Alec turned over in his bed, the last first rays of sun hitting his face. Every time he got back from abroad he slept off the time difference. Katherine left him alone, and the kids did to, she always explained to James that dad needed rest from work. Alec pulled the sheets up and tried to drift back off before he went back to work.
Alec felt a rustling in the sheets. He opened his eyes and looked down to see a small child in his bed cuddling up to him. A small girl with jet black hair. Alec smiled and rubbed it gently. He seemed to be drifting off again.
Alec opened his eyes, the feeling that he'd been sleeping for hours rushed over him, in theory, it was only an hour. He looked down at the child and ran his finger through her hair.
"Harriet, love, we have to get up." Said Alec. She didn't move. She did love her sleep. Alec sat up.
"Harriet."
"We don't need to get up Daddy." She said. "We never have to get up again…" Alec was more alert.
"What?" The girl jumped at Alec with teeth bared and a bloodied face. Alec screamed.
Alec sat in bed up right, his whole body was shaking and covered in sweat. It was a dream. He told himself, just a dream. Harriet wasn't there. Alec brought his knees up and buried his head into them. It seemed so real.
"Alec." Katherine knocked on the door and opened it. "Alec, love, are you ok?" Alec looked up at her with a slightly manic look on his face.
"Alec, what happened?" Katherine walked in and sat on the bed next to him. "Alec what is it, you looked like you've seen a ghost." Alec said nothing as his deep breathing returned to normal.
"Alec?"
"I dreamt about Harriet." He said. Katherine bowed her head. "About, when she, used to sneak into here." He said looking round the bed room. "For hugs after I came home from missions?"
"I remember." Said Katherine quietly. Alec sighed and flopped back down on the bed.
"It seemed so real." Katherine lay down on the bed next to him and placed her hand on his chest. Alec looked over and placed and arm round Katherine.
The Marauders Proudly Present James Potter In: The Marauders Year One
Chapter Nineteen
A Blast from The Past Is A Leg Up to The Future
Written By Chambers10
James was sat in his bed looking at his new map. He had his copy of Hogwart's a history next him, along with a ruler, a protractor and compass with ink and his quill. Since being given the map, he'd outlined the castle, getting the outside walls done to detail. He was now finishing the outline of the dungeons. For this, he needed some help. Hogwart's a history provided very detailed plans of the dungeons. Since they were here before the castle they needed to be drawn up before work on the castle could begin.
James used the ruler the finish doing a drain which led out of the dungeons. He consulted the book to check where it went. It seemed like it went to the black lake. Water was used for water boarding during the 12th century. James nodded and connected to drain to the other side of the dungeons. James used a drying charm on the ink and inspected his work. Using a series of folds he was able to look at all the floors of the castle. What he needed to do now was map the inside.
No mean feat, since the castle had numerous rooms, changing staircases and hundreds secrets. James knew some. His Dad had given him a list of secret passageways and short cuts that he and his friends had learned at Hogwarts. But first he needed to map it out. Maybe something the guys might help him with.
James folded the map away and placed it in his draw, along with the equipment to make it.
As much as he wanted to get it done, it was very boring work. And being by himself didn't really give him to motivation to do anymore. He got up from his bed, this placed really was boring by himself. He wandered down to the common room what was almost always full of life, only to see it empty. Almost in a flash, James walked out of the common room and set off.
"Where do you think you're going?" the fat lady asked. "It's almost curfew."
"I'll be back." Said James, "I just need some air, that room was way to stuffy." The fat lady rolled her eyes as James walked off.
James pick locked his way into a lot of rooms, only to find them to be unused classrooms. After about an hour of moving around from floor to floor, he tried one door.
James opened the door slowly that it creaked. He now found himself in the trophy room. He slipped in and closed it quickly. He turned round and whistled. It was about as big as the great hall and had four glass display cabinets that where the size of the room, one for each for the four houses. Along the side of the room where suits of armour and weapons. James walked up and began to inspect the Gryffindor cabinet. There were faces he recognised, each Quidditch captain had their portrait there…which meant.
James rushed along the cabinet till he saw his dad. James but with deliberate mistakes, a smaller nose, and blue eyes instead of his hazel. He was grinning and holding the house cup with his team mates. He then looked over at the head's section, his dad wasn't there. But his mum was.
