This one-shot is based on Catullus 51, when he first sees Lesbia (unfortunate name, but it didn't have the same connotations in Ancient Rome).
The original poem and my translation are below.
I don't own Catullus (but sometimes I wish I did!) or Harry Potter.
Thanks as always for the suggestions and advice from Cammie's co-parent.
Catullus 51
Ille mi par esse deo videtur,
ille, si fas est, superare divos,
qui sedens adversus identidem te
spectat et audit
dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis
eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te,
Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi
vocis in ore,
lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus
flamma demanat, sonitu suopte
tintinant aures, gemina teguntur
lumina nocte.
Otium, Catulle, tibi molestum est:
otio exsultas nimiumque gestis:
otium et reges prius et beatas
perdidit urbes.
Translation
That man seems to me to be on par with the Gods.
That is, he seems, if it's allowable to say so, better than the Gods,
The one who is sitting opposite you, able to look at you and hear
your sweet laughter again and again, which numbs all the senses of poor me.
For when I look at you, Lesbia, I am speechless,
My tongue is numb, fire runs in my veins, my ears ring with their own sound, my eyes are covered by twin moons.
Idleness, Catullus, is bad for you:
You revel in idleness with far too much enjoyment:
Idleness has, in the past, ruined kings and prosperous cities.
James
I walk into the Great Hall and make my way towards the Gryffindor table. I've just had quidditch practice, and I'm feeling pleasantly tired. I'm very aware that my hair is windswept, and judging by the looks on the faces of the girls who turn as I walk towards my place, I'm not looking too bad. I dump my broom and sit down next to Moony.
"Hey Moony!" I give him a playful punch which he returns, but only half heartedly.
"What's up?"
Lupin doesn't say anything. He just jerks his head up the table. I look, but still don't see anything.
"Where's Sirius?"
"He...there's this new girl. Just arrived. And he's..."
"Trying to make a good impression, huh?"
"You could say that"
I look more carefully and this time catch sight of Padfoot's head. He's talking to someone I can't quite see.
"Is she hot?"
"You could also say that."
I'm curious now. I lean forwards, and, pretending to reach for the salt, I see her.
Her head is thrown back in laughter, and I swear it's the sweetest sound I've ever heard. Her hair is...red? Then she turns and sees me, and I realise that it's not just 'red'. It's golden and copper and the colour of sunset, and -
Her green eyes fix on mine for just a second, but I swear it seems like a century, and leaves me breathless.
Fuck Sirius. Why did he have to be the one to get up here quickly after practice? Why does he get to sit opposite her and look and her and make her laugh?
Not that i'd be much good at that at the moment. That brief look has left me toungue-tied and I'm painfully aware that I look as though I've just been hit with a 'petrificus totallus' hex. I have to move. Right now. I'm dreaming. She can't be real.
"Lupin" i hiss out of the corner of my mouth. "pinch me."
"What?"
"pinch me"
I'm still gawking up the table and Lupin follows my gaze. He smiles slightly.
"OUCH!"
"Come on Prongs, snap out of it. She's just a girl."
Just a girl? Just a girl? I want to jump up and run over and punch Sirius. I actually want to punch my best friend. What the hell is happening to me?
I groan and Lupin leans over, concerned.
My eyes have gone blurry, and for a moment I see two Moonys. I blink, and he swims back into focus.
"I'm fucking on fire Moony!"
"Too much information. Just go have a cold shower Prongs. Seriously. I'll bring you up some food if you're hungry."
Later
In the shower, I reflect.
What the fuck was that!
I decide it's because I'm bored. My mind (and body...) are searching for ways to let out some of the boredom of my life. Maybe if I work harder at schoolwork, actually do my homework for a change, play some more quidditch. Maybe then I'll be back to normal.
So what do you think? Review?