James sighed, lost in his thoughts as he made his way to his meeting. He pushed open the door to the Quidditch Training Room, where the team was waiting. Unbeknownst to him, gossip was occurring between the portraits at that very moment.

"Hello, James," Char smiled. "We'll be starting in just a moment here. Feeling any better?"

Yes, Char, well as long as Sirius doesn't harass me. Thanks for asking," he said with a relieved smile.

"Let me guess. Rana?" Char laughed.

"Not you, too!" James groaned.

Char put up her hands in surrender. "No, no. Don't worry James. It's just that would be just like Sirius, wouldn't it? I know you two are just friends." She smiled. "Well, it looks like everyone is here. Have a seat and we'll get started." Char glared at the portrait in the room. It seemed something had occurred between James and Rana, and she wasn't about to let that news reach James.

The portrait quickly shut up, grumbling to himself.

Char smiled at her team. "Welcome everyone! Let's first congratulate our new Chaser-James Potter and out new Beaters Sirius Black and Frank Longbottom!"

Cheers filled the room. Paige and Sarah smiled flirtatiously at James and Sirius. Sirius winked at the two girls, who giggled. James on the other hand, ignored their smiles. He wasn't too fond of the two girls who tried to keep his Rani away from his tryouts.

Elliott Wood sighed, trying to gain their attention. "Up on this board, we've written down the names of the members of each of the Quidditch teams. We are going to have a bit of competition this year. Enjoy that, but also remember that means we are going to have to train hard."

James looked at the board and silently read the lists. He smiled, noticing Rana's name as one of the new Ravenclaw chasers, although he had held no doubt whatsoever that she would have made the team. It would have been a crime otherwise. However, unknown to anyone, Ravenclaw was smart and did one thing none of the other houses had even considered. Isadora Madley was a reserve chaser. This was going to prove to be a huge benefit in case any of the players went down.

Ravenclaw:

Adriana Ramirez-Beater/Captain

Jeremiah Goldstein-Beater

Kameko Chang-Seeker

Arya Kedar-Keeper

Rana Rai-Chaser

Reina Lopez-Chaser

Michael Davies-Chaser

Gryffindor:

Sirius Black-Beater

Frank Longbottom-Beater

Elliott Wood-Keeper

Sarah Quintilianni -Chaser

Paige Caylor-Chaser

James Potter-Chaser

Char Chevalier -Seeker/Captain

Slytherin:

Lucius Malfoy-Seeker

Ebony Sage –Keeper

Crabbe-Beater

Goyle-Beater

Evan Rosier-Chaser

Rudolphus Lestrange-Chaser/Captain

Rebastan Lestrange-Chaser

Hufflepuff:

Amos Diggory-Seeker

Nicole Abbott-Keeper

Jeffrey Smith-Beater

Brutus Scrimgeour-Beater/Captain

Aurelia Rosa-Chaser

Miguel Sanchez-Chaser

Amelia Bones-Chaser

"Thanks, Elliott." Char beamed. "Okay folks, Ravenclaw has already booked the field for Saturdays at three in the afternoon. The other teams haven't yet booked the field. Personally, Saturday is ideal, but it is up to you."

"Can we go immediately before or after Ravenclaw?" James knew he couldn't stay at Rana's practice or vice-versa, but he'd take any excuse he could to see her in passing. Sirius smirked. It wasn't like James didn't see Rana a lot, but Sirius knew what James was up to.

Char nodded. "Well, which would you prefer, James?"

"Before," James said without hesitation.

"Great! If we booked the pitch from two to three on Saturdays, is everyone okay with that? We can always book more a given week if need be." Seeing as there were no complaints, Char smiled. "Well that went faster than I thought it would. I'll turn this in. If that time is already taken, I'll try to get a time set as close as possible to that time. Unless anyone has questions, you are dismissed. Practice will start next Saturday. Don't be late." She looked pointedly at Sarah and Paige.

James grinned. He'd be able to wish Rana luck at each one of her practices. He sighed dreamily, lost in his thoughts as he imagined pulling her towards him and giving her a kiss good luck. He daydreamed about returning to the pitch an hour later, holding her close, kissing her again, and leading her back to the castle.

Sirius quirked an eyebrow, when he noticed the dazed expression playing across James's face. He clapped his hands in front of James. James jumped out of his seat, shooting a glare at Sirius. Sirius smirked. "Got ya mate." He followed the rest of the team out of the room, leaving James alone with Char as she wiped down the chalkboard.

