Chapter Text
After the Sorting Ceremony, and before everyone had their dinner, a newly minted Slytherin Prefect with long straw-like hair he’d grown over the summer and thick glasses stood up from the Slytherin Table, walking over to a couple of blonde Hufflepuff sisters. The older sister waved at him. ‘Jamie! Congratulations on becoming a Prefect! That Prefect badge looks amazing on you!’
‘Thanks, Penny,’ Jamie said with a huge grin. ‘It’s great to see you.’
‘How did you spend your summer holidays?’ the girl with braids asked.
‘Studying everything I could find on the Dark Arts, that way at least I didn’t have to leave my room and face my Mum,’ Jamie said with a weak half-smile, hiding the bitterness behind his memories.
‘I see you haven’t lost your ambitious streak…’ Penny said with a knowing smirk. ‘But I’m glad your adventure didn’t get you expelled! You never would have a chance to meet my little sister, Beatrice!’ she said, giving her sister a side hug.
‘Hi!’ said Beatrice. She was almost uncannily similar to her sister in looks and mannerisms, save for the bob cut of the hair, as opposed to long braids. The rest, her blonde hair, the blue eyes, even the shape of the face, was almost identical to Penny. The height difference was what set them apart other than the haircut, though not by much, Penny being a little more than a head taller.
Jamie offered a hand, saying, ‘Hi, I’m Jamie.’ The girl shook his hand enthusiastically, while Jamie commented, ‘I thought you might be Penny’s sister when I heard the name Haywood during the Sorting Ceremony…’
Beatrice nodded energetically. ‘And now we’re both Hufflepuffs! I was hoping for Hufflepuff, but I would have been happy with Slytherin too.’
‘Bea is a big fan of yours,’ Penny explained, seeing the curious look on Jamie’s face at the mention of his own house. Not many people, especially not half-bloods and muggleborns, had no bias at all against Slytherin House, given the dark reputation. A reputation Jamie wanted to change as much as possible, especially now that he was a Prefect. Penny continued, ‘She’s always asking me to tell her stories about my adventures with the famous Curse-Breaker, James Smith.’
‘Now I can join you!’ Beatrice beamed up even more than before. ‘Will you take me on your next curse-breaking adventure?’
‘Absolutely not,’ Jamie said, maintaining his smile, while Beatrice's face slowly fell. ‘Can’t get you in danger, now that you’ve just arrived!’
‘I’m sorry, Bea. Maybe when you’re a bit older…’ Penny agreed with Jamie, talking in a soft voice.
‘You helped Jamie investigate the cursed ice when you were a first-year,’ Beatrice pouted.
‘That’s… true,’ Penny couldn’t deny.
‘And Harry Potter defeated He Who Must Not Be Named when he was just a baby!’ Beatrice continued.
‘That’s beside the point…’ Jamie insisted. ‘And I’m fairly certain Potter had no choice in the matter…’
‘There will be plenty of time for death-defying adventures when you’re older,’ Penny consoled her sister.
‘No fair. If Dumbledore was here, I bet he’d let me break curses with you…’ Beatrice pouted some more. Indeed, the Headmaster wasn’t there that night, his throne-chair suspiciusly empty.
‘Why don’t you show Jamie what you made for him?’ Penny asked with a smile, trying to distract her sister.
‘Because you won’t let me break curses,’ Beatrice was undeterred.
‘Come on, Bea. You spent all summer on it,’ Penny nudged her.
Looking between the two fifth-years, Beatrice gave up with a laugh. ‘Fine. I can’t stay mad at my big sister or her favourite friend…’ Taking out a stuffed yellow sphere, Beatrice offered it to Jamie with a huge smile. ‘I sewed you a toy Puffskein. They’re cute, but tough. Just like me!’
Jamie took the toy, taking a closer look. The stuffed Puffskein had red button eyes, and a smile sewed on beneath them. It was quite cute. ‘Thanks, Beatrice. This is so cool.’
‘It’s made with real Puffskein hair,’ Beatrice noted eagerly.
‘She shaved our Puffskein every Sunday, and collected the clippings for your gift,’ Penny confirmed with a grimace.
