So in spirit of Valentine's Day (Or as I am refferring to it this year, National Singles Awareness Day) week I wrote this chapter :) Thank you as always for your rewviews and enjoy!!!
Chapter 8: My Funny Valentine
February brought with it even more homework for the fifth years, that even James and Ben had been reduced to studying in the library.
"What's the charm that 'creates a duplicate of any object cast upon'?" James asked Ben as he did his Charms O.W.L. practice exam.
"Gemino" Ben replied scrunching his face up while he read Defensive Magical Theory. "When in the hell am I going to need to know how to identify a basilisk? By the time I do, I'm dead!"
"At least there's Hogsmeade to look forward to this weekend." Emma offered.
"But it's Valentine's Day." Ben grumbled. "Which means it's going to be crowded full of couples." James made a face.
"Great ,we're gonna have to hide out in the Hogs Head."
--
"Um, Emma?" Ryan Davies asked in their potions class later that day. Emma looked up from the essay had just gotten back from Professor Boot.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering…are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?" For a second Emma felt her throat go dry and she had to concentrate on speaking.
"Yes…" she said, looking him in the eye.
"Well I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go…with me?" He added, raising his eyebrows in hope. Emma's cheeks turned pink but she smiled.
"Yes, I would." Ryan smiled.
"Excellent."
--
"I dunno James, I've never even been near the Slytherin common room." Ben said warily as he and James poured over the Marauders Map in a corner of the common room.
"Which is exactly why we should go!" James pushed. "The map will tell us if there are any problems coming. Plus, we've got the cloak." Ben took another long look at the map.
"Alright. Serves the buggers right for trying to hex us after Charms today." James smiled triumphantly, Ben only needed minimal convincing.
"What are you two doing?" Roxanne asked and the boys quickly turned around, hiding the map behind them.
"Wife!" Ben exclaimed. "How are you doing today?"
"Stop calling me that!" She said, giving Ben a look. "You know I'm with Joseph-"
"Pish, posh." Ben said, waving his hand. "He is merely an attempt to make me jealous." She narrowed her eyes at him and James cut in.
"Was there something you wanted Rox?" She turned to him.
"Just though I should let you know that Lily lost Ron again so be on the lookout." She informed them.
"Got it." James said. "Where's Emma? She's been upstairs with you lot for an hour" Roxanne smiled.
"We're picking out an outfit for her to wear on Saturday!" James and Ben looked at her, puzzled.
"Is there an occasion?" Ben asked.
"Duh, she's going to Hogsmeade with Ryan Davies." Roxanne told them. "It's their first date!" She went back upstairs to have her input on the outfit.
"Did she tell you that?" James quickly asked Ben, who shook his head.
"Nope. Pretty big deal to have the first date in Valentine's day though, huh? He must like her." Ben thoughtfully added. James, for a reason he couldn't explain had the sudden urge to hit something.
"I guess. Are you going with anyone? Maybe we're supposed to find dates." He supplied, thus in head lessening the importance and specialness of Emma and Ryan's date.
"I wasn't going to ask anyone, but I s'pose I'll ask Amelia Bagshot."
"What is it with Gryffindors liking Hufflepuffs all of the sudden?" James asked frustrated. He didn't know why he was so angry or why it was a big deal. He decided it was because Emma didn't tell him and he had assumed they would hang out. That had to be why this was bothering him so much.
"You look like you're about to combust, mate." Ben said concerned. "Everything alright?"
"Everything's fine." He said. "I just…wish there was a girl I had in mind. And I had like warning or something."
'"James, there are fifty witches in this school who would faint if you asked them to Hogsmeade for Valentine's Day." Ben told him. "Just ask a decent looking one who stares at you tomorrow." James mulled it over and decided to go with it. Ben looked at him strangely as James stared into the fire. What had gotten into him?
--
"Why do I care about the bloodlines of Wizards," Ben moaned during History of Magic. No one was even bothering to take notes on the most boring subject they had. "None of it affects me. I'll marry a fellow muggle born and start my own bloodline."
"The Noble House of Amherst," James croaked, imitating Kreacher, causing Emma and Ben to almost burst out laughing. A pretty Ravenclaw fifth year named Adella Bumbles glanced over at James and gave him a small smile, which he returned. He couldn't remember the last time he actually talked to her, but did know that she thought he was cute. He pulled a scrap piece of parchment out and wrote 'go to Hogsmeade with me?' on it and pointed his wand at it. The note transformed into a paper airplane and flew over to her, neatly landing on her desk. She opened it and her expression lit up. She looked at him and shook her head yes.
"Nice," Ben said, upon seeing the interaction. James sat back and ran his hand through his hair with a smug smile on his face. Emma bit her lip, trying to squash the unpleasant feeling that was suddenly overtaking her.
--
Emma took a deep breath after she left her dormitory and went down the stairs. She didn't know why she was so nervous about going on a date with Ryan, he was just a cute friend. Roxanne's 'words of advice' rang in her head. If you kiss him make sure you do it away from James and Ben. Knowing them they'll do something horribly embarrassing. Emma wondered if she'd even see them, they weren't in the common room when she passed through, which means they must have already left to meet up with their dates. She rounded the corner and saw Ryan standing in the entrance hall, a rose in his hand for her. The nerves melted away.
--
"I'm not going to Madame Puddifoot's." James said as he saw Adella's eyes flicker towards it as they walked up the main street with Ben and Amelia.
"Yeah it's probably crowded." Adella said, nodding. That's not why I won't go in there James thought to himself.
"How about we go to Three Broomsticks and get these lovely ladies some butterbeer?" Ben said, turning his gaze on Amelia who blushed.
"Sounds good to me." James agreed. Remembering he was on a date, he turned to Adella. "If that's okay with you too I mean" She smiled and nodded and they made their way to the Three Broomsticks, which turned out to be crowded as well. The hostess looked frazzled.
"Take the booth in the back," She told them when they requested a table for four. They made their way to the back and found themselves in the booth directly behind one where Emma and Ryan were sipping butterbeers.
"Um, hi." James said awkwardly, stopping by their table.
"Em-si-poo!" Ben said loudly, causing her to flush with embarrassment. "Fancy seeing you here. Davies," He said, acknowledging Ryan.
"Amherst," Ryan said back, not looking at him but looking at James who looked like he had been confudleded. "Hey Amelia," he said to Ben's date. She waved timidly before going back to gazing at Ben.
"Oh yes, how rude of me." James said, taking the hand of Adella and pulling her close next to him. "Davies, this is my date Adella Bumbles. Emma, you probably know her-"
"Being as we share a room together." Emma said coolly, not liking the way James was parading Adella.
"Yes that would do it then," James said equally as cool, not understanding her attitude. "Well enjoy your day."
"You too," Ryan piped up, now looking back at Emma, eager to get back to their conversation. Emma nodded and turned back to Ryan. James, Ben, Adella and Amelia sat down in their booth. Although he kept conversation with the three, James's mind couldn't help but wander back to the girl who he was separated with one plank of wood.
ooo looks like some realizations are happening!! Review and I'll update sooner with the next chapter!!!
