The Better Chaser; James Potter

Chapter 17- Winter Break

So one could assume I was definitely not excited to go home. Summers and winters were always the worst, they were bearable, but they just kept getting worse the more I grew up. I love my parents and all, and I understand that they want what's best for me in their eyes, but they just don't understand me. Any act of defiance or disagreement is met with punishment so what is the point of rebelling anyways.

'You're a coward, your friends would stick up for what is right, no matter what the cost', a voice in my head spoke

'Good thing I'm not a Gryffindor then eh? At least I use my brain', another voice responded

I pushed my insecurities down as I arrived to my house. I was shocked to see my parents waiting to greet me in the drawing room. I just assumed I would see them at dinner like usual, they never met me at the station or greeted me when I arrived, it was always at dinner. They had busy schedules at the ministry so that was the only time they could see me, so something was definitely up. Not only that but when I entered the room, my mum engulfed me in a hug. I froze, she hasn't hugged me since I was 11, the day I left for Hogwarts. The feeling was foreign to me and was uncomfortable at first, but I hated to admit that I really liked it,

"Umm- what's up mum? Is everything alright?" I asked concerned. I honestly thought someone was dying at this point. She pulled away from the hug,

"Oh dear nothing but the best!" Mum exclaimed excitedly, "This winter our family, the WATSON family, have the honor and privilege of hosting the banquet,"

"What's the banquet? Don't we host loads of those parties already?" I asked. We always hosted those fancy pureblooded exclusive parties where those bigoted people mingled and bonded, what makes this one special?

"The banquet? THE banquet?!" My mum repeated exasperated. I looked at my dad for assistance and he just shrugged at me as if saying 'you're on your own kid' 

"It is only the most prestigious event of them all, the best of the best are chosen to host them, and this year it was our family!" Mum explained,

"Who chooses? Is there some sort of pureblood council that I don't know about?" I joked

"Exactly that, but that's not who chose us," My dad finally spoke

"Wait what?" I asked in disbelief, "I was only joking you know," I mean I knew my parents were prejudiced and not overall good people, but I didn't think they'd join a cult or something.

"It's time we tell you. We only tell you this now, not because you've earned it, but because he is coming and we expect you to be on your best behavior," My dad informed me so kindly. I suppressed a scoff, but nodded for him to continue. Instead of speaking my father nodded at my mother and they both moved to raise the sleeve of their left arm. I gasped at what was on there. They both had these really cool but dark looking tattoos. It was a snake protruding from the mouth of a skull and slithering around their arms moving. 

"What are those," I eyed them in awe, but cautiously,

"These are our dark marks," My mum said, "These are marks that we have been blessed with, only a select few are marked like this by the dark lord,"

My breath hitched in my throat. There were rumors and disappearances, everyone knew something evil was coming, but never would I think my family could be involved, let alone the heart of it. 

"and the dark lord selected our family to host a banquet? I'm assuming other people with this mark will be there?" I asked curious,

"Yes, only his close followers, those he trusts will be allowed to come. No children are to be invited, only death eaters bearing his dark mark will be able to get passage into our home. You have to attend because it is our house and it would be ill-mannered of us, and you, to not greet your guests," My father explained