Disclaimer: Anything that is J.K. Rowling's, well is not mine.
A/N: I tried to update the story yesterday, but when I was uploading the chapter, it kept timing out, so this chapter was ready yesterday. I apologize the chapter took so long. Its not as long as usual, but after many rewrites, I think I finally got to where I wanted to be at the end of this chapter, so ENJOY!
James gazed out his bedroom window. His parents always joked with their friends that they had given their son the best view in the house. He was going to miss being home. Why was it that as soon as he was used to being home, it was time for school to begin again.
Being back in school meant dealing with Sirius Black.
What exactly was the proper way to deal with a friend's betrayal? Even after all that had happened James still thought of Sirius as a friend.
Should he curse him on sight? Ignore him? Force him to explain himself? Was there even a right way?
James lugged his trunk toward the top of the stairs. Looking discreetly around, he slipped his wand out of his robes.
"Master James! You is not allowed to do magic!"
James dropped his wand in surprise at the sudden appearance of the house-elf.
"No, I wasn't," James said and then changed his story quickly when she looked at him crossly, "Ok, I was, but it was only to make my trunks lighter."
"You should ask me to do it. House-elves very good with magic," the elf crossed her arms indignantly and was a snap of her fingers the trunk was at the bottom of the staircase.
"You won't tell my mum and dad, will you? I won't see them until Christmas and you wouldn't want them saying goodbye to me in a bad mood, right?"
"Ok, but Master James must promise to be good."
"Always," James winked and ran down the stairs to where his trunk was waiting.
About an hour later, his familiar living room with his parents waving at him swirled out of focus and he stumbled into his grandparent's pallor almost crashing to the ground. Luckily no one was around to witness his clumsiness.
James's image of his grandparents (on his father's side, his mother's parents were deceased) was different from what one would expect.
James's grandparents were 'larger-than-life'. They were famous aurors – catching dark wizards left and right. A life filled with excitement and danger and not one with time for baking cookies or going fishing with a grandson. Now they were recently retired and eager on making up time with James, so he was being shipped off to their house four days before the start of school.
The pallor was empty except for a strangely packed object. Upon close inspection the shape of the object was immediately recognizable and he ripped into the paper like a crazed lion. He took several long minutes to examine the brand new shiny broomstick before reading the note that had been attached to it.
Dear James,
Your new broom just arrived this morning. Your parents had to special order it. We had to step out for a few hours, but we will return by lunch time. Please obey…
James didn't have to continue reading to know who he had to obey. Two voices were approaching the pallor rapidly and within seconds Victoria and Vanessa Dekker had entered the room.
The Dekkers lived on the same street as his grandparents. Mrs. Dekker was best friends with James's mother. The Dekkers were purebloods, but after a bit of bad luck, they had lost most of their fortune.
Victoria was a year younger than James and could only be described as a big bouncy ball of uncontained energy. Victoria had a crush on him and their parents did little to discourage it. James knew his mother would love if he ended up marrying Victoria. Vanessa was entering her 7th year and was a child from a previous marriage. Spending time with them was never one of James's favorite activities. Both girls tended to be snobbish and annoying.
When Vanessa entered, the first thing James noticed was a recently polished Head Girl's badge.
James smirked, "So you've been made Head girl? Congratulations, it's been what eight years since a Hufflepuff has been made Head?"
James knew Vanessa was very touchy about her House.
"Gryffindor might find its rule breaking era come to an end. You won't be getting away with nearly as much with a Slytherin as Head Boy."
"Dumbledore made a Slytherin Head Boy?"
"That's right. I've been trying to convince Victoria that Gryffindor is not the ideal House, but she won't listen to me."
"Don't worry James, I'm not listening to her. I want to be in Gryffindor. Is that a new broomstick?"
"Going to be a Quidditch player, Potter? That along with rule breaking will get you nowhere in life."
"I wouldn't insult Quidditch in front of me," James said locking eyes with her.
