Chapter 2 for Nano!

Chapter 2 - Diagon Alley

The morning of the trip to Diagon Alley came quickly.  James and Al were getting more and more excited about going.  James was especially excited to go to Quality Quidditch Supplies because this year he was allowed to bring a broom to school.  Jaems had been saving up to buy himself a new broom by doing chores for his mother the muggle (non-magic) way.  He wanted to try out for the Gryffendor House Team.  He wanted to play the position of seeker, just like his dad, but he would be happy wtih any position.  His dad was the youngest Quidditch player in a century, and no one had been allowed to play in their first year since.

James had gotten up quickly and ran downstairs to find his mother making a pot of porridge.  

"Mornin mum!" said James excitedly

"Good morning James.  Did you sleep well?"

"Not really.  I was too excited about getting my new broom.  I sent an owl to Alice and Tom about Diagon Alley today too.  They said they would meet us there.  Alice wants to get a broom too."

Alice Fitzgerrald and Thomas Grendwell were James' two best friends from school.  Alice was kind of a tomboy with long blond hair always back in a single braid.  She was actually rather pretty, but tried to hide her beauty with baggy clothes and a rough attitude.  Alice came from a family of all boys and her mother had passed away when she was rather young.  So, since her father raised her and her five brothers, she tended to be a bit of a rough-houser.  She also wanted to be on the Quidditch team, as a beater.  Tom was more of an intellectual.  He wore glasses, and had perfectly combed brown hair.  James swears that Tom wakes up with his hair all smoothed down.  He was top of his class in almost all his subjects.  He, for some reason, did not do well in Herbology.  He somehow killed every plant he touched.  Thankfully he was usually paired with James and/or Alice and so he didn't have to do much hands on work.  He would just spout off the information about the plant they were working on, and the other two would do the manual labor part.  Tom was muggle born and his parents were called "doctors".  James still wasn't totally sure what that meant except that they had to be in school until they were almost 30 years old.  James was happy to be out of school at 17.

"That's good, dear.  Your Aunt Fleur and Uncle Bill are going to meet us there too, with Victorie," said Ginny.

"Do you think we'll get to see Uncle George?" asked James.  "The last time we went to his shop he wasn't there.

"I sent him an owl to let him know we were coming this time.  I also let your Grandmum and Granddad Weasley know.  They said they would meet us there, and that they had a big surprise for you and Al," said Ginny.

"Yay!  I love surprises!" said Lilly as she bounded into the kitchen.  James didn't have the heart to tell her that the surpise was for him and Al.  He assumed that it had something to do with school and Lilly wanted to go to Hogwarts so badly.  James was very protective of his baby sister and wanted to keep her happy, so he just kept his mouth shut.

Harry came into the kitchen followed by a very groggly Al.

"We are going to have to get this boy some kind of alarm for school.  He'll never get up in time on his own," said Harry as he herded Al to the table.

"You don't want to miss breakfast every morning do you?" asked Ginny.

"Miss breakfast?  I'll starve.  Whhat was that thing that Granddad was talking about.  An alarm clock?" asked Al.

"There is no where for you to plug in anything that is from the muggle world,"explained Harry who knew about the muggle world because he was raised by his VERY muggle Aunt and Uncle.  "We'll just have to find you something while we're at Diagon Alley."

"Plug in?" asked James.

"Never mind," said Harry.

James heard a faint pop and then there was a knock at the dorr.  Teddy let himself in.

"Teddy, love, I thought you were going to meet us in Diagon Alley," said Ginny questioningly. 

"And miss breakfast?  Never!" replied Teddy with a smile.

After breakfast everyone got their things together and met in front of the lit fireplace.  The family was traveling by floo powder because underage wizards are not allowed to do magic outside of school.  

"Remember to speak clearly," reminded Harry who had once had a bad experience when he was 12.  "Ginny, do you want to go first to collect the children, or do you want me to?" asked Harry.

"I'll go," replied Ginny.  "I'll see you all when you get there.  Ginny grabbed some of the ash-like powder from the pot by the fireplace.  She threw the powder into the flames and they turned a brilliant green.  Ginny then stepped into the flame and said, "The Leaky Cauldron!"  And just like that she was gone.

Lilly went next, followed by Al.

