The following Monday, I receive a short letter from Dad.

James,

Things are looking really great. I've finally been able to get Paulina Hayes of the Investigation Department onto the case. The M.L.E. Patrol says that they have sufficient evidence to continue the inquiry on you, but Paulina knows for a fact that they are significantly stretching the truth on that. That being said, I feel like they are going to try to move forward with the investigation before Paulina and I have time to move to dismiss the charges against you, so stay on your guard and don't do anything foolish and get yourself in trouble. Eh, who am I kidding? At least remember to stay calm and keep your head.

Your mother says hello and she loves you.

Love,

Dad

P.S. Aunt Hermione says to actually work in the library if you are going to be in there.

I read the last line again and roll my eyes before handing the letter over to Meredith. "I'm going to kill Rose."

Mer beams as she reads and snorts as she reaches the end. "Finally! Your Dad's really worked at this. Paulina Hayes is the best Investigator of the Department!"

"You'll be back before the first game!" Phillip cheers. "Terrific news! Long is good, but he's just not you, mate."

"Of course not, Phil; I'm irreplaceable," I respond with a smirk, pulling my fingers through my hair.

Fred puts on a serious face and nods solemnly. "Absolutely, James. No one like you at all. Who else would jump in the lake in the middle of January to retrieve a Quaffle?"

Meredith mirrors his expression and adds, "Or try to carry their broom around to give that permanent wind-swept look to their hair?"

"Or accidentally trap Professor Chang under enchanted mistletoe?"

"Or camp out in the locker rooms to try to stop any potential sabotage from rival teams only to get locked in the utility closest while trying to do just that to another team?"

"Or-"

"Okay, okay!" I interject quickly, "I get it. We don't have to proclaim every bad idea I've ever had out in the open."

"Right you are, James," Roger agrees, throwing an arm over my shoulders. "That would take the rest of the day. However, if we keep it up here, we wouldn't have to miss any meals."

I shove his arm off and playfully glare at my friends. "I just have to find new mates who actually appreciate me."

"Aww… poor Jamesie has a sad." Meredith reaches over the table and pinches my cheek. "Do you need a biscuit?"

She waves a chocolate-chip cookie in front of my face. "Yes," I say with a pout. I grab the biscuit and cram it into my mouth.

Our section of the table has been especially raucous during meals recently. I think my mates have been trying to keep my mind off my situation, and it makes me happy knowing they care so much. However, it only helps while we're here. After we leave the hall, I'm made fully aware again that I will not be joining my team later for practice and that Meredith is still seeing another guy.

We still don't know who he is.

Mer is right about us, though. We really will have a go at him in the event that his identity is revealed. Well… I don't know about the other guys, but I'll have a go at him.

Bloody mystery man.

I have a free period, first, so I leave my mates to brave the dungeons for Potions themselves. Remembering Dad's postscript (I need to think of something good to get back at Rose for telling), I decide to stop ignoring my workload, which is now at the level of 'alarming', and go to the library to do some actual work.

I decide to take the long way. Anything to avoid the work that I know is waiting for me to pull out of the bag slung over my shoulder. It's a nice day and walking outside seems like a brilliant idea at the moment. I turn down the hall that would lead me to way through the grounds when someone calls my name behind me.

"James Potter?" The voice is deep and contemptuous and everything about it screams 'I'm better than you!' I don't like it. Who cares who it is? They aren't going to get any of my time. I start walking quicker, ignoring the voice and acting as if I hadn't heard it. A small voice in the back of my head is telling me to stop; that this isn't a good idea.

"Locomotor Mortis!" Clearly, that voice was right and I trip ungracefully and land roughly on the stone floor with my legs tied together; my bag spilling its contents across the corridor.

"James Potter!" The man repeats and I twist around on the ground to finally look at him. At first a see a stern face with an upturned nose, graying hair, and dark eyes, then, to my utter surprise, the man transforms and I see a familiar face and a very familiar head of electric blue hair.

Teddy Remus Lupin towered over me with a wide grin on his face. The bastard is obviously mocking my undignified appearance sprawled across the floor of the corridor. He releases my legs and I scramble upright. The older brother I never had, indeed. That doesn't change the fact that I'm happy to see him.

"Teddy!" I hurl myself at him and he lets out an 'oomph' as I make impact.

