I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC's
Hello guys, Badger here. How are you all today? I hope you are well. It's been a while since the last chapter, but it's here now. This chapter is probably the shortest of the bunch, but it contains everything I wanted to include, so I hope the shortness of the chapter is okay with all of you. Before I continue, I want to say, I plan to make an Instagram, where I will post art made by myself, about the different stories I have made. When the account has been made, I will let you know, so you can follow if you wish.
Now, I imagine that some of you won't be happy with something in this chapter, but I don't care, it's my story. I'll let you read on and I will see you at the end.
Chapter 7
Quirrell paced back and forth in his office, as he rubbed the Dark Mark on his forearm. His Master was getting more and more impatient, and to show Quirrell his impatience, his Master used the Dark Mark to give Quirrell intense pain, similar to the Cruciatus Curse. He had been placed under the hex for nearly five minutes and his nerves were on fire. Not wanting to be placed under such a hex again, Quirrell had spent some time, thinking of a new plan to get his Master a new body, after the eldest Potter child stopped the Troll. Quirrell was going to have to lay low for a while, before he tries going after the Stone as, no doubt, Dumbledore would be more cautious. His Master believed the old fool was already starting to get suspicious. As Quirrell paced, it became clearer to him, that he needed to find out what kind of defences have been placed to guard the Stone. If he could discover the defences, it will make planning more easier. Quirrell placed a hand to his forehead, as he felt a migraine starting up. He hoped it will all be over soon.
…
Harry walked alongside James, as the two made their way down the many corridors of Hogwarts, towards Flitwick's classroom.
"So, are you thinking of entering the Quidditch Training Program?" James asked
Harry had been informed by Sirius that he had received an offer for entering the Quidditch Training Program for Under 17's. He sent a reply, saying he'll think about it, as he wasn't sure if he was going to take it. To his surprise, James and Cedric had also received offers. Cedric had immediatley accepted, as soon as he found out.
"I'm not sure" Harry replied "To be honest, I'm not sure what I want to do after leaving Hogwarts…as much as I love Quidditch, I'm not sure if it's something I want to do professionally…I may enter the Training Program and decide after the program is over…what about you?"
"I'm definitely thinking about it" James nodded "I never really considered playing Quidditch professionally, but it does sound great…and much safer then being an Auror, have you seen the yearly death rates of Aurors, it was over one hundred last year"
As the two got closer to Flitwick's classroom, Harry noticed that something seemed to be bothering his friend. Harry knew the look on James' face. He only looked that way, when something was on his mind.
"Are you okay James?" He asked "Something bothering you?"
"No…it's just…" James stuttered "Okay…I…I think I'm…never mind, good luck with your lesson"
"Wait, don't you want to join us?" Harry asked, as James turned and made his way down another corridor
"No, it's fine" James called out, as he continued walking away "I'll catch up with you later"
Harry remained where he was for a moment, watching James, as he disappeared round a corner at the very end of the corridor. Whatever it was, that was bothering him, it must have been worse then he first thought. As soon as Harry was done with his private lesson with Flitwick, he was going to ask Aila to talk to him. If anyone would be able to get James to talk, it would be his sister. Shaking his head, Harry made his way inside Flitwick's classroom, where the charms professor was waiting.
"Ah, Harry, glad you made it" He smiled brightly "Your friends not joining you?"
"No Professor, it's just me today" Harry replied
"A pity" Flitwick said, as he flicked his wand, allowing the tables and chairs to move, leaving a large empty space in the middle of the classroom "As I'm sure you are aware Harry, Duelling Tournaments are fast paced and dangerous…because of this, you need to be quick on your feet…before I start teaching you any spells, I want to test your reflexes and agility…this is something we will do every lesson, to make sure you don't get sluggish in your movements…so, I will fire spells at you, and I want to see you moving around the classroom, dodging around my spells…don't worry, I will only be using a simple stinging hex, don't want to end up in the Infirmary do you…ready?"
"I'm ready" Harry nodded, as he stood, ready to move at the first sign of movement
Flitwick nodded, as his grip tightened on his wand. The two stood there, neither of them moving a muscle. Harry felt slightly on edge, as his eyes kept glancing down to the professors wand, waiting movement of any kind. It felt like an eternity, but after a moment of silence, Flitwick quickly raised his wand, sending a stinging hex in Harry's direction, which he was barely able to dodge. Doing as Flitwick instructed, Harry moved across the entire classroom, dodging the Charms Professors stinging hexes. It was clear that the Professor was once a Duellist before working at Hogwarts. With how quickly he was firing the hexes, Harry was only just able to dodge in time. However, after a few minutes of dodging, Flitwick sent a stinging hex, causing Harry to dodge to the right, but was hit by a second stinging hex, which the professor had sent, anticipating the dodge beforehand. With massive discomfort spreading all across Harry's body, he found it much harder to dodge, as he ended up being hit by more hexes, before Flitwick ended the drill. After the drill ended, Harry sat on the ground, panting slightly, the pain in his body getting more and more unbearable ever second
"I'm impressed" Flitwick said, waving his wand across Harry, using the counter spell for the hex "You managed to keep dodging for nearly 4 minutes before you were hit…I was expecting you to start slipping before a minute, but I guess your Quidditch abilities helped with your reflexes…however, we can do better…I'll let you rest for 5 minutes, before we start again"
…
Across the country, inside the Wizengamot, Cornelius and Amelia both felt a headache starting, as the other members of the Wizengamot all argued over one another, making it difficult to know what anyone was saying. At the end of the meeting, after all laws and issues had been handled, Cornelius had informed them that they were planning on giving Harry Potter and Order of Merlin, First Class. Whilst most of the members were in agreement, there were a select few, namely Pureblood Supremacists and people who shared the same views and opinions as You-Know-Who, who were in massive disagreement, which caused the outrage in the courtroom.
