Okay, Okay, I disappeared again and that was bad. I really hope that this chapter makes up for it. There is a whole dollop of flirty banter and the like!

Lizzie sat at the dining room table, her thoughts a whirl storm in her head as she tried to decipher what to write. This shouldn't be so hard. You're just writing out the match commentary from yesterday.

"Honey, you're free to go pick up James up tomorrow- right?"

Her ears perked up at the sound of that dreaded name. She looked at her mother with a look of crazed confusion in her eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"Jane. Your niece? You said you'd pick her up from school tomorrow."

Lizzie sighed in relief, "Yeah- Jane. Of course. Yep, I'm still picking her up.."

Her mum shook her head as she folded her ironing impeccably. "My goodness, Elizabeth, you've not half been away with the fairies recently. Are you unwell? Shall I book an appointment with a doctor?"

Lizzie just laughed and ran a hand through her hair. "Mum, I'm fine. Work has just been a bit stressful, what with the league starting and all. I wouldn't worry about me."

"Well that's a relief." She threw her head to her chest. "I was concerned that there was a man involved who I would have to be dealing with."

"A man? Don't be ridiculous, mum- when do I get the chance to meet any decent men?"

Mrs Hartley smiled a mischievous grin to her daughter, "You never know- you might have bagged yourself a hunky Quidditch player."

Lizzie rolled her eyes as she got up to leave the room, kissing her mum on the cheek as she walked by. "It's 2028; nobody says hunky anymore."

She sauntered up to her bedroom, smiling even though she was a little troubled underneath. Of course this isn't to do with a man! James Sirius Potter means nothing to you. He's just a spoilt celebrity whom you annoyingly keep running into. Don't think about him ever again.

She needed some sleep. She was most definitely going crazy.

The next few days were a mad rush at work. With teams from all over Europe competing in the British-held tournament this year; there was fierce competition not just between the Quidditch teams but between rival newspapers.

Who could get the interview with the star player first? Who had the most accurate predictions? Which match commentary was the most exhilarating? All of these little things were beginning to push Lizzie over the edge, and it was only Wednesday! She threw her head onto the desk and groaned loudly.

"I know that feeling," Ginny laughed as she walked into the main office.

"Ginny this is hard enough usually. All this competition makes me wonder if it's even worth bothering writing."

Ginny scoffed and gave a look of offence. Of course it's worth it. Each journalist offers a unique perspective. The stories we tell are just as much our own as they are that of the people who we interview. You'll eventually understand what I mean."

She smiled up at the woman she considered a mentor, grateful for her words of wisdom. Her face slowly sunk as she realised that she was preparing to leave.

"Wait- are you leaving?"

Ginny shot Lizzie an apologetic look as she put her work into her handbag. "Yeah, I'm sorry. It's my brother's 25th wedding anniversary, so I have to go help set up their house for the party. It's coming up to 4, so it's only an hour or so on your own. Just reorder these player profiles for me and then you can be off. Thank you for all your hard work."

Lizzie waved goodbye and slumped into her chair as she was left in the office alone. The quicker she was done with this- the quicker she could leave. The prospect of having a hot shower; getting into a big, baggy hoodie and going to sit in the park with a good book sounded like the best possible option right now.

By 6.30pm, she had been successful in completing both her work and the first two items on her checklist towards a good evening. She rummaged through her bookshelf, biting her lip slightly as she thought through her decision. She nodded with a sense of achievement as she pulled out one of her all-time favourites.

She sauntered down the stairs, excited to finally have some time to herself. She slipped on a pair of Converse and headed out of the door, walking the short distance to the local common. She smiled as she breathed in the fresh air and walked into the vast parkland. Lizzie curled up next to a big tree at the side of the path, so relieved to get her peace and quiet. She checked her watch. Just coming up to 7pm.

Lizzie managed to get through a chapter of her book and was just about to start the next when she was interrupted by what was becoming an all too familiar voice.

