I'm not gonna be just a face in the crowd… you're gonna hear my voice as I shout it out aloud…
Deep in the British country side stood an old house. It was once used by an affluent family in Edwardian and Victorian times as their residence. This meant all the luxury's where carted for in ridiculous and sumptuous style with fancy embroidery and furniture like it had never been sat on at all. Its gardens went for miles around, perfectly shaped bushes, immaculate lawns where each blade of grass was the same length all away around. Many years had been placed in this house, but due to the owner's extravagance and greed it had fallen on bad times.
Bad investments and family scandals had led the lord of the manor to sell up at a rock bottom price and lead the rest of his life in Bombay. So the house was taken over by the most unusual institution.
Mrs Hudson's Witching and Wizarding Lower Finishing School.
The sun shone down on the house as a black car pulled into the drive. It was waxed to an inch of its life but gleamed as it made its way through the gates and drove down the gravelled drive at about 10 mph. At the front of the house stood a very strict woman, she had grey hair almost suffocated into a tight bun with a long dress with a frilly chest with only her hands showing. She frowned as the car came down the drive and stopped outside the house. She strode forward and opened the door.
A boy stepped out of the car, he was tall but slight, he had a thin face with an unruly head of black hair which formed a quiff near the centre. The back was ruffled and sticking up in all directions as he stepped out and sighed at the building. Everything on his face screamed get me away from here. He was in traditional black dress robes which looked good on him, but it was obvious he would rather be someone else.
"Ah, Mr Potter. So glad you could join us." The woman said as he stepped out. James Potter's sharp hazel and gold eyes caught her blue ones as he straightened his robes.
"Cynthia." He said uninterested.
"That's Mrs Hudson to you young man." She said sternly.
"Whatever." Said James. "Can we just get this over with?" Mrs Hudson nodded and held her arm towards the door.
"After you."
"With pleasure." Said James as he walked away.
The Marauders Proudly Present James Potter in: The Marauders Year One
Chapter Eight
It's My Life
Written By Chambers10
He walked in, his heeled shoes echoing on the marble floor as he and Mrs Hudson walked down the corridor. It was all set up like it would have been in the 1920's, fresh flowers, no vase, carpet or hair out of place as James was led to a room with huge closed white double doors. Mrs Hudson opened the doors and James walked into the room. It was an old fashioned dining room with all the silver out. He room was a dark green which was personified by the dim lighting from the lamps on the table. There were at least 9 different forks, not to mention accompanying knifes and spoons with seemed to match the table cloth. James potter wasn't alone.
Around the other 23 places where boys and girls like him. In their Sunday best sitting round the table. The light hearted conversation that greeted him on the way in had stopped. Some of the boys threw him disconcerting looks. Some girls disapproving looks, others bit their lips at the mere sight of him. James Potter had known these people all his life. Their Parents were of the old Generation of purebloods. Thousands of years of tradition and names going through some of the most well-known names in history. James's parents where part of this group through blood line. As he was part of the line. He was to. This meant that he was also obliged to put up with their kids. No matter how annoying and different they were from each other.
"Ladies, gentlemen…Rotherman." A mousy boy turned red with embarrassment as some girls began giggling as James took his seat near the centre of the table. He sat next to a boy who grinned in unison as he sat down. He too was in traditional robes, he too had black hair, although his loped with an easy grace that James's hair would never achieve. Not on his own anyway.
"I thought you'd never make It." the boy said as James sat down. "Clearly our parents hate us enough to send us here."
"Correction. Your parents hate you. Mine insist I do this."
"Mr Black." Sirius Black looked up, his handsome face and dark eyes falling on Mrs Hudson.
"Yes Cynthia?" he asked in his best mocking pleasant tone.
"Mrs Hudson to you." She said in the same disapproving tone she had undertaken with James. "Right class, since Mr Potter has finally decided to grace us with his presence, we can continue." She turned round and Sirius leaned in.
"You got the goods?" he asked, James smirked as he motioned with his eyes underneath the table. With a flick of his wrist a couple of small balls rolled from underneath James's sleeve and into his hand.
"Perfect." Said Sirius, "Show that crazy bint what I think of this place." James nodded and winked at a girl who was blushing furiously in his and Sirius's direction. Isabel Parks, James had known her since he was a baby. Their mothers had been trying everything to get a romance between them going. But to no avail from either him or her. Although recently she had been showing him some attention.
