The chapters for this fic are sooo short compared to my other ones. But oddly enough I'm really liking how this is turning out. You can tell because I updated so quickly! But here it is! I was so ready to update I didn't bother proof-reading, so please pardon any mistakes! Thank you for reading!

"Now, now Carter. It isn't flick and swish. Its swish and flick. Put a little more power in your wrist."

I vaguely heard Professor Horken, our Transfiguration teacher, correcting a classmate on his spell casting. I had finished the assignment long ago in the period, successfully transforming a goblet into a canary. Horken had looked pleased with my work, and allowed me the rest of the class to do as I pleased.

The problem was I was unable to brainstorm anything constructive to do with my time. I had finished all the assignments that I had appropriate materials for, and I wasn't a patient enough of a person to aid my classmates. I knew that trait would prevent me from receiving the title of Head Girl next year. Anyway, I wasn't one with artistic talents, and therefore mindless sketches usually aggravated me. Not only that, but the only reading material on my person was my potions textbook, and sadly enough, I had already read through it.

Even if I had found something particularly useful to occupy my time, I don't believe I would have been able to focus on it. I swear, every few moments my mind would wander off and question why James Potter was acting rather odd today. He hadn't looked at me twice since first year and now he was requesting for me to sit with him at lunch in the Great Hall? Not only that, but that would mean sitting with the rest of his family, something I was looking forward to less than James Potter himself.

The Potters and the Weasleys are by no means bad people. No, even I couldn't say that. However, unbeknownst to the general wizarding population, the youngest generation was raised to be rather spoiled. They grew up in the limelight, and although I could imagine their parents avoided telling them of their quests during their own schooling days, the press followed the family around like lost dogs. So despite any efforts on the parent's part, their children grew up famous and wealthy, unfortunately a very dangerous combination.

They were used to being admired, to being gawked at, and I imagine many of them revere the attention. Therefore, the roamed the halls of Hogwarts as though they owned them, and in a sick way, the clan did. People pushed and shoved to become friends with the children of the war heroes, they fought for their companionship. Even the rather anti-social Weasleys, such as Rose, a girl in the year below my own, were constantly gawked at. And even though this was all against their will, the attention sure did seem to go to the family's head.

They were also an extremely rambunctious lot, something I was clearly not. Therefore, when Professor Horken called that the class was dismissed, I inaudibly groaned, reluctantly gathering my things. And then it hit me.

I didn't really have to honor my agreement with James, did I?

I mean, I didn't owe him anything; he had cornered me against my will and didn't allow me to depart until I agreed with him. Not only that, but he couldn't even remember my name, let alone that were shared classes together. Anyway, I was close enough to the dungeons that I could easily slip into the Hufflepuff common room without having to near the great hall at all. Thank Merlin the kitchens were right beside my dormitory.

I smiled elatedly, very pleased with my smart thinking. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I sauntered out of the classroom, turning right toward my dorm instead of left. Suddenly, an arm snaked through my own and a tongue clucked in my ear.

"Hey Serena, just where do you think you are going?" I cast a stinging hex without a second thought, glad I had already mastered non-verbal magic. The person yelped rather loudly, catching the attention of my classmates. And in a rather non-confrontational fashion, they left me alone with James Potter.

"What was that for?" He scowled, rubbing the sore spot I had hit. When he finally moved his hand away I saw the skin was turning a bright red. I grinned smugly.

"I warned you about my name," I chastised, turning away from James and toward my common room once more.

"Hey, hey, hey!" He called after me, covering the distance between us in a few long strides. Curse my short genes.

"Hey," I answered back rather sarcastically, quirking an eyebrow at him expectantly. His own brows furrowed in anticipation.

"Where are you going?" He questioned, looking at me with a rather bemused expression. His brown eyes were searching my own, and I felt rather unnerved. I straightened my glasses subconsciously.

"To the dungeons," I was actually rather ashamed he caught me trying to escape our lunch date.

Ugh. I did not just call our rendezvous a date. It was simply a meeting. Between two people. Who couldn't morally be classified as acquaintances. Merlin, the bloke couldn't even get my name right.

"And why were you heading to the dungeons?" He questioned. I frowned.

"To drop off my things?" I lied lamely, and the words tasted rather bitter on my tongue. I knew James could tell I was lying. However, he didn't seem to mind. If anything, I would say he was pleased with my rather ashamed demeanor.

"No time," James mumbled quickly, his bemused gaze quickly shifting into a bright grin as he took my arm and led me in the other direction. Drats. So close.

"By the way," He began, quickening his pace. We were basically jogging now, and let me tell you, I am not a physically fit person. Sports were not my forte, and instead of spending time outdoors and building up my endurance, I spent my time indoors, curled up with a book. Therefore, within seconds, I was wheezing heavily, not pleased with the physical exertion. James was merrily laughing at my pain. "I know your name is Serana,"

His eyes literally twinkled with amusement. Literally. And he looked so damn smug too.

I shot him a nasty glare, and a quirked eyebrow, my body language screaming: So why the fuck do you call me Serena?

And although James seemed absolutely oblivious to my silent messages this morning in the library, he caught onto this one. "I just say it because it gets your knickers in a twist," He chuckled light-heartedly.

