Changes

Chapter Six

James Potter

James swatted Sirius's hand away looking back up at the podium where McGonagall was rolling up the scroll of names and Albus Dumbledore stood beaming at the crowd of students.

"Welcome, Students new and old, to a new year at Hogwarts! I'm sure you're all eager to feast, so please dig in." Dumbledore gestured and food appeared on the tables, James was starving and began filling up his plate.

"So has anyone done any magic before? Like actual spells?" Marlene asked the table.

"My dad, let me try his wand once, mom was furious, of course, that was more because I blew up her favourite vase, she should have been thanking me that thing was hideous, what about you?" James explained grinning across at the girls.

"Never even touch a wand before Olavander's, but I've done accident magic a much of times. Almost fell off my broom once saved myself with one hand and landed only to find my hand stuck to the broom, couldn't get it off" Marlene explained.

"You fly? do you play?" James asked leaning in.

"Of course." Marlene grinned.

"It's a crime they don't let first year try out." Sirius shook his head.

"What are we talking about?" Lily asked confused.

"Quidditch," Marlene informed.

"It's a game played on flying broomsticks, with three different balls, it's loads of fun," James explained smiling at Lily excitedly, she had to be the prettiest girl he'd ever seen her red hair shined in the candlelight and it didn't even look like it had any product in it.

"And the school has a team, that first years can't try out for." Lily tried looking between the two of them.

"Four teams, each house has a team and they all compete for the quidditch cup which then goes toward winning the house cup," Marlene explained before James could.

"You must be a really good player with how fast your reflexes are, James." Peter encouraged.

"Oh yeah, What's your preferred position?" Marlene questioned.

"Chaser, it's where all the action is." James grinned.

"I disagreed, Beater is where the real action is, Chaser is just goal scoring." Sirius denied me and he scoffed.

"I agree with Black, Beaters are the best." Marlene grinned at Sirius who returned the look.

"Beaters, Chasers, the Keeper and the Seeker, Chasers score points using the quaffle which is one of the balls, there are three hoops which are the goals guarded by the Keeper. Beaters have a bat they use to defend against and attack using the bludger another ball that flies around trying to knock the players off their brooms. Lastly, the Seeker spends the entire game looking for the Golden Snitch it's worth a hundred points and when it's caught the game ends." Remus gave a brief explanation of the game to Lily who nodded and looked grateful mouthing a thank you.

"Do you play?" Lily wondered.

"Uh, no too clumsy." Remus denied.

"Is that how you got your scars, you're clumsy?" Mary McDonald asked bluntly and Remus paused in skewering a green bean as everyone glared at Mary, "What like you weren't all thinking it," Mary replied at all the looks shot at her.

"I was attacked by a Snallygaster when I was little," Remus lied never looking up from his plate.

"Bloody hell." Sirius voiced, as everyone else at the table was silent for a moment.

"Sorry for asking." Mary apologised.

"It's fine." Remus's tone told a different story, "I don't really remember much of it anyway, I was pretty young." James thought that might make it worse.

"So, what classes are everyone most excited about? I can probably guess Remus, history of magic?" Sirius asked breaking the tension as Remus looked up at him shaking his head and smirking.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts actually," Remus informed.

"Damn it, that was my second guess," Sirius smirked back.

"Charms sounds like it will be very interesting." Lily enthused.

"Transfiguration turning something into something else has so much potential for pranks." James grinned the conversation continued as they ate while they ate and through the desert discussing what they were excited about until they were all full and exhausted.

"A few words now that our tummies are full. Start-of-year notices." Dumbledore got their attention standing, "First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Whisp. Finally, a new tree has been planted on the grounds, it is dangerous and should be avoided it will not take kindly to anyone trying to climb it let alone approach it so do be wary." Dumbledore and James looked at Sirius with a brow raised and he shrugged in response, "And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Everyone pick their favourite tune, and off we go!" Dumbledore raised his wand and the words appeared in midair as the whole school bellowed.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flied and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Everyone finished the song at different times all off-key and terrible, James loved it.

"Very good, well times for bed, off you go." Dumbledore gestured to them all and the first years all looked at each other as a fifth year approached.

"Come on, first years, I'll show you to your dorms." the boy didn't even introduce himself just turned on his heel and all the first years scrambled to catch up and follow him. 

"Keep up the stairs change, and watch your step, some steps aren't real." the prefect informed.

"What ones?" Lily asked but the guy didn't answer, James watched the guy's feet closely and avoided the steps he did everyone else doing the same while also trying to keep pace as the staircase changed they finally all out of breath reached a painting of a rather large woman and came to a stop. 

"Password?" the woman asked

"Leones Cor" the boy said and the paint swung open and they all walked into a cozy round room the wall covered in murals of unicorns, witches and wizards, a fireplace was lit to one side and there were large comfortably looking armchairs.

"Girls" their oh-so-helpful prefect pointed to one door, "Boy" he pointed to the other, "top floor, enjoy the climb." 

James, Sirius, Peter, Remus and Frank who waved the girls off walked up the spiral stairs to the top floor.

"I think took make this fair we should draw straws to see who gets what bed..." Before Frank could even finish Remus collapsed on the nearest bed to the door, Sirius snagged the one on the other side of the door James patted Frank's shoulder and took the one next to Sirius leaving Peter the one next to Remus and Frank the one closest to the bathroom and furthest from the windows.