"Remember, wizarding manners will get you everywhere in this life. As the offspring of some of the most prosperous and noble wizarding families in the world, I advise-"
"Will she ever shut up?" Groaned James. He leaned on his elbow and looked outside at the glorious summer sun that should be on his shoulders. Not in here listening to some half winded old bat talking about which fork you should use for your fish course.
"Catch the game yesterday?" muttered Sirius.
"Parts." Said James leaning back. "Got to the qualifiers before my mum made me study for this stupid test." Sirius laughed.
"Lucky you." He said darkly, "I had to study; my mum wouldn't let me anywhere near the box."
"Poor you, any tighter on that chain and you'd end up like your mutt." Smirked James. Sirius smirked to.
"And of course remember that spoon should only really be used when accompanied by the port and not by mulled wine-"
"They have no idea what's about to happen." Said James with a thoughtful look on his face. "I pity them almost."
"Some." Replied Sirius.
"Not all. About as stuck up as their parents." James sighed and nodded in agreement.
"What do you think this forks for?" he asked mocking Mrs Hudson's posh upper-class tone picking up the furthest one. It was long and slender with two spikes at the end.
"Why Mr Potter, I believe you use that to scratch one's arse." Sirius replied in mock. James bit on his bottom lip to quell his fit of giggles as Mrs Hudson looked back and narrowed her eyes at them. Of course James and Sirius put on the face of innocence to distract her.
"Now students. We shall dine; I will be marking you on your manners."
"Still willing to use that thing for a scratch?" asked Sirius.
"I can think of another place I'd rather stick it first."
With that the door opened. Food was placed down in front of everyone. James turned his nose up at a leek and potato soup with far too many corners for his liking.
"Say what you like about this place, at least the grubs good." Said Sirius tucking his napkin in.
"Yeah." Said James picking a long grey hair out of the soup and throwing it on the floor. "Amazing."
The table descended into light hearted chat about the summer and what everyone was doing beyond. Most of these people were going off to some fancy Magic schools in America, some to Beauxbatons. James and Sirius where going to Hogwarts as where some of the other kids. The chatter then started up about holidays. James groaned. Every destination revolved around some exotic place that cost the earth to stay. Florence, Rome, Paris, Cairo, Miami.
"Go anywhere nice Potter?" asked one boy, Fredricks.
"I went to Cornwall." Said James.
"I always thought you went to Scotland." Any chat around the table stopped. A few people looked fearfully at James.
"We decided on a change." Said James. "By the way, how's your cousin?" Fredrick's face went sour.
"She is fine thank you." he said through gritted teeth. James smirked.
"Is she coming over again, she said she might in her letters."
"She…sent you letters?"
"Oh yeah." Said James. "So unless you want to wear your dinner I suggest you shut up."
James went back to his dinner, a few people were leaning over asking Fredricks what the hell he was playing and why he would bring up such a sensitive subject.
"He's an arse mate, don't listen to him." said Sirius.
"I'm not." Said James.
The rest of dinner past without much interruption. A couple of conversations here and there, making sure that it was the right knife and not be slapped. The conversation didn't really steer towards him again. After what had happened a couple of years earlier, people never really wanted to speak to James. Some still quietly blame him for what happened. And he still quietly blamed himself to.
"Right class." Mrs Hudson said, "Dessert. The final test." James nudged Sirius as a slice of pie was apparated in front of them. Sirius smirked as he picked up that last fork and took a bite.
"Shame they won't be able to enjoy It." said James lightly taking a bite to.
"Damn Shame." Said Sirius, "But." He took a bite, "For the greater good." Sirius smirked. James took some of the black balls from his pocket and rolled them in-between his fingers. His heartbeat began to increase as he knew what was coming next. He winked at Sirius who grinned back. With a flick of his wrist one of the balls bounced on the floor.
"One." James muttered. Another bounce, "Two." And the last one.
"Three!"
BANG!
Darkness engulfed the room to shouts and screams. James placed his feet on the table and kicked back, the chair scrapped along the floor as other tried to exit the room. James threw the next ball.
One
Two
Three
BANG
Small fireworks erupted from the ball around the room. They zoomed around the room exploding to everyone they came in contact with.
"GET IT OFF. GET IT OFF!" shouted one person.
"MY HAIR!"
"WHERE'S THE EXIT."
"Help ME!"
"MY SUIT!"
James sprang off his chair and landed on the table. He pulled out the last ball in his pocket and threw it towards the end of the table.
One
Two
Three
BANG!
