Chapter 12: Seeking Comfort
Author Note: Revamped and Ready to Continue
I was sitting alone down by the lake. It was still a little cold as fall was quickly turning to winter, but I didn't care. I was finding happiness in the fact my year at Hogwarts wasn't filled with fear and death. It would seem that our biggest problem this year has been our friendships and relationships. Early this morning I had seen Remus and Hestia Jones kissing. I had immediately made my way to the lake.
I looked up when James sat down next to me. I smiled up at him. James looked just like I did every day, sad and dejected. Except I had really done this to myself and he hadn't. James has been the person I have spent most of my time with lately. Sirius has been on a women rampage and Emmeline had jumped on the third wheel train with Alice and Frank. Lily was always with Severus. When she wasn't with him she was with her new boyfriend David Proudfoot, who is a Ravenclaw. As for Remus well, we were friends but he was trying to move on.
"You know about Remus and Hestia?" James asked.
I nodded, "Yeah, I saw them earlier." I looked over at James and laid my head on his shoulder closing my eyes for a moment. "You know about David and Lily, I'm sure."
I looked up to James to find him staring down at me, "They both have someone now, Nymph." James whispered. "We should try to move on."
"Probably a good idea, but to be honest I don't really venture out of the group." I murmured. "It's hard to know who we can trust."
"You can trust me," James said. I took my head from his shoulder and looked at him in shock.
"What are you saying?" I asked but I had a feeling that I already knew.
James pulled himself onto his knees so that he could look at me properly, "We deserve some happiness Nymph. We both locked onto Remus and Lily so quickly we never even looked anywhere else. They both have other people now and neither of want to be alone."
"Are you suggesting that we date, James?" I could do worse than James. We've known each other for four years and we have spent time together over the summer. We were comfortable with each other and I love him. I wasn't in love with him but maybe I could be one day.
"Nymph," James was leaning closer to me his eyes closing. I followed his lead and closed mine, our lips only inches apart. "Let's give each other a chance." He reached up and pulled his lip against mine and Inhaled slightly. It wasn't a bad feeling I had kissing James, it was completely different than kissing Remus but I'm sure everyone was different. I responded to the kiss and my hands moved from sides to pull him away.
"Okay," I gasped, trying to catch my breath. "We can try this." James grinned and kissed me once more.
James and I didn't stay at the lake long because people began to fill the courtyard buzzing about Quidditch so we quickly joined them. James kept my hand in his as we joined Sirius and his newest conquest in the courtyard. Sirius looked up us as we neared with a smile on his face. His eyes dropped to mine and James' conjoined hands and his mouth dropped in shock before morphing into a grin.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my cousin and my best friend." He jokingly taunted, "Is this what I think it is?" I punched him in the arm hoping to remove his stupid grin. "Ouch, woman!"
"Yes, Sirius," James answered him, ignoring out antics. "Nymph and I are together now."
Sirius threw his head back and laughed. "Well, I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming." He stood back and examined us for a moment. "Eh, I think it can work."
"Gee, thanks for the approval, Paddy." My sarcasm was evident as rolled my eyes.
"Don't call me that, Tigress!"
"Don't call me Tigress and I won't call you Paddy!"
"You know!" James shouted interrupting our argument. "When it reached midnight it's so dark outside that we can't even see you in your Tiger form. You blend in. I think that's a perfect Marauder name, what do you say?"
I looked up at him with a huge smile on my face. "Midnight." I tested the word out.
"Beautiful nickname for a beautiful girl," James whispered. I flushed, my cheeks turning red and my hair quickly followed suit. James chuckled and leaned down and brought his lips to mine, ignoring Sirius' loud 'awww.'
"James?" We heard a familiar voice that made us jump apart. James reclaimed my hand as we turned to his a shocked Remus with his arm around a clueless Hestia Jones. "What is this?"
"You guys are in trouble!" Sirius sang from behind us.
I gripped his hand tighter as James cleared his throat, "Nymph and I are together now, Remus." Remus stared at the two of us for a moment as a bunch of emotions flittered across his face before he let out a tight nod and joined the small group. Sirius' girl-thing had already joined us so he joined us, standing between Remus and me.
"So?" I asked, shoving him a little. "Who bringing out the list?"
"Kingsley Shacklebolt and he's right there." Sirius pointed to a tall black man pushing his way through the crowd.