"Vanessa's just sore about Quidditch because she's tried out twice for chaser and didn't make it either time!" Victoria said quickly stepping in front of James.
"You weren't supposed to tell that to anyone!" Vanessa cried her cheeks reddened and she exited the room.
The morning dragged on with Victoria following James everywhere. He couldn't shake her off. He even tried insulting her, but the only thing that worked was when he began going into minute detail about Quidditch
James took the opportunity to sneak into his Grandfather's study. He'd only been in there a few times, but he loved how everything in the room was filled with history. James had a feeling he was the youngest thing in the whole room. James headed over to where his grandfather had a picture of a young group of aurors. He stared into the frame imagining himself among the greatest. He wasn't sure yet what he wanted to do, but he knew he could never have a behind the scenes job like his father. Being safe and cautious was not in his vocabulary.
"Hiding from the Dekker girls?" asked a voice that was both gruff and soft at the same time.
James swirled around to see his grandfather behind him.
"Ah…yes..." James said cautiously. Was he even allowed to be in the study alone?
"Fancy yourself an auror?"
"Yea… maybe. It sounds exciting."
"Not nearly as exciting as most people imagine. You know what I wish for you, James? That you won't have to deal with a war and that you won't feel obligated to join the fight because the world needs a hero. I hope you have a safe job, marry a nice pureblood girl, and have lots of children."
James's eyes widened when he heard his grandfather say marry a nice pureblood girl. Since when did a Potter care about such things? Was it a slip of the tongue or did his grandfather really expect him to keep the line pure?
His grandfather smiled at him, "Lunch should be ready soon and then you can take your new broom for a spin."
James didn't really want to get into an argument with his grandfather at the moment, especially if he hadn't meant it entirely. So he smiled back and headed to the dining room.
September first was a picture perfect day. The sky was so blue and so clear that it looked as if it might have been painted or enchanted.
Platform 9 ¾ was still empty when James and the Dekker sisters arrived. While Vanessa helped Victoria get on the train, James loaded up his things before disappearing from view. He looked around waving at some students, but seeing no one from his year yet. Until he noticed the Blacks over at the end of the platform and they were clearly keeping their distance from the common folk.
It wasn't hard to spot the Black heir. Mr. Black at the moment was talking softly, but sternly to Sirius, who had his head bent and eyes on the ground. It almost looked like Sirius was being scolded or apprehended. James decided he must just be seeing things. Sirius was now the hero of the Black family after what had transpired over the summer.
"Sirius doesn't look to happy does he?" Lily Evans said approaching James.
At that moment Sirius broke free from the hold of his father and headed straight toward their direction. James grabbing Lily ducked behind a trolley with three trunks piled on it.
As Sirius walked by, James could not ignore the fact that he looked very thin and pale.
"Can your hair get any messier?" Lily whispered to him.
"Can your hair get any redder?" James retorted back causing Lily to turn as red as her hair.
Once Sirius was on the train, James stood up and James said, "If Sirius thinks he can fool anyone…"
"What are you talking about?" Lily asked.
"Well he's acting as if he's still against his family, but we all know the truth now…"
"Why do you think he's acting? Sirius looked like he hasn't had a decent meal in ages."
"He's faking it. Haven't you heard what happened?"
"I suppose not, since I haven't the faintest idea what you're on about…I am Muggle-born, I don't have much contact with this world once I'm home."
"Sirius has been spying for Slytherin all year. Apparently he was pretending to be my friend in order to get my trust. Once he had it, he was going to use my trust to get back at my family."
"Are you serious?"
"Do you think I would joke about something like this? I didn't want to believe it either, but…I guess once a Black, always a Black."
"What's your proof? You can't just accuse one of your friends like that!"
"I have plenty of proof, Evans! Don't you try and put the blame on me. Go ask him yourself, see if he doesn't hex you for being Muggle-born."
Leaving Evans with her mouth a gape James entered the train himself.
James found Remus, Peter and Cory in a compartment about halfway down the train. He sat down between Remus and Cory.
