Chapter Fifteen

The Return

Rivalry adds so much to the charms of one's conquests

~Louisa May Alcott

James and his parents hurried through the holiday crowds at King's Cross. It appeared that everyone had chosen that day to end their breaks and return to their regular lives. The stations were packed full of busy travellers who looked stressed out and in a rush. It made James, who had previously been excited about returning to school feel stressed out and anxious too. All he wanted was to get on the train, leave all these crazy muggles, and be back with his friends.

It took them nearly four tries to get through the barrier. Every time they attempted it, there were muggles looking, curious about what three people were doing standings around and moving towards a wall. They were finally able to make it through when James' father distracted the crowd.

They slipped through the passageway and onto the platform and James felt a sense of relief wash over him. The chaos of the larger station was forgotten in the relative intimacy of platform 9 ¾. Unlike at the start of term, the platform wasn't filled. Not everyone left Hogwarts for Christmas break and so therefore they didn't need to return.

James quickly spotted Sirius, standing only a few feet from the entrance to the platform. He was alone again, his parents nowhere to be seen. James wondered about it for a second (Sirius's parents hadn't been there to pick him up and now weren't there to drop him off), but he was quickly overcome with the joy of seeing his friend.

"Sirius!" he called. At the sound of his name, the other boy turned, and a wide smile broke across his face. James' parents followed a few steps behind. They were smiling warmly at Sirius, though they both had looks of slight concern.

"Hey James! Good holiday?" Sirius asked once the two boys were only a few feet from each other. James nodded in response, then turned to his parents. When he'd first left for Hogwarts, it had been a hard goodbye, but now that he had friends and knew what adventures were awaiting him, he couldn't wait to get on the train.

"I think I'll be fine from here. Sirius and I can manage on our own. I'll write to you as soon as I'm back!" James embraced his parents and they said their goodbyes, his mother almost smothering the messy haired boy in loving kisses. Then James and Sirius turned and disappeared through the wall and back onto the platform.

Once back at school, the students quickly fell back into old routines. They attended classes, worked on assignments, and practiced the magic they'd been taught. A sense of calm and normalcy settled over the school. Whispers of the Halloween prank and, more prominently, the Gryffindor-Slytherin match still filled the air, but as time passed, the students moved on. They had their own problems and concerns.

For their part, the return to Hogwarts for James and Sirius meant a return to tormenting Snape at every opportunity. In the space between Halloween and Christmas, the duo had temporarily ceased any misbehaviour, already feeling enough heat from events they hadn't been a part of.

However, with the school moving on, and Professor McGonagall ceasing her, for lack of a better term, interrogations, James and Sirius felt they could return to their old ways. They started small, by vanishing his books from his bag, or his hands, or from right in front of his face. As the weeks had passed and nothing terrible had come down on them, James and Sirius got bolder in their efforts.

"Here he comes," Sirius whispered, craning his neck around a corner. He was acting as a lookout, while James sat hunched in an alcove behind a statue, scribbling something onto a piece of paper. Sirius squeezed behind the statue to join James. "You almost ready? He'll be here any minute."

"Just about, and, done!" James exclaimed with a flourish. He then slipped the paper out from behind the statue and onto the hallway floor. It stopped just as a pair of extremely worn, scuffed shoes came into view. The shoes halted in front of the sheet and someone reached down to pick it up.

A mop of greasy hair fell in front of the person's face as they bent down, but James and Sirius knew it was Snape. They high fived each other, proud of their success at capturing their target. Snape picked up the paper; a map that James had created that led to a secret passageway that claimed it would shave two minutes off the trip to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Snape looked around, probably trying to see who had dropped it. When he could spot no one, he looked back down at the paper and a satisfied smile crossed his face. He thought it was his lucky day, and quickly headed off in the direction the map led him.

Sirius and James snickered as they appeared from behind the statue. They celebrated their victory a little, another successful prank committed against Snivellus. After a few seconds, the pair collected themselves and headed off in the correct direction of the DADA classroom.

"Wonder how long it'll take him to get out of our little trap," James mused as he walked into the classroom and glanced at Snape's regular spot. With only a minute before Professor Strinkley began his lesson, his spot was conspicuously empty. James and Sirius high fived once more before taking their seats and preparing for the class.

It wasn't until ten minutes into the lecture that Snivellus finally appeared, looking slightly crazed. He tried to explain his tardiness, stating he'd been caught in a dead end hallway that had then closed in on him and trapped him, but Professor Strinkley wasn't buying it. For the first time that year, Strinkley took points away from Slytherin house. James and Sirius inconspicuously high fived for what felt like the millionth time that day. It sure was good to be back!

