Chapter Nine:
"Hey little one," James whispered softly into Andromeda's ear, bending over her sleeping body.
Andromeda's eyelids fluttered softly open allowing a waterfall of gold morning light to spill into the blue irises of her eyes. The brightness left her temporarily blind but slowly her vision came back into focus. James was sitting across from her the morning sun blazing boldly behind him.
It gave him an almost angelic quality. Andromeda gasped a little and felt her breath escape her body and try to entwine itself about James' smooth muscular body. Andromeda's gaze widened. James was only dressed in a pair of boxers and a red robe hanging open as if only a frame to the piece of work held within itself.
He smiled at her and reached over and ruffled her black curls. "How'd you sleep Andy?" His brown eyes laughed merrily.
Andromeda attempted to push herself into a sitting position but found herself already there. Surprised she looked around and realised she was in the Gryffindor common room curled up in one of the armchairs.
That's when it came back to her. One of Lily's roommates had slipped in right as Andromeda was falling asleep and made hissing noises right in Andromeda's face. Instinctively the young girl had lashed out. Now the Gryffindor girl's face was adorned with scratch marks across her cheek.
Andromeda chuckled and held her nails up for inspection. She could barely make out the tiny pieces of skin underneath each nail. James laughed out loud and leaned back closing up his robe.
Andromeda watched hungrily as the last bit of tantalising flesh disappeared underneath the fluffy fabric of the robe. Every thought fluttered from her mind and Andromeda felt herself, for the first time in her life, blush over a guy.
"What's so funny?" she snapped, angry that James had her feeling like a little girl.
"You," he said flashing her a friendly smile. "It's a fairly humorous thought that such a fierce little imp like yourself would be driven out of the Gryffindor girls dormitory."
"I wasn't driven out," Andromeda crossed her arms and tried to look away from James but it didn't seem to work. It was like an ant drawn to sugar. Hot, sweet melt in your mouth gorgeous... Andromeda shook her head and stared at a bug buzzing behind James' head. "Just focus on the fly" she told herself.
"Well if you weren't 'driven' out then why'd you leave? Don't tell me you were scared of them," James was clearly enjoying himself.
Andromeda scowled but found it quite to keep the look on her face. "I decided it was in everyone's interest if I slept down here for the duration I was stuck in this pit of misery."
"Pit of Misery?" James put his hands behind his head. His robe shifted and a sliver of skin showed causing Andromeda's breathing to become shallow.
She tried to think of a non-sexual remark that would hint at James to put some clothing on. If he remained in his present state of near undress she was most likely to have a heart attack and die.
"Yes a pit of misery. I mean come on you guys are so bad off you don't even have clothing to cover yourselves up. What kind of place is that for a young Slytherin girl with a family of high repute to sleep in?" There maybe now he would have enough decency to not torture Andromeda as he did.
Andromeda listened to these thoughts rolling through her mind and became highly nervous. She had never had these feelings before and it scared her. She had always liked James but it was in a friend to friend way. Now her emotions were doing acrobatics about in a crazy fashion leaving Andromeda in a complete daze.
For a second he blushed and pulled his robe tightly closed. "I was heading down to the loo when I saw you sleeping there I couldn't resist from waking you up."
"Thanks," Andromeda yawned dripping with over done sarcasm. "I really appreciate it." Silently she thanked the stars James was now covered up and she could focus on him. His wavy black hair, deep hazel eyes, and his slightly crooked smile that could melt even the heart of Professor Tracy...
"Damn it," Andromeda muttered, not wanting to think of her friend in that way.
"Huh?" James said looking up.
"Nothing," Andromeda dropped her gaze.
"Okay. Well I should probably pop into the loo and then get dressed for her Royal Highness. Bye." He stood up letting the rising sun completely frame him. Stiffly he crossed the common room and pushed open the now unsealed portrait.
Andromeda's piercing blue eyes followed him out remembering every single movement of his muscular legs sticking out of the robe, the way his waist and back moved so fluidly...
"You like him don't you?" Someone whispered behind her.
She turned around half expecting it to be her meddling cousin Sirius. Instead there stood Lily her red hair burning in the morning sun.
Andromeda felt, for like what seemed the millionth time that morning, the heat rising up in here face. She wanted to deny it. She didn't like her friend that way. But something inside her already accepted the truth and that one decisive part must have been her neck because it bent forward in a shy nod.
Lily smiled and gracefully waltzed across the room sitting down in the chair James had just vacated. "I know just how you feel," she said.
"Really?" That surprised Andromeda since Lily was usually cold and mean when it came to James.
"Yes, unfortunately. I can't tell him because all it would do is inflate his already large ego filled mind and I don't want to like him since he's an insensitive little prick."
