Disclaimer: If I were JK I'd tour the world screaming out loud that I finished the series, not making a fic of it.

Chapter seventeen: First year exams

As spring came and went, the first school year of young James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Lily Evans was at its end. The young students found the first exams to be a distracting experience and so all their time was taken by them. Any thoughts of fun, activity, fresh air and evil dark lords were gone. Taking cue of them, all the school was a hustle of annoyance and stress generally coming from fifth and seventh years, followed closely by sixth and first years. Almost everyone was with their nose in the book recapping any forgotten incantation or plant uses.

The Quidditch Cup had been won by Slytherin that year. The green robed students were, naturally, ecstatic and their ego had grown even more than James ever remembered. Ravenclaw came in second, Gryffindor in third and Hufflepuff had gotten last place. The last matches were commentated by a sixth year Hufflepuff. They were, without the humorous comments, boring, only half of the school came to most of the matches, others finding enjoyment in reading and rereading school books.

Of course, there were a few strays that didn't want to read any "ruddy" book and found enjoyment lying around and complicating things for others.

A Mr. Sirius Black for example found it amusing to hex a slimy Slytherin by the name of Severus Snape every time they met and sometimes without just because he found it fun.

"Had enough Snape?" Black asked him one time after dinner.

Snape struggled in his ropes trying to find a loose thread but with no luck. He sneered furiously at the black haired boy showing yellow teeth and said with a whisper "I know your secret Black, better play nice or the world finds out and you'll be out of Hogwarts before you say Merlin."

Black laughed at looked around himself. Nobody seemed to be there. His eyes turned a dangerous shade and before Snape's eyes, he turned from the cute boy to a monster, much darker then a veela. "And just because you know my little secret" he said in a sing-song voice "you'll do well and play the perfect puppy you are. No, wait, it's an insult to puppies, play the perfect rat you are." He finished.

"Let me go now or I'll tell your mother about your so called friends, Potter and Lupin." Snape said in triumph.

Black flinched, not expecting such a curious threat but laughed all the same "Don't you know Snape that it isn't nice to tell lies? Potter and I are perfect opposites, you tell mother all you want but she'll know I'm telling the truth even if she's angry with me. Not to mention, she doesn't have a huge fancy for you." He smirked.

Snape's face turned white then red with fury. He tried another effort of escaping but failed once again. The ropes Black conjured to keep him glued to the ceiling were flawless. "Maybe she'll believe you over me but I don't think she'll ignore Malfoy or Lestrange. They know, the whole pure class of Hogwarts knows. It's only a matter of time before she'll find out."

"I don't know what you're talking about!" defended Sirius

"But you do" Snape grinned "they know you were in the group that foiled one of our meetings. They already announced the higher class and if I were you, I'd go to dear mummy for support as fast as I could."

"Butt out of my life you sniveling worm!" Black erupted "It's my life and I choose to do with it whatever I want to! I have my own reasons for that, reasons that don't concern you! And if you must know, mother has already found out."

"Your defensive mood says otherwise. Careful Black, staying too much with Gryffindors has altered your mind and you can't behave properly. It isn't in the Black code to show too many feelings." Snape muttered in a calm voice.

"I'm telling you for the last time Snape, leave me alone!" Black roared and marched out of the corridor leaving Snape stuck to the ceiling bound with ropes.

Neither boy knew that their conversation had been overheard by another boy, a small frail boy with a pair of glasses and hazel eyes, listening from behind one of the school's portraits.

James Potter was an unusual boy, more unusual than being a wizard going to a wizarding school and learning spells and potions. He was a man having grown up in difficult circumstances. Any boy in his condition would loose faith and give up. He, however, liked the idea of giving hell before giving up and as such, tried all he could to become a better wizard. The Potter family was from a long line of pure blood wizards and very respected in the community. They had their beliefs and stuck to them but it didn't matter much to James, who believed that being good has more advantages than being powerful. He didn't give much of all the dangerous spells and influence. The only thing he never agreed with was their reluctance to socialize with many muggleborns. They accepted them, but cared too much about their face in public. He knew they were right to some extent, being in good terms with everybody meant more help. He also knew that when he would grow up, he'd turn his back on this entire act and do whatever the hell he wanted. He hoped he would have the chance to grow up…

He smiled to himself and shrugged, not caring much about what the next day will bring him except exams. He looked out the window. It was a sunny Sunday and a bunch of students were laying by the lake watching the Giant Squid splash the water. They were, of course, also reading on a book. Snorting, James turned around not wanting to be reminded of those darn books. He knew he should learn for the one he had next day but roaming through the castle seemed like a better idea. He remembered the desperate look Lily gave him when he told them he didn't want to study. She probably thought he wouldn't pass. Remus had been uncaring, knowing that both of them learned and practiced more for the exam than anyone else a few weeks ago. He only sent a coughing "be careful" to James, meaning he shouldn't get into too much trouble with the Slytherins.

