Chapter 9: Fluffy, the Stone and Quidditch
The month pretty much went on the same as the previous month. Potter had all but declared war on James and Snape had congratulated James on getting under Potter's skin. The teachers were piling up homework because of the up coming exams, even though it was only February.
No one was very happy about this except Kat. She was continuously ranting about how they needed to study for exams. James didn't really care one way or another. He was too busy with Quidditch practice, battle training, baby sitting, and doing homework to care about anything but sleep.
Evans had made him into her part time baby sitter. When ever he wasn't in class but she was James was baby sitting Sara and Holly. This really pissed Potter off but he dare not anger a red head. Sadly the twins were almost never quiet except when they were asleep.
Quidditch practice could only be described as one thing. Hell. Flint was even more violent about winning than in the game against Gryffindor. Hufflepuff had a new Seeker that was excellent. He would even give James a run for his money. He was a 4th year named Cedric Diggory, new on the team.
Even worse was the fact that Triss had been kicking his ass around the pitch almost every morning but still had yet to win more than one once. That made her just a little bit moody and she had blown up several test subjects in all of her classes on multiple occasions. Plus the fact that she still had to get back at James for throwing her in the lake.
Between all of this James had enough time to do his homework, eat, sleep and do a little bit of exploring. God forbid he should get a detention. Saturday nights, his only free time, was spent exploring the parts of the castle he hadn't yet seen. In fact that's what he was doing now, exploring the third floor corridor in the form of a small black snake.
So far he had come across nothing of interest, just empty dark rooms. Now he was on his 9th room in the long hall. He tried to nudge the door open with his head but it wouldn't budge. He switched back into human form and tried to open the door but it was locked.
He put his hand flat up against the door and concentrated on it opening. With a small click the door squeaked open. Inside James expected to find another empty room but instead was a very large three-headed dog sitting on a trap door. "Oh," said James as the dog let out a long throaty growl.
James slammed the door shut and put a series of locking spells on it. The one that was on it before a first year could counter. "Okay," said James only just barely holding onto his calm demeanor. "That is something to add to my weird shit-o-meter," he said.
James went straight back to his dorm and made a plan to go see Hagrid, the grounds keeper, about the three headed dog. The next morning James was up really early and the first thing he did was walk out to a cabin that was on the grounds. He knocked on the door and heard barking.
A minute later Hagrid opened the door. "Hello Hagrid. Can I come in?" James asked the half-giant. Hagrid seemed a bit reluctant but let James come in. "I have a few questions for you. Do you know anything about that big ass three-headed dog on the third floor corridor?" James asked, cutting to the chase.
"'Ow do you know about Fluffy?" Hagrid asked.
"I saw him. Why was he guarding the trapdoor?" James continued.
"Now that ain't none of your business. That strictly between Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel. Oh, shouldn't 'ave said that," said Hagrid stopping his rant. By then James was already out the door heading to his library. When he got to his dorm he threw open the library door and jumped down the stairs.
Between the time he had arrived at Hogwarts and now James had some how found the time to set up his library. It was now decorated in navy blue, silver, purple, and black. James sat down in one of the tables and pulled out his black book and wrote 'Nicolas Flamel.' Seconds later a list of about 10 books appeared. James chose one called 'Mystic stones and where to find them.'
He opened the book and turned to the index. 'Flamel, Nicolas. Page 285,' was written in bold letters. James turned to that page and read, 'Nicolas Flamel is currently the only known owner of the Sorcerer's stone. The stone is a ruby like gem, it is capable of turning any metal into pure gold and produces the elixir of life.'
'Okay, so now I know what is under the trap door,' James thought to him self. 'Now I need to know who is trying to get it,' he thought. 'Wait a second. Riddle! It has to be Riddle,' James thought returning the book back to its spot.
'Should I tell someone?' James wondered. 'No, the teachers either won't believe you or will thing your trying to get the stone for your self,' he thought running his hand through his hair. 'O'well its not like Riddle can get into the school on his own,' James thought before starting his homework.
The next few weeks were rather dull and boring. James continued on with his normal schedule with Flint getting increasingly brutal with the up coming match. The Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff match was set for February 21, three days away.
"BOLE! IF YOU HIT ME WITH THAT BLUDGER ONE MORE TIME I'LL SHOVE IT DOWN YOUR THROAT!" James yelled from the place he had landed. It was one of the final practices and Bole had decided to make a game out of knocking James off his broom with Bludgers.
Needless to say James was getting really annoyed really fast. "No killing or incapacitating other students Mr. Cage," said a voice from behind him. James turned and saw Snape sitting on the side line.
