Author's Note: I rated this story mature because it contains sexual scenes (though nothing explicit), some mildly coarse language, and incest. As it is explained in the story, there is no actual incest, but if you are going to be offended please do not read this story. Thank you so much.
"Not today, James." said Tayden. She turned away from him, but he put his hand on her elbow and moved around to face her.
"Please?" he begged. "I want you."
"No!" replied Tayden loudly. She lowered her voice. "Not today, okay? Sorry." The small brown haired Gryffindor sixth year shook herself out of James' grip. He looked forlornly after her and banged his head as if to clear it.
He and Tayden had gone on a few group dates to Hogsmeade, and it had led to more. They hadn't been on a real date yet, but James intended to fix that soon. Tayden was cute, and excellent at Quidditch ...and other things.
They were both chasers on the Gryffindor team, and he was captain. Pendleton had left last year, and Lily had taken his spot as seeker. Cousin Fred played keeper, and his sister Roxanne played chaser as well. Hugo had tried out, but he hadn't made the cut. They were all working hard, and it was already shaping up to be a great season.
His grades too, were shaping up pretty well. It was N.E.W.T. year and he was getting mostly acceptables, which was, well, acceptable. He was doing even better in Care of Magical Creatures and Defense against the Dark Arts. Not having classes with Tayden helped his focus a lot, although he and Fred couldn't help goof off sometimes.
As Tayden had rejected him so clearly, rather than sitting with her, James looked around for his dorm mates.
"James! My man!" yelled Jordan, slapping him five. James grinned, took a seat, and started piling his plate.
"'Choo score?" asked Liam, his mouth stuffed with food. James shook his head sadly, and then had to brush his messy hair out of his eyes.
"So none of us are getting lucky tonight?" asked Jordan. "Man, that sucks."
"Well, I am." smirked Kyle. James liked Kyle a little less than the others, because he was pretty good looking and fit. Really, who had abs like that? Not that James was looking at his abs. Of course. Kyle was especially irksome because he had almost beaten James out for Quidditch captain. Almost.
"Yeah, yeah, your hot blonde girlfriend." said Fred, rolling his eyes.
"What I want to know," added Brett seriously "is how you convinced her to sneak into our dorm every night. Getting up the girls' stairs is nearly impossible."
"That's why you need to get a Hufflepuff." replied Fred. "They don't even have a password."
"Wait they don't?" asked James "Wait how do you know that? Wait what?!" James stared at Fred, who uncharacteristically blushed.
"Cat's out of the bag now, my man." said Jordan, slapping Fred on the back. "Mr. Weasley here has finally hooked up with the charming Ms. Rowe." he explained.
"Dude, seriously?" asked James.
Fred finally looked up and grinned. "We didn't go quite that far. But yeah."
"Congrats!" replied James.
"No more whining about how you miss Rachel, then?" asked Brett. "Phew!"
The guys laughed and finished their lunch.
For the last class of the day, James had potions. It was a bad class to lose concentration in. Unfortunately, all he could think about was Tayden. He respected her, but she hadn't even given him an explanation. He had surprised her once before, and she had reacted enthusiastically, so he thought maybe it was time to try it again. Of course, it would take some planning.
"James, watch what you're doing!" hissed Olivia Harbottle, as some drops of his potion splashed onto her arm as he stirred a little too intensely. "Why is your potion purple anyway?"
James blinked. "What colour is it supposed to be?"
"Green!" said Olivia, surprised. James didn't usually do this bad at potions. "We're making an Energizing Draught."
James glanced down at his page. "Whoops." he said, reading the title. "Elixir to Strengthen Crops." He looked helplessly at Olivia.
The red haired Ravenclaw sighed. They were fairly good friends. Her vibrant mane reminded him of his family, and she often helped him with his studies as well. "Sorry James, there's no way I can put that right. Besides, it's supposed to be bubbling vigorously, and yours is only managing to slightly ripple."
"I guess I'll pack up." said James. He cleaned up his work area and collapsed his cauldron. Then he asked Professor Jiggs if he could leave early. "I'm sorry Professor, I'm just really distracted. Can I go to the library and work on my essay?"
