faAuthor's Note: Some people liked my story, yay! Let's keep going shall we. I love putting characters in awkward situations. Also, James is a tad of a douche bag. Not gonna lie, it was quite fun to write. Also, I'm going to just start now.

Chapter 1: In Which James Is Back to Normal

James took only one glance outside to notice that Uncle Ron was bugging his dad again before turning his attention to the apartment that he and his friends miraculously got to themselves. Seriously, with the amount of people having babies after the war, you would think that the train could gain a few more cars and still not have any seats open. As it was, he still chuckled at the hopeless first years wondering aimlessly up and down the corridor trying to find people that didn't look too intimidating to sit with. Personally, he had no sympathy for them. James had even known people as a first year going into Hogwarts and they still wouldn't let him sit with them. They called it a 'Rite of Passage' to 'Be Awkward With People You Probably Will Never Speak To Again.' And it was true.

"James," Fred drawled out as long as possible hoping to get his cousin's attention. It worked; the car wasn't large enough for anything to be ignored for too long.

"What?"

"You seem to be missing the 5th limb that you call Claire Peterson. What, did ya piss her off again in some fashion that only girls seem to get?"

James ran his hand through his hair and didn't answer. Sure, Fred was right; Claire had only seen him long enough to give him a glare and flouncing off again with some of her other friends in the Gryffindor house that seemed to always take priority over the so called boyfriend of a year. But even if that was all true, there was no way in hell that he was going to give Fred that satisfaction. Again. Well, at least not this early in the school year, it hadn't even officially started yet.

Thankfully, the door crashed open and Zachary White came sprinting in before quickly shutting the door closed behind him. "Little sister does not believe in the Rite of Passage. I had to run to avoid her following me. That's not mean right? I mean, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Oh Merlin, I'm a horrible person aren't I?" Zach groaned as he finished his rant and slid down on the chair next to James. Somehow, in spite of his worrying and knack for feeling extremely guilty about everything, Zach had become best friends with Fred and James in their first year and now the three were inseparable.

"Nah, you aren't. That's exactly what I did with Roxy and my dad congratulated me," Fred reassured Zach before starting to search through his bag. James just looked out the window at the London countryside that had just started. Claire really knew how to ruin the whole first day of school excitement.

"I guess that's fine then," Zach muttered but his real attention was focused on the bag that Fred seemed so interested in and it seemed all guilt was forgotten. "Oi, what's in the bag? How many prototypes did your dad get you to bring this time?" Guilt trips aside, Zach was excellent in taking what Fred's dad gave them and turning the props into memorable pranks. He was also good in making up alibis which meant Fred and James had at least twice as many detentions on record than he did.

James perked up at the mention of the prototypes. Yes, Claire was doing the stupid girl stuff again, but Fred always managed to pull something out that would make him feel better. Unfortunately, Fred stopped digging and shook his head regretfully, "Nah, no prototypes. Dad is going retro this year and bringing back some of the pranks that he and Uncle Fred made when they first opened the shop. I believe his exact words were, 'It's time for you to grow up son, and create some pranks on your own. And remember, if they're any good, let me know and I'll help you turn a profit.' Or something to that effect."

James grinned, "Sounds like a challenge issued to me."

"Exactly," said Fred while Zach only rolled his eyes. James punched Zach on the arm and laughed. Zach knew what he was getting into remaining friends with them for so long. Why, after the first week of school of their first year, the three of them had managed 10 detentions between them. James didn't even feel sorry; dad had to have known that naming him after two Marauders and being the grandson of one of them could only mean a challenge issued for James to get in as much trouble as possible. He was pretty sure his dad approved too; he could have sworn that his dad had seen him take the Marauder Map, yet to this day he still hadn't asked for it back.

Zach sighed and said, "Fine, as long as we do something to get that freaking Lacey chick in Slytherin back for last year. I can't stand that snobby nose brat anymore."

