The Life and Times of James Sirius Potter:

Chapter Two: Introducing the Ladies of Hogwarts

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Annabelle was beautiful. She had long, dark blonde hair and the prettiest blue eyes James had ever seen. She had a nice smile and a pretty laugh. But she was older. There was no way she would ever be interested in him.

"Mate, your staring again," Fred chuckled, "you should either talk to her or get over it."

James frowned, "I know Fred, but she's so pretty."

Fred rolled his eyes, "And she's a 4th year and a Slytherin."

He grumbled, "So's Albus."

Fred sighed dramatically, "We lost a good one."

To James' great surprise, Annabelle approached him after dinner, asking if they could hang out the next night.

Fred was just as shocked. What were they going to do on a Thursday evening?

James was anxious and excited all the next day. He saw Annabelle a few times, but he could barely speak. She, the prettiest 4th year, liked him.

Or so he had thought.

She suggested a walk around the lake and James agreed. "So," she started, "your dad's Harry Potter."

"Well, yea," he was confused.

She didn't say anything else for a moment, "Have you ever kissed a girl?"

James blushed, "Once, yea."

She stopped walking, grabbed his face with both her hands and pressed her lips roughly to his. They were cold and chapped and he tensed. How could such a pretty girl kiss so awfully? She pulled back her lips curled into an ugly smile, "Now I can tell everyone I kissed Harry Potter's kid." With a terrible, shrill laugh, she turned and skipped towards the castle, leaving James cold, angry and confused.

And that was when James realized girls were going to be difficult. Would they just pretend to like him because he was a Potter? Were they just looking for fame? Or did they actually truly like him? It was a long journey that James needed to take more so than any of his cousins.

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Dominique got along famously with James and Fred: she was only a few months younger than they were, but was the year below them at Hogwarts. As children growing up, she would always rather play with "the boys" than with her older sister or younger girl cousins. She was a brilliant prankster, often putting James and Fred to shame. She was an exceptional Chaser and didn't mind the rough-and-tumble nature of the boys as they were growing up. She would often return to the Burrow or Shell Cottage covered in dirt, grass and scratches from the younger, wild garden gnomes.

She was afraid, at first, that James and Fred would ignore her while at school because she was a "girl" and was "younger", but that wasn't the case. They often needed her help with pranks and they actually did enjoy being her "friend".

Dominique knew what it felt like to be living under someone's shadow as well as James and Fred. Which was why she had always gotten along so well with them. Not only was Fleur a former Triwizard Champion, but she was absolutely beautiful. And Victoire was a near-clone of their mother. Everyone loved Victoire and everyone always asked Dominique about her.

Dominique didn't feel bad about herself; she knew she wasn't hideous and she rather liked her light strawberry-blonde hair because it was so different from everyone else's. It was neither Delacour blonde nor Weasley red, but a perfect combination of the two. No, she was more annoyed and aggravated that everyone always felt the need to compare her to her sister or her mum. She would rather play Quidditch with the boys or go trekking through the Forbidden Forest than sit around and talk about boys.

But then again, very few of the Weasley (and Potter) girls did that.

Dominique was rather slow-to-anger, like her cousin Albus, the only other "middle" child, but when she was angry, she was a force, to be reckoned with. And she absolutely hated when anyone treated any of her cousins badly. She was fiercely loyal. Which was why, when she had heard what Annabelle had done to James, she managed a swift and "most excellent" retaliation: her nose elongated every time she told a lie.

Which was a lot.

"Got the idea from one of Grandpa's books," she smiled wickedly, "remember Pinocchio?"

Fred was positively beaming, "Priceless. Genius. Absolutely perfect."

Dominique didn't flutter an eye, "It gets better," she leaned over the table to whisper, "every time she tries to tell someone she kissed you, her nose will grow."

James' mouth dropped and he very nearly leapt over the table to hug her, "Bloody brilliant, Nik! How did you manage that?"

She shrugged, "Vicky helped."

Victoire smiled at them quickly from the other end of the Gryffindor table before turning back to her year mates James and Fred were very nearly speechless. Until, of course, there was another roar of laughter from the Slytherin table.

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"Albus' mate was chatting up Lily and Roxy again," James said in between bites.

"Merlin, would you leave those girls alone?" Dominique rolled her eyes, "And I think it's Rosie you should be more worried about."

Fred snorted, "What are you on about? She hates Malfoy. She was yelling at him again today."

"You know what they say -"

"You're off your rocker, Dom. I told Albus to keep that slimy git away from them. They're only 12 for Godric's sake!"

Fred nodded, "Albus will lay down the law, I trust him. He's a good bloke." His dark brown eyes twinkled with excitement, "And if not, we'll kick their arse next month."

Dominique wasn't about to open her mouth to tell her cousins that Lily and Roxanne were already setting their sights on older boys and never Slytherins. Nor would she remind them that they were hypocrites for shameless, sly flirting, "Kissin'-and-leavin'" girls, but never permitting Lily and Roxanne to even think about boys...

