Chapter 9- James

James knew that Verity had been in his room. He could tell from the book that lay unattended on the floor, apparently where she had dropped it. He knew he should have told her about his suspicions earlier, but he couldn't. Why was he hiding all of this stuff from her? He inwardly groaned. When would he man up enough to tell her… things? James sighed as he listened to his brother and sister arguing upstairs and then the heavy footsteps of his parents running up to separate them. James chuckled to himself.

James sighed as he gently placed the book back on his desk. He walked swiftly down the stairs, deciding that the current time… was not the time to talk to Verity. She probably needed some space after discovering the book. James frowned to himself. Did he even know the words meant? He sighed, this topic was something that should remain between Teddy and Verity.

James entered the kitchen to find one of his best mates.

"Teddy!" He exclaimed before walking over and embracing him in a brotherly hug. "Long time, no see. Congrats on the Engagement. But, just so you know, if you hurt my cousin, I will have to kill you."

"I think Bill's already covered that." Teddy smirked as he sat down.

"Sorry if I'm overstepping, but what's gonna happen to Verity after you and Vic get married?" James asked as he sat down.

"Well, we still need to discuss it with Verity… but we both agree it'll be easier if Victoire moves into my place. Ver can still stay in her room, it is her home after all; Victoire is completely fine with it."

"Good, 'cause I'm pretty sure Ver was worried she'd have to move back in with Andromeda." James laughed.

"Nah, I know Ver likes it better at our place. It's her home and it's closer to your place."

James smiled. Harry and Ginny walked into the kitchen.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ted, we didn't think Lily and Al would fight." Harry laughed. "We actually thought James was responsible for that one."

James held up his hands in defence. "Dad, I thought you had more faith in me."

"You did blow up one of the bathrooms at Hogwarts." Harry said as he and Ginny sat down.

"Where's Verity?" Ginny asked. "We thought she'd be with you."

"Umm." James twitched nervously. "I think she might need some space. She's probably preparing for her date with…William."

Teddy raised an eyebrow at this.

"I promised that I'd let her tell you about him." James sighed.

James was certain that Verity had left for her date… it was at eleven, right? Wait, no… that was two hours ago… James shrugged, hoping that he's have time to talk to his father before she got back.

James walked along until he found his father in the drawing room. Harry nodded in acknowledgement as James took a seat beside him on the couch.

"I had a feeling you'd come looking for me." Harry smiled

"Where's Ted..?" James asked.

"Playing chess with Albus and Lily. Your Mum went out to the shops, we're alone." Harry patted his son on the back.

"Yeah, Dad… Remember how I was talking to you about Will in the kitchen yesterday? Before Ver interrupted us?"

Harry nodded. "You were saying something about how much of a git he was."

James felt a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, but just so you know… there is a reason why I was calling him names."

Harry watched his son, waiting for him to elaborate on his claims.

"Well on the train, while Ver was asleep, I went for a walk along the train. I found…" James gulped. "… I found that git… snogging a girl… one that wasn't Verity."

Harry's eyes widened. "Have you told her?"

"Am I in the position to?"

"What would you want her to do if the positions were reversed?"

James looked down thoughtfully.

"… I just… Ver could do so much better." James sighed. "She just doesn't believe in herself enough."

Harry smirked at his son. "Have you told her that?"

James felt a warm blush creep up his cheeks. "No, but she should know without me having to tell her."

"Some people need reminding." Said Harry.

James looked down at his lap and began twiddling his thumbs.

"Son, I think it's time you started believing in yourself too. You need to build up the courage to tell people what you really think and feel."

"But what if I'm… scared?" James asked quietly.

"Now, that's not really Gryffindor-like at all, is it?" Harry laughed as he ruffled his son's hair.

"Dad?" James looked into his father's eyes. "Just on a completely unrelated topic… how did you know you were in love with Mum?"

Harry laughed. "I just did."

James nodded in seriousness.

Suddenly, they heard the front door slam closed on the floor below. Verity's swift and heavy footsteps thundered on the stairs and up to her room.

"I have a feeling that there are some things you need to talk to her about." Harry nodded his head towards the door.

"Yeah… probably." James said as he jumped to his feet. "Thanks for the advice, Dad."

James ran up the stairs towards Verity's room. He swiftly placed his hand on the doorknob and turned it.

"Ver, about Will, I need to tell you some…" His voice drifted off when he saw a distraught Verity curled up on her bed, her hair faded of colour into a light brown, closely resembling Teddy's natural colour.

"Ver?" James exclaimed. "What happened?"

Verity looked up at him, tears falling uncontrollably down her cheeks.

"William's a git, that's what's wrong." She said in anger.

"Yeah, that point is already established… but what did he do in particular?" James asked as he sat down on the edge of her bed.

"He got me in trouble with some muggle. He was only concerned about saving himself." Verity mumbled.

James pulled her into a hug… he wasn't quite sure what to do or say.

"He's a right GIT." Verity sobbed.

"Yeah, about that, I was about to come up and tell you… on the train I saw him… snogging another girl…"

Verity let out a loud sob before resting her head on James and crying onto his shoulder. James nervously began stroking her hair. Verity was gripping his shirt as she sobbed. It pained him to see her in such a state.

"It's not that I'm worried about getting a fine or something from this muggle for trespassing … do you get fines for trespassing?" Verity said in between sobs.

"Trespassing?" James asked.

"He took me through a construction site as a shortcut. But I don't really care about that anymore. It's the fact that he made me get in trouble by myself, while he hid."

"That was really mean." James said as he hesitantly rested his cheek on the top of her head.

"When…when… we first met… he said it was a 'good thing he was there to catch me when I fell'. James, he was supposed to catch me." Verity said in between sobs.

"Well, it's a good thing you have me to catch you when jerks like him push you over."

Soooo? What did you think? Should I do more chapters from James' POV. Or is there another character that you would like a chapter from? Or should I just sorta keep to Verity? If you suggest one, it may not be for a couple of chapters, coz I've got the next few drafted.

Sorry if everything is a bit confusing at the moment, but it's supposed to be a little. Fear not, it shall all be explained in later chapters.

Thank you for reading!

Silver :)