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Words seem so superfluous now.

James Potter was sitting in his history of magic class, rather unsurprisingly not thinking about history of magic. Sirius had convinced Wormtail into hexing him to get out of classes, and what could only be described as an unpleasant detention with Argus Filch. With his usual partner in crime indisposed and Moony and Wormtail scribbling down everything Professor Binns said, James had resigned himself to death by boredom.

Instead he found himself thinking of Narcissa Black and the events of the previous week. Events which had been odd even by Hogwarts standards. Four Slytherin seventh years had been exposed after forming a 'death eater' club, been subsequently expelled and if rumour was true, sent to azkaban. The school had been abuzz with stories of their supposed actions, as well as being shocked that such evil could penetrate the walls of Hogwarts. Although in reflection the four students involved had been decisively unpleasant and had relished the controversy they had caused.

The result was an over-whelming anti-Slytherin attitude throughout Hogwarts. Slytherin itself seemed divided into factions of would-be-death eaters, and those who wanted nothing to do with Voldemort or his cause. With Narcissa in the latter group.

With Binns' dismissal of class there was a rush to escape. James held back and pulled out the marauders map. Tapping it with his wand he began searching for the footprints of Narcissa Black, and found them in an empty charms classroom.

Walking in he spotted the icy blonde practising jinxes on various cushions.

"I know Flitwick has some bad taste in decorations, but I really don't think you need to destroy them."

"Oh very funny Potter," she retorted, eyes sparkling "I'm practising some defensive spells if you must know. Only it doesn't seem to be going too well."

"Maybe it would help with some live targets, I'm sure I could bribe some first years."

"Yes I heard you and Sirius did that when practising sleeping potions."

James smiled wickedly at the memory, "Yes, and yet somehow Professor Slughorn still wasn't impressed."

"Imagine that," she noted dryly.

Dropping into a nearby chair James picked up what could only be described as a depressed looking cushion. "So, eh...what spells were you practising exactly?"

"Defensive ones. I can disarm people but thats about the extent of my knowledge."

James couldn't help but wonder how anyone could share a house with Bellatrix Black and not know various jinxes. However, considering it was a rather touchy subject he decided against saying so. "Why learn them now?"

She fixed him with a heavy stare. "Are you joking? With the atmosphere around the school right now. Being in Slytherin itself is dangerous enough, and without death eater loyalties you might as well just have a sign saying 'hex me.'"

It was as if she was echoing his earlier thoughts, "Well maybe I can help you practise."

Relief flashed through Narcissa's face, "Thank you, I've been practising stunning spells and..." With a wave of her wand Narcissa muttered "Petrificus Totalus." James felt his whole body freeze and he fell to the floor. Two seconds later the spell was reversed. Getting up James paused to glare at Narcissa but she started laughing.

"I'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to test it on anyone yet. I really didn't think it would work."

Rubbing his head James replied, "well it did, maybe I can help you with some others."

After an hour and a half of being stunned, confunded and levitated, James had to admit that Narcissa seemed to be more than able to defend herself. He picked himself off the floor, "Remind me never to get on your bad side 'Cissa."

"Did you just call me Cissa?"

Yes, he thought to himself, but that was probably because his tongue still wasn't working properly. "Sorry, I meant to say Narcissa."

"No, no...its alright. Its just that was always Andy's nickname for me."

"Have you still not spoken to her then?"

Narcissa's face seemed to shut down. As it always did when she thought about her family, James noted. It was as if a switch was turned and all her emotions were closed down.

"No, she still hasn't replied to any of my owls."

"Maybe she will when this war is over. Everything is a mess at the moment." That last part had slightly more heat than James meant it to. But then he couldn't help but want this war over, for people to stop killing one another over something as simple as blood.

As if reading his thoughts Narcissa reached out and touched his hand, "You are right. Maybe when this war is over everything will be fixed."

It was a lie and both of them knew it. Yet no one wanted to admit that even if Voldemort was defeated the main problems lay within society as a whole. However, James realised with a jolt, for the first time in a long time he wasn't worried about the future. He did not care about the ugliness of the war, it was outside. All he was interested in at that moment was the Slytherin girl standing beside him. She was radiant.

And so staring into her eyes, James kissed Narcissa, and to his surprise she responded. At first the kiss was gentle, then it became more urgent, both of them lost to the passion of the moment. It was as if they had melted into each other, with electricity dancing on their skin.

James had kissed other girls before, but never had it made him feel so alive.

Eventually they broke apart, neither really knowing what to say. Words seemed so superfluous now.

"That was-"

"Fun?" James asked.

"Amazing was the word I was going for."

"So no regrets?"

"Never."