Chapter 8 - The Summer Shack

When James woke up the next day, at a very early hour despite the late bedtime, he waited a few minutes in bed for Teddy to open his eyes as well, but the blue haired guy was still sound asleep.

Ted used to be an early riser and James wondered if it still was the case or not. Maybe it was due to the jet lag, or maybe his lifestyle changed completely while living in America… James suddenly had the impression of sharing a room with a stranger. Was the person laying on the other bed the same boy that he last saw four years ago? Ted had finished school a couple of years earlier and was kissing goodbye Victoire, his girlfriend at the time, on the platform 9 3/4, wishing her good luck for her last year at Hogwarts. It was right before he got a job offer at the International Quidditch Association in New York. Little did he know he would not step foot in England for a couple of years, or only briefly to see his grandmother, Andromeda.

But what stuck with James the most was that this particular morning, four years ago, at King's Cross, Ted didn't take the time to greet James at all. The Potter was starting his fourth year at Hogwarts, and needed all the good wished he could have to snatch the captaincy of the Quidditch team, which spoiler alert: he only got the following year. James remembered feeling hurt, waiting alone on the Platform 9 3/4, and then focused his anger toward Victoire who had stolen Teddy's attention all summer long at the Shell Cottage, sneaking out in town just the two of them, kicking them out of the shack, leaving James literally waiting on the side line of the Quidditch field all day for him to come and throw Quaffles with him. All summer, he felt like the only time they had just the two of them were the early hours of the day, when James joined Teddy for his morning run on the beach.

James got up quietly and got dressed in the living room before venturing outside the blue tent. The air was chilly but the view breath taking. James always liked coming here during the summer breaks. Everything was so peaceful and serene. It was home, where some of his best memories were made…

James stretched his sore back, raising his hands high above his head, bending side to side until it hurt a little. Ben the bouncy bed was not the most confortable bed, indeed. He then walked to the shore, where the foam licked the sand higher and higher each time the waves came crashing down. The beach completely disappeared at high tide and at this time, a narrow stripe of sand draw the path of his jog, memorizing for a few seconds the shape of his running shoes.

He headed east, welcoming the warmth of the rising sun on his face as he trotted off, leaving behind the Shell Cottage and its sleepy occupants.

James wasn't a runner, not until that summer before his fourth year, and he didn't stop since then. When the weather would get rough at Hogwarts around Christmas, he still pushed through the discomfort, knowing that across the globe, his mate Teddy was running as well despite the snow covering the sidewalks. James was telling everybody he ran because of Quidditch, hiding what he thought then was the truth, that he ran to do and to be like Teddy, his lifetime role model. He was now starting to wonder if, deep down, he hasn't been running all this time in a desperate way to connect with the Lupin boy, and maybe to impress him.

You got jacked! Teddy had said when arriving the previous day and James felt strangely relieved, as if he finally got the reward of years of morning sweats… Yet, his feelings overwhelmed him. Deeply. As if, he somehow lost his identity and nothing made sense anymore… This and the fact that Teddy was drifting away from the whole family and it was his and Victoire's job to keep him anchored by their sides. Not that he didn't want that job. To be close to Ted was apparently what he had always wanted without even knowing it, but he was afraid his feelings might get in the way, and teaming up with Vic, his nemesis, wasn't easy either, especially when he had to keep her secrets in addition of his owns.

He sprinted up, hoping to let all his worries behind only to face another one that momentarily drifted out of his mind: the tournament. The Shell Cottage was far behind him, and he was now running along the neighbouring property. Filius' beach house was the opposite of Bill and Fleur's home: two stories-high, modern architecture, impressive. If the modest cottage was able to host the whole Weasley family, this house could shelter Hogwarts entire student body.

James realized he did gain a few inches since last summer because he was now able to see the vast garden over the high-picked fence. He slowed down to a stroll to spy on the dozen of house elves working on the garden. They were summoning scissors to cut bushes to the perfection, watering the lawns, enhancing the colours of the flowers. That's when James recognized a familiar face among the workers.

"Hey, Point—" He yelled a bit to quickly. "Uh, hello, Brody! What are you doing here?"