"Then why the heck did you ask her out right before summer started? Oi that hurt!" James exclaimed when it was his turn to get punched back by Zach. Fred began to crack up and Zach took the high road by simply stuffing his mouth with a chocolate frog. James glared at the two of them, took out some Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans from his bag, and began pelting his two friends with them. Oh, train rides; easily the best place to annoy your friend for hours on end.

Unfortunately, the quiet chaos that was their cabin didn't last for long. The door slid open once again to reveal Al standing there still looking a little tired. "Hey James," he said sounding like the zombie he was apparently trying to impersonate.

James grinned, "What, still exhausted after mom's beautiful wakeup call this morning?"

"Well I was feeling nice and was going to tell you what robes of yours that I sabotaged but I think I'm gonna pass on that," Al said absentmindedly while looking into the corridor intently. James scowled but said nothing. His mom and dad were convinced that Al was such a golden boy, did no wrong, and James was forever torturing Al for no reason. The real situation was a prank war that stretched all the way back to the time when Al first learned how to talk. Now James was convinced that Al could get away with anything and probably should have been in Slytherin.

While Fred and Zach tried not to laugh at James' unfortunate situation, Al continued, "What I really came here to tell you was that Claire was on her way over here. She looked calm, not sure if that's good or bad. Also, Fred, the odds on them breaking up before Christmas according to Lily has gone to 7:1 so if you wanted to change you have to do it quickly."

"Fred…"

"James, it's easy money and you know your sister runs a mean betting pool."

James couldn't even retaliate since it was so true. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact that he was physically not allowed to do so, he would even bet on this relationship. To last of course. He didn't want to break up with Claire. Of course not, she was just… awesome. Really awesome. "Fine," he groaned and leaned back in his seat, "I can deal with that. I am James fricking Potter, I got this. Any other news?"

"Just Rose and Scorpius battling again. This time it was wizard chess. It ended in a draw unfortunately. Now I'm going to leave before the fireworks show," Al waved and darted off once again, hopefully to find Rose before she killed the only reason why Al had a slim chance in Potions class. Seriously, the Potters just couldn't hold their own in that class. It was like it was cursed. Now that was a thought. James started, "Hey guys, what if…"

"James."

He took a huge breath before standing up and sighing, "Claire. Can we just get this over with?" Already he could tell that this was going to be another annoying and pointless 'discussion.' The blonde girl certainly looked like she was ready for a fight. Her hands were stuck on her hips and she stared directly into his eyes (quite unusual for a girl since James was over the 6 foot mark already but somehow Claire managed to keep a constant 2 inches behind him).

Claire sniffed and glanced over to Zach who had the good sense to jump (his feet quite literally left the ground) to move over and sit next to Fred. She promptly sat down and patted the seat beside her. "Come on James," she said with a small smile that didn't quite change the look in her eyes, "We aren't first years. I'm not going to kill you or yell or anything that drastic."

James narrowed his eyes and slowly sat next to her. Immediately, she scooted closer and put her hand on his leg. Okay, what was her motive? He was James Potter; self-proclaimed co-King of Hogwarts (had to give props to his cousin and his best friend). He could figure this out and come up with something extremely clever to say. "Hrm… okay," he muttered. Yes, that was perfect. Exactly what needed to happen. Idiot.

"Next time, make sure to at least try to find me. It's like you didn't even miss me this summer."

"Now hold on, I did try to find you! By the time I did you were surrounded by those wh…" he cut off abruptly when her hand tightened enough to where he could feel nails through his jeans, "friends of yours. Then you just walked away!"

"Well, I guess both sides are to blame then," she said and settled back into the seat. James opened his mouth but then seeing the look on her face closed it. Claire really was an awesome girl and when they were a couple in a group of friends, it was great and they got along fine. It was the alone part that they seemed to have issues with. She just liked picking fights. But on the bright side, he didn't have to worry about a date to the annual Yule Ball plus the making up after fights was really so choice. It was just too much effort to care enough to break it off.

