The tense atmosphere generated by the cursed vaults dissipated from Hogwarts. It was replaced by a nervous and tense atmosphere caused by the exam season. It was only a month and a few days away.
James had already told Sirius, Gwen, Snape, and the others that they would continue to search for the cursed vaults. They all knew about the final vault and that the creator was the ancient Japanese wizard: Dai Ryusaki.
They all agreed to continue the search for the vaults. Even Snape and Regulus. So they had begun to decipher the riddle as they studied.
This meant that they would have to find the other two vaults, get inside to get the treasures, and destroy the cursed core. The latter so that Hogwarts would not be in danger.
So James decided to give the marauders a training regimen. Especially Sirius, Peter, and Toby. Lupin usually studies and practices with him in the evenings in the Room of Requirement and is stronger than the other three marauders.
'I've got to hide! At this rate he'll catch me!' thought Sirius, who was running through the corridors of Hogwarts Castle.
He had sweat all over his body. He looked back, and there was no one there. He quickly opened the door to a hall and stepped inside.
"Phew..." sighed Sirius wearily as he leaned against the door. As he looked into the hall he noticed that there was a group of Gryffindor students. They looked smaller than him, so they would be first years.
They were a group of two boys and three girls. They had pushed the tables together to prop up books, parchment, and papers.
Sirius noticed the strange looks on him but said nothing. His expression turned ugly when he heard the sounds of footsteps. He quickly ran over to a large cupboard, climbed in, and closed it.
"..." the first-year Gryffindor students looked at each other not understanding what was going on.
They knew Sirius. He was a very popular second-year student. Because of his last name, his looks, his good grades, and because he was friends with one of the most popular students in recent times.
The door to the living room was opened again.
"James?" asked a girl with short black hair and gray eyes.
"Hello, Rachel," greeted James recognizing the first-year girl.
'Remember my name!' thought Rachel nervously as she combed her hair and adjusted her robe.
"Sorry to interrupt your study. Did you happen to see a rushed, sweaty student come in?" asked James.
The students looked at each other. They didn't know whether to tell on Sirius or not. They knew they were friends, but Sirius seemed scared for some reason unknown to them.
The only one who answered without hesitation was Rachel, "He's hiding in that cupboard," she said, pointing her finger at the cupboard.
'This girl...' thought Rachel's friends, sighing and shaking their heads.
"Thank you," James said and was starting to walk towards the closet. When he was a few feet away Sirius threw open the doors and exclaimed, "Petrificus Totalus!"
"Protego," said James with a stoic expression. His shield easily protected him from Sirius' spell. He didn't use Aeromanteo because he didn't want to deflect the spell and have it destroy some furniture or something.
Without giving Sirius time he cast an Atabrachium binding his arms and legs. His target had been captured.
"Look at the time you wasted us. Come on. Gotta train," James said, nudging Sirius to walk. As his legs were bound he couldn't run only walk one step at a time, which prevented him from running away.
'This is James Potter...' thought the gawking first-year students. They saw him throw a Protego and easily capture Sirius. None of them would have been able to react to the spell Sirius cast. It was too fast for their eyes. However, James fought back without much effort.
"Ollivander girl, you betrayed me," Sirius said indignantly, looking at Rachel, who looked down fearfully.
"Don't bother the younger students. Walk," said James, pushing Sirius away.
"Don't worry. He barks, but he doesn't do anything," added James, looking at Rachel with a smile.
"Thanks..." murmured Rachel, looking at James' back, who was getting closer and closer to the door.
"James!" called Rachel.
"Mm?" said James, stopping and looking at the girl.
"It's just a little while before the game, and I was wondering how you guys are doing in training. You know... Everything is decided in this match against Slytherin. Even the house cup," Rachel said quickly almost choking up.
"That's right. That match will decide the quidditch champion and most likely the winner of the house cup," nodded James.
The winner of the Quidditch Cup gets fifty points for their house. A great sum. Especially at the moment. Gryffindor and Slytherin are tied on the house cup scoreboard.
Both houses had 415 points. Below them was Hufflepuff with 380 and in last place Ravenclaw with 370.
