AN: I always imagined Mrs. Potter with the same personality as Mrs. Weasley. Also, this will be your only update on the story this month, because NaNoWriMo is under way. Hope you enjoy this chapter! (I know nothing much happens, but whatever.)

Chapter 24: Home

James' POV:

I got off the train and was bombarded by a big blue coat.

"Oh, James! We heard- The Prophet-"

I looked up to see my mother, tears in her eyes.

I replied half-heartedly, "I'm fine, Mum. I'm really fine."

She looked at me, suspicious, but was prevented from questioning me further as Padfoot stepped off the train.

He was surprised to be greeted in such a fashion, but patted Mum's back as she exclaimed, "Oh, Sirius, your brother! And-"

"It's all right, Mrs. Potter."

Mum reluctantly let go of Padfoot, and looked at us both worriedly. Dad, who had been standing off to the side during this episode, turned to me and said, "Let's go get your stuff."

Padfoot looked hurt, and replied, "I suppose I better go, then."

Mum turned to me and glared. "Isn't he-? Must I do everything around here?"

"Mum? What-"

She looked at Padfoot sadly. "You're coming with us, dear! Do you think I'd let you go back to that family of yours when your brother is probably being carted off to Azkaban this very moment-"

Padfoot and I looked at each other, confused, as Mum continued.

"-and you being involved with it? Why, your mother would murder you! That despicable woman, probably could use some time in Azkaban herself!"

She suddenly realized what she had been saying, and quickly reprimanded herself.

"Not that I have anything against your mother, Sirius-"

Padfoot laughed weakly. "No, I agree with you, Mrs. Potter. But what was it about Regulus going to Azkaban?" I could tell that though Regulus had almost killed Lily, Padfoot still cared about him.

We began to walk over to where they were unloading the luggage, pushing through other students and parents, as Mum replied.

"'Didn't you hear? It was all over the newspapers this morning. Juvenile Delinquent To Be Sent To Azkaban; Hogwarts: Not As Safe As It Used To Be; You-Know-Who Infiltrating Our Schools. Some parents are thinking about not sending their kids back."

My mouth dropped open in surprise. "What? But Hogwarts is TONS safer, isn't it? I mean-"

Padfoot interrupted me, and I was so astonished by the fact that he, and not my mother, had butted into my rant that I stopped short. "But Prongs, don't you see? All the parents' whose kids died, or are in critical condition," he winced, "well, other parents don't want their kids to die next! Purebloods, I'm sure, aren't too worried or are on You-Know-Who's side anyway, but muggleborns and even half bloods are in danger! Maybe even blood traitors!"

"Exactly," said my mother, "And that's why we're thinking about keeping you home, James. We are a form of blood traitors ourselves, and we wouldn't want you to get hurt. Why, we-"

I had struggled to keep silent throughout her tirade, but I burst out, "Mum, I'm in sixth year, I'm a pureblood, I've got pureblood friends, I'll be fine!"

People began to stare, but I continued.

"I don't care what you say – I'll find a way to go back to Hogwarts no matter what! I need to know what's going on, what will happen to-"

I stopped. I had been just about to say her name.

"What will happen to who?" Mum asked, as my dad grabbed mine and Padfoot's trunks and began to walk over to the designated Apparating area and pretended not to know us, obviously embarrassed by my outburst.

I remained silent, looking at the ground, immobile.

Padfoot saved me from an awkward evening by saying, "We'll tell you about it later, Mrs. Potter."

This seemed to satisfy her, but, knowing my mother, I knew she wouldn't forget. Padfoot pushed me to get me to start walking again, and we arrived at the Apparating area at the same time as a couple other families. We waited until the area was clear to step forward.

Dad commanded, "Grab ahold of my arms, boys."

I grabbed his arm, and felt that extraordinarily uncomfortable squeezing feeling I always felt when I did Side-Along Apparition with one of my parents. After a few more moments of feeling as if I would pop, we emerged on a street corner with a very familiar building a few meters away.

I sighed, for though I was still upset and overwhelmed by everything that had happened over the last few months, in that moment I felt happy.

It was good to be home.

AN: Happy reviewing!