The table lurched forward throwing him off balance. The table began to throw the food across the table. James began to run, his first step caused him to fall, but he got his balance back and ran across the table. Behind him he could hear the sound of drinks and desserts being splattered around the room. James picked out the last ball and threw it at the door.
One
Two
Three
BANG!
Rio de Janerio: Brazil
"Have all the civilians been cleared?"
"Last bus load coming out now."
"Bout time." Muttered Alec.
"Where clearing a favela of almost a hundred thousand people Potter. It was going to take time."
"Too much." Said Alec.
"Why couldn't you stay retired?" Alec was standing at the entrance to the favela. The burning sun on his back as he looked up at the hastily put together housing.
In the eleven years since London Alec still had the ruffled and wild black hair with more noticeable greying streaks, particularly on the sides. But in that time he had thick black stubble across his cheeks and down his neck with little grey patches.
He was in a black t-shirt, combat trousers with armoured boots that came up to his knee. He had two holsters on his back with two pistols.
"Going in now." said Alec, ignoring the question. Alec walked into the slum; his eyes flickered to the high roofs and narrow, deserted alleys. Alec couldn't really understand how people could live like this. This was below human in his opinion. But they didn't have a choice. Maybe that's what saddened him the most, their lack of options.
Actually, that wasn't the case. Alec looked down at his feet.
Tichhh
In a flash, Alec pulled the two pistols from their holsters and pointed them to the source of the noise, down a narrow alley with looked much darker than the harsh sun let on, had now disappeared.
"Hmmm." Alec holstered the pistols slowly and continued on his assent.
"Any sign of him yet Potter?" Alec looked up at the high rooftops.
"Maybe." Said Alec quietly.
He took a right up to another part of the favela. He walked down a cramped alley where the remisance of an ordinary life lay before him. An upturned box that provided a seat, two metal poles that where the makings of a football pitch and a small sack that…
Alec turned his head up slowly and walked toward the sack. He kneeled down and inspected it, it looked heavy. Alec peered inside and instantly recoiled. He made a face and peered inside again. A body.
It was a young woman, in her teens, dark hair, a local. Alec peeled the top of the sack back, she was naked and with significant chunks of flesh bitten out of her body. He was on the right trial at least. Alec got to his feet and continued forward.
A little further down the alley he saw the piece of flesh, huge teeth marks with char on the ends. Alec kneeled down and picked up a half smoked cigar. He turned it round to see it half chewed with saliva.
"Hmmm." Alec placed it down. The sound of a pot smash drew Alec's attention to a balcony further up the Favela.
"Who's hunting who?" mused Alec as he got to his feet. Alec walked to the edge of the alley and walked down what looked like a main street.
"BAHHHH!" Alec didn't move or flinch. In front of him was the person he'd been sent in to capture. He was big, about eight foot to Alec's six two. He was broad and hairy with a large face with blood trickling from his mouth. He was hanging upside down from a sign above the alley.
"Hmmm, you're a big one." he said with a curious look on his face. "And you've taken the shortest time to find me."
"Just a simple case of following the bodies." Said Alec. "Maybe you should practise cleaning up."
"Now that, is too much hard work." He said. He lowered himself from his perch above Alec and lowered himself down into the alley. He rose up and towered over Alec.
"I missed you in Buenos Aires." Hyde let out a bark like laughter.
"Heh, no you bloody did not." He raised his arm to show a hole through his bicep. "You got me good."
"Well since you killed the last nine people sent to reason with you, they've sent me." Said Alec.
"You don't seem very frightened."
"You're not very frightening." Replied Alec. He moved like chimp, his back was curved almost like a hunchback.
"Heh, not very classy for someone's dying words." He growled.
"Mr Hyde, you are the single biggest serial killer in existence." Said Alec. "So the ministry has sent me."
"To do what, exactly?" asked Mr Hyde.
"Well, they want to take you alive so they might be able to turn you back." Explained Alec.
"I bet they bloody would." Said Hyde.
"Personally I'd rather kill you and call it a day." Said Alec bluntly. He turned back round to face Hyde and crossed his arms. His fingers tentatively brushing the pistols. "But let's make that your decision shall we?"
Hyde thought for a second. "Hmmm, tough choice." Hyde brought back his huge arm and struck Alec before he knew what happened. Alec smashed through several walls, before finally stopping in someone's living room.
Alec blinked.
"Found Hyde." He croaked.
"How did he take the proposal?" Alec groaned and got to his feet.
