Chapter 504 - The Potter’s Ⅱ

Much later that same evening, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter had side-apparated with their son, James having been released by the healers. Still, the Potters were just the tiniest bit appalled. Their son had partial amnesia.

According to the healers, James recalled almost everything except for a few personages here or there and a few important events. It was not anything too terrible. But the healers had warned that their son may be missing memories of friends or known acquaintances at Hogwarts. As such, his close friends might want to be forewarned first. As for academic knowledge, their son had retained all knowledge and according to the healers was still a rather bright young man.

As such, before the Hogwarts letter arrived, Euphemia Potter sent a letter to Professor McGonagall explaining the situation and asking that James be banned from playing Quidditch for the year. Also mentioning the fact that James himself felt a bit wary about getting on any type of broom and had requested to be taken off the team.

Professor McGonagall had swiftly replied in a private letter that James would have been elected to be the new Quidditch Captain by the new Head of Gryffindor Bathsheda Babbling. However, considering the sudden circ.u.mstances she would let Professor Babbling know to select another Quidditch Captain, before the start of the school term. In her letter, she also said that was sad to hear of James accident and more so to lose such an excellent Quidditch Chaser. She hoped that all would be well with him and looked forward to seeing him again in September.

With a happy sigh, Euphemia informed her husband. Not that they did not punish James, they forbade him from flying and many other extracurricular activities. Strangely enough, James did not protest and was rather demure after solely spending his time reading or working on his summer coursework. And upon seeing their son truly repentant this time, they decided to not further purse the matter. And let things be as they were.

However, worried over their son's sudden solemnity, their son's three Gryffindor's all arrived much like it had been promised to James. Everyone had grown taller over the summer including Pettigrew, (just enough to finally be slightly taller than Quyen). Sirius and Lupin would always be the tallest with James being a head shorter than them and Pettigrew being a head shorter than James.

But then again even Peter Pettigrew knew that he was going to be the shortest out of the four them. Not that he minded that just knew that he would always be fast and swift on his broom. Better yet his girlfriend, Quyen did not mind whatsoever. With a blush and silly grin on his face, Peter happily entered the Potter home.

It was not the ancestral Potter home as that was an old drafty manor according to James. But the large red brick home with open grounds and a surrounding forest was rather nice. There was even a small lake on the grounds to go for a cool swim. Though the ducks could take offense at times. They be forced to rush out of the water being chased by an angry quacking mama duck.

Sirius, a handsome devil that he was and knew it, he eagerly pulls James into his arms for a quick hug. "Heh, still short as ever," Sirius teased flashing a glistening grin.

His dark silky hair tastefully fell around his face with his gray eyes sparkling with delight. "Heard you feel off the broom? Did you knock everything out of your head?" Sirius impishly teased.

"Not quite that bad," James smiled with a mix of emotions. Relief, joy, sadness, pain, but joy more than anything else. His friend was still as loud, and boisterous as he remembered him.

Lupin was still tall and thin, but not quite so delicate as before. Having been cured had done wonders for his complexion and his health. He looked the picture of health with a tint of pink in his cheeks. His eyebags were a thing of the past as his russet hair stood out that much more because of it.

Remus Lupin carefully studies his unruly haired friend and says, "It looks like the clonk on the head must have done you some good. You seem much more mature than before, James."

"You look a lot better, Remus," James said with surprise at seeing the perpetual tiredness and eyebags missing from his friend's face. But he could not believe that there was truly a cure for werewolfism. It was a miracle really when he had learned that was indeed the case.

"Well, you're still as short as ever, James," Peter Pettigrew interjected with a teasing grin. "Though I'll admit not quite as short as I am."

Pettigrew had grown over the summer and looked nothing like the round boy, he once had been at the start of Hogwarts. And after working during the summers had kept him nice and fit, and his broad shoulders now gave more for of young man's appearance than just a simple youth. He was tanned with sun streaked mousy colored hair and bright chocolate colored eyes. Still he was almost now as tall as his girlfriend and as long as he grew as tall as her, he would be right proud.

James's face is full of contrary emotions, before he coldly lied, "And just who are you?"

Peter Pettigrew's tanned face goes pale as Pettigrew stammers, "It's me, James. Peter Pettigrew, Wormtail."

"I'm sorry," James stiffly said. "But I don't recognize you at all."

Lupin and Sirius share worried glances as Sirius says, "It's Pete, James. He is in our year and in Gryffindor. He's part of the Marauders and in our dorm."

James slowly nods his head and says, "Sorry, but the name doesn't ring any bells."

"Well, in that case, we'll just have to help you along," Lupin quickly said pulling the downtrodden figure of Peter by his side.

Lupin comforted Pettigrew by patting him on the shoulder. Pettigrew weakly smiles back but does not dare raise his gaze off the floor. Lupin sighs and merely keeps a firm arm around Pettigrew in comfort and to show solidarity. Even if James had forgotten Pettigrew, he was not about to abandon his friend. Pettigrew had not when James sided with Sirius in their second year and he certainly would not know when his friend needed him the most.

"I suppose," James replied not promising anything.

Lupin's eyes narrowed, but he did not comment as he studied his friend. Sirius was too dumb to notice as usual as the two of them eagerly began to discuss the present Quidditch League. But Lupin had not missed the way James had stared at Peter. That was not just recognition but an incredible dislike if not hatred.

However, what could Peter have possibly done to merit such a glance? But then again if James mind was missing memories, perhaps, what James did remember did not paint a pretty picture. Even Lupin had to admit it, but their first year sharing the same dorm had brought a lot of clashes between the four of them. Maybe, what James remembered was that and as such he did not wish to acknowledge Peter. Either way, he would have to keep a firm eye on both of them.