and that you belonged in it?" He suggested. James shook his cloaked head furiously. "N...no... not exactly. There are a lot of songs about magic and flying on broomsticks, but no one's actually done it." He said, gaining a bit of confidence as he ended with a small laugh. "Oh... quite the opposite with my aunt and uncle, they didn't take it too well at all. They tried to ignore it but Hagrid busted me out, and here I am today." Harry said grinning. "Hagrid's the groundskeeper here, you don't see him much." I... k...know who he is." James said softly. "What about your parents?" He said obviously trying to change the subject. Harry stiffened slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry, if you don't want to talk about it..." He said, quickly back tracking. Harry shook his head." No, it's just odd, because normally EVERYONE knows what happened to my parents, I've never had to explain it before. When I was little, a wizard named Voldemort came and killed my parents, but he couldn't kill me, so he disappeared. And I was left to my aunt and uncle and my cousin, who are the most Mugglish people you could ever see. So, what's your family like? While we're in the conversation." Harry said turning back and leading them through a dark hallway." They're gone... they died in an accident... along with my brother." James said slowly, his voice having a stab of pain. "But my mom and dad's... friends were kind enough to take me in." He offered meekly. But by that time they were out in the field." So is that who was with you at Gringotts?" Harry said turning again." No... they were busy with my step brothers and sisters, those were their friends." He said primly. "Oh, well, I'm going to get you a broom okay? Why don't you get out of that heavy cloak and then you'll..." Harry said with slight concern. Some of it was because the cloak would be much too heavy for him to wear on his broom, and would hamper his movement. Most of it was because he wanted to see what his roommate looked like. However he was cut off by James. "I can't." He said simply. "Why?" "Because." "Because why?" Because it's the rules." Who's rules?" My family's rules. I can't take off the cloak unless I'm alone."Why?" "There are reasons, good ones, but I'm not at leisure to disclose, not yet any way." Harry sighed in frustration. "It'd be easier with it off, but rules are I guess rules." He said before dashing off to the shed and picking out one of the brooms used for first years. He could clearly tell which were the first years, because they were knicked and cracked, probably from many crashes. He came back to find James standing exactly where he'd left him. Placing the broom in front of James, he held his broom at his side. "Okay, first thing you do is hold out your right hand, and curve it like you were holding a large pipe." Harry instructed, demonstrating with his free hand. James mimicked him using his left hand. "Good, now copy me." He placed his broom on the ground and looked at it. "Up." He said simply. The broom leaped to attention and into his hand. "Now you try." James nodded." Up." He said. The broom jumped, weaved a bit before falling into his hand." Good. Now mount like this." He demonstrated and James mounted changing his hand. Harry noticed. "Okay, now on the count of three kick the ground hard and cock your broom up." James nodded. "Right, one... two... three!" Harry said, shouting 'three'. Both shot up, only James seemed rather interested in his robe at that time, instead of where he was going. "Look up!" Harry shouted. James looked up on command, but he was crouched down over the broom, clutching it tightly. "Okay, you got it, now level off." James began to, but the broom jerked and bucked, knocking James off. Harry shouted, and started to go down, but knew he was too far up to catch James. He sped down, watching with many morbid thoughts rushing through his mind, and how he was going to explain James' death, as James plummeted towards the ground, his back going to take the brunt of it. However that didn't happen. James flung out his arms to the side, before twisting his upper half to the ground, his legs following. He kept them spread out, and bent. Harry screamed at him, telling him that he'd only get hurt worse landing face down. Then James hit the ground with an, 'Oomph', and to Harry's surprise bounced back up to his feet. Harry was so agape that he wasn't paying attention as he landed his broom in a large mud puddle, showering his clothes in the dark sticky substance. Harry however didn't notice and ran over to James." You okay? You didn't break anything did you?" Harry gasped. "Nope. Just fine." How'd you do that?" Harry asked, now intensely curious." We do a lot of jumping where I come from, although not