Chapter Two - James Potter & the Marauders
By the time Torah and I went back to the Ravenclaw Tower, picked up our bags and made our way to class, we only just made it. I couldn't stop thinking about those boys. I threatened to hex myself a few times and I'm sure Torah didn't hear me do so; she was too busy in her own dream-land.
Our class was just piling into the room and Torah almost died. She noticed straight away that we were having the class with Gryffindor. The boys from breakfast were sitting at the back and Torah immediately dragged me to the tables beside them. They didn't notice us straight away. That gave Torah time to lecture me.
"Why didn't you tell me we had Transfiguration with them?" She hissed in my ear as we pulled out our copies of "An Intermediate's Guide to Transfiguration" by Emertic Switch and scrolls of parchment.
"I forgot completely. You could have looked at your timetable anyways so don't blame me" I hissed back at her. I pulled out my quill and ink. It was then that the boys noticed us.
"Hello Ladies," Sirius smiled at us, "So nice to see you again" I saw in the corner of my eye that Torah had the hugest grin on her face.
"My name's Torah" She spoke to Sirius, turning her back towards me. I was totally cut from the conversation. I tutted at her and turned around to the front of the classroom. I tried very hard to stop a gasp.
"H-h-hi!" I stuttered, feeling totally embarrassed. The messy haired boy was standing right in front of me.
"Hi, I'm James. James Potter. You are?" He grinned at me and showed off his perfect white teeth. I straighten my back and looked up properly at him.
"Lily Evans. It's a bit weird we haven't met besides being in the same school for five years together," I observed. I picked up my eagle-feather quill and started to suck on it nervously. He was even better looking up close. His eyes reminded me of the delicious Honeydukes's chocolate and his hair, even thought it was messy, it seemed to be perfectly positioned in everyway. His skin was tan and even thought he was wearing the very unrevealing Hogwarts robes, I could almost see his perfectly toned muscles.
"Don't suck on that!" James laughed, pulling the quill out of my mouth. He jogged over to his bag. James then pulled a quill out and jogged back over, "This is a sugar quill from Honeydukes. When you suck on it in class, it looks like you're trying to think of what to write next"
I took the quill and grinned up at him.
"Thanks James," I didn't know what to say. James gave me a present, sort of. I was getting very nervous; I didn't want the conversation to run dry. I didn't talk to boys as much as Torah did. James started to open his mouth to say something when Professor McGonagall came into the classroom. Instead of talking, James smiled at me and left for his seat. I sighed. I wanted to talk more.
"Quiet down everybody! Sit down in your seats! Black, that means you too" She barked at the class. Sirius sat down. I looked at Torah and she was writing a note to me. She slid it over onto my side of the desk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Black just asked me to eat lunch at the Gryffindor table! Do you think he is hot? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
I opened my eyes in surprise. They sure didn't waste time! I quickly scrawled back with the quill James gave me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah, he's great. James gave me this sugar quill. I'll sit with Emily. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
I pushed the note back over to Torah and she gasped when she read it. It took a few moments for her to write back.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Oh my god! James likes you! I think you two would make the cutest couple! Just like me and Sirius. You positively will NOT be sitting with Emily! You are going to be eating lunch at the Gryffindor table, getting to know James better. Besides, ever since we had that fight in our dorm, Emily's ignored us anyways! Lily, you haven't had a boyfriend ever. Why let go of this chance? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
I tried not to laugh. I didn't know sitting with someone else for a change was such a crime, besides I think the fight we had three years ago about a missing shoe would be forgotten by now. I scribbled a message and handed the note back to Torah.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- He gave me a spare quill, not his undying love for me. I think I've been fine all these years without a boy, thank you very much! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---
I was waiting for Torah to reply when a folded piece of parchment floated above Torah's head and onto my table. I picked it up and it was blank. Suddenly words began to be written on it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Lily, Since your friend seems to be joining my friends and I for lunch (For Sirius I might add), I was wondering if you would be there as well. We could get to know each other better. We do have five years of Hogwarts to catch up on. Is that a yes? Love James ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---
I couldn't hold back the blush that crept onto my cheeks. I was reading the note again when it was snatched from my hands by Torah. Her eyes widen in excitement and I saw her turn towards James.
"She said yes!" She hissed to him. I leant forward to catch a glimpse of James and I could see him smiling.
"Now Torah Miller. Since you seem to be able to talk to others during my class, I assume you know everything on this topic. What is the correct wand movement for the disappearance spell?" Professor McGonagall snapped and the whole class's attention was on Torah.
