A short while later, James snapped the book shut and looked up at Fili with wide, astonished eyes.
"What is the matter?" said Fili anxiously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Well…" began James nervously. He wondered what to say; clearly, he could not tell Fili that he was destined to die alongside his brother and uncle during the battle of the five armies. He racked his brain trying to come up with an excuse for his pensive attitude, but before he could respond, a strange ringing noise began to sound from inside his trouser pocket.
"What is that sound?" asked Fili curiously.
"It's a device which let's me know that somebody is trying to contact me through my fireplace" said James. "It's probably Sirius, seeing as he's the only one of my friends who stays up this late at night. Come on, let's go and see what he wants".
Relieved that he would not have to answer any of Fili's questions about the contents of the book, James slipped it back on to the shelf and turned to lead Fili back through the library and upstairs to his bedroom. Both wizard and dwarf crept silently along the ancient manor, wincing each time the floorboards creaked. James especially was dreading the thought of waking his parents; if they caught him up and about with a stranger in the house then they would confiscate his broom for the entire summer!
James' suspicions about his caller were correct, as soon as him and Fili entered his bedroom he could see Sirius' head sticking out of the fireplace. The young teenager ignored Fili's astonished (and slightly panicked expression) and went straight to the fireplace, sitting himself down on the soft rug so that he could talk to his best friend.
"Hey Padfoot, fancy seeing your ugly mug at this time of night" said James, a cheeky grin spread across his face.
Sirius stuck his tongue out and gave a very sarcastic laugh in response. "Hey Prongs" he replied. "Umm, not sure if I want to know the answer to this or not but why is there a strange short man in your bedroom at 2 o clock in the morning? Anything you want to tell me?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at James and gave him a knowing grin.
"Eww Padfoot, don't be stupid" said James, pulling a disgusted face. "It's nothing like that. I sort of snuck outside to practice quidditch and this guy literally fell out of nowhere and crashed into my shed."
"Why were you sneaking out at this time of night to practice quidditch?" asked Sirius curiously.
"Ahahaha well, funny story, I sort of turned my mum's hair blue the other day when I was bored and it's fair to say she wasn't impressed" said James, having the decency to look a tiny bit sheepish. Luckily Sirius found the whole thing hilarious, and within seconds the two boys were laughing away.
"Mate that is brilliant!" exclaimed Sirius. "Maybe I should try that on my dearest mother next time she says something horrible….. anyway, you were telling me about the strange man that crashed into your shed!"
"Oh yeah" said James distractedly. "Well, he's called Prince Fili and he says that he's from a place called the Blue Mountains and is heir to the throne of Erebor. I had no idea that Erebor even existed!"
"Well, that is certainly interesting" said Sirius, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Suddenly, James could hear a small crash coming from Sirius' end, along with muffled swearing and more movement.
"Padfoot, is there someone in the room with you?" asked James. "And before I forget, what made you call at this time of night?"
"Well" began Sirius. "About half an hour ago I was sat on the roof looking at the stars when a small dark-haired man fell out of mid-air and crash landed next to me. It's funny because he says that his name is Prince Kili and that he is also from the Blue Mountains and is heir to the throne of Erebor".