James woke early the next morning. His bad mood hadn't vanished through the night. Everything's about Albus, he thought, If only I could get Albus to do something bad. Then Mum and Dad will probably like me better. He changed into his robes and went into the great hall for breakfast.
James was at the Gryffindor table thinking hard, he didn't even notice the great hall was almost empty. People started to come half an hour later. Albus sat down beside him cheerfully.
"So big bro, did you like your gift from dad?" He asked James.
"Gift? What Gift?" When did dad send him a gift?
Albus looked at him, puzzled. "Your gift from yesterday. You were sleeping so you probably didn't see it. It's a volcano model. I put it on your bedside table."
"Oh. Okay then I'll see it when we go back up." Albus nodded and started a conversation with Rose. Hmm… my brother is a pain lately, he thought; if only I could get him upset enough to leave Hogwarts, or to get him to do something so bad he'd be expelled.
Herbology was their first lesson with Hufflepuff. He'd make a move then. But right now, he should just relax and enjoy his breakfast. James mind was set. He grabbed a few scrambled eggs and toast. He had a plan.
They were in Herbology. Albus was still talking with rose. If only he could separate them. "Hey Rose. Can you get me the safe goggles? Or this mandrake will poke me in the eye." She agreed and went off to get a pair. "Al…" Albus looked up.
"Yeah, James?" Plan a) was about to start. "Well, I'm feeling a bit tired. So when we go on off to bed, can you please bring me a glass of water? I'm feeling a bit ill and I don't think I could do it myself." Albus stared at him. "You could just summon it." James nodded dramatically and said, "I don't know how. I almost just started at Hogwarts you know."
Albus' expression cleared. "Oh right. I don't know how to either. So I think we're on the same page. 'Course I'll bring it up. I hope you'll be feeling better soon." James nodded again.
"Just tap me awake and give it to me please don't put it on my bedside table." Albus looked mystified. "Sure, James whatever you want."
James smiled painfully. He barely smiled at him these days. "Thanks Al, I know I can always count on you, little bro." Albus nodded and focused on his mandrake just as Rose came back with the safety goggles. "Oh I've already potted my mandrake Rose; I don't need the goggles anymore. Thanks anyway."
Rose Sighed heavily. She went all that way for nothing. James did in fact feel a bit sorry for her. But his guilt and sorrow vanished as he heard her whisper to Albus, "I reckon he's up to something, your brother." Albus shrugged and nodded. "He always is."
Finally, plan b) is about to start, James thought, let's get this over with. James left dinner early that evening for a better chance to find the room of requirement. Dad had told him about it a few years ago. He ran all the way to the seventh corridor as if his life depended on it.
He paced up and down in front of where the gate was supposed to be. "I need a place to hide from Albus. I need a place to hide from Albus. I need a place to hide from…"
He gasped. A large black gate had appeared on the wall.
It was just as his dad had told him it'd be. Albus pulled the gate open and gratefully ran inside.
I just hope Albus falls for it, he thought.