from twenty feet up. That's one of the ways to land, and one of the safest." James' silver eyes looked around nervously. "So should we keep practicing, or do you want to call it a day. "Percy'd kill me if you didn't know all you should, as would Professor McGonagall. You'd best call your broom to you." Harry said, pointing to the broom which was floating above the tree tops. James nodded, and called out to the broom, which obediently came to his hand." Now you do as I ask." James muttered. Harry tried not to snicker, since it wasn't really funny because James could have been killed, but it was just too funny. James' silver orbs, which Harry assumed were his eyes, although they were rather strange, stared at him." Sorry, I know it's... not... funny, but it's just funny..." Harry said between giggles. James giggled a bit also." I suppose so, irony I guess." He said with a chuckle. Harry was glad that James took it as he had intended it. "Okay Harry-who-can't-make-sense-when-he-speaks, shall we try again?" James said, with humor, before giving a hissy snicker. He mounted and shot up, stopping just above Harry's head. "What's that supposed to mean?" Harry said indignantly as he mounted and came up beside him. James straightened and a more severe air surrounded him. "Nothing. Let's go." James continued to act coldly towards Harry, which confused him, since James was starting to warm up to him, but he made no comment. James had improved after the first flight, and soon was flying right along with Harry. They finished after it began to cloud over and rain. Harry looked up as large raindrop splatted on his scar." Somehow I don't think we're going to Loch ness this weekend." Harry said as he started to head in. James nodded and followed, panting. "Geez you must be hot under that cloak." Harry muttered as James placed the brooms inside the door, with a bunch of the team brooms." I am... but, you know..." He gasped. Harry nodded and both set off. They were about half way up to their dorm, when the dreaded Mrs. Norris appeared, she took one look at the two of them before turning around and dashing off. Harry groaned." God, I really wish I could kick that cat!" He moaned. James gasped in horror." You couldn't! I won't let you!" James shouted, jumping in front of him. Harry sighed and rubbed his temples." You can't kick her. She'll rat you out. Which is what she's going to do now, land us in a load of trouble with Filch? "Oh, as long as you won't kick her." James said before turning his back on him. "Agietha!" He shouted, making an odd spitting sound as he said it. Harry stared at him as if he'd lost his mind, but then realized what he was doing when Mrs. Norris appeared out of nowhere, most importantly without Filch. James crouched down and continued to call the word and Mrs. Norris came running to him, amazingly, purring. She sat down and let out a 'Mrrooowww'. James chuckled and produced a dried green substance from his cloak and held it out in front of Mrs. Norris. She sniffed it before licking the small pile out of his hand. James stood and immediately Mrs. Norris cuddled him before running off into the distance. Harry stared at James a moment, and James motioned for him to stay silent. Within a moment there was a loud crash of brooms falling, and the even louder cursing of Argus Filch, Mrs. Norris' owner. James gave a hissy snicker before grabbing Harry's hand, and running off to their dorm. As soon as they'd gotten through the painting and into the main room they stopped. Immediately Hermoine and Ron jumped out of their chairs and surrounded them, evidently they'd been sitting there playing chess." How'd you get past Mrs. Norris?" Ron asked Harry anxiously. "I don't hear Filch screaming for your heads." James did it." Harry said. James looked to the floor and played with his feet." You didn't hurt her did you?" Hermoine asked. James' head snapped up and he glared at her, indignation coming off him in waves." Of course not! I bribed her." James said huffily. Both Ron and Hermoine gasped." But... but... how? "Mrs. Norris, as you call her, found us and ran off. I called her by... using a trick word that works on all cats, and she came back, and I talked to her a bit, gave her some catnip, and right now she's doing her best to trash the main hall in thanks." They heard Filch's loud shouts about what the hell had gotten into Mrs. Norris, the howling of a cat, and loud crash. "She's rather nice if you know how to talk to her." James said with humor. "And where'd you learn to talk to cats?" Hermoine asked, sound suspicious." I... in a book." James said quickly. "I'm going to go crash, see you later." He said before walking off. Ron looked at his watch." It's only noon." he said, but James had disappeared.