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I tried to forget James Potter. I left the Transfiguration room with my head held high, skin looking perfect like always. But when I had got to Charms and Professor Flitwick was dictating, I couldn't help but have James rush back into my thoughts when I took out his quill. Torah thought I was head over heels for him and teased me all lesson. To top it off, Professor Flitwick told us to do Cheering Charms on each other and the teasing grew worse.
We left the Charms lesson and I forced Torah to a detour to the girl's bathroom. She wanted to get the Great Hall as soon as possible. Apparently Sirius said "I can't wait to see you again" after Transfiguration to her and it was killing her that she hadn't seen him since.
I pushed her inside the bathroom.
"Can't this wait?" She began to complain as I pulled out my make-up from my bag. I started put it on, as if I were re-applying my "Little Miss Perfect" mask. Torah was jumping from one foot to the other.
"Why do you wear that all for?" Torah asked. She was watching me with her full concentration. I didn't know if I should tell her the answer or not. I had finished re-applying the powder when I thought I might just bend the truth a little.
"It makes me feel more confident," I sighed. I wasn't sure if that was bending the truth or a lie.
"Confident? Ever since you started wearing all that, you seemed LESS confident. You seemed very out-going and confident to me when James gave you..." She was about to tease me again!
"This has NOTHING to do with that!" I snapped as I put the lid back on my eyeliner. Torah recoiled and stood there quietly as I finished the job.
I felt slightly mean to snap at her like that. But on the other hand, it was highly embarrassing the fact about my make-up. How I use it to turn myself into another person. How an actor changes themselves into another character. Torah didn't say anything and when we started to walk towards the Great Hall, the silence passed and she started talking about Sirius again. Unfortunately, we ran into someone Torah loves to hate. Of course, I hate him just as much.
Lucius Malfoy, followed by his associates, Severus Snape and Macnair.
"What are you two doing, wandering around the halls like this? I hope you weren't trying to casually run into me," Lucius drawled, putting his sleazy arm around Torah and me.
Torah pulled his arm from off her shoulder by two fingers, like it was a dead rat and stepped away from him.
"No, we happen to be heading for lunch," Torah's nose was screwed up in disgust. She looked like she had smelt something horrible near Lucius.
"Same, care to join my friends and me?" Lucius's arm moved from around my shoulder to around my waist, and was steadily moving further down.
"Sorry, we already have lunch plans," I tried to push away. I did NOT want Lucius's filthy hands anywhere near my buttocks region. Lucius just held on tighter.
"With who, may I ask?" Lucius's hand reached it's destination and I resisted the urge to scream.
"My friends and I. Get your dirty hands off her Lucius!" I heard the voice that had been running through my head all morning. Lucius's hand left my butt and I ran towards Torah. She was half clinging onto Sirius. James was now standing very close to Lucius, staring into his eyes. I noticed his hand was in his pocket, probably holding onto his wand. I saw Snape and Macnair pull their wands out. Lucius smiled very smugly.
"Trying to be hero again Potter?" Lucius spat, "It's an old act. Last month's Witches Weekly said that 86% of witches preferred a smooth, rich man with the best broom rather than an "All in the name of Love", hero-type loser. Why don't you go pester some other girls? Actually, I don't blame you Sirius, I'd try and have a go at that slut as well" Lucius smirked.
Sirius jumped towards Lucius but Snape and Macnair pointed their wands at him. James held him back, his wand out as well now.
"Don't even bother Padfoot," James glared at Lucius, "Come on, let's go"
Sirius glared when he walked past the trio and put his arm around Torah. She was a little upset, but I knew she was used to it. Everybody knew Lucius was a jerk and they shouldn't get upset over what he says. He likes to cause trouble.
"Thank God you found us! Lucius was trying to make a move on Lily!" Torah gushed to James and Sirius when we were on our way to the Great Hall.
"It's alright, we didn't know if you two were just taking your time or if someone held you two up," James smiled at me. I walked besides him, trying hard not to stare at him. He was so hot! I literally shook my head. I have to keep my character!
I looked behind me to see Sirius and Torah walking a few steps behind James and me. If I hadn't of known, I would have thought they were together by the way they were acting. Sirius had his arm draped right around Torah and she had her head resting on his shoulder. Sirius was playing with Torah's hair.
James saw where my eyes were looking and looked at Sirius and Torah too.
"You would have thought they'd been dating for years," He commented and I nodded in agreement. Maybe Torah really had found her perfect match!
