Not Bad Luck;

“Alright, so, I’m coming up with a theoretical dark wizard, what would make him formidable, and how the ministry would have to go about locating, and taking him down. Whether or not he should be put to death, things like that. It’s all relative theory to make us mentally prepared for what’s coming after school.”

He listened to Tilden, grinning and nodded. “Well.. you just do it. You think of something fun to do with your friends and you just let go and do it. We’re here, in Hogsmeade and we have all the time in the world. Why shouldn’t we live it up a little? Tell you what, you help me answer this last question, I’ll show you a good time. Butterbeer and firewhiskey for all.”

James rolled his eyes, standing. “It’s not that I don’t like you... or maybe it is.” He admitted. “I don’t like that you think your brother has to be this dark sided person, when he’s not. And I don’t like your parents. Oh and I hate that you’re all absolutely downright determined to join the death eaters. You.... I mean honestly, if you showed half as much care as your brother does for people, I could grow to like you. But I also thought the same of your mother. I’d rather not be disappointed again.”

James heard Peter’s enthusiasm and sighed. He couldn’t possibly ignore someone being that stoked. Not about Zonkos anyway. “Listen, we have exactly four hours for me to get this done. FOUR hours, Peter. So, two hours in Zonko’s and then you’re going to help me review. Deal?”

“Oh so she’s like my mum. Right then.” He chuckled. “I’m sure having just a mum made it so you were always on the right track. Pops always have a way of trying to do the right thing but managing to be uh.... a little more blunt about their approach.” He explained as he leaned his head on the wall. “Sometimes I think I could’ve done without his antics but sometimes I’m rather grateful. Hell, that’s how I wound up here.”

“Well in all honesty, perhaps they didn’t. Mum was always pretty tight laced and with a last name like Jones, I’m sure they abide by the whole ‘keeping up with the jones’s’ quote. You know wanting to maintain a prim and proper repose.” He explained with an easy grin. “I think my pop was just always a little screwy. A little more wild than the norm, totally obsessed with potions. Perhaps he inhaled too many ingridients in his hay day. Either way, madness and genius are the same thing, so he’s a total genius to the world. A madman just to me.”

“Oh come off it, your first kiss was brilliant and we all know how much you loved kissing that girl. She always fancied that way your hair just looks so majestic in the rain all filled with little water droplets glistening for the world to see.” James laughed before he hummed. “Oh but to be quite honest, it still doesn’t top that Sirius was my first, and you my second. True love it is, but Peter denied me and I’m still fully heart broken over it.” At Remus’s jest, he feigned heartbreak, placing a hand over his chest. “You wouldn’t dare. How could you? You know the house elves make sure there’s extra after my riot over the lack of good food for the morning, breakfast is the most important meal and I will not be denied my pumpkin spiced goodness.”

“Hestia Jones gets wasted at a ministry party, now that is a headline for the school paper.” He joked before he leaned in close. “But to be fair, that is way more epic than getting drunk with a buncha muggles.” Shrugging his shoulders, he smiled. “Oh come on, I’m sure all of our parents have lost their cool once or twice and gone a little too friendly on the firewhiskey. I know my old man does and starts throwing potions around. Quite the scenario. Turned me into a dog once on complete accident. Was a wild weekend.”

“My mum is quite the woman, I know.” He joked as he ruffled his own hair, constantly a mess atop his own head. “You’re a mess, for sure Remus, but you’re my mess and I quite like it that way.” He stole a kiss on the cheek before jumping up and snorting. “I’ll have you know those tossers gave you a summer to remember. Didn’t you get your first kiss from a rather dashing bloke?” James wagged his brows before he curled his finger, heading for the great hall. “Come, come. There’s pumpkin toast to be had and I refuse to let Frank get all of it.”

“Oh I don’t know about that.” He mused as he leaned back against the wall. “I hear Black family summers are absolutely to die for.” Sarcasm reigned on that one. Sighing, he looked around the great hall. “I guess I’m glad to be back as well, but sometimes I just wish we were a little bit older. There’s so much to do once we get past these walls, yeah? Get my own place, raise a little hell, have a little fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love it here, too. But I’m ready for more.”

“We need to get you out, Tilden.” James joked, shaking his head. “OH! Right, I almost forgot. I promised I’d find someone who could do something with this bad boy.” He dug in his bag, enchanted to be far deeper than the average messenger bag, but pulled out a small, potted wiggentree sapling. “We were trying to declutter the backyard this summer, and we had two of these. Mum donated one to one of her friends, but you’re like... the plant guy right? We already had one of these in our backyard and it’s huge.”