"Ok James," said Harry.  "It's your turn now.  I'll see you in a few minutes."  James threw the floo powder inot the fire and stepped in.  The green flames felt like a warm tickeling sensation.  James shouted, "The Leaky Cauldron!" and he started to spin faster and faster.  He had to remember to tuck his elbows in so they didn't hit anything.  James could only look out at the passing fireplaces through squinted eyes because, like his father, he got nautious from all the spinning.

At last the spinning slowed and James found himself in the Leaky Cauldron.  The Leaky Cauldron was a pub that was in London that was an entrance to Diagon Alley.  If you didn't know wehre to look, you would never notice it while in London.  James assumed that, that is why no muggles came in.

James looked around and saw the rest of his family and Teddy.  Teddy, who didn't like traveling by floo powder, apparated (magically appeared with a small pop) to the Leaky Cauldron.  You could tell just by looking at him because he wasn't all covered in soot.

"There you are James," said Ginny.  "Here is a damp cloth for you to wipe your hands and face.  Just hand it to your father when he gets through."

"Thanks mum," said James as he wiped his hands.  He noticed that the cloth didn't stay dirty from the soot and it stayed pleasantly warm.  

As if on cue, Harry came out of the fireplace just as James finished with the cloth.  

"Here dad.  Mum wanted me to give this to you.  She put a cool charm on it.  Watch."  James wiped the back of his father's hand and showed him the still clean cloth.  

"Your mum learned all of those tricks from your Grandmum.  She knows loads of charms for the household," replied Harry, quite impressed.  "So, we're all here now, let's head to Diagon Alley."

The whole family headed to the Leaky Cauldron's back yard and Harry took out his wand to tap the third brick from the left above the dustbin.  Ad he was putting away his wand James stood back and watched in awe as the archway to Diagon Alley magically appeared.  He had seen this happen before, but it never ceased to amaze him.

The bright world of Diagon Alley had been restored since James' father had been there to get his school supplies the last time.  And Gringotts, the wizarding bank, had been restored from the time a dragon had escaped from one of the deeper vaults.  James had heard rumors that his dad was behind the dragon break out, but he didn't believe it.  His dad was cool, but not THAT cool.

"James," said Ginny, "you take Al and go the the Quidditch shop to see what you would like.  We'll take Lilly to Gringotts with us.  Remember you can take your dad's old firebolt to school if you don't find anything you absolutely love."

"Sure mum," replied James.  "Anything will be better than dad's old firebolt.  It's anchient," muttered James so no one could hear him.  "Ok Al, let's go check out the brooms!"

As the two boys approached Quality Quidditch Supplies they saw a crowd gathering aroudn the front window.  James and Al pushed their way to the fron to see what all the fuss was about.

"Isn't it gorgeous?" asked a small mousy little boy.

"Gorgeous?  It's AMAZING!" hollared a familiar voice.

"Alice!" said James, "so good to see you.  So, this is the newest broom model.  The Whirlwind Extreme!  It IS amazing.  Look at that sleek body.  It says here that the handle is made out of oak and the tail is made of hand picked birch twigs.  It also says that it can go from 0-200 miles per hour in...5 seconds?  Sounds impressive."  James was reading from a plaque that was just below the display.

"Oh it is!" replied Alice.  "My dad let me take one out for a test spin.  I want one so badly, but I don't have enough money for it."

"That is so cool!" said Al in awe.  "Let's go in and see how much they are asking for it."

"Probably way more than I have earned this summer," said James sourly.  He so very badly wanted that broom.

As the three of them walked into the store James asked Alice where Thomas was.

"Oh, Tom is in Flourish and Blotts looking for more books on Herbology.  He is determined to keep all his plants alive this year.  I just think that he doesn't have a green thumb.  He knows all there is to know from the books, he just can't put that knowledge into practice.  It's rather funny, if you ask me," explained Alice with a giggle. 

James let out a little snort and then tried to keep a straight face.  He knew that his friend was sensitive about his "issue" with plants.  And, even though he wasn't with them, James still felt a little guilty.  

As they reached the counter at Quality Quidditch Supplies, James started to question how smart it was to know how much it would actually cost to get the broom of his dreams.

"Excuse me," said Al peering over the counter, "how much is it for the new Whirlwind Extreme?"

The clerk behind the desk just peered down at Alice and the two boys and smirked.  "You wouldn't have enough money to buy that broom kid.  Why don't you look at some of the older models.  There is the 'firebolt' over there which is still internationally wranked for speed and class.  It is only seventy-five Galleons."

