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Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 79: A Reason To Stay
"Look at him, he's so mad." Sirius said with amusement as he stared at Snape, who was sitting on the other side of the Great Hall.
"You think he's angrier by the fact that James didn't get expelled or because he's only alive thanks to him?" Peter asked.
The breakfast the next day was very animated. For once, the students only had classes in the afternoon as the morning ones were canceled, thanks to the explosion in James' laboratory, which also gave everyone something to talk about.
"Forget about Snape." Remus said with annoyance. "Just ignore him. What he did… I will not forgive him for that."
Sirius glanced at him. "I won't forgive him either! That's what I'm saying… we should p—"
"Prank him!" Peter interrupted Sirius. "That's what we should do."
"I've never seen you wanting to prank anyone, much less a Slytherin." Sirius pointed out.
"But this one actually deserves it!" Peter exclaimed.
"Can't argue with that." Sirius added.
"And what do you think about all of this?" Remus asked James. "You haven't said a word yet. Do you want to get back at those Slytherin for what they did?."
"Forget him. Snape is not worth my time. Not even for a prank." James had decided that he wasn't going to try and interfere in Snape's fate any longer.
Whatever happened to him due to his own actions would be something he'd have to deal with.
The adult Snape from his memories had at least one or two redeeming qualities, but this teenage Snape… now he understood his father better and why he behaved the way he did toward that boy.
His time was limited. Meaning that he could only help a limited amount of people. So he was going to save it for those worth saving.
"If that's what you want…" Sirius didn't look too happy about it. He wanted to teach Snape a lesson quite badly this time.
"I don't think I could be so forgiving in your place." Peter looked at James with admiration.
"Okay, fair enough." Remus looked around to make sure no one close by was paying attention to them. "And what are you going to do about… you know…"
"If you're referring to your monthly potions, that would be no problem. I have enough room in my portable lab to make them." James responded.
"I mean… don't get me wrong, that's good to hear. But I was asking about your other projects, like your business and stuff. Are you going to be okay without that?" Remus asked.
"Oh… that. I'm still thinking about that issue. But I believe it would be best if I didn't share the details with you three. That way, if things go south again, you can claim to know nothing, and it will be the truth." James suggested.
"So… you're going to keep going? You're going to get expelled for sure if you get caught again." Peter looked at him with concern.
James hadn't shared the details of his conversation with the Headmaster, but they all thought it was already a miracle he was still here. There would be no next time.
"Yeah, James. I'm all for breaking rules, but why are you in such a hurry to work on potions? Why not wait until after graduation for that? There'll be plenty of time." Sirius said.
James remained silent for a moment. There were many things he could tell them right now.
He wasn't doing this just for fun, or only to make money. His experiments and projects could help him defeat the threat of Voldemort before he got out of control.
But he couldn't explain this to his friends without making them understand the dangers that awaited all of them in the near future.
The fear of expulsion wasn't going to stop him. He could always get his O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s by presenting himself at the Ministry of Magic.
In fact, if he were to do things in the most efficient way, leaving Hogwarts would be the first thing he should do.
This place was constantly putting restraints on him. Having to attend classes, follow rules, obey the professors, be wary of what other students could see…
Things would be so much easier if he could just stay in his tower at Potter Castle and do everything from there.
His eyes moved to Remus, Peter, and Sirius. He'd have to leave them on their own.
Sirius would get in constant trouble, Remus would have no one to make his potions, and Peter might end up being alienated from the group even earlier and end up with the wrong crowd, just like Snape.
Lily was also here, and he wanted to keep an eye on her, make sure she was okay.
He glanced at the Slytherin table. Bella was sitting with the senior students and talking with her sister, Andromeda.
She seemed intent on staying as far away as possible from the Lestrange brothers and Malfoy.
James thought about her for a bit. She was so different than the Bellatrix he knew.
She was someone who could have had a bright future ahead of her. Or at least one much better than becoming a psycho murderer and ending up in Azkaban.
"James?" Sirius called for him after seeing that he wasn't answering his question.
"It's not about being in a hurry, Sirius. It's just… there's something I need to do." He glanced at his friend with a serious expression. "Don't ask me about it, please. Not yet."
"…Fine. Just be more careful, okay? And maybe don't bring my cousin along. I already told you she was bad news." Sirius said.
"I'll be careful." James nodded.
"Changing the topic a bit, but…" Peter started. "This Friday is the game against Hufflepuff. When are you going to get another broom?"
"Right! If you don't get one, they'll force you to use one of the old ones from flying practice. Those can barely fly straight." Sirius said.
"Hmm… I'll have to talk with Professor McGonagall about taking a trip to Diagon Alley." He wasn't looking forward to that. McGonagall was particularly mad at him for the lab thing. And this was not a woman you wanted angry at you.
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