We entered the Great Hall and most of the school was sitting down eating. Just like breakfast, most of the girls present watched Sirius and James go to the Gryffindor table. It felt weird sitting at a strange table. I could see the hall in a different perspective. We sat next to the two other boys that James and Sirius hung around. The short, plump boy introduced himself as Peter Pettigrew and the sick one, Remus Lupin. Remus looked even worse close up. He had dark bags around his eyes and his skin looked like it was turning transparent. If I looked like that one morning, I don't think I would even get out of bed! But besides his looks, Remus was a real gentleman.
James, Sirius, Torah and I finally put some lunch on our plates. Remus closed his copy of "The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection" and smiled at Torah and I.
"Welcome to our table. I was looking at our timetable. Seems like we have a lot of our classes together!" Remus took a sip of his pumpkin juice.
"I know, we usually have most of our classes with Hufflepuff. Now it's mainly Gryffindor," I smiled at Remus. I felt quite at ease sitting at the unfamiliar table. "So what do you two do for your extra subjects?" James asked me just as I took a mouthful of my shepherd's pie. I tried to swallow the food as quick as I could.
"We study Care of Magical Creatures and Divination," I sighed. Being a muggle-born, I wasn't really sure what to choose. I just picked what Torah had chosen, I didn't realize until after that she tried to pick the easiest subjects. James smiled.
"Good choice, they are the same as ours," James nodded to his three other friends. He finished the rest of his shepherd's pie and piled more on his plate. Peter coughed.
"Oh, except Wormy," James started eat his seconds.
"Instead of Divination, I do Muggle-Studies!" Peter squeaked proudly. Sirius snorted into his lunch.
"That's because you were scared of the crystal balls!" Sirius and James laughed very loudly; Sirius even pounded his fists on the table. Remus's face became almost distorted. He seemed unable to choose whether to laugh or tell the boys to stop picking on Peter. Torah giggled as well. I didn't know if I should laugh or not. James must have picked up on my uneasiness and changed the subject.
"So, what do your parents do for a living?" James asked me. I felt positively sick. I hated talking about my parents for two reasons. One, my parent's are muggles and a lot of wizards disliked muggle-borns. Two, they are a part of the reason why I wore my make-up. Torah knew about reason number one. I saw her look at my reaction. I guess the boys needed to know. If they didn't like me, then they weren't worth having as friends.
"My parents are muggles" I shifted uncomfortably.
"Yeah? What do they do? My mum works in the Mistreatment of Muggles department for the Ministry for Magic. I know a lot about Muggles," James smiled.
"Well," I was lucky my parents had jobs that even wizards would know that they are, "My dad is a photographer for the newspaper and my mum is a housewife. What does your dad do?"
"My dad is a Quidditch commentator. He was asked to play seeker for the Wisbourne Wasp but he didn't accept. He doesn't like that Ludo Bagman that plays in the team," James and Sirius both laughed.
"What's so funny about that?" Torah asked. I nodded in agreement to her question.
"Ludo is a bit of an idiot. Always doing stupid things, like getting himself in trouble. He wasn't too happy when they wanted Henry to play," Sirius explained. I nodded. It was hard being Muggle-born. They all knew a lot about the Wizarding life and I felt like a young child, still learning her ABC's.
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I had a great lunch, sitting at the Gryffindor table. James and I talked the whole time, and the conversation never paused, like I had feared. I learnt lots about James. He just turned 16, he was an only child, his favourite subject was transfiguration and loads more. I got so comfortable around them all I somehow got the courage to ask Remus why he was sick. James laughed and said stress. I wished I didn't have to ask though; it was obvious by the way it looked like he hadn't slept and how he kept reading our textbooks that he must be studying all hours of the day. Remus did act a little different around me after I asked, he was probably just embarrassed. I hoped the OWL's wouldn't stress me like they did for Remus.
At the end of lunch, we had to leave for Defense against the Dark Arts. I promised James I would write him a foot long letter. I wished mine and James's parting was as easy for us as it was for Sirius and Torah. Since they aren't together, it didn't seem right for either to kiss good-bye. They sort of just, looked admirably into each other's eyes, obviously hoping the other would make a move.
"This is really quite pathetic," James whispered into my ears as we watched the couple, "Sirius never waits this long to kiss a girl. I've seen him attack one in the corridor once!"
James and I laughed. The couple had been staring longingly for almost five minutes, until James couldn't handle it any longer and pushed Peter into them. This broke the mood and we said goodbye. Torah and I started to walk down towards the dungeons for Potions while the boys head in the other direction for Defense against the Dark Arts.
