Homework
I HATE HOMEWORK. That was the only way I could describe my feelings at that point in time. What is the point of writing an 18 inch essay on a topic that we just covered in class? I fail to understand the logic. But, as such a good student of Hogwarts, I try my best. At least some of the time.
The night of November 6th was one such night. I was being a good boy, setting a good example for Albus, Lily and various other family members. And also, McGonagall had threatened me with suspension if I turned in one more essay late. As much as I love my parents, I'd much prefer to be here at Hogwarts. However Fate had other plans.
Because I was such a popular guy, people feel obliged to stop for a chat even if I am literally drowning in textbooks. I was sitting with my cousin Rose, the most studious of the Potter-Weasley Clan. I figured this would be the best way to avoid a suspension. Rose and I sat in silence, and I wondered how she managed to be this focused every night. I was having trouble. One minute I would be totally focused on the properties of moonstone in potions, the next, that log in the fire was oddly shaped and I couldn't take my eyes off of it.
"Hey," yelled Rose, snapping her fingers in front of my face "Dopey, focus"
The words blurred in front of my face, becoming massive black lines. At that moment, a scrunched ball of parchment hit the back of my head. Turning around to locate the perpetrator, I saw Fred grinning wildly. I shook my head at him, the look on my face clearly saying "Why?". He pole-vaulted the couch and sat down opposite me.
"Jamesie boy, why are you wasting a perfectly good Saturday afternoon? I hear there is a party on in the Ravenclaw common room, Molly and I were thinking of going. Keen?" Fred said
"Fred, if you would like the presence of my company for the next two weeks, I fear I must forgo appearing at said party,"
"But James," Fred whined, elongating my name. He then employed a strange technique, one that girls usually use on guys. The puppy-dog eyes.
"Fine," I said, half glad to be away from the essay that was doing my head in. Plus I had all Sunday to the essay. The party could be my reward for working so hard.
I was about to get up when a small hand fisted around my jumper and pulled me back down.
"No you will not," said Rose "You need to finish this,"
"Don't fret Rose," said Fred "James is on top of it,"
"Don't come crying to me Sunday night when you haven't finished," she mumbled turning back to her work.
I was glad the Ravenclaws were smart. They had managed to charm the lights to act like Muggle disco balls, sending sparkles across the room. Someone, I'm guessing Marcus Howley had managed to sneak some Firewhiskey and extra strength Butterbeer into the party. I picked up a cup and turned to talk to Fred, when surprise, surprise, he was gone. Looking around the room, I found him in a corner, snogging Molly, both not seeming to care that Roxanne had a camera and was taking pictures.
Roxanne spotted me and jogged over.
"I think I'll send these to dad," she laughed "Or at least use them for blackmail, really it's quite inappropriate the way those two are rubbing up against each other."
She sighed, putting the camera away, back into her bag.
"So James, anyone catch your eye?" she smiled "Want to go dance?"
We stepped out onto the dance, and I looked around, for an appropriate distraction for the night to take my mind off moonstones. I spotted Lucy, over in the corner with her boyfriend Ben Coyle laughing and talking. She waved when she saw me. After embarking on a pranking war at the beginning of the year, we decided to call a truce. Mainly because I had been unable to walk for a week due to a well-placed hex and she had been glued to Ben. This was when they started dating. Turns out that being stuck to a boy for a week at the hip is a great way to start a relationship. So we were now friends, even sharing ideas for pranks from time to time. Everyone in the Gryffindor common room sighed a breath of relief, as Lucy and I often laid traps for each other that did not always affect the intended victiom.
I danced along to the music; the muggleborns introduced us to the best dancesongs. Fred and Molly reappeared slightly dishevelled but with grins on their faces and ended up dancing the rest of the night away. The lights went down, and a slower song started on the wireless. And then everyone started to pair up. At a loose end I panicked until I spotted a brunette in the corner alone. I came up behind and put my arms around her, and the lights went down even more, it was hard to see. I guessed this was to give couples privacy. We swayed in time to the music, slow and as the song ended, the lights completely blacked out. I turned the mystery girl around and pressed my lips to hers. She responded kissing me back hard, a small hand snaking up into my hair twisting and pulling, which only made me kiss he more. The kiss was intoxicating and I didn't want to stop. The lights came back on full force at that moment and I opened my eyes to see my mystery girl.
"Lucy?"
"James?"
"Lucy!"
The last voice caused us both to turn and see Ben, holding two drinks and his mouth open in shock.
Let's just say my quiet night in doing homework turned into something complete different.