She loved Lily and Roxanne because they wouldn't take anything from their brothers - they were just like their mothers. Strong, confident, beautiful and not too boy crazy. Fred and James need never worry about their sisters because they could very easily take care of themselves.

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Avery had been Dominique's best friend since they were Sorted into the same House. As a Muggleborn she hadn't any idea who the Weasleys or Potters were until, of course, after that first History of Magic class. But even then she never treated Dominique, Fred, James or any of their relatives any differently.

The only time she had said anything was at Harry Potter's birthday party at the Burrow the summer before her second year. She had been staying at Shell Cottage and was meeting the entire Weasley-Potter clan for the first time. After she wished Harry a Happy Birthday, she said quite confidently to the "Golden Trio" I want to thank you very much for everything you did. Otherwise I never would have been able to go to Hogwarts. And I love Hogwarts. So on behalf of all the Muggleborns, I want to thank you."

Hermione sniffled, her eyes tearing up, Harry chuckled in slight disbelief and Ron stuttered, "Well, uh, your welcome, Avery."

Hermione wiped her eyes discreetly, "No one's ever thanked us for letting them go to school before."

Avery looked horrified, "Really? Well, I speak for all the Muggleborns." She stuck her small hand out, shook their hands and with a nod of her head, wandered back to the party.

Since then, Avery had been invited to every Potter-Weasley event and the Golden Trio were extremely fond of her: Harry was always asking James, Fred and Dominique, "how she was doing."

Fred and James liked Avery because she treated them like Dominique did, like cousins, like friends, not like royalty, and she didn't act like a scared, little school girl who wanted a snog.

Of course, James was unaware that she had harbored a terrible crush on him for a few months her First Year. Which, obviously, Dominique still teased her for.

She, along with Dominique, were Chasers on the Quidditch-team since their Second Year. Being a Muggleborn, she had only flown on a broom, let alone play Quidditch for less than two years when she tried out. But she was an exceptional flyer and a fantastic Chaser. And for several seasons, she was the only none Weasley or Potter.

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James and Fred nearly idolized their former Captain, Callum Wood. He was the best Keeper at Hogwarts, he was the eldest son of former Quidditch-players Katie Bell and Oliver Wood (and current Puddlemere coach) and the "ultimate ladies' man". He had dated nearly every attractive girl in his year and eve Victoire had nearly fallen to his charms when she saw Teddy kissing another girl. He had a way with complimenting girls, listening to them...the only girls he couldn't flirt with were Dominique, Avery and Victoire.

And no one was allowed to even speak to his baby sister, Caeley. But when Callum graduated and James was the new Captain, anything was fair game.

Caeley Wood was Chaser on the Ravenclaw-team and best friends with Rose. So at Fred's encouragement, James headed over towards Rose's table, "Hullo Rosie," he nodded at her friends, "ladies."

Rose rolled her eyes in a perfect imitation of her mother at her friends' giggles. "What do you want, James?"

He patted her head affectionately, "Just wanted to see how my little cousin was doing. Makin' sure you're staying away from that Malfoy."

Caeley smiled wickedly, her brown eyes twinkling, "Rosie and Scorpius are Potions partners. He always wants to study -"

"Yes, thank you, Caeley," Rose hissed and turned back to her overprotective cousin. "James, you are not my father nor my brother nor do you have any say over what goes on with my life," she glared at him, "and it's safe to say we are not friends. I don't know how Albus can bloody tolerate him."

James smirked, "Ah, if Albie says he's all right -"

Caeley winked at James, "Yea, Scorpius is all right. He means well and all that."

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"You sly dog, you, you've snogged Wood!" Fred punched his arm as James sat on the large comfy chair he loved so much.

James and Caeley dated for a few weeks casually, much to the displeasure of Rose, who gave James quite a few lectures. Around the same time, Fred had started to chat up a 5th year Hufflepuff who was nearly always in the library. They only snogged once before she decided she had no desire to continue seeing a "ginger prankster". He immediately rebounded with one of Albus' Slytherin yearmates.

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"I'm moving," Fred threw himself in a chair, shaking out his slightly shaggy dark red hair.

"No luck with Abigail then, mate?"

Fred shook his head at his cousin, partner-in-crime and best mate, "Jamie, why is it we are related to everyone in this bloody castle?"

It was a question they often asked themselves: they should have had tons of girlfriends by now – and they had had a handful each and tons of admirers, but they never seemed to reach their "potential" as Uncle Charlie had called it.

James shrugged, "Weasleys." It was the only satisfying answer. "Where you planning to move to?"

Fred sat back, a satisfied smile stretching across his light mocha skin, his brown eyes staring at the ceiling, "Australia, pretty birds there. Maybe America. Or Sweden," he winked, "blondes."

James laughed, "You'll have to change your name, mate."

Fred agreed, "Course. 'Weasley' and 'Potter' are fairly famous e everywhere, aren't they?"

