Days turned into weeks and soon a thick layer of snow covered the Hogwarts grounds. Poppet was counting down the days to Christmas – and the days until her seventeenth birthday – she couldn't wait to see her family again. Poppet had found herself in a tedious cycle of sleep, eat, Quidditch, homework and repeat during her free-time. She even missed out on going to Hogsmeade because she had far too much homework to do, despite being invited to Madame Puddifoot's by Tobias.

One Friday morning at the end of November, Poppet was greeted at breakfast by a very perky Rose Weasley. Poppet was excited for the weekend but Rose was practically euphoric. "You're very cheery for this early on a Friday morning," Poppet noted as she sat down on the table. She'd over slept this morning and this meant everyone else had beaten her down to breakfast. James scooted over and Poppet sat herself down on the bench next to him, helping herself to a sausage off his plate. He shot her a playful glare as she took a bite out of the sausage.

"Well, I'm excited," Rose said, declaratively.

"Care to elaborate?" Poppet laughed.

"It's my fifteenth birthday tomorrow," Rose explained as if this was some well-known fact that Poppet was stupid for not knowing.

"Oh," Poppet said in realisation. "The big 1-5? What are you planning on doing?"

"Homework," Rose grumbled. "And then more homework."

"That's no way to spend your birthday!" James exclaimed.

"Well, sadly, that's how it will be spent," Rose sighed, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice. "But I am excited for my presents. I wonder what I'll get."

Florence had pulled herself away from Blane, whose mouth she seemed to be spending a lot of time on at the moment, to address the group. "We should have another party to commemorate Rose turning fifteen!"

Tobias, Roxanne, James and Jocelyn murmured in agreement but Rose seemed to have other ideas.

"I don't want a party. It'll be all firewhisky, snogging and stripping," Rose snapped. Poppet could see where she was coming from. She was only fifteen at the end of the day. It was quite young to have a party with such mature themes as the last.

"How do you know about the stripping?" James asked, quickly but Rose didn't respond.

"I don't mind studying all day. The best present I could ask for is being ahead in lessons," Rose smiled, ignoring James.

"That's the saddest thing I've ever heard," Roxanne said, solemnly.

Poppet, however, had other ideas. Her mind was whirring. She had been stuck in a rut, with no fun to break up her tedious cycle but Rose's birthday could be exactly what she needed. She was going to plan a surprise party for Rose - but not a party in the Quidditch sense. A cute family tea party. She knew that James, Tobias and Blane knew how to get into the kitchens so all she needed to do was intercept one of them, get them to take her there and let her in, ask the elves nicely if they'd be willing to bake some treats for Hermione Weasley's daughter (and from what she'd heard in the Prophet about Hermione's work with elves, they were bound to say yes!) and then set it all up in the common room tomorrow afternoon. It was the perfect plan.

She decided to ask Tobias but she couldn't catch him after breakfast or even at lunch time alone without Rose in earshot. She was running out of time. She'd need to ask the elves tonight to make the food, so that they had it ready for tomorrow afternoon. She didn't want to just spring it on them. Finally, whilst sat in History of Magic, she decided to ask James. He was here, Rose was not. It was perfect.

"James?" Her voice was quiet. She didn't want to draw attention to herself, even though Professor Binns was hardly going to notice. He probably wouldn't notice if she stood up and asked James while stood on the desk but she didn't want to take any risks. She'd almost gone a full term with no detentions.

"Yes, Hastings?" He said, turning his head towards hers, pushing his shaggy brown hair out of his eyes. He grinned at her.

Poppet had History of Magic alone with James. Roxanne, Florence and Jocelyn all dropped it after OWL. She didn't dislike James; in fact she was somewhat fond of him. It was just so hard to spend time with him when he was rather arrogant. It was an unlikeable quality and reminded Poppet off too many boys back at Beauxbatons.

"I need your help," she said, simply. She didn't want to inflate his head anymore by admitting she needed him but she couldn't think of any other way to phrase it.