"And your foot-long essay on the proper care techniques for Devil's Snare is due on Friday!" Professor Greensleigh reminded as the first-years packed up and left the greenhouse. James groaned at the reminder, having forgotten the paper completely. He'd been far too preoccupied with the uptick in pranking he and Sirius had been doing to remember his schoolwork. Now, he'd have two days to research and write it, as well as finish all his other work.

"Any one up for the library tonight? I forgot about Greensleigh's essay. Then there's Flitwick's warming charm that needs to be perfected by Monday, the wand movement and proper incantation explanation for the square to circle button transfiguration for Professor McGonagall also on Friday. And then whatever it was Professor Strinkley wanted us to do. I could really use some company," James spoke as the students' carefully made their way across the snow-covered grounds and back up to the castle.

"I'm a little behind too," Peter piped up, "can't seem to get my water anywhere close to lukewarm." Peter looked down at his feet, slightly embarrassed at his poor skills.

"You really should spend less time pestering others and spend more time on your schoolwork," Remus responded, though he spoke barely above a whisper. James took it to mean that Remus wanted to say his piece, but he also didn't want to upset his friends.

"You should listen to your friend! No one's ever failed out of first year, but I guess there's always a first time for everything," a snide voice spoke from behind the small group. James quickly spun around, ready to confront whomever had the audacity to insult his magical prowess. Sure, James' schoolwork was average, and his work ethic far below, but his practical magical ability was beyond reproach and would most certainly ensure his continued enrolment at the school.

A wry smile crossed James' face as he saw who had spoken.

"You're one to talk, Snivellus. Couldn't even find your Charms book in class! How do you expect to remain in Hogwarts if you can't even keep track of your stuff? You should really be more careful." James then turned back around and, with his back to Snape, magically tied the other boy's shoelaces together. As soon as Snape took a single step, he topped over, landing face first in the snow.

Laughter erupted from all those surrounding Snape. James turned back around, smirking down at Snape.

"Proving my point already," he spoke cockily, clearly extremely proud with himself.

That evening found James, along with Sirius, Peter, and Remus, sitting at a table in the library as James had said he would be. The table was filled with books, papers, scraps of parchment, ink and broken quills, and a smattering of square and circular buttons. There was also a cup of water, bubbling and boiling, on an unoccupied chair. The boys had gathered all the supplies they needed to complete their work and settled in for what looked like hours.

Sirius was pouring through Herbology textbooks and even issues of Witch Weekly and Green Wand, a magazine about magical gardening, for any tips and techniques on caring for the extremely tricky, and potentially lethal, Devil's Snare. James was working on putting the final finishing flourishes on his transfiguration paper. He'd been practicing the button transfiguration to ensure that he had every part of the spell explained as perfectly as he could. Remus, having finished all his work earlier in the week, was helping Peter with his warming charm. Remus had been the one to get the water in the cup to boil; all Peter had been able to manage was barely warm enough to melt an ice cube placed in the water.

Suddenly, the buttons around the table began to shake, almost as if there was an earthquake that only affected the buttons. Then, they sprung up and began dancing an Irish jig. In succession, the books joined in. The four Gryffindors sat at their table, completely shocked and confused at what was going on.

A light chuckle drew their attention across the library. Sitting at a table a few over from them were Lily, Marlene McKinnon, and Victoria Chisholm, the small group Gryffindor first year girls that seemed almost as inseparable as the boys. There were other first year girls, of course, a few of them, but they were sort of periphery to this group's friendship.

"It isn't that great a feeling when someone messes with your things, huh?" Lily commented, lightly twirling her wand around between her fingers. She had a dark, almost sneer on her face that didn't quite seem to fit her otherwise soft and welcoming face.

"You did this? Charmed them to dance like this?" James asked, sounding more impressed by her actions than annoyed. He had to admit, it was some pretty complicated charm work. James knew there was a reason he liked her.

"You aren't the only one who can perform difficult spell work, James," Lily sing-songed. As she spoke, her sneer disappeared, and a look of pain clouded her features. It looked just as strange and foreign on her face as the sneer. Lily always seemed like such a happy person.

"I just wanted you to know what it feels like, to have someone else charm, or curse, or jinx you or your belongings. I'm not as cruel as you can be, so I'm not sure how effective it is. Please, leave Severus alone. He hasn't done anything to you. Ever. He only ever fights back when you attack or provoke first." As she spoke, tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks. She turned away, focusing back on her friends.

As soon as Lily had turned away, the books and buttons stopped their jig. The four Gryffindor boys were quiet for a few seconds, processing what had just happened. Sirius and James both looked sheepishly down at their hands after being reprimanded. Then, slowly, they focused back onto their work. Lily, Marlene, and Victoria left shortly after Lily's speech, allowing James to better concentrate on his work. He did have a lot to get done.