Snape's words echoed in James's mind "They know, the whole pure class of Hogwarts knows. They already announced the higher class and if I were you, I'd go to dear mummy for support as fast as I could." That couldn't be good could it? It also explained the level of violence between the two houses. They didn't say any words because they didn't need to.

The two groups of boys didn't deal much with each other anymore. With the upcoming exams, Pettigrew and Remus had had their noses in books all the time. Peter went to the hospital numerous times to get calming draughts and a few soothing words from the nurse. Black had his own plans unknown to the other boys and went missing for days coming only for classes. His demeanor darkened and he snapped at random people for the most absurd reasons. He didn't even ask James if he knew anything more about Remus's secret.

His love life still hadn't made any progress. Corinne was distancing from him slowly and surely, become better friends with Ludovic. James started a deep hatred towards the boy and each time he saw him he wanted to punch his face. He couldn't put a finger on it, but there was something in that boy unsettling him. For a while James thought it was jealousy but it wasn't only that. Worst thing was, he didn't know for sure what was wrong with him. He expected an explosion every day but it never came.

The next day, James swore to himself for lack of preparing. He looked down at his charms paper Flitwick gave them to complete. Who would bother learning about what some spell some git Aladdin used to animate a carpet. Wouldn't it have been better to put this question in the History of Magic paper? He thought hard about what they had learned that year. Swishing and flicking for the first half and moving objects across the room. It had to be something with moving objects right? What use would a kid have with it? His thoughts drifted off to girls, homework, sports…wait a minute…sports! Quidditch! Flying brooms! Smiling, James scribbled with his quill "Hovering Charm". It wasn't that hard after all! Second question: what spell does one use to attack a person without making any damage? Shrugging, James wrote "Bat-bogey hex". It wasn't that hard after all!

Sitting at the desk next to him, Remus was having troubles of his own. Who the hell was Aladdin? He was sure he heard about him before in a muggle book. It struck him about the possible relation to wizardry at the time. Wasn't he supposed to have a good memory? Should he ask James if he knew? Flitwick said something about an anti-cheating quill. What did that mean? Why did he spend all those hours reading if he didn't know damn anything? Aladdin…Aladdin…wasn't it one of those Arab names? They had flying carpets right? With new renowned hope, Remus wrote "Hovering charm" on his paper.

Of course something like this would happen! Peter swore silently to himself then directed it towards Sirius. Why did he have to listen to Sirius and enjoy that last day? He could have been studying! He could have memorized the whole book if he tried. Why didn't he? Why did he always listen to Sirius? His family hated him by now and the Slytherins laugh at him. He didn't present any protection. Peter knew he wasn't very skilled but his whole life until then Sirius defended him. What should he do now? Why didn't he concentrate on the bloody paper?

Sirius sat lightly on his chair studying his paper. Aladdin? Didn't his mother threaten him once in the Howler with making him fly like Aladdin never coming down? It must be a Hovering Charm. An inoffensive hex? What good could that do? He wrote all the same "Laughing charm" putting Rictusempra in brackets. He read the next question: "What's the proper motion of the arm in the Unlocking charm?" he gave a small laugh and wrote his answer.

"Five more minutes!" Flitwick said an hour later.

James ruffled his hair and looked at Remus. Remus looked back at him. Flitwick coughed and both heads went down. James glanced at Lily sitting two desks in front of him. She was writing like mad. He shook his head in amazement. He glanced at Pettigrew, two seats left who looked like he was pulling his hair out. He glanced at Black who sat with his arms behind his head triumphantly. He must have thought he finished first. James snorted and made some moves with his quill pretending to write something. He wasn't in a hurry to give his paper but he didn't have the heart to go over all his answers again. He closed his eyes as Dumbledore instructed him and imagined himself on a broom in a beautiful winter day in the mountains. His broom gave a jerk but James held on swiftly. He quickly opened his eyes in alert and looked around. Legilimency? Damn, he should protect his mind more often! Who tried to read his mind? Flitwick? Dumbledore told him nobody in the staff knows Legilimency as it's rather denied by the ministry and a violation to student privacy. A student? A first year Gryffindor trying Legilimency? James shook his head and closed his eyes again. Nobody would find out!

"James?" someone shook him.