"I am always happy to help, Hastings," He replied. That was another quality about James she didn't like: his inability to use her first name. Maybe she hated it as much as she did.

"I'm going to have a surprise picnic for Rose's birthday," Poppet said.

"Er – a picnic? Have you noticed the foot of snow that is currently on the ground outside or did that pass you by?"

"Hilarious. An indoor picnic. A tea-party, if you will."

"I'm listening," James was still grinning. He always had that same lopsided grin on his face. When it wasn't there his face looked lost and wrong.

"I need some help getting into the kitchens and convincing the elves to bake us some treats," Poppet explained, "and I hear you're the man to come to about stealing food from the kitchens."

"Interesting," James said, finally, "I'm surprised you didn't ask your boyfriend. He knows these things as well."

"Firstly, he's not my boyfriend. Secondly, I just thought I'd go to Rose's family first," Poppet smiled. James didn't need to know he was second, possibly even third, choice.

"Sweet," James said, dryly. "Okay, I'll help you. You want to go after History of Magic?"

"Sure," Poppet said, happy that this was her last lesson of the day. She'd forgotten that.

"Where are you having this picnic?" James asked.

"I figured the common room," Poppet hadn't really given the location much thought, to be honest.

"The common room?" James looked as if he had smelt something really bad, "There'll be people in there trying to work. No, I have a better idea. We'll stop off there on the way to the kitchen."

"Great," Poppet said. The plan was finally coming together.

After History of Magic James led Poppet upstairs to the Seventh Floor corridor. She was confused as to why he was taking such a large detour. She knew the kitchens were downstairs in the Hufflepuff basement, directly under the Great Hall. Why was James taking her upstairs? He said that the mysterious room where he wanted them to have the picnic was on the way. This was certainly not on the way.

"Here we are," he smirked.

"James," Poppet said, sternly, "This is a corridor. Why are we here?"

Before he could answer, a door slowly stared to fade onto the wall in front of them. It was a large wrought iron door with swirling golden patterns on it. James gestured and nervously Poppet took the handle, twisted it and pushed the door open. A large room opened up in front of her. The walls were covered in banners that read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSIE!" in golden and red letters – the colours of Gryffindor house. A large circular table was in the centre of the room in front of a large fireplace. The table had a dark red table cloth and golden plates and goblets. Poppet gasped. "But how did you-?"

"I didn't," James said, taking a step further into the room. "Hogwarts did. You see, Hastings, this is the Room of Requirement - or the Come and Go Room, if you'd prefer. It reveals itself only when someone walking by has a great need for it. And our great need is that we need a place to celebrate a loved one's birthday, and so it has shaped itself to be that. Awesome, isn't it? Professor Longbottom actually used this room as a hide-out when Hogwarts was under threat during the Second Wizarding War, along with Professor Macmillan - and also my mum! Pretty neat, isn't it?"

Poppet let out a low whistle, "I'll say."

James looked smug, clearly very pleased with himself that he'd managed to impress her. "My mum and dad told me about this place. It's not very well-known to students, unless their parents used it while they were at school or if they've read Hogwarts: A History. It comes in useful when you've got a girl with you and your dorm room is full, if you know what I mean?"

Poppet scoffed. "Trust you to ruin a moment with something like that."

"Oh – were we having a moment?" He grinned, cheekily.

"No, I was having a moment with this room. I'm coming here next time Jocelyn starts snoring loudly at 4am."

James shrugged. "So, you like it then? Tomorrow we'll tell everyone to meet in here. You lure Rosie up here and then we'll surprise her!"

"Sounds great," Poppet was pleased with what James had brought to the table. She was actually pleased with herself that she'd involved him in her plan. He appeared to be a useful tool. He knew this castle back to front. The two of them left the room and made their way downstairs to the kitchens.

James dropped the subject of Quidditch very quickly. "So, you and Tobias? What's going on there?"