"Not, well." Alec cracked his neck and knuckles. He pulled out his pistols and went to walk forward put slumped at the first step.
"You ok?" Alec grimaced and slumped to his knee.
"Fine." Said Alec flatly and getting back to his feet. He cracked his back and walked back through the hole he had made in the wall. He looked at the other holes he made and sighed. This was going to be tough. He looked at his watch, he only had half an hour to get to James's passing out ceremony.
"Right, time to get him." Alec looked up, he needed to get to higher ground. To his left he saw a crate that would be high enough to jump onto the roof. Alec holstered the pistols and ran to the crate, he jumped up on to it and hoisted himself onto the roof. From up here he could see the next thirty or so tiers of the favela as wells as Rio city and Coba Cabana beach.
But something big and hairy distracted Alec a few rooftops away and he saw Hyde running. Alec ran in his direction, hurdling over the narrow pathways from house to house. But being two foot taller, Hyde had a huge stride, Alec had to slow him down.
Alec saw Hyde seven houses in front. He apparated.
He was now only two away. Alec pulled out a pistol and fired.
"Confringo!" As the bullet left the chamber it was covered in a purple shielding as it soared to Hyde.
The bullet hit Hyde causing him to howl out in pain and slump to the floor. Alec smirked and ran towards him. Alec jumped onto the same roof as him, he holstered the pistol and pulled out his wand from a separate holster by his arm pit.
"Roparo!" Ropes grew out of the ground and bound Hyde to the roof.
"No, you, don't!" Hyde flexed his muscles and tore the ropes sending Alec backwards. Alec got to his feet quickly and saw Hyde going for a wild haymaker. Alec jumped over the punch and pushed himself up off Hyde's forearm and onto his back.
"I'm guessing since your still human in some respect you still have the same weaknesses." Alec pulled out two escrima sticks from his combat trousers and stuck them into Hyde's ears, puncturing his ear drums.
His roar echoed around the favela, his hands where over his ears and walking staggering around. He threw Alec off, Alec rolled on the roof and got to his feet quickly. Hyde was deaf now.
Alec needed to paralyse him.
Alec narrowed his eyes, he narrowed in on the pressure points on the arms and back. He sprinted forward, he ducked a flailing punch and went to punch up the pressure points. He hit up the arm but nothing, the arm didn't even go limp.
"Right, plan B." Alec dodged another punch and flipped to the back of Hyde. Alec took a deep breath and straightened his hand. He hit the base of Hyde's spine with his fingers. There was another roar, it should of hurt, that was his nervous centre, he had used enough force to paralyse a normal man. And yet he was still standing.
Hyde turned round and smacked Alec across a few rooftops. Alec smashed into a roof, he was left in a huge crater. Alec shook his head and got to his feet. He had to blind him now.
"RARRRR!" Hyde was bounding across the rooftop. Alec pulled out his wand and pointed it at him.
"BUTIO!" a banshee cry erupted from the tip of his wand, small sound waves that got bigger the further they travelled, shattering glass and rupturing the ground before him. When the waves hit Hyde he fell to his knees. Blood was pouring from his ears and he looked up at Alec.
His eyes where blood shot with a little blood trickling from them. He was snarling and slowly got to his feet. Alec pushed more and the sound waves came out faster and harder, Hyde slumped more before getting up and placing his arms up like a shield.
"You'll have to do better than that!" he roared. He stepped forward slowly.
Alec strained again and sent more powerful waves, but they didn't seem to have any effect. Right, new plan.
Hyde grabbed the ground and ripped it up. Alec lost his balance and was thrown up in the air.
Alec went to his belt and got out three little black balls and slipped them between his fingers. When he landed he ran towards Hyde, he saw him and went to clothes line him. Alec slid underneath the flailing arm. He got to his feet and jumped up into the air so the blazing sun was in Hyde's eyes. Alec threw the tiny balls and they exploded in his face.
The balls contained a small trace of white phosphorous that exploded instantly contacted in the air. The powder had burned Hyde's eyes and fused them shut, another roar echoed around the favela. He fell to his knees. Alec punched Hyde in the face.
It was like punching a carcass. Alec groaned and held his hand. He grimaced and kicked him instead. There was a satisfying crunch as his jaw broke. Hyde went for a blind jab. Alec dodged, and pulled out his wand again.
"Roparo!" The lasso shot out and in snared Hyde's fist. Alec stood on the bottom of the rope and pulled Hyde toward him.
