Hey! Finally a new story! This was intended to be a long one-shot, though I figured it was better suited as a short multi-chapter fic. Which is odd, because I've kind of sworn off multi-chapter fics because I keep losing my muse. Anyway, this first chapter is a little short, I know. And before I get reviews saying James is acting awfully strange awfully quickly- that is my point. Oh, and I am continuing using Arctic Monkey album names as my titles. Yay. Haha. But please enjoy!
POTTER WILD CHILD STRIKES AGAIN
Will the saviors of the wizarding world be able to tame their children?
Last night, underage wizard James Sirius Potter was caught stumbling from the Leaky Cauldron, accompanied by his older adopted brother Theodore Lupin. When asked if under the influence of alcohol, both parties adamantly denied. However, Potter's actions latter that night suggested otherwise. After puking on an unsuspecting citizen, Potter managed to break into a near-by shop. Potter not only broke the front window, but defiled many of the wares. Our sources tell us Potter had managed to create over three-hundred galleons worth of damage. When attempting to question Potter's parents, Harry and Ginny Potter, our reporters over heard the golden couple threatening their eldest child with the ulterior motive of straightening up his act or risk losing his inheritance…
"Serana!" A voice called out from across the table, and I glanced up from today's Daily Prophet. One of my roommates was looking at me rather expectantly, a false smile plastered over her rather plastic face. I sighed, quirking a brow rather irritably while I pushed my eye-glasses up the brim of my nose.
"Guess what?" She cooed her high pitched voice grating on my ears. Needless to say, I didn't get along well with my roommates. Not that I detested the bunch, it's just I found that we don't really have any commonalities. The sixth year Hufflepuff girls are renowned for their superficial ideals and gossip, therefore we never really clicked. Not that I clicked with many people, that is. I fidgeted under her tantalizing gaze, still watching her as I awaited her latest stream of gossip.
"James Potter…" She began, waggling her plucked eyebrows at me rather suggestively. I rolled my eyes, sighing rather audibly. Couldn't she just move on? However, my roommate seemed rather taken aback by my rather rude display, and cleared her throat rather irritably before continuing. "He's staring at you,"
The excitement in her voice had completely vanished; however, even my roommate withheld a tone of sheer surprise. It was well known throughout the school that the Weasley/Potter clan was rather exclusive. They let a select few within their numbers, and most just kept things within the family. Not only that, but they were a rather rowdy bunch, holding themselves much higher than the average Hogwarts student. Like me. Therefore I've never really been a fan of the Weasley/Potters.
However, when my eyes began searching toward the rambunctious Gryffindor table, I indeed met a pair of rather solid brown eyes before I snapped my gaze away and found something in my eggs incredibly interesting. Subconsciously my eyes wandered back to the Daily Prophet I had snuck to the side. My neighbor's shrill voice pierced my thoughts.
"Ugh, Serana, you are such a lucky duck! There is no doubt James Potter is the best looking bloke in the school," The girl Journey chattered on animatedly, and soon my other roommates joined in. I caught snippets of their ramblings, and most were centered on James and his chest. My lips turned into a tight frown as I stared down at my breakfast. The Weasley/Potter clan has ignored me for six years, and my, what a peaceful six years it has been. Sure, it's a little depressing when you hear your name mentioned in passing and those in your grade level haven't got a clue who you are speaking about. But the rumors that circulate around the large family and enough to make me realize I'm not missing much.
Still, when I think back over the years, James Potter has never given me a second glance. I remember once when we were in third year after we were partnered for a Charms assignment for a month I had asked him for a quill and he had asked me if I was a transfer student. So I can't honestly say that the scrutinizing gaze he gave me moments ago didn't un-nerve me. I shifted again uncomfortably in my seat, busying my eyes with my Potions assignment due this coming class.
I had spare time that morning, prior to my Potions lesson I was assigned a free period, compliments to me dropping the dreadful subject of Defense. I was absolutely horrid at it, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the fact that I didn't live in a time of war, or I would have been toast. I had quickly found my way to the library, a place I spent perhaps too much time in, considering I had a usual seat nestled in the back corner. First years learned quickly who the table belonged to.
I quickly set to work editing my homework due today, as well as getting a head start on the charms assignment assigned a few days ago. I personally couldn't fathom why Professor Flitwick would find it necessary for us to write eight inches on the incantation of Accio, a spell we had learned ages ago. I began pouring through an old charms textbook, mentally praying I would be able to find enough information to fill up a whole eight inches.
