Chapter 22
The Train Ride Home

It was Sunday and finally the day that the students would be going home for Christmas Break. At noon, the students boarded the Hogwarts Express, and the train began to leave for London.

"I hope James isn't mad at me," Jamie said to Romeo, Jane and Joseph, as they sat down in an empty compartment, "He hasn't talked to me since last night at the dance. I feel kind of bad... we just left him and Richie, then walked off."

"Jamie, he is your brother," Jane said, "It is going to take him a little time to cope with the fact that you are going out with Romeo. Remember, even before James went to Hogwarts, he knew about Romeo... and well, he didn't like him then. No offense, Romeo."

"I completely understand why James doesn't like me," Romeo said, "And I can deal with it. I understand he grew up hearing stories about my father."

"Yes, but you are nothing like your father, Romeo," Jamie said.

"James doesn't know that," Romeo said, "Ever since he met me, we have had these feuds and arguments, even maybe a stupid little duel or two. I knew our past history would affect our future lives. I just didn't think that it would happen this quickly."

"Hey," Jamie said, "Look at it from James' point-of-view. Everytime you walk by him, or your name is even discussed, he behaves like a angry cat with its back arched. My father has been a big influence on James. I mean, my brother could tell you stories about my father that I didn't know. That is just how much he respects my father and everything he did when he was our age. And because of this influence, he believes that everything concerning the Malfoys must be something bad. I think he just needs to sit down with you and see that he is wrong."

"I don't think that will be anytime soon," Romeo said.

"Then there is the fact that we were complete rivals ever since we met each other, Romeo," Jamie said, "I still remember the first time I saw you. You had just been sorted into Slytherin and had this smirk on your face."

"It was a proud moment in my life, Jamie," Romeo said, "Of course, there was the fact that I was still being brain-washed by my father and was completely believing his 'Slytherin is the start of a fine future' theory."

"A fine future with the Death Eaters," said Joseph, "At least that is probably what the Slytherin motto was when he was in Hogwarts."

"Yeah," said Romeo.

"You can ask any of my friends," Jamie said, "Jane and Joseph will tell you. We were dreading every class with the Slytherins because of the fact that you were in them. But again, this was when we were younger and..."

"Foolish?" Romeo said.

"Well, look at it this way," said Jamie, "If someone told you a year ago today, that I would be your girlfriend... would you believe it?"

"No, I wouldn't," Romeo said, "I mean, I also grew up with believing that the whole Potter family was scum. I lived with my father so many years and he told me stories of what it was like when he was a teen-ager and when the Second War was going on. It took me a few years to learn that most of what he told me was lies. My father is still a firm believer of the Dark Arts, even though those days are over."

"Do you think your father can change his ways?" Jamie asked.

"I want him to change his ways and see that he is wrong," said Romeo, "But he is too busy living in the past. He respected my grandfather and his ways of living. And just imagine being taught the ways of the Dark Arts and thinking that being a follower of Voldemort would get you what you wanted. My own father was brainwashed by Voldemort himself. He thinks Voldemort was doing the right thing, and now he feels he needs to avenge him, as well as my grandfather. He is going to do everything he can to avenge them, and I know it will kill him in the end."

Romeo looked out the window at the passing scenery. A few seconds later he looked back at Jamie.

"And I don't really care what happens to him," Romeo said, his voice breaking, "I mean... am I right to think that? He is my father..."

"Romeo, it is okay," Jamie said, beginning to put her arm around him.

Romeo backed off and stood up quickly. "I... I need to do some thinking," he said, "I will talk to you later."

Romeo opened the compartment door, walked out and slid it shut. As he disappeared, Jamie stood up.

"No, don't follow him," Joseph said, "He needs some time alone to think."

Jamie sighed and sat back down.

"I can see why he wanted you to keep that promise," Jane said, "He might not admit it, but he is scared of his father."

"Romeo isn't..." Jamie began.

"He is scared, Jamie," Jane interrupted, "I can see it in his eyes. He is more scared for you then anything. Just talking about his father scares him. He knows that if his father did anything serious, he wouldn't be able to protect you. I completely understand now. He does care for you, Jamie. And he doesn't care what anyone else says about it."

Tears started to fall down Jamie's cheeks. She stared out the window, then looked over at the compartment door.

"I need to go to him," she said.

"Jamie..." Joseph said.

"No!" Jamie said, raising her hand to silence Joseph, "I need to talk to him."

She stood up and walked over to the door. She opened it, walked out and slid the door shut. Jamie walked down the narrow hallway and spotted Romeo sitting in a chair. Jamie walked over to him and sat down. Romeo stared at her for a second, and for the first time in a while, Jamie saw a tear falling down his cheek.

"I... I don't know what to do," he said.

"Hey... don't worry," Jamie said, "It will be fine."

"It won't be fine, Jamie!" Romeo said, "Don't you get it? I read the Prophet everyday looking for my father's name. Hasn't your father told you? The Ministry can't find my father. My father doesn't want to be found! He knows the Dark Arts, Jamie. He is one of the few left alive who has mastered the Dark Arts. Do you know what will happen if he isn't locked up? Everything we read about in the history books will happen again."

"The Ministry wouldn't let that happen, Romeo," said Jamie, "My father wouldn't let that happen. He became an Auror to make sure it wouldn't happen."

Romeo said nothing. Jamie leaned over and hugged him.

"Hey... hey," Jamie said, "I know I am right, Romeo. I know my father..."

Romeo backed up and looked at Jamie. "Yeah, well... I know my father too," he said.

"Come on," said Jamie, "Let's go back to the compartment. It's much nicer in there."

Romeo nodded and stood up with Jamie, and they both headed to the compartment.

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Three hours later, the Hogwarts Express arrived at its destination in London. Jamie said goodbye to Romeo and walked out onto the platform. She spotted her father and walked over to him.

"Dad?" Jamie asked, "Why aren't you at work? I thought Mum was going to pick us up."

"I need to talk to Romeo Malfoy," Harry said, "Have you seen him?"

"I saw him on the train," Jamie said, "Why?"

"We need to find him," Harry said, looking around, "Ah, there he is. Stay here and wait for your brother, Jamie."

But Jamie's curiosity over-powered her, and she followed her father towards Romeo. What did her father want to talk to Romeo about? Did he know about their relationship?

"Romeo, can I talk to you, please?" Harry said, when he and Jamie reached Romeo.

"Uh... sure, Mr. Potter" Romeo said, looking from Harry to Jamie, "What is going on?"

"Romeo, I am afraid I have some bad news," Harry said, "Early this morning, the Dark Mark appeared for the first time in nearly eighteen years."

"The Dark Mark?" Romeo said, looking back to Harry, "But..."

"I am not finished," Harry said, "It appeared over your house."

"My house?" Romeo said, "Malfoy Mansion?"

"When we arrived, your mother was found laying on the livingroom floor," Harry said, "I am sorry, Romeo... your mother is dead."

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Cliffhanger! Bit of a short chapter as well...

Feedback welcomed...