"Synonymous with 'autograph' I'm fairly certain."

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It was when he and Caeley were on the rocks, when she began to pressure him into making more of a commitment, into being "exclusive" that Finnegan began to chat her up more often. Finnegan had a reputation for breaking hearts around Hogwarts, which was very different from James and Fred's reputation of merely being flirtatious, very kissable boys. Finnegan was a schmoozing, conniving prick who broke hearts left and right. And it looked like Avery was falling right into the palm of his hand.

Except, of course, she wasn't. She was merely friends with Finnegan, although he believed he was getting closer and closer to snogging her in a broom closet.

But Finnegan was no closer to snogging Avery, but he was convinced he was and bragged about it to everyone. Brendan Thomas, one of James and Fred's yearmates and good mates for a few weeks while James was with Caeley and Fred with Lucia Zabini.

James listened to Finnegan's bragging, his plan to snog Avery, "get into her pants" and then break-up with her, just to say he could. "I mean, if bloody Capshaw snogged her, it should be that hard."

It was the comments like these made by Finnegan and his Housemates that caused James to uncharacteristically blow a fuse and send a very excellent and well-aimed Bat-Bogey Hex and a 'James-Fred' original, the infamous 'Wet Pants' hex in front of nearly the entire school.

Including one very aggravated Avery and and one very jealous and visibly upset Caeley.

"Oi! Finnegan!" Avery shouted, "You really thought I'd be stupid enough to snow you? Your prick's smaller than my baby toe and you're infested with more diseases than the whole of St. bloody Mungo's!" She punched his gut and having caught him completely off guard he doubted over, wincing in pain. Nearly all the female students cheered.

She turned to James and said quietly through gritted teeth, "And you? I can defend my own honor, Potter," she glared at him, "and thanks for believing I'd even let him touch me." She stepped over Finnegan and stalked off into the Great Hall.

Caeley smacked his arm lightly, her lower lip quivering. When had she become so girly? "James? You been snogging her too? Have you been -" she took a shaky breath, "Rose was right, you never loved me, you'd never only be with me." She shook her head, tears forming in her eyes, "You're a prick, Potter. And you always will be."

The crowd began to dissipate. "Forty points and two weeks detention, Mr. Potter," Professor Thornton said sadly.

"You really cocked up, didn't you, mate?" Fred clapped him on the back, "Well done."

James should have been more upset that he and Caeley broke up, but he felt more relieved than anything. (And in a surprise move, Rose thanked him: she was sick of always hearing about how good a kisser her cousin was).

He was more upset that Avery wasn't speaking to him.

"Avery, come on! You know I don't tolerate anyone to speak ill of my friends!" He pleaded, "I didn't think you'd snog him, but he couldn't away with saying those things!"

Her eyes were a fierce hazel with silver flecks, "I can take care of myself, Potter."

He winced; she was always scary when her eyes weren't their usual hodgepodge of grey-hazel-brown. "I know, Avrey, but I just got so angry -"

She put a hand, "Just don't, Potter. Please, just be quiet."

On the pitch she would listen to his instructions: he was the Captain. But off the pitch she ignored him completely. This really irritated Dominique.

Instead, Avery struck up a friendship with the Slytherin Seeker, Brinley McLaggen. Which no one, particularly James and Fred were pleased about.

James and Fred continued through a stream of girls: Margaret, Kate, Gemma, Ava, Evelyn. James even tried again with Beatrice but nothing ever lasted very long.

Avery was tried of listening to Dominique pestering her and so begrudgingly accepted James' apologies and promises to never pull such a start again.

But James being James, he couldn't quite keep his mouth shut. "But you're still dating McLaggen."

She cocked an eyebrow and challenged, "Really, Potter?"

He opened his mouth, ready to give her 10 reasons why it was a bad idea, but shut his mouth quickly. "Good," she smiled.

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Avery and James were not two people that everyone knew would get together eventually. They didn't fight or get in ridiculous, heated arguments or compete with each other like crazy like Rose and Scorpius had. They weren't obviously in love and trying to deny it like Teddy and Victoire. They were just two friends. But something in James changed when he caught Avery and McLaggen snogging. He was repulsed, but also wildly angry and jealous.

But he kept it to himself, flirted with other girls and remained civil towards Avery.

It was a week before McLaggen graduated when Avery slammed the potrait of the Fat Lady closed and sat down next to Fred on the couch.

Fred bit back a smirk, "And how was your day, princess?"

"Stupid prick," she managed through clenched teeth.

James tried not to seem smug when Fred pressed her for more, "What happened darling? How much should we embarrass him?"

Her eyes were truly menacing looking, "As much as you can." She let out a bitter laugh, "Bloody bastard thought he could dump me because I'd be too clingy when he was trying to make a bloody name for himself." She looked at them, "Me. Too clingy!"

Dominique had just returned and had overhead, "You did say he was jut good for snogging, Avery."

"Well exactly! And the bloody prick tried to dump me!"

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