Disclaimer: If I wrote Harry Potter I wouldn't have killed one of the wonder twins; and if I wrote these songs what would I be doing here? lol
'Italics'- thoughts
'Bold'- singing
'Bold/italicized'- just the song that goes to the chapter, if any.
'((Bold and in double parentheses))'- Singing with Siren abilities, with only one set of parentheses its talking with the ability.
!!!Author's Note!!!: Okay, same as chapter 19 this one is revamped so I hope you all enjoy it…again…and I apologize again for the errors I won't rush to do them anymore lol. And umm the 3 extra loves for me still stands….
Chapter 20
"Ugh! This is just brilliant! I'm dead, so dead." James said flopping backwards on the bench.
"Maybe he was with a smaller newspaper…" Rose said shyly, slightly wincing when James threw her a sideways glare.
I sat back on my heels not knowing what to say, so stared at James then looked around at everyone else; everyone was mumbling but not knowing what to do, I was in the group…
"Okay!" Jasmine shouted over everyone, "I say we go back to the castle so nothing else can go wrong!" And slowing everyone gathered their bags and coats and began walking back to the path to the castle.
"The only thing that was wrong was playing that ridiculous muggle game." I said gathering my bags and standing next to Jasmine.
"Nah, one good thing came from it…" Steve said observing me carefully.
"What's that?" I asked with attitude.
"That your flower is still up for grabs." He smiled big. I let out a growl while I started hitting him repeatedly, he flinched away laughing.
"I don't think I'll live long enough to get rid of mine…" James said sighing and picturing the devastation of his mother's wrath after she sees the picture of him and Alexis.
"Maybe Alexis can help you with that…" Steve said and I redoubled my hitting efforts before turning away in a huff.
"Are you blushing?" Jasmine practically screamed out for everyone to hear.
"…Shut up." I ground out through my teeth, well aware of the fact that my face was almost flame red, but come on their volunteering me to 'de-flower' someone who just happens to be standing three feet from me! I may be bold but I'm not bold enough to offer that or even joke about it, there are a lot of creeps out there you know…
James continued to walk in a shell-shocked trance for almost a full minute before a blush crept onto his cheeks as well, causing him to walk with his head down; that didn't help with Chris and Steve's relentless teasing.
"James?" And of course what would this glorious moment be without Ashley, 'this is by far the best day I've had since I've come to Hogwarts wouldn't you say?' "I think I'm ready to go back to the castle now…" she said casting a weary glance at me.
"Yeah…I was just coming to get you, I think I've had enough for today too…" James grumbled out as he shuffled through the crowd to her. He turned around and waved goodbye to everyone and we shared a brief glance before he turned and began his trek back to the castle, Ashley spared me one last glance as well but it was not quite as kindly as James's glance was…
As we walked back to the castle it was mostly hushed conversation, we all still couldn't believe the twist of fate that had just occurred; I was about to feed James a piece of candy, and there just happened to be a reporter across the bloody street, with a camera, and a reporter who was conveniently quick enough to snap the shot of us. Can any one point me to the 'fml' website?
However for me there was a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, the way James was acting I'd say he was finally starting to open up, we'll see how long that lasts now…
When we all reached the castle I excused myself and made a little detour to the Owlery, I had a little letter to send to mum.
Dear Mom,
Today while out at Hogsmeade a certain chain of events occurred and it ended up with my picture being taken while feeding a boy a piece of candy…I don't have the pride to fill you in right now so don't ask (and stop because I know you are). Anyway, I need a huge favor which I will owe you greatly for, can you keep Father from seeing the picture; I have a hunch it was a Daily Prophet newspaper but I'm not 100;, but can you snag up the newspaper just in case?
Thanks a bunch and love you,
Alexis
I sent our black owl off, I knew he'd make it there before morning, but before leaving I decided to write another letter, hopefully Mr. Potter was still at work…
As I made my way to my seat in the Great Hall with my Slytherin classmates I listened for whispers of what had happened today but heard nothing, thank Merlin some people have a sense of decency; at least for now.
Malfoy Manor
"My Lady, a letter for you," Suzanne the house elf said as she placed a letter on and end table next to her mistress.