Because of James being a wizard they didn't have the same kind of money as muggles.  They had Knuts, and Sickles (twenty-nine knuts to a sickel) and Galleons (Seventeen Sickels to a Galleon).  Seventy-five Galleons was still a lot of money, but he was so curious about the Whirlwind Extreme and the cost.

"Excuse me?" asked James, "could you just tell us the price of the Whirlwind Extreme for curiosity's sake?  Please?"

"Fine, just to see the looks on your faces, I'll tell you.  It costs three hundred and seventy-seven Galleons and twelve Sickels."

James' jaw dropped.  There was no way that he was going to be able to afford that broom.  Maybe he should just take his dad's old Firebolt to school with him and save his money for an animal for school or something.  His family had an owl, but it would be cool if he had one of his own.  

"Thanks," James said with a small wave.  He felt so defeated.  

"Wow, that's a lot of money just for a broom!" said Alice.  "I can't believe that there are actually people who can afford that...other than professional Quidditch players, I guess.  Even the Firebolt was really expensive.  Maybe I'll have to look into the Nimbus series.  They had pretty good brooms."

"Yeah," agreed James halfheartedly.  He just couldn't believe that his dream was squashed so badly.  He knew he should have never asked for the price.  It was just so much money.

"There you two are!" said Ginny with a worried tone in her voice.  "I looked over here and thought you would be in that crowd of children around the window, but you weren't there.  Where did you go?"

"We went into the shop.  I wanted to know how much the Whirlwind Extreme cost, and so we went it to ask the clerk.  It is A LOT of money, and so I know that I will never be able to get that broom.  I would have to do odd jobs around the house for you until I am 200 years old to get enough money for THAT broom," explained James.  

"I'm sure it isn't THAT expensive, James.  How much did the clerk say it cost?" asked Ginny.  Harry, Teddy, and Lilly were now standing with Ginny and Harry, himself, looked really curious.

"The clerk said it was three hundred and seventy-seven Galleons and twelve Sickels," said Al excitedly.  He was just happy that he remembered what the clerk said, and that he got the answer out before James could.

"Wow, that is a lot of money," exclaimed Harry.  "I am sorry James, but you are right.  You are not going to be able to afford that broom.  Your mother and I tallied up how much money we owe you for your chores this summer, and added another three weeks worth on top of that for the rest of the summer before school, and your grand total is....forty-five Galleons, sixteen Sickels, and two Knuts.  So, I don't think that a broom is in store for you for this trip to Diagon Alley."

"That's ok dad.  I think I'll work on fixing up your old Firebolt and take that to school.  Maybe I'll get a broom servicing kit and then I was thinking about maybe getting an owl or something.  It would be cool to have my own owl."  James was starting to get excited again, thinking about an animal, but he knew how much money he had now and didn't want to get too worked up.  What if animals were really expensive too?  He didn't want to be dissapointed twice in one day.

"Dad?" asked James.  "Do you think we could go to the little cafe over there and get some icecream or something while we wait for everyone else?"

"Sure" said Harry.

"Alice, can you let Tom know where we are, and ask him if he wants to come too?" asked James.

"I can do that.  I'll be back in a few minutes.  I would like a iced lemondrop in a cone please," said Alice as she tried to hand James some money.  James started to run off to meet his family before she could get it into his hands.

"Sure thing!" replied James with a smile.

Once everyone had their icecream Bill and Fleur arrived with Victorie.  James noticed at once that Teddy started to go a little red in the cheeks as soon as he saw Victorie and he started speaking a little softer and a little more debonaire.  James just assumed that it was because Victorie's mother was part Veela, and so that gene would have passed to Victorie.  

Everyone had to wait a little longer for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to meet up with their group.  Mr. Weasley worked for the Ministry of Magic, and he apparently had a bit of a hard time getting away from work today.  He had mentioned something about an exploding tea kettle.  James wasn't really listening.

As the whole group assembled, they decided to go to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes first.  That was George's shop.  It did belong to both George and his twin brother Fred, but unfortunately Fred met the same fate as Teddy's parents on that fateful day.  George didn't get away scott free though.  He had lost an ear the day that he and twelve others had tried to sneak Harry away from his Aunt and Uncle's house.  They were ambushed by a big group of death eaters (dark wizards) and one had cut off his ear.

