James was writing lines in Professor McGonagall's office. Apparently, sabotaging the potion cauldrons to vomit people's potions wasn't Slughorn's idea of a laugh. James wondered how long he had until they decided to beat his sense of humour out of him.
"You know James." James stopped writing his lines and turned to see Professor McGonagall walking towards him. "Why can't you use your uncanny ability for the greater good?"
"Meaning?"
"Since you can bewitch cauldrons to throw up, haven't you thought of doing extracurricular activities?"
"I'm still good enough to join the Quidditch team." Said James darkly turning round to continue his lines.
"I was thinking more along the lines off the transfiguration club." James laughed and shook his head. "Something amusing Potter?"
"What would my dad say?"
"He'd tell me where to go." James turned round and winked before going back to his lines. McGonagall sighed and looked up.
"It doesn't help anyone, you lashing out like that." Said McGonagall.
"It helped me in the past."
"You're not a child anymore, James." Said McGonagall. "Doing pranks when you are young without magic is fine. But now you're of age, you need to stop this." James said nothing.
"Why do you do it?"
"To keep myself busy." Said James.
"Is that the only reason?"
"What are you doing here?" asked James turning round. "Are you supervising me or are you trying to gage a psych profile?"
"Supervising." Said McGonagall.
"Because as you've reminded me. I already have a psych profile." Said James, "And to be fair I don't mind doing lines, it gives me fresh air."
"James, enough of your cheek." Said McGonagall. "So you really don't care about what you are doing."
"If I did I wouldn't be here writing lines now would I." said James.
"Talking to you really is useless." She said. James didn't respond and went back to writing his lines. "I see you don't talk to Lily that much anymore either." She added.
James stopped for a second before going back to the task in hand. Clearly trying to avoid the question.
"And she seems upset as well."
"Can't imagine why." Said James.
"Have you said something to her?" asked McGonagall. James stopped writing.
"Why does everyone assume I've said something?"
"Don't you always."
"They say that to." Said James darkly going back to the board. "No, I came back from Quidditch one day and she said we couldn't be friends anymore?"
"What…no reason at all?"
"Not one she was willing to give." Said James stopping again. He did know why, but he didn't want to elaborate for her, he then went back to the board. As he finished the board cleared itself, ready for him to go again.
"Well-"
"Not that I don't appreciate the sympathetic ear." Said James, "But it's just that, pathetic."
"Aren't you at all curious?"
"You know me Minnie." Said James. "I like playing detective."
"That's your father speaking." Said McGonagall. "Don't do anything stupid." Said McGonagall. "Now, you're free to go." James placed the chalk on the desk and picked his bag up. He started to walk out of the room.
The Marauders Proudly Present James Potter In: The Marauders Year One
Chapter Twenty Eight
Caught
Written By Chambers10
"Remus and Pete are in the library." Said Sirius.
"Right, ok." Said James as he walked in and threw his bag onto the bed. He ran his hands through his hair and then looked up at the canopy of his bed.
"Got over Evans yet?"
"There was nothing to get over." Said James.
"Ok, how was detention."
"Would have been better if you have been there."
"I'm not dumb enough to get caught." Said Sirius. "You were."
"Yeah, yeah." Said James. He huffed and looked over at the clock. "Want to spike the laundry again?" he asked. Sirius thought for a moment before getting up.
"Lead the way."
James grabbed the cloak and they got underneath it. They made their way out and of the dorm and through the common room with ease and went off towards the laundry room.
"I think we can take this off." Said James.
"Why?"
"We need to get Remus and Pete." Said James.
"And besides, no one knows it's us." Added Sirius
"Ok, next stop laundry." Said James.
Lily looked over at Sev who was deeply engrossed in his homework. Lily was just reading, not really getting attention, at least Potter talked to her. He was quite smart, he also didn't mind her being astounded by all the information she took in.
Just as she finished thinking about it he walked in with Black. She looked away quickly so Sev didn't see.
Lily looked at her completed pile of homework. It was too easy now. She wanted something more challenging. She started to pack her things away. Sev looked up at her.