James sighed, shaking his head at the antics of his friend. He couldn't stay mad at Sirius for long, especially since now he knew Sirius was right. Besides, Sirius was only trying to help, even if it was not in the best way. Sirius meant well. The only time he really could stay mad at Sirius was when it came to Rana. He sighed at the thought of Rana. James blinked. How was he supposed to overcome his feelings if he kept thinking about her in that way? Ah, but she was just so wonderful. Sure, she had her faults, but to him, she was the image of perfection, no matter if anyone else thought differently.

Char tuned to leave when she noticed James was still sitting there, a goofy grin on his face. "James?" she asked softly.

James broke out of his thoughts and then noticed he was alone with Char, the Gryffindor Prefect and his captain. He had developed a respect for her after she had helped Rana. Normally, Prefects annoyed him due to his mischief-making. Char was different though. Already, he'd seen the way Rana looked up to her and for that, he was grateful. "Yeah?" he asked distractedly, looking up at the older girl.

"It's time to go. Are you okay?"

James stood up. "I'm fine, Char. I'm just thinking."

"About Rana?"

James looked shocked. Was he that obvious? "Yeah, I was just thinking how lucky Ravenclaw is to have such a superb chaser and well, I'm happy for her. Quidditch is her life."

Char smiled. "Yes, she is amazing. We will definitely have a fun season this year. She was born to play. I wouldn't be surprised if professional leagues tried to recruit her a few years down the road."

"I just wish people would realize that and stop picking on her because of her childlike nature. I find her playfulness adorable…" James didn't know why he felt so comfortable telling Char all of this. He couldn't even talk to Remus, and Remus wouldn't have teased him. He supposed it could have been the fact that Char was a girl- a girl who cared for his little Rani.

Char sighed and took a seat, motioning for him to do the same. She put a hand on his shoulder when he did as she asked, "James- can I give you some advice?" When James nodded, Char continued. "Don't deny to yourself how you feel. Accept it. Denying it will bring more pain than it's worth. At the same time, don't push it. Rana is young; she's still very much a child."

James started to protest in Rana's defense, when Char put up a hand, smiling, signifying she wasn't done. "She's still a child, an adorable child, mind you." Char smiled. "And that's what makes her so special. She still needs time to grow up. The other girls around you grow up too fast. Treasure the type of girl Rana is, but knowing, she's still very much like a child, she's not ready for what you want. Be patient and hold onto your feelings. I know in my heart, that she will return those feelings one day. Give her the time to grow up. Just be the wonderful friend you are to her. She treasures that friendship.

Even so remember that just because you are friends, that doesn't mean you can't be something more. You just have to wait for her. When the time is ripe, you can let her know, but don't throw away something that could be truly special. I see you two together, James. You have something special and I just know, in time, your bond will grow into a love that even the stars could only dream."

James sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's so hard to control my feelings, Char. I feel as if the only way is to get over them and I don't want to wreck our friendship. Rana is too precious to me. I don't even understand why I'm feeling this way…"

Char smiled warmly. "Don't try to get over your feelings and don't forget about them. You'll be able to share them with Rana one day, when she's grown up a bit. You don't want to scare her off. I know it's hard, but for now, just be a friend and know in your heart, one day, you could be something more.

My father once told me that love often develops from friendship, but friendship very rarely develops from love. You're young yet, James. I am too, as a matter of fact. Time can only strengthen the bond you already have. Be patient and don't lose hope. But don't give it up."

James laughed nervously. "Well, I think love is too strong of a word to describe my emotions at this point." He looked up at her. "You sound like my mum." He laughed, cheering up slightly.

Char laughed. "I didn't mean you were in love with her. It takes time for love to develop, but I know you feel strongly for Rana and I know it will develop in something deep one day. You forget that, unlike Professor Trelawney, I actually have the gift of 'sight' or so I'm told." She smiled. "Yes, well, I guess that, although I am a fifth year, I've had time to learn a lot and I grew up rather quickly."

James managed a small smile and sighed. "I'll think about what you said," he said in defeat.

"That's all I can ask of you, James. Now, come. I want to get out of here before Slytherin arrives for their meeting and avoid a confrontation. I'm going to turn our request for field into Madame Hooch right now. I'll see you later. If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

James smiled. "Thanks, Char." He watched as Char ran off in the direction of Madame Hooch's office before he turned around and began to slowly walk towards the common room. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the whispers of the portraits. Apparently, his little friendly peck was much more according to the portraits.

Sirius smirked, looking up from a book of pranks as James collapsed on the couch next to him. "Just friends, huh?"

"Sirius, are you ever going to let this drop?"