"Thank you Suzanne," Casandra said picking up the letter, it was from Alexis, so she opened it immediately and read it. Indeed she did laugh at the situation young Alexis and said 'boy' had gotten themselves caught in, and then she laughed again when Alexis wrote in the letter to stop laughing at her. However, Casandra understood her daughters plea, Draco could go quite 'over-the-top' when tricky things like these happened; you should have seen him when he found out a reporter had taken pictures of Alexis trying on dresses…not the happiest of endings for that reporter.
"Suzanne," Casandra called out to the empty room.
"Yes, my lady?" The elf said appearing and bowing.
"Make sure I am the one to receive the morning's mail tomorrow okay, I've got a rather interesting piece of gossip that I must check up on." Casandra said smiling.
"Yes, my lady." And the elf disappeared again.
Ministry of Magic
Harry had had a long day going over case files trying to track down the last few remaining Deatheaters that had managed to stay hidden for this long and just as he was about to exit he office a black owl flew in and dropped a letter on his desk. Harry didn't recognize the owl so shrugged it off telling himself it was only more paper work and it could wait until tomorrow.
Hogwarts
It was the morning after and I could feel the tension in the air, so I went through my usual routine and made my way down to the Great Hall, where the storm would occur. I was half way through breakfast when the owls came, bringing the storm with them, I eyes watched the birds because I dare not look down to meet the faces of all the other students, mostly James. He had entered the Great Hall in looking more anxious and sulkin' than the rest of us.
Ministry of Magic
Harry sauntered in after a good night's rest and it was only when he sat at his desk did he remember the letter that had come in late, so he picked it up and read who it was from. Boy was Harry surprised and confused to see it was from Alexis Malfoy then Harry grew very curious as to why she was lettering him. Then Harry's eyes grew wide as he read her note and read about the events that had occurred at Hogsmeade yesterday. Harry mentally hit himself, why, why did he push this letter of and wait till now to read it?
He had to go and talk to Ginny, before she went to the school herself…
Malfoy Manor
Draco and Casandra were sitting around the breakfast table when Suzanne showed up with the morning paper, and gave it straight to Mrs. Malfoy, "Here you are my lady."
"Thank you Suzanne," Casandra said taking the stack of mail, keeping the Daily Prophet for herself, and placing the rest on the table.
After a few minutes of Casandra was in physical pain of having to hold her laughter in when Draco spoke up with his smooth voice, "Anything interesting in the paper that's got you so quite?"
Casandra straightened her face before peeking out from behind it, "No dear, same old rubbish as every other paper, this one just happened to catch young couples in Hogsmeade." Well it wasn't a complete lie…
"Typical, all the Daily Prophet prints is the Daily Crap…I could produce a better newspaper…" Draco grumbled as he began to open his business letters, and Casandra could not help but doubt her husband as she watched the surprised couple get caught in the picture, their looks were to die for!
Potter Place
Ginny was doing up the morning dishes when the morning post came in, she charmed the tea pot on the stove before she got up to look at the paper…Everything went silent, the washing pans, the steaming tea pot, the birds and the wind outside; everything stopped in side Ginny's head. That ruddy Malfoy girl was feeding her son a piece of candy on the front page of The Daily Prophet; she clinched her jaw as she watched the picture replay itself over and over again. Three options popped into her head; 1) hex the golden Malfoy princess, 2) find Harry and rant about the incident, or 3) go to Hogwarts and have a word with her son about keeping away from certain girls…
Seven minutes later Harry fluued in, he saw the paper out on the table and sighed, it was too late to stop the storm. He ran up stairs to James's bedroom thinking that Ginny would be in there charming things away, what she usually did as punishment; Harry thought of it as extreme grounding… Only Ginny wasn't there and James's room was untouched…
So take a guess which choice lovely little redhead Ginny picked…
Hogwarts
The Great Hall was a' buzz about the picture in the paper, "So you finally got him hm?" Troy asked causing at least half of the table to lean in.
I glared at him, I was in no mood to have someone rub this in my face, "If I wanted to 'get' him do you think it would have taken me this long, you over grown Blubber-Hort." He opened his mouth to say something else but I cut my eyes at him again and said, "Say something else on the matter I dare you…"
Of course Troy couldn't resist saying something else on the matter so I gave him a few extra noses before I turned back to my breakfasts, there was one good thing about today no classes; although, it would be better if James and I hadn't gotten caught like that on camera yesterday.