She kissed him on the cheek and turned to the other two, "Now that that's settled, have you boys heard the biggest confirmed rumor on the train?" Gotta love Claire, always ahead on the gossip.

All three boys shook their heads so she continued, "We're having an American exchange student come to Hogwarts. Apparently she's a 6th year and I've heard that she's a Ravenclaw. Unfortunately, seems as though she didn't come on the train this year."

"Whoa," said Fred holding his hands up, "You mean to tell me we finally have something interesting happen in our school and she's not even in fricking Gryffindor? Blimey, that sucks."

Zach snorted, "Looks like you'll actually be going into the library this year Fred. Gotta meet her somehow." Fred nodded distractedly but was already looking off into the distance thinking of a plan. James was just a little bit envious, but it was going to be fun trying to get the new girl to like Fred.

Claire nodded with a pout, "I know; I really did want to be friends with her but I might not even see her! Well, I guess we'll see what classes she's taking." She turned to James once more and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. She whispered to him, "Listen love, I promised Beth I would sit with her for the rest of the train ride. You know how she is after Fred dumped her last year."

"But I thought she dumped…"

She cut him off with another kiss, "Anyway, I was thinking after the feast, we could go to the Room of Requirement for a little bit to make up for lost time over the summer. Sound good?"

James grinned, "Oh yes please."

She smiled and got up. "See you two later," she said and waved to Fred and Zach who didn't even bother responding. She rolled her eyes and left clicking the door slightly harder than normal. Oh God, she was hot. Why was he upset at her?

James glared at Zach and Fred, "You guys really need to start pretending to like her better. She is my girlfriend."

Zach shrugged, "She's hot and you're famous, well by association at least. I don't know if I would actually call that a relationship. More like a natural chain of events."

He paused trying to thinking of a good comeback. None came to mind. "Well, she is hot and tonight is going to be awesome." James and Zach stared at each other than started to laugh. At least Zach could call them like he saw them. James always felt that extra 'Potter Parent Pressure' that came from having a famous dad and mom. If having a hot girlfriend while being extremely popular from pranks wasn't going to cut it, then really what was?

"Guys I think we are missing a very crucial point in this conversation," Fred said after being very uncharacteristically quiet.

"What?" James and Zach said almost simultaneously. They took one look at each other and cracked up again.

Fred ignored them and said, "There is a hot, American girl at Hogwarts and I have yet to get a date with her."

"No one said hot."

"Shut it Zach."

James grinned, "You know the best way to go about this is to just ask her."

Fred nodded, "Yeah, but knowing her name would be nice. Not required, of course, still it would make things a little bit less awkward."

"McGonagall might introduce her at the Feast," said Zach but his attention was now turned to the chocolate frog card he was now reading. It was Harry Potter looking rather embarrassed in his picture. Figures; James would kill to be on that card but his dad didn't even want it. Seriously, Al and dad were mental. If you had the fame, why not use it to your advantage instead of letting it control you?

"Doubt it, she's very much a no-special-treatment person," muttered James. He knew for a fact that McGonagall found most of their pranks hilarious. Why she felt the need to write to his father and give him numerous detentions when she knew that nothing was going to change was beyond him.

"Just because she doesn't cater to your big head doesn't mean she won't introduce Miss USA. It might make everyone feel less awkward introducing themselves if they already know why she's here." Zach added helpfully and somewhat muffled. A leg was hanging out of his mouth.

James glared once more at Zach, "You just love tearing me down today."

"I'm your friend; it's my job to make sure your head stays deflated enough so that you can still hear all the little people," Zach pointed out and once again James had to keep himself from laughing. He was mad at Zach, mad. Nope, he just couldn't do it. Especially when he knew Zach was speaking the truth. Oh well, he couldn't help that everyone loved him so much. Natural charm, must be genetic.