"Aw, c'mon James," he says with a laugh. "You know I go by Ted, now."

"Oh yeah," I reply, stepping away from him and rolling my eyes. "I forgot you got all old and boring."

"Watch it, James," he warns, "I know where you sleep." We share a laugh as we begin gathering up my scattered school supplies. "So where were you headed in such a rush?"

Teddy doesn't seem to realize that I had been avoiding him as I walked faster. "The library," I say evenly.

There is a moment of silence while Teddy just stares at me blankly. "No, seriously," he says. "Where were you headed?"

"The library," I respond again. "I have some work I need to get done."

He stares at me a little longer and shakes his head. "I am finding myself unable to believe that. It is just too bizarre."

I give him an unamused look after I tuck the last few quills in my bag. "Believe what you like. I'm telling the truth."

"Okay, okay," Teddy starts defensively. "I just have never heard anything about you being studious… besides that summer before your O.W.L. year."

I shrug, accepting the truth he stated. "Threatening to take away my Quidditch will do that to me." I look at him again and suddenly realize, "What are you doing here, anyway?"

At my question, Teddy's smile fades a bit and then he says in a serious tone, "I'm here with the M.L.E. If you didn't remember, I'm interning there." I stare at him questioningly and he continues. "Uh… well… my superior is currently speaking with McGonagall and I was told to observe the area while they were doing that.

"James, your investigation is starting." My eyebrows shoot up at this. Dad did say they would move forward with the investigation, but I didn't think it would happen so soon. "My superior is currently setting up a time in which they can speak with you. I won't be allowed to be there, since we're so close, but I wanted to let you know before anyone else got to you.

I feel the magnitude of the situation even more than before. The inquiry is happening and I can't do anything but ride it out. "Just, don't try to lie," Teddy warns, then adds, "and don't run away like you just did."

I look away, ashamed. I should have known not to keep walking away from a person I didn't know, especially in my predicament. It's a good thing that this time it was just Teddy because once again, I wasn't thinking and it could be yet another thing attributed to the recklessness from my alleged use of Felix Felicis. "Thanks Teddy. I won't do that, again."

Teddy sighs. "Just try not to do anything too stupid while the M.L.E. Patrol is around. They could use it against you, even if you've acted like that since you were born." He smiles warmly at me and walks away. I, too, turn around and set off for my original destination, again, unsure if I'm going to able to get any work done anymore.

I was able to get some work done in the library. It wasn't much, but at least nothing is going to be late tomorrow. I'm sitting on my bed with my back against the headboard, guitar in hand, waiting for the guys and Mer to return from practice. I had watched the practice from my spot in the library, but for the first time, my heart wasn't in it. I haven't told my mates about my conversation with Teddy from this morning. It would have distracted them from their game and they can't afford that with the upcoming match.

I pick my way through a couple of songs, occasionally referencing tabs I procured over the summer. Even this isn't taking my mind off the problem and I groan as I once again drop my pick into the guitar due to my inattention. "Accio pick." The pick flies out and I grab it out of the air. I close my eyes and knead my sockets with my palms. Pulling my hands back, I stare at the calluses on my fingertips. Maybe I should just become a musician.

I would probably still get accused of cheating somehow.

I put my guitar away carefully and turn around and kick the post of my bed. I need to get out and do something physical. Even music didn't take my mind off my problems and the guys are still not back from practice.

Just as I think this, I hear voices outside the door and it opens to reveal my roommates (minus the elusive fifth) and Mer. They appear freshly showered and seem to be in high spirits. They should be, I guess. They did just have a rather fantastic practice. Phillip and Roger are arguing with Fred over something related to one of the saves he made, but Meredith is looking at me oddly.

She makes her way over to me and leans over to whisper to me, "Is something wrong, James?"

Her breath on my ear muddles my thoughts for a second, but I pull myself together enough to shake my head firmly and turn away. Mer crosses her arms and gives me a disbelieving look.

"Hey guys! James has something to tell us."

What? I widen my eyes and stare at her. Didn't I just try to tell her that nothing was wrong? I know she didn't believe me, but four-on-one is a little unfair. Meredith just stares back smugly with her arms remaining crossed over her Wimbourne Wasps sweatshirt…

Wait. Isn't that mine?

It looks really good on her.

I should let her wear my clothes more often.

