Lily and James were sat in their living room on their cosy old couch. Finally, some time to themselves- the first they’d had all summer! Between Ron and Hermione staying over alternately each weekend, the weekly Quidditch matches that Harry played in while James watched and overenthusiastically yelled his support along with Sirius and Remus and her weekly meet ups with the witches of Godric’s Hollow for a good old gossip and Sirius, Remus and Peter constantly being around, this was the first time they’d really got to talk properly. But now, Harry, Ron and Hermione were back at Hogwarts for their second year- Harry had stayed at the Weasley’s last night so that they could all catch the train together, meaning they’d finally had a moment’s peace. James pulled her closer as she flicked through Witch Weekly, and she snuggled tightly into his chest, more relaxed than she’d been in weeks. He was messing around with a snitch that he’d stolen in his fifth year to show off to Sirius and Remus. He never could sit still, always had to be doing something – preferably something to do with Quidditch, his son, or anything deemed to be daft by normal people. The radio was playing classical music softly in the background – she’d always liked the muggle music, despite James making fun of her, she found it relaxing. Lily laid back and thought she’d indulge her urge for a nap, however, as soon as she had shut her eyes, there was a tap on the window. “Why on earth have we got a bloody owl at this time of night?” James grumbled, snatching the snitch out of the air. “I hope its Padfoot, or Moony.” He said hopefully, like a child in Honeydukes sweetshop. He opened the window, and to his surprise, Fawkes flew in. “What on earth is Dumbledore’s phoenix doing here?! What’s the boy done this early in the year?” He exclaimed, barely hiding his grin. The bird led go of the scroll he had in his beak, then disappeared, and before James could grab it, it unravelled itself, and Minerva McGonagall’s voice rung out. James and Lily, I am somewhat bemused to inform you that your son and his best friend arrived at the school this evening 2 hours late after flying Arthur Weasley’s Ford Anglia to school, claiming that the barrier to the platform was sealed, and would not allow them through. The boys also managed to crash the car into the Whomping Willow. James, I’m sure you’re thrilled that your son has taken after your roguish ways, but I’d ask you not to encourage this roguish behaviour not unlike your own. I do not need another 7 years of hell from your son, yours, Sirius’s and Remus’s years at school were quite enough, thank you. Yours, Minerva McGonagall. Lily whipped round and stared at James incredulously. “What an idiot. It’s not just his father’s looks he’s inherited, but his stupidity too.” Lily said angrily, although her eyes sparkled in the same way they did when she laughed at something ridiculous that James had done. “I’m going to get in contact with Mr and Mrs Weasley to offer to pay for any damage he’s caused. And you,” she said, frowning. “Are to start on a howler to Harry. As much as you find it hilarious and can barely conceal your joy that he’s getting into trouble and ruining his education, he is in deep trouble.” She watched James, who was smirking, trying desperately not to laugh; he knew that with her red hair came a great deal of feistiness, and she wasn’t to be argued with. James summoned the parchment, he was so excited!! He smiled to himself- he’d never been more proud of his son! Even he hadn’t done anything that bad when he was at Hogwarts!! He passed Lily a piece, tapped his with his wand as Lily glared at the cat, who glared back. He was unable to contain his excitement any longer and yelled into the parchment “HARRY POTTER THAT WAS TRULY INSPIRED! CRASHING A CAR INTO A TREE, NOT EVEN PADFOOT WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT. YOU’RE LIVING UP TO THE MARAUDER BLOOD THAT RUNS THROUGH YOUR VEINS, I’M SO PROUD AND YOUR MOTHER….” At this point, Lily interrupted him and started yelling “NO JAMES NO, YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ENCOURAGING HIM, YOU IDIOT! MORON, HONESTLY!” and glared at him venomously. He glared back and continued: “IGNORE YOUR MOTHER HARRY, SHE’S JUST JEALOUS THAT SHE COULDN’T THNK OF ANYTHING SO HILARIOUS TO DO…” “NO I’M NOT, IT’S RIDICULOUS, HE’S PUT HIS AND RON’S EDUCATION AT STAKE…” “ANYWAY, WELL DONE SON, YOU WAIT TILL I TELL PADFOOT AND MOONY, THEY’LL BE SO PROUD. GOSH, PADFOOT’S GONNA BE SO JEALOUS THOUGH.. TAKE CARE, TROUBLEMAKER!” “FINE, I’LL WRITE HIM A HOWLER MYSELF.” Growled Lily in the background. James sealed the envelope and gave it to his