He swivelled and kicked Hyde's elbow which shattered and flopped. Alec roundhouse kicked Hyde again in the face. He then pulled out his pistol and smacked him across the face with the handle, Hyde rolled a couple of times before finally getting up so he was on hands and knees.
Alec wiped his mouth of blood and clocked the gun so it was pointing at Hyde's head. A gentle breeze blew across the rooftop, Alec closed his eyes, almost willing himself to pull the trigger.
His hand was shaking. Alec shook his head and looked more determined at the task at hand. He could do it if he wanted to, end the suffering of both his victims and now himself. The gun was still pointed at the temple for a few seconds before Alec cursed and lifted the gun up.
He just couldn't do it.
Alec smacked the back of Hyde's neck, knocking him out. Alec holstered the gun slowly.
"Hyde's down."
"Boy, that was quick."
"This is why I didn't stay retired." Said Alec. His cracked his shoulder and began to walk away.
"Send the enforcers in, Hyde's on a roof near the tenth tier." Said Alec. "He shouldn't be a problem."
"I thought the minister said for you to end him."
"He's blind and deaf." Said Alec ignoring the comment. "Put it won't last long, the serum will start repairing him so you'll have to act fast. I'll see you later."
"Where are you going?"
"I have an appointment." Said Alec. He took one last look at beach, he might buy a house here one day. With a flash of blue light he was gone.
He landed with a thump outside the stately home, it had been years since Alec had been back here. Not since he was James's age. The other parents would be inside now so Alec could sneak in. He trotted up to the double doors and slipped them open and made his way inside. He never liked the décor. He saw a bathroom and went inside.
He turned the light on, it had a mirror, perfect. Alec took off the holsters and removed his shirt. He looked at his shoulder that was now had an ugly bruise on it, he sighed and fished around in one of his pockets and got out a small vial. He uncorked the top and poured some on the bruise.
Alec hissed as the bruise began to fade away. He looked in the mirror and stroked his stubble, he fished out a knife and pointed his wand at his face.
Outside, the parents of the children outside where talking. Catching up on all the school day gossip they've missed. All were dressed in their Sunday best. A freshly shaved Alec walked out of the bathroom. He'd changed into dress robes and transfigured the armoured boots into smart shoes.
Alec took his place near the back, an observer's position, while everyone else in the room had decided to go with office work at the ministry. Alec decided to become and Auror, dark, dirty, and out in the field. This way of life had rubbed off on his interactions with his former friends. While most had lived a sheltered life, Alec had made a living making them safe, seeing them from the other side of the table. Taking a brown envelope, and getting on with the job.
He surveyed the room, exit on the north side, window, a simple Bombarda charm would blast it open. His eyes flickered over towards an emergency exit and again to the main exit. His Auror training had taught him to expect a hundred different types of scenarios. They ran riot in his head until he was snapped out of it by Stanford Parks.
"Alec." He said holding out his hand, "I thought Katherine would be here." The last scenario left Alec's head as he held out his hand.
"Pleasure as always Stanford." He said shaking his hand. "Been a while since we've been here."
"Very true." Said Stanford. Even in old age he had grown graceful, even for 74 he was still trim, but showing the evening whiskey had caught up with him.
"I'm sure they're enjoying it in there as much as we did." Said Alec uninterested.
"I know Isabel is." Said Stanford, "Anything to be in the same room as James."
Alec laughed slightly to himself and both walked to a table where drinks where being served.
"All Isabel's been going on about is your boy." Said Stanford pouring a glass of scotch, "Marcie's still trying to match them up. Isabel's starting to warm to the idea now." Stanford took a gulp.
"Then again I've never seen her go as flustered as when he saved her from that pool." Said Stanford placing his drink down. "He's just like you, you know, James."
"Katherine tells me the same thing." Said Alec. He laughed and shook his head, "Probably a bit more of his mother's temper but yeah…similar." Stanford laughed. His face then softened.
"You two still ok?"
Alec sighed. "Yeah," he said looking at his glass, "The last couple of years have been rough. But where all getting through." Stanford nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Listen." He said in a soft voice, "Remember that you and Katherine are always welcome to talk about what happened. We've told Isabel to be more open towards James as well. We know they were all close."
"Thanks Stanford." Said Alec, "But…were trying to move on now. James has seen therapists and he's moving on slowly." Stanford nodded.