Percy's house elf frowned at the curious wizard behind the property limits and said in a stone-cold voice: "I'm cooking a roasted-beef."

James watched him, puzzled. The elf shook his head. "I'm helping my friends to finish the garden."

Did the elf really make a joke? Could James make him an ally? "Filius is very picky about his garden." James said, remembering what he read about his potential employer. The more he knew about the man, the better prepared he might have been to chitchat during the interview, though he didn't even get to the interview phase. "The sight of a single dead leaf can take his mood down for hours. And if he sees a worm…"

"Exactly. And Master Filius is arriving by the end of the day…" He turned around to look at the garden that was far from perfect with its gravels spread on the grass, overgrown ivy on the fountains and stone benches. "Is there an emergency at the Shell Cottage, Master Potter?"

Was he not allowed to be here? Everyone was still asleep back there and the elf's concern for his friends' job moved James. "Not at all, Brody. I'm just passing by."

"Go ahead, then." The elf said turning heels to get back to work.

As he jogged up the path leading to the lighthouse that sat on the cliff, the sight of the emblematic tower brought him right back to his previous train of thoughts: Teddy. He wondered if he hadn't been stupid all along. Did he really think he could impress someone by being a copycat of the person? It was bluntly scary to look into a mirror that way! No one wanted to be with someone just like himself or herself. He only had to look at his own family. Uncle Ron and Auntie Hermione? Two different brains. His mother and father? For Merlin's sake, what the house would look like if his mom were as messy as his dad? Uncle George and Aunt Angie? She was the root anchoring him down to Earth while he lifted her up! They all balanced each other, completed one another. That's why Ted and Vic were perfect together. Ted, the steadiness and Vic, the fire. James was no fire. He didn't even know who he was.

"I WON!" A voice shouted from the top of the lighthouse.

James looked up to see indigo hair bending over the railing. "How did you—?"

He should have climbed up the stairs slower because when he reached the landing, he couldn't breathe. "Where— where is... your… broom?" He asked, panting.

"My broom? I came running!" Teddy clearly had put on the closest clothes he found when he woke up: the jogger shorts he slept on, yesterday's T-shirt and his everyday sneakers that were not made for running.

"No… way…" James leaned against the railing to steady his heartbeat.

"You could have wake me up and just ask for a head start, you know?" Teddy laughed. "Just kidding. I took the shortcut by the dune. I knew I would not catch up otherwise."

"I thought you needed to rest. First game is today."

"No worry, I'm ready!"

"ME TOO!!!" Someone shouted under their feet.

Fred, who was not a runner despite his Quidditch captain's orders, was standing at the foot of the tower.

"Unbelievable!" James said as the latecomer climbed up the stairs. "I've never been able to make him run all year long!", he said to Teddy.

"You didn't scare me enough," Fred said panting as he reached the platform. "but Rose does! You two are some pieces of shit for coming here without telling me!"

"Good morning, you too!" Teddy said. "It's not like we planned it! James left before I even wake up."

"And you too guessed he would come here?" Fred asked.

"Of course." Teddy replied.

"Of course? What does that mean?!" James asked, his cheeks becoming redder than they were from exercising. The boys used to come here a lot every summer to play and hang. It was their secret hideout, away from the adults and the house elves. They could drink Firewhisky they bought in the village and bring here friends to chill. James had lots of memories attached to this place but he wondered if there was one he should be embarrassed about…

"I want to live up here so it would feel like flying all the time!" Fred said with a high-pitched voice, mimicking a toddler's voice.

Teddy and Fred burst out of laughter and James joined in. "Yeah, I was a sweet kid. No shame."

"Kid?!" Fred laughed. "You were 14 when you said that!"

"High on Butterbeers, if I remember correctly." Teddy added, repressing another laugh.

"Okay… Maybe a little shame, then." James conceded, but grinned too.

A confortable silence settled after the banter and they all turned to the ocean to take on the breath taking view, true smiles on their faces.

"So, did Rose get the captainship?" Teddy asked them.

"It will be official once they're back to school," James answered. "But yeah, there is no one more qualified for the job."

