Too Honest ~ James Potter

Chapter 27

*7th Year*

When Mariya woke up the following morning, she couldn't feel her feet. That is, until she climbed out of bed and felt them brush painfully against the floor. Thankfully no blisters had formed, but her heels were rubbed raw from the hours of dancing. She did however feel immensely grateful that she hadn't consumed much alcohol the previous evening, as she could only imagine the hangovers some of her peers would be dealing with throughout a day of classes.

Instead of her usual boots or flats, Mariya decided on wearing a comfortable pair of black trainers which - though not really school uniform - would not be picked up on by the teachers. She threw her hair up into a messy bun and washed her face quickly before leaving her dorm, having never been particularly bothered about make up or properly styling her hair.

She meandered through the corridors until she reached the great hall, where she dropped into a seat beside Remus - who was reading a book - and shooting him a confused look when she noticed that Sirius has fallen asleep at the table, his head having landed sideways in his bowl of cereal and that James was had his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth slightly in concentration as he slowly used sticking charms to attach bran flakes to Sirius's forehead in the shape of a loveheart. She raised an eyebrow at the boy, making him grin at her, and cast him a look as if to say I am glad you're doing something productive with your first class education. This was clearly a look he was used to receiving as he just shrugged at her - not looking guilty in the slightest - and went back to his task.

Deciding it was better to just accept it, Mariya turned back towards the table and picked up a red chive bagel, the food was always so much better at the Gryffindor table - clearly the house elves liked them best too - and added a few pieces of cheese before taking a bite. Remus shot her a look for the strange combination and she just offered the other half to him, smiling as he took a bite and nodded in surprised delight. Finishing the food, Mariya and Remus stood from the table and began to walk towards their first class - potions - Mariya could only hope that Professor Slughorn would give them something interesting to do.

The next month passed in like manner; everyone went to classes as usual, they ate meals together and nothing out of the ordinary happened. Mariya and Regulus continued to exchange letters and James and Mariya still attended meetings with Professor McGonagall, though she had been more willing to let them miss them with the improvement in their relationship.

Then one morning in the middle of December, only a week before the school broke up for the Christmas holidays, everyone was sitting at dinner when something rather unexpected happened.

First the enormous doors that led to the great hall flew open, then a boy walked in. If Mariya hadn't known any better, she would have thought that the boy was James Potter; he certainly looked like him, with the same messy black hair and swaggering walk, but Mariya could see James sitting next to Sirius at the Gryffindor table. He too was looking at the newcomer with confusion but Mariya could see the beginnings of a grin forming on his face. Only thirty seconds or so passed before James stood and strode the length of the tables catching the other boy in an embrace that was quickly reciprocated. Pulling back, they spoke to each other for a moment - ignoring all the heads that were craning towards them in an attempt to hear what they were saying - before turning to stride towards the teachers table.

James voice was clear as he spoke to Professor Dumbledore, "This is my cousin Jasper. He is a transfer student from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic."

Professor McGonagall nodded and she and Dumbledore rose from the table, disappearing out of the doors in order to - Mariya presumed - fetch the Sorting Hat. As soon as they vanished from sight, the hall burst out in whispers as students wondered which house he would be in, why he was there, and obviously most importantly whether or not he had a girlfriend.