"It was terrible what happened." Said Stanford, "But I'm glad to hear he's moving on,"
"So am I." said Alec, "Going through what he did couldn't have been easy." Alec took a particularly long drink.
"We all miss her Alec." Said Stanford, "Not a day goes past where we don't miss her coming round." Alec nodded again.
"However." He started with an underlying serious tone.
"I didn't really want to discuss this now but…"
"Murdoch?" Stanford nodded.
"Any closer?"
"Nothing yet." Said Alec. "But where…"
BANG!
Alec whipped around, his wand in hand and pointed it at the door.
"Get behind me. Now." no one argued. Taking a so called lesser career Alec had to learn to gain his respect through actions not words. His marriage was a statement of that. He held onto his own wand tightly as his mind calculated what was beyond those doors. He remained eerily calm as others behind began to lose their heads. What can only be described as chaos seemed to be going on behind the door. Alec held on to his wand as he weighed up his options in his head.
BANG!
He could hear the fireworks from behind the door, that little shit, thought Alec. He had been raiding his store again. A flash of pride coursed through him, Alec sighed and placed his wand down.
"Alec?" Poppy Duggary behind looked at him curiously. Everyone knows him a protector, but…as a parent. He knew his own son.
BANG
He could hear the table roar into life and expel the food and drink everywhere. Alec smiled and holstered his wand. Stanford was right. James Potter was incredibly his son.
The door burst open. Every other parent screamed or jumped as dark smoke expelled from the room. From the darkness a boy jumped out and skidded on the floor. It all seemed to happen in slow motion as he skidded on the floor. James stood up and saw the crowd. He adjusted the collar on his robes.
"Is there a problem?" He said as he walked out. Alec sighed and placed his hands in his pockets.
"Nice landing." He looked behind James and frowned. "But you don't need theatrics." As he finished he watched a very pale looking girl come out of the room covered in soot and with singe marks across her face. She was then followed by a hysterical Fredrick's running out.
"GET UM OFF!" he screamed, "GET UM OFF!"
"Oh Man up boy!" Fredrick's senior said angrily as he walked over to him.
James bit his lip to supress his grin as people came out tin different states of disappear. All the Parents went over to their children hugging and making a fuss, asking what happened. Sirius came out and grinned.
"Sirius." Said Alec.
"Alec." Said Sirius. "Enjoy the show." Alec now suppressed a grin as a very angry Mrs Hudson walked slowly out of the disaster. Her face white, her lip physically shaking as her twitch got the better of her.
"JAMES POTTER!" James looked back with his trademark grin.
"Don't you dare tell your mother about this." Said Alec. They were walking back home down a country lane, the sun was fighting to get through the thick leaves above them.
"Why?" asked James. He pulled his dress robes over his head, he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt underneath. "You're the one who bribed her into passing me." His mother had told him to wear smart trousers and a shirt.
"You know I couldn't give a toss about that place but it's important to your mother." Said Alec. "Just be grateful it wasn't my mother or you'd be written out of the will." James laughed and took his smart shoes off. Alec was impressed to see he'd snuck his trainers on as well.
"Go ahead and lie to me and say you weren't impressed." Said James, Alec smiled to himself.
"You raided the store again."
"It was text book." Said James throwing his arms out. "Besides, you should know I can pick a lock."
"Should never have taught you that trick." Said Alec ruffling his son's hair.
"Too late to turn back now." said James.
"You still owe me for today."
"No I don't." said James. "As I said, you're the one who bribed her to pass me. Who do you reckon mum would be more annoyed at."
"Who would she make do it again." James went quiet.
"Good clearance from the room though." Alec continued, "Just less of the theatrics."
"What's the point if you can't put on a show? Which reminds me." He ran round in front of his dad.
"Did you catch Mr Hyde?" Alec stopped and looked down at his son's expectant face.
"You've been breaking into my study again." he said frowning.
"Childs play." Said James dismissively while throwing his hand in the same manner. "Come on, did you catch him?"
"If I hadn't then I wouldn't be here." Said Alec walking past James.
"That's it?" said James. "Come on, where are the details?"
"You asked me if I caught him, and I told you, I did." He smirked to himself.
"But how!" asked James running to catch up with him. "Did you use the escrima sticks? Or maybe the mavericks?"
"I think you're a bit too young to know that." Said Alec.
"Or use the white phosphorous capsules?" Alec carried on walking. "That was it, wasn't It." continued James as he caught up with his dad. "White phosphorous? Or all three?"