She was beautiful; she had long red hair and James's hazel eyes. She was smiling and standing with the head boy. James grinned and ran his finger over the glass. He then got to a section for the Pent-dragon tournament. Neither of his parents where there, but his granddad on his Dads side was. Moderaci Potter. James read the small passage next to the photo. He'd come second, even that was by default since the guy who came second died in the last challenge.
James had to laugh and made his way down to the end of the room towards the school cups. In the middle, in a cabinet all of its own was the Quidditch cup. It was huge in James's eyes. It was tall with big ear handles. And inscribed where the house winners and the year. James made it his mission to have his name on that cup. Next to it was the player of the year award. That had the names of the decades winner and what feats they'd accomplished, weather it was clean sheets, point scored or snitches caught. James was just about to touch the glass when the door behind him burst open. James swore under his breath and hit the deck.
"WHO'S IN HERE!" it was Filtch. He limped across the room with his trademark grunt and wheeze.
"I KNOW YOU'RE IN HERE!" he shouted, "SHOW YOURSELF!" James crawled along the side of the cabinet. Keeping his breath low as Filtch limped down the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw cabinets.
"Oh, how I'll love punishing you." He wheezed, "They'll let me do whatever I like with you." James shook his head at his pathetic insult and crawled along the cabinet. Filtch made his way to the end.
"Bloody kids." He muttered, "Getting out bed the shag and what not." James stuck his finger in his mouth and slowly got up. He placed his handle on the door and looked over at Filtch who was now searching round the back of cabinets at the end. James pulled the handle and it groaned.
"Fuck." Muttered James.
"YOU!" James could hear Filtch limping towards him. "STOP! GET BACK HERE!"
"Sorry, gotta fly." Taunted James. He sprang off into the dark corridor. James ran down the corridor.
"PROFESSOR SLUGHORN!"
Oh crap.
"What is it Filtch?"
"THERE'S A STUDENT OUT OF BED!"
"Where?"
"DOWN THERE!"
Now James heard faster footsteps. He ran faster down the corridor, taking a few twist and turns. But the footsteps kept coming. James needed to hide somewhere. The footsteps came louder. Wasting no time, he threw himself into the nearest room. James placed his ear to the door. He heard Slughorn's footsteps just outside. James held his breath, time seemed to slow down as he heard Slughorn prowl outside.
"PROFESSOR DOWN HERE!" James sighed greatly as Slughorn's footsteps faded away. James sighed again and looked around the classroom he had entered. The bright full moon light shone down on the ground floor window, which had no chairs or tables, or chalk board for that matter. In fact, there was only one piece of furniture in the whole room.
It was a mirror. It was a very old mirror, one that would belong in the mansion. It was as high as the ceiling and stood in a gold ornate frame. James looked at it curiously and walked slowly towards it. Why would there be a mirror in here he asked himself. James got just in-front of the mirror and looked at the top of the mirror. There was an inscription on the top of it.
Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi
James then looked down at the mirror and saw himself. Scrawny, hazel eyes and wild jet black hair. Then…someone seemed to manifest themselves in the mirror. James watched curiously as the person became…whole.
"HOLY!" James put his hand over his mouth and took a step back. He took a deep breath and lowered his hand and looked at the mirror. His heart was pounding in his chest. Like he'd just seen a ghost. Really, he just had, not an intentional one.
There was a girl in the mirror. She was the same height as James and had long black hair with bright blue eyes. She was standing before him smiling. She looked incredible happy to see him and waving while in Gryffindor robes. James's mouth started to babble like a fish, not knowing what to say.
The girl in the mirror however was now laughing at him and then stood still and smiled at him. James's eyes started to well up, it couldn't be. He turned his head around the room, it was just him. No one else, just him. And yet she was there in the mirror smiling at him. That smile he hadn't seen in years.
James turned back. He paused for a moment before letting out a breathless laugh.
"Huh…Harriet?" James said hoarsely. She smiled more and nodded her head. Tears started to fall down his cheek. He took a step forward and placed his hand on the glass. It was as cold as ice. He removed his hand before placing it back on. Harriet placed her own hand by James's, as if she was on the other side of a window.
