Unexpected Hogsmeade Patrol Ⅲ

Early Saturday morning James had awoken from an old nightmare and memory ending in a green flash. His death. He rubs his cold sweating face with one hand and halts at feeling a bit of stubble. He had forgotten that he began to grow stubble at this age. He glances at the time and finds it was just past 5 o'clock. He had been sleeping more and more as of late and even though his nightmares had lessened, they had still not gone away. No, they likely never would in their entirety.

(Matron) Poppy (Pomfrey) basically tracked him down each week to ensure he continued taking his calming potion as duly prescribed. She carefully limited the amount of Dreamless Sleep he would take and regularly monitored his weight. After a strict diet, James had nearly regained all the weight that he had previously lost.

A snuffle causes James to smile and glance in the direction of Sirius's bed. Quietly pulling his crimson bed curtains aside, he finds the curtains of Remus, Peter, and Sirius are still closed shut. The soft snores of Peter can be heard, while Remus whistles through his nose. Not feeling the least bit sleepy, he gathers his things and heads to shower. The bathroom would be completely empty at this shower, and he would be able to take a long hot bath interrupted.

After a long hot shower and a shave, James tied his chin-length hair back. He glanced at his appearance in the mirror. His thin round silver-rimmed spectacles made him look intelligent and mature beyond his years. His hazel eyes were somber but no longer looked like they belonged to the dead. He reflexively ran a hand through his mostly tamed hair. Apparently, his hair was much more comparative if it was longer. He had known it would be that easy, he would have grown out his hair years ago.

James's hazel eyes freeze upon the glittering silver ring on his hand. He glances down at the engraved wyvern coiled around a sharp, gleaming dagger. The sapphire eyes of the wyvern pointedly glitter at him. The Prince crest was a daily reminder of his betrothal to Rowan Prince.

Rowan Prince was something of a mystery to him. She had never existed before but then again perchance she had never lived long enough to arrive at Hogwarts. Severus had never mentioned her at Hogwarts he knew neither had Lily. But then again, he had not known Severus Snape well enough nor been close enough for Severus to share such intimate details with him. And with the war and all, Lily and he did not have enough time to discuss all that they should have. They had thought they would have all the time needed after the war, but they had not.

Although he could not discount the possibility either this was a mirror world. It certainly would explain the differences between his past memories and the present. And if so, perchance, he would have never simply had a fighting chance with HIS LILY.

James let out a semi-bitter sigh. With each passing day, the gnawing pain inside his chest grew a little less and became more bearable. Ever since the death of his mother, it had become less painful to see this, Lily. Little by little he was no longer seeing HIS LILY in the present Lily. And undoubtedly, the two looked identically alike, but he had begun to see the two of them as their own person rather than as the same individual. And perchance someday, he would even be able to see this Lily without comparing her to HIS LILY.

Shaking his head, James gave himself one last look over, before heading down the dorm stairs towards the common room. A warm roaring fire warms the common room. The fireplace mantle is adorned with the portrait of a roaring lion. There are squashy, cozy stuffed armchairs that fill the common room along with worktables. A golden chandelier hangs overhead casting a warm light overhead. The tower's red curtains are pulled shut to keep the cold at bay. Though the curtains on a fierce storm can be seen fluttering from the fierce rattling of the windows.

A large bulletin on the wall is filled with school notices including the tower's password. There are scarlet tapestries depicting ancient Gryffindor heroes. Bookcases line the wall filled with various novels and forms of ligature, (primarily adventure novels). However, more recently various board games had been added. Along with a table filled with snacks and warm tea. It had been one of the best additions and one that James most heartily agreed with.

Pouring himself a cup of black earl tea, James adds a bit of cream and sugar. He had as of late developed a taste for cream and sugar. He didn't know quite what to make of it, but he hadn't protested the development. He also gathers a mound of pastries. He was a growing boy and he had a metabolism that could burn down anything. At least for now, he did.

Taking a seat, James pensively sips his warm tea that briefly fogs his glasses. He murmurs a quick spell and his glasses become temporarily impervious to steam. So much had changed since his time as a student. For one, Professor McGonagall was no longer their Head of House rather Professor Babbling was.

Professor Babbling in some ways was far stricter than Professor McGonagall, but she was also at the same time far more attentive. There was a monthly meeting where members of their house could freely voice their concerns, disagreements, questions, or even make suggestions. And afterward, they held a party with food and drinks which really was the best part!

The change of dorm locations had not been much of a bother at first until it quickly became obvious that the difficulty of sneaking out of the tower had increased. It had been a cunning move on Bathsheda's part, but that hadn't stopped everyone. The students had merely learned to be more cunning which may or may not be a good thing.

Not to mention the mentorship program. James had not noticed before just how many students in their house had been struggling. It was both amazing and saddening to see. He had been so concerned about Quidditch as a teen that he had lost sight of anyone that wasn't part of the team. And in retrospect, he knew that had included the traitor Peter Pettigrew, Wormtail.

Feeling his mouth, a bit dry, James gulps down more tea and takes another bite of the Danish pastry. He methodically eats the entire pastry before starting on a muffin. It was a bit much to start the day with. Not wanting to dwell on the past for the moment, he reaches into his mokeskin pouch and removes the Marauder's Map. He lightly touched the parchment with his wand and whispered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Thin ink lines on the parchment begin to spread like cracks. The lines join, crisscross, and fan into every corner of the parchment. Words then began to blossom across the top, great, curly green letters that proclaimed:

Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, Prongs, and Bramble

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

Are proud to present

THE MARAUADER'S MAP

A rueful expression appears on James's face. The Marauder's map was one of the greatest accomplishments he and his friends created during their time at Hogwarts. A touch of nostalgia and sadness flicker over his face, before his eyes unconsciously come to dwell on the name of Bramble. The first time he had borrowed the map, he had been utterly shocked to find the name there. Yet over the passing of time, it made sense. Severus truly is a part of the Marauder's and James could not argue otherwise.

Peering over the map, James begins on a third pastry, before he nearly chokes. There clearly on the map, Rowan was making her way up from the kitchens towards the front entrance. Glancing wildly at the time, he finds that it is half past six. He glances back down at the map only to see Rowan enter what must be a carriage as the dot begins to rapidly move down the map.

Downing the last of his tea to clear his throat, James hurriedly closes the map and stuffs it back into his pouch. He hurriedly picks up the dishes and places them back on the snack table, before hurrying out of the tower. The Fat Lady's portrait was most displeased, but he didn't have time to apologize. His duty as a hidden member of the Order of the Phoenix (and as Rowan's betrothed) demanded that he ensures Rowan's safety. Just what was Rowan doing out by herself at this hour? She was supposed to wait for him for Merlin's sake!