Chapter 583 - Curps (1/2)
It had been a rather strange week back at Hogwarts. It was the feeling of Déjà vu and feeling as though he was in a dream despite being wide awake that had James unable to completely concentrate on that which was occurring before him. Even worse, he constantly felt as though he was moving through thick syrup that was threatening to drag him down under and suffocate him in a thick, sticky swirling torrent of memories of the past.
At the start of everything, he had had been just been glad to be back and see his parents, his friends, and Lily. It was like a beautiful dream, and he felt that was exactly what his trip to Diagon Alley before the start of the school term had been. But then his sweet dream had rudely been punctured and deflated only to find himself rudely awake.
And a painful starting realization hit him, one that James could no longer deny. That this was his true reality, and a part of him bitterly resented that fact. Because he had still lost everything in the end and failed his wife, friends, the Order, Professor Dumbledore, and even more importantly his son, Harry.
A deep pang of heartache is felt within him as he recalls that last, and tragic night. All he could remember was shouting at Lily to run and take Harry. Suddenly there was a flash of green light and that was the end, and he knew no more. He did not know what had possessed him to run downstairs without his wand, but he had. But then again, he had not been thinking at that moment, all he could think was to get to Lily and their son in time to save them.
James rapidly blinks as the sun hit his face as he emerged onto the grassy grounds alongside with Sirius, Lupin, and Pettigrew, (who was clearly standing far away from James and was walking on the other side of Lupin).
Taking a deep breath, James inhales the rich scent of the forest underneath the warm blue sky. Ignoring the chatter around him, James solely concentrates on setting aside his emotions for the time being as they make their way to the area where Professor Kettleburn's outdoor classes are held at. They wave to Hagrid as they pass, who was almost impossibly different that James would have never believed possible.
It was not that Hagrid so much dressed differently rather how he carried himself with confidence had changed. His hair was now sleek and shiny pulled into a long ponytail and had a neatly trimmed beard. James had been rather shocked by how many girls in Gryffindor had school crushes on the manly groundskeeper, who had bulging muscles in all the right places.
A great large boarhound barks at them and wags his tail. Sirius comments and says, ”Just in case you don't remember Hagrid's dog, his name is Fang.”
James slowly nods his head as he indeed did not remember the dog. Hagrid had never had one when he was still attending Hogwarts nor after that, that he knew of. But then again, he had been forced to acknowledge that this was not the same world that he knew in the past. A mirror world, no doubt. Similar enough, but different enough that it was plain enough to see that this was in fact not his original world.
A glint of red hair sparkling in the sunlight causes James to glance over and see Lily accompanied by her friend, a dark-haired witch with golden-brown eyes, Mary MacDonald. It was a shock to see that Mary was not the shy girl he remembered of before, but even more so to learn that she was Lupin's girlfriend as of that summer.
James eyes unconsciously wander to Pettigrew who was walking next to Lupin. Despite knowing that he was not his original world, James could not let his past feelings go. Maybe, the Pettigrew of this world had not done anything wrong, yet. But he just could not rid himself of his feelings of betrayal. He just could not.
Refusing to gaze at Pettigrew more than necessary James finds his eyes once more straying towards Lily. Lily turns around and flashes him a warm smile causing James to feel that sting of emotions again. A part of him jumped up in delight and the other half of him felt reserved, estranged, and betrayed. Why? Because no matter who much this Lily looked like his Lily, she simply was not his wife, and mother of his son, Harry. And frankly, he did not know what to make of that.
Sirius spotting James intense gaze, visibly smirks and says, ”Still haven't said anything to Lily yet, eh, James?” As he nudged James painfully in his ribs in emphasis.
James finds himself flushing to his sheer mortification, before quickly answering, ”No, I haven't. And please do not say another word, Siri.”
Pettigrew snorts and mutters, ”Now, that sounds like Rowan right there.”
James visibly blinks as Lupin softly chuckles, ”You may not remember, Rowan, James, but you certainly sound like her.”
James makes a wry face not sure what to make of that. Thankfully, he is saved from answering as they arrive at a newly built small padlock fence. Inside the small fence is a small looking dog that resembles a Jack Russell Terrier except for its forked tail. Next to the Curp are tiny wiggling curppies about playing with each other, while some of them snooze in a curppie pile next to their mother.
Professor Kettleburn is smiling a pearly white smile that contrasts with his rugged, tough tanned skin. As usual, his gray hair is messily stuck up like a bird's nest. His rugged brown left eye is full of energy as his right now has an eyepatch. His right eye was accidentally gouged out during the summer when handling an irritated nestling pair of dragons. Still, he leaned on his wooden right leg and gestured for them to gather around his enchanted silver hand.
”I thought we'd start off this year on a bright note,” Professor Kettleburn said in a cheerful booming voice.
Pointing at the figure of Severus, who is standing next to Terry, Professor Kettleburn says, ”Prince, what can you tell me about Curps?”
”Crups are thought to be wizard bred and magically created rather than natural magical creatures,” Severus replied. ”Curps originated in Southeast England. Intently loyal to wizards, they eat almost anything, but in turn, are rather ferocious against Muggles. A Curp license must be obtained in order to have said creatures as pets as they must be made sure to not attack muggles in muggle-inhabited areas.”
”Very good, Prince, ten points to Slytherin,” Professor Kettleburn said, before turning towards his class. ”You'll all be getting a go inside the pen and try to approach the momma Curp. Making sure to walk slowly and hold out your hand for her to smell. If she deems all is well with your approach, she will allow you to touch her cruppies.”
Turning to the Gryffindors, Professor Kettleburn knowingly says, ”We will start with the girls.” The Slytherin and Gryffidnor girls in the class rush forward to stare into the pen at the cute cruppies.