"I'm sorry." Said James shaking his head. "I'm so sorry." He looked up at his tear stained reflection. Harriet was smiling sadly at him. She was behind him now and placed a hand on his reflection in the mirror.
James looked over to his shoulder where her hand would be. He lifted his hand up and rubbed his shoulder gently.
What was this thing? What would show him his sister? James looked up at the inscription at the top.
Erised. It sounded at lot like…
"Desire." Whispered James. He looked at Harriet who nodded at him.
"Why are you here?" he asked. But she just stood there. Her smile had faded, James then realised that she couldn't talk back to him.
"Wait there." Said James.
James raced round the back of the mirror. But nothing was there, a stupid thought but one he wanted to try out for himself. He then walked back round to the mirror and Harriet was still there looking sadly back at him. She was dead, but how could she be here. Was it his mind playing tricks on him, it was that time of year when he missed her, and his parents. James sat down on the floor and wondered how he could communicate with her. Harriet sat down on the floor to and James just found himself staring at her.
James woke up curled up in his bed. He woke up with a start and looked around. He was back in the tower. James tore the sheets off him and ran down the stairs three at a time he hurdled a sofa and pulled the portrait door open.
"What are you doing?" James turned the portrait back to the fat lady.
"Who brought me back last night?" he asked. The portrait looked confused.
"Brought you back?" she asked, "My dear, no one brought you back." James frowned. Had he dreamt it?
"No, no, I was out last night and I woke up back here." Explained James. The fat lady shook her head. James yanked the door open again.
"Hey, watch it!"
James ignored her and got changed before running out of the tower again.
"Bloody hell." The fat lady watched James run off into the castle.
James ran to the trophy room, he then closed his eyes and tried to remember the way back to the mirror. He went right and walked down the corridor. Then was it a left? Or straight on?
James spent most of the morning trying to find the room. He tried every room on the floor but to no avail. He trudged into the great hall, thankfully there was no one there, he sat down, when an idea hit him.
Maybe the room only presented itself at night. It was always worth a shot, it wasn't like he had anything to lose. James went back to his room, waiting impatiently for nightfall.
When it came about, James made his way out again into the castle and back down to the trophy room. He looked around at the dark corridors, almost waiting for someone to come round. There had to be a way to know where everyone was in this place.
James looked at the clock in the trophy room. It read ten o'clock. So he was after curfew. James went about his searching for the mystic room. The one that let him see his sister again. Why would Dumbledore keep a mirror like that in a school? Maybe it told the future, maybe he was going to see Harriet again, maybe he would find a way to bring back the dead? The more he thought about it. The more it felt like a futile gesture.
James opened the countless doors that he had inspected earlier in the day, but to no avail. Did the mirror even exist, or was it a dream, or his imagination playing tricks on him.
James sighed as he closed the door to another empty classroom, he was just about to head home when he noticed a door that wasn't there before.
It seemed to have some magnetic pull that made him go over there. Could this be it? Could this be the door. He opened it and walked in, and there it was…he closed the door quietly and ran to the front of the mirror.
"Come on mirror, mirror on the wall." Said James impatiently. He saw himself and then saw Harriet again.
She beamed and waved happily at him. James did the same. He held up his finger and then opened his bag. He pulled out some parchment and a quill. Harriett looked on curiously as James began to write on it. He looked up before holding up the parchment.
Hello, how are you?
James waited, his breathing became more rapid as a piece of parchment appeared it her hands. She then showed it to James.
Hello, how are you?
James looked on a little confused. That was what he asked her. James took down the parchment and wrote on it.
Fine, and you?
He showed it back to her. Harriet's then changed to the same.
James's shoulders slumped. Of course , it was a mirror. She couldn't really get back to him. A sound from further down the corridor caught his attention, and the sound of footsteps. James gathered his stuff and swung his bag over his shoulder. He looked again at Harriet. Should he stay? What if he was caught again, who found him the first time? He looked back regretfully at the mirror, and at Harriet.
"I'll be back, I promise." He said. And with that, he exited the room.
James spent the rest of the day waiting for curfew to come. Once darkness fell. He gathered his stuff and ran off towards the room .
