Lone Child
Chapter 20: Blackmail, storms and sleeping arrangements
"Do you think he'll be okay?" asked a hazy voice.
"He came really, really close to dieing, I don't know where he got the strength to keep up his shift but he did. That is a good sign," said another voice.
"I feel so bad about all of this. If I hadn't opened that damn book he'd be okay," said a voice James' mind identified as Ginny.
"It's not your fault. You were being controlled from the moment you started writing in that book. No one blames you for it," said Triss's voice.
"Except all of the teacher, my parents and the Minister of Magic. Fudge still wants to have me locked away. Mom and dad are now angry with me because dad might loose his job. I don't want my dad to loose his job but I don't want to be sent to Azkaban either," said Gin's voice with a slight sob.
"Over my dead body. I went all the way into the Chamber of Secrets to get you, and had to kill a basilisk, destroy your possessed diary, and I had my best pair of sunglasses broken in the process," said James weakly but smiling the whole time.
"Shadow! You're awake!" said Triss jumping up and throwing herself on him.
"Triss! Shoulder!" yelled James.
"Oh sorry!" said Triss trying to get up.
"I didn't say leave I said get the hell off me shoulder," said James grabbing Triss around the waist and pulling her back to him. Triss laid down carefully avoiding James hurt shoulder and snuggled into his chest. "You coming Gin?" James asked motioning to the open side of the rather large hospital bed.
Ginny smiled and carefully lay next to James and tried not to rattle the bed too much. She gave him a tight hug. "Thank you James. I don't know what would have happened had you not come for me. I owe you a wizard's debt," said Ginny.
"I'll take you up on that dept now," said James. Ginny looked grim thinking he would make her do something horrible. "Stop treating me like I'm going to break at the slightest movement. I'm NOT made of glass. Do you really think I would have survived this beast if I was made of anything less than pure titanium?" James asked motioning to Triss. Triss elbowed him in the ribs.
"I see what you mean. Alright, I will stop treating you like you are going to break," said Gin.
"Thank you. Now all I have to do is make the others quit treating me like crystal," said James.
"I do believe you need to be treated like crystal Mr. Cage. Can't stay out of trouble for 5 minutes can you?" asked Poppy walking into the room.
"No Auntie Pop, I'm a horrible roughen that goes looking for trouble everywhere," said James sarcastically.
"What did I tell you about calling me 'Auntie Pop'?" said Poppy crossing her arms.
"Not to because it 'wasn't professional'. I won't do it again Auntie Pop," said James smiling innocently.
Poppy shook her head sadly. "First I can't stop you from calling me 'Madam Pomfrey' now I can't make you call me by it," she said throwing her arms in the air.
"You know you love me anyway," said James.
"I swear you become more like Professor Snape everyday. Like father like son they say," said Poppy.
"Was someone talking about me?" asked a silky voice.
"No, we're talking about the boogey man," said Poppy sarcastically.
"Is there a difference?" asked Triss.
"Watch it Ms. Summers," said Snape.
"Sorry, I'd offer you a hug but I'm surrounded by beautiful teenage girls on all sides," said James looking at Snape.
"I can see that. Funny, most young men would be gloating more, you don't swing the other way do you?" asked Snape with a raised eyebrow.
"Hell no! I enjoy female company as much as the next straight guy but I'm not about to feel up two of my best friends," said James glaring at Snape.
"Just checking. I'm not going to have to give you 'the talk', am I?" asked Snape cringing a bit.
"No, I've already had the female version. Mostly, all guys are bastards that no girl in her right mind would go near, right Triss?" asked James.
"More or less, I also recall the word 'don't' a few times. So, all guy are bastards and the word 'don't', yeah I learned a whole lot during that conversation," said Triss sarcastically.
"There is your answer," said James. Snape groaned.
"WHERE IS SHE?" a loud voice demanded. The hospital wing doors flew open and a purple faced Cornelius Fudge walked in. He walked right over to where Ginny was laying, white faced, with James's arm wrapped around her. He pulled a white scroll out of his robes and started to speak.
"You, Virginia Weasley, are under arrest for the attempted murder of 5 students and endangerment of countless more. Any and all ties you have to the ministry will be terminated. The punishment for attempted murder is an automatic life sentence to Azkaban," said Fudge pulling out his wand.
At that moment Evans, Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley burst into the room but were held back by several aurors. Minister Fudge, said James as the minister started to say a spell. Ginny clutched his arm and buried herself in his side.
Fudge sputtered and stared at James. Last time I checked hybrids were not allowed to hold positions of high power. If I am correct, which I'm sure I am, you are half dwarf, said James.
How- Fudge started to ask but was cut off.
Unless you want to loose your position as Minister of Magic I suggest you make a deal with me, said James.
That's black mail, Fudge sputtered.
Do you think I care? asked James.
What do you want? asked Fudge.