‘Penny was upset because you can use their hair as a potion ingredient,’ Bea added.
‘Well, thank you. It’s amazing,’ Jamie thanked, giving the toy a squeeze.
‘Did you know Puffskeins eat spiders and moths?’ Beatrice asked, her smile growing even more.
‘I did not…’ Jamie said, starting to get a bit uncomfortable at the enthusiasm of the Haywood duo.
Sensing his state of mind, Penny took Beatrice’s arm. ‘Let’s go and take a tour of the Hufflepuff Common Room, Bea. I’m sure Jamie wants to catch up with the rest of our friends.’
As they walked away, Beatrice turned around one more time, waving at Jamie. ‘Nice meeting you, Jamie Smith!’
‘Hey, Bill!’ Jamie tapped the new Gryffindor Head Boy on the shoulder.
Bill turned around with a huge smile. ‘Jamie! I hear you’re a Prefect too. Welcome to the club.’
‘Thanks, Bill. It’s cool that Charlie became a Prefect too,’ Jamie said, looking at the red badge on Charlie’s chest. Looking back at Bill, he noticed a second badge on top of the red Prefect badge, with the words "Head Boy." Jamie pointed at it, saying, ‘Congratulations on that as well! Your briefing at the train was quite good.’
‘Yeah, Mum is over the moon. She has it in her head that every Weasley from here on will become a Prefect, at least.’ Turning more serious, Bill leaned in, so that only Jamie could hear him. ‘You and I should talk after Professor McGonagall’s welcoming speech…’
Jamie looked for a second again at the High Table, confirming that the Headmaster was still missing. ‘What happened to Dumbledore?’
‘No one knows… But you better sit down now, McGonagall's about to start.’ Bill said, pointing with his head at the podium. McGonagall was walking towards it, and all the students sat back on their tables.
‘Welcome back to Hogwarts,’ she started. ‘The Headmaster is attending to business elsewhere, so he has asked me to deliver this year’s welcoming speech. In recent years, we have been distracted by nonsense, and obsessed with threats both imagined and real…’ Whispers broke the silence of the students, until McGonagall spoke with sternness. ‘No longer.’ The students went quiet, and McGonagall continued. ‘Hogwarts is a place of learning, and it is our duty as students and teachers to respect and defend its purpose. First-year students are embarking on a journey to become the best witches and wizards they can be. Fifth-year students will be taking the O.W.L. examinations, which are critical to success in subsequent years. Seventh-years will take their N.E.W.T.s, determining whether they should succeed in the pursuit of their desired career. The staff is here to help you, including our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Rakepick.’ A small round of applause welcomed the smirking red-head, until McGonagall called again for their attention. ‘Please focus on your studies, and realise that this year will determine the course of your wizarding career. And please, enjoy the feast.’
‘As if I wasn’t stressed enough over my N.E.W.T.s…’ Bill lamented when dinner was over, and Jamie was back sitting at his side.
‘What did you want to talk about, Bill?’
‘Let’s meet tomorrow in the Library, Jamie. We can talk while I study… But you better head the new first-years back to your Common Room!’
After guiding the first-year Slytherins to their Common Room along with the other Slytherin Prefect; and having given the necessary indications, Jamie looked around the room, searching for someone he’d not yet had the chance to talk to. Finally seeing her in a corner talking to Ismelda, Jamie approached them. ‘Smith,’ he heard Merula say when she saw him come close. ‘Couldn’t wait to see me?’
‘Have I ever?’ Jamie asked mockingly.
Ismelda, unlike Merula, was not amused at all at his approach. ‘Don’t you have some Mudbloods to save elsewhere?’
Narrowing his eyes at the creepy girl, Jamie warned, ‘You’re lucky we don’t have any House Points yet, Ismelda, or I would have docked some for that.’
‘You wouldn’t dare,’ Ismelda scoffed.
‘Try me,’ Jamie challenged, before turning to Merula with a sly smile. ‘I didn’t come to talk with your little friend here, Merula, but with you. If you’re interested, of course…’
Merula held back a smirk, as she nudged Ismelda. ‘Wait for me in the dorms while I talk to the dork. It won’t take a moment.’
