What Voldemort Left Behind

Chapter 18 - The Day Before the Worst Day of the Year

James walked into Charms class, it was the second last period of the day and all classes were cancelled the next day since it was the 2nd of May, there was never any classes on that day. James would be going home with his siblings and Albus and Rose like they always did, McGonagall had a rule that pupils could leave on that day if they had a valid reason, but the amount of pupils who left had greatly decreased over the years. Some less understanding pupils, when they came to Hogwarts had questioned their parents why people like Teddy Lupin got a day off that they themselves were still in school for but other students quickly taught them better than to question that. In the first few years after the battle some left the school on that day because they had fought or been caught up in the horrible events themselves but all these students had now left, as had the ones who had known family who had died. In Teddy's time there was even less who left like he did, but still some had lost parents or much older siblings. James and his siblings and cousins came home because their families preferred them to be at home for it and also to stop the mad rush of questions from friends and others in the school since their parents were so involved. Rose and Hugo went home to their parents who usually took them to Fred's grave for a private memorial, but the Potter children went with their Granny and Grandad. They rarely saw their parents, their mother preferred to keep herself busy and no one ever had any idea where their father went. They suspected that he was alone, but no one in the family knew for sure where he was or what he did and he never told them.

James was very early to Charms by accident, he was usually fashionably late but today he found himself absentmindedly walking as soon as the bell rang. He was about to go in but he saw Professor Martens at her desk staring at her ring. It was common knowledge at Hogwarts that Professor Martens always wore an engagement ring that her fiancé had given her but she had never been able to marry him, as he was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts fighting against his Death Eater parents. Barnaby Lee's name was written on the memorial in the Great Hall and students would often see her gazing at his name at mealtimes. Finally the rest of the class arrived to Charms and James hesitantly walked in, he did not want to, he had too much experience of adults having that glazed over look, especially at this time of year. Professor Martens seemed slightly forgetful and jumpy which was unusual for her and James warned his friends to stop when they started to make fun of her reactions. Finally she set them to practice the duplicating charm, Geminio, which was one of the few sixth year spells that wasn't especially dangerous to try. They were all given a bowl to practice on. James was normally quite good at Charms but he had a tendency to mess up if he was distracted and today was one of those days. "Ow!!" as his hand smoked slightly, there was a bright red burn from where he had waved his wand wildly. The burn started to blister. Professor Martens sighed as she noticed him.

"Class is dismissed so I can take Mr Potter up to the Hospital Wing."

The class filed out, one boy slapped him on the back on the way, "Nice one James! That's half an hour we miss."
When everyone was gone Professor Martens escorted James out.

"James..... I understand why you're distracted today. My fiancé Barnaby died that night too, he was fighting for our freedom along with your family. I know he'd want me to have fun in life even if he wasn't around but sometimes it just gets harder than others. I know it must be hard for you at home dealing with your parents in their situation and I hope it gets easier soon."

"Thanks. I'm sorry about your fiancé Professor Martens."

He arrived at the hospital wing which was empty apart from Madam Pomfrey. "Hello James, what happened this time?"

James held out his burned hand in response and Madam Pomfrey looked at it and sighed.

"How did you do this one?"