"He's my son and I have a right to see him, Professor!" A woman's voice shouted from the entrance of the Great Hall, as everyone looked it grew silent; it was Ginny Potter…
"Mrs. Potter I suggest you lower your voice…" McGonagall said casting a look back at the now silent breakfast hall, "…you can speak to your son in my office."
Ginny cast a look at her son saying that he better not delay their meeting or it will be worse; then she walked with the Head Mistress to her room; McGonagall did not feel the need to call James with them. After getting over the fact that his mother actually showed up at Hogwarts, James turned his attention to the breakfast plate in front of him, staring at it blankly completely regretting his day of relaxing a bit with friends, and getting fed food by the most desired girl in Hogwarts…
"My Aunt has lost it! What is she thinking showing up here, like James needs more on top of all of this!" Rose said heatedly before becoming more solemn and looking across the table at her cousin. He really didn't need this, he had finally loosened up and acted a bit like himself lately, this would only cause him to revert back to the James the world see's, not the James she see's…
If my dad had found out about it the worst I could have possibly gotten was a Howler, if that, if not that, a very stern talking to when I got home about being more discreet; but Mrs. Potter made my dad look like a pansy…she actually came to the school, in the middle of term!
"Psycho red-head," Troy grumbled next to me and I cast a look across the Hall to James. He looked more brooding and regretful than embarrassed. For the first time my gaze softened towards him, I've been on the receiving end of this kind of situation before, it's like getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar you know you shouldn't have but it felt good at the time. But only this time that situation was a bit more, awkward, and since I had pretty much caused the situation I felt really horrible for James…defiantly not my best Malfoy moment…
James quickly stood up and walked out of the Great Hall without making eye contact with anyone, and made his way to the Head Mistress's office. Breakfast conversations picked back up but never reach their previous volume, and had taken on a different topic.
McGonagall's office
"I must say Mrs. Potter I am surprised and ashamed that you have come to Hogwarts, over such a trivial matter as young love." McGonagall said with a completely straight face, she was rather disappointed with her former student, to get to worked up over young experiences that everyone must go through to mature.
"Young love that will cause nothing but trouble and heart ache for my son, give him more problems than he needs; what is he thinking flirting with that Malfoy girl in such a manner?" Ginny grumbled and glanced at the door willing her son to walk through it at that moment.
McGonagall chose not to respond for it would do no good and no matter how much her students meant to her she always had to respect the wishes of the parents; however, this was stretching it a bit… Then the door swung open and entered a dazed looking James Potter, as he was about to turn and close the door the Head Mistress held up her hand and walked out; she did not need to be here for this and embarrass the boy even more. So James kindly held the door for her and closed it behind her without saying a word, then turned to face his mother, a deadly force when tampered with…
"Do you want to explain to me how that picture got on the front page of The Daily Prophet?" Ginny said in a flat voice commanding her son to look up at her, and he did.
James started hesitantly, "We were playing a game…"
"A game?" His mother said cutting in, "You were playing a game, what was it called 'see who gets caught on film first'?" She yelled taking a step towards him before she started pacing. James dropped his gaze to the floor again; he knew that what he did was wrong in his mother's eyes but James knew if it were with any other girl she'd be just fine, he wanted to bring this to her attention but it would cause more trouble for him. "And of all people, the Malfoy girl! Really James?"
James looked back up to his mother, he tightened his jaw so as not to say anything because a voice in his head was screaming to tell his mother shut her trap since she didn't know Alexis. Ginny stopped pacing and sighed, "James, that girl is trouble, you shouldn't get involved with her, not just because she's Draco's daughter but from what I hear she's gone through quite a few boys; she's just in it for the game, love."
"They cheat on her…" James mumbled out quietly.
"What?"
James lifted his gaze to hers once again and repeated himself. "Is that what she's told you?" Ginny asked with a hallow chuckle.
"No, one I told her about her last one and she had no knowledge of it." James said with his facing hardening, he was beginning to see why Alexis didn't give anyone the time of day unless they earned it, and why she ended up in detention so much.
Ginny sighed again and closed the gap between herself and her son and rested her hands on his shoulders, "Look, you're not a Malfoy without being a Malfoy, and if she's anything like her father, nothing with that girl is going to end well; and I'll be damned if I let my childhood bully's daughter break my son's heart." Ginny said ending in a smirk trying to lighten the mood. James flashed a fleeting half smile that quickly disappeared at his mother, hoping to end this uncomfortable conversation as soon as possible. "You can play games with your friends and goof off all you want, but just watch out for her; she's a snake in the grass…" Ginny hugged her son and he returned it knowing she was done steering him back on the path he should follow...
