As It Was and You Were

Chapter Twenty

Dark Side's Got Cookies

Courtship is a practise that has taken us through the ages. It is still alive today, and going stronger than ever. It is generally required when one wishes to ask a person whom they are interested in having a romantic relationship with. Once they have acquired such a relationship, then they do as they please, because then the courtship is over and the heartbreak begins.

James had other ideas. He had decided on his revenge for Lily. He was going to get Elvira to go to the ball with him. This was very difficult. As he had no idea as to whether she was the slightest bit interested in him. Now in a situation like this, it usually calls for perhaps a Confundus Charm, a mild love potion, flowers or… money. Hopefully James wasn't that desperate.

"Elvira?" James stood behind her at the breakfast tables one morning.

"Oi. You realise you're going to have to wait your turn?" a mousy haired boy with a pointed nose was gesturing behind him where about ten other boys stood in a line, another two coming to join the end.

James turned back around "I need to speak to you. If you could just hear me out, please,"

Elvira looked him up and down, and then at the line of boys that was forming, slightly wrinkling her nose. James did seem to be one of the least repulsive options she had going. That's if he was going to ask her to the Ball.

"Well alright," she looked pointedly at James.

"Not here. Just outside," Elvira looked as if she was going to refuse, however she stood up and followed James out of the Hall.

"What did you want," Elvira stopped and turned to face James once they were standing in a corner, beside a statue of a wizard wrestling a Hippogriff and a gargoyle. He eyed it warily. Thankfully statues don't move.

"Well. You probably already know why I've dragged you out here but I'll ask anyway. Would you please go to the Ball with me?" James looked as if he might cry.

"I would like to say yes. But we barely know each other. I would really rather go with someone I know better,"

"Alright, understand this. Your brother has taken from me the only other girl I would contemplate taking to the Ball with me. If I were to take another person who is just as good as her date she would most likely become jealous, wanting me back,"

"Wait, you weren't ever a couple," she raised her eyebrow.

"Oh… um… sorry I'm just… delusional,"

"Uh-huh," she nodded slowly.

"So disregarding that last comment of utter idiocy, would you please go with me?" he adopted the same puppy-dog expression as before.

Elvira smiled and shook her head "Yes," she laughed "You honestly… I don't know,"

"Thankyou. Thankyou. Thankyou!" he jumped and threw his arms around her.

"OK. Could we please mind the um… personal space?"

"Sorry," James came down from his euphoric fit quite quickly and stood back.

Lily came down the stairs with her Alice, Cordelia and Claire. She glanced over and saw James and Elvira in the shadow of the statue.

James noticed this and quickly fished around in his robes and slipped Elvira three Galleons. "Pretend you don't mind. Please, she's watching," Elvira nodded and huffed a little.

James leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Drawing away slowly, he whispered "Thankyou, I bloody owe you one. Now please pretend you're… love struck or the like,"

"You really owe me," she hissed. James drew away and gave her a smile. He walked away, ignoring Lily. Elvira stood there and touched her hand to her cheek. Before visible shaking herself and walking back to breakfast.

Lily narrowed her eyes, before turning her anger onto the statue. Suddenly the wizard's head turned and winked before tightening its grip on the gargoyle's neck. She swore she saw the eyes pop.

Well. Unfortunately it has been awhile. It is now exam time and I have little ime for anything else so I whipped this up in about... half an hour. Hot off the press. Excuse any errors. I checked it. But my eyes cannot be trusted. Little bit of constructive criticism? Flames? Thought it was a work of genius? Then click that review button because I want to know! Cheerio.