"You would want to maul him if you were me and you know it," said James before kicking off. A few minute later another Bludger from Bole made its way towards James. Seeing the iron ball out of the corner of his eye James lined himself up and when the ball was close enough smacked it right back at Bole.
Bole, who had not been paying attention, got hit right in the face when he turned to look at James. "Bull's eye," said James before diving after the snitch. A few minutes later Flint called practice to a halt as one of his beaters needed to have his face repaired.
James landed and slung his broom over his shoulder and walked to the locker rooms. After showering and dressing James made his way to his dorm but was stopped by the tall form of Snape. "Please come to my office Mr. Cage," he said before turning around and walking away, with some what of a limp.
James followed the potions master with his broom still slung over his shoulder to his office. "Sit down Mr. Cage," Snape ordered once they arrived at Snape's office.
James sat down and waited for the professor to speak. "I've been told by Hagrid that you know about the three-headed dog on the third floor corridor," said Snape.
"Yes sir," said James.
"Do you know the circumstances behind its presence?" Snape asked.
"No sir. I have guessed he must be guarding some thing but I have no idea what," James lied.
"Alright. I must warn you to stay away from that dog. It is on orders to kill anyone who enters," said Snape grimly.
"You should put better wards on it then. A simple 'Alohomora,' would open that door," said James.
"Thanks for the tip," said Snape sarcastically.
"Oh, and that's not a three headed dog. It's called a Cerberus. I suggest you get the bite on your leg cleaned because a Cerberus's saliva is poisonous. You know what, let me see your leg. I don't trust you to go to the hospital wing," said James.
Snape reluctantly let James look at his leg. "Damn, who dressed this," said James looking at the horrible bandaging job.
"Evans," was Snape's short answer.
"Right then. Don't move, this is going to hurt like hell," said James pouring a thick blue potion on Snape open wound. Snape took in a sharp breath and was obviously having a hard time staying still. James then placed his hand on the wound and concentrated on it knitting its self back together.
Slowly the wound closed and left behind a small red line that would disappear when the potion had finished its work. "What the hell was that?" Snape asked motioning to the empty potions bottle.
"A disinfectant. It works kind of like rubbing alcohol, the worse the infection the more it hurts. Much better than rubbing alcohol though," said James standing up.
Snape nodded and leaned back in his chair as the potion took affect again. "It takes about 10 minute for the whole potion to run through your body. I wouldn't move around much for that amount of time. It hasn't even reached the worst of the poison yet," said James while exiting the room.
James walked back to the Slytherin common room and flopped down on a chair next to Triss. "What's up Shadow?" asked Triss.
"Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy," said James leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes.
"You can't go to sleep yet Shadow, it's only 8:45. Plus you have to help me with my homework," said Triss hopping up on James lap like a toddler. James wrapped an arm around Triss's waist and pulled her down to him.
"You will sleep too," he said cracking one of his eyes open long enough to look at her and shutting it again. Triss complied by curling up like a cat with her head on James's chest. (A/N: Nothing sexual is going on between them at this time. The two of them are just very close.)
A half an hour later both were sleeping soundly when Dray walked in with Kat behind him. "Hey, isn't that cute," said Kat pointing to the two of them.
"Yeah, I guess," said Dray looking at the two of them.
"Do you have a camera Dray?" Kat asked.
"Yeah," said Dray pulling a Polaroid camera from his bag.
"Should we wake them?" Kat asked after taking a few pictures..
"No, Triss already said that James hasn't been getting a lot of rest with every thing else going on," said Dray leading Kat back out of the common room.
The next morning James was woken by the extra weight on his chest. He looked and his watch and saw 6:00 a.m. written in bold print. "Triss, wake up," said James in her ear.
Triss took a deep breath a snuggled deeper into James's chest. "Triss, you need to get up. I have Quidditch practice in a half an hour," he said .
At this Triss opened one eye and glared at James. "Your not suppose to wake up before me," she said while yawning.
"There is a first time for every thing. Now get up. I need to get ready for practice," said James as Triss got up off of his lap. He stood up and walked up to his dorm.
After showering and dressing in his practice robes he headed out to the Quidditch field with his broom slung over his shoulder. When he arrived every one else was only slightly behind him. "Okay, this is the final practice before the game on Saturday. You have tonight and tomorrow off to catch up on your sleep," and then he went on with his threats.
When Flint finally stopped threatening the team they headed out to the field. Bole had had his broken nose and jaw repaired and was damn near daring James to do it again. James was ready to do it too, Bole was smacking Bludgers at him again. "BOLE! IF YOU KEEP BATTING THOSE DAMN BLUDGERS AT ME I'M GOING TO BREAK YOU NOSE AGAIN!" James yelled while dodging another Bludger.