"He's not that bad," Andromeda felt an overwhelming sense to protect James rise in her. "I mean he's nice to me and all."
Lily laughed and shook her mane of fiery locks. "It's really rather sweet how you've romanticised him so beautifully. But I'd give up before you even attempt anything. Or your poor heart will be broken."
Merlin this girl hated James, yet still liked him. Love was a rather confusing thing and Andromeda was happy to assure Lily that she would not get involved in it. But when it came right down to actually telling Lily her thoughts about love she hesitated. Truth was she really didn't want to not like James. Yes it was weird but it seemed to make sense.
And that's exactly what she told Lily. Lily just laughed merrily. "We'll see if you can tame the great wild stallion James."
"What was that about me being a wild stallion?" asked James stepping into the common room.
Andromeda blushed but kept her eyes fixated firmly ahead.
"Oh James hi," Lily said coldly standing up. "I was just comparing you to a nasty flea ridden pack animal that trudged through mud all day."
James made a gesture like a knife slicing through his chest. He sauntered over and stood in front of Lily.
"Ms. Evans why can't we just put aside all this childish name calling and get a coffee or butterbeer down at the tavern." He flashed her that ice- melting smile but it seemed to have no effect on her stoic disposition.
"Mr. Potter I have made it quite clear on several occasions that I will never go out with an arrogant pig like yourself. No if you'll excuse me I have to go and get ready for the day." Lily turned around her emerald green robe snapping against a wall and marched up to the girl's dormitory.
James smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at Andromeda. "She likes me," he said confidently.
"I'm not sure," Andromeda said, though really she was. "I mean it seems to me like she perfectly loathes you."
"All the more reason to love her," James said dreamily. "Man has always coveted that which he can not obtain."
Andromeda felt a pang of hurt in her heart knowing what Lily said was true. She really didn't have a chance with James. Even though she didn't want one. She had just said that to defend him as he was being attacked from behind. She didn't really like him.
But her heart sung to a different tune as it began to thump in almost the manner of a death march. James seemed to notice the anguish that had just settled on his friend.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, looking worriedly at her.
Before she knew it Andromeda had leaped from her chair and wrapped her arms around James' neck sobbing. The sudden flood of sadness startled James for a moment but surprise quickly melted into compassion for his friend.
He just patted her back as her tears soaked his shoulder. "Everything will be okay," he crooned though he didn't even know the problem.
Andromeda pulled away and wiped out her moist eyes. "Really?" she sobbed. "How can you say that if you don't even know why I'm crying?" Maybe Lily was right and he was a heartless pig,
"Then tell me why are you crying?"
Or maybe he wasn't. Merlin this was so confusing. Andromeda wanted to think she was too strong to fall in love, a weak emotion if there ever was one. But slowly she knew that she was madly in love with James Potter. And right now she wanted him to know that so maybe they could have a relationship
Andromeda walked forward and standing on her tiptoes placed a chaste kiss on James' lips. "Because I..."
"What the hell is going on?" Sirius said walking groggily down the stairs. He saw Andromeda kiss James and stopped mid-step. "Get away from my cousin," he shouted, interrupting Andromeda just when she was going to bear her soul to James.
James looked scared and pushed Andromeda away backing slowly away from Sirius.
"It was nothing," James pleaded, "Honestly."
"James I really don't care if you take advantage of every girl in this whole damn school. But I swear by the magic that runs through my veins if you ever lay another hand on my cousin I'll make sure it isn't even worthwhile to have girls chasing after you." Sirius pulled out a pocket- knife and flung out a long gleaming blade. James stared at it warily, while discreetly covering up his crotch.
"Nothing happened Padfoot," he choked his gaze still fixated on the blade. "Please believe me."
"Sirius nothing happened," Andromeda finally interjected. "It was just a thank you kiss because James was being so nice. Nothing real or heartfelt." The lie flowed easily from Andromeda's lips but as it did she felt a small wrench of her heart when she had to deny what she had finally accepted.
"Fine," Sirius flipped the blade away and stared at the two of them. "But if there is something going on between you and I catch wind of it," he pointed the knife downwards to James' nether regions. "Got it."
James nodded. Andromeda glared at Sirius and nodded too, wishing he would stop trying to be her father and become the fun cousin she once knew.
"Well them I'll see you two at breakfast," Sirius disappeared back up into the dormitories leaving a very nervous and quiet James and Andromeda.
"I should probably get ready to," James whispered following Sirius up.
Andromeda watched him go wishing that he knew how much she cared about him. Sirius' threat swam into her mind. "Forget it," she mumbled, "I'll still find away to get me and James together."
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A/N: I hope you liked that chapter. I have finally decided some different ways this story will go and now they are all starting to take shape. Keep reading and don't forget to review.