I'm jarred out of my thoughts by an impatient Fred pulling me in a headlock. "Stop making us wait! Tell us already."

"Get off, Fred. Merlin, you guys are obnoxious."

"It's about that miss, isn't it? I swear James, the sun was in my eyes and I-"

"Uh, no. It's…" I might as well come out with it. Mer will know if I'm lying and they guys won't leave me alone until I tell them the truth. "I saw Teddy earlier."

"Really?" Phillip says excitedly, "What was he doing here?"

"I can't believe he didn't come to see us!" Fred pouts, sticking out his lower lip.

"What a prat," Roger says. "Do you think he doesn't like us, anymore?"

The three guys continue with their side-conversation, but Meredith is looking intently at me. "What was he doing here, James?"

Phillip, Roger, and Fred quiet down after she asks this and look at me as well. "He…" I gulp and run my hand through my hair. "He was here on business…" Meredith looks at me expectantly. "…with the Ministry." I'm looking at her and the guys' confused faces look to her.

"The Ministry?" She asks, slowly, looking rather bewildered. "Was he here with the M.L.E.?"

The guys turn back to me and I nod once, still looking at Mer. "Teddy tracked me down to warn me. He was here with his superior to see McGonagall to try to set up a time to do a formal interrogation, I guess." I give a small shrug and turn away.

"Are you serious?" Phillip shouts. I look at him to see him pacing the room, his face set. Roger and Fred look equally as worried. "I thought your Dad said things were about cleared!"

"He did say they might move forward before he had a chance to make them drop the charges." I look around at their worried expressions. I can't have them worrying about this, too. There's too much at stake with the game coming up. "What's the big deal, guys? We all knew that it was going to happen at some point."

Phillip stops pacing and glares at me. "So you don't think this is a big deal? They're investigating you for a serious breach in Wizarding law! I think you know better than I do that these investigations not only last a long time, but are very bad for your career. Even if the allegations are proven to be false and the case is dismissed, the damage it done. The press will have a field day with it. Just think of the headline: "The Boy Who Cheats: Harry Potter's Son Investigated for Felix Abuse."

I look down at my feet. Of course I know that. I can't go an hour without thinking about it. I just really don't want them as worried as I am, but it's obviously not working. Being the one to be carefree has always worked to perk them up, but it seems to just make matters worse, now. I take another shot at it, "I hope they at least get a picture of my good side."

The room is silent and I run my hand through my hair, again. "James," Fred stated, "you know they could use your unconcern regarding their interrogation as leverage to prove, if they need any more, your continued recklessness."

Of course I know that. Apparently anything I ever bloody thing I do is reckless. It would be so much easier if I could just watch myself outside of my body for a little while to see myself doing these reckless things. Maybe it would make me think twice about what I'm doing if I saw it from that perspective. The anger is bubbling in my stomach and I turn and pretend to look for something in my trunk, willing myself to breathe and relax.

"This is a big deal, James," Roger chimes in. "If they-"

I can't take it anymore. "Do you think I don't know all of this?" I burst out, angrily, turning back to face Roger. Roger, indeed, everyone in the room, looks rather stunned by my sudden outburst. "My dad is Harry Potter, Head of the bloody Auror Department. Did you guys maybe ever think that I didn't want you worried about it, too?"

The room is deafeningly silent. Even the hallway is quiet. I must have shouted louder than I had intended. My heart is pounding and I kick the post of my bed, again. "… remember to stay calm and keep your head." I let out a long slow breath and rub my face with my hands. "Sorry, guys. I shouldn't have taken it out on you." The anger is still just beneath the surface, and I keep my eyes diverted as I reach for my trainers and some running clothes and head for the bathroom. "I'm going to go for a run."

"Maybe you guys should leave him alone for a bit." I hear Meredith say through the crack in the door.

"Us?" Phillip asks, incredulously. "What about you?"

"I'm meeting…" she trails off. "…someone," she finishes lamely. Someone. I know what that means. She's meeting that guy again. Jealously mixes with the frustration in my chest and I shut the door softly, even though everything about me wants to slam it.

When I emerge from the bathroom, the room is empty. Well, almost. "Williams," I acknowledge.

"Potter."

Our fifth roommate, Reid Williams is organizing notes on his bed. Who does that? Wait… Rose does that. I smirk to myself.