Cory looked uncertainly at James, "So are the rumors true about Sirius?"
James shrugged, "Depends who you ask."
"You knew him best."
"No. I thought I did," James said sourly.
The train ride was mostly quiet. Victoria found their compartment in the last hour of the train ride. Both Cory and Remus seemed to feel sorry for her and asked her to play exploding snap with them.
Once they were all safely inside the castle, sitting on Gryffindor table, and awaiting the first years arrival, James discreetly looked around the Great Hall for Sirius Black.
"I don't see him either," Remus said sadly and James pretended he had no idea who Remus was referring to.
Black was missing the feast and though James tried to put him out of his mind, it proved so impossible that he didn't even enjoy all his favorite foods.
Their theory that Sirius was being re-sorted with the first years proved wrong, when the last student became a Ravenclaw. (Victoria had been made a Gryffindor earlier)
And to make matters worse when Professor Dumbledore dismissed them, Professor McGongall came over to Remus, James and Peter.
"Have you three seen Sirius Black?"
"No, Professor," Remus said, "I saw him on the train though."
"Well if you see him up at the Tower, let him know he better come see me if he doesn't want to start the term off with a week detention."
"Why would he be in the Tower?" James asked at the same time Remus said "He didn't change Houses?"
"I'm not sure what you two are talking about, but Sirius Black is still in Gryffindor."
"Still in Gryffindor?" James echoed in shock. He felt strange. It didn't make any sense.
"Really, maybe you boys should go lie down. Have a good night," she said curtly.
On the long way back to the Tower, the three friends were stunned into silence.
Peter was the first to break the silence right in front of the portrait hole, "What are you going to do, James?"
"This doesn't make sense. What was he thinking? Sirius has to know we all hate him."
"Which is probably why he missed the feast," Remus said sensibly, though James was in no mood to be sensible.
"Maybe the Sorting hat refused to re-sort him. Maybe that's why he's too cowardly to face anyone."
Remus paused, "I think we should talk to him, James. At least listen to his explanation."
James let out a hollow laugh.
"I didn't say we have to believe him, but at least listen to him," Remus said carefully.
"I'm not talking to him," James said finally, "If he tries to utter a word at me, he'll- he'll wish he hadn't."
Once in front of the second year dorm, James stopped at the door. He wasn't sure how he would react if he came face to face with the traitor right now.
Remus pushed past him and went in first. James followed quickly after to find a completely empty room. Sirius's bed was still there, the curtains were drawn, and his trunk lay near it.
Cory came in a few minutes later and looked questionably at Sirius's bed, but no one had any answers.
James felt that sleep would be the best remedy, so he quickly unpacked his stuff. He found on the floor by Sirius's bed a piece of folded paper. Carefully James picked it up and opened it.
The letter began with:
Mr. Black,
Congratulations on a job flawlessly executed. I suppose even acts of treachery and deceit should be recognized. Perhaps my first impression of you was correct – A Black in heart and soul…
The letter ended with his signature. The problem was that though this was James's handwriting, the words were not his. James had written Sirius many letters demanding explanations, but never receiving one back. And the silence spoke more than a letter filled with harsh words. The silence meant that their friendship really had meant nothing and that hurt the most.
The letter looked worn as if it had been read over many times. What did this letter mean? Did Sirius believe he would write such a horrible letter?
Without telling his other roommates his new knowledge, James silently went to bed. He supposed now he would have to take Remus's advice. He had to talk to Black tomorrow.
A/N: Thanks to all who read and reviewed my last chapter. All your encouraging words really mean a lot. I'll try to make the next update sooner. I usually post in my profile when the next update will be if its been a really long time. Thanks for hanging in there with me. School comes first so its hard finding time to be creative.
I almost took out the Dekker sister subplot, but now I'm glad I kept it in, even though at the moment they don't exactly add much to the story …and next chapter we will see both James's and Sirius's POV (maybe even Remus's)