Disclaimer: the world and (most) characters herein belong to J. K. Rowling, I'm just borrowing them.

Chapter Ten

James woke the next morning feeling happier than he had for what felt like ages. The Gryffindor's victory against Ravenclaw the previous night had given him an renewed vigor. Most likely due to the look upon the face of a certain opposing team's player, and the desire it had instilled in James to see it again.

It was short lived however.

As James made his way across the Great Hall toward the Gryffindor table for breakfast, he spotted Falcon Davies involved in a rather animated (one-sided) conversation with Lily. Who it appeared had been interrupted whilst reading the Daily Prophet, and surveyed the boy sitting across from her with a look of polite uncertainty.

"What is that prat playing at?"

In three strides James stood by Lily's side.

"Davies." He greeted coolly, lowering himself in the seat next to her. "Lost are you?"

"Just having a friendly chat." Davies winked at Lily before turning his attention to James with a grin.

"About me? I'm flattered," James said dryly, reaching for whatever was nearest on the table and loading up his plate with it.

"Broomsticks, actually," replied Davies. He then appeared to have been struck by a sudden thought. "Say, Potter, don't you have a Nimbus? I was just telling Lily here how I was planning on getting one those myself."

"Optimistic of you," said James flatly, spreading a thick layer of jam onto his toast.

"Is it? Looks like a done deal from where I'm sitting." Davies grin was positively idiotic.

"As usual, Davies, you're in the wrong spot," said James dully. "Pity that happens for you outside of the pitch as well."

Davies laughed loudly. It was without humor.

"Sore winner, you are, Potter. I'll expect you'll be a sore loser too."

"Hard to say. I never lose."

"First time for everything."

"I wouldn't plan on it."

They were staring at each other now.

"Well." Davies stood up. "I best head back to my table now."

"So you do know where it is."

He ignored James and turned his attention back to Lily.

"See you around." He gave her one last wink before sauntering away.

"What was that about?" Lily asked, turning to James, sounding torn between genuine curiosity and amusement.

"Quidditch." James responded shortly.

Lily made an unconvinced sound. She didn't press him however, and turned to Remus instead, who sat on the other side of her.

"You can give it that look all you want, it still won't fill itself." She joked lightly.

Remus pushed his plate away, and stood up.

"Are you alright?" asked Lily startled.

"Need to pop out for some fresh air." He said tightly.

"Isn't a bit brisk out for that?"

"Remus..." began James but Remus ignored him and swept past.

"Is he alright?" Lily asked, a worried line creasing her eyebrows as she watched after Remus's retreating form.

"Fine." said James sourly, stabbing a sausage roughly. "Just his time of the month."

"Charming."

Lily shook out her Daily Prophet, and disappeared behind it.

Remus was very rarely angry. And he was very rarely angry with James.

It wasn't something James was accustomed too. Or comfortable with. He refused to feel guilt over it, though.

Remus would come 'round again. He always did.

For the remainder of breakfast James kept an eye on Davies and when he started to make his exit from the Great Hall, James rose from the table.

"Gotta go. Left something in the dorm. See you in Charms."

And before either Lily or Peter could react, he followed after him.

"Davies!"

He paused at the bottom of the Entrance Hall staircase and turned around. Catching site of James, Davies waved his mates on ahead and waited for James to catch him up.

"What is it than?"

"Keep away from Evans."

Davies looked delighted.

"I reckon she may fancy me. Afraid of the competition?"

"There is none," said James already impatient. "I just don't want you, or any of your mates, interfering."

Davies adjusted the strap of his bag.

"Y'know, I've been thinking...We should move up the deadline on our little wager."

"Why?" asked James frowning.

Davies shrugged.

"Reckon I went a bit too easy on you."

James crossed his arms.

"To when?"

"Third of February."

Fearing his jaw may drop, James clenched it shut, just to be certain it wouldn't act on it's own accord.

"That's quite a move."

"Not so confident anymore?"

The third of February. That left him - what? Two months? Two and a half? It wasn't about a matter of how much confidence. Not anymore. This was about a level of stupidity now. And where James wanted to rank on it.

Still, there was something tugging on him about that date.

James racked his brain, trying to sort out why, and nearly laughed out loud when he realized it.

"Will you keep away from Evans if I agree?" He asked.

"Fair enough," agreed Davies.

They shook firmly.

"Excellent." Davies said brightly. "Looking forward to it."

He clapped James on the shoulder before continuing on his way.

When Remus caught sight of James entering Charms, he abruptly stopped talking to Sirius who was occupying the desk behind the one he and Peter shared, and faced the front of the classroom resolutely.

"I reckon Mooney's unhappy with you," Sirius said unnecessarily, as James took the seat next to him.

"He's having some moral dilemmas."

"Again? Blimey." said Sirius, leaning back in his chair and placing his hands behind his head. "How many can one bloke manage?"

"I wouldn't have to," Remus said stiffly. ", if others managed their own."

"Why would we? You're not making it look like much fun, mate."

"Not everything is about fun."

"Speak for yourself." scoffed Sirus.

"I'm afraid I am." responded Remus grimly.

"Made a new agreement with Davies," James interrupted, turning to Sirius. "Deadlines third of February now."

He ignored the sudden loud shuffling sounds coming from Remus and continued on, "Day before the next Ravenclaw match."

"He's an eager little bugger."

James snorted.

"And he had the nerve to call me a sore loser."

"But...that doesn't leave you much time," Peter pointed out uneasily.

"Right you are, Wormtail." agreed James. "Unfortunately."

"What're you going to do?" He asked.

"He'll have to get a move on." Sirius answered, glancing over to where Lily was seated several rows in front of them.

"Easier said, than done."

I got a review a few weeks ago from an anonymous reviewer. They remarked it was a shame I hadn't updated in so long because they actually liked my story. It came as a shock. Not just because I was surprised someone would had taken the time to review a story that hadn't been updated in 7 years, but also because unbeknownst to them I'd actually been fiddling with some ideas, and toying with the idea of writing again for a few weeks. When I got that review on the day I finally decided I would make a real honest go of it, it was like a sign. And it's pushed me on since then. So: thank you.

I hope, if you come back, you like it.

That goes for everyone else, too.

On another note if anyone has any ideas of what they'd like to see happen: a scene, a conversation, a line even; big or small, please share and I might work it in.

- GoddessoftheMaan :)