Chapter 145: Director's office
As expected James was called to the headmaster's office after the incident where he knocked out two students and left them with minor injuries.
Professor McGonagall, with a frown on her face, led him to the Headmaster's office.
The headmaster's office is located at the top of a tower that is accessed through the gargoyle corridor on the second floor. At the end of the corridor was a large gargoyle made of bronze.
McGonagall stood in front of the gargoyle and said a password, and the statue moved aside revealing a circular staircase. They walked up the stairs and arrived at Dumbledore's office which was already waiting for them.
James got his first glimpse of the headmaster's office. It was much more spacious and fascinating compared to the Heads of House offices. He had only visited McGonagall and Slughorn's office.
The office is a large, beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises. There were a lot of portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses. There was also a huge claw-footed desk and propped on a shelf behind the desk was a dirty old wizard's hat. It was the Sorting Hat.
There were many bookshelves with a large collection of books, a thinker, and even a Phoenix resting on top of the room as it watched the visitors. He quickly lost interest and closed his eyes to rest.
"Oh, they're here. Come in, come in. Have a seat," said Dumbledore in a calm tone, looking up from the book he was reading.
James followed McGonagall and sat down in one of the chairs opposite the headmaster. It was the first time he had been face-to-face with Dumbledore. The strongest wizard. He couldn't deny that he was nervous.
Luckily Dumbledore looked like a benign old man. His expression was very kind, and he didn't look angry at all.
The old headmaster wore crescent glasses. His light blue eyes watched James curiously. He was aware of the incident and very curious about James Potter.
"A piece of candy?" offered Dumbledore to James, as he held out a small container full of different colored candies as they were wrapped in transparent paper.
"Yes, thanks," replied James, taking a red colored candy, he opened it and began to taste it. It was strawberry-flavored.
"Let's get down to business," said McGonagall a little impatient with Dumbledore's relaxed attitude. What had happened in the middle courtyard was a serious matter.
"Yes, sure. Do you know why you're here, James?" asked Dumbledore who didn't sound angry.
"Yes, because I attacked two students in the courtyard," replied James as he continued to savor his candy.
"Why did you do that?" asked Dumbledore, though he already knew the answer.
"They made fun of my grandfather's death. You must respect the departed," replied James. McGonagall grimaced slightly, and Dumbledore nodded as if agreeing with James' last sentence.
"I heard. All the students who witnessed the event spoke in your favor," said Dumbledore.
"It's normal for Gryffindors to help each other," said James.
He was popular in his house, and it wouldn't be strange if they tried to defend him with the professors, as many witnessed Slytherin students mocking James' grandfather's passing.
"Not only students from Gryffindor. Also from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. They said you acted that way because they made fun of your grandfather. God rest his soul," said Dumbledore.
"Really?" asked James in surprise. He didn't think students from other houses would defend him.
Dumbledore nodded slightly with a smile on his lips.
"Do you regret attacking a student who didn't have her wand?" asked the headmaster as he quietly waited for James' answer.
James didn't think the headmaster would ask him these strange questions. He thought he would just be punished and sent back to his common room. Were the rumors true that Dumbledore was weird.
"No," James replied. He didn't feel a shred of regret for attacking Anastasia, who didn't have her wand.
"Even though you may be expelled?" asked Dumbledore with a more serious face than before.
"Yes," James replied.
After a few seconds of silence where the atmosphere seemed serious, a smile formed on Dumbledore's face.
"Don't worry. You'll only be punished this time. A month cleaning armor. And a few points your house will lose," said Dumbledore, returning to his calm countenance.
"Nothing else?" asked James in surprise. He knew he wouldn't be expelled so he was calm, but he thought his punishment would be harsher.
"Nothing more. It is unacceptable for students to mock the death of a great wizard such as Henry Potter. Many students were there and witnessed your grandfather's death being mocked. So your actions are not grounds for expulsion, but let it be the last time," replied Dumbledore being more serious at the last part.
"I understand," said James.
"You may return to your common room. Tomorrow you will begin your punishment," Dumbledore said, and James respectfully bid them both farewell and left the office.
"What will happen to the Nott and Carrow families? They won't be too happy with that punishment," asked McGonagall once James left the office.
James the two people he attacked were Anastasia Nott and a boy from the Carrow family. This family also belongs to the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
"I'll take care of that. The Potter Family should be respected and more so in such a difficult time. The Carrow's and Nott's should better educate their heirs," Dumbledore replied in a cold tone very different from before.
Although James attacked and knocked out two students, it could not be overlooked that a large number of witnesses saw Anastasia and her group mock Henry's death, something that would lead any of the Potter family to confront them.
"I understand. I'm surprised at that boy's actions," commented McGonagall, referring to James. Now and then, the Potter boy seemed to change his personality and be much more cold and aggressive than he appeared to be when he was with his friends.
