Chapter 30: Year 5.

The summer holidays had once again been quick and it was already time for James to get to London to get on the train. Just before they left, James was finishing the small things he had to do in the house until…

'James… You know you don't have to finish all of the jobs!' Said Ginny

'I know… But Mum, you told me to do them all summer and I didn't do them' Said James looking down

'Honestly, James it's fine! But quickly we need to get to the station on time' Said Ginny picking up the clothes off James' floor

James quickly finished and then he went outside the house where Harry (his dad) was putting all the luggage away.

'James… Don't worry we still have a bit of time left before we go' Said Harry

'Okay Dad… Oh and-' Harry interrupted James

'An owl was here a few minutes ago and it dropped off these letters' Said Harry smiling as he pulled a letter from his pocket

'Oh… Right… Urmm…' Said James awkwardly

'Don't worry I didn't read it' Harry said handing the letter over to James

James nodded and smiled and then he rushed inside to open the letter… He recognised the writing straight away and smiled as he saw his name on the envelope and smiled even more when he opened the letter, the letter read:

Dear James,
I am so sorry I haven't replied to your owls all summer, I've been on holiday and I don't think owls would like to come to Egypt… Anyway, you'll probably get this on the last day and you probably won't have time to read this when you're at home. But oh well! Getting to the point, thank you so much for the letter! Made me smile when I got it and I'm fine… I've just been missing everyone at school and I've been seeing too much of my cousins and my brother! I hope you're okay as well and I hope to see you at the station! Oh and I hope your wounds from the tournament have healed- Mine have.

From Ash x

James smiled as the letter finished and he thought about what she had just written, it might've been a small letter but at least she had replied. He felt so happy and… He actually couldn't wait to see her.

'She seems like a nice girl' Said a voice from behind James

'DAD!' Screamed James

'What I'm sorry, you just seemed to be smiling a lot so I wanted to see what was making my son smile so much' Said Harry

'You know my letters are private though' Smiled James

'I know… But this ones from Ash, I had to know more' Winked Harry

James grinned and nudged his dad.

'C'mon we have got to get going' Said Harry going out of the room

James stood up but then took a spare piece of parchment and his quill and ink with him so he could try his best to write the reply to Ash when going to the station. Of course he did and he wrote:

Dear Ash,
Thank you so much for the letter! If you're wondering why I gave you this letter now it's because I wanted to reply and I felt like you wanted a reply. And yes, don't worry most of my wounds have healed… Except my arm. It hurts me so badly. I asked Dad about it and he didn't say anything and looked pretty worried… I just hope you are okay as well- Hope no ones bothering you! And I agree I've missed everyone at school as well and I've definitely seen too much of Lily and Albus! Talk to you soon.

James.

James folded the letter and placed it in the envelope and wrote on the front of the envelope 'Ash Phoenix' and he kept it in his pocket until he saw her.

They eventually reached the station and they had come few minutes early so they had time to talk to others as well. There was Ron and Hermione with Hugo and Rose, Rachel with her parents and Rhea and Sid in a corner with both their parents talking on the other side but there wasn't any sight of Ash. James was looking around for Ash but he couldn't see her anywhere! It was almost time and she wasn't there.

'James you can come on the train when you like okay, we're just putting Albus and Lily on' Said Ginny holding Lily's hand and Albus on the other side of her with Harry

'Sure!' Nodded James and smiled

'Hey James!' Shouted Sid as he came up to him

'What's up?' Said James

'Nothing really and yourself?' Smiled Sid

'Same really' Replied James

'Oooohh, what's that letter for Ash in your pocket for?' Said Rhea

James blushed and tried hiding it. He still was looking around for her but he couldn't see her anywhere and it was nearly 11 'o clock and the space around him at the station was getting larger. Even his parents had now gone because they had dropped off Lily and Albus!

'Hey do any of you know where Ash is?' Asked James

'No idea…' Said Sid

'I don't know, she's usually not this late!' Replied Rhea

They stood still together for a moment and they thought about it until the train horn was heard and the train started to move slowly, gradually getting faster.