‘But…’
‘Now, Ismelda,’ the girl insisted in a tone that demanded obedience.
Ismelda scowled, looking at Jamie with murderous intent, but relented. Intentionally bumping into him, she left them alone, going up the stairs to her dormitory. When she was out of sight, Jamie nodded at Merula, a bit shy after not seeing her for three months. ‘Thanks. I was hoping to catch up with you.’
‘You’re bothering me only for that?’ Merula asked, seemingly offended, though Jamie noticed her lip curl up slightly.
‘Were you expecting something else?’ he asked with another sly smile.
‘Well…’ Merula’s cheeks blushed slightly for a second, before she huffed. ‘Maybe you’d finally decided to leave the Cursed Vaults business to me, now you have some unending detention.’
‘You’ve heard that?’
Merula rolled her eyes. ‘Everyone heard that, just like everyone knows you and your little gang of weirdos broke the Sleepwalking Curse.’
Chuckling, Jamie said, ‘Yes, I feared that would happen... Anyway, how was your summer?’ he asked, scratching the back of his head.
Merula’s smirk disappeared, as she replied coldly, ‘Uneventful. I trained and studied.’ The grin returned, though a bit more forced. ‘I can’t stop being the Most Powerful Witch at Hogwarts for one year. And now Rakepick’s our professor, she can teach me real power.’
‘You still want to work for her?’
‘You may not like her much, Smith, but she’s my best bet to conquer the next Cursed Vault. And it’s not like you didn’t offer her your help last year,’ she mocked. Rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, she said, ‘I don’t really want to know, but I suppose it would be appropriate if I asked you how your summer went.’
‘Well, thanks for asking!’ Jamie joked. ‘My summer was similar. I studied what I could on curses and the Dark Arts, as well as a couple of other things. I also received the badge, that was nice too,’ he said, tapping the Prefect badge with his index finger.
Merula rolled her eyes at his smugness. ‘Can’t stop boasting about it?’
‘You tell me, you’re the one with experience on that front.’
‘Mine are actual achievements, not trophies for being the teacher’s pet. Now, if that was all…’ Merula said, walking away.
‘Wait!’ Jamie tugged at her sleeve. ‘I wanted to ask you…’
‘Yes?’ Merula asked with a curious look.
Stammering, Jamie finished his question. ‘Well… since we enjoyed our first date together last year, I was wondering… if you might want another one soon?’
‘A second first date?’ Merula teased with a smirk. ‘You should be so lucky…’
‘Is that a “yes”?’
‘It’s not a “no”,’ Merula corrected. ‘But we can’t go to Hogsmeade until October, so there’s time to think about it…’
‘Of course…’ Jamie nodded. ‘I better go to bed. You too, unless you want Ismelda to throw a hissy fit.’
On the first day of lessons, after all his classes were over, Jamie went to the Library, knowing Bill was there. He found him sitting with Charlie and another boy that Jamie guessed was their brother from the red hair and the freckled face. He was a second-year, but he was in informal clothes, and had a pet rat sitting on a book by his side. Sitting down with them, he joked, ‘I feel like an official Weasley…’
‘I thought I’d get us all together since I need to study for my N.E.W.T.s, and Charlie has to study for his O.W.L.s…’ Bill explained. ‘Percy… just likes to study.’
‘We haven’t been properly introduced,’ said Percy, offering a hand for Jamie to shake. As the Slytherin shook the hand, Percy introduced himself pompously. ‘I’m Percy Weasley, future Gryffindor Prefect, Head Boy, and eventual Minister for Magic.’
‘Sounds like you have your entire life planned out…’ Jamie said, admiring the ambition from the Gryffindor.
‘If you let him, he’ll tell you what to do with your life too,’ Bill warned Jamie.
‘This is my loyal rat, Scabbers,’ Percy added, petting the rat’s head.
‘Loyal?’ Charlie scoffed. ‘It runs off every chance it gets.’
‘There’s something off about that rat…’ Bill admitted.
Percy was having none of it. ‘Ron likes him.’