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By the time Torah and I went back to the Ravenclaw Tower, picked up our bags and made our way to class, we only just made it. I couldn't stop thinking about those boys. I threatened to hex myself a few times and I'm sure Torah didn't hear me do so; she was too busy in her own dream-land.
Our class was just piling into the room and Torah almost died. She noticed straight away that we were having the class with Gryffindor. The boys from breakfast were sitting at the back and Torah immediately dragged me to the tables beside them. They didn't notice us straight away. That gave Torah time to lecture me.
"Why didn't you tell me we had Transfiguration with them?" She hissed in my ear as we pulled out our copies of "An Intermediate's Guide to Transfiguration" by Emertic Switch and scrolls of parchment.
"I forgot completely. You could have looked at your timetable anyways so don't blame me" I hissed back at her. I pulled out my quill and ink. It was then that the boys noticed us.
"Hello Ladies," Sirius smiled at us, "So nice to see you again" I saw in the corner of my eye that Torah had the hugest grin on her face.
"My name's Torah" She spoke to Sirius, turning her back towards me. I was totally cut from the conversation. I tutted at her and turned around to the front of the classroom. I tried very hard to stop a gasp.
"H-h-hi!" I stuttered, feeling totally embarrassed. The messy haired boy was standing right in front of me.
"Hi, I'm James. James Potter. You are?" He grinned at me and showed off his perfect white teeth. I straighten my back and looked up properly at him.
"Lily Evans. It's a bit weird we haven't met besides being in the same school for five years together," I observed. I picked up my eagle-feather quill and started to suck on it nervously. He was even better looking up close. His eyes reminded me of the delicious Honeydukes's chocolate and his hair, even thought it was messy, it seemed to be perfectly positioned in everyway. His skin was tan and even thought he was wearing the very unrevealing Hogwarts robes, I could almost see his perfectly toned muscles.
"Don't suck on that!" James laughed, pulling the quill out of my mouth. He jogged over to his bag. James then pulled a quill out and jogged back over, "This is a sugar quill from Honeydukes. When you suck on it in class, it looks like you're trying to think of what to write next"
I took the quill and grinned up at him.
"Thanks James," I didn't know what to say. James gave me a present, sort of. I was getting very nervous; I didn't want the conversation to run dry. I didn't talk to boys as much as Torah did. James started to open his mouth to say something when Professor McGonagall came into the classroom. Instead of talking, James smiled at me and left for his seat. I sighed. I wanted to talk more.
"Quiet down everybody! Sit down in your seats! Black, that means you too" She barked at the class. Sirius sat down. I looked at Torah and she was writing a note to me. She slid it over onto my side of the desk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Black just asked me to eat lunch at the Gryffindor table! Do you think he is hot? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
I opened my eyes in surprise. They sure didn't waste time! I quickly scrawled back with the quill James gave me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah, he's great. James gave me this sugar quill. I'll sit with Emily. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
I pushed the note back over to Torah and she gasped when she read it. It took a few moments for her to write back.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Oh my god! James likes you! I think you two would make the cutest couple! Just like me and Sirius. You positively will NOT be sitting with Emily! You are going to be eating lunch at the Gryffindor table, getting to know James better. Besides, ever since we had that fight in our dorm, Emily's ignored us anyways! Lily, you haven't had a boyfriend ever. Why let go of this chance? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
I tried not to laugh. I didn't know sitting with someone else for a change was such a crime, besides I think the fight we had three years ago about a missing shoe would be forgotten by now. I scribbled a message and handed the note back to Torah.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- He gave me a spare quill, not his undying love for me. I think I've been fine all these years without a boy, thank you very much! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---
I was waiting for Torah to reply when a folded piece of parchment floated above Torah's head and onto my table. I picked it up and it was blank. Suddenly words began to be written on it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Lily, Since your friend seems to be joining my friends and I for lunch (For Sirius I might add), I was wondering if you would be there as well. We could get to know each other better. We do have five years of Hogwarts to catch up on. Is that a yes? Love James ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---
I couldn't hold back the blush that crept onto my cheeks. I was reading the note again when it was snatched from my hands by Torah. Her eyes widen in excitement and I saw her turn towards James.
"She said yes!" She hissed to him. I leant forward to catch a glimpse of James and I could see him smiling.
"Now Torah Miller. Since you seem to be able to talk to others during my class, I assume you know everything on this topic. What is the correct wand movement for the disappearance spell?" Professor McGonagall snapped and the whole class's attention was on Torah.