So this bloke previously thought it was our first time meeting this morning, and now he had the gusto to mispronounce my name because he knew it irked me. I stopped abruptly, and the sudden movement caused James to yank forcefully on my arm. It felt as though it tore out of my socket.

Alright, so perhaps that was a wild exaggeration. But it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"Ow," I mumbled, ripping my arm free from James's grasp to nurse the aching joint. I began walking again, though, knowing there was no way for me to escape my inevitable fate. May as well get it over with soon, plus I was starving.

"It's your own fault," James chastised, giving me a rather peculiar look. He was probably wondering why I had stopped, and if I was going to try to make a run for it. Part of me didn't even know why I had stopped. Though my physical body contributed it to the fact that I was exhausted. Never running again.

"Let's just get this over with," I mumbled, glancing back to see James had a wide grin plastered on his face. He quickened his pace so he was walking beside me.

"I'll warn you now, the family is huge, and it make take the whole lunch to introduce you to the all,"

Ugh.

"Tell them my name is Serena and you won't wake up tomorrow."

SPACE

"So Serana, what's your last name?"

Shortly after James and my arrival at the Gryffindor table, his family had erupted into a right fit. Needless to say, they weren't used to many people being introduced to the family this late in all of their schooling, and according to a Ravenclaw named Louis, James was never one to do it in the first place. So apparently I'm special, although I don't really feel it.

"Finnigan," I supplied to Molly, a seventh year, and the only one other than James who seemed to be giving me the time of day. Most of the other Weasley/Potters resumed their previous conversations after I had initially arrived, not paying me any more mind. James, on the other hand, was sitting right by my side, listening intently to the conversation being held between Molly and I, often supplying his own opinion. Not only that, but he seemed to be subtly touching me any time he could. I don't know if it was intentional, but I swear if he brushed my shoulder one more time while reaching for another helping I was going to scream.

"Finnigan, really? Seamus's daughter?" Molly inquired, successfully capturing my attention much more. I nodded mutely.

"That's weird," she continued, throwing a glance to James. "Shouldn't you have been to some of the infamous family gatherings? Usually our parents are sure to invite their old friends and families."

"We're invited every year, but we visit my dad's family in Ireland over the holidays," I explained, earning a nod from Molly before she turned back to one of her many cousins. Sensing this as the end to our brief conversation, I turned back to James, the only one I really had to talk to. He was giving me a rather dumb smile.

"I was wondering why your accent is a little funny," He murmured, grinning cheekily. I simply scoffed.

"You have a funny accent," I countered back playfully, my lips turning up into a smile.

Wait. What?

I quickly wiped away my smile, coughing slightly before shoveling a large helping of something on my plate into my mouth. Oh, it was turkey. James was in hysterics beside me.

"There's nothing wrong with enjoying my company," He laughed, his eyebrows raised in a rather amused fashion. I scowled.

"Yes, yes there is. Considering no one at this table knew who I was until this morning," I was suddenly feeling suffocated. My sudden outburst caught the clan's attention, and nearly every red-head was staring at me, witnessing my slight mental breakdown.

Alright, I wasn't having a mental breakdown. That was quite an exaggeration. But I was frustrated with both myself and with James. His sudden peaked interest in me was mind-boggling and peculiar, and I couldn't help but think that something was off. Not only that, but I was peeved with myself for letting him take control of me as he has these past few hours. Normally I wouldn't allow anyone to man-handle me as I had.

Now, all I know was that my tie was becoming painfully restricting and the air entirely too thick. I frowned, my lips a tight line, as I moved to leave the table. James's fingers, however, clasped around my wrist, and successful pulled me back onto the bench.

"We aren't… We aren't particularly perceptive people," He began, him own lips tightly turned toward the ground. James looked unnaturally contemplative, and almost uncomfortable. "Most people tend to only like us for our name so we usually don't try to get along with others,"

I felt suddenly guilty. I always thought the Weasley's were too conceited for the rest of the Hogwarts populace, though I suppose it completely justified that they tended to avoid the masses. Of course many students would be interested in their name, it was like a free ride on the fame express.

"However, not realizing you were in my classes was just me being hopelessly blind," James gave me a weak smile at that comment, and I gave him one in return. It was like a silent gesture that I understood. Even though I didn't fully yet, but I don't suppose many of my questions would be easily answered.

"I'm sorry for snapping," I supplied lamely, chewing at the inside of my cheek. James simply laughed.

"You have nothing to apologize for, I understand your qualms,"

It was weird. I was talking to James Potter like we were long time friends, when I don't believe I have ever spoken for longer than a few sentences with him before this morning. It was rather peculiar how quickly we were becoming acquainted, and I couldn't help but feel rather comfortable in his presence.

"Do you mind if we sit together at lunch tomorrow?"

I looked at him, and he was wearing a rather odd expression. His face was contorted so I barely had a clue as to what he was thinking, although he did seem rather… Conflicted? When he noticed me gaping at him, James laughed once more, his usual cheeky grin gracing his features.

"I'd love to,"

Yay. I hope you all liked it! There is a plot, I promise. It will come to light in due time. But please, please, please review! I love to hear input, no matter if it is positive or negative! Thanks again for reading!