"Packing away already?" he asked.
"Yeah." She said, "I'm done already."
"That was quick."
"I'm a quick learner." Said Lily. She missed Potter. She hadn't spoken to him for a few weeks, she'd promised Sev she wouldn't, and seeing him just now she just wanted to get away.
"I'm going back to the common room." she announced. "It's getting late."
"But I'm not done." Said Sev, not looking up. Lily let out a frustrated grunt.
"Do you want me to hold your hand while you do it then?" asked Lily.
"No." said Sev looking up. "I just enjoy your company." Then why doesn't he speak to me Lily asked herself. She looked around at all the other people studying.
"No, I'm going." Said Lily getting up.
"Ok, then wait there." He said packing his things away. Lily waited and they went to walk out.
"No one knows where here." Lily could hear Potters voice as they got the door. She looked through the doors and saw him, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew walking away.
"What are they up to?" wondered Sev.
"And besides, they won't know it's us." Said Sirius. Lily knew something was up there and then.
"Ok, next stop laundry." Said James. Lily looked over at Sev who looked like he had won the lottery. Lily's brow furrowed in confusion.
"What?"
"Lily!" he said excited, "We could catch them in the act!"
"You don't know what there up to." She said uneasily.
"Did you just here what I just did?" said Sev. "There planning something with the laundry. Maybe…I told you they were the ones who did it the first time!" Lily rolled her eyes.
"The proof's in front of you." Said Sev, "Come on, were going to stop them."
"What? Sev, no." said Lily.
"Come on." Said Sev. "I can't wait to see Potter's face when he gets caught." He walked out of the room, when he noticed Lily hadn't, he turned back and looked at her quizzically.
"Aren't you coming?" he asked. Lily didn't really want to. She didn't want to be remembered as the one Gryffindor who went out of her way to catch Potter with a Slytherin.
"Unless you're hiding something?" Sev asked lightly. Lily shook her head almost imeadietly. She didn't want to be in his bad books again.
"Ok Sev." She said trotting after him, really regretting what she was about to get herself into.
"So…what's the plan?" asked Lily. Sev stopped. He clearly hadn't planned that far yet. Lily pinched her nose.
"Sev, please, just leave It." she implored.
"I'm not going back to that hospital wing with a damn rash again." said Sev, "We should get McGonagall." He said, "She'll set him straight." Sev started to walk off again with determined strides.
"I thought you were going to stop them?" asked Lily, putting emphasis in the you.
"Well…I can't do it by myself." Sev said. Lily shook her head, but followed him anyway. They went through the maze of corridors till they got to the familiar floor where Professor McGonagall office was.
Sev knocked on the door, after a while she opened it and looked down at the two of them.
"Can I help you?"
"Professor." Said Sev, his voice now filled with a glee Lily hadn't heard in ages. Did he really hate Potter that much?
"Potter's up to something."
James popped the capsules. He then sprinkled them into the huge vat; it let of a very low hiss before settling down.
"How we looking down there?" asked James. From the bottom, Sirius and Lupin looked up.
"Dye's been thread through." Said Sirius, "As soon as the itching starts, those idiot's robes are all going to go pink."
James leaned over the side of the steel walkways. "How did you manage that?"
"I did." Said Remus. "I used the basis of those time release pouches you used for Slughorn's party. At eight thirty, they'll all go pinker the Pete does."
"Hey!"
"Pete, shut up before someone hears you." Said James. He walked over towards the steps and got down onto the floor below.
"I can't believe you guys pulled this off the first time." said Pete in awe as they finished the final preparations. "I thought it was someone older."
"Nah, thanks to this." James held up his cloak and looked at it admirably. "We can do whatever we want, whenever we want to."
"Of course, for the good of the school." Said Sirius pointing at Remus who just rolled his eyes and did the water valve back up.
"Yeah, like that's ever gonna happen." Said Remus. "Come on, we've been here to long anyway." The foursome made their way to the door James opened it and the rest went through.