Right at that moment McGonagall's fireplace blasted to life with green flames and Harry stepped out. He looked over at the two of them and then gave his son a sympathetic look. "Don't worry Honey; I just finished talking to him." Ginny said in what James could only describe as a proud voice.
Harry looked towards the ceiling and ran his hand through his hair, "Good, now we need to talk." Harry said walking forward and taking his wife's arm and looked over at his son, "Here, I thought you could use this to escape for a while…" Harry handed his son a large bundled up cloth and turned back to the fireplace with his wife.
James studied the cloth for a few seconds before looking back to his father with a disbelieving look, 'Dads invisibility cloak!' Harry met James's eyes and winked before the green flames enveloped him and Ginny.
Potter Place
Harry and Ginny walked out of the fireplace in their kitchen "So what do you need to talk about love?" Ginny said as she started to fumble with things in the kitchen; to begin to bake something presumably.
"You shouldn't have gone there today Ginny…" Harry said watching her back as she moved about the kitchen.
"What are you talking about; someone had to warn him about her. I saw the way she looked at him at the station Harry! No way is that snake getting my boy!" Ginny said just a few notches below yelling and her face getting red.
"I know you were worried about him, but love, think about it for a minute; you went to the school and, from what I can guess, pretty much pulled him out of breakfast." He paused, "Then let me guess, yelled at him about how she is a Malfoy, she's like her father, don't trust her…right?" Harry said walking to his wife; he loved her dearly but she acted on impulse when it came to her family.
"And I'm wrong to say those things?" Ginny said glaring at him with a disbelieving look.
"No, not completely; but Hermione says she's a nice girl, and that's good enough for me to give her a fair shake. I know Draco's never apologized for the things he did but we're all adults now, the darkest time in wizarding history is over; it's time for prejudice to be too."
Ginny continued to glare at him, 'when had he become so good at arguments?' Harry knew that by playing the prejudice card he would win because Hermione had strong prejudice against her during their years at school for being a muggle-born, so Ginny couldn't say anything against the prejudice card because Hermione was her sister and not just by marriage law.
Harry knew he had almost won, just one more push, "And, don't you think her father saw the paper this morning and was just as chipper about it? I imagine Malfoy got pretty red in the face too love, but he didn't storm the Hogwarts gates and tear his daughter a new one in front of the school…" Ginny rested her head against his chest and hugged him and he placed his head atop hers.
"I'm sorry; Malfoy still boils my blood, and to be honest I just don't want James fancying her…is that horrible?" Ginny mumbled into Harry's chest.
"Not completely…" Harry said in a halfhearted tone getting a squeeze his waist from his love, "But you shouldn't be saying sorry to me..."
After a long pause Harry finished, "And I don't mean go to school and apologize."
"You prat!" Ginny said swatting at him knowing he was right, on both accounts. So after he kissed her and went back to work, after making her promise not to go back to the school, she sat down and wrote her son an apology letter; something she never would have pictured herself doing.
Hogwarts
As James watched the green flames disappear he heard the door open, it was McGonagall. "Still in one piece I see Potter." McGonagall said in a none-joking manner.
James gave her a half-hearted smile, "For the time being Professor."
"Right well would you like a passage to your dormitories from here?" McGonagall said not noticing the cloak in his hand.
"No, thanks Professor," James said holding up his father's cloak and smiling a sincere smile.
McGonagall stared at his cloak, "Don't let me forget to thank your father for his thoughtful gift." James chuckled knowing she was being sarcastic, and yet he heard a slight bit of honesty in there with it.
"Umm…thanks for letting us use your office Professor…" James said turning a bit awkward wanting to get out of there and just away from everybody.
She just smiled kindly at him, "Be gone, go get your picture taken with another girl." James gave her a brief smile before shaking his head and she smiled back, and James threw the cloak around him and made his way out.
After James left the Great Hall
I ate a smaller breakfast this morning and from the glances I stole at Rose she hardly ate any, Al on the other hand seemed to be eating more. After five more minutes of the same mindless questions I decided I didn't want to stay in the Great Hall any longer, as I got up I looked over at the Gryffindor table and saw that Rose, Lily, Al, Chris, and Steve were gone; Scorpio stood with me and we walked out.