"Not after what I heard moments before you entered. It's amazing what handy information one can pick up just by paying attention."

James wore a confused expression on his face. "Mate, are you okay? What in Merlin are you talking about?"

"Rana," Sirius replied smugly.

James groaned. "Not this again!" He may have realized that he did have feelings for Rana, but he wasn't about to admit that to Sirius. Besides, James doubted anything would happen and he wasn't going to wreck their friendship. He hoped Char was right. He wished that Rana only needed to mature and that there could one day be something, but James had a hard time believing that in time the feelings could be mutual.

Sirius shook his head, muttering something under his breath. He was about to respond when he saw Sarah enter the room, tossing her long hair to the side. "We'll talk about this later, mate."

James glared at Sirius, grabbing the prank book out of Sirius's hands and stormed up to the boys' dormitory. James flopped onto his bed. He looked up at Rana's picture for a moment. She was flying in the sky, her hair tossing wildly against a summer wind, and a smile adorning her childlike face. He sighed, placing the picture back on his dresser.

"Best friends, no matter what," James spoke fondly before reading his book on pranks for the next few hours. He turned the page.

His eyes lit up in excitement as an evil grin spread across his face. Oh, he couldn't wait to try it on Snape, Bellatrix, or Nott. He'd spent days trying to think of something to do to them after what they had done to Rana.

"That's it!" he shouted, punching the air.

"What's it?" Remus asked, confused as he walked through the door and placed some books on his desk.

James quickly shut his book. "Oh, nothing," he said quickly, plastering an innocent expression on his face.

Remus narrowed his eyes, not believing him for a second. He knew that look and knew James was definitely up to something. "James," he sighed. "You're not going to cause a ruckus again, are you?"

"Who me?" At Remus's pointed look, James sighed. "Don't worry, Remus. What I have planned won't be causing a ruckus, I can assure you."

"James," Remus sighed.

"Don't worry, Remus."

Remus sighed, defeated. "Fine, but just leave me out of it." He looked at the time. "Anyways, it's lunch time. Want to head down to the Great Hall?"

James's stomach growled. He laughed. "I guess there's your answer. Besides, I was going to meet Rana for lunch. Wouldn't want to keep my princess…er… I mean Rani waiting."

Remus raised his eyebrows when James referred to Rana as his princess. He knew James liked Rana, but unlike Sirius, Remus knew that James had to come to terms with it himself. If James asked his advice, he would give it, but he wasn't going to push. Remus was reasonable. Heckling James about his feelings was not the way to go. In all honesty, he thought Rana and James would make an adorable couple. They already had a deep bond that even the stars dreamed of. He smiled at James. "Then, let's go, mate." He laughed.

James sighed in relief, glad that Remus didn't say anything about his term of endearment. He loved Sirius as a brother, but Remus seemed to understand him better when it came to Rana. Sirius was a go-getter and a risk-taker. He was wild and girl-crazy. Remus, on the other hand, was more level-headed. He approached things from a logical standpoint, always thinking before acting. Peter just tagged along, but James loved each of them in their own special ways. Aside from Rana, they had become his best friends.

"Alright, mate." James looked fondly at his picture of Rana once more before following Remus out of the Common Room and into the Great Hall.

Rana was chatting happily with Jeremiah and Michael in the entryway when James and Remus approached. "Shhh," James whispered to Remus. He looked to Rana's friends and put a finger to his lips as he snuck up behind her. He covered her eyes with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist. Disguising his voice, he spoke. "Guess who," he whispered in her ear.

Rana giggled. She knew it had to be James, given she was just talking to her other friends a moment ago and no one else played that game with her. Still, she decided to play along. "Remus?"

James grinned. "Nope. Try again, beautiful."

Rana pretended to think. "Frank?"

James smiled. He knew Rana was just messing with him. "Once more, cutie."

"James?" She giggled.

James smiled, loving his name uttered from her lips. He sighed and removed his hand before turning her around to face him. He gazed into her eyes. "Right, as always," he whispered with a longing in his voice before he gently kissed her jaw.

Sirius approached them and that moment and he didn't miss the jealous looks thrown Rana's way. He cleared his throat. He wanted to speak of what he heard the portraits gossiping about. "I don't know about you, but I'm famished, soooo..."

Remus quirked an eyebrow. "When are you not famished, Sirius?" he laughed.

James laughed. "Go on. We'll be there in a moment." He smiled at Rana, who had turned to speak with Arya about Charms. He smiled. It was no wonder those two were so close…bookworms through and through.

Rana smiled, turning back to James when she heard his stomach growl. Rana laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry, James."