"I'm not telling you." said Alec. "All you need to know is that I caught him."
"Was it tough?"
"Very." Said Alec. "James."
"Yes, dad."
"Listen…I have to go back to the office tonight." James sighed. "I won't be too long. Just don't get into any trouble ok."
"Yes dad." said James. They turned right down a small opening up toward Potter farm. James looked up from the backseat at the window his head was at.
Potter Farm, the front of the house was a typical farmhouse, it was three rooms across with traditional brickwork with small flowerbeds under the window sill. Dark green ivy crawled sparingly up the wall towards hanging baskets which were in full bloom. James stood and watched his dad apparate away.
James looked over at the garages that where opposite. James then turned back towards the house, he opened the door to the spacious entrance hall. Not as extravagant as his family's friends. But to James, it was homely, the same chest of drawers in the light peach hallway which was always full of light, it was his Mums design. James walked down the hallway and walked straight into the kitchen. It was a huge room with all the kitchen stoves and appliances on the right as you walked in with an island in the middle to the right, with a small eating area to the left. It too was light coloured with the sun streaming on from windows in the roof. It gave the room a permanent summer feel. James pulled out one of the high stools and sat down and looked outside.
His playground.
"You're back." Mrs Potter entered the kitchen, she walked over to James and hugged him from behind. Katherine Potter was still youthful looking, being an Auror for so many years had something to do with it. She had long greying red hair which was straight down to the nape of her back. She had a kind, pretty face with James's brown eyes. She kissed James's temple and walked round to the fridge.
"Did you pass?" she asked looking back sceptically, James smirked and held up his certificate of qualification.
"Ah, good boy." Said Katherine walking over and inspecting the piece of paper. "I think we'll celebrate with a barbeque tonight, so no far away excursions."
"I was going to work on the bike." Said James, "Then me and Sirius where going to river for a dip."
"Ok sweetheart." Said Katherine, "Your father should be back by then, do you want a sandwich?"
"Two rounds of cheese and M." said James getting of his seat. James walked out of the kitchen and turned right to the stairs and walked up. It swept to the left with a small shelve full of pictures of James with a girl. Smiling and laughing. James looked down and ran up the stairs to the landing. He walked down the spacious hallway and turned right into his room.
He opened the door and threw his dress robes on his desk chair. He walked over to his wardrobe which took up the entire right side wall of his room. It had a gap in the middle where his desk which was built into the wardrobe stood which was littered with tools and car magazines. He pulled back a door which revealed a walk in wardrobe, he walked down the corridor past hung up shirts to the dressing room at the end where he hung up his dress robes and walked back out.
He walked over to his king size four poster and looked underneath. He picked out a tool box and placed it on his bed. He opened the box and made sure every tool was still in there. James's room was a typical boy's room. His walls where covered in posters of his favourite Quidditch side, Puddlemere united, and of various sports cars, Ferraris and Lamborghinis personal favourites.
James made out of his room and ran down the stairs and out the front door towards the Garages.
Opposite the main building was the garages, they used to be the barn, but Alec had a lifelong obsession with his motors and had it converted into six garages. James as well had developed a love so Alec gave him his own. Garage four. James walked to the garage and opened the two wooden doors wide open. What greeted him, as always was dust that was magnified by the darkness of the building, and the blinding light outside.
James flicked the lights on. Since he couldn't afford or own a car James's garage was for his bike and racing brooms. But he also kept an assortment or arrows along with a Saracen bow. Recently he'd been working on fixing his bike after he'd flipped it on a ride in the woods. The back frame had snapped and the rear wheel base bent way out of shape. Which meant gears and chain where virtual write offs. James placed the box on the work bench to the left where an assortment of tools lay.
Katherine walked into the garage.
"How's it going sweetheart?" James sighed.
"Until I get those parts." Said James rubbing the back of his hair. "No such luck."
"Your sandwich is here." His Mum said placing it on his work bench. "And your parts came today."
"What? When?" asked James running over.
"Just after you left." James groaned and picked up a sandwich and took a bite.
"Bloody manner school." her muttered.
"Where are they?" Katherine muttered and four boxes swept into the garage. "Awesome. Thanks Mum." Said James.
"Barbeque in two hours and Sirius should be here in one." said Katherine walking away. "I'm going to get everything ready."
"Ok." Said James ripping open a box and inspecting the contents. Katherine leaned on the door pane and looked at her son.
Why did he have to be so much like his father.
