Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Harry Potter I do not own. No matter which way I put the words it still doesn't them any easier. Disclaimers are boring but are needed since I do not want to get sued.
Author's Note: So I suck for waiting so long to update. I am sincerely sorry. I will not waste your time with excuses. My best friend is finally reading the Harry Potter books. I am so excited. I can't believe how close to done Haunted is. Thanks to my readers for sticking with me. You guys rock.
Ch. 17 Obsession
James did as his friends suspected he would do. He nearly gave Remus a heart attack when he saw him in the library which he always sworn James didn't even know existed. He came back with piles of books on reincarnation.
"Don't you think this is overkill James? It's just a theory?" Remus told him. James had been spending so much time doing research that he was a little behind in school work.
"Listen to this, there are a lot of theories as to why other reincarnated and others aren't. Some believe that it is the feeling of an unfinished life. A study revealed that most people who have claimed to have had the soul of the reincarnated life were cut short by a tragic event. Again none of these accounts has been proven truth or false" James finished.
"Well that's interesting" Peter said smiling weakly.
"Honestly mate if you spend more time in the Library you're going to turn into dear old Moony here" Sirius said.
"Oh shut up Sirius" Remus said rolling his eyes. Sirius suddenly felt like someone was watching him. He turned around to see Regulus.
"Hey" Regulus said awkwardly.
"We'll meet you in the common room" Remus said while looking at James and Peter. This was clearly their cure to exit. Suddenly he was alone with his brother, something that hadn't happened in a long time.
"What's up" Sirius asked. Regulus as always looked well put together. Sirius noticed he seemed a little tired.
"Just so you know, a letter will be arriving for in a few short days. I'm just warning you now it's not going to be good for you. " Regulus began.
"Is that it?" Sirius asked. Regulus looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Yes" He said uncertainly. It looked like he was about to say something else but he thought better of it. What Regulus did was far more surprising than anything he could have said. He hugged him.
"Umm" Sirius said awkwardly. Regulus murmured a goodbye. Sirius watched as he left and wondered if everyone in Slytherin was that weird.
Sirius didn't have to wait so long for the letter Regulus warned him about to come. He was about to take a second helping of scrambled eggs when an owl landed by him. When he saw the owl his heart nearly stopped. No it couldn't be. This wasn't happening. His friends sensed his distress.
"Sirius?" James asked. Sirius grabbed the letter not answering James and read.
Sirius,
I know you went over to that blood traitor's house for Christmas. I must tell you that associating with my estrange sister and her filthy Mudblood husband will get you in trouble with the family. You don't want to get kick out of the family. I am writing to let you know that I will be watching you. Your mother has told me of you friendship with a werewolf. Well I must say really cute of you to help others less fortune but it's the family reputation that matters most. Your loyalty should be to the House of Black and not to some blood traitors or half-breeds. I will make sure you don't step out of line. You are of noble blood and it's time you started acting like it.
Sincerely, Bellatrix
It was worse than he thought. Should the letter to his friends? One word of the letter sprung out at him, Half-breed. There was a time that Sirius used this kind of word daily. When he really thought about it he said them because his family did. How could she use such an ugly word to describe someone like Remus. Seething with angry he set the letter on fire. Sirius didn't think much of what his cousin would do to him. Anyways what would she do about it anyways? His friends looked at him in shocked but didn't respond. Sirius gave them a look that told them he didn't want to talk about it. He was going to show his cousin actually what he thought of his "noble" blood.
James had been nervous for a weeks leading up to the Quidditch match. The only thing he thought about was the new subjects the third years picked up for the following year. James, Peter and Sirius both chose Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures as their new subjects. Remus who was also in their Muggle Studies class, but had decided to take Ancient Ruins instead of Care of Magical Creatures. Sirius took Muggle Studies because he knew it would annoy his parents. He said that he already knew what he wanted to know about Magical Creatures. They all decided against Divination to no surprise.
"I'm excited for Care of Magical Creatures" James said smirking. Remus looked at him waiting for him to finish his thought.
"Yeah we need to know how to take care of our pet werewolf" Sirius finished. Remus rolled his eyes. Remus knew they were kidding. Sirius suspected that it helped that they made a joke about his affliction.
"What are you guys going to do try and teach me tricks? Remember its Sirius that is the dog" Remus retorted. Sirius sent him a mock glare.
"Well at least I'm house broken" Sirius retorted back. James chuckled.
"House broken, ha! If anyone has seen your side of the room they would disagree." Remus said. James was not paying attention to the conversation. He was deeply engrossed in a book, wait a book.
"James what are you reading?" Peter asked.
