A/N: Okay, this is a pretty quick update, because I'm finally homework free! At least for this weekend! But we have some stuff to address. First, we have made a new email account expressly for fanfiction. So you can email us any questions about any of our stories at marauderettes at gmail dot com. Second, we have realized some things about this story that we should probably clear up. We received a very thoughtful review that was much appreciated (we always love any kind of feedback, because it helps us to become better writers), and this review had some good points that I think we need to address. Someone said that the start of term feast happens right after they get off the train, so they wouldn't be upstairs unpacking at that time. Okay, you've found a flaw there, but that doesn't mean we can't find some sort of explanation! How about… They changed tradition sometime after this before Harry got to Hogwarts? Or, the Head Students get to choose whether they come down to feast or not… Or, just make up whatever. The story isn't completely canon, that's impossible! Which brings me to another point the author made: Lily doesn't sleep in underwear; there's a part in Snape's memories where she is wearing a dressing gown. Okay, we just took the liberty with that one, 'cause it is funny. Sorry. Okay, this A/N is already wayyyyy too long, so I'll address all the other issues in the next chapter. Whew. (CC)
Disclaimer: Don't own HP.
About half an hour of silence later, in which James did not once try to touch, talk to, or ask out (which yes, I do not count as talking) me, I stumbled over a gnarled root and nearly fell, when miraculously, James' arm shot out and he grabbed my hand in his own. Once I was steadily on my feet, I muttered a thank you and tried to pull away.
"Nah ah ah!" James tsked, "I am not letting go of your hand until you tell me 10 things about yourself that I don't already know." I was about to protest when I realized that it was no use. Potter was stubborn as all getup, and he was much stronger than me. Curse those stupid Quidditch muscles! Sighing dramatically, I nodded my unwilling consent, knowing he wouldn't give up until I agreed.
"Okay. One. My sister hates me because ever since I got my letter to Hogwarts she refused to come near me or talk to me and calls me a freak." I noticed how James scowled at that. I ignored that reaction and kept talking, desperate to get this over with. I did not need to hold Potter's hand for longer than necessary.
"Two. She is getting married in a few months to a perfectly awful man named Vernon Dursley and didn't invite me to the wedding." James shot me a sympathetic look, and behind that was an emotion I couldn't quite read. I kept talking.
"Three. I really, REALLY like Muggle playgrounds. I spend practically my entire summers there every year. My best friend and I love…loved to sit on the top of the monkey bars and talk. My-my sister and I used to do that too…before…" I trailed off, as Jam – Potter squeezed my hand and smiled reassuringly at me. I was starting to enjoy talking with Po – James. It was kind of nice. Not that I would ever tell him that.
"Four. For 5 years, Severus Snape was my best friend whom I told all of my secrets to…"
"I already knew that." James interjected scowling. I gave a small grin, realizing that he was jealous, but then scowled as I remembered that it was his actions that had caused our rift.
"AND I still secretly wish we were friends the way we used to be…because he was at least someone I could talk to, outside of my family. Don't get me wrong, Marley, Alice, and Emma are great, but they wouldn't die for me. I know that Severus would, if things had stayed the same way between us." James flinched. It was really helpful to talk about these things, and I think James really cared. It felt nice, to know someone cared about you.
"Five. Last year, Marley nicked a couple bottles of Firewhisky from the kitchens and we had a dorm party where I became so drunk I was…like…" I tried to think of a good way to describe it, "not me…you know? …And I had such a big headache the next day that I got a T on our Transfiguration test. That counts as six because that was my first grade below E that I have ever gotten. I was so embarrassed too, because McGonagall gave me that look where she is all, "I am very disappointed in you" but with her eyes. But I still think it was worth it." I whispered that last part and took a deep breath as he chuckled quietly. I punched him in the arm with my free hand.
"Ow!" He cried, in mock agony.
"Shut it!" I grinned, "There's more where that came from!" I joked with him. He pulled a face of mock horror. I laughed and we forged on ahead.
"Seven. I have always wanted a real pet…I have had a few goldfish that died, and of course I have my owl…but I always wanted a cat or dog…anything really."
"What about a deer?" James butted in once again.
"Uh… sure. I do like deer quite a bit. Even when they eat the flowers out of my garden. Oh, that's number eight. I have a huge garden at my house filled with a million beautiful flowers, and some vegetables and herbs. It is one of my favorite places. When I grow up, I want to have an even better garden." I cast about for another piece of information. James still looked interested, and to be truthful, I thought he would have already tired of this game, and secretly, I was glad he hadn't, because it could mean he still had an excuse to hold my hand. Even though I don't like him. At all.
"Nine. My father, Gerald, calls my mother, sister and I his 'flower girls' because my mom's name is Rose, and then there is Petunia and of course me, Lily. This doesn't count, but they almost named me Daisy. DAISY! Isn't that just grotesque?" I realized how much I was talking, and how much I had opened up. I also recognized that I felt more comfortable talking with James hand in hand, than I had ever felt with anyone, even Tuney and Sev. I shook the thoughts of pleasure from my head and finished up.
"Ten. Professor Trelawney said that I would have a son who will have my eyes, and look exactly like his father. Isn't that ridiculous? But I took it to mean that I had to marry someone very good looking or my kids would all be ugly." I took a deep breath as I finished and then turned to James. "You're next."
"You know, if you married me your kids would be VERY good looking."
"I know," I nodded before realizing what I said.
"You think I'm good looking? YES! Now I can die happy!" James said ecstatically. I gave him a sarcastic smile and then noticed that though he now could, he hadn't let go of my hand, and I secretly didn't want him to. I chalked it up to the fact it helped me be less frightened in the woods, but that didn't really explain the butterflies in my stomach and the tingling where his skin touched mine. I looked up as he looked down and he smiled. Instinctively I smiled back. Looking ahead James closed his eyes and started to speak.
A/N: REVIEW!!! Or we'll have to instigate the 15-reivew-per-chapter-before-another-update rule! *Evil Laugh*