"So, what do you reckon we should do next then?" said James as he closed up. They weren't talking, strange.
"Why are you guys so …quiet." As he turned his stomach dropped, he saw Professor McGonagall standing hands on hips with a joyous Snape at her side looking like Christmas had come early.
"So boys." Said McGonagall. "Having late night jaunt where we?" James noticed someone else behind McGonagall, she looked round and then hid again. James looked scathingly at Evans.
"He, is so getting it." said James.
"Without a doubt." Said Sirius with an equal amount of venom in his voice. They were sitting outside Dumbledore's office, Obviously McGonagall had thought this worthy of his attention.
"What are we thinking?"
"Mass, public beat down." Said James through gritted teeth. "How the hell did he catch whiff of it anyway?"
"No idea." Said Sirius. "But we'll beat that out of him to."
"Where gonna talk to Evans first though." Said James, "Find out what roles she played in all this."
"Why would she sell us out like that?" asked Sirius.
"As I said. We'll find out." Said James. "See, now is the time to play detective." With that the door opened. Remus and Pete where frogmarched out with Remus's dad and Pete's mum in tow. Looking at Pete's mum , it wasn't hard to guess why he was such a recluse, or his weight issue.
She was quite large in size, she wore very floral clothes, which didn't suit her figure, and she looked a lot like Pete, rat looking with two very big front teeth. Her pales blue eyes narrowed as she looked down at James and Sirius. While Remus's dad, who looked like an older Remus just walked past with his son.
"I don't know what they've done." She said furiously. "Corrupting my boy into some sort of hooligan!" she turned to James and stopped dead.
"Well that bloody explains it." she said, "You're Alec Potter's kid aren't you?" she said pointing at James.
"Guilty." He deadpanned.
"And you must be that blasted Black kid, the one that didn't go to Slytherin."
"How could you have guessed." Said Sirius.
"So it's you two who have corrupted my boy!" she said shrilly. "He was a law abiding student till he fell in with you!" James rolled his eyes and looked away.
"Arrogant prat!" she said walking past. James now looked up to see McGonagall standing at the door. With her finger she beckoned both of them into the office. James wasn't afraid, neither of his parents where there, so he had nothing to worry about.
Sirius on the other hand was a different story. His Dad was there, Orion Black. He was tall and broad with shoulder length black hair and hardened features. He always put the fear of god in Sirius when he caught him doing something. Sirius gulped, and like James had anticipated, neither of his parents where there. Must be going dark, that's the only reason they wouldn't let them out.
James sat down in an unoccupied chair while Sirius sat timidly next to his dad. James looked uninterested out of the window. Professor Dumbledore looked at the two of them sternly with McGonagall behind him.
"Ah, Minerva." Orion said. "I knew this would happen, this never happened with Horace, that's why Slytherin was always the better house." He then turned to James.
"And you." He said, "Alec's boy. I thought the son of an Auror would be a little better behaved. Where is he anyway?"
"Mr Potter is indisposed at this time." said McGonagall. "Rest assured, he will be notified of his son's actions."
"Very well." Said Mr Black looking down at Sirius. "So, what is it exactly they've been doing."
"They were caught placing itching powder in the laundry vats." Said Professor McGonagall, "It isn't the first time that they've done this."
"How many times have they done this?"
"This would be the second." Said McGonagall. "We caught them with the help of two other students." James looked away from the adults and looked outside. He didn't really want to be here, he wasn't going to be lectured.
"I understand perfectly." Said Mr Black looking down at Sirius, "And what are there punishments going to be exactly?"
"We'll think of something." said Professor McGonagall. "But in the mean time you are free to go. We'd like a word with Mr Potter in private."
"See you in the common room." said James as Sirius was escorted out. It soon transpired that he was left on his own with Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"So, only me left?" he said looking away.
"Well James." Dumbledore eyeing him curiously. "I must say, you really are your father's son."
"Heard that before." Said James. "Let me guess, did he do something like this as well?"
"In his third year." Said Dumbledore. "Except he never caught until his twelfth time." James rolled his eyes.