"Oh it's a journal of my family history. I just read something about my great Uncle Harry. Apparently he might have been pushed when he drowned. They only person with him at the time was his cousin Albert. Remember how old he was when he died" James asked. They shook their head.
"13" James said.
"Oh here we go?" Remus said rolling his eyes. James as pure usual ignored him.
"Don't you see? My former self was murdered by Cousin Albert and I'm trying to at least make it pass 13." James told them.
"But why are you acting like you've been?" Sirius asked.
"Dunno. Maybe since it's getting closer to the death day. James told them.
"What?" Peter asked confused
"It says in the book called Another Life. People have been known to act out their deaths when it comes to the anniversary of the person's death. Amber lent me the book" James told them.
"Your connecting it to your card aren't you" Remus asked.
"Why, yes. Look guys please don't think I've gone around the twist. I know this is what's going on" James said in a pleading voice. Sirius looked at him. He was obviously distraught and wanted them to understand. Sirius couldn't think he was crazy when he obviously believed in reincarnation.
"James you better stop obsessing about this and start working on your homework. What are you going to do during exam time" Remus asked him.
"Copy off you" James replied.
"No you won't" Remus said indigently. There was a slight hint of a smile. Sirius was glad he was able to joke.
"I believe you James" Sirius said suddenly. James's face was bright and happy that someone believed him.
"You do Pads" James said happily.
"Of course. I'll help you. Maybe there is something we could do. Make the strange symptoms go away" Sirius said hopefully. Remus sighed.
"Well since you guys aren't much for research, you're going to need me. I mean what is there to lose" Remus shrugged. Peter nodded vigorously. James looked happier than he had been in a long time. It was the mark at how strong their friendship was that they were standing by him and helping him without judgment. They all knew that their friendship was going to be a big part of their lives.
It was time for James's first Quidditch Match. Like always Remus would be the commentator. It was Hufflepuff vs. Gryffindor. James looked like he was about to throw up the morning of the match. When his Quidditch Captain came and got him, he made a face as though he came to execute him rather than playing a simple sport. Peter and Sirius went down to the pitch by themselves, since Remus was commentating.
"Alright ladies and gentleman welcome to the first Quidditch match of the Quidditch final. Today is Hufflepuff vs. Gryffindor. Playing for Hufflepuff its Larson, Williams, Andrews, Snopes, Blake, Bones, and Smith" the Hufflepuff cheered. Sirius couldn't help but notice a few glares at the commentator. Sirius smirked. Remus was clearly unpopular in Hufflepuff. He just didn't know why.
"And the Gryffindors. Perwett, Perwett, Samuels, Potter, Wood, Vance, and MacLaggen." Remus said clearly. The Quaffle was released. Sirius watched as Wood was hit with a bludger.
"The Keeper is a new find, named James Potter. He's a nice guy but does have an oddly shaped head" Remus said. Sirius choked on his water. James sent Remus a rude hand gesture for good measure.
"Gryffindor scores. Well done Samuels. Gryffindor leads 10 to 0. The Hufflepuff are in possession. Come on James!" Remus said practically jumping up and down. McGonagall gave him stern looks which settle Remus down some.
"Hufflepuff keeper Andrews saves the goal. This is Andrews second year on the team. Last year's Hufflepuff team competed in the Quidditch final only to be beaten marginally by Gryffindor. Larson shoots the Quaffle but is saved by Gryffindor" It went on for an hour. Finally.
"GRYFFINDOR WINS! 60 to 250" Remus said happily.
"Party in Gryffindor!" Arthur Weasley yelled. He and his girlfriend Molly Prewitt were usually the ones who planned the parties. Molly's brothers were on the team.
"Guys let's go back to the dorm before we go to the party. I got something for us to celebrate." James told them. They ran up to the room. James went to his trunk and got butterbeer.
"How did you get that?" Peter squeaked.
"I got some third year to get us some. I wanted to celebrate or commiserate with my Marauders if we won or lost" James said.
"To James's first game" Remus toasted. They took a sip of butterbeer.
"Yum. I can't wait until we are able to drink firewhiskey" Sirius replied.
"It's a little strong but it's still very good" Remus replied. The boys looked at him dumbfounded.
"I had a sip of my dad's when he wasn't looking" Remus shrugged.
"Really" Peter said shocked.
"Oh come on do you guys think I always behave" Remus said indignantly.
"Yes!" They chorused.
"Well I don't" He pouted. Not one of his fellows believed him.
"Sure Moons. Whatever you say" James chuckled.
Next Chapter: James's problem finally becomes dangerous for him. A Marauder gets put on trial. The boys plan their first school wide prank. James get help from a new friend.