Professor Jiggs sighed. "Yes James, but next time whatever else is on your mind stays outside my classroom."
"Yes sir." said James, taking his exit. Rather than going to the library he ran up to the Gryffindor dorm and grabbed his broom. Flying would help clear his head.
As he started across the grounds James realised that he probably should have gotten the map back from Lily sooner. Because there was Professor Longbottom, waving to him from over by the pumpkin patch. Cursing, James strode over to meet him.
"Hi James! Do you want to help me? I've finally managed to infuse these pumpkins with Butterbeer, and I'm excited to see what the Pumpkin Juice we make from them will taste like."
James, whose attempts to explain that he was in a bit of a hurry had been shut down, sighed and squatted beside his parents' friend. "That doesn't sound like your usual work."
"No." said Neville cheerfully. "It was Hannah's idea. She's not a publican any more, but she can't stop these innovative thoughts some time. I'd show you how it works, but anyone skipping class probably doesn't want to do more learning."
James stared at him. Sure the teachers were smart, and sure they had magical powers, but Professor Longbottom was usually pretty oblivious, especially when he had Herbology to distract him. James decided to be honest. "I was just going for a fly, to clear my head."
"And that couldn't have waited until class was over?" asked Neville.
"Not really." replied James. "Er, am I in trouble?"
Neville chuckled. "You remind me too much of your father. He usually looked as though he needed to clear his head too, although he didn't often get the chance to do so." James nodded, and Neville continued. "But when he was determined to do something, it was best not to get in his way. I'm glad I learned that lesson early. So you go ahead."
James grinned. "Thanks. Does that mean I can always get by you?"
In spite of himself, Neville laughed. "Yes. But if you try it, I'll write your Dad. And-"
James interrupted. "It's best not to get in his way." They laughed.
"Also, I want that Quidditch trophy back from the Ravenclaws!" said Neville.
James waved, hopped on his broom, and shot into the sky. He did some loops and turns while he mused over his problem. Luckily flying came second nature, and didn't require nearly as much effort as potions.
If Tayden wouldn't talk to him at dinner, he would sneak into her dorm anyway. James smiled to himself as he pulled into a steep dive back to the ground, turning up just at the last second.
"Can I sit with you?" asked James. Tayden had a couple of friends with her, but that was no big deal.
"Sure! As long as you don't bring up what we talked about earlier." she replied sweetly.
"Can we talk about it later?" He asked, frustrated.
"Tomorrow." she said firmly. "Now sit down and shut up."
He did. Her fiery spirit, rather than putting him off, was what he loved most about her. Even when it was directed at him.
Tayden chattered on with her dorm mate Jenna, while Marissa sulked, pausing occasionally to glare at James. Tayden ignored this exchange. In fact, she ignored both of them completely until they had finished helping themselves to dessert. Then she produced a candle and stuck it in Marissa's piece of pie. Jenna lit it with her wand.
"Make a wish!" They chorused.
Marissa closed her eyes briefly and blew. "Thanks guys." The corners of her mouth turned up slightly.
"Uh yeah, happy birthday." added James.
Tayden hit him on the arm "It's not her birthday, idiot."
James, utterly confused, decided to shut up.
Whether that was the reason he got a kiss from Tayden at the end of the meal, he didn't know, but he felt slightly more hopeful about his plans.
James returned to the dorm. He grabbed some Polyjuice and extra clothes, then he waited. Shortly after eleven, he couldn't stand it any longer. Besides, if he waited too long, she'd be asleep. James stepped into the stairway and put a drop of Polyjuice on his tongue. Just enough to change for a couple of minutes. After adjusting to the small body, he crept down the stairs, disguised as an eleven year old Muggle girl he had had the opportunity to take some hairs from. Then after carefully crossing the common room, since a few people were still up, he went quickly up the girls' stairs. They would only be fooled for a short while, so he had to get up before they could change. He did, and waited outside the sixth year dorm until the potion had worn off. Then he entered.
Usually Tayden left a candle lit on so he could see, but tonight the new moon was making it pitch black. James carefully made his way across the room and crawled in. He smiled when she reached for him.