Caught in the Crowd {James Potter}

Chapter 2: Tea leaves and Omens

Chapter 2: Tea leaves and Omens

September 2nd, unfortunately, fell on a Monday that year. Which meant that school started immediately without even a weekend to transition back into the flow of living at Hogwarts. Lily ensured that they all awoke in time to get down and have a long breakfast and collect their timetables from McGonagall.

Freya sat with her cheek pulled taut by her knuckles and fist, robotically eating at her porridge. She and her dormmates had stayed up far too late the previous night, gossiping and bantering over things that they couldn't easily share in any of their letters sent. It wasn't until their small room clock chimed at 1 am that someone mentioned it was a Sunday turned Monday.

"I think I'm finally getting the hang of arithmancy," Lily said, frowning at her timetable. "I'm going to see if I can try do advance next year."

Marlene looked utterly repulsed by the idea. "Why? Why suffer when you could do... Muggle Studies?"

Lily laughed incredulously. "I'm not doing to do Muggle Studies!"

Marlene waved her hand in front of her. "Why not? It's easy."

"I'm a muggle-born."

Marlene blinked tiredly. "Exactly. It's an easy grade. What don't you get about what I'm saying?"

Lily rolled her eyes, unbothered to retort. However, the subject remained a hot topic when two forms slid into the bench seat on the opposite side of the Gryffindor table. "Evans, I need your help."

Lily eyes Sirius Black, leaning away from the table. "With what?" she cautioned.

"I'm taking Muggle Studies."

Freya snorted, a tired laugh escaping her. "Seriously Black? You need help with Muggle Studies? Basic research will get you at least an Exceeds Expectations."

Sirius gestured towards the red head. "She's my research. A firsthand account, which is apparently better than books." Freya shifted her gaze to Potter but he saw nothing wrong with his friend's question. "Come on, Evans. I'll even beg."

Lily twisted her thin lips around. "I'll help you, as long as I don't think it's crossing onto cheating." She turned to Freya in her seat. "He's sort of right about the firsthand account thing. But you'll have to actually read a book for things that I don't know," she added to Black.

"You're amazing, Evans."

James reached across the table, swiping up Evan's timetable, but she snatched it before he could get a good look. "Just seeing what classes we have together," he defended. "I'll know by the end of the week anyway." Lily only scowled at him and tucked the parchment into her bag. Potter seemed to withhold a grumble and reached for Freya's instead. Unlike Lily, she didn't bother protesting. He was right—he would know anyway.

"We have Care of Magical Creatures with you," Sirius noted, reading over Potter's shoulder. "Divination again? Really Hawkins?"

Freya shrugged and spoke through a mouth of oats. "It's fun."

Sirius flashed his eyes wide momentarily in disbelief. "Yeah, well James thinks so too," he muttered. "He was sulking because no one else was taking the class with him."

"I don't sulk," Potter groused. "I was peeved because Peter said he would take it then changed to Muggle Studies at the last moment." He smiled mockingly at Freya. "Now we can read tea leaves together."

Freya cocked her head. "What makes you think I'm going to be your partner? Lincoln is taking the class too, and he's been my partner since third year."