James and Lily Potter: Second year

Chapter 8: Second year

"Nice name. I could see that Jamie-boy came up with such a lame one." Sirius ducked as a shower of sparks flew past his face. "Just kidding, Jamie!"

"Has he ever called you 'James' in his life?" asked Violet.

"Not that I know of," said James in disgust.

"There comes Deanna," said Lily, groaning.

Deanna was entering Gryffindor Tower with her new 'boyfriend', Kevin Patil. She gave Lily a warm wave and James a small smile before they headed off to the boy's dormitory. "Now that's wrong," commented Jennifer, wrinkling her nose.

"As if you and Remus haven't done that yet," scolded Arabella.

"We haven't actually, and we're not about to, either," retorted Jennifer. Remus himself said nothing.

Lily sighed. "Wonder what they'll give us for our Transfiguration exams this year."

"Oh God, Lil, is homework and exams all you think about?"

"Oh no, Bella, I think about Potter too."

"You do?" asked Arabella, her face shining with delight.

"Yeah. How to curse him so that he'll wish he never came to Hogwarts."

"I'd need my magical education anyway since everyone in my family is magical," said James matter-of-factly.

"Oh, so you're saying that it's more important for purebloods and half-bloods to get a magical education, but not important for muggle-borns like me?" Lily ran from the common room, crying.

"Go, James," muttered Sirius, watching the girl run up the staircase to her dormitory, crying.

"You should've thought twice before saying that James," said Peter quietly.

"I know, I know, but that's not what I meant. What I meant was that-"

"Go find her James and apologise," said Arabella firmly. She wasn't angry, but her face was full of sadness.

James sighed and ran up to find Lily. He found her sobbing on her bed, and when she looked up and saw him, her green eyes had turned a steel cold. "I'm sorry," she said softly before James even got to catch his breath. "I know I'm overreacting. But all this-future stuff, it's really scaring me. To know that I'll be married to you, and you have a son, and then die trying to protect him! It's just- too much to handle."

"I know," whispered James. "Look, don't worry about it, all right? We still five and a half years to go at Hogwarts. Treasure most of it while you can."

Lily smiled, wiping away her tears. "We're still enemies, right?"

"The very best."

And so the other six friends found the two enemies coming down the staircase with grins on their faces. "So you finally made up, have you? Are you friends now?" Sirius was eagerly pelting them with questions.

"Sirius, we don't hate each other too much anymore, but we're still enemies," said James.

Sirius snorted. " That, Jamie-boy, is the stupidest thing you've said in your whole life. It makes no sense, whatsoever!"

"Well, get over it," said Lily, grinning.

"Are you alright, Lily?" asked Jennifer, concerned.

"Yeah. I was just a bit- stressed with all this stuff going on. Oh, I just don't know. I just happened to lose my temper just then. Sorry if I frightened any of you." Peter squeaked. Lily smiled at the poor boy. "It's alright, Pete, I swear I didn't mean any harm." Peter relaxed and reluctantly managed a smile back.

"Lil, you frighten us all the time," informed Arabella, pleased that her friend was cheerful again. "Fiery red hair... deep emerald eyes... it's a matter of seconds when your temper matches your-"

"Enough sap, already!" cried James. "Come on, Siri-boy, we have Quidditch practice."

"Since when?"

"Since Johnson announced it yesterday."

"Oh. Well, all right then. I knew new, that's all. It's not like I listen to the maniac. By God, you'd think Quidditch is the reason to live."

"Didn't you just have Quidditch practice yesterday?" asked Arabella.

"Yeah. Roy's going bonkers, but there's nothing else we can do about it. C'mon Sirius, let's go."

When they left the portrait hole, Sirius frowned at James. "Jamie, we don't have Quidditch practice. What's up with you?"

"We have to continue mixing that Animagi potion, remember? It's going to take us at least three years!"

"Then where's Remus and Peter?"

"They're right in front of you." True enough, Remus and Peter were waiting patiently for the two boys.

"So...James. How do you like this- son, of yours?" asked Remus.

"He's cool. But he looks like he's under a lot of stress, too."

"I've done a bit of asking myself," said Remus. "He's the famous Harry James Potter, and he's currently one of the four champions in the Triwizard Tournament."

"That hasn't been hosted for centuries!" cried James enviously. "How come they have it then? And how come there are four champions?"

"Looks like someone entered the poor boy by accident," said Remus slowly. "I heard from a seer."

"Trelawney?" asked Sirius, snorting.

"No, she's the fraud, Sirius, you idiot," snapped James good-naturedly. "It was probably that assistant witch- what's her name? Professor Martin?" (Sorry I just had to add me somewhere).

"Yeah that's her," said Remus. "She's a really amazing Seer."

"Does Remus fancy her?" teased Sirius.

"No."

"What else did she tell you?" asked Peter curiously.

"Nothing much. I don't think she wanted me to know too much about the future."

"Here we are!" shouted James, pointing to the bathroom at the end of the corridor. The four boys hurried inside and began their potion, which was bubbling near one of the stalls.

"I don't understand why we couldn't do this in our dorm," said Sirius, frowning.

"McGonagall would catch us. And besides, the girls come into our dorm all the time; what if they saw us?"

"It wouldn't be much harm, would it?" asked Remus quietly. "After all, they already know that i'm-well, you know."

"Still- those girls are mighty nosy," said James. "Besides, what if Evans sees us? Then she'll lecture us on rule breaking! And this time, it'll be one hundred times worse, because it's breaking the law. Yep, if Evans catches us, we're as good as dead."

"Why can't you and Lily be friends, James?" asked Remus gently. "In fact, you guys would go pretty well together..."

"Remie, not you too," whined James.

"Remie?" asked Remus, raising his eyebrows.

James shrugged. "You need a nickname like the rest of us. Remie fits nicely."

"Well, it's better than Siri-boy."

"Hey!" cried Sirius.

James laughed. "Come on guys, let's get to work."