Chapter 50

"Thanks Mand, but come on spill it, you like James don't you?"

"No! Well maybe, okay fine yes I'm crushing on him. But it doesn't matter because its you and me mate for life. Just like a sentence in Azkaban never ending."

"Well that's kinda a good thing that you like him, and I bet I can help you out. There's this third year Hufflepuff named Dawn Winter that I wouldn't mind getting close to, and well you could go out with James if I'm with her."

"Oh and how do you figure that one out then Si?"

She felt the boy move and she couldn't feel his body anymore. She moved to look at him and found him lying on his back with his hands behind his neck and legs bent. Without thinking she moved to rest against his legs, placing hers against his chest.

"Well your mother reckons that you copy me. Well then if I start dating this Hufflepuff you could be trying to make me jealous by going out with my best friend. I'd be doing you both a favour and then I'd get the girl I wanted as well."

"Like you need a reason to get a girl Sirius!"

The pair sat bolt up and stared towards the door. Standing there was James. He grinned at the pair of them and Amanda quickly shot a look at Sirius and back at James.

"How long have you been there James?"

"Long enough."

Sirius looked at the pair and moved off his bed towards the other boy.

"I'll just leave you alone to talk okay, if you want me I'll be with Dawn."

"Si! I didn't answer you."

"I know; I'll be down in the common room waiting for you."

He put his hand on James back and raised his eyebrows as he moved passed him out of the door. James still stood there and Amanda didn't know where to look. Finally he closed the door and walked over towards her, but at the last moment sat on the edge of his own bed.

Amanda flung her legs over the side of Sirius' bed so she was facing James, he was looking at his hands and she sighed gently.

"I'll just go –"

"No! Do you really want to be with Sirius?"

James still wasn't looking at her so standing up she moved to sit next to him. She was so close that her leg rubbed against his and she felt a flutter of excitement run through her stomach. James still wasn't looking at her though so carefully she took his hand in hers.

"Being with Sirius is something I'm suppose to do, you know be the dutiful daughter. But when have I ever done anything my family has wanted me to?"

He met her eyes and a wicked smile played across his face and she mimicked it gracefully.

"Have you ever done anything your parents wanted you to?"

"I came to Hogwarts, although I think they wish I hadn't now."

"So you're 'crushing' on me then are you?"

Amanda felt the blush spread up her cheeks and she gently pushed him in the arm.

"I can't believe you stood there listening to us talk!"

"Well if you had looked up you would have seen me."

She looked at him taking in his features, his hair was messy just like always. It made her want to run her fingers through it in the same way he did. Then there were his eyes a warm hazel colour lighter than her own framed in thin glasses.

He squirmed a little under her gaze and she laughed lightly.

"Okay so I like you James, really like you. Using my own words 'I'm crushing on you' but you haven't said anything."

James saw the small smile play across her features causing a dimple to appear in her right cheek. Her eyes where shinning and he saw for the first time a small blue streak within the brown. He was surprised that he hadn't noticed it before but now she had stopped wearing her glasses it was easier to see her eyes. Taking his hand he run his fingers through her long hair. He loved the colour; it was getting lighter with every year.

"Do you really have to ask that?"

He moved closer to her letting his lips take hers, it was a soft gentle kiss. He moved around slightly so that he was facing her at a better angle, he allowed his fingers to play with the end of her hair as he deepened the kiss.

They sat there like that for a few moments until she pulled back, she looked him straight in the eyes and somehow managed to keep a straight face as she spoke.

"You didn't answer my question."

He smiled softly at her as he again took her lips in a quick gentle kiss.

"Come to Hogsmeade with me."

"I hope you don't mean now!"

"Well we could go now, but I was thinking about next weekend, on a date."

"I'd like that."

She stood up as if to leave when he took her hand in his pulling her back

"You look beautiful."

She grinned at him looking down at herself

"I'm a mess."

"Well you make mess look great. You will be my girlfriend won't you?"

"Of course, how else am I going to get Lestrange to leave me alone?"

"Oh so you're using me then?"

"Maybe just a little."

She leant down and took his lips and then pulled back.

"I'd better get down there before Sirius comes up to check on us."

"I'll be down in a minute."

Amanda left the room closing the door behind her, leaning gently on it she couldn't help but smile and from within she heard James' yes before walking down to the common room.