"So, where do you want to go?" Scorpio asked in a clam tone, it was creepy how much like Father he could be.
"I don't know, outside, away from here." And seconds later we were outside under the bright blue sky, who knew there would be such a beautiful sky on such a horrible day…
We made our way into one of the outdoor corridors and as we turned to make our way further from the school someone called me name; Rose…
"Alexis! Come over here, hurry." Rose said casting a glance at the main doors looking for someone. Scorpio and I shared a glance before walking down towards her; it was only when we got closer that I realized that she was waiting near the Head Mistresses office with the rest of her group.
"Yea?" I asked while Scorpio stood silently by me.
Rose continued to look at the main doors watching for somebody, "We're waiting for James to come out; hopefully Aunt Ginny doesn't tear him into pieces…" Rose cast a sad glance at the Griffin statue that leads to the Head Mistress's office.
"That and we're keeping a look out for Ashley, we're sure she's the last person that James wants to see when he gets out." Al said staring at the main door.
"And you think I am someone he'll want to see?" I asked raising my eyebrow; seriously I was half the cause; if not more, of this situation.
Al smiled at me, "If you haven't noticed you two have gotten pretty close for a short amount of time, he relaxes around you, even flirts from time to time; I maybe an idiot but I notice when someone gets through to my bro."
Scorpio smirked beside me and I just kept my face tight not showing anything that was going through my mind; truth was I knew that I liked James in that way but the way Al just described it James should like me too, he made it sound like I've done want no other girl had. Then again maybe Al's just an idiot…
Rose and the others were still looking out for Ashley and waiting for James to emerge from the Head Mistress's office when I decided I should go, "Hey, I got studying to catch up on and I'm pretty sure James doesn't want to see me, even though you guys think otherwise."
Rose gave me and understanding look, "I wish you would stay though it'd be good for him, so he doesn't go back to his old self…" With that she hugged me, for some reason, and then I left because I did need to study I spent far too much time singing in the choir room and just outside having fun…
• • • •
Rose waited anxiously for her cousin after Alexis left and minutes later the statue moved, but they saw no one… "Hey, don't freak out it's me, James." A voice said just centimeters away from Rose's ear.
She jumped a little bit and the rest of the group noticed and moved closer, "Dad's Invisibility cloak, nice so he came to your rescue then hn?" Al whispered.
"Yeah, sort of," James replied back, "let's meet behind the school near the Herbology greenhouses okay?"
"Alright, do you want to walk with us so you don't bump into anyone?" Rose asked turning so it looked like she was talking to Al.
"No I should be fine, I mean the school is full of ghosts right?" James said and Rose could hear the small smile in his voice.
"Okay, we'll see you there." Rose was impressed to say the least that James seemed to be normal after his encounter with his mother, but then again she was sure he wanted to talk to her and the others…
Just as they began to make their way through the maze of bridges and outside paths to their meeting spot they heard a voice shouting after them, it was Ashley. Chris and Steve tried to hold their laughter when Al whispered to James to run for it, Rose glared at them, "Yes, Ashley?" Rose said once Ashley was with them.
"Do you all know where James went to? I want to make sure he's alright after that Snake got him in a world of trouble today." Ashley said with a very casual face.
Rose's face faltered a bit, 'at least she cares for him in some way'; she thought to herself, "No, McGonagall told us his mother already left and so did he, we were just setting out to find him."
"Mind if I come with you?" Ashley asked.
Just as Lily was about to answer Rose cut her off, it might not have been pretty if she hadn't, "Well actually we were just going to come and look for you," Lily, Al, Chris, and Steve all gave her a look like 'what in Merlin are you doing!' "We were going to split up and try and find him, but obviously we can't cover everywhere, so would you mind looking back in the common room or his dorm? We're checking the lake, Quiddtich pitch, and Hagrid's hut."
"Oh sure, what do you want me to do if I find him?" Ashley asked eating up Rose's words.
"Umm…we'll come by the common room if we don't find him first ok, if we do we'll make our way there; so either way we all end up in the common room, sound good?" Rose said back, 'That should by us enough time to talk with him…'
"Okay, see you guys later." Ashley said before she turned to make her way to the common room.
