The Traitors

3: Tensions Rise

"James!"

James Potter turned around to see Pandora Malfoy. Her eyes bright and a smile as she waved a hand in the air happily. He couldn't help the smile that grew on his face. He quite enjoyed the blonde girls company. She was in his year and a Ravenclaw. They had interacted quite a bit as kids since his Papa and her Father, Abraxas Malfoy, were good friends.

"Hello Pandora."

"What are you up to?" She asked as they continued to the court yard.

"Just," He sighs smiling softly. "Taking time to enjoy the peace as we have it."

"Hmm, Daddy says that is always a good idea."

James chuckled softly. Abraxas Malfoy's husband, Francis Malfoy, was just as eccentric as his daughter. Which was known in the close-nit group to be because they were both seers. Again, that was a fact that was truly kept to close family and friends. As far as James knew only the Nott, Slytherin, Black, Zabini, and Prince families had any idea. Although, he was almost confident that Pandora told Xenophilius Lovegood.

"I can see that. How has you-"

"James Potter!"

James groaned as he looked to see the source of the screech, Lily Evans, making her way over to him and Pandora angrily. Her eyes blazing with hatred towards Pandora making him stand in front of the youngest Malfoy protectively.

"Evans! What is your problem!" He asks tightly.

"Why are you hanging around Malfoy?!" She asks as if the mere thought was disgusting.

"She is one of my friends." He states slowly, as though talking to a child. "Is there a problem?"

"The Malfoy's are dark!"

"Uh-huh. So are the Black's." James says with a raise of his brows. "Does that mean I ought to stop talking to Sirius?"

"I heard my name?"

James chuckles as Sirius walks up with Remus and Peter before dramatically draping his arm around James's shoulders. However, James took note of Xenophilius, Regulus, Lucius Malfoy, and Narcissa Black also walking over. Lucius immediately rushing to his little sister worriedly.

"Well, yes, you see Evans decided to judge our sweet Pandora due to her last name. Sounds quite similar to what she claims to hate being done to her, right?"

"I would agree, Jamie. I mean Pandora is just the sweetest kindest person ever. I would never be surprised if she ended up in Hufflepuff but her love of knowledge was just too much!" Sirius says dramatically as always with a smile to the youngest Malfoy.

"But Malfoy's are dark!"

Remus pinches the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh. "Evans. Dark is a core of magic. Everyone has one of the three cores: Light, Dark, or Neutral. It's something you are born with. Sirius and myself have Dark cores. Peter, I know, has a light core. While James has a neutral core. There is nothing bad about any of them. Dark does not equate to evil nor does light equate to good."

"But the Malfoy's support that Dark Lord guy!"

James saw Lucius and Pandora stiffen at the sentence. He watched as Regulus looked away. He noticed Xenophilius pulling Pandora into his arms. His mouth was moving so James assumed he was muttering softly to her. He was happy that Pandora was betrothed to such a great wizard. He saw her as a sister almost. In fact, all the guys of their larger friend group were very protective of her.

"Evans." James said harshly as he turned his glare to her. "I suggest you shut up. We are merely teens. Lucius is the eldest and he is a sixth year, only 16. Regulus is only a bloody fourth year Evans!"

Before the prefect girl could even speak a scottish voice started first.

"Miss Evans. I truly expected better from you." The group looked to the side to see Professor Minerva McGonagall standing straight and stern. "Hand me your prefect badge immediately."

"What-but- Professor!"

"The badge. Miss Evans. I do not care for repeating myself." The scottish woman nodded sternly as it was put in her palm. "I do suggest you leave to your dormitory. As I do not see Miss McKinnon in the immediate premise, do advise her that I wish for her in my office immediately."

The group watched as the woman smirked after the redhead left. "I do detest bullying of any forms." She looked over everyone sadly. "As you know I went to school with many of your parents. Especially your parents, Mister Potter, and I know the truth. Give your Father my best wishes for him, Mister Potter. Mister Lovegood, I do hope you take good care of my Goddaughter. I would hate to have to transfigure you into a pet."

The group, which grew to add the younger  Lestrange brother, Rabastan, Barty Crouch Jr., Alice Fawley, Frank Longbottom, and Dorcas Meadows; began laughing at the look of fear the Lovegood Heir sported.

The Gryffindor Head of House smiled softly as she promptly left for her office.

The group decided to head to the Room of Requirements happily. Sirius and Remus hand in hand happily. Peter, Rabastan, and Barty hand in hand together with Peter in the middle. Xenophilius had has arm around Pandora's shoulders. Lucius smiling softly as Narcissa tells him about some gossip.

James, however, was a bit behind the group with Regulus. The two. Softly whispering to each other about their future. Well, more so Regulus talking of their future as James merely listened lovingly.

"James.."

James stopped with Regulus worriedly. The younger looking downward, his hands clutching the hem of his sweater nervously.

"Yes my King?"

"I.." Regulus took a step forward. "I want to go public. I am ready for everyone to know."

"Are you sure?" James asks softly, his eyes searching the younger teens face.

"With everything I have." 

James smiles softly. "We can talk to Papa, Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion during break."

The smile he received was blinding. To James, seeing Regulus smile was reward enough for anything. He gave Regulus a soft, chaste kiss before taking his hand and led him to the Room of Requirements.