A/N: So, this is sort of a Valentine's Day mini-fic that was inspired by the Glee episode "Silly Love Songs", during the part where Finn sets up a kissing booth. That's about it, I guess. Enjoy!
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kiss (def.): touch with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, reverence, or greeting.
Kissing is something that is revered, all around the world. For couples, it is an important step in their relationship, one that may make or break them. For others, a kiss is a source of great anxiety, especially if they are or believe to be the only ones in their group of friends who have never been kissed (see also: The Great Breakdown of James Potter, circa 1974). Sometimes, a kiss is "stolen" or does not match up to one's (extremely high) expectations, and will be attempted to be forgotten by both individuals (aka. Marlene McKinnon and Sirius Black). And, a kiss may be a source of money.
kissing booth (def.): A kissing booth is a carnival attraction where the person running the booth kisses customers for money, often to raise funds for charity.
A charity is also something that may be defined, although in different ways. Some prominent examples are the Janus Thickey Foundation for Dragon-Pox Addled Wizards, the Helga Hufflepuff Foundation for the Needy, and the Mungo Bonham Project.
A charity usually has a cause, at its heart, perhaps a difficult problem. Charity may be something given to people who are poor or in need. The word charity is actually from a Latin word meaning "generous love". In this case, the charity was James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and the cause was four tickets to the 1978 Quidditch World Cup.
The idea was brought up one cold February day by James Potter, after a round of suggestions to raise money for their tickets to the cup, as the Potters had kindly explained that while a trip to Germany would certainly be nice, the cup was still two years away, and "Who knows what may have happened by then. Why, perhaps the world will be run by Kneazles!" While James had said that his father was joking, the point still stood that the Potters had steadfastly refused to purchase tickets.
After Remus's suggestion that they could always wait until 1982 to go see the cup (which was shut down quickly), ideas such as an illegal potions sale (complete with watered-down Amortentia and a blend of Gillyweed and pumpkin juice), an impromptu Quidditch match with a four Galleon entry fee ("No one wants to see you swing bludgers at imaginary objects, Sirius."), and a bake sale (contributed by a lackluster Peter, who was actually close to siding with Remus after hearing James's lewd and admittedly quite perverted suggestions) had been tossed around.
Finally, James had his moment of brilliance (or, more accurately, stupidity).
"A kissing booth." Remus said flatly. "Really. And who do you expect would come to this kissing booth?"
James looked confused. "Well, every girl in the school, of course. I mean, I'm James Potter."
Peter sniggered, and James glared at him. "What's so funny? Who wouldn't want a piece of this?" James ran his hands down his chest in what he assumed to be a seductive gesture, but came out to look more like he was rubbing his stomach.
"Er, James," Peter started, "If you don't mind me saying, I don't think a kissing booth is the best idea. Isn't your goal this year to get Evans to go to Hogsmeade with you on Valentine's Day? I don't think the way to asking her to Hogsmeade is kissing other girls."
James sighed. "Peter, Peter, Peter. You have so much to learn. When Evans sees me kissing a girl passionately on the lips (preferably tall, blonde, and beautiful), she will be overcome with rage, and have a desire to swoop in and save me from the clutches of the evil seductress, and kiss me wonderfully, softly, lovingly—"
"That's what this is about?" Sirius asked incredulously. "Evans? Again? And I agree with Peter. Instead of kissing you, she'll probably kill you."
"Out of jealousy!" James protested. "And after she sees what she's done, she'll weep over my dead body and miraculously restore me to life with a kiss. Then, we'll get married and have five children, named Lily Junior, Daisy, Magnolia, Jasmine, and Harry."
"Harry?" Peter asked under his breath.
"No, no, no." Sirius said. "James, you are my best friend, brother in all but blood, co-conspirer, but this is the worst idea you have ever had."
"No, Sirius." Remus spoke up, smirking. "This is a wonderful idea! Wouldn't it be great for James to kiss many girls on Valentine's Day, sending Lily into a fit of madness?"
"See?" James replied, grinning. "Remus agrees with me now. He sees my logic! This will be great. Trust me." Seeing Sirius's disgruntled expression, he added, "And you can get some action too! I'll pass the girls onto you!"
Sirius sputtered, and attempted to convince James again, but he was already lost in la-la land. Instead, he mimed cutting off his head, and mouthed to Remus, "You are so dead."
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Despite the arguments made by Sirius and Peter to sway James the week before Valentine's Day, there was no progress made. James remained steadfast to the idea of a kissing booth, and spent the week doodling Evans+James forever in his History of Magic notes (covering up almost all of the information on Urg the Unclean).
Valentine's Day dawned bright and early, with James jumping on their beds and shouting, "It's here! It's here! Today I will win the heart of my lady love!" (Peter then threw a pillow at him, which caused James to fall off of his bed and sparked a fit of muffled laughter in Remus and Sirius).
Being a Saturday, there were no classes, so most of the students took their time at breakfast that morning. At about nine in the morning, a huge cluster of owls flew in, carrying many packages, most of which were tied neatly with pink and red ribbon. The hall was instantly filled with squeals, sounds that sounded remarkably like kissing, and a few stray tears which inevitably evolved into full-on sobs.
At ten in the morning, James climbed onto the table, and cleared his throat. "Greetings! As most of you are aware, I am James Potter, handsome Quidditch star and all-around wonderful person."
"Mr. Potter!" Professor McGonagall barked. "Sit down this instant before you fall off the table!"
James ignored her, though, and continued. "Today is Valentine's Day, as you all know. A day of love, happiness, and joy. And I take great pleasure in bringing joy to others. From eleven to five today, I will be holding a kissing booth in the Gryffindor Common Room. The password is Eros. All possible customers will be inspected at the door, and proceeds will go to charity. All you ladies, it will be me and my friend Mr. Black in at the booth, and only ten Knuts for a kiss!"
"Mr. Potter! Twenty points from Gryffindor!" McGonagall shouted again, but the hall was already abuzz with chatter. Dumbledore had turned to her, and it looked as if he was trying to reason with her. Finally, she shook her head, and seemed to give in to Dumbledore.
"Eleven to five!" James announced again. "Ten Knuts a kiss, my friends! You won't see a deal like that anywhere else!"
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So, any good? Should I continue? Feedback?