'Damn it!' Shouted James 'We've missed the train!'

'Not my fault' Said Rhea looking down

Sid didn't say anything until there was a noise and James, Sid and Rhea looked and then they saw Ash holding her luggage with her hair messed up.

'I MISSED THE TRAIN? You joking me…' Screamed Ash

'Ash!' Said Rhea as she ran up to her to hug her

'Hey Rhea' Said Ash as they both walked up to James and Sid

'Hello boys' Smiled Ash

'Hey Ash' Said Sid

'Hi Ash' Smiled James

'Well… How are we planning to get to school now?' Said Sid

'I don't know there should be some way…' Replied James

'Floo network?' Asked Rhea

'We need floo powder!' Said James

'We could fly there… I've heard there are emergency brooms somewhere around the station' Said Ash

'Yeah… But Ash where are those brooms and I can't even fly- Neither can you' Said Rhea

'James and Sid can, you and Sid can share a broom and me and James will be on another broom' Replied Ash

'Okay enough chit chat. How are we getting your luggage to Hogwarts though?' Said Sid

'I honestly have no clue… Unless someone has an extendable bag' Replied Ash

'We could ask the people around there are still many parents and people around that we know' Replied James looking around

'Aunt Sara!' Said Rhea walking forward

Rhea walked to a woman with dark hair and a hat on and called her, her Aunt Sara.

'Hi Rhea! Now what are you doing off the Hogwarts Express?' Said Sara

'I missed it… Well we did' Smiled Rhea

'Who's 'we'' Replied Aunt Sara

'We as in me, Ash my best friend, Sid my boyfriend and James my boyfriends best friend as well as a close friend of mine'

'Oh that's wonderful but how are you all going to get to Hogwarts?' Smiled Aunt Sara

'That's the point… We don't know. We thought there were emergency broom's around but I don't know…' Said Ash

'Well, my house is nearby, you can borrow my old ones?' Asked Aunt Sara

'We don't mind… But how are we supposed to take Ash's luggage?' Replied James

'Well I think I could see if I have an extendable bag we could fit them in and you could be able to put the luggage in there?' Smiled Aunt Sara

'I have one… But it's already full of stuff' Frowned Rhea

'Oh it's fine dear, you can borrow mine!' Said Aunt Sara

Ash, James, Rhea and Sid followed Aunt Sara to her car where they had to quickly get in, where they all rushed to her house. Her house was quite small but it was a small house of secrets. She already had dishes washing and all the chores around the house done by spells and she had pictures everywhere of when she was at Hogwarts…

'Here you go 2 brooms' Said Aunt Sara passing the broomsticks to James and Sid

'And Ash's luggage?' Said Rhea

'Don't worry I've already put everything in and everything's ready for you' Replied Aunt Sara

Ash smiled and showed her little bag of luggage to everyone and then they all went outside and then they got ready for flying.

'Thank you so much for everything' Said Ash and Rhea

'It's fine girls! I'm happy to help' Smiled Aunt Sara

'Thanks for the brooms as well!' Said James and Sid

'It's fine! Now quickly go, you don't want to be late for the start of year feast!' Said Aunt Sara

And then with that Ash got on behind James and then Rhea got on behind Sid and they flew off into the sky. Ash gazed around her when they were in the sky flying, they could see clouds everywhere and there was a cooling breeze, sometimes a lot of wind when they were going at a fast speed.

'DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO?' Screamed Ash

'I GUESS SO' Shouted Sid

'I'M JUST FOLLOWING SID' Shouted James

'LOL!' Screamed Rhea

And after that they burst out laughing but then they started going faster… James was pretty happy because he was close to Ash… And Sid and Rhea were happier because they were having some alone time together. They flew and they eventually reached a point where they were right behind the Hogwarts Express. They flew right past the train and somehow Albus and Lily saw them and they were shocked, they thought it was their imagination. Eventually they landed and of course the landed safely… They reached the ground and then Rhea and Sid got off their broomstick but then James wouldn't get off. Ash was behind him holding him tightly closing her eyes and Rhea was giggling and she shouted Ash and she opened her eyes and noticed what she was doing. Ash blushed and then looked down…