‘Ron’s eight. He likes everything except spiders,’ Charlie pointed out.
‘What did you want to talk about, Bill?’ Jamie asked, tired of the family banter.
‘Can you study with us first, Jamie?’ asked Bill. ‘I won’t be able to think straight until I finish this book on Ancient Runes.’
Jamie smiled, asking, ‘How could I turn down a Weasley brothers study session?’
When their break period was coming to an end, Bill closed the book, pinching the bridge of his nose. ‘The Cursed Vaults don’t have anything on the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests…’
‘I don’t care what I have to miss this year to study for my O.W.L.s… I won’t let anything stop me from being a Dragonologist,’ Charlie stated.
‘If you two were better at managing your time, you wouldn’t be so stressed,’ Percy said dismissively.
‘Tell it to your rat,’ Charlie fired back.
‘I want to find time to teach you a new duelling spell, Jamie. It’s quickly becoming one of my favourites,’ Bill said, ignoring his brothers. ‘Who knows what we’ll get up to this year. I want to make sure I help you as much as I can before leaving Hogwarts.’
‘Thanks, Bill. You’re a good friend.’
A tall figure interrupted their conversation, standing in front of them. ‘Mr Weasley…’ Professor Rakepick called out.
‘Yes…’ Bill said.
‘Yes?’ Charlie asked.
‘Yes, Professor!’ Percy jumped in his seat.
‘William Weasley,’ Rakepick specified, rolling her eyes.
‘What is it, Madam Rakepick?’
‘Professor Rakepick,’ Percy corrected Bill.
‘Right. It’ll take some time to get used to that…’ Bill muttered.
‘Follow me,’ Rakepick simply ordered. ‘You too, Mr Smith. We have work to do…’
The professor took them to the Training Grounds, along with Merula, and it was already dark outside. The Curse-Breaker addressed the three students. ‘Congratulations. Of all the students at Hogwarts, I have chosen you three to serve as my apprentice Curse-Breakers; Mr Weasley for his bravery and determination, Miss Snyde for her ambition and strength, and Mr Smith for his cunning, natural talent, and obvious connection to the Cursed Vaults. I look forward to showing each of you how to leave a lasting impact on the wizarding world…’
‘I’m honoured,’ Jamie simply said.
‘I’m glad to see you take the news so well, Mr Smith,’ Rakepick noted. ‘We will need each other to find the next Cursed Vault, and break its curse before anyone gets hurt.’
‘I can do it myself,’ Merula scoffed. ‘I’m strong enough to handle anything.’
‘You’re welcome to go alone, Miss Snyde, but be warned that you’ll almost certainly die,’ said Rakepick, amused. ‘Let me share my experiences defeating Dark Wizards, decimating deadly beasts, and breaking ancient curses… Show you places you never knew existed, and open your eyes to things you never thought possible… Teach you spells capable of capturing or obliterating anything foolish enough to stand in your path…’ Taking out her wand from her holster at the belt, she said, ‘One such lesson is the Incarcerous Spell. Allow me to demonstrate…’ Performing an exaggerated wand movement so they could memorise it, she explained, ‘This spell can be used to bind nearly any person or creature. It is a form of Conjuration, as it conjures ropes that bind around a target’s body.’
‘My mum used this spell to bind and gag an Auror once,’ Merula recalled.
Rakepick nodded, noting, ‘An excellent example. The incantation is Incarcerous. Now, if you please, Mr Smith, demonstrate the Incarcerous Spell on Miss Snyde.’
‘Why me?’ Merula protested.
Rakepick chuckled. ‘You said it yourself… You’re strong enough to handle anything.’
‘Oh,’ Merula was caught off guard. ‘Yes, well, I suppose that’s true…’
Taking a few steps back, Jamie pointed his wand at Merula’s torso. ‘Incarcerous!’
A thick rope was conjured around Merula, holding her arms to the side as she struggled to move. ‘Well done,’ Rakepick commented.
‘I don’t think she can breathe…’ Bill said, concerned.
‘Emancipare!’ Jamie released Merula from the ropes with the counter charm, allowing her to breathe. ‘Are you all right, Merula?’