Bole stopped hitting Bludgers at James on Flint's orders. The practice ended a little while later when Bole hit Flint with a Bludger. Not very smart. When James had left he could still here Flint yelling at Bole. 'Serves him right,' James thought as he walked to the dungeons to get his stuff for class.
Triss was just coming down the girls stair cases when James entered. "What's up Shadow?" Triss asked as he started up his stairs.
"Not much. If you wait a minute I can walk to breakfast with you," said James still going up the stairs.
"Alright, just hurry up," said Triss.
James returned a few minutes later with has black leather bag thrown over his shoulder. "Let's go," said James walking out the door.
Kat and Dray were already sitting at the Slytherin table when they arrived. "Morning," said Kat.
"Morning," Triss and James replied simultaneously.
"You two looked so cute in the common room last night. I even got a picture," said Kat holding up a moving picture of the sleeping James and Triss.
"Aw, you look so cute Shadow," Said Triss pointing to the lightly snoring James.
"Thank you," said James between mouthfuls of food.
The three of them continued to talk about how cute James looked while he slept while James himself, ate.
Finally it was Saturday, the match against Hufflepuff. James was up early as usual, thankfully Triss had given him a little bit of peace and didn't wake him by jumping on his bed.
"Are you ready for the match today Shadow?" Triss asked as he came down the stairs.
"For the match, yes. Listening to Flint's very interesting use of vocabulary, not really but I'll live," said James flopping down on the chair next to her.
"Does he threaten you before every game?" Triss asked while playing with one of her throwing daggers.
"He tries to threaten me and the rest of the team but I just find it funny," said James with a chuckle.
"Yeah, you know after last night I'm glad I have my own dorm. God, I could hear Parkinson's giggling threw a stone wall. It would be horrible to have to share a dorm with her," said Triss.
"Yeah, I only have to share with Dray. He said I should feel really lucky not to have to share a room with Crabbe or Goyle. As it is you can hear them snoring threw the walls," said James rubbing his ears.
"Lets go to breakfast," said a very sleepy Dray.
"Okay," said James picking up his bag, that held his broom and robes, and stood up.
Triss also stood up and followed Dray down to breakfast.
The three of them were soon joined by Kat and they sat at the Slytherin table as usual. Everyone else was already in the Great Hall and anticipating the Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff game. James ate quickly and excused him self from the table.
The rest of the team wasn't far behind him. It was 9:30 by the time everyone was dressed in their robes. Flint started his customary "If you lose this match," speech, not that James was listening.
Finally the teams were called out. The yells for Slytherin were almost drowned out by the boos from the other houses but Triss, being her resourceful self, had charmed a fog horn to yell "GO SLYTHERIN!"
Unlike in the last game Snape was coaching, not very good for the opposing team. About 30 minutes into the game it was 50-10 Slytherin and James had seen the snitch. It was at the base of the Slytherin goals. He dived down and flew directly at it.
Diggory had apparently seen it to and was right behind James. At the last second the snitch shot to the right but James was ready for it. He pulled out of the dive 10 feet from the ground and turned right following the snitch.
Diggory wasn't as lucky and plowed into the ground. James reached out for the snitch put he suddenly heard a voice yell 'Move,' inside his head. James rolled and two Bludgers smacked into each other right where he would have been. He picked up speed again and plucked the unsuspecting snitch out of the air.
The stands roared as James showed them the snitch. "Slytherin wins at 200-10," Jordan announced sadly.
James landed and not to seconds later was pounced on by Triss. "Damn it, don't scare me like that again. I thought those Bludgers would kill you," she said in his ear while hugging him.
"Hey I'm fine. Thanks for the warning though. I probably wouldn't have dodged if you hadn't told me," said James as Triss let go of him.
"Your welcome," said Triss.
Review responses:
Cataclysmic: I'm in 8th so I don't get any free periods yet, I have also never broken a bone but I have shattered my knee caps, that hurt like hell. I haven't really thought of whom Triss's parents are going to be yet. I know Dumbledore will have something to do with why James had been given up but I don't know if it will be positive or negative. I personally don't like Dumbledore after his behavior in Ootp but I might make an exception. James's twin sisters will grow to become very important. I'm really spoiling the story now so I'm going to stop. : - )
Jordan: No James will not tell her. The reason why she gave him up and how she finds out will be reveled later.
Wytil: Lily will know nothing about who James is until sometime around the end of 4th year. Maybe sooner. Snape might figure it out with in the next few chapters but I'm not sure yet.
AtieJen: Thank you.