Chapter 25

James ran down stairs after Paige, not sure where she would go. I can't believe Fred and Rose! I should've done more than just push him into a wall I should've hit him or something! James was hurt, knowing that Fred was the cause of Paige's unhappiness. That he had gone to such lengths to get to the secret, behind they're friendship. He thought he knew him better, but apparently there was a whole side to Fred that James didn't know.

James bursted into the living room, to see all the drunken adults laughing at some story from their youth, "Do you know where Paige went?" He yelled, trying to gain their attention.

His mum answered, "She went home darling. Said she wasn't feeling well." James was a little appalled at how slurred his mum's words were. Nodding he charged into the chimney, grabbing a handful of green sand, before yelling "Potter Residence." With that he was sent spinning into the intricate network of chimneys.

When he finally landed in his living room, he saw Paige standing there, hugging herself, facing away from him. He hesitantly walked up to her. Not sure what say or do. "Paige?" he whispered, trying not to startle her. She looked over her shoulder, and he was grateful to see that she wasn't crying. Fred and Rose don't deserve her tears. He thought bitterly.

She turned around, but just stood there looking up at James with her almond shaped, caramel eyes. They were shiny from unshed tears, but he could tell that she wasn't about to let herself cry. "Well that didn't go well." She croaked. James smiled weakly, and chuckled a little.

Pulling her into a hug, he whispered, "Really? I thought you dancing to that muggle song was fantastic." Paige laughed into his chest, making James feel much better, but he was still enraged with his cousins and what they had done to Paige. "I'm sorry Paige. I can't believe Fred did that, and I'll make sure he knows how much he hurt you when I'm kicking his arse." Paige looked up at him again, and for some reason James couldn't tell what she was thinking. He had come to know her so well that he could guess almost anything that she was thinking, but today was different.

"Violence isn't going to solve anything James, I don't know how many times I have to tell you that." She chided, "But in this case, I could turn a blind eye, as long as you kick his arse in front of me." James smiled broadly, wondering how she was taking this so well. He thought she would've been hysterical, and sad, but she surprised him again, making him like her that much more.

"You don't have to be so brave you know, you can cry and be upset. I'd understand. What they did was awful." He said pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, looking intently into her eyes, to see what she was thinking.

"Then I wouldn't be in Gryffindor, then I wouldn't have become friends with you, and I would repeat all of this in a heartbeat, if it meant being with you." James breath quickened, and all his attention turned towards her plump red lips. In that moment, James realized the depth of his feelings for Paige, and wanted nothing more than to kiss her.

And from the looks of it she wanted to kiss him as well. You've never been nervous about kissing a girl Paige is no different. But he knew that was a lie, Paige had stolen his heart, this was more than just a kiss, this was him falling in love with her.

He leaned down, and Paige tilted her head upward, her eyes fluttering closed. James was just millimeters from her lips when green flames erupted in his fireplace startling both of them. Fred came stumbling out, looking worried and sad. But as soon as he was out, Rose came stumbling after him.

And before James' eyes, Paige's face went from excitement, to enmity. Seriously? Now they decide to come after us? They couldn't have waited five bloody minutes! James thought disappointed about being interrupted.

Rose spoke up first, "Paige I am so sorry. I had no idea—" But Paige cut her off.

"That's because you wouldn't listen, you ignored me and jumped to conclusions! You didn't hear what I had to say, even though I desperately tried, you even went as far as slapping me so that you wouldn't hear the truth!" Paige replied keeping her voice even, but letting the malice she felt ooze from every word. But she wasn't done, "And you! You should be in Slytherin you're so conniving! If you wanted to know what happened over holidays so badly then you should've asked me. Not once did you ever just walk up to me and seriously ask me. No you just sulked and spewed undeserving hatred at me." Fred had paled, deathly afraid of the petite girl before him. James had to admit that seeing her put his cousins back in place turned him on a little.

Both of his cousins just stood there, opening and closing their mouths. James crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Fred. Rose. Get out." They tried objecting but he wouldn't have it, "This is my house and I said get out!" He roared Paige looked at him startled, admiring his authority.

With their shoulders slumped, Fred and Rose made their way back to fire place both yelling "the Burrow", with green flames whisking them away. Paige stood there for a couple moments, wondering what to do next. So did James, What do I do? We almost kissed before they came, and the mood is definitely gone. What if she was just emotionally vulnerable, and realizes that us kissing would be a mistake. What if we broke up if we did get together? Then I'd lose her. No! I won't lose Paige, even if that means staying friends with her. Even though I'm madly in love with her.