"I'd avoid Greenhouse 5," Williams says as I open the dormitory door to leave.

"What?" I pause and look back at him.

He doesn't look up at me and gestures vaguely towards the grounds. "Greenhouse 5. I heard that they had a problem with the Bubotubers in one of the fourth-year classes and a good deal of undiluted pus leaked onto the path."

"Oh. Thanks." I make my way down the stairs and through the common room trying to think about where I would run, now. Greenhouse 5 is right along my normal route, so that will have to change. I wonder if Williams knew that. I don't know much about him, despite living with him for six years, other than the fact that he's wicked smart. Twelve O.W.L.s and all that.

So where would I run? If I'd just thought to map out several circuits instead of taking the same one all the time...

I stop abruptly halfway through the room. Mapping out! I turn completely around and run back up to the seventh-year boy's dormitory. I enter the room wildly and practically sprint to my trunk.

"Bloody hell, Potter!" Williams exclaims. I stand up, with the desired contents of my search in my hand. I had forgotten Williams was in here, even though I had just left. "What's the rush?"

"I just forgot-" I stop, looking down at the blank parchment in my hand and pause.

"Parchment?" I look back at Williams and nod once. "For your run?" I just give a half-smile and shrug. Williams shakes his head and returns to his notes and I shoot out the door, once again. I'm not sure why I'm so excited. I think it's that I haven't used the Map at all this year, and even if it's just for looking for a path to run, at least I'm actually using it.

I make my way into the halls and find a secluded spot. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The Map comes to life with its normal fanfare and I look towards the grounds outlines on the paper. It had taken me a little while to realize there were some trails through the grounds marked on the Map. This is how I'd originally found my preferred course, but completely forgot about it until now. I find a promising trail around the lake and decide to take it.

I find myself on the Map and start finding the quickest route to the trail when I freeze. No. That's impossible. I start running down the hall, checking and rechecking the map on the way. Surely it must be a coincidence; a chance meeting. He's probably antagonizing her and she can't get away and she lost her wand, so she can't fight back-.

I reach my destination and pull open the trick wall in front of me.

No.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

This is not okay.

I know I'm about to do something stupid again, and it's going to be all his fault.

Tucked into the alcove, two figures are pressed closely together in a heated snogging session. The members of said situation are 1) my least favorite fellow in the world, now for one more reason, Travis Corner, and 2) the one girl who has ever driven me crazy, Meredith Elaine Blount.

Meredith seems to realize that someone is watching and she glares at the opening, before her eyes widen with surprise at the sight of me. "James!"

The word hangs in the air awkwardly between the two of us. I look over to Corner leaning against the stone wall and his smug smirk easily brings out the anger that has been just beneath the surface for most of the day. "What the hell, Mer?"

This day just keeps getting better, doesn't it? She knows I strongly dislike Corner. If we really are good friends, why did she even consider snogging him? Meredith seems speechless and possibly a little guilty. This is probably the reason why she hadn't told us who the guy she's been seeing is. None of our mates like Corner either.

"Problem, Potter?" Corner asks cheekily, still with that infuriating smirk on his face.

"Yeah, Corner. I have a problem with you snogging my best friend!"

"Why do you care who she snogs? It's not like you have any claim over her."

"I can at least say she deserves better than you."

"Oh yeah? Who, then? You? Don't make me laugh, Potter."

"Shut it, Corner. She is-"

"Hello, you arses! I'm right here!" Meredith yells. We break our glare to look at her and she looks positively frightening. "James, what are you doing here?" she asks me, her voice now in an icy whisper.

Wow. How am I going to explain this one? "I thought… I just wanted to…" I stumble trying to think of a good cover story. Meredith knows about the Map, but there is no way in hell I'm telling Corner about it. Meredith looks to my hand and sees the Map.

She closes her eyes and nods once in understanding as if to say I'm furious that you followed me with the Map, but I'm letting that drop right now. Meredith's control right now is astounding. If it were me, I'd probably have said every single curse she's holding back already.

I direct my attention back to the arse next to her. "What's the big idea, Corner? Is this your way of getting at me?"

It's Meredith who responds. "Bloody hell, James! Not every single bloody thing is about you! Everything is always 'James, James, James, James'. Do you ever think of what anyone else wants?"