Suddenly, I heard a chair squeak across the stone flooring. I paid it no mind—while it was unusual for a student to find his/her way back to my rather secluded corner, it wasn't unheard of. I heard them rummage through their things, and I turned a page. Suddenly, they cleared their throat, and my ears became alert and attuned, fully aware they were shifting in their seat. I ignored the other student once again; silently pleading this intruder would refrain from disrupting my study session.
After they cleared their throat a fourth time, I looked up from my pages irritably and found I was staring back at James Potter-for the second time that day. I straightened up under his gaze and adjusted my glasses, mustering up my most furious gaze. He simply gave me a sloppy smile in retaliation.
"I don't want to be rude," I began to say, as if these words would make my next statement any less biting, "But could you leave. You are disrupting my studies," I spoke rather coldly, hoping the prat would take the hint that I wasn't a particularly sociable person and I was to be best left alone. However, Potter wouldn't have it, and simply leaned forward in his seat, smirking arrogantly.
"Hey now, I was hoping we could study together!" He offered, although when I glanced over to his papers that he had been working on while trying to get my attention, I saw they were littered with half-drawn doodles. I scowled, ignoring his comment and turning purposefully back to my homework. James Potter hadn't spoken to me much before, and I began to realize I much preferred it that way.
"I feel like I know you from somewhere," He began again, leaning over the wooden table so he was hovering in my line of vision. I huffed irritably, hoping this imbecile would finally get it through his thick skull that I wished to be left alone. However, the Potter boy did no such thing, and when I glanced at his dark eyes again they were filled with confusion. "Are you a transfer student?" He asked, tilting his head to the side-much like a dog would.
I scoffed, absolutely appalled. I knew I wasn't really the most memorable girl, but really?
"I'm in your year, we worked on a Transfiguration paper together last year," James paled at this, a little pink blush creeping up and onto his cheeks. At least he had the mind to be embarrassed by his errors. I began to pack my things, through with this conversation, and in wish of some peace.
"Stephanie?" Oh, now he was trying to guess my name. Of course, this only served to dig him into a deeper hole. I mumbled unintelligible words only a sailor should use as I resumed packing my things. I heard James huff in frustration.
"No, so Sabrina then?" I personally didn't think he deserved my response, so I continued stacking my papers together. Thank Merlin I was nearly completely.
"Serena?" He was getting desperate, eye me carefully as I slung my knapsack over my shoulder.
"It's Serana," I clarified off-handedly. People often misread my name, and I have grown accustomed to fixing the common mistake. Therefore, whenever I heard the name Selena, it was almost second nature to correct them.
"I knew it!" James then cried exasperatedly. His mouth was stretched into a large grin and he easily side-stepped into the only clear path out of my corner of the library.
"Please move," I hissed, thoroughly annoyed with Potter after such a short period of time. His large smile, however, did not falter, and he gave me a rather maniacal look.
"Under one condition," Ugh. I absolutely abhor ultimatums. But with a glance at the clock I noticed the time I had to get to my first class was quickly dwindling. I scowled and quirked a brow, indicating to James that I was listening. I didn't think it was possible but his grin grew.
"You come sit with me at lunch,"
If it weren't for his rather matter-of-fact tone I would have thought he were pulling my leg. My brows furrowed as I contemplated his request. Potter couldn't be serious, could he? Two minutes ago he couldn't even remember the fact that we had shared classes for years and now he wanted me to accompany him to lunch? Everything smelled rather fishy and I subconsciously wrinkled my nose in disgust.
"Come on Serena, it won't be that bad," He was now chuckling.
"It's Serana. You can't even remember my name and you expect me to sit beside you at lunch. I've got better things to be doing, sorry," I tried to push past him but he was a rather solid barricade. I huffed indignantly, contemplating if it were possible to crawl beneath the table. After I few short moments I decided that although it was possible, I would look like a desperate, crazed bat in the process. Shite. "Move."
My tone was much more forceful this time, and I hoped it would be enough to get the wanker to let me be.
But alas, he was as stubborn as a rock too.
"I have my condition,"
"And I have no say in the matter,"
"Exactly!" He grinned, waggling his eyebrows. How I detested that movement.
"Fine, I'll sit with you this once, but only for a little bit. Now move you bloody git, I've got class to get to," James grinned triumphantly, making a small path for me to push through.
"Now, now Serena, we've only just met, isn't it too early for pet names?" He chastised jokingly to my back. I turned to face him, my face contorted into a rather irritable expression.
"Call me Serena one more time and I'm hexing your balls off. And let me remind you again we've known each other for six years," I flicked the bloke off, through with his antics, and fled the library at a somewhat dignified pace.