"Well, wont he be disappointed." Said James.
"Enough of your cheek, James! This is the headmaster."
"No, Minerva." He said, "Do you mind leaving us alone for a moment."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Dumbledore smiled that all knowing smile.
"He's only a boy." Said Dumbledore, "Granted, it's Alec's boy, but still." McGonagall's gaze shifted between the two of them. She nodded before sweeping out of the room.
"Oh and Potter." She said turning back. "Don't think that you'll get off Scott free. I'll let you know what your punishment is." She swept out of the room, leaving the two of them in the room alone.
"Well." James held his arms up. "Here I am." Dumbledore smiled and leaned forward against his desk.
"I must say, I was expecting to see you in here far sooner." He said with a slight chuckle. "I've heard you have a reputation as a trouble maker."
"Let me guess, was my dad in here a lot as well."
"Dorea, your grandmother was in here every other week with your dad." explained Dumbledore.
"Well at least she was around." Said James darkly. Dumbledore sighed.
"I know that you've found this time tough James." He said lightly. "Having your parents away for most of the year." James looked away.
"I know what your father is up to as well." He said, "We speak quite regularly." James now looked back at the old man. It was news to him.
"About what?"
"This and that. Things he feels he can't share with the ministry." He said. "Though in our recent conversations, the main topic, has been you."
"Me?" Dumbledore nodded. "Why me?"
"He's worried about you." Said Dumbledore, "He's asked me to keep an eye on you."
"What a sterling job you've done of that." Said James. "I've seen you less than him." Dumbledore raised his eyebrow.
"What? You were expecting a second father speech?" asked James.
"No, no I wasn't." said Dumbledore now smiling. "It was just a friendly reminder that I have my eye on you." James shuffled in his chair. "It isn't a threat." Sensing James's impending question. "Again, a reminder to stay out of trouble." He stood up and motioned for James to do the same.
"Now, professor McGonagall will decide on you punishment." He said. "She will escort you back to your common room." James walked out with McGonagall in tow. Wondering what exactly did they talk about when it came to him?
"No Lily. Please say you didn't."
"I didn't know what else to do!" she said into her pillow. "Sev begged me to go along. He would of disowned me if I said no."
"Wouldn't of been a bad thing." Said Marlene darkly. Dorcas nodded and turned her attention back to Lily.
"Well I'd double check every corner for a while if I were you." Said Sarah. "James isn't exactly known for getting caught, and those who do usually regret it in the long run." Lily looked up, fear now in her green eyes.
"He wouldn't hurt me would he?"
"No." said Dorcas, "But he'll probably tell you about House loyalty."
"What's that?"
"It's the idea that everyone in the house looks out for one another." Said Sarah. "That…if you are caught in the wrong, your house will never give you up. But if you do, then they won't protect you."
"So…what should I do?"
"Apologise to him." said Marlene. "What's the worst that can happen with that." Lily looked to Dorcas who shrugged.
"It's not the worst thing I ever heard." Said Dorcas. "I'd give it a try." Lily nodded.
"I doubt Sirius would want to speak to you." Said Sarah. "But the rest of them might."
A few minutes later, Lily was waiting in the common room. She was in her dressing gown with her radio going on the background. The others had ignored her apologies when they had come back. But person she wanted to speak to was Potter.
He had to know why she did what she did. Not that she really wanted to go and get them caught, not that she wanted to go with Sev. It was a while before the door opened, he came through and looked around. When his eyes fell on her, they hardened.
"Potter." She said standing up.
"Save it." he said going to walk past her.
"No, Potter, please, let me explain." He went to walk past, but she placed her hand up to stop him. He stopped as soon as her hand touched him. He looked down at her. "Just give me a minute." She said, "That's all I ask for." It seemed to take forever, Potter looked at her, and then her hand.
"Ok, let me ask the questions. Why?"
"I really didn't want to." Said Lily.
"Then why?" asked Potter.
"…Sev made me." She said quietly. Potter shook his head again and laughed lightly.