James ran down the corridor, he skidded along the floor round a corner and began to run off again. He was able to find the room much quicker than before and opened the door quite forcefully. He walked up to the mirror and sat down. Like the times before he sat down on the floor and Harriet appeared in the mirror again. He sat down on the floor and gazed in the mirror.
"So, back again then James." James's insides turned to ice. He turned round and saw Professor Dumbledore sitting on the desk at the back of the room. James quickly got to his feet. He felt his stomach tighten.
"I see like many before you, you are entranced by the mirror of Erised."
"It's that what it's called?" Dumbledore nodded and slipped of the desk.
"Since you've spent the last three nights here. Maybe you can tell me what it does." James looked at the mirror again. Harriet smiled and nodded encouragement.
"Does it show the dead?" asked James.
"Yes." James turned back to Dumbledore. "And no." James had a confused look on his face.
"James, the mirror shows us nothing less than our deepest and longing desire." Explained Dumbledore.
"You, who have lost your sibling, and there she is." Dumbledore pointed to the mirror. "Standing before you, because you miss her." James looked at the mirror at Harriet.
"Is she real?" asked James.
"Nothing can permanently raise the dead James." Said Dumbledore. "But, the ones we love never truly leave us." James sighed and looked down at the floor.
"There here you see." He pointed to James's heart, "She will always guide you."
"Have you ever looked in." asked James.
"I have." Said Dumbledore smiling.
"What do you see?" asked James. Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled as he looked at the mirror.
"Nothing at all." He answered finally.
"Huh…you must be the happiest guy on earth if don't see anything." Said James.
"I've never thought of it like that." Said Dumbledore. "But, tomorrow, this will be moved to a new home." James looked up sadly.
"And I implore you not to go looking for it again." said Dumbledore, "Men have wasted away before it, thinking it shows them what's possible. But it gives neither knowledge, nor truth. But should you ever run across it again, you will now be prepared for it. Now run along."
James looked back at the mirror at Harriet who smiled and waved. James waved back and made his way out into the cold hallway. He huffed and walked back towards the common room.
Lily looked up at the ceiling of her room. Christmas Eve, it used to be a really fun time of year. But she really couldn't help but wonder what a wizarding Christmas was like compared to the one she was used to.
She went over to the door, pulling on her dressing gown as she crossed the room. She walked downstairs by the Christmas tree that was in the living room. Lavender always decorated it, and Lily would sit on the floor and pass over decorations to her. She would sit in awe at look at the tree for hours on end.
But after everything she had seen in the last three months, it didn't have the same magic it once did. It felt like a little part of her had left, maybe this was growing up. Lily sat on the sofa looking at the tree. For some reason, the gold and brown lights seemed the brightest.
"Hey you." Lily looked up to see Lavender walking down the stairs.
"Hey." Said Lily curling up on the sofa, "Did I wake you?"
"No." said Lavender sitting in the sofa, "I have to do some early shopping." She hugged Lily and kissed her hair.
"You fancy coming?"
"Yeah." Said Lily, lightly.
"Are you Ok?" asked Lavender. "You seem…distracted." Lily looked up.
"I was thinking about the tree." Said Lily, "And how I used to help you."
"I remember." Said Lavender.
"And I used to think it was magic." Said Lily, "And after seeing Magic…I don't know. It doesn't seem to have the same effect." Lavender sighed.
"Come on, let's get changed." Said Lavender.
Lily looked around the shelves filled with food. It just didn't feel the same. How could she be home sick for Hogwarts? The castle always had something going on, if the boys weren't up to something then something funny had gone on, or gossip going round.
She had been in contact with her friends over the holidays, and bought them small Christmas presents. But home was now so boring; she could hardly read a book for more than a minute before feeling bored.
"Can you see any carrots?"
"Here." Said Lily picking them up and handing them to her mother.
"Are you sure you're ok, Lily?" asked Lavender placing it in the trolley. "You've been very quiet over the last few days."
"Why does everything seem so…ordinary." Said Lily.
"But you said you missed things like this." Pointed out Lavender as she consulted the list. "Maybe you just need time to readjust to home life."
"But why do all the things I used to do seem so boring now?" said Lily, handing her mum some parsnips.
"Well, you do go to a school where you learn how to turn tea cups into tea cosy." Said Lavender. "Sitting round the house doing your homework must be boring."