James opened his eyes abruptly seeing the whole classroom empty. He fell off his chair in surprise making Remus chuckle and Lily shriek. She helped him up quickly dusting his clothes off.

"Er…thanks!" James said awkwardly.

"I can't believe you fell asleep! It the most important thing in our life as of yet and you fall asleep?" Lily looked incredulously at him.

James ruffled his hair and shrugged looking rather goofy. Remus patted James's shoulder and told Lily to lay off James's clothes.

"What happened?" he asked puzzled.

"Flitwick took our papers, he gave a grunt when he saw you asleep but didn't comment." Remus answered.

"I can't believe you fell asleep!" Lily groaned rolling her emerald eyes, James noticed.

"How did you do?" Remus asked quickly ending James's distraction.

"Er…fine" James shook his head "Great even! I told you I don't need any books!" he sent a smug look at Lily.

"I hope you'll say that after next exam!" Lily countered.

"Why?" James asked.

"Because you can't make things up in Potions!" Lily rolled around gracefully and walked out of the classroom.

"Why do I have the feeling she wants me to fail?" James asked Remus.

Remus shrugged "If you feel better, I also have the same feeling!"

James groaned "Great!"

"What's it to you?" Remus asked uninterested.

"Er…she's supposed to be a friend you know!" James nodded.

Remus didn't comment and pushed James forward.

Unlucky for Lily, Potions wasn't so much of a difficulty for James. His mother made him brew boil cure potions for her all the time. Luck had it that that was what Slughorn chose to give.

At the end of the exam, James's potion had the faint green glow it needed to have and Slughorn gave a satisfied nod. Of all the class, only James, Lily and Snape received the same color. Remus's had a strong green look and Black's had a yellowish tone. Peter's was deep red.

"What do you have to say now Lily?" James asked her.

"At least you didn't fall asleep." Was all Lily said to him.

James opened his mouth but Remus pulled him out of the classroom before he had any chance of replying.

Even his exam with Dumbledore was satisfying. Dumbledore tested James three times to see if he could get into his thoughts. Though he succeeded the first time, his second and third try were completely thrown off.

"You've done wonderful James!" Dumbledore said "Very few can manage to throw back a Legilimens like myself. I'm afraid this is the last time we'll meet." Dumbledore sighed.

"Why sir?" James asked confused "I still have holes!"

"Even if someone would enter your mind, they'd get very little knowledge." Dumbledore said not looking at him.

"Is anything wrong sir?" James tried

This time Dumbledore turned to look at James "I cannot lie to you as you have a big part in all this. Yes, James, something is wrong! Voldemort has more power by the day and nobody is doing anything against him. They are still hoping that he will surrender. I know he won't. Tom isn't going to give up so easy."

"Tom, sir?" James asked.

Dumbledore nodded "That's his real name. I am afraid I have no evidence of it, his appearance has changed. The Tom Riddle that studied at this school is considered dead. However, I know it's him."

"How do you know professor?" James asked.

"Because the way Voldemort works is identical to the way Tom Riddle behaved. I had the privilege to see him when he was in the middle of his transformation."

"Transformation into what sir?"

Dumbledore gave a sigh "Knowing the Dark Arts as Voldemort does, and most important, frequently using them, had a deep impact into ones soul so with time, the body begins to look like the spirit. I said I know Tom isn't going to give up because he worked all his life to become like this and it's in his blood. All evidence suggests Voldemort is the hair of Slytherin."

"Is he the only one?" James asked.

"We have to assume there isn't. If there was, we'd have two Dark Lords." Dumbledore answered

"And of the other founders?"

"James I'm afraid it's becoming quite late. Congratulations on mastering Occlumency. I have no doubt we'll be seeing again." The usual twinkle in the headmaster's eyes was gone.

"Good bye sir!" James said and left a little shook up.

As the week of the exams passed, James found the tests very easy to go through. He managed to successfully change the color at Transfiguration, he mapped the stars in an amazingly accurate order and managed to correctly prune his Abyssinian shrivelfig.

"This week wasn't so bad was it?" James grinned at Remus who looked like he had swallowed a Flobberworm.

"We still have Defense against the Dark Arts!" Remus muttered.

James nodded in understanding. Since Professor Dolohov came back a week later, from a mission to the wizarding colony in Spain, he had spared no mercy on James and Remus. Besides his unusual hatred towards Remus, he developed a liking to making James do detention and giving both of them huge essays. This shocked the entire classroom as James was one of his top students and generally preferred by professors.

"What do you think he'll give us?" James asked.

"Fight a dragon? And maybe give us special assignments to go into his mouth and take the heart out."