"He made you." He said, "What, like he made you stop talking to me?" Lily went wide eyed.
"How did you-?"
"I make it my business to know." Said Potter. Lily shook her head in disbelief.
"Wow, right…"
"Are you really wrapped around his finger that much?" he asked.
"I am not." Said Lily, "You don't understand, I didn't have a choice!"
"A choice!" he laughed. It unnerved her, it wasn't the carefree one she was used to, but almost manic.
"Evans, you always have a choice. It's not about what he wants, it's about what you want. He doesn't control your life, why should he?" Lily stood there aghast. Where was all this coming from.
"He doesn't." said Lily.
"Right, so tell me, why can't we be friends anymore?" Lily went to talk, but nothing came out. She then looked down at the floor. James shook his head, time to change to subject.
"You still haven't told me why you ratted on us." Said Potter. Lily shrugged.
"I have." She said, "Sev was eager to catch you. I was just brought along for the ride."
"Haven't you ever heard of house loyalty?" said Potter. Lily shook her head.
"I'll let in on it." he said, "It's when you don't sell out people of your own house."
"You may not of been in something like this before Evans, but here, we are your family. We look out for you and protect you. In return, you do the same for us, it's not pick and choose, because one day we'll remember."
"Is this blackmail?"
"No, it's the truth." Said Potter, "Word will get out about this, and they might forgive you for being muggleborn, but remember this, slip up again, and people might not be so forgiving."
Potter took a step back and ran a hand through his hair. He then looked at the fire and back at her.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you." He said. "But…it was something you needed to hear." Lily looked down.
"Have I let you down?" she said.
"No, no." he said moving towards her.
"You haven't let me down." He said. "This is my weird way of looking out for you." He continued.
"Thanks…and, I'm sorry about what happened."
"It's fine."
"You don't have to do anything too bad, have you?" Had she touched another nerve?
"I don't know that yet. But rest assured." He walked past her, "You'll be the first to know." She smiled to herself as he walked up towards his dorm.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight Evans." He said. Lily made her way back to her dorm. She opened the door to see Dorcas and Sarah waiting for her.
"So, how'd it go?" asked Dorcas.
"Well he told me about house loyalty."
"Knew it." said Sarah nodding knowingly with Dorcas.
"Don't tell me he actually forgave you." Said Isabel, she came over as well.
"Not really." said Lily. "I think he's still annoyed at me."
"You did go with Snape to catch him."
"Thanks Izzie, but this is ground we've already covered." Said Dorcas flicking some hair away from her eyes. "Well I'd still give him some space." Lily nodded as she got into her pyjamas.
"You may have talked yourself out of one of their pranks." Said Sarah. "Lord knows though what they have planned for Snape." Lily didn't think about that.
"Maybe I should ask him to lay off him." said Lily looking at the door. Sarah shook her head. "Why?"
"If you tell him that, there going to hit him twice as much." Lily gave her a questioning look.
"Trust us Lily, all you can do is wait." Lily nodded crawled into bed as the rest of the girls got back into their own. Lily fell back and gathered her duvet up. Had she made up with him? To be honest he was so complex she would properly never know.
"She was waiting for you." James kicked his shoes off and threw his robe on the floor of the dorm. Only Sirius was awake.
"I know." James said pulling his shirt over his head, joining his robes on the floor.
"Did you give her what for?"
"Yes." he said toeing his socks off and throwing his trousers on the floor. "And no."
"No?" Sirius shot up and looked at him like he was mad. "Why no as well?"
"I told her never to do it again." said James, "Implying consequences for good measure."
"Ok, so why not?" James sighed and thought for a moment.
"She just looked so helpless." He said, "It's almost like she needs a guiding hand sometimes to point out the trapdoors in this world. Not to mention the castle as a whole." He could tell Sirius wouldn't understand, sometimes he just didn't have that compassion in him. It's what living with his parents had done to him.
"You like her way to much."
"Do not." Said James getting into bed. "I'm still putting a spider in her fruit salad tomorrow." They both went quiet for a while, just listening to the sound of the castle and the outdoors.