"A peculiar genius," said Dumbledore with his light blue eyes sparkling and a thoughtful attitude. He had attended Henry Potter's funeral and witnessed James Patronus with his eyes.
Ever since James and Rabastan's duel where the latter was humiliated, Dumbledore paid more attention to James.
The Potter boy's attitude puzzled him. Most of the time he acted relaxed and calm with his friends, but he could change completely if they touched his nerves. He became a cold person who showed great arrogance and contempt towards his enemies.
Dumbledore was reminded of a genius he taught many years ago when he was still a professor at Hogwarts.
'They are both geniuses, but very different,' thought Dumbledore relieved. He could read James's temper, and that relieved him. He realized that James acted that way when his family was insulted or mocked. This showed a loving and protective person towards his loved ones very different from the other student.
McGonagall said goodbye to the headmaster and left the office. Dumbledore was left in the same position thinking a thousand things in his head.
...
James did not return to the Gryffindor common room. He went to the hidden balcony on the fourth floor that Gwen had shown him some time ago.
It was the place where he was most likely to be alone, and he was looking forward to being alone. He pressed the button on the picture and stepped onto the balcony. He sat watching the beautiful view in silence.
Twenty minutes passed, and James remained in the same position with a blank stare. His expression did not change. Just then the door opened. Turning his head he noticed it was Gwen.
"Gwen... Sorry for not answering your letters," James said apologetically.
Gwen didn't answer, she just ran and hugged James with a great force that almost knocked him down.
"Idiot. Why are you apologizing?" said Gwen in a low tone, hugging James tightly, who had an expression of mild surprise.
'What's wrong with her?' thought James nervously. People and situations that could make him nervous were rare. Gwen was one of those people. For some reason unknown to James, he always felt a nervousness that was hard to explain when he was with her.
Their relationship had improved a lot, and they had become closer than ever. James wasn't an idiot he knew that normal friends aren't holding hands often and leaning their heads close to each other.
Still, he got nervous when he held Gwen's hand or they were very close to each other. It was a nice feeling though. Very confusing in his opinion.
"Why the sudden hug?" asked James, pulling away as best he could from Gwen.
"Because I wanted to. Can't I?" asked Gwen, looking at James.
"Yes... yes, you can," James said with a strange look on his face. Gwen was always direct and blunt. The slight blush on her cheeks made her more adorable and harder to say no to.
"Sorry, I couldn't join you... You know at the funeral," Gwen said in a regretful tone, taking James' hand which trembled slightly at her touch. Usually, Gwen didn't take his hand or hug him in such a sudden ways.
"It doesn't matter. It's not something you can control," James said, escaping Gwen's grip and sitting against the wall.
"Can you leave me alone? I'm not in a very good mood," said James not making eye contact with Gwen.
Gwen despite James evading her hand-holding and hugging didn't get angry as usual. She sat down next to him. Very close to him and looked at him.
"I don't want to. I found this place first. I have a right to be here," Gwen said without taking a step back.
"Fine...'" said James in a low tone. It would be useless to try to kick this stubborn girl out.
Gwen leaned her head on James' shoulder and in one swift movement took his hand with great strength. She entwined her fingers with his so that he could not escape.
'That girl...' thought James, agreeing to take Gwen's hand. It was amazing the strength she could have at certain times.
"You're not mad?" asked James.
"Why?" asked Gwen.
"I sent your best friend flying and knocked her out," replied James.
"You did good. I'm not friends with Anastasia anymore. She's disgusting," said Gwen angrily and squeezed James' hand tighter. Remembering the words Anastasia was saying made her angrier.
James felt a warm feeling in him. It was comforting that Gwen had chosen him and decided to sever her relationship with her best friend. Although with Anastasia's horrible attitude, it wasn't a very crazy thing to do.
"Are you okay?" asked Gwen after a few minutes of silence.
"Yeah..." replied James, who was lying.
Gwen said nothing. She knew James was stubborn like her, and if he didn't want to talk he wouldn't. She just stood silently by his side holding his hand and leaning on his shoulder.
James' eyelids began to close as time passed. Being next to Gwen soothed him. Slowly, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Time passed until at one point James opened his eyes, and what he saw was Gwen's face from below. His head was resting in her lap, and Gwen was looking down at him as she gently stroked his hair.
"Did I fall asleep? What time is it?" asked James, rubbing his eyes. He never slept well these past few days, but now he had slept like an angel. It was a short sleep, but a regenerating one.
"It's already night. Everyone must be eating dinner in the dining room by now," Gwen replied.
'Shit... I did sleep,' thought James, standing up and helping Gwen to get up.
"Sorry," apologized James, scratching his hair.
"Never mind. Come on," said Gwen with a slight smile as they started to head to the Great Hall.
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