Hooked - James Sirirus Potter.

Chapter One

Claudia could feel her hands shake as she stood beside the telephone box; she’d been told that this was the entrance to the ministry of magic… but how?

“Are you going in love?” An older gentleman asked, resting a hand at her waist.

“I don’t know how to get down.” She admitted; noting the man’s peculiarity instantly. “It’s my first day, the interview was in a different office.”

“If you don’t mind squeezing in with me I’ll take you down.” He laughed, patting his rather round stomach and leading her in. “All you have to do is take the dial and 62442… voila.”

Claudia watched as they slowly slipped down twisting and turning through the underground, passing a train in a matter of seconds before landing just as they started but this time in the foyer of the ministry. “Incredible.”

“I use it every now and then; the floo networks can be so full this time of morning.” He laughed, walking her towards the reception point at the far end. “What’s your new position?”

“A scientists in the laboratories; they need someone with muggle expertise.” She smiled, feeling her cheeks flush at talking about herself.

“You look awfully familiar; who’s your family?”

“My father is Patrick Cross, he works here somewhere.” She said, turning to look up at the windows that seemed to tower above them forever.

“Oh you must be Christina!” he chuckled, before frowning as she shook her head, “Oh sorry dear, I could have sworn he said his daughter was Christina.”

“I’m the other daughter.” She said gently, “The Squib Claudia.”

“Oh well…” he said looking awkwardly around them, “I’ve got to be off; good luck with your new job.”

“Doctor Claudia Cross!” a tall man shouted across the foyer, “I’ve been expecting you; did you make it down easy enough?”

“Yes; that man hurrying off helped me down.” She smiled; reaching out to shake his hand. “Mr Weasley, thank you for calling me in.”

“My dad’s a great lover of all things muggle and when he came across your paper on genetics it set him off on one.” He laughed; “Please call me Bill; I’ll be showing you around filling out all the forms etcetera and then hand you over to James; your partner.”

“That sounds good to me.” she smiled, letting out a breath of relief. “Will I come down that way every morning?”

“Unless you can grab a portkey.” He nodded with a shrug; “James should have been here to show you around but there’s been a bit of a family emergency.”

“Oh no; I hope everything is alright.”

“I’m more worried about my wife; she’s offered to look after his daughter for the day!” Bill laughed; “James is my nephew… you’ll never guess when you meet him. Looks nothing like my sister.”

----

James walked into his laboratory and dropped his bag onto the bench; he was tired, stressed and furious. Today was supposed to be Sarah’s day to look after Paige; she only had her for two days every other week but apparently this was too much.

“Nice of you to join us.” His boss said, jerking his attention to where he was standing with a pretty petite woman. “Potter, this is Dr Cross she’ll be your partner for the next five years.”

“Please, call me Claudia.” She smiled, holding the papers in her hand tightly as James sighed heavily.

“Sorry, I’m normally a nicer person.” He stated, giving himself a mental shake and walking towards her with his hand extended. She was quite short, reaching his shoulder as she stood beside him but the air around her said she wasn’t a push over. “You’re muggle?”

“Yes.” She said brightly, giving James reason not to believe her. “But with a knowledge of wizards and the whole wizarding world.”

“How come?”

“Family.” She nodded, turning to look at their boss. “So, you’ve given me all the details, is there anything else I should know?”

“Potter is the best we have; he’s experienced and comes highly qualified just like yourself.” He stated simply, walking towards the door. “Good luck, only call me if you really need to.”

James watched her as she watched their boss walk out of the labs, she was nervous and with his entrance she had reason to be. “Shall I put the kettle on? You look stressed.”

A small smile passed his lips, “That is exactly what I need right now.” He admitted, waving his hand and showing her to the kitchenette. Minutes passed and the tea was made before James broached the subject. “You’re not a muggle are you?”

“How could you tell?”

“You looked too happy to tell two wizards you’re a muggle.” He laughed, taking a biscuit and dunking into the strong tea.

“I’m a squib; bane of my family.” She shrugged; “But my mother’s a muggle, so there is a possibility that I am a muggle and don’t have a magical gene in my body.”

“Highly unlikely.” James stated, “I’m assuming you’ve read the research?”

“I carried out the research.” She admitted; “I just published it under the funders name instead else my father would freak out… I stole my twin sisters DNA from her hairbrush.”

“Twin?” he asked in surprise, he’d always assumed twins would always be one way or another, together. “Are you close?”

“Don’t talk.” She shrugged, “I only talk to my mother; can’t stand the rest of them.”

“Have you changed your surname?” James asked, thinking it would be a route he’d take.

“Can’t, my mother’s maiden name was Cross as well.” She laughed, “Do you need to unload or are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” He grinned, “I’m James Potter and you’ll find out that I am always fine.”

“Well, if one day you’re not; I’m here for the next five years according to my contract.” She laughed as he nodded.

“I should probably show you around the lab, let you know what I’ve done already etc.” he said, standing with his mug in his hand.

“True… do we have a radio down here?”

“Only wizarding.”

“That’s fine, squib remember.” She grinned, following him from the kitchenette and into the main rooms. “Is there anything I shouldn’t touch?”

“Anything that moves.” James grinned, looking over his shoulder at her. “How did you end up with Knowles?”

“Bill had to go and sort something out in his department, Knowles was walking past and he asked him to take me down to the labs.” Claudia shrugged; “He mentioned you have a daughter?”

“Paige.” He beamed with a nod. “Do you have any children?”

“None.” She shrugged; “I don’t even have a pet to brag about.”

James laughed as she lifted herself up to look into his cauldron. “Have you seen one before?”

“Not in use.” She smiled, looking up at him. “My sister was never much of a …. Potions person.”

“Is she older or younger?” He asked, looking at her again and wondering if he knew her sister

“Three minutes younger.” Claudia nodded, “Though with the amount of makeup she wears she looks older… So, where shall we start today then?”

“From the top I suppose; I’ve read your thesis and want to try something.” James said, walking around to his bag to pull out his notes. “If that’s alright with you?”

“More than.”