Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters/settings/things from J.K Rowling's Harry Potter. In fact, J.K Rowling owns them. I am merely using them for my own amusement because frankly, I have nothing better to do.


Snogging and Picnics

The news that James Potter was finally dating Kim Beckett spread through Hogwarts like wildfire and no one was surprised to hear it, especially after their very public kiss during the Quidditch final. The few days after the match were brilliant; the Gryffindor Quidditch team were treated like heroes. People pat them on the back as they went through the halls, they got offers for drinks at Hogsmeade and one sixth-year girl gave Fred a "Free Snog" pass (Rose insisted he throw it away but Kim saw him slip it into his bag). But with the end of the Quidditch season meant the end of year and final exams were just around the corner. It was worse than usual for the fifth-years because their Ordinary Wizarding Level (or OWLs) were fast approaching and all fifth-years found themselves trapped inside studying, not wasting a moment they could spare.

It was a bright Sunday afternoon and Kim gave a little sigh as she stared at the sky from the common room window, catching a glimpse of the rolling green grounds. Her first exam was tomorrow and her notes and books took up two entire tables. Rose had locked herself into their dormitory so she could study without interruption and Kim was left to fend for herself. Even with all the pressure, she was too lazy to read anything or even bother picking up her wand and getting some practice done. Instead she was lying face up on the carpet. She was more annoyed then lazy though, because she had hardly spent more than half an hour with James these days for she only had time to eat, sleep and study; or in her case, lie on the floor.

"Boo!"

Kim looked around unfazed as James appeared behind her and sat down on the floor by her head, "How's the studying going?" he asked with a laugh, "If you call this studying even."

"Shut up," Kim whined, sitting back up and hunching her shoulders to show how miserable she felt, "It's too hard to concentrate, I want to do something fun! How's your morning been?"

"Not bad. Fred, Hugo and I have been playing Quidditch all morning with some Hufflepuffs," He looked to see Kim's sad face and smiled, "Don't worry. It's only a few more days."

"Shouldn't you be studying as well? And I don't think I can survive a few more days. I'm surprised I even made it to fifth year."

James laughed and kissed the top of her head, "Well, have fun trying. I'm off to meet some friends in the library. I am studying, thank you very much. "

"Don't leave!" Kim lunged forward as James got to his feet and grabbing one of his ankles, she looked up at him desperately, "Help me!"

"Do you have any idea how dirty that carpet is? See, there's that Butterbeer stain from the party, it hasn't been cleaned in forever!" said James, trying to shake her off.

"Please?" She stuck out her bottom lip and looked up at him with puppy dog eyes, "For me?"

"No. Come on Kim, let go. I have exams too."

"I'll give you a biscuit," she said with a grin.

"You're bribing me with a biscuit?"

"A chocolate one," she added, forcing herself to smile even wider.

James sighed, "I can not be bought with food Kim, I am not Al."

"I'll give you..." she trailed off but the wink she gave him said exactly what she meant.

Laughing, James shook his head, "I'm going," he said and managed to walk a few steps, dragging Kim along the carpet as he did.

"You either help or I'll tell everyone you still play with your toy broomstick."

James froze, shot a look around him to make sure no one heard and then glared down at her, "You wouldn't."

"Try me, Potter," she said with a cheeky grin.

James contemplated the consequences for a moment before sighing, dropping his shoulders in defeat and holding out a hand to her, "I'll have you know that I happen to love Flier very much. He was my very first broom. What do you have first?"

"Defence Against the Dark Arts," Kim replied, grabbing his hand and pulling herself to her feet, "And Flier? Really? Couldn't think of anything better?"

He ignored her comment about his broom, " Defence Against the Dark Arts? That means you'll have to practice spells. Which means we'll need an empty room," James smirked as Kim raised an eyebrow, "Or, do you not want to practice?"

"Oh no, I really need the practice," Kim said, and grabbing his hand they practically sprinted out of the portrait hole.

They returned to the common room a few hours later, both of them giddy. James' hair was more unruly than usually and Kim's lips red and slightly puffy for they spent more time snogging (and doing other unmentionables) rather than studying. They were welcomed back to the common room by the entire Weasley/Potter clan who took up a good chunk of the common room, Scorpius and Al standing out with green crests in a sea of red.

"Where have you two been?" asked Fred, looking up from the chess board that sat between him and Louis as James and Kim came to sit with them.

James waved Al out of his favourite armchair before falling into it, Kim sitting down at his feet, "Studying."

"Were you really?" Lily asked, winking at Kim, her ginger kitten curled up in her lap.

Kim saw James shoot her a glare and giggled, "Yes we were. James taught me how to make a Patronus."

"That's wonderful, what was it?"

"A stallion."

Al, who was now lying face down on the floor turned his head to speak, "What is it with you and horses?"

"I grew up on a farm Al, I raised horses. What do you expect? And why are you lying like that?"