'Sorry James' She whispered

'It's fine' James smiled

Ash got off the broomstick and smiled at James as he smiled back and then Ash was about to walk but then…

'Ash!' Said James

'What?' Smiled Ash

'I need to give you something' Smiled James

'Well hurry, Sid and Rhea have already gone' Said Ash as she came closer to James

James took the letter out of his pocket and then handed it to Ash…

'Read it when you have time' Said James

'I will do!' Smiled Ash before running to the entrance of Hogwarts

James started running after her as well.

'What's the rush for?' Said James as he ran

'I don't want everyone to take my mashed potatoes!' Said Ash

James stopped and laughed and Ash stopped when she heard James start to laugh.

'What?' Ash giggled

'Nothing… I've honestly never seen anyone rushing for mashed potatoes' Smiled James

Ash grinned and went up to James and smiled.

'You know you should learn to be more nicer to people' Said Ash as she gently took James' hand

'Well I am nice to everyone' Said James as he was dragged by one hand

'What are you doing?' Said James

'I'm taking you inside, because clearly you can't walk anymore' Giggled Ash

James quickly went next to Ash holding her hand and said 'See I can walk though'

Getting closer to the castle Ash and James were laughing and having fun until it started raining heavily.

'YOU JOKING ME? My hair is going to die' Screamed Ash before she ran to get to shelter (Well tried to run)

'Your hairs going to be fine' Said James holding Ash's hand so she couldn't run anywhere

'James… Seriously let go of my hand' Said Ash

'Nope… I'm not going to let go!' Said James walking in front of Ash dragging her with one hand

'Well fine… Walk quicker then?' Said Ash

'Nope… I'm going to go at a good steady pace' Replied James

With James in front and Ash walking behind they were walking at a slow pace and they were probably wasting time in the rain…

'James…' Whispered Ash

'I don't care about your hair Ash!' Said James

'No seriously… Its not about that, I think someone's following us' Whispered Ash

James turned around to Ash who was worried looking at him with her wavy wet hair and then he looked behind her to see someone walking, he couldn't see who it was because of the rain but he knew it was a girl.

'Can we please get inside?' Said Ash

'Wait… I know this may be worrying but just wait' Said James who was slowly taking out his wand

'James… What are you doing?' Whispered Ash

'I think I know who it may be… STUPEFY!' James screamed and a light came out and hit the person following

'Reducto!' Screamed the other person

'Quick run Ash!' Said James taking hold of Ash's hand again

Ash and James started running as fast as they could and they could see the person behind was running to them trying to get them as well… Ash and James got to the entrance of the school and tried their best to open the doors but they were locked, Ash quickly tried Alohomora but it wouldn't work, no spells could work on the door, James then saw a small lighted up room in the corner and taking Ash's hand he ran there immediately and unlocked the door and then just as the person was coming round the corner, Ash and James got inside and locked the door behind them.

'WH-' Ash was about to shout but James put his finger on her lips

The light was dim in the room and Ash and James were close together because of the rush. James was smiling at Ash as her hair was dripping with water and her worried face turned to a straight face.

'James… C'mon we have to try and get into school' Ash whispered

James didn't say anything he looked at Ash not blinking.

'James what the hell are you staring at' Whispered Ash

'Just you…' Said James

'What about me?' Replied Ash

'I've never seen you like this' Said James

'Yeah… Obviously because I want to look decent everyday… Not some kind of frizzy hair girl'

'I think you actually look pretty like that' Smiled James moving away from Ash

'Thanks…' Said Ash looking down

'Do you think the person outside's gone yet?' Said James trying to change the topic

'I don't know I'll check' Said Ash

Creeping slowly to the window, Ash went to check if there was anyone outside… She was about to fully look outside and she saw someone standing outside looking around for them… The person was wearing a hood and they looked like they were searching for something, in this case, someone. The person thought that they had seen someone and they were about to come up to the window and see if they could see anything but then there was a wolf howl and the person ran away quickly.