Merula rubbed her arms where the rope had dug into her, her red face returning to its normal shade. ‘Of… course.’
‘This is a valuable lesson,’ said Rakepick. ‘We are a team now. A family. No matter what happens, we must protect one another. Now, it’s best if you go back to your Common Rooms for the night.’
The day after, a Saturday, Jamie and Charlie were introduced by Bill to the Prefect’s Bathroom in the morning, being impressed by the marvellous room. A bit later, during lunch, Jamie received a message from a first-year from his house, asking to meet in the Artefact Room. Obliging, Jamie slipped into the room, seeing a small, pale girl with short brown hair and big, round glasses waiting for him. ‘Elora Dunn? Are you the first-year who sent me a message?’ Jamie asked.
‘Yes…’ the first-year burst out in tears.
‘What happened?’ Jamie tried to console her as he asked.
‘I accidentally bumped a Ravenclaw’s book bag, and her notes went flying… She lost her temper, and hit me with the Knockback Jinx in front of everyone…’
‘Are you alright?’
‘My side hurts,’ Elora said, rubbing the area. ‘But I’m mainly just embarrassed… She called me a slimy Slytherin, and told me to slither back to the dungeons where I belong…’
‘I’m sorry, Elora. I know what it’s like to be bullied,’ Jamie said.
‘I was so excited to come to Hogwarts, but now I just want to go home… I’m sorry to bother you, but you’re my Prefect, and I don’t have any friends yet. I didn’t know what else to do…’
‘You haven’t learned how to brew a Wiggenweld Potion yet, I assume?’ Jamie asked, trying to distract her.
‘No, we’ve only got as far as Cure for Boils.’
‘Then I’ll show you how to brew a Wiggenweld Potion. Once you feel better, we’ll work out what to do next. Sound good?’
Wiping a tear, Elora nodded. Jamie gathered his potion-making kit, and cleaned a cauldron from the room, preparing everything.
Showing Elora the steps to brewing a Wiggenweld Potion, Jamie gave the finishing touches, smiling proudly. ‘And that’s how you brew a Wiggenweld Potion,’ he said, filling a vial with the liquid, and handing it to the girl. ‘Give it a try. It will make you feel better…’ Elora looked at the swirling liquid for a moment before drinking it in one swig, twitching at the effects. ‘Do you feel better?’ Jamie asked.
Touching the side where she’d been hit, Elora smiled. ‘Yes, thank you.’
‘Are you ready to get out of this stuffy room? I can walk you back to the Slytherin Common Room…’ Jamie offered.
Elora shook her head nervously. ‘I can’t leave.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘That girl told me that if she ever sees my face again, she’ll hit it with the Stinging Jinx…’
‘Are you sure this girl’s name isn’t Merula Snyde? Or Ismelda Murk?’
‘What should I do about the girl who threatened me?’ Elora asked, fearful.
‘Talking from experience, nothing will change unless you fight back.’
‘But I don’t know how to duel. I don’t even know any offensive spells…’
‘Come with me to the Training Grounds then. I’ll teach you how to defend yourself…’
Walking with the girl out to the cool afternoon, Jamie explained, ‘Learning how to defend yourself is one of the most important parts of going to Hogwarts.’
‘Who taught you how to duel?’
‘My old Prefect, Professor Flitwick, and Bill Weasley.’
‘Really?! Do you think they’ll teach me?!’ Elora asked excitedly.
‘I’m going to teach you,’ Jamie reminded her. ‘That’s literally the entire reason why we’re here.’
‘You’re cool too, Jamie,’ she mumbled, going slightly red
‘Thanks, Elora,’ Jamie said with a smile.
Teaching her a few essential spells she could understand, Jamie trained her in duelling tactics and techniques, as well as those charms and jinxes. After a while, she had picked up on them pretty quickly, and could cast them easily. Jamie decided that a duel would be the best next step, so he warned her, ‘I can’t go too easy on you, you know. I have a duelling reputation to protect…’
‘You better not go easy on me. I’ll be doing everything I can to defeat the great James Smith…’
They bowed, and took on their stances. Jamie decided to test her reflexes, shouting, ‘Flipendo!’