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I tried to forget James Potter. I left the Transfiguration room with my head held high, skin looking perfect like always. But when I had got to Charms and Professor Flitwick was dictating, I couldn't help but have James rush back into my thoughts when I took out his quill. Torah thought I was head over heels for him and teased me all lesson. To top it off, Professor Flitwick told us to do Cheering Charms on each other and the teasing grew worse.
We left the Charms lesson and I forced Torah to a detour to the girl's bathroom. She wanted to get the Great Hall as soon as possible. Apparently Sirius said "I can't wait to see you again" after Transfiguration to her and it was killing her that she hadn't seen him since.
I pushed her inside the bathroom.
"Can't this wait?" She began to complain as I pulled out my make-up from my bag. I started put it on, as if I were re-applying my "Little Miss Perfect" mask. Torah was jumping from one foot to the other.
"Why do you wear that all for?" Torah asked. She was watching me with her full concentration. I didn't know if I should tell her the answer or not. I had finished re-applying the powder when I thought I might just bend the truth a little.
"It makes me feel more confident," I sighed. I wasn't sure if that was bending the truth or a lie.
"Confident? Ever since you started wearing all that, you seemed LESS confident. You seemed very out-going and confident to me when James gave you..." She was about to tease me again!
"This has NOTHING to do with that!" I snapped as I put the lid back on my eyeliner. Torah recoiled and stood there quietly as I finished the job.
I felt slightly mean to snap at her like that. But on the other hand, it was highly embarrassing the fact about my make-up. How I use it to turn myself into another person. How an actor changes themselves into another character. Torah didn't say anything and when we started to walk towards the Great Hall, the silence passed and she started talking about Sirius again. Unfortunately, we ran into someone Torah loves to hate. Of course, I hate him just as much.
Lucius Malfoy, followed by his associates, Severus Snape and Macnair.
"What are you two doing, wandering around the halls like this? I hope you weren't trying to casually run into me," Lucius drawled, putting his sleazy arm around Torah and me.
Torah pulled his arm from off her shoulder by two fingers, like it was a dead rat and stepped away from him.
"No, we happen to be heading for lunch," Torah's nose was screwed up in disgust. She looked like she had smelt something horrible near Lucius.
"Same, care to join my friends and me?" Lucius's arm moved from around my shoulder to around my waist, and was steadily moving further down.
"Sorry, we already have lunch plans," I tried to push away. I did NOT want Lucius's filthy hands anywhere near my buttocks region. Lucius just held on tighter.
"With who, may I ask?" Lucius's hand reached it's destination and I resisted the urge to scream.
"My friends and I. Get your dirty hands off her Lucius!" I heard the voice that had been running through my head all morning. Lucius's hand left my butt and I ran towards Torah. She was half clinging onto Sirius. James was now standing very close to Lucius, staring into his eyes. I noticed his hand was in his pocket, probably holding onto his wand. I saw Snape and Macnair pull their wands out. Lucius smiled very smugly.
"Trying to be hero again Potter?" Lucius spat, "It's an old act. Last month's Witches Weekly said that 86% of witches preferred a smooth, rich man with the best broom rather than an "All in the name of Love", hero-type loser. Why don't you go pester some other girls? Actually, I don't blame you Sirius, I'd try and have a go at that slut as well" Lucius smirked.
Sirius jumped towards Lucius but Snape and Macnair pointed their wands at him. James held him back, his wand out as well now.
"Don't even bother Padfoot," James glared at Lucius, "Come on, let's go"
Sirius glared when he walked past the trio and put his arm around Torah. She was a little upset, but I knew she was used to it. Everybody knew Lucius was a jerk and they shouldn't get upset over what he says. He likes to cause trouble.
"Thank God you found us! Lucius was trying to make a move on Lily!" Torah gushed to James and Sirius when we were on our way to the Great Hall.
"It's alright, we didn't know if you two were just taking your time or if someone held you two up," James smiled at me. I walked besides him, trying hard not to stare at him. He was so hot! I literally shook my head. I have to keep my character!
I looked behind me to see Sirius and Torah walking a few steps behind James and me. If I hadn't of known, I would have thought they were together by the way they were acting. Sirius had his arm draped right around Torah and she had her head resting on his shoulder. Sirius was playing with Torah's hair.
James saw where my eyes were looking and looked at Sirius and Torah too.
"You would have thought they'd been dating for years," He commented and I nodded in agreement. Maybe Torah really had found her perfect match!