As James approached the joke shop with his friends and the rest of his family he smiled.  The front of the shop was just as colorful as his Uncle George.  In the left window of the shop there were an assortment of things that revlolved, bounced and flashed.  There were pink and blue puffball-type animals in the right window, and displays of green boxes called Skiving Snack Boxes.  Apparenly they were supposed to make you sick so you could skip lesson and then you could take the antidote and be all better.  Then you didn't have to go to your lesson.  James thought that it was a pretty good idea, but he knew that his mother would never let him buy any of them.  The only down side to James' mother was that she was George's sister, and so she knew all of his tricks.  She didn't allow a lot of George's things into her house.  She said it was for safety.

James was making a mental note of all the things he would like to get.  Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder (it makes any space pitch dark when the powder is released), some inchanted quills, especially the Spell-Checking kind and the Smart-Answer kind.  He also wanted to get the Reusable Hangman kit.  It was really neat wathcing a tiny little wooden man slowly assend the steps to a real set of gallows.  It was kind of like wizard chess, only it was wizard hangman.  He wasn't much good at chess, but he was decent at guessing games.  Alice had found a punching telescope that she wanted to get to play tricks on her brothers, and a few trick wands that just turned into rubber chickens.  Tom, of course, thought that all the stuff in the joke shop was a bit of a waste, but he was rather impressed by the "Patented Daydream Charms".  They were apparently supposed to make you have a "highly realistic thirty-minute daydream".  Tom didn't want one for himself, but he was rather impressed by the magic that was there.  He had heard that George had started this shop with his brother Fred when he was only 18 years old.  It was quite a while after that, and the shop was still going strong, so obviously he was doing something right. 

After James made his mental list of things that he wanted from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes he went to find his dad.  James was ready to move on to Flourish and Blotts so that he could get the books that he needed.  Tom really wanted to go back there too, and Alice needed to get her books as well.  

Once everyone else was done purchasing all their merchendise from the amazing joke shop the whole crew headed over to Flourish and Blotts.  James noticed that Teddy never left Victorie's side, and started to get really curious.  He pushed those thoughts out of his mind as they approached the book store.  

As they entered they saw row upon row and book shelf upon bookshelf full of books.  There were books stacked every where that a book could fit without blocking the paths so people could at least get around the store.  James had been to the store before, but like most things in Diagon Alley James look on in amazement.

James went to find the book that he needed for school (The standard book of spells Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk) and he had to laugh as he saw a book in the same section by a man named Gilderoy Lockhart.  

When James' father was in his second year the author's whole collection was on Harry's school list because Lockhart was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.  Harry had told James about the whole ordeal.  Apparently Gilderoy Lockhart ended up being a really big phoney and had lied about all the things that he had done.  James' Uncle Ron told him that Lockhart was really good at doing memory charms and used Ron's broken wand, and ended up wiping his own memory.  Lockhart still resided in St. Mungo's (The Wizard Hospital) in the psych ward.  Apparently Lockhart was a little TOO good at memory charms.

James grabbed his book and went to find Tom who was still lerking around in the Herbology section.

"Tom, what are you doing?" asked James.  He knew the answer but he didn't want Tom to know that Alice had already told him.  

"I just need to learn more about these plants.  I know that if I just master the knowledge about them then maybe they won't die when I touch them," explained Tom, a little exasperated.

"Tom, have you ever thought that maybe you just don't have a green thumb.  Maybe there is something about you, personally, that doesn't get on well with plants.  It is nothing to be ashamed of.  You don't have to be good at EVERYTHING," said James, trying to be helpful.

"Maybe I just need to talk to your Aunt Hermione.  Where are they, by the way?  I thought that they were going to be here today too," asked Tom with a bit of an edge to his voice.  Tom had wanted the opinnion of his friend's Aunt ever since he saw her name on one of the "Excellence in Learning" trophies last year.  She, apparently was the smartest person in her year, and in the year above her as well.

"I'm not sure, Tom, I thought they were going to be here today too.  I'll have to ask my dad, but...oh, speaking of which...here they are now."

Ron and Hermione Weasley and their two children, Rose and Hugo, came into the shop just as Tom and James were talking about them. 

"Excellent!" said Tom.  "I'm going to go talk to your Aunt Hermione now, I'll see you later."  

Tom took off in the direction of the Weasley family.  James decided to go look for Alice, who, he assumed, would be in the Quidditch section of the store.  