"That was quick thinking Rose; I was just going to tell her it was a family thing." Steve said and Rose turned to glare at him.
"You're not family so that wouldn't have worked now would it?" With that she walked, leading the way to where they were meeting James.
"Even I had something better planned than that Steve…" Lily said as they walked.
"Hey give me a break the only quick thinking I do is when it pertains to pranks!" Steve shouted back in his defense.
"Wow, pertains, that's a big word for you good job Steve!" Lily said giving him a spiteful smile.
"Oi!"
"Alright! Shut it, both of you…we have enough problems today we don't need to be at each other's throats" Rose said in a raised voice and they both stopped their bickering.
They walked along the back of the school until they got to their agreed spot; they saw James slumped against the wall with the cloak clutched in his hand, staring at the ground completely zoned out.
"Hey…" Rose said once they finally reached him, Lily ran up and gave him a hug, which caused a little smile to peek out.
"Hey, thanks Lily." She smiled up to him and said 'welcome' but didn't release her embrace.
"How'd it go man?" Chris asked, saying the question on every bodies mind.
"She yelled at me for being careless, and being seen with a girl like Alexis, like that; and that kinda' carried out the whole conversation…" James said looking solemn.
"Sorry mate," Chris responded and Al and Steve nodded and mumbled the same.
"I still can't believe she came all the way here! For this! Honestly, what was the point other then embarrass you in front of the entire school!" Rose ranted; if that's one definite feature Rose inherited from her mother it was her boldness to openly say when someone's done wrong. She never liked it when people did whatever they pleased, to whatever the ends may be, it wasn't right; and probably the reason she still associated with Alexis because Alexis hadn't gone that far yet. But Rose had a silent fear that it was bound to happen.
James didn't respond, he couldn't help but think the same thing, but then there was the part of his brain that echoed his mother's words; that maybe Alexis was just in it for the game, she hadn't gone steady with anyone yet and she did flirt with Chris quite a bit…
"So, what now mate?" Al asked; his sister and cousin were worried which James would be in class with them on Monday…
"Everything goes back to normal I guess…" James said letting his gaze fall to the ground in thought. His mind was raging against itself whether to become the quite, watchful James or remain the playful, flirting James…an inner battle that seemed to be draining him of his energy and consuming any other thought.
Rose let her dejected gaze slide across the grounds, she was afraid he'd say that, that he would wither back into his shell and be the James that was just a shell of the other James that they loved. Rose then glared at the ground, how could his mother not see the different sides in him, how could she not notice what she does to him; Al began disregarding his mothers words when he become old enough to think for himself which wasn't saying much, Lily still had it pretty bad too, but James really seemed to really take his mothers words and concerns to heart. Rose then had a thought, she had to get him with Alexis again, and maybe she could head off the shy James and bring back her James, her cousin.
"Well…ready to head back to the common room?" Rose said hoping the boys would take the bait.
"What? Are you mad? Ashley is there ready to comfort him and brainwash him!" Al shouted glaring at his cousin who looked smug.
"Ashley's in the common room?" James said looking over at his cousin.
"Yeah, it was the only way we could get rid of her, we told her to check the common room to see where you'd run off to. We told her to wait there for us, so that way she wouldn't come looking for us again." Rose said confidently.
"Yeah, she ate up every word Rose said, that girls' a sucker." Steve said smiling.
"I don't think I'm ready to see her yet…" James said in a glum tone.
"Well we have to show up soon and tell her that we didn't find you, and then just wait until you're ready to comeback I guess." Then Rose paused, pretending a thought just came to her, "I think I know someone you can hangout with…"
The group walked down a hill towards the set of couches and chairs they had summoned a few weeks ago, Rose figured that's where Alexis would be and of course she guessed right.
"Alexis, that's who you want him hanging out with? Is that a good idea?" Al hissed through his teeth.
"Why not, if anyone should talk to him it's her…she's going through it too." Rose hissed back.
"Her mom didn't come and yell at her…" Al growled out.
"Still, she's almost in the same predicament, everyone in school is talking about it and I'm sure her parents know too." Rose said as they continued to walk closer, just then James decided to pull off the cloak; he had only heard mumbles from his brother and cousin, no definite words. James looked ahead and saw Alexis; he should have known Rose would leave him with her…