"What did Dumbledore want?"
"Wanted to know how I was settling in." said James. "What did your dad want?"
"A new son or a transfer to Slytherin." Said Sirius. "One of the two." James and Sirius laughed.
"Guess it's a long shot to try and pull a prank now."
"Don't need to." They both turned to Remus's bed.
"Why's that?"
"They never checked the valve." Said Remus tiredly. "Those uniforms are still turning pink tomorrow."
Word quickly spread the next day about the laundry incident. James was just thankful that Remus was right. The plan was for the Slytherin's to all gather in the hall and to taunt them about their failed prank at half eight, the time the powder was supposed to activate.
"Why are you going down?" asked Dorcas as they entered the great hall. "What possible reason could you have?" James turned round and stopped her.
"Ok, one, it proves that I'm not afraid of those dickheads. And two…" he just winked. "You'll just have to wait and find out. He turned back round and sat down next to Sirius. Dorcas on the other hand sat down farther down the table and next to Evans and Sarah.
"What did you tell them?"
"Nothing." Said James, as innocently as he could.
"Hey Potter, heard about the laundry thing. Unlucky, it was funny first time round."
"Yeah, brought out a laugh, didn't it girls." there was universal agreement in close proximity. James looked over at the Slytherin table which looked fuller than normal.
"Did you hear about what they have planned for you?" asked Wood.
"Something about rubbing my face in it?" said James, "It doesn't matter." Wood looked puzzled.
"And why is that?"
"If there is one thing you should know about us." Said James, "It's that we always have a backup plan." At that moment, the hall burst in applause and jeers. All the anger being directed at him, he didn't look up, he just carried on eating, until the entire hall burst into laughter as the Slytherin robes turned florescent pink.
James looked at the rest of his friends and smirked. There was a mass exodus from the hall with teachers finally going down to help.
"You didn't mention that!" hissed McGonagall as she walked past.
"It must have slipped my mind!" James shouted back after her. He was soon being hailed with pats on the back from all years.
"Knew you had something planned!"
"That was better than watching them all itch!" James looked up at the other three and they all began to snigger. James looked over at Dorcas who just shook her head while laughing. James then looked back at Wood.
"Told you I had something planned." Said James.
James walked into the dark arts class room, funnily enough the Slytherin's weren't anywhere to be seen. James sat down and waited next to Sirius.
"So what are we going to do about Snape?" he asked. James leaned back in his chair.
"I did say mass public beat down." said James. He looked on thoughtfully. "I think maybe making an example of him."
"Corner him." said Sirius. "Use the cloak?"
"No." said James. "I want to make sure he knows it's me. I've been waiting for a while to get another shot at him.
"Is that really wise James?" asked Peter from behind them. "I mean…what if he tells them it's you?"
"That's the point." Said James. "But he won't." James cracked his fingers. The Slytherin's walked in, each of them casting a dark look at James as they walked past him. All the Gryffindor's smirked.
"Something happen?" asked James. Gibbs walked in. He saw Potter and stormed over, he grabbed the table and leaned forward.
"You think you're so great Potter." He spat. "But that stunt you pulled was stupid and pathetic."
"Humph, you idiots still fell for It." said James, causing Sirius and Pete to laugh. Gibbs grabbed James from his seat and picked him up. Everyone in the room turned to them.
"Put him down!" said Sirius drawing his wand.
"Nice to see your boyfriend standing up for you like that." Said Gibbs.
"Sirius." James nodded at him and he holstered his wand. James smirked.
"If you want a duel Gibbs, all you have to do is ask." Said James. He then abruptly knocked Gibbs's hands away, causing him to stagger back.
"But grab me like that again and I'll break your jaw." He said sitting back down. He put his feet up on the table and crossed them.
"Lunch time. By the willow." Said Gibbs. "Prepare to show a little bit of humility."
"Potter, feet off the desk." Said Professor Heath as he walked in. "And Mister Gibbs. If you'll please take your seat." Gibbs cast James one last distasteful look before sitting down.
