9. Another Heart Calls
Author's Note: If you thought you hated James before, you're really going to hate him now!
Short chapter, though, which I apologize for. 3
"... Five Galleons, eight Sickles and three Knuts. Fucking hell, Hunter, you'll be asking for my soul, next."
"I was actually considering putting my rates up, but if you can't afford it..."
"Just try it and you'll find a Gryffindor team Bludger knocking you into next week before you can say 'Blast-Ended Skrewt.'"
"Alright, James, mate, I was only joking."
Two boys stood in the dim light of the library corridor. James Potter was the taller, dressed in all black, his brown eyes shining dully. Noel Hunter stood before him in jeans and some form of printed t-shirt, his brown hair fashionably mussed with his usual slightly mischievous expression. There was something suspicious and forbidden about the whole meeting- the subject of the chat wasn't clear, but it certainly didn't seem legitimate.
"So, let me get this straight again... what exactly am I doing for this money?" Noel asked, leaning against the door to the library.
"Are you thick, Hunter? All you need to do is ask out Rose and make her believe you fancy the pants off her long enough for her admirer to back the hell off," James replied, rolling his eyes. "Not hard. Though doing it in front of the Malfoy might get you another Galleon or two."
"Yeah, a'right, that's fine. That's it?"
"Yeah, that's all. Just ask Rose out around Christmas and you'll get the rest of the money." James seemed to think of something else as Noel turned to leave, and he continued. "Oh, and Hunter? If you try to undress my cousin in any way or go further than I've told you, I will personally hunt you down and make you wish you'd never been born. Are we clear?"
"Why are you doing this, James?" Noel asked, ignoring the question.
"Because I hate the Malfoy name and all it stands for." The answer was given in a sure, strong voice.
"Do you hate him more than you love your family?"
James blinked at the question. "What's it to you, Hunter?"
Noel raised his hands in defence, and shrugged. The two males watched each other warily for a second. Noel was the older of the two by far but he was by no means the one with the power. "You're twisted, you know that?"
"You're the one agreeing to break a girl's heart for some money, library-boy, so I'd shut your mouth," James snarled in response.
Noel nodded. "Good point." After exchanging a few more details of their plan, the pair ended their sinister talk and parted ways. Noel slipped back into the darkness of the deserted library to stare dejectedly at the handful of money he'd been given, and James went up to Gryffindor tower to fall into a guiltless, deep sleep.
