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James was bored, as usual.
Professor Binns’s class was the
epitome of boredom. He twirled his quill slowly between his fingers, letting it
brush up against his face every now and then. He was nearly asleep. Then the
bell rang and the students around him began to move, packing their books and
heading out of the room. James did the same.
He exited the classroom and turned down the corridor toward his next
class. The glazed look he’d had as he fell asleep was still upon him as he
staggered zombielike with the crowd. Someone bumped into him and it jarred him
enough to bring him to reality. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Then he
heard a voice.
“Stop! Give it back!”
It was his brother, Albus.
James swept down the hallway past slower students toward the sound of the
commotion. Albus’s bag was being held high above his head by a seventh year
Slytherin. James knew he wouldn’t win a Muggle fight against that one, but if
he cursed him… well it would definitely mean detention for a week either way.
“Put it down!” James shouted, pointing his wand directly at the Slytherin
boy.
The boy laughed. “Why should I?” There was a crowd of students growing
around them now.
“Because if you don’t I’ll give you teeth the size of a walrus.” James
said calmly. “Now put it down.”
Slowly, the boy put Albus’s bag onto the floor. Albus was too busy
admiring his brother to notice, until James said, “Pick it up, Al, what are you
waiting for?”
Albus snatched his bag and went to stand near James. Just then the
headmistress came striding into the scene. “What’s going on here? Potter, put
down your wand. Magic is not allowed in the corridors, you know that.”
“Yes ma’am.” James lowered his wand, but didn’t take his eyes off the
Slytherin.
“Will someone please tell me what happened here?”
There was only silence, until a small blond witch stepped forward and
said, “Please Ma’am, that boy was holding Albus’s bag, threatening to throw it
out the window. James made him stop.”
Professor McGonagall reviewed the scene, Albus cowering beside James, and
the two of them staring, one frightened and the other angry, at the Slytherin
boy.
“Potter, is this true?” She asked James.
“Yes, Ma’am.” James answered still not averting his gaze.
Professor McGonagall sighed. “Very well then. You,” she pointed to the
Slytherin, “I’m taking ten points from Slytherin for your misbehavior. I do not
want to hear of it happening again, is that understood?”
“Yes, Professor.” The Slytherin replied, sneering.
“And you two,” she turned to Albus and James, “I want to see in my office
now. Follow me. The rest of you, off to your classes!” She continued down the
hall to her office. She stopped in front of a large statue of a gargoyle and
said, “Remember.”
The gargoyle stepped aside, revealing a spiral staircase that she
mounted, with the boys following. When she reached the door, she swept inside,
holding it open for them before closing and latching it. She went to the desk
and sat, inviting them to do the same.
James looked around the room. It was covered in portraits of sleeping
witches and wizards, each one with a small plaque below bearing their name.
Then there were shelves that held yet more pictures. These were of people;
families, individuals, gravestones; he even thought he saw one of Hogwarts,
though it looked damaged somehow.
“I brought you here,” said Professor McGonagall, “To introduce you to two
people. They were planning to wait until all three of Harry Potter’s children
were at school, but when I told him of Albus’s appearance,” she looked into
Albus’s eyes, “One of them insisted on seeing you now. They will meet little
Lily when she comes as well, but for now you’ll do. Boys, I’d like you to meet
the headmasters who led this school while your parents were here, Albus
Dumbledore, and Severus Snape.” She turned to the two portraits closest to her
desk, hanging right next to each other. One was an old man, long hair and
beard, smiling serenely from behind half-moon spectacles. The other was a
younger man, with sallow pale skin, dark greasy hair, and a look of longing on
his face.
James had heard stories from his parents about these two men; how Harry
had trusted Dumbledore, how he’d hated Snape, and the sacrifices of both men to
bring down the one called Voldemort. As enthralled as he was with seeing them,
he knew that Albus would be more so. He looked to his younger brother and as he
expected, saw nothing but wide-eyed amazement. James stood and helped Albus to
do so, walking him toward the portraits.
“Hello boys.” said Dumbledore. “I am so glad to know that your father and
mother have been blessed with such noble and honest children. We heard what
happened in the corridors a few minutes ago. It was very brave of you, James,
to stand up for your brother. No less than I would expect from the son of Harry
and Ginny Potter.”
“Thank you, sir.” James said, nodding.
“Come here, boy.” said Snape in a hoarse whisper. The two Potters
approached him together. Even though they knew he’d done right in the end, he
still looked menacing. “Look at me.” He said, staring at Albus.
Albus looked up, and the green eyes met the black. They remained locked
for a moment or so, before Snape said, “You have your grandmother’s eyes.” and
leaned back in his chair.
“You knew Gramma Lily?” Albus shouted, startling the others, except for
Snape.
“I did.” He nodded slowly. “And she was the kindest person I’ve ever
known.”
The boys stood still, amazed at the opportunity they’d been given to meet
these men. James said, “Thank you, sirs, both of you.” He felt he should’ve
said more, but couldn’t think of what.
“Enjoy your time here, young men.” said Dumbledore. “We’ll be here if you
need us.”
Professor McGonagall led them out of her office. When they reached the
bottom of the stairs, she handed them each a rolled up slip of parchment. “Hand
this to your teachers, and you will not be punished for being late. Enjoy the
rest of your classes.” She gave a small mischievous smile, and turned back up
the staircase. The boys stood in wonder, watching the gargoyle take up its
post, before looking at each other. Grins spread across their faces, and they
laughed, turning down the hall toward their next classes.