Meredith is cursing. Meredith is cursing at me. I made her so angry that she is cursing at me. "I didn't think-" I start lamely.

"Now that's precisely the problem isn't it? You never think about anything, do you? Your head is always too far up your own arse to ever do anything without screwing it up first!"

I'm starting to sense that this is about more than just this incident. Has she always been this angry with me? Has everything I've done really made her so bitter with me that she can hardly be around me? My eyes flick over to Corner once more. He still has that infuriatingly smug smirk on his face and I suddenly think I understand. He's been getting to her. Mer's been spending so much time with him and he's been messing with her mind. I feel my heart rate increase as the rage takes over from just thinking about it.

"James, are you even listening to me?" Oh great. This isn't going to go over well. Mer's already livid and me appearing to not be interested in what she's saying is not going to help the situation. "Right. Of course not. You never listen to anyone when it matters. I don't know why I thought that now would be any different." And with that, Meredith rushes past me and down the hall.

I'm doing my best to control myself. Lashing out at Corner would not solve anything right now. Instead I turn to my original destination to go for my run, finally. As I start to walk, I hear, "You lose, Potter."

Bloody Corner. It takes all my willpower, but I am somehow able to keep walking as if I didn't hear the taunt. Hope you're happy, Dad. Instead, I stuff the Map in my pocket, walk to the end of the corridor, turn to the left, and start running.

I'm running as fast as I can, now, towards the lake. I need to move; I need to get my mind off of all the crap that has been happening recently. Usually running will distract me enough to calm me down and relax. That's what I need to do now. Relax. Breathe in, breathe out…

After two sprinted circuits around the lake, I stop, breathless. I collapse where I stop and turn over on my back, trying to steady my breathing. I lay on the ground for a good five minutes, just focusing on 'In. Out. In. Out.'

Physical activity has always helped me take my mind off of things, but the only downside to that is that when you stop, it all comes rushing back. Sitting up, I stay on the edge of the lake attempting to get my thoughts in order.

"James Potter?" A snobbish tone, very similar to the one Teddy used early, calls behind me. I turn around very slowly and see the exact same image as before with Teddy, except this time, the person doesn't change. I need to remember to thank Teddy since he had, apparently, been there to inform me of more than just the investigation. I know what his superior looks like.

What is his superior doing here? I thought the M.L.E. would have left after they spoke with McGonagall. Could they have been given clearance to interrogate me immediately? If that is the case, Teddy's superior found me at the worst possible time. I may have calmed down, but I still don't have my thoughts in order and that could lead to me doing something stupid.

I stand and address the man as evenly and confidently as I can. "Is there something I could help you with, sir?" I don't like to admit it, but I'm scared of this man. His voice, just as Teddy's imitation had, infuriates me, but there is something about his real person, something Teddy didn't exude, that is frighteningly intimidating.

"Yes, Mr. Potter. I'm Officer Nott. The M.L.E. is proceeding with our investigation and you will calmly come with me back to the castle for official interrogation." Against my first instinct to run, I follow the man cautiously. Dad had mentioned that Theodore Nott, the son of a Death Eater, was promoted to one of the top M.L.E. Patrol positions, but I can't imagine why he would be here to interrogate me. A Felix Felicis potion law breach is serious, but to have someone this important in the office come, there must be something I'm missing.

Officer Nott leads me back to the castle and into an empty classroom. I feel really uncomfortable and something about this feels wrong. We sit down facing each other and he stares at me for a long time. "You know, Mr. Potter, you look so much like your father." I squirm at the way he says this. I get the feeling that he's yet another former schoolmate who still isn't a big fan of Dad's.

"So, Mr. Potter, where have been getting your supply of Felix Felicis?"

I'm startled by his immediate assumption that I'm guilty, but deal with it as it comes. "I've never used Felix Felicis."

"Don't lie to me, boy! How have you been able to use it throughout the school year?"

I feel myself growing angrier at his implications. "I've never used it, Officer!"

"When was the first time you used the potion?"

"I… have… never… used… it, sir!" I'm trying my best to keep my anger in check, but I can feel my composure wearing thin.

"Don't lie to me, Mr. Potter!" At this point, both of our voices are bordering yelling. "I'm warning you now, son. If you are lying to me, I will personally make sure-!"

Before he can finish his threat, and before I am able to lash out, Dad and Uncle Ron come bursting through the door.