Elora dodged the spell, grabbing a rock from the ground and throwing it at him with her left hand. The projectile didn’t have much force behind it, but it was only a distraction, as when Jamie stepped aside to dodge, Elora was pointing at him. ‘Rictusempra!’
The Tickling Charm hit Jamie in the abdomen, and he burst out laughing. However, through the laughter, he hissed, ‘Melofors!’ Because of the effects of the Tickling Charm, his aim was not very good, and the spell narrowly missed Elora’s head. It did serve to break her concentration and end the laughing, however. ‘Expelliarmus!’ Jamie yelled, and Elora’s wand was flicked away. As she was picking it up, Jamie congratulated her. ‘That wasn’t bad at all for your first duel, Elora. You have a gift for it.’
‘Well, I had a brilliant teacher.’
‘Better than Flitwick and Bill Weasley?’
‘Nope,’ Elora said, laughing. ‘Seriously though, thank you for your help, Jamie. I can’t imagine a better leader for our house. I’m going to tell Professor Snape you’re an amazing Prefect.’
‘Thanks, Elora… Now, you better get to class!’
Elora looked at the hour, jumping up and running to class, while she thanked him again. ‘Yes! Thank you for everything!’
A swarm of Nifflers was running amok in the clearing where they usually had Care of Magical Creatures lessons when Jamie arrived soon to class, with an ecstatic Tulip in the middle. ‘Tulip! What have you done?!’
‘I let loose the Nifflers! Every single one of them! Isn’t that brilliant?! It’s absolute chaotic cuteness!’ she cried of joy.
‘What are you thinking?! They’ll terrorise the castle!’ Jamie yelled at her.
‘That’s exactly what I’m thinking!’
‘I have to calm these Nifflers, and get them back in their pens before they wreck everything!’
Tulip pouted while Jamie gathered Nifflers and put them back in their pens. ‘No! My own army of furry little thieving Nifflers… Why ruin all the fun? They’re like cute little bundles of absolute chaos! Did becoming a Prefect make it so you can’t take a joke?’
‘It will be impossible to catch them all without using magic,’ Jamie mused, ignoring Tulip’s protests. ‘I hate to do this, but if I don’t they’ll wreck all of Hogwarts… Immobulus! Immobulus! Immobulus…!’ Each spell paralysed several Nifflers at once, but there were so many that it took Jamie a few moments to get them all.
‘What did you do that for?’ Tulip asked angrily, pushing him. ‘You ruined my brilliant prank!’
‘This is serious, Tulip. If these Nifflers had gotten into the castle they would’ve broken every bottle in Potions, destroyed every portrait, shattered the House Point hourglasses… Not to mention giving poor Ben a heart attack.’
‘Everything except tangentially murdering Ben Copper sounds absolutely brilliant.’
‘I told you when I was trying to become a Prefect that I’d do my job if I caught you breaking the rules…’
‘Do you really want to send your friend to detention, James Smith?’ Tulip asked.
‘I’m sorry, Tulip, but I have to tell Kettleburn and Flitwick what you did.’
Tulip nodded thoughtfully. ‘I respect your commitment, James Smith. I made this glorious mess, and I’m pleased to pay the price.’
Suddenly, a huge red bird materialised with a burst of fire near them. Fawkes the Phoenix carried a message in its beak, and offered it to Jamie. It was a message from the Headmaster, asking Jamie to go to his office immediately, along with the password.
Entering the Headmaster’s office, Jamie saw Tonks standing at the side of Dumbledore’s desk, as the bearded man welcomed him. ‘Welcome, James! I haven’t had an opportunity to officially congratulate you for earning the right to become our newest Slytherin Prefect.’
‘Thank you, Professor Dumbledore.’
‘I believe you may be the first student in Hogwarts’ history to become a Prefect while serving a year long detention,’ Dumbledore noted with a twinkle in his eye.
‘Thank you…?’
‘Tell me what your experience as a Prefect has been thus far,’ requested the Headmaster.
‘It’s been exciting, Professor. I got to visit the Prefects’ Bathroom, and help a first-year overcome a difficult situation.’