"Don't worry. Come, you hungry?"

"Just a bit." She waved to her friends before following James towards the Gryffindor table. James helped Rana sit down before plopping into a seat next to her, which was situatedacross from Sirius, Remus, and Peter.

Paige, Celeste, and Sarah shot a cruel look at Rana, who was so caught up in chatting animatedly with James about Quidditch that she didn't even notice. James on the other hand did notice and knew he better keep an eye on them. No one was going to hurt his princess.

He smiled at Rana. "You know, Rani, I was thinking that you folks should keep some of your skills secret and unleash it when the opposing team would least expect it…take them by surprise."

Rana smiled. "I think I shall let Adriana know that idea."

"Of course, we've played for so long…"

Rana laughed. "Dear James, even you can't know all my moves. After all, playing one-on-one is quite different than with a full team."

James chuckled. "Ah, we want a challenge at any rate, and you dear Rana will prove to be a challenge."

Rana blushed. "You flatter me too much."

Sirius cleared his throat. "Sorry to interrupt this touching moment," he started. James glared. He knew Sirius wasn't sorry at all. Sirius smirked before continuing. "But this morning, after our Quidditch meeting, I happened upon the most interesting news! Have you ever talked to the portraits? Friendly lot, they are, and full of lots of information."

Rana looked at Sirius oddly. "Our portrait giggles too much," she muttered.

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "And you don't?"

Rana huffed. "Why, I…"

James chuckled. "Hey, Rana's giggling is cute. Besides, I think Rana means she acts too much like your fan club there." He nodded to a group of blushing and giggling girls.

Sirius smirked. "Don't you mean our fan club?"

"Bloody annoying girls if you ask me," James grumbled.

"You're joking, right? You don't think it's nice to be so popular with the ladies?"

"No," James stated.

Sirius rolled her eyes. Because you like Rana, he thought to himself. He smirked. "So, about the portraits…"

James sighed, but decided to humor him. "Do tell," he raised his eyebrows, placing some food on Rana's plate.

Rana sighed. "James," she complained.

"You need to eat, cutie. The Slytherins will clobber you otherwise. Besides, I thought you liked food." Sirius just smirked at James' actions, chuckling to himself.

Rana pouted. "I do, but it's not Indian food. Not that the food here isn't great…because it is…"

"Then eat, lovely. You don't eat enough." Rana made a face, but slowly ate the bread that James had put on her plate. James turned back to Sirius. "So, you were saying?"

Sirius smirked. Oh, he was looking forward to teasing them. He looked from James and Rana. "Apparently," he started in a whisper. "The Ravenclaw portrait noticed something that according to her was so sweet and she just had to pass it on. I heard the Fat Lady say that two students were kissing out in the Ravenclaw corridor. You want to tell me something James?"

James choked on his pumpkin juice. Bloody busy body of a portrait, he cursed silently to himself. Yes, he'd kissed Rana. He hadn't been able to help himself, but it was just a small peck. Even so, he didn't need that gossip to fly around the castle. The portraits had made the kiss more than it was and he didn't want to embarrass Rana. How would he ever be able to be with her in the future otherwise?

Rana bit her lip, confused at James's reaction. Sirius couldn't have been talking about them, could he? After all, it was only a friendly peck.

James looked to Rana and sighed. Why did Sirius have to bring that up? It was so hard keeping himself from showing her how he felt about her. He stared at Sirius. "No, I have nothing to say. So two people were kissing? Big deal! Besides, it seems to me that the portraits can't seem to mind their own business."

Sirius scoffed. "Well, I think you do have something to say James because do you know who those two people were?"

James glared. "How about you enlighten me?"

Sirius chuckled. "Very well." He looked to James. "You." Then he looked to Rana. "And you."

Rana stared at Sirius, mouth agape. "Are you sure you heard right, Sirius? Because I think I would know if James and I were kissing, and we certainly were not kissing. Besides, I'm only twelve." She stared at him as if challenging him to call her a child.

Sirius muttered something incomprehensible under his breath. He remembered the last time this happened. He'd called Rana a child and James didn't speak to him for days. James was very protective of Rana and obviously found Rana's childlike nature endearing. Sirius loved James like a brother and wasn't going to make that mistake again. Besides, Rana was a nice girl and he was supposed to be her friend- maybe not a close friend, but a friend nonetheless. "Well, why would the portraits lie? They have no reason to, Rana. Maybe, you just don't want to admit it. You may be twelve, but that doesn't mean anything."

James sighed. "It was just a friendly kiss!" he protested.