"Ok class, if you'll turn to page two hundred and six, we'll carry on with our work on the osmosis charm, which is the ability to diffuse objects through walls and other solid objects."
James opened his text book and started to take notes. He was disturbed by Sirius elbowing him. He turned to face him and was slipped a note. He looked around to see where it came from. He flipped it open.
Are you mad? Why are you going to duel Gibbs, aren't you in enough trouble already? L.E
"L.E?" James looked over to Lily who then gingerly looked back, she saw him make eye contact and then looked away from him. James looked down at the note.
Nobody will find out Evans.
He went to pass it back, only to see the writing sink into the parchment. He then looked over at Evans who was now reading the note. She scribbled something down and then looked forward. James saw the note burn a new sentence.
You are mad? You could lose points for this!
James laughed to himself.
Those points are worthless and you know it. Besides, it's just a little fun.
It's not fun Potter, you could get excluded for fighting.
I never knew you cared.
I don't.
?
I just think it's a bad idea for you to be fighting him.
You don't think I'll win.
Oh I know you will.
Thanks
He looked up and saw Evans roll her eyes and wrote onto the parchment.
Not my point Potter, don't you think you'll get caught.
He challenged me Evans, here, if someone does that, you have to rise to the occasion.
You're an idiot.
Not coming to watch then?
I'm trying to talk you out of it!
Good luck with that.
You really are impossible.
Then why talk to me?
Because you're supposed to be smart, even you should know that this is stupid.
Evans.
Yeah.
Bye.
James crumpled up the paper and threw it so it landed right in front of her. She turned back and glared at him. James stuck his tongue out, she returned it.
"Miss Evans?"
"Yes Professor." Said Lily turning round.
"Could you tell me at what other charms could be used to teleport objects?"
"Uhm…the levitating charm?"
"Well done Miss Evans."
James smirked and leaned back in his chair.
In the grounds there was a huge gathering of students, a huge circle that was at least ten students thick. Lily was sitting by on the hill looking down at the crowd, she was up there with Isabel, Jess, Sarah and Dorcas. Looking down on the spectacle, she would of thought something big was going down.
When really it was Potter bloating his own ego. Lily shook her head and turned to page of her Jonathan Croak book.
"Is he really going to do this?"
"Why don't we just move?" said Lily "Stop bloating his ego."
"Aren't you even in the slightest bit curious about how he'll do?" asked Isabel. "I've always wondered who would win in a fight?"
"Damn it." Dorcas got to her feet.
"Where are you going?" asked Lily.
"To find out." Said Dorcas, "Isabel's planted the idea in my head." She walked down to the crowd.
"Am I being ignored here?"
"Fraid so red." Said Isabel walking down to. Lily huffed, placed her book away and went down to the crowd. As she got closer she could hear encouragement for various people. Some for Potter, other for Gibbs.
She pushed her way into the front to see the two boys either side of the small circle that had formed. Potter was in his robes, which for some reason he had shrunk so they were streamlined against his body. He twirled his wand through his fingers and made his forward.
"Ready Gibbo?" he asked. Gibbs glared at him and took of his robes and rolled the sleeves of his shirt up.
"When you are."
James twirled his wand more, waiting for Gibbs to take the first shot. Lily looked on now with avid anticipation, the thought of watching a duel was more exciting than trying to stop one. There was quiet moment between the two, the air thick as they readied themselves.
"Scsid Rozar!" Three silver discs shot out of Gibbs's wand. The sharp blades cutting the air. Lily looked at Potter who then pointed his wand at the discs.
"Roparo!" a piece of rope fell out of the tip of his wand. Potter used it like a whip and smashed the discs out the air. A collective gasp went around the crowd.
"Butio!" a sharp sonic boom shot out of James's wand. The ground around him splintered from the power being channelled through such a small object. The power hit Gibbs and sent him flying back to the ground.
He quickly scrambled to his feet and pointed his wand at Potter again.
"Didn't expect that, did you." Said Potter.
