James Potter and The Marauders' Map

Chapter Two: Prefect

It was September 1st and James was bound to be at Platform 9 and 3/4 in a few hours. He packed his stuff and took Harrdwid's cage and his broomstick into the living room. Mrs Potter went to hug James

"Don't forget to give us a letter if you can't come home here on Christmas." said Mrs Potter while trying to fix James' naturally untidy hair. "I hope it won't happen, though."

"Mum. I said - Mum, stop it! I like it as it is." James shouted so that her mother would be able to hear it clearly. He then tried to defend his hair from his mother's hand.

Mr Potter went downstairs with James' trunk bewitched to move by itself behind him.

"I'll just get the Floo Powder." he said and opened the cupboard under the stairs and took a large container containing the Floo Powder.

They then went to their fireplace and arrived at King's Cross Station and went to Platform 9 and 3/4. For muggles (people who are not wizards nor witches), they are not able to know that such platform exists. Wizards have to run through the solid brick wall in order to get to Hogwarts Express. While James was on their way, he saw Peter Pettigrew.

"Hey Wormtail!" James shouted and waved at Peter. Peter waved back and ran towards him.

"H- Hi Prongs." Peter said. Peter has been a big fan of James.

"Scared first years, huh?" James laughed and pointed at the young wizards who are shaking while trying to run on a solid brick wall. "Wonder how we look like back then."

"We probably looked like idiots." Peter said which made James laugh loud that he started to attract some muggles' attention.

"Have you seen Padfoot and Moony?" Muttered James after he had apologized to the muggles who glared at him.

"No." said Peter and it was his turn to run into the brick wall. "See you on the other side then."

James waved at Peter and he then looked to his father. Who was patting him quite hard on the shoulder that it somehow felt as if he was slapping him already.

"I want you to be in your best behavior, young lad. You'll be having your O.W.L.s. Atleast try to pass or else your mother would be cross at you." He said then pointed the brick wall to James. "Go on then. Oh, I also do not want any more letters saying you've been in trouble again!"

James just nodded and waved at his father. He took all of his things and ran towards the brick wall after that he transported to a new station, the Hogwarts Express.

He then saw Peter who was with Sirius and Lupin. He ran towards them and waved at them.

"Hey James!" Peter said and waved back.

"Hey Prongs," Said Sirius and lowered his voice so only the four of them would be able to hear it. "It's Snivellus look." He then pointed to a young man who was at the same age as all of them. He had dark long hair and a greasy face. He said goodbye to his mother and went aboard on the train.

"Let's go, shall we?" Remus gestured at the train's door and they looked for an empty cabin. When they were able to find one, they went inside and sit comfortably.

"So," Sirius spoke,"What's the news, Moony?"

Remus' face beamed. His smile was ear-to-ear then he took something from his pocket and attached it on his chest. It was a big silver and scarlet badge that has letter "P" in it. Everyone's eyes widened but Peter's eyes was the widest, even his mouth was open that a fly could have entered it already.

"You're joking,right?" Said Sirius who had his eyes locked on the shining badge.

"No. I'm serious, Sirius." Remus seriously said and everyone burst into laughter except for Peter, who was still staring at the badge.

"Wow." he said and finally he closed his mouth but still his eyes were glued on the badge.

"You? A prefect? Is Dumbledore out of his mind?" Sirius said after he had recovered from laughing. This, however made James laugh even more. "Is he mad?"

"No. In fact, he made me prefect to watch on you two - Yes Sirius, you and Prongs - Dumbledore said I'll have to keep an eye on you for future troubles." Remus said with his chin up in the air. Sirius and James continued laughing.

"Y- You know that's quite impossible, right?" Said James who started to stop laughing gradually. "I mean, our middle names are 'trouble'"

"Well," said Remus who scratched his neck,"I'll try my very best."

A lady with a cart full of sweets and chocolates stopped in front of the foursome's cabin. Remus opened the door.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" said the lady with the cart.

Remus bought 4 Chocolate Frogs and 1 box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans.

"Whrd yer get?" James said with his mouth full of bits of Chocolate Frog.

Remus sighed,"Salazar Slytherin again. How 'bout you, Padfoot?"

"Rubbish! Dumbledore again." Sirius cursed. "Who'd you get, Wormtail?"

"Dumbledore too." Said Peter and he ignored the card with Dumbledore's moving face on it and ate the chocolate frog.

"Who'd you get Prongs?" Remus asked but James wasn't able to answer. Lily Evans just passed by their compartments and she was beautiful than ever. James watched her walked past them and unconsciously his jaw dropped.

"Look! Prongs' inlooooove." Said Sirius in a mockery voice. Remus and Peter laughed.

"Shut up." James said and stood up.

"Hey, where are you going, mate?" Peter asked but James ignored him and went outside their compartment.

He went to where Lily Evans walked and was able to spot her with a bunch of 4th year Gryffindor girls. James started to feel his whole body become hot again. He could feel his stomach jumping up and down. He then approached Evans as brave as he could.

"Hey Evans." James said coolly as if he wasn't feeling anything. "I kinda lost you on Diagon Alley the other day."

"Oh." Evans said and took long before she continued speaking, "I - I thought you were going into the shop."

"I wasn't." said James his heart started pumping fast and he could feel that his face was redder than ever before. He thought of a topic and added, "So -"

"Hey sorry. I've got to go now." Lily said and went towards the 4th year students who walked past him.

James stood there petrified as if a snake has just bit him.