‘You’ve overcome challenges of your own, so I’m not surprised that you’re an excellent leader for your house. I understand that you even found the courage to discipline your good friend, Tulip Karasu. I applaud your ability to honour your duties in the face of such a difficult decision… Ten points to Slytherin.’
‘Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. May I ask why you invited me here?’
‘You may. I’m sure you’re also wondering why Miss Tonks is here, and why she is uncharacteristically somber…’
‘Hey, Jamie…’ Tonks said, looking rather down.
‘She was caught pouring Bulbadox Powder into every cauldron in the Potions classroom,’ Dumbledore explained. ‘As you well know, this tends to result in explosions. This is not the first time Miss Tonks has broken school rules.’
‘It’s the thirty-ninth time,’ Tonks noted.
‘Traditional punishment has been ineffectual to this point…’ Dumbledore proceeded. ‘As a Prefect, and her friend, I’m looking to you for creative alternatives. Something that will occupy her idle hands, satisfy her thirst for adventure, and aid her ambitions of becoming an Auror. I have… other matters to attend to, so I will allow you two to discuss the matter amongst yourselves…’
Discussing it with Tonks, they considered different opinions, until they agreed on the same one. When the Headmaster stood up and walked to them, he asked, ‘Have you two come up with an idea to keep Miss Tonks out of trouble?’
Tonks nudged Jamie. ‘Go ahead, Jamie. I’m happy with anything, as long as we do it together.’
‘Hunting dangerous creatures could keep us busy, while preparing Tonks for a career as an Auror,’ Jamie explained. ‘We could try to capture Kettleburn’s escaped Chimaera, or look for Trolls or Werewolves in the Forest…’
‘How do you feel about those options, Miss Tonks?’ Dumbledore asked the Hufflepuff.
‘I love ‘em all.’
‘I thought you might. My goal is not to make you miserable, but to provide focus, and an opportunity for growth. Each are interesting in their own way, not to mention incredibly dangerous…’
‘We can handle it,’ Jamie said, confident.
‘Together, Jamie and I can do anything.’
‘Very well… What will it be, James? Chimaera, Werewolves, or Trolls?’
‘I’d like to track Werewolves,’ Jamie said, remembering Tonk’s liking for them. ‘I have a bit of experience in the matter, and I can’t think of a better challenge using everything we’ve learned at Hogwarts.’
‘Yes!’ Tonks jumped up.
‘Focus on your studies and various responsibilities,’ Dumbledore remarked. ‘But expect an owl when I deem your task necessary. You are both dismissed.’
‘Thank you, Professor! And thank you, Jamie. I thought I was getting expelled, but instead we’ll be going on an amazing adventure!’
‘For now, I’d better get back to being a Prefect…’ Jamie chuckled.
The first month of school term passed without much incident. Jamie's detention had not started yet, and Professor Rakepick was proving to be quite the competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. October came, and on the first visit to Hogsmeade, Bill took Charlie and Jamie to the Three Broomsticks for a surprise. Four ex-students from all four houses sat around the table Bill took them to. Jamie recognised Felix Rosier, his old Prefect; as well as Angelica Cole and Chester Davies, the old Prefects of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw respectively. The fourth one was a girl with light brown neck-long hair and light skin, and strangely terrifying brown eyes. ‘Now that you and Charlie are Prefects,’ Bill explained. ‘I thought it would be fun to get some of the old Prefects back together! I’m sure you remember Angelica, Chester, Felix and… uh…’ Bill said, pointing at each one, trailing off as he tried to remember the name of the Hufflepuff ex-Prefect. ‘…Janet?’
‘Jane,’ she corrected with a cold tone.
‘Right. Of course. Sorry, Jane,’ Bill said, a bit terrified at her tone, colder than her eyes.
‘How many points have you earned for Slytherin this year, Jamie?’ Felix asked teasingly, punching Jamie lightly on the shoulder.
‘I-’
‘I’m just kidding. I always knew you’d lead the way for our house,’ Felix said, smiling wide. ‘It’s only a matter of time before you become Head Boy.’