Gibbs let out a battle cry. "Petrificus Totalus!" Lily noticed Potter's mouth twist into a smile.
"Protego!" Lily knew what was coming next. The big red shield erupted like a volcano from his wand. It easily blocked the charm and threw it back at Gibbs. Lily looked over and saw the fear of god in his eyes.
Before he could respond with a counter curse, the shield hit him and sent him sprawling to the ground. Gibbs got up to his feet.
"Aquamenti Maxima!" he shouted. A thick stream of water blasted from his wand. Lily gasped as it flew towards Potter. She thought he'd had it, he possibly couldn't move out of the way in time.
James jumped out of the way, but got the splash back which sent him flying in the air. Potter flipped and landed on the ground and skidded backwards. James gripped his wand and pointed at Gibbs.
"Texentiumnius!" There was a slow rumbling in the air. Gibbs laughed and stood up straight.
"Your spells are pitiful." He said. Potter smirked.
"Wait for it." The slow rumbling started to get louder, the ground started to shake. Lily tried to regain her balance; she saw the end of Potter's wand go red, then.
BOOOOM!
It was like a cannon going off. A blast of brilliant orange light which was so bright Lily had to cover her eyes.
"Prote-!" It was no use. The beam hit Gibbs square in the chest and sent him flying backwards and smash onto the floor. The light faded away, people where coughing and wiping the smoke away. The scene was a shock to Lily, Gibbs was lying on the floor, is face black with soot, and breathing deeply. Potter on the other hand holstered his wand and looked at the crowd.
"So, which idiot wants to challenge me next?" he asked. He looked around the crowd who looked at him with…Lily recognised that look.
Fear.
They were afraid of him. Like they used to be afraid of her. When she made weird things happen back home, when she and Potter duelled in the dark arts class room, and the look on all their faces when they were duelling. Even people who looked older than Potter looked afraid of him. Deep down, she was to. That must have been powerful magic for older students to be paying attention.
Potter raised an eyebrow. He then turned to Gibbs and walked over slowly to him. He then kneeled down and whispered something in his ear. Lily strained to hear, but couldn't quite get what he was saying. Potter stood up and walked away towards the castle with his friends in tow. Lily looked down at Gibbs, he was slowly being helped to his feet. Lily turned to Dorcas.
"Where you expecting that?" she asked. Dorcas bit her lip and shook her head. "That was really powerful."
"Much beyond the talents of a first year." Lily saw a couple of seventh years sulk away.
"Ok folks, shows over!" Lily saw Alice and Frank shoo people away while Gibbs was being led off towards the hospital. Or what Lily could assume was the hospital wing.
Deep in the woods, a figure watched from the shadows. He looked on curiously as the boy walked up towards the castle with his friends in to. He was a natural in backwards magic, a very rare trait. The power he had showed was extraordinary, much beyond the talents of a twelve year old.
Had Alec done something to him? Why was he so much stronger than all the others. A little he could understand. But this, this far ahead, he must have had training of some sort. Was Dumbledore grooming him for something.
He pulled out a cigarette and with a snap of his fingers it lit. He took a long drag and looked up at the boy disappear into the castle. He turned back and walked back into the woods, there was a buzzing in his ears, and he touched a small com.
"What is it?" he asked gruffly.
"Sir, Alec Potter has found Burns." A man said sounding fearful. He smiled, he was taking the bait, he'd figured it out quicker than he thought. And he thought the world's greatest detective title was just a gimmick.
"He's figured out the whereabouts of the base and took files along with the trinity triangle. What do we do?"
"Lead him to the imposter." He said.
"But sir."
"Suggest a Polyjuice potion you spineless rat!" he snapped. "He must take that place out for my plan to work. He needs to think it's me. I need the police to slow him down, my informant in there already has the information required." The man on the other end sighed.
"And what of the boy?" he asked.
"He'll be with me soon enough." He flicked the cigarette away as he approached his cabin. "Just do your job, this needs to run perfectly."
"What if he finds out?"
"By the time he does, it'll already be too late for him."