For the Long Haul Comp week 3

WC: 1,495

A/N: Sorry if this is a bit of a filler, it's just been a long week and I didn't have much time to put a lot of info in this update. Also, for reviews and things, I'll do those for next chapter since there weren't that many to begin with.

So, without further adieu,

CHAPTER 53


Lena didn't get a chance to speak to Sîrya about the manticore attack for days. As soon as the situation was deemed safe by the staff, Madame Pomfrey whisked her away to the Hospital Wing to take care of her wrist and look into the scratch on her leg. She must've gotten it from one of the bristles when she fell off the manticore's back, but Pomfrey wanted to keep her overnight to make sure it wasn't infected. Then, it was immediately straight to the Headmaster's office for damage control.

"Miss Ashington, have you seen the newspapers recently?" Professor Longbottom asked her as she entered his office. He didn't bother to wait for an answer, just pushed the paper across the desk.

Lena scanned the newspaper article, sighing at what she saw. The attack was all over the Daily Prophet; what was worse, they were trying to spin it as a deliberate attack by the faey. A few kids had apparently snapped photos, as there was one of James Potter heading off the beast. Lena could see her feet on the other side of the manticore.

Typical.

"So the press is going to have a field day by playing up the Potter-saving-the-world thing? Nice," she snorted, shoving the paper back. At least she wasn't a prominent character in these rags.

"Of course, it's what they do," Professor Longbottom stated, then he ran a hand through his hair and looked at her. "So, the question is... what really happened?"

"I walked out of OWLs, I sensed something was wrong, and then a manticore exploded from the forest, sir. So I did what any idiot would do and ran towards it. I think you probably saw the rest, right sir?"

"I think you and I both know there's more to this story, Silena," Professor Longbottom said gravely. He looked at her with expectancy.

"Fine," Lena sighed, then fidgeted in her seat for a second. "Look, I'm not sure what I saw exactly, sir. But after the attack, I thought I saw Sîrya in the woods, watching. And I suspect she may have had a hand in releasing the manticore. It was already aggravated, but it was an old manticore, and they're easier to fight than one at his full strength. So I have reason to believe this may have been a test, for me."

Neville nodded. "I had feared as much. Now that you're in training and the political situation is getting tense, they're going to want to make sure you're ready, and soon. But I didn't expect them to test you around my students!"

Lena looked down. "I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't expecting it."

"Silena," the headmaster said, looking into the face that reminded him so much of his own childhood face, the one that just wanted to be told they'd done something right for a change, "You are not to blame. You saved those girls. It was your quick thinking, and the quick actions of you and James that kept those girls from being harmed. Both Miss Finnigan and Miss Thomas are fine and fairly uninjured, and their friend Miss Wood is only shaken up from being so close to the attack. If not for you, I fear there would have been a major situation on hand."

"Thank you, Professor. But if it weren't for me... that attack wouldn't have happened at all."

"Even if it did happen, I'm still proud of you."


Walking down the corridor back to Gryffindor tower, Lena couldn't bare to look anyone in the eyes. Hallways grew silent as she passed through them, and she could feel their stares. If only faey magic allowed her to tell what they were thinking, maybe she would know whether to run from the mob or not.

"Hey, Brownie! It's taken me a bit to track you done. Been cooped up in Hospital a bit too long? You look a bit peckish," James said cheerfully as he fell into place besides her, an arm casually slipping over her shoulders and his other hand smoothly taking her book bag away. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, quickly, lest she try to pull away, but to his surprise she smiled and laced one of her hands through the one that dangled by her shoulder and stretched up to kiss his lips.

"Whoa, Brownie, you're showing PDA in the halls within 24 hours of a traumatizing event, what's up?" They resumed their walking, much to the appreciation of half the hallway, and headed down towards the kitchens instead.

"OWLs are over, and no one was hurt... and for once, Professor Longbottom didn't get mad and wasn't disappointed or anything. He said he was proud of me."

James snorted. "Wait, so you listen to him when he's encouraging, but not me?"

She smiled at him coquettishly. "You're my boyfriend. You have to be proud of me," she said saucily. James grinned, dragging her in a detour towards a tapestry on the side of the wall. He pulled her behind it quickly, pressing her against the wall and kissing her deeply.

"Sorry," he breathed when they both pulled away for air, "I just really had to do that."

Lena smiled. "Believe me, it was quite enjoyable. Though I'm not sure I remember just exactly how you did that thing with your tongue..."

James grinned again, leaning in closer. "Let me show you one more time, then."

Their trip to the kitchen didn't resume until both were flushed and panting and their stomachs were growling with hunger.


J-

Midnight game of Quidditch? Might be your last at school.

XOXO

-L

James crumpled up the note and grabbed his broomstick, stepping over his passed out roommate, who had fallen to the floor after arriving home from an intense end of exams celebration and had refused to get up since. James quickly snuck down the stairs and out the portrait hole, shushing the Fat Lady when she sleepily exclaimed at being woken up. She raised an eyebrow, but said nothing to alert anyone to his breaking curfew. He was graduating in a week. She was used to seventh years using their last nights to explore their home one last time.

The Pitch was bright with moonlight when James arrived, and he realized Lena was already there. She had a Quaffle in hand and was scoring hoops and practicing moves left and right. James smiled when he realized that she must be nervous for the finals on Monday.

"Hey, Brownie," he said softly, and she turned to great him as he soared into the air next to her. "Practicing for our last game?"

She smiled sadly. "Your last game. We're going to have to find a new Seeker. How are we supposed to replace you?"

He tugged on her side braid. "You'll figure it out, hun."

She raised an eyebrow. "Hun? Where did that come from?"

"Oh, haven't you heard? Adorable endearments for your significant other are all the rage this time of year. I'm trying some out. Sweetie?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Love? Wilds? Len-Ben?"

"Merlin, those are all horrible. Don't ever call me one of those again."

He smiled. "How about... dahling?" He struck a pose as he said this, and Lena bent over her broom, laughing hard.

"Do you intend to sound like Cruella DeVil?" she wheezed, and her looked at her, confused.

"Who's Cruella DeVil?"

"Oh, right, pureblood. She's a villain from a kids' movie who tries to steal 99 dalmatian puppies to make a fur coat. You don't have someone evil like that?"

"Nah, we just have Voldy the No-Nosed Wizard, who was a very smelly man."

Lena chuckled. "So... have you decided what to call me?"

He gazed at her, her skin washed with moonlight and her blonde hair shining white. Her green eyes glowed from underneath thick black lashes, and James drank her in like he couldn't get enough.

"I... what can I call you that even sums up your utter perfection?" he breathed, entranced.

She blushed. "I'm far from perfect. That's hardly a fair thing to say to a girl," she teased half-heartedly.

"And modest, too. Such a pretty little Brownie. I'm afraid that's the only name for you," he teased, and reached across the air space to drag her broomstick closer to his so he could kiss her.

Kissing her felt like drowning in starlight. James pulled back for a second, brushing a strand of stray hair behind her ear before whispering to her, "I love you."

She smiled affectionately, her eyes sparkling with joy. She pressed her lips to the sensitive spot behind his ear, then whispered back,

"I love you, too."