Chapter 10: Already "Talked" Today
"Hey, mates!" James calls to Lupin and Pettigrew, plunking down under their usual tree, dragging me by the arm to sit beside him. The new term had been in session a whole week and James and I were practically joined at the hip. It was exhilarating.
Lupin and Pettigrew stare wide eyed and opened mouth at me. "What?" I ask, checking my shirt buttons self-consciously. "Are some done up wrong?"
Lupin is shocked into speaking. "It's just...well...um...It's just you don't usually stay." His gaze shifts to James. "Aren't you going to--um--drag her off to--um--talk?"
James grins, slinging an arm around me to pull me against him. "Nope. We've already 'talked' today. Had several conversations, in fact."
"James," I scold, fixing my buttons just in case. "Don't tease."
"Moony's the one who asked," he answers. "He reaps what he sows."
Lupin stutters something that's completely unintelligible, containing lots of "ums" and "wells."
Pettigrew waves when he notices me watching him but doesn't speak.
"Well, what a lively group," I observe, leaning into James. "Where's Black?"
"Probably 'talking' to Cora," James says. "Midmorning break is perfect time to get in a quick conversation." He hauls me into his lap, arms now wrapped low and loose around my waist. "Don't you agree, Lily?"
"I prefer longer conversations. All-nighters."
Pettigrew's brow knits, the cogs turning in his mind. "We're not, um, talking about real talking right now, are we? You mean, um, something else, right?"
James raises his hands slightly to clap. "Very good, Wormtail! You've actually picked up the innuendo after only three turns. You're improving. We'll corrupt you yet."