Teddy was surprised by the inconsideration for Fred. He turned to him. "You don't want it, Fred? You're a good element, I saw it yesterday on the field."

"Not for a million of Galleons!" Fred laughed. "I don't know how James managed it this past year, with being Prefect-in-chief, applying for internships, studying for the N.E.W.T.s and all."

"Well, there is no 'and all'. That's ALL I did. I didn't even visit Hogsmeade this year."

"Shame." Fred said. "I love Quidditch, but I don't want to jeopardize my social life for it."

Teddy's face closed. He did excluded himself in some ways, when he moved to New York… but only James had seen the change happening to their friend's face, and it vanished when he poked him on the shoulder : "You have to see the shack. We changed a few things these past years…"

They walked the peripheral platform to find the entrance of the circular room at its centre, James leading the group. The door was locked but a quick Alohomora allowed them the access. Inside, James pressed the switch on the wall with the tip of his wand and the Muggleproof spell lifted. Teddy whistled as the floorboards moved and transformed themselves into a wooden couch, table and stools. A Wizard Chess board appeared on the new table and banners of Hogwarts' houses and Quidditch club flags hung from the ceiling, under the massive lamp, which was perpetually rotating in a slow motion. There, they were able enjoy the view sheltered from the chilly salty winds.

Fred crashed onto the armchair. "Oh! Speaking of shack! Ted, you will be happy to know that the Shrieking Shack is still open for business. It's now ranking 'best make-out spot' among the students. Your dad would have been proud! Lots of fellows transformed there, me including."

Fred was smiling ear to ear like a dork and Ted, who wasn't sure he understood it correctly, turned to James: "He's not talking about lycanthropy, right?"

"Alas, no!"

The haunted house had been the safe heaven of Remus Lupin the full-mooned nights he studied at Hogwarts almost fifty years ago. There, he was able to transform into a werewolf without hurting anyone, including himself.

More recently, even if the rumour of hauntedness of the house had been dismissed age ago, nobody had ever been able to venture close to the abandoned building… until Teddy arrived to Hogwarts and, following his father's footsteps, was granting access to the Shack and opened its doors to everybody. The remote place, halfway between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts due to its secret access under the Whomping Willow, became a place to hang out with friends after Quidditch matches and drink smuggled Butterbeers from the castle's kitchens. Teddy loved being there, surrounded by his friends like his father did before him. And it became a shagging spot when Vic, the trend launcher, kicked everyone out to be alone with her boyfriend, Teddy.

"Well, congrats' mate! What's their name?"

James noted the lack of assumption coming from Teddy and his heart melted a little.

"Violet." Fred said, unable to stop smiling. "She is a Ravenclaw. Super smart."

James raised his eyes. He'd heard about Fred's girlfriend all year long! Yes, she was nice and smart and cute, James didn't need Fred to state it every other minute.

"She gave him Amortentia." James deadpanned.

"Yeah, I see that." Teddy laughed.

"You two can laugh." Fred said, pouting. "Love is real. You will know it when you see it."

James refused to meet Teddy's gaze; afraid it might give him away. But he relaxed when he heard the Lupin fighting another laugh. "All right, all right! Where is she now?"

"Dual camp." Fred said, stretching. "She's really good at it."

"Cool." Teddy noted.

"Do you still dual?" James asked Teddy.

"Nope, not since Hogwarts. Is it one of the events you planned for the knockout rounds?"

"Maybe…" James said mischievously.

Fred straitened. "Wait… What about the group stage? What are the firsts events?"

"It's on the parchment. Haven't you read it this morning?" James asked.

"No, I came as fast as I could… Tell me, James! I need to prepare mentally."

"No special treatment." James interjected. "Read the note like the others."

Fred was already out of the door. James and Teddy listened to the heavy steps echoing against the curved concrete walls, waiting to ear a fall and screams but the next sounds were the squealing of gravels under the quick steps of the runner.

James checked his watch. "We should go too and grab some breakfast before the kick-off."

"I bet we can arrive before Fred." Teddy said, jumping to his feet.

But James was faster to the door. He already pressed the switch to conceal the shack. "The last one to arrive is a smelly ghoul." He shouted, flying above the stairs, Teddy on his heels.