Sirius smirked. "Ah, so you do admit it. You were kissing!"

"That's not what I said!"

"He was only being affectionate, Sirius. It didn't mean anything, at least nothing more than a hug or kiss on the cheek…like friends," Rana said quietly. James felt his heart sink at those words. The kiss had meant something to him. Of course, Rana didn't know that and James wasn't about to tell her so.

"So friends normally kiss each other on the lips?" he teased.

"It was innocent! A small peck-friendly…nothing to make a fuss about!" James argued, exasperated.

Sirius smirked. "That's not what the portraits said!"

"Actually," Rana started, interrupting. "In some countries they do. It's a form of greeting or goodbye. In Spain and France, friends kiss each other three times on the cheek. And I bet that there are very close friends who may give someone a peck hello or goodbye."

Sirius stared at her. "Where do you get this stuff?"

James laughed. "She's a bookworm, Sirius, and she's smart."

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Still…" he looked at Rana. "You make a point of reading about kissing? Is there something you're not telling us, Rana?" Sirius teased. James jaw dropped, but he watched Rana, wondering how she was going to respond.

Rana rolled her eyes. "My dad was the Minister of Magic in India before we fled. That required a lot of travel and, more often than not, the whole family would make these trips. It is only proper to know the customs of the cultures you are visiting. After all, you are in their lands and one must show respect and understanding," she replied diplomatically.

Spoken like a princess, James thought, sighing.

Remus watched the battle of wits between Sirius and Rana in amusement. He then turned his attention to James. He hid a smile, (no comma) as James lost himself in his thoughts, but knew that James would be embarrassed to be caught daydreaming. Remus playfully cuffed him on the ear to bring him back to reality.

James jumped, startled and shook his head as he broke out of his thoughts. Remus leaned in close. "You were daydreaming," he whispered. "I knew you wouldn't want Sirius to point that out." He nodded to Sirius who was still having a battle of words with Rana.

James smiled weakly. "Thanks," he said before turning his attention back to his best friend and the object of his affections.

Sirius quirked an eyebrow. "You know, you're different…most people who come from that kind of position would be spoiled brats like, well, Malfoy. You give hope to us all."

Rana smiled. "It's the way I've been raised and really, we're all equal. Think about it. Look at past monarchies. What kind of power would a king have without subjects? Without peasants, there would be no crops. Without crops, there would be no food. Monarchies that didn't recognize that caused their own downfall.

My mum came from a line of royalty before our country was overrun and, thus, came the end of a monarchy. Her line always believed in respecting each person no matter his or her social class. Wealth doesn't last forever, but humanity does."

"Deep. You're quite intelligent for a twelve-year-old. Most people wouldn't think about things like that. I sure don't. Rana! You sneak! How did you change the subject without me noticing?"

Rana laughed. "I'm a Ravenclaw," she replied as if that explained everything.

James chuckled. "She got you there, mate!"

Sirius laughed. "Alright, Miss Ravenclaw, but James and you still haven't explained why the portraits were going on about you kissing," he smirked, returning to the previous conversation.

James groaned. He wanted to kiss Rana. Why did Sirius have to remind him or what he couldn't do? "I told you, Sirius. It was a simple peck. The portraits just like to make things bigger than they are."

"You know you wanted it to be more though."

James closed his eyes a moment. Could Sirius be even more idiotic saying those things in front of Rana?

Rana gasped. She hoped it wasn't true. She would never want to hurt her best friend, but she just didn't have feelings for anyone at the moment. She looked at Sirius and James. "James?" she asked carefully.

James shook his head. "Sirius is jumping to conclusions."

"Why, I…" Sirius started. He shut-up when Remus gave him a look.

Rana let out a sigh of relief. "Okay." She smiled.

"Well, would you look at the time," James began. "We must be off, Sirius. It was a pleasure talking to you," James wanted to get away before Sirius put him into a situation he couldn't get out of. He took Rana's hand in his and helped her out of her seat.

"What? Where are you going?"

"I promised Rana I would hang out with her after lunch." He nodded before leading Rana outside.

Sirius moaned. "He likes her. Why won't he do anything?" he complained.

Remus sighed. "Sirius, I think James may be realizing it, but look, Rana doesn't look like she feels anything right now. He's doing what he feels is right at the time. Things will work out in the end."

Remus was right. James knew he liked Rana, but Rana didn't have feelings for him. Little did either know, in a year's time, Rana would develop an attraction for her best friend, but James would be too blind to see it. There was an ancient magic at play and one day that ancient magic would combine two souls, but it would be over three years till that magic would fulfill that promise.