Kingsley got onto one of the tables and pointed his wand at his throat to amplify his voice. "Thank for those who tried out for the open Chaser positions. However, there are only two open spots and they go to James Potter and Nymphadora Tonks." I grinned as everyone broke into applause. James pulled me into his arms and spun me around. When my feet hit the ground he quickly kissed me and I grinned. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
News of James and I dating spread quickly through our friend group and not everyone was thrilled. Remus hadn't said a word to James and me in weeks and Frank also expressed his opinion that it's a bad idea. Sirius was getting annoyed by everyone's reaction to my new relationship and tonight, while we sat in his dorm going over our potions essay two letters appeared, one addressed to each of us using our Marauder name.
"Oh boy." I sighed and James laughed, kissing the top of my head.
Midnight,
I, Padfoot, call a mandatory meeting of the Marauders tonight in the Room of Requirement. All Marauders must attend as it is an emergency meeting. See everyone 1t 1800.
Padfoot.
I looked at James' watch only to see that it is ten minutes away from being six. I rolled my eyes and James pulled me up and opened a nearby portrait. Halfway to the room of requirement, I stopped, pulling James to a stop. He looked at me concerned. "What is it, Nymph?"
I stared at him for a moment before wrapping my arms around his neck. He held me close for a moment before, "I don't know what they are going to say in there."
James was confused, "What do you mean, babe?"
"Nobody is happy about us-"
"I am." James interrupted me. "I'm happy with you Nymph. Please, don't let the opinions of other people stop this relationship before it's really started. Remus, Frank, Lily, they will all adjust. Let's just be happy for a while."
I stared into his eyes and saw panic in them. We depended on each other too much now. The world was spinning out of control and we were what was keeping the other grounded. "Okay, but whatever happens in thereā¦" The sentence died from my lips.
James pushed me against the wall kissing me hard. His hands tangled in my curly blonde hair and he pressed his body against mine. My hands locked behind his neck and I kissed him for all I was worth and it was mind-blowing. There was so much desperation behind the kiss that it morphed into an undeniable passion. James pulled away from me. We were both panting hard and smiling.
I let out a school girl giggle when he asked. "Are you ready now, babe? Or do we have to do that again."
Against my better judgment, I shook my head no. "Come on, They are waiting and if we are any later, Sirius will tease us mercilessly." James laughed and took my hand, leading the way. I couldn't help but think he was right. It's been a long time since I was this happy.
When we reached the end of the passageway James jumped out first before reaching up and taking my waist and lifting onto the floor. Two doors appeared on the familiar wall and we walked into a room that looked like a living room. Just as I thought both Remus and Sirius were already here.
"Midnight, Prongs, Finally!" He exclaimed.
Remus furrowed his brow in confusion. "Midnight?" He looked up at James and I. "When did this happen."
"James came up with it," Sirius answered. "The same day they got together." Remus rolled his eyes. James and I took a seat across from Remus and Sirius. James put his arm around my waist and I did my best not to meet Remus' eyes. "That's not why were are here." Sirius pulled out a piece of parchment. "I started on this last week but I need the help of my fellow Marauders."
"You really didn't call us here for help on your homework?" Remus groaned.
I snickered, "Honestly, Sirius, you are hopeless."
"It's not my bloody homework." He snapped. "I'm making a map of Hogwarts. Every passage, every secret tunnel, and every person. It'll be able to tell you where people are in the castle and who is in the castle." We all sat in silence for a moment in shock.
"Mate, that's brilliant!" James exclaimed. "I'm in."
"Me too." Remus agreed. I smiled at my cousin.
"Let's get started."
Creating the map had become a perfect distraction from our troubled personal lives. After O. were over and the end of the year came I realized that not much has changed. Everyone was still paired off and hardly speaking. The war outside the castle was raging on and as we prepared to get off the train I couldn't help but think that we were in a more vulnerable place than we were before. Mostly because we no longer had each other. We were all divided. The train rolled to a stop and Remus left without a word.
"Remus wait!" I called but he didn't stop. I sighed at shook my head.
James growled in frustration. "He can't keep doing this to you!"
"It's fine, James. I'm a big girl."
Lily came over and hugged me along with Alice and Emmeline. "See you at the end of summer gathering." She said. I gave her a small nod.
Emmeline gave me a wink and whispered in my ear. "Don't get knocked up." I gave her a playful shove and she left with Alice and Frank.
Sirius came over and wrapped his arms around James and I. "The whole summer to ourselves. Whatever will we do?"