"SILENCE!" Cornelius called out, his voice ringing across the courtroom, causing everyone to stop
"Minister, surely you aren't serious" One of the members spoke up "Why would you give Harry Potter an Order of Merlin, First Class of all things…he's only a boy, he hasn't even took his OWL's yet"
Cornelius and Amelia shared a look, before their eyes narrowed at the young woman who spoke up. They knew who she was. Rosa Ironwood. She wasn't a Death Eater or a follower to You-Know-Who, but she shared and agreed with many of the maniacs beliefs and didn't mind loudly sharing her beliefs with others. However, as she wasn't a part of the Dark Lords group, she couldn't be arrested and put on trial.
"That is exactly why we want to give young Harry the Order of Merlin" Cornelius replied "Harry is only 14, in his Fourth Year at Hogwarts…he doesn't have the same amount of magical experience as most of us in this room and yet, he saved a young First Year from a troll, not caring about the risk he was putting his own life in…if Harry didn't go to save the First Year, she would've, most likely, been killed before the Professors of Hogwarts found her…also, not only did Harry save a young First Year, he stopped a potential rampage inside Hogwarts, therefore saving the lives of everyone in the castle…he is a hero, yet he was only awarded Houses points for his efforts…to Amelia and myself, mere House Points isn't enough…we believe the young man deserves an Order of Merlin, if anyone else has any objections, please speak up now!"
Looking around the courtroom, it was clear that no one was going to object, even from those who didn't agree with the idea. The thought that their child could have been in danger from a rampaging troll, if Harry didn't stop it, was all they could think about.
"Good" Cornelius nodded "Therefore, as there are no objections, Harry Potter will be awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class, next week at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
…
That night, Aila made her way up the Astronomy Tower. Harry had informed her, that something seemed to be bothering James, but he refused to talk about it. Harry believed James would talk to her, about it, but even Aila had doubts that he would. James could be very stubborn. After stepping off the final step at the top of the Astronomy Tower, she found her older brother, leaning against the tower railing, overlooking the scenery, as the sun began to fall. He noticed her approached, but didn't turn to face her.
"Harry said something was bothering you" Aila said, leaning against the railing, next to him
"How did you know where I was?" James asked
"You're my brother" Aila replied "Which means, I know you better then anyone, where else would you go to think…now, what is bothering you?"
"I'm questioning things about myself" James sighed
"What kind of things?" Aila asked
I…I think I might be gay" James said, refusing to look in her direction
"There's nothing wrong with that" Aila said, soothingly "Why is that bothering you?"
"You know why" James replied, snapping slightly, as he faced her "Homosexuality isn't accepted by most in the Magical World and it's the same for the Muggle World…if people knew I'll be hung, drawn and quartered"
"Why should the opinions of others matter?" Aila asked "You are who you are, you shouldn't hide that…though, that's not all, is it?"
"I think I'm attracted to Fred" James replied "Whenever I see him I…I don't know what to do"
"Just tell him" Aila said "It's clearly eating away at you, stressing you, just tell him…just remember, that you are my brother, I don't care who or what you are, I will love and support you, no matter what"
That caused a small smile to make its way onto James' face, as she wrapped her arms around him, giving him a loving hug, something he returned, as they continued watching the sun set.
…
And that is the new chapter done.
So, yes, the OC James is gay. A few years ago, I questioned my sexuality and was scared and confused about who I was. I now know that I am straight, but I wanted to include a situation like this for the character in the story. When it came to a pairing idea, I was thinking about a James Badger/Fred Weasley pairing, but it might change if someone comes up with a better idea. So, to those who didn't want Harry to be gay, he isn't so don't panic. I have a different pairing in mind for Harry, but I won't say who. I want you to guess. Let me know who you think Harry will be paired with in this story.
Speaking of Harry, I am still unsure if Harry will play Quidditch professionally or not. It's one of those cards that are on the fence, leaning left and right, unsure on where it will land. If you have an idea, let me know.
That is all for now. I hope you enjoyed and I will see you next time.
Badger Out