"I was having fun till you took my wand away." Said Lily darkly.
"You had a letter sent to you threatening you with expulsion." Said Lavender comparing potatoes.
"You kept very quiet about not using magic outside of school."
"I…wanted to have some fun." Reasoned Lily, "We all know how much Petunia loves my magic."
"And you were teasing you're sister with gobbledy gloop." Said Lavender, satisfied with her choice.
"Don't you say things like torego?"
"Protego." Suddenly, a white pulse shot flew across the supermarket floor and smacked into a stack of canned tomato soup. The cans fell to the floor, and Lily looked up at her mum who was staring back at her.
"Come on, let's go." Said Lavender quickly pulling her away from the scene as people went to inspect what had happened.
"Mum, I swear I didn't mean to." Said Lily.
"I know Lily." said Lavender, "Don't say any spells though." She added.
Lily looked up from her pizza and Petunia who was eating a salad. Her eyes narrowed at Lily who just smiled and carried on eating.
"So how's school going with you Tuney?" asked Lily. Petunia narrowed her eyes even more.
"None of your business." Said Petunia.
"Petunia." Said Lavender, "Your sister's interested in your life." Petunia looked down into her salad. "So, answer her."
"Fine." The word was drawn out, with a hint of venom at the end.
"Just fine?" said Lily.
"Yes, fre—" she looked up at her mother "Lily."
"We learn proper stuff like maths and English." Said Petunia, "Not things like potions and Herbology."
"I can do those things as well." Said Lily with a slight smirk.
"I doubt it."
"Girls." Said Lavender sternly. Both looked up at her. "No fighting at the table." Both looked down at their plates and began to eat.
"It's Christmas." Said Lavender, "It's just nice to have you both here. Don't ruin it by fighting.
"She started it." said Petunia.
"Did not!" said Lily.
"Girls!" both went silent again. "For the love of god, can you just be civilised. I thought you would be glad to see each other after such a long time apart."
"Oh yeah, who wants to spent time with their Christian reform sister."
"What!"
"Petunia!" said John, "We haven't discussed it with Lily yet."
"Discussed what?" asked Lily.
"Oh, didn't they tell you." Said Petunia, her voice filled with glee. "They've told everyone you've gone to a strict Christian reform school."
"WHERE!"
"Ok girls, that's enough." Said John standing up.
"It's ok." Said Lily getting up from the table.
"I'm not hungry." She walked away from the table and broke into a run. She slammed her door. Only for the kitchen one to follow suit. Both John and Lavender turned on Petunia.
"You weren't supposed to say anything about that." Said John.
"You said not to talk about her going to a freak school." Said Petunia, "Nothing about the reform school."
"After we discussed it with her." said John.
"Well she's been home a week." Said Petunia, eating a bit of salad. "Why haven't you told her?"
"It's a delicate thing to discuss." Said Lavender.
"No, telling everyone she's gone to a school where she's learning magic is a delicate situation." Said Petunia, "This is relatively mild."
"Enough of your cheek." Said Lavender.
"She'll get over it." said Petunia, "I'm sure she has her 'friends' to talk about it with. Oh wait, she doesn't have any of those either."
"Petunia!"
"Oh so what." Said Petunia, "I've heard her saying this place is boring. Clearly she's starting to outgrow us."
"Lily, can I come in."
"NO! The power of Christ compels you to go away!" Shouted Lily back through the door. Lavender opened the door and had to duck as Lily threw a pillow at her.
"Lily? What was that for."
"Christian reform school, are you kidding me?" asked Lily.
"Look, it's all we could—"
"How did you even come up with that?"
"Well…Cokeworth high wanted to know why you couldn't attend this year so…"
"You said a Christian reform school!" said Lily, "What were you thinking?"
"It was the only lie I could think off." Said Lavender.
"No, no!" said Lily, "Saying I've gone abroad is a good lie, saying this though makes me sound like I'm a nutter!"
"Look, its ok we can change It." said Lavender.
"No, there's no point." Said Lily. "I don't what I'm more upset at, that fact that you suggested it, or that people actually believed it."
"Well maybe you should get a crucifix." Said Lavender smirking.
"Should I recite the bible as well." Said Lily with a slight smile.
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you Lily." said Lavender.