First, I want all charges against Ginny dropped; she was being possessed. Second, I want any jobs that any of the Weasleys lost restored and I want them to have a 50% raise. Third, I want you to give the Weasley's a 250,000 galleon settlement for this little mistake, and don't tell them it had anything to do with me, said James.
"Done," said Fudge.
"Good, I suggest you get on it then," said James.
Fudge ran out of the room at record speed. James sighed and leaned back into his pile of soft pillows and closed his eyes.
"What did you do?" asked Ginny.
"Black mail is a wonderful thing," James said only loud enough for Gin and Triss to hear.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" yelled Mrs. Weasley pulling James into a tight hug.
"Ah! Shoulder!" said James as Mrs. Weasley squeezed him. She let go right away when he yelled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I just wanted to thank you for saving my little girl, twice. I owe you two wizard's debts," said Mrs. Weasley.
"You don't owe me anything. In fact I think you owe your daughter one hell of an apology. I know if someone ever said anything like that to me I would never forgive them," said James glaring at Mrs. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley had a look of guilt in her eyes; she turned to her daughter, who was still clinging to James. "Ginny, dear? I'm sorry. I knew something wasn't right about you and instead of trying to help I tried to protect everyone else. I know nothing I can say will make up for it but I'm asking you to forgive me anyway," said Mrs. Weasley.
Ginny looked up at her mother with tears in her eyes. "I can't forgive you yet," she said. In a flash Gin pulled out her wand and yelled, "Obvolvo! Tarantallegra!" In a flash of color Mrs. Weasley was wrapped in duct tape while bouncing around trying to tap dance. "Now you are partially forgiven," said Ginny nearly falling out of the bed laughing. Several minutes later Gin sobered enough to remove the spells.
Mrs. Weasley looked fit to kill. She puffed up as if she were going to start yelling but instead she broke out laughing. "Okay people! As much as I enjoy your company you're getting a little loud and I would like to get some sleep so these damn bites will heal," said James.
Several minutes later all whom remained were Snape, Evans, and a newly arrived Dumbledore. "Are you guys here to thank me for killing that big ass snake or to yell at me for nearly getting killed in the process?" asked James.
"Both," said Snape.
"Figures. Do a good deed and get in trouble for it," said James to himself. "Okay, you can start yelling now," said James loud enough for them to hear.
"What in the hell were you thinking?" Evans demanded.
"I was thinking about killing the snake that nearly killed several of my friends," said James.
"Do you have any idea how close you came to dieing?" asked Snape.
"Not close enough obviously. My shift didn't even drop," said James only loud enough for Snape to hear.
"When I got to you, you were unconscious and had three basilisk fangs imbedded in your flesh. Basilisk venom can kill a person in a minute or less given the chance," said Snape.
"News flash, I'm not a normal person. I'm a level 10 healer, the strongest there is. It would have taken more than that to kill me," said James.
"What about the fact that you had been held under the Cruciatus curse for 5 or more minutes, with a bleeding open wound," said Evans.
"What is your point? To me one Cruciatus curse it child's play. It would take 3 or more to even make me think about screaming," said James.
"Want to test that theory?" asked Dumbledore stepping into the conversation.
"You can if you want to," said James.
"Crucio!" said Dumbledore pointing his wand at James.
James just looked at Dumbledore. "Oh it hurts," said James sarcastically. To him one Cruciatus curse was like a bad sunburn. It hurt but not too badly. Dumbledore lifted the curse.
"Amazing," Dumbledore muttered to himself.
"I told you I wasn't normal," said James tending to his shoulder. His healing powers wouldn't work and there was no magical way to heal a basilisk bite, it had to heal naturally and his was bleeding again. Pulling off his blood soaked shirt he tied it tightly around his wound. "I hope you have a lot of uses for basilisk Professor Snape because I have a whole fresh one down stairs," said James. Snape looked like Christmas had come early.
When Dumbledore had decided he was too tired to fire Cruciatus curses at James anymore he and Evans left. James was still trying to stop the damn bite from bleeding. "Here, let me," said Snape taking the shirt out of James' hand and getting a fresh towel.
"Thanks Professor," said James.
"I wanted to talk to you about what you called me when you got out of the Chamber," Snape started.
"I was wondering what you would say about that. If you don't want me to call you 'dad' in privet I'm fine with it," said James off handedly.
"No, no, I don't mind, call me what ever you feel most comfortable with," said Snape.
"So I can call you 'old man' and you wouldn't care," said James.
"You know what I mean James," said Snape.
"Yes dad," said James. The world was strange to him but he liked it, it had been a long time since he had anyone to call that. "When do you think Auntie Pop will let me leave?" asked James.
"Provided you get some sleep I will let you leave in the morning. I can't do anything about the bite so I'll leave you in Triss's hands," said Poppy walking into the room.
"Auntie Pop?" asked Snape.