‘What have you all been up to?’ Jamie asked, a bit more at ease.
‘I’m a Security Troll Trainer,’ Angelica said, excited. ‘It’s difficult work, but I like the challenge.’
‘I work in the Improper Use of Magic Office at the Ministry of Magic,’ said Chester, less excited than the Gryffindor. ‘We regulate violations of the International Confederation of Wizards’ Statute of Secrecy.’
Felix spoke up next. ‘I’m a Dragonologist, specialising in the Peruvian Vipertooth. Dragons have always been my passion.’
‘Me too!’ Charlie cried excitedly.
‘How about you, Jane?’ Jamie asked, noticing her silent behaviour.
‘I just got released from a stint in Azkaban,’ she responded, cold as always, earning the shock of the table. ‘I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘Fair enough,’ Jamie conceded.
‘Let’s order a round of Butterbeers, and catch up…’ Bill proposed, easing the tension. When they had their drinks, he raised his glass. ‘Cheers to being Prefects!’
Chatting all through the evening, learning what they had been up to since leaving Hogwarts, Jamie and his friends enjoyed the company of the former Prefects (except perhaps that of Jane). When their latest round of Butterbeers was over, Bill decided it was time for him to go back to the castle. ‘Thank you all for coming. This has been brilliant.’
Before he left, Jamie asked the adults, ‘Do you have any advice for Charlie and me?’
‘Never stop learning, and never lose focus,’ Chester responded.
Angelica added, ‘Don’t be afraid to try something new.’
‘Never let anything stand between you and your goals,’ Felix said with a smirk.
Jane’s vacant eyes stared into the distance. ‘Don’t go to prison.’
Charlie’s mouth went slightly agape, and Bill tried to get them back on track. ‘All right then…’
‘Cheers to being Prefects!’ Jamie said, raising his mug one last time.
That night, a paper plane crashed into Jamie. Unfolding it, it revealed a message from Ben, asking to meet in the Clocktower Courtyard that same moment. Jamie went alone to the meeting, seeing Ben sitting on the fountain by his own.
‘Jamie,’ the boy greeted, more nervous than usual. ‘I’m surprised you came…’
‘I want to make sure you’re okay,’ Jamie assured. ‘I’ve hardly seen you since…’
‘I should be the one checking on you,’ Ben lamented. ‘I’ve just been so ashamed. And afraid…’
‘What are you afraid of?’
‘That someone might take control of me again. That they might make me do something even worse. That I might have already done something worse, but I can’t remember…’
‘Tell me everything that happened that night,’ Jamie proposed. ‘We’ll see if we can work it out…’
‘The things I do remember are fragments, mostly.’ Ben started to list his memories, standing up and pacing around. ‘I remember Rakepick talking to me in the corridor. Asking lots of questions. I remember resting on the sofa in the Gryffindor common room… I also remember talking to one of the Weasleys. Bill, I think. I remember putting on those red robes, but it was like I was someone else… I wish I remembered more, but I still don’t, even after all this time… Dumbledore tried everything after you had Rakepick take me to his office.’ He looked down at the ground, tears welling up. ‘It’s hopeless. I’m hopeless…’
‘Nothing is hopeless,’ Jamie said, resting a hand on his shoulder. ‘One way or another, we’ll work this out.’
Ben looked up at him, hopeful. ‘After everything that’s happened, do you still trust me, Jamie?’
Jamie nodded, determined. ‘I trust you, Ben. I think someone is using you, and we’re going to find out who it is…’
Ben suddenly hugged him, shaking. ‘Thank you, Jamie. I don’t know what I’d do without you…’
Jamie hugged back for a moment, before breaking it. ‘Anytime, Ben.’
Ben’s smile turned into a look of horror. ‘Watch out!’ Trying to take out his wand, he pushed Jamie out of the way, before a flash of purple light threw him to the ground.
‘Ben!’ Jamie cried out, turning to face the threat. Just as he was facing a red robed figure he knew too well, a Full Body-Bind Curse struck him, making him fall backwards like a board.
‘I told you death was coming to Hogwarts, James Smith. We still need you alive, but before this year ends, one of your friends has to die…’