"It's fine." Said Lily, "I shouldn't keep anger festered up." Lily fell back on the bed.
"But I'm still annoyed." Said Lily, "People are going to think I'm a nun."
"Your father wouldn't mind that so much." Said Lavender. "But, hey, it's Christmas." Said Lavender. Lily smiled.
"So it is." Said Lily.
"Bloody winter sun." mumbled James. He pulled his sheets over his head. He looked up and saw why the sun was coming in. Dante was on his perch with his head under his wing and holding a letter round his ankle. James propped himself up on his elbow rubbed his eyes with his free hand.
He checked he time and threw himself back down onto the bed. What use was Christmas if he couldn't have a lie in.
"JAMES!"
"No, she wouldn't." said James, he hid further under his sheets as Professor McGonagall came into the dorm.
"I promised your mother I would wake you up today."
"Why?" asked James. "Don't you get enough kicks from torturing students."
"Clearly not enough if I have to this again." said McGonagall. She yanked the sheets from him.
"Go away you witch!" said James burying his head under his pillow.
"Not a chance James." She said, she moved around his bed and picked up a transfiguration essay.
"Well done on finishing this, I'll take that. And get up as well. Breakfast will be served soon." James threw his pillow across the room and sat up in his room and rubbed his shoulders.
"Why are you and my mum friends again?" asked James.
"Good question. You should ask her when you next see her." said McGonagall. James got out of bed. "Oh, and merry Christmas."
"Yeah, merry Christmas." Said James. McGonagall walked out of the room and left James alone. He stretched and walked towards Dante who looked up from his wing.
"Merry Christmas mate." said James. Dante merely rolled his eyes and went underneath his wing.
"And one to you to sir." Said James unlatching the letter from his leg. He threw the letter on his bed and pulled on some jeans, after a spray of deodorant he picked the letter up and opened.
Hi Handsome, Merry Christmas!
Well I hope this gets to you in time for Christmas. Loved the new photos, even if half the ones of you flying have Sirius photo bombing. But as per usual, the whole family is coming out here for Christmas because it as warm as. So that means a BBQ on the beach in bikini's and sun glasses.
Hopefully you could make out here one year, all I have is my cousins stupid friends and there damn wizarding card duels. Quite frankly I'm embarrassed to be seen around them.
But after your last letter I can't complain about what I'm having to go through and I will be thinking of you (Even if I am on the beach!). But I do hope you have a good day, I sent a present for you and I saw Dante has delivered me one! To be on the safe side I've scanned it first, I think someone somewhere is still hearing my scream after that damn spider jumped out of the last present you gave me.
Apart from that, all seems to be well, school still sucks and to be honest the holidays can't come soon enough. On that note I might be round at Easter, I can't make any promises. But if you are around at yours do say because it would be nice to see you again.
I hope you have a good holiday, and speak soon, I've enclosed some photos for you from my school. Speak soon!
Love Leanne.
James placed the letter down and placed the envelope with the photos on his bed for later. He made his way down to the common room, and beneath the tree where his presents. It was a familiar sight in now new surroundings.
The great hall was only kitted out with one table, most of the teachers where round it and laughing while eating breakfast. James made his way over.
"There he is." Said McGonagall. "I thought you'd never get up."
"Why did you wake me, isn't there some sort of law against it?"
"Not in this school." Said Professor Heath, the defence against the dark arts professor. "Here, take a seat Potter." James took a seat and took some toast from the stand.
"Are you the only one in Gryffindor here?"
"Fraid so." Said James. "Parents are in Asia on a mission, so I have to amuse myself."
"I'm sure you will." Said Slughorn from further down the table with a group of Slytherin's. "By the way, did your dad ever find out who pranked my party?"
"Uhm…he said something about a dead end." Said James, trying to keep a straight face.
"Well, I'll find them." said Slughorn. "What are your thoughts on it?"
"Mine?" James looked at professor McGonagall who looked at him sternly. "Disgruntled Slytherin I'd say." Said James.
"Hmmm, and what makes you say that?" he asked.
"Simple really," said James, "Slytherin's always strive to be invited to your little club, imagine if one wasn't invited who thought he should of, he would use the green slime to represent his choice of house. Plus, only your owl and newt students from Slytherin are allowed into your private rooms to study or to make potions. That gives an ample amount of time to rig any pre made bombs into your study ready to be detonated."