James' assumption was correct as Alice was in the corner pouring over a book about how to improve your skills as a Quidditch player.  She was making funny faces as she read.  James supressed a giggle.  He cleared his throat as to let Alice know that he was approaching.  She quickly stood up and left the book on the floor.  James wasn't sure why Alice thought that she had to hide the fact that she liked reading from James.  Maybe she thought it hurt her reputation of being a tough kid.

"Alice, I found my book, and I was going to go see what my chances of getting an animal for school were.  Do you want to come with me?  I also want to go back to the Quidditch shop to see if I can find a broom servicing kit."

"Sure," said Alice.

"Ok.  I just have to find my parents and ask them if we can go."

As James hurried off to find his parents he saw Alice, out of the corner of his eye, sit back down and open the book to where she was reading before.  He just smiled.

It didn't take long for James to find his parents and after he promised not to go anywhere except for the Quidditch shop, Eyelops Owl Emporium and the Magical Menagerie (which was a magical-creature shop) they had given him permission to go off on his own with Alice.  James then went to find Tom to see if he wanted to come too, but he was in a very intense looking conversation with Hermione, so James thought it better to just let Tom be.

The first place that Alice and James went was back to Quality Quidditch Supplies, and found a broom servicing kit for only 3 Galleons.  Alice and James decided that, that was a great price, and that he needed to get the kit in order to get Harry's old broom ready for the Quidditch season.

As soon as they were out of the Quidditch shop James decided that he wanted to go over to Eyelops Owl Emporium.  Since James knew that he couldn't afford a new broom, he really wanted to get himself an owl.

James and Alice made their way over to the Owl shop and there were great Eagle Owls, majestic Barn Owls and soft Snowy Owls in the window display.  James wanted an Eagle Owl because it looked like it was friendly and very wise.  It just seemed like the Eagle Owl was the master over all the other owls, and looked like it should be wearing a top hat.  It was just very proper and gentlemanly.  James walked into the store and almost crashed into a display of bird cages.  The Owl Emporium reminded James of the Owlry at Hogwarts (where they kept all the owls for the school and the students).  There was owl droppings all over the place, and it was very loud with the screeches of the owls all over the store.  James had never seen so many different kinds of owls in one room.  Even at Hogwarts they mostly had Barn Owls and Tawny Owls.  There was the odd Snowy Owl or Screech Owl, but not many.  There were so many kinds of owls that James had never seen or even heard of.

James made his way up to counter to ask about the price for the Eagle Owl in the window, and another owl caught his eye.  

In the corner with a small sign saying "Eastern Screech Owl" there was a strange little brown and white Owl that James absolutely wanted.  He had giant round, yellow eyes, that took up almost his whole face.  His head was so big that it was about the same size as his tiny body, and he had white as snow feet.  He had feathers on the sides of his head that looked like he had fox ears and the way that his feathers gathered around his beak, he looked like he had a mustache.  James knew that he looked hilarious, but he just had to have that owl.  

James hurried to the desk and asked the clerk how much it would cost to purchase the tiny Eastern Screech Owl in the corner.  

"You're in luck, young man!" exclaimed the owner of the shop.  He was an old man with big glasses and grey hair that was thinning on top.  "That owl is on sale today.  With food and a cage he comes to forty Galleons, four Sickels, and two Knuts."

James felt like he could fly himself.  He was so excited.  After he had gotten the broom servicing kit he had 42 Galleons left and some change, so he knew that he had enough to get the Owl and even get some supplies at George's Joke Shop.  

"I'll take him!" James hollered so excitedly he made the shop keeper jump.  

"Very well young man!" replied the shop keeper equally excited.

"WAIT!" yelled Alice.  "Does he fly far distances?  He looks pretty small."

"Oh, well, he wouldn't be able to carry really big heavy packages, but he can easily take a few letters from Hogwarts to anywhere in England.  It might be a little more difficult once you get into the rest of the UK, but he should be fine for domestic flights."

"Ok..." said James, "I'll take him."  James was a little annoyed with Alice for second guessing his decision, but he also understood why she asked.  James would have been very disappointed if he found out that his new owl couldn't fly very far.

James paid the clerk, picked out a metal cage, and waited to get his owl.  As he was waiting he decided to name his funny looking owl, Humphrey.  He thought it was the perfect name for such a perfect owl.

Inspiration for Humphrey

"You know he looks really funny right?" asked Alice as they were waiting.

"You know I look really funny right?" retorted James.

"You are not funny looking, James, but that owl sure is."  Alice doubled over in laughter.  