"It's called planking. Some Muggle-born in Ravenclaw told me about it. All the Muggles were doing it some years back. I'm trying to start it here."

They all shook their heads.

"I never knew you grew up on a farm," Rose's voice came from a corner where she sat a bit further off with Scorpius, who looked disappointed that she broke away from their kiss.

"I've told you this more than once. It's not my fault if you can't remember what happened half an hour ago. Your brain needs oxygen love, stop snogging and maybe you'll get a chance to breath."

"You're one to talk."

"You want to have a go at me, Weasley?" Kim asked with a grin.

"Come and try Beckett."

Both the girls jumped to their feet and pulled out their wands but instead of casting spells they pretended the wands were swords, mocking jabbing and slashing each other. Other Gryffindors looked at them with peculiar expressions, while some of their friends laughed, cheering them on. James however rolled his eyes and pretended he didn't know them. With a flourish Rose poked Kim in the stomach who dramatically fell into James' lap, arms hanging limp, her tongue lolling out for extra effect. After a second she came back to life and both the girls laughed, giving a little bow. Rose returned to sitting on Scorpius' lap.

James sat blinking in his armchair, glancing from Rose to Kim with a worried expression on his face, "This is one of those moments I wonder why I know you. Let alone date you. And why I have to be related to Rose."

They all laughed while Rose stuck her tongue out at him in a childish way and Kim playfully pushed him.

"Well, I've got an exam tomorrow," said Roxanne, Fred's younger sister as she got up off the floor, "See you all tomorrow."

Lily and Dominique followed as well and slowly, the common room emptied until it was only Kim and James, with Rose asleep in Scorpius' lap.

"I'm going now," said Scorpius, stretching and nudging Rose.

"Hmm?" She sat up and rubbed her eyes, "Did I fall asleep? What class am I in? Did I miss anything important? Will it be on the exam? Oh no, I missed the exam didn't I?"

Scorpius chuckled and got to his feet, "Not in class love. And the exam is still tomorrow. I'm leaving now, alright?"

With a kiss from Rose and goodbye to Kim and James, Scorpius climbed out of the portrait hole heading back to his Slytherin dormitories.

James got up too and yawned, "I'm going as well. You two coming?"

Kim shook her head and sighed, gathering her books from where she left them that afternoon, "No. I need to study, you were no help."

He laughed and bending down to kiss the top of her head he went up to his bed, ruffling Rose's hair along the way.

The two girls looked at each other, let out another great sigh and opened their books. There was no sleeping tonight.


"Please put your quills down. The examination is over."

Giving a great dramatic sigh of relief Kim dropped her quill, flexing her cramped hand. With a wave of Professor Longbottom's wand, their exam parchments neatly rolled themselves and flew to the front, forming a very large pile and finally, they were free to leave. Their last exam was over. Excited, Kim jumped out of her seat, nearly knocking it over and skipped to Rose, Al and Scorpius who stood waiting near the Great Hall's doors.

"How'd you do?" asked Rose as Kim came up to them, turning to go into the Entrance Hall, making their way to the staircase.

"Failed, but what do you expect? I've fallen asleep in every History of Magic class."

"Right. I think I could have gotten more done with the last question but I was so pressed with time. You don't think it'll affect my mark too much, do you? What about that question about the Goblin Rebellion? I know I studied it but I felt I could have done better, my answer was only about five inches..."

Kim rolled her eyes as her friend continued to fret out loud, oblivious to the fact that they had now tuned her out. An idea suddenly popped into her and she turned to Al and Scorpius, "Hey, how about a swim in the lake?"

They both looked at each other and shrugged, "Sure. We'll meet you here," and turning they both hurried to their dungeon dormitories.

"Come on Rose. We'll get James and everyone else," and taking Rose's hand, Kim bounded up the staircase, Rose still going on about her exam.

They gathered back outside the Great Hall twenty minutes later and together, walked to the lake. The end-of-June-after-exams feeling was strong as Kim looked around at the happy students who were now lounging around in their own clothes and she felt good to be out of her own robes as walked hand-in-hand with James. They found a spot to themselves under the shade of a large tree by the bank, Rose setting down the large picnic basket she had coaxed the house-elves down in the kitchens to give her. As it turned out, her mother was a very good friend of theirs and they were more than obliged to give it to her, insisting that she take more. They all got comfortable in the grass and ate, laughing and playing games, swimming in the lake and chasing each other around. The Giant Squid came and joined them as well for he was accustomed to their presence; this was something they did every year and the Giant Squid was always up for playing games with them in the water. Hagrid, their half-giant old family friend who was Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, also joined them, accompanied by his dog Fang who drooled on everyone. Finally, after the sun had gone down they trudged back inside for dinner, each with a new happy memory.

Days filled with nothing but fun and relaxation trickled by and at last it was the end of another year. Kim sat with the rest of the Gryffindor students (plus Scorpius and Al, who were never at their own Slytherin table) and despite the good end of exams feeling around her, she was finding it hard that soon enough she would have to leave James for an entire two months. It seemed stupid to her to feel that way; it had only been a month but she couldn't help it.