Everyone at the table looked at James with questioning gazes.
"You seem to have given this a lot of thought, Potter." Said Heath, "Maybe you did it."
"Please." Said James, "If it was me, it would be maroon and gold."
"Plus the fact my dad's an Auror and taught me all this analysis stuff. So, I think I'm good."
"You certainly know you're stuff." Said Heath, "You're so like your dad it scares me."
"Tell me about it." said McGonagall, looking at James, who smirked into his toast.
"Granddad!"
"Hey squirt." Said Martin as he walked through the door. He gave Lily a big hug. "It's so good to see you; the nights have been boring without you coming round."
"I wish I could." Said Lily, "Come on, I've got loads of things to show and tell you about! Mum, get my wand so I can do some tricks!"
"You're not allowed." Chimed Lavender.
"But it's granddad." Pleaded Lily, "I promised him I would, didn't I!"
"She did." Said Martin, "But if your mother says you're not allowed."
"Why don't you show him some of your books." Said Lavender. "And you can tell him about those Parties you went to."
"You have parties at this place?"
"Why don't you take Granddad into the living room," said Lavender, "Then we can get dinner ready." Lily took Martin into the living room, while he sat down on the sofa Lily sat cross legged on the floor.
"So tell me about this school." Said Martin, "Those letters you've sent me don't really do this place justice. Plus you're mum said that you have a crush on some boy."
"WHAT! No, no I don't have a crush!" said Lily, "Mum, I don't have a crush!" Lavender suddenly appeared in the living room.
"I told you that in confidence!" she hissed.
"You never said it was."
"It goes without saying!" said Lavender.
"Mum, I don't have a crush!" reiterated Lily.
"Ok, Lily, fine." Said Lavender, "And you." She said pointing at Martin. "Me and you are going to have a little chat."
"I'm your father, you can't give me a little chat." Said Martin.
"Lav! The potatoes!" Lavender left the living room quickly.
"I don't have a crush." Said Lily looking at her granddad. He just smiled at her and lifted an eyebrow.
"I don't!" said Lily.
"Ok, you don't but stop trying to convince everyone or they'll think you've got something to hide." Said Martin.
"But I don't." said Lily. "Everyone just thinks I do."
"Is he in your house?"
"I don't fancy him!"
"But there is someone?"
"What?"
"I didn't imply you fancy someone." Said Martin, "I merely asked whether there was someone in your house that you liked. And you said you didn't fancy 'him'."
"Damn." Said Lily looking away.
"So there is someone."
"No." said Lily stiffly.
"What did I tell you?" Lily didn't say a word.
"I'd hazard a guess and say it isn't that Snape boy."
"What? Sev! Eww, no!" said Lily.
"So he's the opposite of him then?"
"How did you?"
"I used to be a detective, squirt, I can get you to confess to anything." Said Martin. "So, he's adventurous. But I'd say more to the point, he's smarter than you." Lily frowned.
"Now, in your letters you say you are only second best in your classes, only surpassed by one other person." Lily went wide eyed. "And you told me who that was."
"No!"
"You like that Potter." Lily shook her head in disbelief.
"No, not Potter, he's ok, but he's reckless and, and…"
"Adventurous?"
"That's one way to describe him." muttered Lily. Not really knowing how you could describe James Potter to someone who'd never met him.
"So he obviously has grabbed you're attention." Said Martin.
"No, we've…"
"What have you done?"
"…Nothing." Said Lily standing up. "I get on with him, as does everyone else."
"Except from that Snape." Said Martin. Lily looked on amazed.
"How did you?"
"You always look for the best in people." Said Martin, "Which means that Snape boy doesn't like him, and you're trying to see why." Lily frowned more.
"…you think you everything about me."
"I diapered your bottom, I bloody well ort to."
"Dinner everyone!" shouted Lavender from the kitchen.
"Come on Squirt, I'll keep your secret." He said ushering Lily into the kitchen.
James was in the common room, he was sitting on the floor with his back against the sofa. He was staring at the Christmas tree with all his presents underneath it. The sky was as black as his hair and the only light coming from the fire in the common room.