"Won't that kill you? Dragons have a high level of acid in them." Lily said coming to them from behind.

"Exactly!" James grunted opening the door as the bell rang.

"Potter, Lupin and Evans you're late. 10 points each from Gryffindor!" Dolohov said

"That's not much!" James observed rather loud.

"And 20 points taken for cheek!"

"That's more like it!" Remus murmured.

"Hey good luck Lily!" James whispered as they parted for their seats.

"Good luck" Lily said back.

"Good luck to myself then." Remus muttered.

"You have two hours to complete this paper! If you have any questions keep your mouth shut and think. If anyone tried to copy from anyone else I'll know!" he pointed at the sneakoscope on his desk. "Begin!" Dolohov ordered.

James looked down at his papers. There were three pages. The first one was a lesson taken from a third year manual.

"Professor, we didn't study about" James looked at his paper "Werewolves!"

"Like I said Potter, shut up if you have any questions!" Dolohov snapped.

"That wasn't a question really, merely a statement!" Black commented.

"It doesn't matter what you have or haven't learned. In real life you won't have days of preparation to deal with a situation. When you're out there you have to think on your feet!"

"Don't you have Auror training before?" James asked.

"Potter, if you say anything more, I'll consider it cheating and throw you out of this classroom!"

"But we're first years! How can we deal with real life? We're now in the process of learning!" Lily defended James.

"Being a bookworm isn't going to help if I let's say…become a werewolf here and now."

"It's the middle of the bloody day!" Sirius cried outraged.

"Then what if I point my wand at you and start casting the killing curse?"

"I…duck? There isn't any protection against it professor. You should know that!"

"IF ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING MORE HE'LL BE THROWN OUT OF HOGWARTS!" Dolohov roared.

With all hope lost, the three students sat down and began to read. The only one not reading was Remus who looked lost in his seat counting his last minutes.

They never came and Remus was thankful for that. The fury directed to the professor made the students oblivious to the obvious! They spent two hours trying to finish their tests. Lily broke out sobbing at one point but hid it to avoid upsetting the professor. The professor sat in his chair like he did since he came back from his absence. He studied all their faces carefully. With ten minutes to go, Sirius was already playing with his quill having finished his paper and James, also done, looked at the professor seeming lost in thought. Remus wondered what James was thinking of.

"Having fun copying Lupin?" Dolohov suddenly said.

"Er…" Remus began

"Finish your paper and leave it here!" Dolohov indicated.

At once Sirius jumped from his seat and handed the paper over. Dolohov glanced over it and grunted disappointed. Other students followed Sirius's example and left their papers on the desk.

Five minutes later Remus answered the last question as the professor rose from his desk.

"Time's up! Lupin and Potter hand over your papers!"

Remus realized that both of them were the last ones left. He rose up and saw James was at his side wearing a grim expression.

"Wait for me. Check the door in front for Bumblebees!" James muttered so slowly, Remus would have thought he had heard wrong. However James repeated again "Bumblebee"

They both handed over their paper and Remus left the classroom still confused. James stayed there appearing to examine a book.

"Anything that I can do for you Potter?" Dolohov grunted.

"Yes sir, I was wondering if you can show me how to send a severing charm. You know, in case I come face to face with a Death Eater.

Dolohov flinched and stared at James. James held his most impassive face he could manage.

"Why would a Death Eater bother with you?"

"I know…things. I'm sure Dumbledore has informed you of my situation."

"Yes, I know that Potter, but if you come face to face with one of them, you aren't likely going to last long enough with this spell. Don't waste my time with such a trivial matter!"

"What if I say I hit one of them with it?" James challenged.

"Then you're a liar. If you know how to cast one, why ask me for help? I also doubt you've ever come across one in your life." Dolohov said "Anything else I could…enlighten you with?"

James bit his lip "Er…I think my desk was jinxed. It rocked back and forth the entire test!"

"Lead the way!" Dolohov said.

James went to his desk and waited for the professor to come. Dolohov walked slowly but surely to him, not having any trace of pain in his leg.

"I don't see anything wrong Potter! It looks still to me!"

James sighed "Sorry sir, I guess I'm tired. Have a good day!"

With heavy feet, James walked to the door trying to think fast. He had been wrong. He had his hand on the doorknob when he asked.

"How was Barcelona sir?"

"Wonderful!" Dolohov replied.

James nodded and tried to turn the doorknob. It didn't open.

"Of course you know Barcelona isn't where the wizarding center is." James said feeling frightened.

"Of course!" Dolohov said and sent a spell towards James the next second.

The last thing James remembered was the wand pointed at him.