Everyone gaped at James's Patronus. James himself looked shocked.
Professor Krick stared at the magnificent patronus.
'Keep it there Potter' she said and disappeared out the door. As she left everyone found their voices.
'That's amazing James!' Meg cried.
'Prongs is turning into a nerd!' Sirius shouted. 'Moony, Wormtail SAVE HIM!" and with that he fell to the floor in mock faint.
'Being smart is a good thing Padfoot!' Remus said exasperatedly.
Sean chuckled. 'Padfoot wouldn't know' he said.
Sirius sat up and glared at him.
James was still staring at his patronus. He didn't do what he was supposed to and he got it right.
Professor Krick came in with McGonagall just as the patronus disappeared.
'Could you try that again Mr. Potter?' she asked in a would be calm voice but you could hear the awe in it.
James nodded and concentrated on the people he loved again. He said the incantation and the lion came out again.
McGonagall looked at him shocked. 'Mr. Potter! What was your happy memory?' she asked staring at the lion which was now prowling around.
James shook his head. 'It wasn't a happy memory, Professor, I thought of the people I love.'
The professor shook her head 'I really don't that is possible Mr. Potter.' she said.
Lily raised her hand. 'Professor, could I try it James's way?' she asked timidly.
McGonagall nodded and Lily came to the front. She concentrated.
In about a minute there was a doe in front of her. It joined James's lion.
There was no more need for words. Everyone began to try the spell the different way. Soon there were Patronuses flying across the room. Sirius's was a bear, Sean's was a gerbil, Remus's was a big dog that no one could figure out, Meg's was a peacock, Addy's was a flamingo, and Ari's was a swan.
Professor McGonagall soon left shaking her head. She was so impressed that she couldn't think straight. Professor Krick let them out early. She was in awe of the fact that most of her class was able to perform the charm.
Ari, Sean, and Sirius took off down the hall skipping. Addy, Meg, Lily, Remus, and James walked behind them slowly. James was a bit drained because he had to perform the charm more than the other students. The others were to mature to go skipping down the hall.
'So Prongs, who did you think of?' Remus asked mostly to start a conversation.
'You know...' James said shrugging. 'You, Padfoot, Wormtail, Mum, Dad, Ari, and Lily, Addy, and Meg.' he finished.
The three girls stopped and stared at him.
Remus and James also stopped and looked at them curiously.
'What?' James asked.
'You love us?' Addy asked uncertainly. The three girls knew that love was a strong word.
'Of course. I love all my friends.' James said looking at them in disbelief. Didn't they know that? Obviously not. The girls stared at James. This was a side of him that they had never seen. He was always the prankster. Even when they became friends the thing he was best at was making them laugh. And now he was showing a sincere and considerate side of him.
They all gave him a hug which surprised the two marauders. They didn't say anything though. Girls. Who know what was going on in their heads?
They all walked back to the common room smiling and laughing.
But when they entered they saw that the mood was not very happy at all.
Sirius, Ari, and Sean were sitting on the couch looking as though someone died. Their faces were all pale. Ari and Sean were looking at the ground and Sirius was staring straight ahead.
'What happened?' Remus asked when they got close.
Sean looked up. 'There was a letter from the Ministry for James when we came back.' he said quietly.
James went white. Remus sank down into a chair. The girls were confused. What had happened?
'Mum and Dad will be okay James' Sirius said from his position.
The girls understood. James's parents were the two best Aurors at the Ministry. If he got a letter something might have happened.
James picked up the letter and opened it. His hands were shaking. Ari put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it encouragingly.
James broke the seal and started to read the letter.
Dear
Mr. Potter,
Ha
Ha son, scared you didn't I. don't worry your mother and I are both
all right. We love you both. Hope you are having fun at Hogwarts and
being a good Head Boy. Don't forget to cause some trouble now and
then. Don't tell your mother I said that. You all can come over for
Christmas break. That means you, Sirius, Ari, Remus, and Sean. If
there are some other friends they are welcome too. Hell, you could
invite all of Gryffindor house. There's enough room. Your mother says
to focus on your studies and write back. See you soon son.
Love,
Dad
James
let out a breath of relief that he didn't know he was
holding.
'They're all right!' he screamed. 'Dad was just messing.'
Ari and Sirius jumped up and hugged him. Remus and Sean did the same. Lily smiled at him. He picked her up and twirled her around.
When they had all calmed down James remembered what his dad had said.
'You guys can come over for Christmas. You know for the ball and stuff.'
'Cool.'
'Awesome'
'I live there, Prongs!'
'My parents are going to be there anyways James. Your mom always invites them. We're related remember.'
James looked at Addy, Lily, and Meg. 'That means you too.' he said.
They all looked at him surprised. 'Us too?' Addy questioned.
James nodded. 'Of course. Who else would I invite? Plus Dad said that I could invite the whole Gryffindor house. Though I think he was joking about that.'
The girls smiled and nodded their consent.
'FOOD!' Sirius shouted.
'All right! Lunch would be starting soon anyways.' Ari said.
The eight students got up and headed down for lunch.
'Good I'm starving!' Sirius said as they walked out.
Little did they know that there would be a delay