'James… That persons gone' Ash whispered

'You sure?' Said James

'Positive!' Replied Ash

James slowly opened the door to reveal a dark night with a lot of rain and then he took Ash's hand and they started running to the entrance again. They knocked on the entrance and no one opened the door…

'Hold on' Said James getting something out from his pocket

James took out what looked like a piece of parchment from his pocket to Ash and then he said 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good' and the parchment turned into some type of map or something.

'Don't worry someone's coming to open the entrance' Said James

'Wait… How?' Said Ash now coping with her hair 'dying' from the rain

'I'll explain everything to you later' Said James holding Ash's hand again

The door opened and James and Ash were let in.

After sorting out the luggage and after James and Ash had something to eat they made their way to the common room where they were stuck outside the fat lady where she kept asking what the password was, but they had no idea because no one had told them! Luckily Raj was behind them.

'Hey Raj… Do you know what the password is?' Said James holding Ash's hand tightly

'Yeah, I do. Why?' Said Raj looking at James and Ash's hands

'Because we wanted to get into the common room, problem?' Butted in Ash

'I'm sorry you don't know the password but tough' Said Raj

Raj whispered the password and the fat lady let him into the common room.

'Well what are we going to do now?' Said James

'I don't know… We could keep begging for her to let us in?' Suggested Ash

'No, that's just going to be awkward' Said James

'Well then we could go and find Professor McGonagall and ask her?' Said Ash

'Okay… But we need to go to her office, hopefully she has the same password' Replied James

They went down the staircases and then they went into the courtyard and then they came to the office entrance where they said the password 'Owl Glow' and then the golden bird started moving and Ash and James hopped onto the bird where they were taken up to the office… They knocked on the door and then they were told to go in. They walked into the room and it was full of pictures and as they reached the desk they saw Professor McGonagall with her spectacles on with a quill in her hand and ink beside her.

'Oh Potter, Phoenix, I'm glad to see you' Said McGonagall taking off her spectacles

'I'm guessing you have the same reason why you were late as Mr Raichand and Miss Basu?' She added

'Yeah… We're both sorry about that Professor, but we were wondering what the password to the common room was' Said Ash

'Well didn't anyone tell you?' Said McGonagall

'Nope, we don't have a clue what the password is' Said James

'Well I told Raj to tell you the password if he saw you' Replied McGonagall

'He didn't tell us a thing?' Said Ash

'Oh well… The password is violet pop' Said McGonagall but then added 'Oh and Potter, how's your arm?'

'I think its okay… Why?' Said James

'Please may I see it?' Said McGonagall

'Sure!' Replied James

James then took of his hoodie and then he pulled up his sleeve to reveal a strange kind of mark on his arm…

'James… W- What happened?' Said Ash letting go of his hand

'This was as I expected…' Said McGonagall

'What?' Said James

'Never mind. You and Miss Phoenix can go now' Said McGonagall

'But Professor, I want to know what's happened to my arm' Replied James

'I'm sorry Potter, I would like to tell you but this matter is now out of my hands' Said McGonagall sitting down and getting her quill out

'C'mon James, lets just go' Said Ash pulling James'

James and Ash left the room and then they got into the courtyard and they sat down for a bit. The rain had stopped and now there was just this breeze.

'So what do you think has happened to your arm?' Said Ash

'I don't know, but McGonagall seemed worried about it… I mean its healing slowly' Said James

'Let me see it' Said Ash

James held his arm out and then Ash touched it and James groaned as it hurt him.

'Do you want me to bandage it?' Asked Ash

'I'm sure it'll be fine but thank you' Said James

James got up and held out his hand and Ash took it and then they went back inside and then back into the common room where they went up to the dormitories.

Ash went up and saw everyone was asleep, so she decided to go to sleep as well. James saw the same thing and he went to sleep straight away like a baby… Ash was getting in bed and she remembered the letter James gave to her and she got it out and started reading it and smiled, she then quickly took out a piece parchment as well as a book to lean on and her so called 'muggle' pen which she got from Egypt and she started writing a reply...