Headmistress Swan's end of the year speech ended and with a round of applause for her and Ravenclaw for winning the House Cup, and when the plates emptied everyone went to pack away last minute belongings.

They all met in the common room and stayed up late, laughing and talking and joking around; prefects (Rose included) scolding them more than once to tell them to be quiet. Finally, James and Fred, being the oldest two of the family put their foot down, declaring everyone go to bed that instant and one by one, they all returned to their four poster beds for one last night until September.

Kim was the first to wake up the next morning. She sat in the window watching the sun rise over the grounds, setting up what was to be a beautiful day. But her heart felt heavy. When the other girls began to stir she got dressed and they all headed down to the common room together.

That morning wasn't as cheerful as usual, everyone sad that they had to leave behind yet another wonderful year. All too soon, breakfast ended and they walked down to Hogsmeade and boarded the Hogwarts Express that would send them speeding back to London.

The ride home was better than breakfast, Al and Fred were setting off the last of their Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' products, the entire group taking up two carriages and the hallway that joined the two together. Kim sat smiling and laughing with the others but in the back of her mind, she could still hear that sad little voice that didn't want the train ride to end.

But it did and clasping James' hand they followed the queue of students onto to the platform. The platform was crowded with parents but she saw his family in a moment, a large crowd of witches and wizards who were acting just like they themselves had been when they were on the train not five minutes earlier. It was also next to impossible to miss the flaming red hair of the Weasley parents.

James squeezed her hand as he spotted them too and turning to her smiled, "Come on," he said and before she could protest he pulled her along with him.

Kim stood a little way back as James and his family were bombarded by their parents, Grandma Weasley complaining how thin everyone looked, Harry and Ron asking for a play by play commentary of the final Quidditch match and much hugging from everyone.

After a few minutes of kisses and squishes, James turned to back to her and pulled her into the crowd, "And this Mum and Dad, is Kim. But you know that," he said, smiling at Rose, who always insisted Kim spend a week with them at the Burrow every summer.

She felt herself go red as she shook both their hands, smiling at everyone, "It's nice to meet you again Mr and Mrs. Potter."

"Call us Ginny and Harry. James has been talking non-stop about you."

Kim looked at James who blushed too and laughed as he looked to the floor, mumbling something no one could understand.

"Yes well, he says a lot about you two as well."

"Kim!"

She turned to the sound of her name and broke into a grin, "Mum!" Sliding past James ran to her mom who stood not too far off and was pulled into an air tight hug, her mother literally squeezing the air out of her lungs.

"Mum…air…"

Her mother let go. Kim was only half an inch taller and they shared the same large hazel eyes. Realizing the crowd around them, Kim's mother blushed slightly, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't you see you all there. You know how it is when they come home," she laughed, before joining in on greeting all the parents.

Kim smiled as all the adults, her parents included caught up. Finally, she took James' hand and pulled him to her, "Mum, Daddy, this is James, Rose's cousin. Remember?"

Kim's mom smiled, "Nice to see you again James."

He returned the compliment, then look to Kim's dad.

Her father, a man much taller than James with a clean face and greying hair, was the first to react and held his hand out to James, who held it firmly and shook, "Nice to meet you James. Everything well? Heard you made a nice save at the Quidditch match."

James laughed and shot a glance at Kim, "Yeah, nearly broke my neck though. Kim tell you what happened after?"

Kim's mouth dropped and she shook her head fiercely at him. Both her parents turned to look at her and she put on a smile, "Oh you know, big wild party. Lots of fun. Not that I had that much fun," she added quickly as she saw her mother's lips purse.

Her mother raised an eyebrow but her father had bought the lie, "So James, any plans for the summer."

"Not really sir."

"Call me John," he said with a grin.

They all made small conversation for a bit, Kim and Rose standing a bit off, whispering together about all their plans for the summer.

"Kim honey, shall we go?"

Kim frowned and looked up at her mother, "Do we have to?"

"It's a long drive home sweetie."

Sighing she nodded and turned to Rose. Smiling sadly she hugged her best friend as tight as possible, "I'll write to you as often as I can. And I promise to keep writing the story."

Rose laughed and hugged her back, just as tight, "We both know you're not going to write. But I'll send an owl and sure Mum gets you to come at least five times."
She laughed and let go, turning to Al, Lily, Scorpius and the rest of them before finally stopping at James. Taking his hands in hers she looked down at them, fumbling with his fingers.

"Hey…"

She looked up at him as he smiled at her.

"I'll come visit as soon as I can," he said.

Not really caring that her parents as well as his whole family watching, she kissed him full on the mouth.

She broke apart only after a good ten seconds, smiling she looked up at him, "Love you," her heart fluttered when she said it.

"Me too."

With another little kiss she let go of him and followed her parents back to the barrier, turning around and waving goodbye to everyone.