"We're friends," Poppet said, simply, "like you and I."

"Aw, we're friends?" James over-exaggerated his glee, "but seriously, you can tell me if there's something going on."

"There's not and even if there was you'd be the last person I'd go to," Poppet grumbled. Could she not have a friend who was male without everyone assuming they were romantically involved?

"I'm offended. I thought we were friends."

"I'm reconsidering."

"Tickle the pear," James said, suddenly. They'd stopped walking.

"Excuse me?"

"Tickle the pear," He repeated.

"If you're not going to be sensible, James-!" Poppet was very confused.

Without saying a word, James leant over and physically tickled the pear on the portrait in front of them. The portrait swung open. James gave an over exaggerated sigh. "What is it with women and trusting me?"

"I honestly thought you were trying to make me do something sexual," Poppet said, clearly flustered.

"I wouldn't have to make you do that," James smiled.

"Shut up," Poppet retorted.

"Oh, sorry! I forget you have a boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend," Poppet was about to go on but she realised that her and James were now stood in what appeared to be a sea of house-elves. She looked around at the room they were suddenly in. It was large with four long wooden tables running through it and a large fireplace at one end. All around them, house-elves bustled around working on what appeared to be lamb for tonight's dinner.

"Master Potter!" A house-elf squeaked from below them. "How may we help you?"

"Hello, Quirky!" James beamed down at the little elf. "We have a little favour to ask of you, if it's not too much trouble!"

"Nothing is too much trouble for Master Potter," another elf chipped in.

"Thank you, Pokey. That's very nice of you to say," James continued to smile.

Poppet was baffled he seemed to know all these elves by name. She was impressed, actually. She thought someone with James' disposition wouldn't really bother to learn the names of elves but he'd clearly made an effort.

"Hello, Miss! I don't believe we've met!" Another house-elf said. His eyes were huge tennis balls staring up at her. Poppet had always liked elves. She thought they were cute.

"Everyone, this is Poppet Hastings," James declared. The elves below squeaked their greetings and Poppet greeted them back, smiling just as widely as James. "Tomorrow is Rose Weasley's birthday!"

Squeals from around the room told Poppet that Rose was very popular among the Hogwarts elves and she knew that had something to do with Hermione.

"Tomorrow, Miss Hastings and I are going to have a little party for her. Do you think you'd be able to supply some food?" James asked. His sweetness was almost unbearable.

"Of course, Master Potter! What kind of food would you like us to make and for how many?"

Poppet counted in her head who she'd invite. Rose, herself, James, Albus, Lily, Roxy, Florence, Jocelyn, Tobias, Blane, Hugo... What about those cousins of theirs in Ravenclaw? "I think we'll say if you make the food for fifteen - that should cover everyone!"

"Yes, Miss. That will be fine. Sweet treats for Miss Weasley?"

"Yes - cupcakes, brownies, cookies! Whatever you can make us! And a pot of tea - please!" She hastened to add.

"We'll come and pick it up in the morning, okay? Thank you for doing this, everyone!" James smiled, making sure he made eye contact with every elf that he possibly could. Poppet was seriously impressed with the way he treated these elves. She supposed his Aunt Hermione would hardly let him get away with treating elves badly.

"You are most welcome, Master Potter!" Quirky, the first elf who spoke, said chirpily. "Your girlfriend is very pretty, Master Potter! Will we be making you more dinners for two again?" Quirky added this in an undertone but Poppet could still hear what he was saying. She pretended not to listen and looked around absently at the kitchen.

"She's not my girlfriend, so unfortunately not!" James said, quietly to the elf.

"Such a shame, Master Potter! Do stop by soon!" Quirky and the others waved to Poppet and James frantically as they left the kitchen. The portrait swung shut behind them.

Poppet turned to James and smirked, "Dinners for two, eh?"

"I knew you heard that, you cheeky bitch," James teased.

"So that's how you know their names! They used to cook for you and Jeanette on your little dates!" Poppet laughed as they strolled back up the stairs to the main part of the castle.