Fred cleared his throat, "Oi, you guys are going to stop fighting and come up with 5 plans each on how I am going to ask this mysterious girl out by the time we get to Hogwarts. Go."

"Not happening."

"Nope."

"Fine, I hope you choke on all the chocolate frogs you're eating," Fred said. The three boys looked at each other and started to chuckle again. This is exactly what James missed over the summer. There was no one to compete. There weren't any disapproving parents (though to be fair, his parents were pretty lax on most everything). It was just him and his friends for the rest of the ride to Hogwarts.

A few hours and a quick robe change later, the three stepped off the train onto the platform. James smiled and took in all the chaos. He waved to Hagrid but made sure to usher Fred and Zach away quickly. Hagrid had seen him grow up which was great because he introduced the Potter kids to almost every type of magical creature to the point where James got an O on the O.W.L. without even trying. On the flip side, he was rather over protective and could get a little long winded even though he had just seen James a few weeks ago. Seriously, people in his family and family friends needed to get their sense of time adjusted.

His little reverie was interrupted when someone pushed by abruptly knocking James away from the train. "Hey watch it," he muttered.

Unfortunately it was Rose who looked furious. She turned on him and said (in a strained but controlled voice of course), "James Sirius Potter, do not even start with me. Al just invited Scorpius to sit in our carriage. Scorpius, of all people! And he had the nerve to say yes!"

"Erm, you can always sit with us?" James asked apprehensively hoping that it would calm her down a little.

Rose's eyes widened and she opened her mouth, her finger pointed straight at James but something seemed to snap in her and she deflated. Her finger went back down and she turned walking away from them. "Thanks," she called, "But I have other friends besides family members in Ravenclaw as hard as that is to believe." And with that, she was gone.

A hand grabbed his shoulder and James turned his head to find Fred shaking his head. "Mate, just let her go so we have a shot at getting a carriage to ourselves." James sighed and nodded.

The three went to the carriages that were still supposedly pulled by threstrals (James was almost disappointed he hadn't seen a death yet and he was already a 6th year). Not surprisingly, most of the girls (and quite a few boys) swarming the platform from 2nd year all the way to 7th tried to talk to the three of them asking about anything from new ideas for disrupting the school to party invitations. James deflected most of them with a wave and a grin. Sure, he was popular his first year for his parents. By this point though, it was all him. It was quite an accomplishment to be this notorious at Hogwarts. At least, he thought so.

Zach could take his inflated head opinion and shove it up his ass.

The carriage ride went rather slowly in his opinion. By the time the 6th year rolled around for anyone, this whole thing was quite routine. He looked out the window and saw the outline of the castle looming closer and closer. Even though it wasn't impressive anymore, it certainly had the feeling of home. James couldn't help feeling a little disheartened though. His time was almost done and yet he was still just a normal student. Nothing happened anymore. It was just the normal day to day stuff that anyone could do. Where were the challenges and the life or death situations that he had heard about growing up?

The threstrals brought the carriage to a smooth stop and the doors released all of the Hogwarts students out. The crowd pushed and pulled in all directions but the general direction was always up towards the giant doors that marked the beginning of the school year. James passed through the entrance with everyone else and walked into the Great Hall that was decorated with gusto like it always was.

He risked a glance over at the Ravenclaw table but if Miss USA had been sitting there before the rest of the students, she was blended in now with the crowd of students attempting to find seats with their friends. James poked Zach in the arm as they sat down towards the front of the hall and said, "10 sickles that McGonagall doesn't introduce Miss USA to everyone."

Zach snorted, "You're on."

Fred laughed, "Zach, you are totally going to win. James always loses. Now help me with this." Since there wasn't any food yet, Fred had taken it upon himself to steal all of the goblets he could reach and begin stacking up a huge pyramid that currently had four levels already. James and Zach both grinned and immediately began levitating more goblets over to their wonderful creation.