"Elizabeth?"

Her eyes widened in shock horror. "Really? Is this really fucking happening right now?" She slammed her book down to the ground and turned to James to glare at him angrily. "Bloody hell- are you stalking me?"

James threw his hands in front of him as an act of defence, and tried to hide his laughter. "Believe me, this is purely a happy coincidence."

Lizzie's voice escalated into an angry shout. "Happy coincidence?! You just happened to be wandering through my local park?" she yelled sceptically.

"Yes actually!" James retorted. He took a breath to calm himself, and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm on the way to my uncle and aunt's anniversary party. They live about 15 minutes away from here. I tend to apparated to this park because I happen to enjoy the walk there."

Lizzie sniggered, "You expect me to believe that?"

"Well if I'd just come out to stalk you, I promise I wouldn't have dressed up so fancy." He tugged at his tie to emphasise his point.

Lizzie eyed him up and down once more before breaking out into an embarrassed laugh. "Of course you wouldn't. I'm sorry. It's just that this is becoming a regular occurrence and I guess that it's made me just a tad paranoid."

James shrugged, a hint of a smirk appearing on his face. "I'm pretty sure that it's a sign from the universe."

Lizzie raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "And what exactly is the universe trying to say."

"Well that our paths are linked of course."

That made Elizabeth laugh out loud.

James sat down beside her and leant his head against the tree. "All I know is that the one time I've been rejected was by you, and since then, we seem to keep running into one another. I believe in that sort of shit- and this is definitely a sign that we're somehow connected."

She sighed beside him. "Say we are connected in some way- that doesn't mean that I should just leap into your arms."

"I didn't say it meant that." James chuckled, "I just don't think we should ignore all the supernatural signs."

Lizzie looked in his eyes to see whether there was any seriousness in them, and was surprised to find herself enchanted by their oak coloured hue. She turned away quickly and returned to her book.

James continued to observe her for a few more seconds before his eyes dropped down to her book. He smiled in recognition at the cover.

"Once a king or queen of Narnia; always a king or queen of Narnia."

The corner of Lizzie's mouth tugged up in surprise. "You've read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe? Always full of surprises, aren't you Jay?"

"Of course I've read it. And don't suddenly act as if you're interested to knowing me."

She looked at him awkwardly and apologised.

"Don't be sorry, I'm winding you up." He gently punched her arm to reassure her.

"So," she started, trying to lighten the mood. "How did you, son of the most famous magical family in Britain, end up reading a muggle children's book?"

"Children enjoy children's books be they muggle or magic, Elizabeth. Also, my Dad was raised by muggles, didn't you know? In fact, his bedroom was a cupboard until he was 11. I think the idea of finding a magical world in one appealed to him."

Elizabeth couldn't help it, she laughed, and it was so genuine that it made her go slightly red. James rolled his head towards her, and the wonder in his eyes made her want to blush further. Lizzie pulled herself into her overly large hoodie.

James sighed. "Well I better get going. Upsetting Aunt Hermione is never the best plan."

Lizzie nodded goodbye as he got up to leave. "It was surprisingly good to see you. I hate to admit it, but I somewhat enjoy your company."

James smirked, "What did I say? A happy sign from the universe that we were meant to be together."

She smirked right back. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I still don't think you're as hot as you seem to think you are."

He rolled his eyes and began to walk out towards the main road. "Believe me- you will soon enough!"

Another chapter done! I'm sorry that it took me so long to update. I was plagued with work. It totally had nothing to do with the fact that the show How To Get Away With Murder took over my life. Not at all… But it did. And I totally guessed the killer right which I am probably way too smug about aha. And as Potter fans we should all support the Potter alumni right? Alfie Enoch, our dear Dean Thomas, is wonderful in it! Anyway- I'll try and update sooner. I hope you liked this chapter and that the pace is okay. Bg. 97 xx