He'd put it off for too long. He'd been doing everything to avoid coming here, but curfew was now in place, and the mirror of Erised was no longer in the room it had been. So he had to come back here. James picked up a present from under the tree and returned to the sofa. He read the tag.
Dear James,
Have a merry Christmas.
Love Uncle Archie.
James unwrapped it to reveal a twenty four pack of butter beer. James laughed and opened it and took one out.
"Cheers Uncle." He said uncorking it with his finger.
"You've already started." James looked up to see professor McGonagall walk into the common room with a package under her arm.
"I couldn't put it off anymore." Said James. "I'm not in trouble again am I?"
"No." said McGonagall sitting next him and helping herself to a butterbeer. "No one should really spend unwrapping presents on Christmas alone."
"I'm used to it by now." said James.
"I don't think you should be." Said McGonagall, she handed James the package.
"I don't usually do this for students, but since we go way back." She handed him the package.
Dear Potter
Merry Christmas
Professor McGonagall.
James opened it carefully, it was a photo. It was him with a girl; she looked like Katherine, except she had jet black hair and bright blue eyes. James gripped the photo. He looked up at McGonagall.
"I found it when I was clearing out some old things." Said McGonagall. "I noticed you haven't got a photo of her about so I thought you might like one."
"I love it." said James. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She said, "Now shall we open some more." James smiled and got some more.
James picked up one he didn't recognise. The handwriting was very loopy, it also was perfectly straight across the parchment. James looked at the tag.
I know I really shouldn't, since we don't really know each other, but I couldn't bear the thought of you being alone for Christmas. Hopefully this will brighten up your day.
Lots of love
Lily Evans.
James opened the small package with a curious look on his face.
"Who's that from?" asked McGonagall.
"Evans." Said James, "I didn't get her anything."
"Let's have a look at that tag then." James handed her the tag as he finished unwrapping a box of every flavour beans. James beamed. He opened them and helped himself to one.
"How very thoughtful." Said McGonagall, "You should really thank her when you see her next." She looked over at James who was contently eating a bean.
"What flavour?"
"…Strawberry." Said James, "My favourite."
He looked at the box. "Can I have the tag?" he asked. McGonagall handed him the tag. James slipped it into his pocket. McGonagall smiled wryly.
"I think that's it Potter." She said standing up. "Why don't you get those back to the dorm. James nodded and stood up to."
"Thanks." He said, "For coming."
"My Pleasure." Said McGonagall. "Now goodnight."
"Yeah." Said James, "Goodnight, Professor."
James made his way back to his room with all his gifts and placed them on his bed. He then picked up the box of every flavour beans from Evans. James pulled the tag from his pocket and placed it in his bottom draw of his bed side table. He dispatched another bean from the box to his mouth and sat on his bed.
A tapping on his bedroom window then caught his attention. Dante was pecking on the window, James opened the window and the bird soared in and perched himself on his stand. James noticed that he had a particular large package with him.
"Hey mate, what have you got for me?" he said taking the package and giving Dante a treat. James looked at the tag and saw it was an envelope addressed to him. James took it off and opened the letter.
James.
Merry Christmas from me and your mother son, we hope you've had a good day. I know you've already opened your presents from me and your mother, but this is a special one that your mother doesn't know about.
It's a family heirloom that has been passed down the generations. And after visiting you recently, I can see now that this is the time to pass it on as you can make more use of it than I can.
Hope you've had a good day, and we'll write to let you know when where done with this mission.
Merry Christmas.
Love Dad.
James looked at the package. A family heirloom that he could get better use of than his dad. Intrigued. James made his way over towards the package and unwrapped it. It was a cloak.
James ran his finger through it. He marvelled at its softness, like it was water running through his fingers. James flung it over himself. It felt soft and walked to the mirror and looked into the mirror.
"What the!" His torso was invisible, he was just a floating head. James looked back at the mirror and then back at his own body which was invisible. He'd been given an invisibility cloak. His dad had given him an invisibility cloak, why the hell would he want to give it away?
"Wow Dad." said James. He pulled the cloak fully over himself and looked at the mirror again. Through some strange pattern he was completely invisible. The amount of things that he could do with this was endless, he couldn't wait to show the guys what he'd got.
"This, is going to change everything." Said James as he took it of himself.