Crossroads of Two Worlds

47- Confusing James

I could see, in my head, how this would play out. If I didn't answer these questions if his, he would either keep badgering me about it, and eventually badger me in front of other people, which could cause the entire school to turn on me. If I did answer his questions, I could give him enough information to satisfy him for awhile but not enough to completely cure his curiosity. It seemed like either way, I'd lose this situation. I felt trapped.

I turned on my heel and narrowed my eyes on him, "Can't you realize why I'm doing this? I don't enjoy keeping secrets."

His lips twitched up at my frustration, "Okay, four questions."

I glared, "Why are you so keen to know, anyway?"

"Because you are my friend, and I want to help."

Letting loose the air I'd been holding, I turned my gaze to the stone floor and shuffled my feet. I believed him when he said he just wanted to help me. But he had nothing to give that could help. Still, what could he possibly figure out in a few questions. He also hadn't said that I had to answer truthfully...

Pulling my eyes back up to meet his, I took a step towards him and stated firmly, "Three questions. You don't tell anyone what I say, you'll destroy anything you've written down about me, and you stop staring at me in the halls and during practice. You ask all three questions right here, and never speak of it again unless I bring it up, which I won't unless I'm poisoned and delirious. And in that case I expect you to shove a bezoar down my throat, not ask me stupid questions. Deal?"

He held out a hand, and I shook it firmly, "Deal."

He didn't say anything for long enough that I threw my hands up, "Well? Ask your questions, Potter!"

"Oh, so now it's 'Potter' and not 'James'?"

"You've stopped me here late at night in the cold and now you're insisting on keeping me from my bed. You're prying into my secrets like you're entitled to know them and acting like I'm a mystery to solve and not a friend. So yes, it's Potter for now. Come on, ask your questions!"

After a heartbeat of silence, in which his eyes betrayed slight but brief guilt, he spoke quietly, "Are you human?"

I wasn't expecting that question right away. But I decided to answer it truthfully, or as truthfully as I could.

"Are wizards human?"

He groaned, "No! You can't do that! You can't answer a question with a question. For the time being let's say wizards are human, other than that, are you human?!"

"Not completely."

His eyes nearly bugged out of his head, as if he'd not actually expected me to confirm his suspicions with the answer to his first question. I just shrugged.

"What do you mean?"

"I never said I'd elaborate on my answers, James. So unless that counts as your second question..."

"No, it doesn't."

"Okay, then get on with it."

He didn't say anything for about thirty seconds, and then, "Are you immortal?"

I snorted, "I have no idea. I sure as hell hope not!"

Thankfully, he looked even more confused after that answer. I had no doubt he was searching through every possible magical creature to try and figure out which one made up part of my DNA. But wizards didn't believe in gods, only in magic. They thought the gods, any gods, were just silly stories made up by ancient muggles who couldn't explain magic.

"You've got one more question, Potter. Think hard."

He thought far too long for me to be comfortable. I could almost see the thoughts whizzing through his mind.