"Please look after him," Lily begged Hestia. She looked unsure.
"Lily, we aren't exactly friends," Hestia reminded her. Lily looked sad.
"He's had a rough day, Hestia. You've seen what has happened. He didn't get any sleep last night either, he was with Remus…" Lily trailed off. Hestia thought it was sweet that James stayed up all night to comfort his mate. Remus' mother must be so ill.
"Alright," Hestia agreed. "I'll try to keep him awake."
Lily hugged her quickly with a huge smile on her face. "You're the best." She bounded off to tell James the news.
Hestia gathered her stuff and put on her gloves to protect her hands from the chill. James appeared at her side. "You don't have to do this," James yawned. "I should just go to bed."
"Yes, you should," Hestia agreed. "But I already told Lily I'd help you and I intend on keeping my word. Now come on."
James sighed. He just wanted to get some sleep. He thought of Sirius and Peter, still snoring in their warm beds in the dormitory. James was jealous.
Hestia led the way down to the grounds. Some students were already gathered around Hagrid's hut, chatting loudly. Hestia stayed by James' side and even let him lean on her until Professor Kettleburn showed. He was wearing a bright yellow coat with fur trimming around the collar.
"Fire crabs!" he shouted gleefully. "Come on, around we go. Got some nice fires burning around here somewhere…"
The class followed the eccentric professor happily. Fire crabs were easy creatures that were relatively pretty to look at. After a lengthy walk about the grounds, Professor Kettleburn eventually found the fires (simply on the other side of Hagrid's hut) but by the time he had, half of the lesson had passed.
"Nothing else quite like a brisk walk," he said, waving away the concerns of other students. "Besides, you've done this before. This is just revision!"
Hestia led the way to the smallest fire, pulling James along behind her. "You can sit here," Hestia said, gesturing to a log. James sat gratefully. Hestia sat opposite him, warming herself by the fire. She watched James doze. "I think I've almost finalised the plans for the Ball," Hestia said quietly. James looked at her sleepily. "I didn't realise you were still doing that. Thanks."
Hestia shrugged. "It was fun. I know you'll want to go over the plans though, so I'll give them to you another day. Do you need any help with Halloween?"
Hestia loved planning events. When Lily hadn't told her any details about Halloween, she was disappointed. Now James was tired, he might slip up.
"Nah," James yawned. "McGonagall wants the plans in by next Wednesday. Lily's got it sorted… I hope…"
He moved into a reclining position, choosing to rest his head on the log rather than sit up any longer. Hestia watched as he stretched his legs. "The fire crab is next to your head," Hestia warned with a grin that James didn't see. James stiffened. "Seriously?"
"Yes. Move slowly and it won't burn you."
James tried his hardest to move slowly, so as not to frighten the creature. He had just made it into a sitting position when Professor Kettleburn appeared.
"Ah, fire crabs!" he exclaimed. "They shoot fire out of their asses! Isn't that brilliant?"
The sudden loud noises frightened the fire crab. Luckily for James, he was paying attention and leaped out of the way quickly. A burst of flame shot out of the crab's backside, bright red with a centre of blue. Professor Kettleburn started chuckling.
"Yes, yes. Brilliant creatures they are."
He moved away, leaving James and Hestia alone. James sighed. "This has been the worst day ever," he grumbled. Hestia laughed.
"Sure it has, James. Can I ask you something?"
"Alright."
"Well, two things. How are you going to ask Lily to the ball if it has to be a secret?"
"McGonagall is gonna let everyone know a week beforehand, so I'll ask her then, I guess. What's your next question?"
Hestia twisted her fingers. "What if she says no?"
James hadn't thought of this. It never even crossed his mind as a possibility. Now that Hestia had asked, he couldn't believe he hadn't thought of it.
"I don't know," James said simply. "Guess I'll go stag."
Peter would have laughed at his pun.
Hestia looked unimpressed with his answer. "Isn't this ball for Lily?"
"She can still enjoy it," James said. "I just won't be her date."
Hestia patted James' shoulder softly. "That's very kind of you to say. Well, I'll do my best to make sure she goes with you."
James raised an eyebrow at Hestia. "Why would you do that?"
"Because I see the way she looks at you, I see the way you look at her. She'd be a fool to say no."
With that, Hestia smiled at him, and began cleaning out the crab's shell.