"Hey little one," James whispered softly into Andromeda's ear, bending over her sleeping body.
Andromeda's eyelids fluttered softly open allowing a waterfall of gold morning light to spill into the blue irises of her eyes. The brightness left her temporarily blind but slowly her vision came back into focus. James was sitting across from her the morning sun blazing boldly behind him.
It gave him an almost angelic quality. Andromeda gasped a little and felt her breath escape her body and try to entwine itself about James' smooth muscular body. Andromeda's gaze widened. James was only dressed in a pair of boxers and a red robe hanging open as if only a frame to the piece of work held within itself.
He smiled at her and reached over and ruffled her black curls. "How'd you sleep Andy?" His brown eyes laughed merrily.
Andromeda attempted to push herself into a sitting position but found herself already there. Surprised she looked around and realised she was in the Gryffindor common room curled up in one of the armchairs.
That's when it came back to her. One of Lily's roommates had slipped in right as Andromeda was falling asleep and made hissing noises right in Andromeda's face. Instinctively the young girl had lashed out. Now the Gryffindor girl's face was adorned with scratch marks across her cheek.
Andromeda chuckled and held her nails up for inspection. She could barely make out the tiny pieces of skin underneath each nail. James laughed out loud and leaned back closing up his robe.
Andromeda watched hungrily as the last bit of tantalising flesh disappeared underneath the fluffy fabric of the robe. Every thought fluttered from her mind and Andromeda felt herself, for the first time in her life, blush over a guy.
"What's so funny?" she snapped, angry that James had her feeling like a little girl.
"You," he said flashing her a friendly smile. "It's a fairly humorous thought that such a fierce little imp like yourself would be driven out of the Gryffindor girls dormitory."
"I wasn't driven out," Andromeda crossed her arms and tried to look away from James but it didn't seem to work. It was like an ant drawn to sugar. Hot, sweet melt in your mouth gorgeous... Andromeda shook her head and stared at a bug buzzing behind James' head. "Just focus on the fly" she told herself.
"Well if you weren't 'driven' out then why'd you leave? Don't tell me you were scared of them," James was clearly enjoying himself.
Andromeda scowled but found it quite to keep the look on her face. "I decided it was in everyone's interest if I slept down here for the duration I was stuck in this pit of misery."
"Pit of Misery?" James put his hands behind his head. His robe shifted and a sliver of skin showed causing Andromeda's breathing to become shallow.
She tried to think of a non-sexual remark that would hint at James to put some clothing on. If he remained in his present state of near undress she was most likely to have a heart attack and die.
"Yes a pit of misery. I mean come on you guys are so bad off you don't even have clothing to cover yourselves up. What kind of place is that for a young Slytherin girl with a family of high repute to sleep in?" There maybe now he would have enough decency to not torture Andromeda as he did.
Andromeda listened to these thoughts rolling through her mind and became highly nervous. She had never had these feelings before and it scared her. She had always liked James but it was in a friend to friend way. Now her emotions were doing acrobatics about in a crazy fashion leaving Andromeda in a complete daze.
For a second he blushed and pulled his robe tightly closed. "I was heading down to the loo when I saw you sleeping there I couldn't resist from waking you up."
"Thanks," Andromeda yawned dripping with over done sarcasm. "I really appreciate it." Silently she thanked the stars James was now covered up and she could focus on him. His wavy black hair, deep hazel eyes, and his slightly crooked smile that could melt even the heart of Professor Tracy...
"Damn it," Andromeda muttered, not wanting to think of her friend in that way.
"Huh?" James said looking up.
"Nothing," Andromeda dropped her gaze.
"Okay. Well I should probably pop into the loo and then get dressed for her Royal Highness. Bye." He stood up letting the rising sun completely frame him. Stiffly he crossed the common room and pushed open the now unsealed portrait.
Andromeda's piercing blue eyes followed him out remembering every single movement of his muscular legs sticking out of the robe, the way his waist and back moved so fluidly...
"You like him don't you?" Someone whispered behind her.
She turned around half expecting it to be her meddling cousin Sirius. Instead there stood Lily her red hair burning in the morning sun.
Andromeda felt, for like what seemed the millionth time that morning, the heat rising up in here face. She wanted to deny it. She didn't like her friend that way. But something inside her already accepted the truth and that one decisive part must have been her neck because it bent forward in a shy nod.
Lily smiled and gracefully waltzed across the room sitting down in the chair James had just vacated. "I know just how you feel," she said.
"Really?" That surprised Andromeda since Lily was usually cold and mean when it came to James.
"Yes, unfortunately. I can't tell him because all it would do is inflate his already large ego filled mind and I don't want to like him since he's an insensitive little prick."
