Double Double Toil and Trouble // One //

Chapter Nine

It was easy for me to fall asleep that night. Thankfully, Pads was already asleep so I didn't have to worry about him shrieking to wake me up. I was also glad that the next day would be Sunday so there wouldn't be any classes; I would be way too tired for that. The last thing I heard before I was consumed in slumber was the rather unsettling sound of Nat snoring.

~

Harry and I laughed as Dad lightly tickled both our stomachs. I could tell from the sound of our giggles that we were just babies, likely no older than two years. I could see Mum in the background, laughing at Dad's childish behaviour as she cleaned up our toys.

I knew this was a dream; I had had dreams like this several times since Harry and I were little; scenarios in which either Mum and Dad were playing with us, or Sirius and Remus were working together to babysit.

"Aren't they perfect James?" Mum asked, bending down and resting her chin on Dad's shoulder as she admired my brother and I. Dad smiled. "Indeed they are." He agreed before turning his head and pecking her on the cheek. I giggled again at the sight of their affection. They both grinned.

"But," Mum started as she stood properly again, "I think it's time they went to bed." "But we're having so much fun!" Dad whined. She laughed and ruffled the black hair that we inherited. "There's always tomorrow, James. I'm sure Harry and Lex won't mind waiting until then." She reached down and picked up Harry. Dad did the same as he took me into his arms firmly and followed her up the stairs.

"Mummy's no fun, huh?" He whispered in my ear. I giggled loudly, causing Mum to look back at us. "What are you telling our daughter about me?" She interrogated. "I don't know what you're talking about." She sighed before continuing up the stairs and to our nursery.

The moment Dad placed me in my crib, I grabbed the bars and pulled myself to my feet, reaching my small arms towards my brother's cot. "Hawwy!" I cried out. Mum and Dad glanced at each other with smiles before Dad picked me up again and placed me in Harry's crib.

We had always been very close when we were little, especially as babies. We often wanted to sleep in the same crib at night, convinced we would protect each other. 

"Sleep well, sweethearts." Mum told us while stroking our small hairs. I leaned back and landed on the blankets with a yawn. Harry did the same. Mum covered us up and pecked our foreheads. Dad copied her actions, ruffling our hair in the process, messing up what Mum had fixed. I rested my head on Harry's arm, letting out a tired yawn.

~

For the first time in a while, I awoke in the morning without anyone shaking me. I guessed since I was the only one in the dormitory, I probably slept in pretty late. I raised my arm and checked my watch, which I had forgotten to remove from my wrist the night before, and realized I slept in until 11:30a.m., which was pretty late for me. I rose from my four-poster and started getting ready.

After taking a shower and brushing my teeth, I dressed in a grey Holyhead Harpies jumper, black jeans, and my classic white trainers. I pulled my hair into a bun and left the dormitory.

Since it was starting to get colder outside, and the Slytherin Common Room was located underneath the lake, it was starting to get pretty chilly when you weren't next to the fireplace. This also explained why there weren't many students lounging around, other than the ones doing their homework.

While on my way to the Great Hall to get some lunch, I was approached by none other than Nott and his goons. "Oi! Potter!" He called out. I rolled my eyes and turned around to face him, preparing myself in case I had to punch him again. "My friends and I are having a disagreement." "It's funny for you to assume that henchmen mean the same thing as friends." I shot back. Crabbe and Goyle gave each other weird looks behind Nott's back, causing me to stifle a laugh.