Poppy gave him the finger. "I've been trying since he was a little kid to get him to stop calling me 'Madam Pomfrey', but when I did he started calling me 'Auntie Pop', when he got to school he continued calling me 'Auntie Pop' unless it was in front of someone like the Headmaster," said Poppy.
"Guys if you don't mind I'm tired as hell and would love to get some sleep between now and tomorrow," said James yawning.
"That's fine James, it's almost midnight anyway, goodnight," said Poppy. Snape said goodbye as well before leaving.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"James?" a timid voice asked an hour or so later.
"What is it Triss?" asked James groggily; he had just gotten to sleep not to long before.
"A storm started. I'm scared," said Triss. Thunder rumbled through the castle and Triss jumped.
"Come on in," said James making room for Triss. She lost no time in crawling into the bed and under the covers with him.
"I'm sorry for being a burden like this, Shadow. The storms just scare me," said Triss.
"You are not a burden. You can't help your fears," said James wrapping his arms around Triss as another bolt of lightning struck.
"Yes, but you've been letting me stay with you through these since I was eight, I figure you think I should have gotten over it by now," said Triss.
"I don't mind Triss. You have reason to have certain fears, just like everyone else in this world. Take Ron Weasley for example. His worst fear is a giant spider," said James.
"True, but it is kind of ridiculous if you think about it," said Triss.
"Go on to sleep, I'll argue with you in the morning. You're perfectly safe. I wouldn't let anything happen to you, even if you are a pest," said James smirking. Triss elbowed him in the stomach. "I'll get you back for that in the morning, too tired now," said James.
Triss yawned. "G'night," she said snuggling into James and drifting off to sleep. James followed soon after.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A low chuckle sounded and James fought his temptation to growl. 'No one wants to let me sleep do they?' he thought to himself.
"Don't they look cute together? Kind of like us when we were younger," said a voice, definitely Evans.
"Please, at that age you two couldn't keep your hands off of each other," said the voice that had chuckled. Probably Snape.
"The fact remains that Ms. Summers shouldn't be sharing a bed with Mr. Cage," said Potter's voice.
"Oh, leave them alone Jim. You really should stop showing favoritism. Young Mr. Cage has saved everyone in this castle from an untimely death more than once. He deserves your respect," said Evans.
"He has my respect, but that doesn't mean I have to like him," said Potter.
"Since you don't like me why don't you get out and let me sleep?" asked James.
All three professors turned their attention to him. "How long have you been awake?" asked Snape.
"Since you people noisily walked in here. Now go away so I can sleep some more," said James.
"It is 11 o'clock Mr. Cage," said Potter.
"I don't care, I'm still sleepy," said James really wishing her could turn and bury his face in his pillow.
"I second what James said," came Triss's sleepy voice.
"You should move to your own bed Ms. Summers," said Evans.
"Is it still storming?" asked Triss. A clap of thunder answered her. "In that case I'm staying right here," said Triss.
"She has a phobia of thunderstorms, that is why she is here," said James wishing they would suck up their questions and leave.
"Alright, but I expect you both to be out of here by 3 o'clock. Madam Pomfrey released you this morning," said Snape steering Potter and Evans out of the hospital wing.
"I guess it is time to relocate," said James sitting up.
"Sadly," said Triss.
"Come on," said James casting a warming spell on the floor and standing up. He started to stretch but stopped suddenly and grabbed his shoulder. "That smarts," James said.
"Come on, I'll fix it when we get back to your dorm," said Triss pulling him out of the infirmary.
Review responses:
Kathy stgqvk: No, Sirius isn't dead. He is currently in Azkaban for being a Death Eater, but he is innocent. The full explanation is in chapter 4. Sirius and Remus will be around soon. Do you think Evans and Potter should welcome Remus with open arms or be at ends with him?
Athenakitty: More or less. Yes, Gin will stay in school; blackmail is such a wonderful thing.
Kata Malfoy: Yes, Sirius and James Potter were friends in school but Sirius was also friends with Lucius Malfoy. I'm not quite sure of Sirius's reason for escaping Azkaban yet.
Cataclysmic: I try not to leave cliffhangers but sometimes it is necessary.
Black-Rose1212: Yes, Snape knows he is James's dad. James couldn't heal himself because his energy from doing all those spells and transforming works down his energy really fast. His energy is equivalent to that of any other human because of a block that was put on his powers. Plus the fact that his body was actively fighting the venom anyway, normally it could kill in just under a minute.
Lunawolf: Merry Christmas to you as well. All of the hunters know of James' parentage and of his powers. Sorry about the quickness of the chapter, I was going to do something else but I forgot to take a few things into account.
ZeonReborn: You may not be alive but I will, being me does have some perks. If you screw with computers or FF.net I will have to hurt you. I've become to dependent on technology for it to be taken away now. No, there will be no lasting side effects from the basilisk venom. Even if there were Jewel would take care of that.
Insanechildfanfic: Thanks.
ER: Thanks.
Howling wolf1: Thanks.