"He's not that bad," Andromeda felt an overwhelming sense to protect James rise in her. "I mean he's nice to me and all."
Lily laughed and shook her mane of fiery locks. "It's really rather sweet how you've romanticised him so beautifully. But I'd give up before you even attempt anything. Or your poor heart will be broken."
Merlin this girl hated James, yet still liked him. Love was a rather confusing thing and Andromeda was happy to assure Lily that she would not get involved in it. But when it came right down to actually telling Lily her thoughts about love she hesitated. Truth was she really didn't want to not like James. Yes it was weird but it seemed to make sense.
And that's exactly what she told Lily. Lily just laughed merrily. "We'll see if you can tame the great wild stallion James."
"What was that about me being a wild stallion?" asked James stepping into the common room.
Andromeda blushed but kept her eyes fixated firmly ahead.
"Oh James hi," Lily said coldly standing up. "I was just comparing you to a nasty flea ridden pack animal that trudged through mud all day."
James made a gesture like a knife slicing through his chest. He sauntered over and stood in front of Lily.
"Ms. Evans why can't we just put aside all this childish name calling and get a coffee or butterbeer down at the tavern." He flashed her that ice- melting smile but it seemed to have no effect on her stoic disposition.
"Mr. Potter I have made it quite clear on several occasions that I will never go out with an arrogant pig like yourself. No if you'll excuse me I have to go and get ready for the day." Lily turned around her emerald green robe snapping against a wall and marched up to the girl's dormitory.
James smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at Andromeda. "She likes me," he said confidently.
"I'm not sure," Andromeda said, though really she was. "I mean it seems to me like she perfectly loathes you."
"All the more reason to love her," James said dreamily. "Man has always coveted that which he can not obtain."
Andromeda felt a pang of hurt in her heart knowing what Lily said was true. She really didn't have a chance with James. Even though she didn't want one. She had just said that to defend him as he was being attacked from behind. She didn't really like him.
But her heart sung to a different tune as it began to thump in almost the manner of a death march. James seemed to notice the anguish that had just settled on his friend.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, looking worriedly at her.
Before she knew it Andromeda had leaped from her chair and wrapped her arms around James' neck sobbing. The sudden flood of sadness startled James for a moment but surprise quickly melted into compassion for his friend.
He just patted her back as her tears soaked his shoulder. "Everything will be okay," he crooned though he didn't even know the problem.
Andromeda pulled away and wiped out her moist eyes. "Really?" she sobbed. "How can you say that if you don't even know why I'm crying?" Maybe Lily was right and he was a heartless pig,
"Then tell me why are you crying?"
Or maybe he wasn't. Merlin this was so confusing. Andromeda wanted to think she was too strong to fall in love, a weak emotion if there ever was one. But slowly she knew that she was madly in love with James Potter. And right now she wanted him to know that so maybe they could have a relationship
Andromeda walked forward and standing on her tiptoes placed a chaste kiss on James' lips. "Because I..."
"What the hell is going on?" Sirius said walking groggily down the stairs. He saw Andromeda kiss James and stopped mid-step. "Get away from my cousin," he shouted, interrupting Andromeda just when she was going to bear her soul to James.
James looked scared and pushed Andromeda away backing slowly away from Sirius.
"It was nothing," James pleaded, "Honestly."
"James I really don't care if you take advantage of every girl in this whole damn school. But I swear by the magic that runs through my veins if you ever lay another hand on my cousin I'll make sure it isn't even worthwhile to have girls chasing after you." Sirius pulled out a pocket- knife and flung out a long gleaming blade. James stared at it warily, while discreetly covering up his crotch.
"Nothing happened Padfoot," he choked his gaze still fixated on the blade. "Please believe me."
"Sirius nothing happened," Andromeda finally interjected. "It was just a thank you kiss because James was being so nice. Nothing real or heartfelt." The lie flowed easily from Andromeda's lips but as it did she felt a small wrench of her heart when she had to deny what she had finally accepted.
"Fine," Sirius flipped the blade away and stared at the two of them. "But if there is something going on between you and I catch wind of it," he pointed the knife downwards to James' nether regions. "Got it."
James nodded. Andromeda glared at Sirius and nodded too, wishing he would stop trying to be her father and become the fun cousin she once knew.
"Well them I'll see you two at breakfast," Sirius disappeared back up into the dormitories leaving a very nervous and quiet James and Andromeda.
"I should probably get ready to," James whispered following Sirius up.
Andromeda watched him go wishing that he knew how much she cared about him. Sirius' threat swam into her mind. "Forget it," she mumbled, "I'll still find away to get me and James together."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: I hope you liked that chapter. I have finally decided some different ways this story will go and now they are all starting to take shape. Keep reading and don't forget to review.