We entered the Great Hall and most of the school was sitting down eating. Just like breakfast, most of the girls present watched Sirius and James go to the Gryffindor table. It felt weird sitting at a strange table. I could see the hall in a different perspective. We sat next to the two other boys that James and Sirius hung around. The short, plump boy introduced himself as Peter Pettigrew and the sick one, Remus Lupin. Remus looked even worse close up. He had dark bags around his eyes and his skin looked like it was turning transparent. If I looked like that one morning, I don't think I would even get out of bed! But besides his looks, Remus was a real gentleman.
James, Sirius, Torah and I finally put some lunch on our plates. Remus closed his copy of "The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection" and smiled at Torah and I.
"Welcome to our table. I was looking at our timetable. Seems like we have a lot of our classes together!" Remus took a sip of his pumpkin juice.
"I know, we usually have most of our classes with Hufflepuff. Now it's mainly Gryffindor," I smiled at Remus. I felt quite at ease sitting at the unfamiliar table. "So what do you two do for your extra subjects?" James asked me just as I took a mouthful of my shepherd's pie. I tried to swallow the food as quick as I could.
"We study Care of Magical Creatures and Divination," I sighed. Being a muggle-born, I wasn't really sure what to choose. I just picked what Torah had chosen, I didn't realize until after that she tried to pick the easiest subjects. James smiled.
"Good choice, they are the same as ours," James nodded to his three other friends. He finished the rest of his shepherd's pie and piled more on his plate. Peter coughed.
"Oh, except Wormy," James started eat his seconds.
"Instead of Divination, I do Muggle-Studies!" Peter squeaked proudly. Sirius snorted into his lunch.
"That's because you were scared of the crystal balls!" Sirius and James laughed very loudly; Sirius even pounded his fists on the table. Remus's face became almost distorted. He seemed unable to choose whether to laugh or tell the boys to stop picking on Peter. Torah giggled as well. I didn't know if I should laugh or not. James must have picked up on my uneasiness and changed the subject.
"So, what do your parents do for a living?" James asked me. I felt positively sick. I hated talking about my parents for two reasons. One, my parent's are muggles and a lot of wizards disliked muggle-borns. Two, they are a part of the reason why I wore my make-up. Torah knew about reason number one. I saw her look at my reaction. I guess the boys needed to know. If they didn't like me, then they weren't worth having as friends.
"My parents are muggles" I shifted uncomfortably.
"Yeah? What do they do? My mum works in the Mistreatment of Muggles department for the Ministry for Magic. I know a lot about Muggles," James smiled.
"Well," I was lucky my parents had jobs that even wizards would know that they are, "My dad is a photographer for the newspaper and my mum is a housewife. What does your dad do?"
"My dad is a Quidditch commentator. He was asked to play seeker for the Wisbourne Wasp but he didn't accept. He doesn't like that Ludo Bagman that plays in the team," James and Sirius both laughed.
"What's so funny about that?" Torah asked. I nodded in agreement to her question.
"Ludo is a bit of an idiot. Always doing stupid things, like getting himself in trouble. He wasn't too happy when they wanted Henry to play," Sirius explained. I nodded. It was hard being Muggle-born. They all knew a lot about the Wizarding life and I felt like a young child, still learning her ABC's.
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I had a great lunch, sitting at the Gryffindor table. James and I talked the whole time, and the conversation never paused, like I had feared. I learnt lots about James. He just turned 16, he was an only child, his favourite subject was transfiguration and loads more. I got so comfortable around them all I somehow got the courage to ask Remus why he was sick. James laughed and said stress. I wished I didn't have to ask though; it was obvious by the way it looked like he hadn't slept and how he kept reading our textbooks that he must be studying all hours of the day. Remus did act a little different around me after I asked, he was probably just embarrassed. I hoped the OWL's wouldn't stress me like they did for Remus.
At the end of lunch, we had to leave for Defense against the Dark Arts. I promised James I would write him a foot long letter. I wished mine and James's parting was as easy for us as it was for Sirius and Torah. Since they aren't together, it didn't seem right for either to kiss good-bye. They sort of just, looked admirably into each other's eyes, obviously hoping the other would make a move.
"This is really quite pathetic," James whispered into my ears as we watched the couple, "Sirius never waits this long to kiss a girl. I've seen him attack one in the corridor once!"
James and I laughed. The couple had been staring longingly for almost five minutes, until James couldn't handle it any longer and pushed Peter into them. This broke the mood and we said goodbye. Torah and I started to walk down towards the dungeons for Potions while the boys head in the other direction for Defense against the Dark Arts.
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