Because of this situation, whoever wins the cup between Gryffindor and Slytherins will also win the house cup. Since it will be almost impossible to get fifty points when there are so few classes and lessons left where points can be earned.
"Captain William is giving us a lot of training, but all good. I hope you'll go and cheer us on," said James with a slight smile.
"Of course, I'll come! I'll get you another garment," said Rachel enthusiastically. When she gave him the scarf they had a great victory. It could be some kind of ritual.
"Yeah, sure... Thanks," said James, saying goodbye to the girl and pushing Sirius. The other students didn't say a word since James walked in. They were all too nervous to speak.
"His aura is very different from what I thought," Rachel's friend said.
"Yeah... He looks like royalty," said a boy with a strange expression.
Most thought James would have a joking and relaxed presence, as they had heard rumors of pranks he played along with Sirius and his other friends, but that wasn't the case.
Ever since the incident against Anastasia and the other Slytherin students in the courtyard, the perception of James had changed.
As they left the hall, three more people were waiting for them. Lupin, Peter and Toby. The last two were bound by invisible ropes as was Sirius.
"Looks like you two got caught too," Sirius said with a grimace.
"You're just wasting our time chasing after them. Accept your fate," said Lupin and started walking along with James and his prisoners.
Since the goal was to find the vaults the whole group had to be strong. So James had no mercy. Besides, this will be useful for the future war against Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
The training lasted only an hour. He knew they had to study, but in that one hour, he beat them to a pulp. Then, he began his individual training. Later they study more advanced subjects and lastly, study subjects they don't like so much like Astronomy and the History of Magic.
Lucky or not, they will not have a Defense Against the Dark Arts exam. Good luck as the subjects taught by Eustace were a complete waste of time. Bad luck because students kept falling behind in that subject. If the students were not self-taught the offensive and defensive spells they learned were very few.
James finished the day exhausted. He preferred this to having time off. That way there was no time to think about sad things. Most of all, remembers his grandfather Henry.
In this way, the days passed. The first match of the third and final quidditch matchday arrived. Ravenclaw vs Hufflepuff.
It was a very close and exciting match for both houses and quidditch fans. After two and a half hours of the match, Hufflepuff's seeker Amos Diggory managed to catch the snitch giving the victory to his team.
Hufflepuff with this victory reached second place with 440 points, but they could not reach Gryffindor who had 490 and one game less. So much for this year's competition.
The championship would be defined as the last weekend of May. Gryffindor vs Slytherin. The difference in points was big.
Gryffindor had two hundred points more than the snakes, so the latter before catching the snitch must get 50 points ahead to tie and 60 to pass Gryffindor.
The days leading up to the game were very tense. Exams being just around the corner didn't help. Both houses kept a close eye on each other. Especially the members of the teams.
William had the Prewett brothers act as James' bodyguards. They followed him everywhere. If he went to the bathroom, for a walk whatever. According to them, it was for safety.
James would have liked it if some Slytherin student had attacked him. It would have served as training.
Finally, the day of the match arrived.
Early in the morning, James headed to the dining hall along with the team members and his friends for breakfast. The day was sunny with few clouds.
A large number of Gryffindor students followed him to the dining hall. It was a mass of people in red and gold colors marching.
Almost 100% had Gryffindor flags, banners to cheer on the team, etc. Even on the way to the dining hall a tall, stocky seventh-year boy started chanting, and everyone followed him.
'What are we hooligans?' thought James, who was in the middle of the crowd and being dragged along by everyone. If he stopped he would be crushed.
"They sure are enthusiastic," commented Lupin with a slight grimace. Although they had infected his spirit he never thought they would go to such extremes. It was eight o'clock in the morning.
"What?! I can't hear you. Speak up!" said Sirius, who stopped singing and moved his ear closer.
They arrived at the Great Hall, and the Slytherin table was full. When they saw them arrive, they started to sing songs making fun of them. So the Gryffindor songmakers started a war of court songs.
After breakfast James and the team members left the dining room amidst applause, cheers, and encouragement from the Gryffindor table. As for the Slytherin team, they were dismissed with whistles and boos.
The same went for the Slytherin team, but the reverse.