owl, who immediately flew up with a squawk He was still marvelling at his son’s creativity in causing trouble, until he caught Lily’s eye, who was still glaring at him, clutching a cup of coffee, and his smile faded. “C’mon Lily, it’s only a bit of fun, think of how I was at his age...” he pleaded. She ignored him, picked up the parchment, and started speaking into her own piece of parchment. “HARRY JAMES POTTER, HOW DARE YOU. I KNOW YOU’RE YOUR FATHER’S SON AND ALL THAT, BUT THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE AFTER HIM IN STUPIDITY. YOU COULD GET YOURSELF AND RON IN SO MUCH TROUBLE, AND ON YOUR OWN HEAD BE IT IF YOU HAVE YOUR WAND SNAPPED IN TWO BY PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL ON THE SPOT. I HOPE YOU NEVER FORGIVE YOURSELF. YOU HAVE SERIOUSLY EXPOSED THE WIZARDING COMMUNITY TO THE MUGGLES. THAT IS AGAINST THE LAW. IGNORE YOUR FATHER, IT’S NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF…” she yells, unable to contain her anger. She can hear James trying to butt in: “ LILY DON’T GET IN THE WAY OF TRUE INHERITANCE, IT’S IN HIS BLOOD” he pleaded, unable to be angry with her. Lily whipped round and glared at him- a charmed knife couldn’t cut the tension. After holding his gaze for long enough for him to get a guilty look on his face, she continued. “IF THERE IS ANY DAMAGE TO PAY FOR MR WEASLEY’S CAR, YOU WILL BE PAYING OUT OF YOUR ALLOWANCE, I AM WRITING TO HIM NOW APOLOGISING FOR YOUR APPALLING BEHAVIOUR.” She took a deep breath and James took the opportunity and said “Don’t listen, Harry, nor you, Ron!!” and grinned from ear to ear- he just couldn’t help himself! Lily turned her back. She had calmed enough to say, “of course, it’s not your fault Ron, it was quite obviously this prat’s idea. See you boys soon. No more trouble, please.” She sealed the envelope, and sent her own owl off with it, hoping it would get there before her husband’s. ********* Harry and Ron dragged their feet down to breakfast that morning. Hermione was not talking to them as she had deemed them a disgrace, nor were Fred and George, although that was more out of jealousy than anything else, and they knew that they would most probably be receiving howlers this morning from both their parents. They both felt truly miserable after the previous night’s adventures, although they knew they were incredibly lucky to still be at school. They sat down and reluctantly began chewing their toast as the mail came in. Ron’s arrived first. He went pasty, and opened his howler. Harry could feel him flinching beside him right to the very last “IF YOU PUT ONE MORE TOE OUT OF LINE, WE’LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME.” From Mrs Weasley. Just as Mrs Weasley moved on to congratulate Ginny on being accepted into Gryffindor and Ron turned pasty green and focused on Harry as a distraction. Harry spotted his parents’ owls come through a nearby window. His stomach lurched. By this time, Ron’s howler was over, so all attention would be on him. He wasn’t hungry anymore. He opened his mother’s first, knowing that hers would be the worst. The howler snarled at him in Lily’s voice as she ripped him to pieces. He stared down at his silver platter with half eaten jam on toast on it. Everyone was staring now, and he felt himself go hot around the ears. Ron bit his lip next to him, trying not to laugh. Harry didn’t see why, his own mother had been just as harsh. He could hear his father in the background, and then heard him pleading with Lily and smiled a ghost of a smile to himself- James himself had been a rogue, he’d understand. The Howler finished and exploded, and Harry sat silently staring at Ron for a moment, as the hall gaped at him. He then jerked into life and ripped open his father’s howler, expecting better, but not good. The Howler erupted with his father’s praises and Harry couldn’t help but grin – he knew his father would see the funny side, and as he heard his mum scald James in the background, he let out a soft laugh, because she knew that secretly, Lily wouldn’t have James any other way. Harry’s dad finished singing his and Ron’s praises, and the envelope exploded into gold confetti. It was probably the first good howler in history. There was silence in the hall for a moment, before the entire crowd erupted into laughter and applause at James Potter’s attitude. Amid the roar, Ron and Harry looked at each other, and Ron laughed and yelled, “I hate you so much Harry.” Shaking his head disbelievingly. Even Hermione was finding it hard to supress a laugh. ~☯ Owl ☯
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 21:53:34 +0000
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