Chapter 5???
The train ride
James was still thinking about the talk he'd had with his dad the night before as he boarded the Hogwarts Express after saying goodbye. He didn't get much time to think however, because he had scarcely located an empty compartment when two arms enveloped him in a hug from behind and two hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who!"
"Ana, I told you to not do that anymore." James said, impatiently flinging her arms away.
"Grouchy, today, aren't we?" Ana said, and flung herself onto a seat opposite James.
"What are you doing here Ana? You're supposed to be up in the prefect compartment."
Ana wrinkled her nose and tossed her hair.
"Well, that little miss-perfect cousin of yours, what's-her-name, Nathalia or something—"
"Natalie." James corrected her.
"Whatever. Don't interrupt me, James, I wasn't finished. Anyways, someone seemed to think that she made a better Head Girl than I did, so I sent a letter to McGonagall telling her I didn't want to continue in my prefect duties." Ana smirked, "I'm expecting her to beg me to come back just as soon as we get there."
James looked at her incredulously.
"Natalie will be a great Head Girl; Ana…McGonagall's not going to get you to come back."
Ana sighed.
"You know James, a boyfriend is supposed to support his girlfriend! After all, I come before family."
"I think you've got that backwards actually, Ana."
"No I don't! You've been neglecting me lately, just for your family!"
"One night, Ana! One. That was all." James said hotly.
"That was an important night, James! It's not everyday we get invited to eat with Clara Richardson!"
"Who cares about Clara Richardson? She's just some snotty Beauxbaton girl."
"Don't call her snotty, James, she's one of the most important people to know."
"I had a family emergency, okay Ana? There was nothing I could do."
"How important was this family emergency, anyway? What happened?" Ana leaned forward.
"That's really none of your business, Ana." James said coldly.
"Touchy, touchy, aren't we." Ana said, "Listen, James, I expect more of you now. It's seventh year, and you know how important it is that we appear out as much as possible. Connections go a long way, and this relationship helps us both."
James said nothing.
Ana got up and opened the compartment door, and looked outside.
"I've got to go and meet with the girls, but I'm not done yet. You will start being more attentive, James. You knew what this relationship entailed when you signed onto it. Daddy would be just furious if I had my heart broken, and it'd be such a shame if your connection at the International Department disappeared. I'll see you at Hogwarts, and I expect you to be waiting outside the train for me."
James looked up at her and nodded curtly.
"There, then." Ana leaned down and kissed him, "That wasn't so hard, now was it? I'll see you for dinner."
She left, and James shook his head as if trying to clear the memory of what he had just done out of it.
"You keep shaking your head like that and something's going to get knocked loose."
James looked up to see his best friend Sam Finnegan grinning at him.
"Hey, Sam. How was your summer?"
"Eh, it could've been better. I kept waiting for you to write me back saying the Vampire had gotten sick or something and that you finally had a free weekend to go and catch a Cannons game." Sam sat down and stretched out his legs.
"Don't call her the Vampire, Sam, she's not that bad."
"Neither are Vampires. Well, except for the whole blood thing." Sam grinned, "Seriously though, Ana's going completely possessive on you, mate."
"Don't start, Sam, I've got a lot going on."
"What's the matter?"
"Family stuff." James muttered.
"You and Natalie?" Sam said.
"Wh-Why would you think Natalie had anything to do with it?" James asked casually.
"I passed Will Bones' compartment and Natalie was in there, crying, and looking like her favorite book had torn or something. It didn't seem like Will had done anything, so I assumed…"
"Well don't assume, okay? Natalie has nothing to do with my problems." James snapped.
Sam threw his hands up in defense and slid his legs off the seat.
"Sorry, jeez…can't a guy just think out loud anymore? I'm gone, mate…have fun with all this negative crap."
Before James could stop him, Sam was gone.
"Bloody hell, I've got to get a grip." James said to himself. He closed his eyes to try to get some sleep, but yet another person felt the need to interrupt his peace. This time it was Ella.
"How's it going?" Ella asked.
"Not too hot, El. Everyone's getting on my case, and people are starting to think something's up with Natalie and me. Don't really see how…I never talk to her…"
"Well, that's about to change. You need to go see her, James. She's all upset, and I think she's having trouble with everything, just like you. You two need to band together and kick everyone who bothers you in the face."
"Nice visual, Ella, but Natalie's too nice to do that."
"Natalie's surprisingly tough when she wants to be, James, don't underestimate her. Now, go see her."
"No, Ella, that'd make it obvious."
Ella sighed and shut the compartment door.
"Okay, I'm not the one asking here. She caught me walking by and wants to see you really badly, James."
"She does?"
James stood up, and Ella opened the door.
"Yeah, she does, now go, so I can leave."
"Thanks Ella…you know…for helping us and all."
"Whatever." Ella waved him away as she left, and James went to find Natalie.
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