Right… So I understand that I was late again… I think I'm just going to remove that 'weekly update' bit in the blurb. I'm so sorry. College is just extremely manic right now. A levels are pain epitomised. Here is the next chapter. Sorry, it's kind of a filler, but I wanted to keep the chapter format James, Lizzie, James, Lizzie, so I needed to come up with a James chapter before the next Lizzie one I have planned. (I ended up writing both James and Lizzie's segments of this chapter though.) Also, I freaked out that I'm moving this story along too fast. Sorry. Here you go. Bg. 97 xx
James swerved under the bludger just in time, it flying over his head as he threw the quaffle to his fellow chaser, Freya Bronwyn. He smiled as she turned and got the quaffle through the right hand hoop, catching the keeper by surprise. He cheered, before lowering his broom and landing on the centre of the pitch.
"Well done guys, absolutely brilliant practice."
He looked round to his teammates, each of their eyes reflecting his excited gleam.
"The European League starts on the 1st June, just two weeks from now; and if you play like that, I'll be a very proud captain. So. You can guys can bugger off and have yourselves a good night off. I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning."
He waited for each of them to head off before he himself retreated to his quarters. As he walked in, he saw a familiar brown owl perched on the corner of his desk, a scroll lying by its feet. He smirked as he went to unroll it.
Oi. Jamie!
Word from your brother is that you are actually trying to reconnect with your dear family again. If this strange news is in fact the case, I do believe we have a hell of a lot of catching up to do. I also believe that our other dear friend has a birthday to celebrate, and a boyfriend who is away on business. My darling wife Maya has very kindly agreed to care for our child tonight, so you, TJ and I are having a night on the town! See you at the Dragon's Nest tonight. 8pm.
Love Freddie (your favourite cousin)
James laughed as he scribbled down a reply. Now the only thing to do was to buy Tara a present…
At 8.07, James made his way down the all too familiar stairs into the club, smiling as he spotted Tara, bottle already in hand, and Freddie leaning casually against the bar, his hair looking haggard from what James guessed was many a sleepless night. He made his way over and slipped his arm round Tara's waist making her jump. He moved closer and whispered in her ear, "Happy Birthday you beautiful girl."
Tara laughed, throwing her head into James' shoulder. "Don't flatter me with sweet nothings just because you didn't buy me a present, Jay."
"That obvious, hey?"
Fred stepped forward and placed his hand on James' other shoulder. "You've always had a tendency to be a tad predictable, Jamie."
"You wouldn't change that though would you?" he asked, a flicker of doubt in his voice.
Tara and Freddie exchanged glances before simultaneously shaking their heads. "Never!"
"Now come on," Tara said as she smoothed out her dress and threw her arms around her companions' shoulders. "This is meant to be my birthday, and I don't want to waste my precious time turning in the second quarter of a century, trying to make Jamie's fat head bigger. Let us drink and dance and have a fucking ball, my friends."
Freddie's eyes squinted in confusion, "That was put so… eloquently."
"Don't you know it," Tara winked as she began to head to the dance floor. Her and Fred paused as they realised James had stopped behind them.
"Jay, are you okay? Shit, you look as if you've seen a ghost or something."
But James couldn't be shaken from his rouse, as his eye had been caught by a petite girl whose blonde hair he would've recognised anywhere.
Fred rolled his eyes. "Who's she then? A past flame?"
James ran his hands through his hair anxiously, "Umm no. She rejected me actually."
"The great J.S. Potter rejected? Who'd think it possible?" Tara muttered sarcastically.
"Let's go say hi, if you know her."
"Are you crazy?!" James spat, tugging back his cousin to his side. "I can't let her see me."
"Too late for that, buddy."
"What are you talking about Tara?"
"She just looked straight at you, went bright red and is now violently whispering at her friend so that they may leave. Now that's sorted, let's stop messing about and actually have some fun!"
James stared at Tara with an unbelieving look. "How am I meant to have fun, now you've told me that? Now all I'm going to be able to think about the fact that as soon as Elizabeth saw me she wanted to leave. I'm not that repulsive! I'm sorry TJ, I need to leave. Happy birthday babe, have a good one." And before his friends could even question his actions, he had kissed Tara on the cheek and apparated away.
"What the bloody hell was that?"
"Who knows; but let's not have a bad night just because James is being weirdly out of character."
"Exactly! This is my first night off from being a Dad since Julia was born. I am going to get smashed with my best friend! Sound good?"
Tara held up her bottle and downed its contents, "Sounds bloody fabulous."
"Lizzie, sweetie, do you mind running to Scribulus and collecting our order of new notepads?"
Lizzie began to get up from her desk straight away, "Of course not Mrs Potter."
Ginny gave her a disapproving look.
"Sorry Ginny."
The older woman smiled. "Much better. Thanks for this Lizzie, I'll see you in a bit."
She went to grab her stuff and headed down Diagon Alley to the stationary shop to collect their order. It was only a quick trip; less than five minutes there and back. Lizzie stumbled back into Ginny's office, surprised to find the room empty as the pile of supplies in her hand spilled on to the desk. She paused to take a breath, looking around the room. Although she'd been working for her for two months, Elizabeth had yet to get a proper look in her boss's office. She smiled at the pictures on the desk: a golden frame with a picture of her in her Holyhead Harpies uniform; a wizarding image of her and Harry Potter dancing on their wedding day… she went to look closely at a third image but dropped it as the sound of the door slamming distracted her.
"Shit, sorry. I was just looking for my Mum. Wait… Elizabeth?"
Lizzie cringed at the conversation she didn't particularly want to have but straightened her glasses and turned around to face James.
"James, hi."
"Hi. I wasn't expecting to see you here."
She smiled, despite herself. "I don't see why not, I do work here."
He laughed. "Yeah, yeah of course you do."
Awkward silence hung in the air a few moments before James broke it once more. "Did you have a nice time at the club? I saw you there a few nights back. Were you there with your friend Clara?"
"Yes, I did have a nice night thank you. I wasn't with Clara though. I was meeting up with some of the girls from the Harpies."
"You've caught the Quidditch bug then?" he smiled and crossed his arms across his chest in amusement.
"Maybe just a little."
"I'm glad."
The pair both jumped as the door to the office opened once more. Ginny looked between the two as she walked in. "Jamie? What are you doing here?"
James pulled his eyes away from Lizzie, being sure to keep them fixed only on his mother. "I was in the area and since it was nearly lunchtime, I thought I'd take my dear Mum to lunch."
"Well that's unusually thoughtful of you James."
"Hardly unusual!" James defended.
Ginny rolled her eyes and looked rather to Lizzie than James. "You wouldn't mind if I left the office for an hour would you Lizzie?"
"Of course not. You go enjoy your lunch."
Ginny offered her junior a look of gratitude as she left the room. As James went to leave, he hesitated on the handle and turned back one last time. "It was good to see you again, Elizabeth."
"And you."
Once he had left, Lizzie crouched down to pick up the frame she had dropped, brushing off the dust.
A younger version of James' smirking face looked up at her, dressed in Gryffindor robes and holding exam certificates. Lizzie sighed. "Why do I keep running into trouble?"
Reviews would very much be appreciated! I will update as soon as humanly possible Bg. 97 xx