They had just finished a 7th level when McGonagall called out, "Silence please. The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."

Unfortunately, James had taken this particular moment to shove Zach particularly hard after an ill-timed joke. James eyes widened as he watched the scene in slow motion. Zach began falling forward and put his arm out to brace himself. His arm happened to land right where the pyramid was built. The whole creation swayed away then towards them. Maybe, thought James, they would get lucky and it would stay still. Maybe they could have a normal start of the school year….

And with a crash, all the goblets fell onto the table and rolled onto the floor just as the first years walked into the door.

For a moment, the only noise that could be heard was the sound of metal ringing around the hall. Then, a slow clap started from further down the Gryffindor table (had to be Al, the little traitor) and within seconds, the entire hall erupted into applause. Fred and James looked at each other and James smirked. Really, there was only one thing to do in this situation.

The two cousins stood up on the table and began to bow. The applause just got louder. The only people seemingly not enjoying themselves in the whole situation were Zach and their beautiful Headmistress. Zach looked very convincingly bored trying to get out of a detention that was sure to be coming. McGonagall pursed her lips but just calmly said, "Enough, the sorting ceremony will now begin."

Immediately the entire Hall went silent and James and Fred sat back down. There were enough stories from the war about McGonagall that had all the student population in awe and terrified of her at the same time. If she wanted silence, she was going to get it. The only thing that could be heard in the Great Hall now was the first years' feet as they walked up to their fate.

Zach raised his eyebrows at the two of them. "You, my friends, are screwed," he whispered.

Fred responded, "Shut it Zach." James just put his head down. Well, his mom couldn't be that angry. After all, dad just said no illegal activity. Disruptions should be okay. If his parents were in good moods, it would be fine. Trust McGonagall to send a letter at exactly the wrong time though.

James didn't particularly pay attention to the names this year. First of all, he was hungry and that was extremely distracting. Secondly, no family members were being sorted this year. Third, train rides always made him sleepy. Lastly, he was hungry. Yes, he was hungry enough that it deserved to be mentioned twice. His ears perked up at the announcements though.

Nothing seemed too amazing though he had to work to keep a straight face when McGonagall had to mention that the Forbidden Forest was indeed off limits and that Hagrid was in fact not selling tickets to see all the sights and rides. That was one prank that they managed to get away with; their headmistress long suspected that it was the three of them (Fred in particular) but there was never any conclusive proof. Sometimes, the best pranks were the ones where people had to question if it was actually a joke or not. He still couldn't believe how much work they had put into that PR campaign. 3 months of work.

McGonagall cleared her throat. "Finally before we eat," she said with a small smile, "I would like to welcome a foreign exchange student. Miss Melinda Roberts joins us from Salem Academy in Massachusetts and will be a 6th year Ravenclaw. I expect everyone to welcome her with open arms. I'm sure she would appreciate it if her first few weeks her were relatively uneventful." And at that McGonagall glared at Fred who simply put up his hands in defeat. She clapped her hands together and the food appeared suddenly on the table.

James closed his eyes and gestured in front of him, "This is living my friends."

"Um James, I think Fred is already on his 2nd piece of chicken."

He took one glance at Fred and began to stuff his face. The memory of his dad's face this morning at breakfast came to his mind suddenly though. Claire really did hate when he stuffed his face. The pause only lasted a moment before he pushed his glasses on his head and continued the adventure of dinner. Sure, he couldn't see two feet in front of him now but really, all the food was good so it didn't matter what he grabbed. And well, if Claire didn't like it, she was just going to have to deal with it.

Dinner left and desert came. James was actually stuffed for once and ready for bed. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw Claire getting up by herself and leaving the Hall. She saw him looking and winked before the door shut behind her. Now what on earth…

Oh yes, tonight was a good night James thought and left the Hall quicker than he ever had before. Yup, it was good to be back. Now they just needed a grand mystery to solve and this year would be worth it.