Katherine walked away leaving James in his garage. The minutes flew by as James lost himself in his work.
He was now covered in oil stains as he finished applying the chain. James took the last bite of his sandwich and tightened the back wheel of his bike. His focus was disturbed by a rasping knock on his door. He looked up to see Sirius by the door.
"Hey mate, sorry I'm late, Mum's being a colossal bitch."
"You're late?" Said James tightening the wheel.
"Forget I asked." Said Sirius walking in. "Your Mum said foods almost up." James replied with a sound and stood up. He admired his work and then span the wheel, it clicked into position and span.
"Perfect." James picked up a cloth and wiped his hands.
"How did your folks react?"
"To me passing? How did your mum react to you being bribed through?"
"What she doesn't know can't hurt her." winked James as he grabbed his plate and they walked outside. The sky outside was orange and purple, a sure sign autumn was round the corner. They made their way through the house and into the kitchen. James opened the French doors into the garden.
Alec was at the BBQ while Katherine sipped some wine, she was sat on a sun bed looking out at her garden. It was huge a spacious with copious amount of bushes and flowerbeds which where all done by her hand. To the right was the pool that James would still swim every morning with a small pool area where Alec was at the BBQ.
"There you are." Said Katherine closing her book. "We thought James's bike had eaten him."
"At least he's have the Manners for It." smirked Sirius.
"Meat's ready boys." Announced Alec. James picked some salad and potatoes from the table his mum had set up with at least 4 finger rolls. As Sirius left Alec knew exactly what his son was having.
"Four sausages, well done, barbeque pork sandwich, six chicken wings, and…" he pulled a half rack of ribs and placed it on his plate.
"Your favourite." Said Alec, "Since you're going away soon." James grinned as it piled into his plate.
"Your still the best dad." said James sitting at the table. His, Alec, and Sirius's plate was piled sky high. While Katherine's looked considerably less.
"I swear you're going to have a heart attack." Said Katherine, "All three of you." She said pointing her fork at the three of them.
"Leave them alone, there growing lads." Said Alec taking a bite of his burger.
"And your excuse?"
"I own this place, I'll eat what I like." James and Sirius laughed, Katherine smiled and shook her head.
"Still an arrogant Burk." She muttered, "Looking forward to September, Sirius?"
"Cannot wait." Said Sirius. "Be good to finally get away from that house."
"Just imagine all the fun where gonna have." Said James. Katherine looked over at James.
"I don't want any letters home from Minerva about you blowing up toilet seats." She said sternly.
"Actually, that's a good one mum. Why didn't we think of that?"
"Try an entire bathroom, that's a challenge."
"ALEC!" James and Sirius smirked as they continued to tuck in to their feast.
"60 years on and you still gloat about it."
"Hey, it was a fine piece of plumbing."
"You flooded out two floors. They wouldn't stop playing God Save the Queen for a week."
"We better make it two weeks."
"I heard that young man." Katherine said shooting another dark look at James who merely smirked.
"You two had better behave. The amount of pranks you two pull of at those parties is enough to have mothers sending howlers, not one but two. I don't think poor Robbie Fredrick's been the same since the beanbag incident."
"He's still a dick, so I I'll have to try harder." Said James.
"You will do no such thing." Said Katherine.
"Hmm Dad, tell Sirius about Mr Hyde." Said James enthusiastically.
"Yeah, James was telling me about that." Said Sirius.
"Was he now." said Alec looking over at his son.
"Well he was right, I was sent to find Dr Jekyll."
"And you caught him then."
"After a bloody marathon trip that went right across Europe and South America." Said Alec he looked up at Katherine who shook her head.
"But, I caught him and that's all that matters." Said Alec.
"Ah come on dad." said James. "You're the world's greatest detective, you have a reputation." Alec smiled to himself.
"You, and Sirius for that matter are too young to know what I do." Said Alec. "And to have a reputation."
"I think James already has one after what happened to - uff." James kicked Sirius hard from underneath the table.
"What was that Sirius."
"Just saying how juicy the sausages where."
"Yeah, since your partial to one now and again."
"Boys."
"Oh please Kat."
"You encourage them." Alec smiled and shook his head.
"Me? No. I teach them survival skills."
James and Sirius laughed as they continued their meal. This was the sort of meal that James liked, family, laughter, not worrying about stupid rules all the time. But a flicker of his eyes to the empty seat at the table brought him down to earth. He forced a small smile and continued with the conversation.
I just want to live a normal life…its, my, life