"Yeah, they did," James said, simply.

"Very romantic. I thought the Room of Requirement was more of your usual date scene."

"Hey – I'm a romantic guy!" James said, "I feed girls before I sleep with them. I'm not an animal, you know?"

"Sure," Poppet winked at him and he pushed her playfully. She lost her balance slightly but regained it and pushed him back with her shoulder. They walked along pushing each other and laughing until they reached The Fat Lady.

"Evening, eldest Potter," she said.

"Evening, Fattest Lady," he replied

"I require a password. Unfortunately goofy grins don't get you into my tower, Poppet," the Fat Lady said.

"Moonstone," James said, lazily and the portrait swung open. "She was sassy today," he added as they walked into the common room.

"Where have you two been?" Florence called over from the sofa by the fire. She was sat with Albus, his friend Ross and Blane. It was a miracle that Florence and Blane weren't kissing.

They scanned the room for Rose. Thankfully, she was nowhere to be seen. "On a mission," James said excitedly.

"A mission to do what?" Albus asked, shooting Poppet a concerned look.

"We're surprising Rosie tomorrow with a tea party in the Room of Requirement!" James said. Poppet thought it was nice how excited he was.

Albus' mouth fell open.

"What?" James quizzed his brother.

"Sorry. I'm just so shocked that you would do something for someone else that wasn't for your own personal gain!" Albus said in mock surprise. Poppet laughed.

"Well, it was Hastings' idea. I just helped her execute it. It's tomorrow, at 3pm by the way. Don't have a heavy lunch, the elves are catering."

"But what about Quidditch?" Blane was clearly concerned, even though their next match wasn't until February.

"The whole team are invited to this picnic so I guess it's not on," James shrugged, "Sorry, man."

"S'ok," Blane said. "So I'm invited?"

"Yeah, you know Rosie! She's on the team! It'll be fun!" Poppet enthused.

"And the Tobster's invited. Because, you know, Hastings didn't want to do something without her boyfriend," James laughed.

Poppet didn't say anything but shot him a lethal glare. If looks could kill, Poppet could have just made a Horcrux. The others laughed, clearly noticing the intense death stare and decided not to add to the Tobias-Poppet joke in fear of their lives.

"James, do you know if your cousins in Ravenclaw might want to come? I thought about them last minute when we were in the kitchen, which is why I didn't give the elves an exact number," Poppet asked, changing the subject.

"Dom and Louis? I guess so. No harm in asking, right Al?" James said.

"I'll ask Louis tonight at dinner," Albus said. Louis and Albus were the same age and were pretty good friends.

"Sweet," James smiled.

"Where's everyone else?" Poppet asked. Nobody else from their group was in the common room.

"Roxy and Jocelyn went up to the owlry," Florence said, "And I have no idea where Tobias and Rosie are. I'm guessing Rose is in the library."

"Tob has detention with Professor Macmillan," Blane said. "Smarted off to him about Hufflepuffs today in Charms. He didn't take it too well."

"Ouch," James said.

Poppet was very pleased about how today had gone. When she asked James to help her out, she never expected him to actually be helpful and he seemed like he was looking forward to it. The group of them made their way down to dinner at six-thirty.

"I'm surprised you're so into this whole tea party idea," Albus said to James as they strolled down the stairs. James had just been devising a way of inviting the others over dinner without Rose catching on.

"Well, blood comes first," James said, with a wink, "And Al, before you ask: no, that's not sex advice."

Albus rolled his eyes, "I hate having you as a brother."

AN: This was kind of a long one so I hope you don't mind that. It was a very James-oriented chapter because I love James and I want more of him in my life and I really like writing Poppet when the two of them are together because they just bounce off one another so well, I feel. Next chapter: picnic! Will drama ensue? I may not update for a while - I have prewritten chapters but I'm kinda down because I didn't do so great in my exams. Don't be a stanger - the review box loves you!