All four were once again so focused on their own tasks, that they didn't notice a figure approaching the table until he was right by them, looming over the first years. Sirius was the first to look up and spot chaser and prefect Frank Longbottom. Also approaching was the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Miles Coote. Both had purposeful looks on their faces.

"How can I help you gentlemen?" Sirius asked. His words dew the attention of the others at the table.

"We've come to speak to you. Specifically, you, Black, and you, Potter. As I'm sure you're aware, the next Gryffindor Quidditch match will be played in about three weeks' time. And I'm sure you all remember what happened last match," Coote, always the leader, spoke first. Pained, and slightly sad expressions crossed the face of the four first years.

"Unfortunately, despite a thorough investigation on the part of Professor Strinkley and Professor Slughorn, there is still a cloud of suspicion over Gryffindor house, and specifically the team and you four. A lot of people think that some combination of the team and you were responsible for jinxing the brooms. This has only increased because nothing happened in the other two games, when Gryffindor wasn't playing." Frank added, looking pointedly at James and Sirius.

"People are saying we only jinx teams we play directly, and not just teams whose losses could benefit us," Coote chimed in. James looked at both older boys, wondering where they were going with their story.

"So, just as a precaution," Frank spoke, suddenly looking slightly awkward and twisting his hands. He paused his speech, searching for the next words. It quickly became prolonged and Miles Coote got annoyed with it.

"Up to, and possibly slightly after, our next Quidditch match, we need you to stop pestering, or whatever you'd consider it, the Slytherin boy and, for that matter, anyone. If you don't do anything before the match, it'll be harder for people to blame you should something happen. Think you can do that?" Coote's tone was easy-going and conversational, but James couldn't help but feel like he was being threatened. Coote seemed to be implying that, if James and Sirius kept on with Snivellus and something happened at the Quidditch match, he would be sure to pin it on the two first years.

"Definitely. Bothering Snivellus is just a pastime. He gets annoying and uppity, so we mess with him to put him back in his place. But we can definitely lay off him for a month," James responded before anyone else said anything and without consulting the others. Coote turned to look at the other three, lingering on Sirius for a beat. The other three nodded in agreement with what James had said. Apparently satisfied with this, Coote then left. Frank, however, hung back for a moment.

"Just a piece of prefectural advice," Frank spoke, still looking slightly awkward, "You should be careful with how you treat Severus Snape. He, from what I've seen, hasn't done much to bother you or really invite mistreatment. To some, your pranks, as you call them, could come off as personal attacks and bullying. Just, you know, think about it." Having said his piece, Frank then left as well, jogging to catch up with Coote.

"That's what I've been saying," Remus spoke before turning back to the cup of water. James scowled at it all. He most definitely was not a bully.

Over the next week, James and Sirius simply avoided Snape. They walked quickly through the hallways whenever he was around, sat completely opposite of him in any classes they shared, and tried not to look in his general direction. James figured if Snape wasn't a part of their lives, temporarily, it would be easier to leave him alone.

Snape, for his part, seemed to be cooperating. Maybe he was finally getting wise to the fact that James and Sirius liked getting a rise out of him, liked seeing him react. Maybe he was still recuperating from the last time he tried to take on the pair and ended up with a face full of dirt. Whatever it was, Snape seemed to be laying low as well.

Then, just before the Gryffindor-Hufflepuff match, as the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins were brewing Pepper Up potions, Snape struck back. James was eager about this potion; some distant relative had invented it and the Potter's took it as a point of pride. James would have no problem brewing this one, unlike some of the others they'd been assigned.

Slughorn kept all the ingredients up at the front of the classroom, and made the students walk up and gather them as they went. James was easily moving through the steps of the potion when Snape walked by, having gone up to the front to retrieve something, and dumped a handful of some sort of green powder into James' cauldron.

His previously perfect Pepper Up potion, suddenly started shooting off colourful sparks, as if there were firecrackers in the potion. Snape just walked away, chuckling at the mayhem that he had created, as Professor Slughorn arrived to try and rectify the situation. At the end of the class, all James had to show for his work was a destroyed, and absolutely useless, Pepper Up potion. Slughorn had promised him another opportunity, but Snape hadn't been blamed because James and Sirius had been the only ones to see him put the powder into the cauldron.

Both boys had wanted to retaliate, had felt it deep in their bones, but they couldn't. They'd promised Longbottom and Coote. They wouldn't go back on their word.

"Snape had better watch his back after that match. We'll be coming for him harder than we ever have before," Sirius whispered through gritted teeth as they walked out of potions that afternoon.