James didn't know that Alice didn't think he was funny looking, but James didn't really think that Humphrey was funny looking either.  He had character, and James also knew that he would alway be able to spot his owl, because there was probably not going to be another one that looked like him anywhere else. 

James waltzed out of Eyelops Owl Emporium and still had a little bit of money to get.  James knew that he promised to only go to the animal stores and the Quidditch shop, but he really wanted to go back to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to get some of those magic quils.  

"Common James.  It is just one more store," Alice pleaded when James said they had to find his parents to ask before they could go anywhere else.  

James had to talk himself into it, but he eventually gave in.  "I guess...and it is just two stores down from the Magical Menagerie.  Mum and dad are probably still getting a wand for Al and he needs robes for school...so...they probably won't notice.  Ok.  Let's go!"  

Alice and James made their way back to the joke shop with Humphrey.  James was sure that he was only going to get those quills and get in and out of the store.  No messing around, so he can get back to finding his parents and avoid getting into trouble.

"Ok, here are the quills that I want, and I will go up to the front to pay.  I think that should take care of all my money, so unless you want to get something, then we'll be out of here in no time."  James was still not feeling all that great about disobeying his parents.

"I'm just going to look around again.  I'll meet you in the front in a few minutes.  And don't look so worried.  It'll be fine!" Alice could see the unease in James' eyes.

"Ok, ok!" said James rather unconvincingly.

James made his way to the front and the girl behind the counter had purple hair.  James paid for his quills, and then he took Humphrey outside and waited for Alice.  James waited and waited and waited...

"JAMES HARRY POTTER!" screamed Ginny.

"Uh oh," said James under his breath.

"I told you not to go anywhere but the two animal shops and the Quidditch shop.  What are you doing in front of the joke shop?"

"I'm sorry mum, it's just that I bought my owl, Humphrey here," he held up his owl cage, "and I had a few Galleons left and I wanted to get some magic quills from Uncle George.  I'm really sorry mum.  I didn't think you would mind because the Magical Menagerie is just right there.  Just two doors down."

"Your father and I have been looking for you though.  We went to the Owl Emporium to find out that you bought an Owl, and we went to the Quidditch shop, and you weren't there.  We were just about to go into the Menagerie and I saw you here.  Where is Alice?"

"Alice is still in the joke shop looking around.  She said she would only be a few minutes, but it has been almost half an hour.  I would have gone in to get her, but it is a real pain having to drag Humphrey's cage around everywhere...ummm...I mean..." James was trying to back peddle as he saw his mother's face get angrier and angrier.  "...can you watch Humphrey while I go get Alice, and I will tell you all about getting him as soon as I get out."

"Umhmm," said Ginny through tight lips.

James turned on his heels and skittered back into the shop calling Alice's name rather loudly. 

Alice was face to face with a boy in the joke shop and she looked like she was going to slug him in the face.  

"Alice," hollered James, "common we have to go...NOW...my mom went looking for us and she is very angry.  COMMON!"

Alice looked at James and saw the worry in his eyes, and she turned around and followed James out of the store.  

"What was that all about?" James asked.

"Nothing.  He just said that girls shouldn't be allowed to play Quidditch.  I know that he is just a stupid git, but I really wanted to show him that girls are just as good as boys when it comes to playing rough!" said Alice as she ground her fist into the palm of her other hand.  

"NOW, you too.  You will not be going out of my sight again while we are here.  Alice, where is your father, by the way?"

"Oh, I told him that I was going to be with you today, and so he just sent me here by portkey and I am supposed to come home by floo powder."

"Your father is too trusting, if you ask me.  There are a lot of bad people in this world, and we need to protect our kids.  You are only twelve.  Oh well, I am not your mother, so I don't have a say in it, but as I said before, you two are staying where I can see you for the rest of the day.  I trusted you to obey my words, and you didn't, so you are not allowed to go off on your own anymore today."

James was really upset about this, but not at his mother.  He was more upset with himself, knowing that he should have talked to his mother before he went somewhere else.  

James' parents were a little more protective of their children than other parents because James' Grandma and Grandpa Potter were killed trying to protect Harry from Voldemort, (which is where Harry's cool lightening shaped scar on his forehead came from), and so Ginny and Harry wanted to protect their children too.  It was just important to them.

James knew that the rest of this day was not going to be very fun if he had to stay right by his mom for the rest of the day.  Maybe he could have some fun trying to figure out what was going on between Teddy and Victorie.