It was a chilly Saturday afternoon, and the last Quidditch game before Christmas holidays began. James sat in the stands, squashed between Alice and Jerry in what had become their unofficial assigned seating order.
It had been several weeks since the awkward confrontation in Slughorn's office. James had angrily found Casper afterwards.
"What was that?" James had asked angrily.
"I was doing what you should have been," Casper said.
"Why did you say those things?" James asked. "What were you trying to do?"
Casper grabbed James by the shoulders, "Only what I had to. James, you are too young to understand this fully, but there are some people who are dangerous. And they bring danger to other people. We have to watch out for them."
James shrugged off Casper furiously, "Rebecca is not dangerous. She's just annoying."
Casper shook his head sadly, "I told you that you wouldn't understand."
"I do understand," James struggled against the tears he could feel pin pricking at the back of his eyes. "You're a mean person who accuses people of being traitors!"
"James," Casper sighed, "please try to be a bit more mature about this."
James didn't respond, instead turning his back on Casper and running away, desperately trying to hide the angry tears running down his face.
It was only a few days later that Professor Longbottom pulled James aside after class for a talk.
"I hope I'm not embarrassing you," Professor Longbottom looked around the now empty greenhouse nervously. "But I did happen to hear about what happened in Slughorn's office a few nights ago. And I wanted to make sure you were alright. I know you and Casper are friends."
"We're not friends," James said tersely.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed-."
"We're not friends," James cut him off.
Professor Longbottom nodded with great understanding, "I see. Nonetheless, I did want to check in with you. Make sure you really are alright. I understand that there was quite a nasty confrontation."
James badly wanted to walk out of the greenhouse right then and there, but something in the professor's voice made James believe that perhaps he'd found an adult he could trust. Reluctantly, he recounted to Longbottom the events of that night.
"I don't understand," James said, struggling to contain the anger he once again felt bubbling inside him, "why Casper would think Rebecca would have something against the Ministry. Of her family for that matter. They're Squibs, what could they do?"
"Perhaps he's proposing that Squibs should have a problem with the Ministry," Professor Longbottom suggested.
"Should they?" James asked, suddenly curious.
Professor Longbottom smiled at James kindly, "Not to my knowledge. But maybe young mister Prince is buying into some stereotype or another. Either way, I wouldn't worry too much about it. What's important is if you feel like you can trust Rebecca."
James laughed, "Oh, I don't trust her at all. But I at least know she's not a traitor or whatever Casper thinks she is."
"Good," Professor Longbottom began walking James to the door. "Life is too short to be so distrustful of others. Often the people you make the harshest judgements about turn out to be some of the best. I myself have a good friend who I despised when I was a student here. But now, we get along famously."
Professor Longbottom smiled fondly at the thought of his good friend. James stared at him curiously.
"You want me to befriend Rebecca?"
"Not if you don't want to," Professor Longbottom opened the greenhouse door. "I'm just saying it's best to reserve judgement until after you get to know someone. That's just my own personal wisdom. Feel free to share it with Mr. Prince when you see him next. It sounds like he needs to hear it."
James was still turning over that conversation in his mind when he was approached by Casper later that week.
"Mr. Potter," Casper greeted him coolly.
"Hello."
"I have two things to say," Casper began, an uncharacteristic note of uncertainty in his voice. "The first is that I am sorry. I fear I may have put too much pressure on you to accept a mission without being fully aware of its implications. I regret that deeply."
"Are you saying I don't have to go to the Slug Club meetings anymore?" James asked hopefully.
Casper let out a series of painful sounding sneezes before responding, "You are still to attend the meetings. But I promise no more displays of rashness and a delay of all further reconnaissance operations."
"In English, Casper."
"You don't have to spy on Rebecca for now."
"Thank you."
Casper sneezed again, this time with great finality. "You're welcome. Now, as promised, I have the information you required. Your cousin Dominique and that idiot Leo seem to at least be acting civil towards each other. Of course, their idea of civil is still somewhat crude, but even I can see it's an improvement."
"That's all I needed to hear," James responded cheerfully. "And Casper, I'll attend the meetings. But I'm not doing any more favors. I know that you hate Rebecca because her parents are Squibs, but I don't. I hate her for other reasons."
Casper's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to respond, but all that came out was a hollow wheeze. Once Casper had cleared his throat he nodded abruptly, "Very well. See you next Friday."
Coming back to the present, James scanned the stands for Casper, but didn't see him anywhere. Sighing, he turned his attention back to the pitch, where the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor captains grimly shook hands.
"I feel nauseous," Alice moaned. "We don't have a chance."
"Don't give up yet," James patted her shoulder reassuringly. "I heard from a reliable source that Dominique and Leo are getting along famously."
"Who?" Jerry perked up curiously.
"I'm afraid I cannot reveal my sources," James said mysteriously.
Jerry rolled his eyes, "I bet you don't really have a source."
"Yes I do!" James protested.
"Both of you be quiet!" Alice cut both boys off before either could aggravate the other further. "The match is starting."
The crowd let out a mighty roar as the quaffle was tossed high in the air. Tommy Brown sped to the end of the field where he began to scan for the snitch. A Ravenclaw beater hurled a bludger directly at him.
"I got it!" Dominique called out.
A collective moan rose from the Gryffindor stands as everyone waited for Leo to object. But, surprisingly, he simply nodded and flew off.
"Did Leo and Dominique just work together?" Alice asked in amazement.
"Yes!" Jerry whooped loudly, punching his fist into the air. "We are so gonna win this thing!"
The newly invigorated Gryffindor team had never looked better. Leo and Dominique worked effortlessly together, communicating silently at times.
Alice jumped up and down excitedly, "This is amazing!"
"It's about to get even more amazing," James pointed to Tommy. "It looks like our seeker's seen the snitch!"
Tommy was speeding downfield, his eyes trained on a small metallic blur. The Ravenclaw seeker noticed and immediately joined the chase, but they were too late. Tommy easily grabbed the snitch, hoisting it high above his head in triumph.
The crowd exploded.
James, Alice, and Jerry were swooped up in the crush of the crowd, who were rushing onto the field. Stumbling blindly, James suddenly felt a firm hand grasp his wrist, he whirled around to see Victoire, beaming with pride.
"I knew you could get them to work together, Jamie!" she cheered happily. "I owe you one!"
"How about you stop calling me Jamie?" James asked.
Victoire was quiet for a minute before breaking into a wide grin, "No, I don't think I will. But how about I get my mom to send you some bonbons?"
James sighed, turning to go join the celebration, "I suppose it will have to do."
