Chapter Three

After a gigantic feast and a good catch up with all the Gryffindors I fall asleep quickly without having to think about James at all. Bu the next morning he is the first thing on my mind when I wake up and it unsettles me. I'm perfectly happy just being friends and I'm not about to jeopardise anything by suddenly going all swoony. Plus, I'm not even sure I definitely like him, maybe I'd just missed him over the summer and was annoyed by Emma.

My in depth thinking is obviously written on my face because whilst we get ready for breakfast Anna asks me what's wrong.

I shake my head, not wanting to put her in an awkward position by saying anything, 'Nothing I'm fine.'

She looks at me sympathetically but doesn't press it and for that I'm grateful. I can be such an awkward friend at times, what with my constant family dramas but Anna patiently helps me deal with them all.

We make our way down to breakfast with Becky Thomas, another of the Gryffindor sixth years and Lucy Weasley's best friend. Lucy herself is apparently getting a head start on the year's studying in the library. Fred and James have saved us seats and I find myself next to James on the bench who immediately begins telling me about the Quidditch trials; he's been captain for two years now.

'Okay so you're in regardless Vic, you're the best chaser I've ever seen. Don't tell Al that. I'll be Seeker obviously. Fred's still a Beater but Wood's left so we need a new Keeper and I've got to find a Beater that's better than McLaggen because I can't stand him for another year. And we need a new Chaser, so trials are at eight this evening.'

I take a moment to swallow the sheer volume of information then start moaning, 'Wait you're holding them tonight? It's the first day back and I've got a full day!'

He looks at me sternly.

'Victoria, don't you want the satisfaction of beating Slytherin again and being able to tell your father and grandfather that you've done so?'

I can't argue with that.

James laughs and returns to his bacon. From the Slytherin table I can see Emma glaring at me. If looks could kill I'd be in a coffin by now.

That evening I rush my dinner then dash upstairs to grab my broomstick and hurry to the Quidditch pitch. The rest of the team are already there, watching James and Connor McLaggen argue about something.

'Are you saying that I've lost my place as Beater?' demands McLaggen angrily.

'No!' shouts James, 'Everyone has to re-try for their place. But unless you shut up, yes you will be off the team!'

I approach them cautiously, 'Erm guys, not a great impression to be setting to future players.'

'Oh, hey Victoria,' grins Connor in what he probably imagines is a sexy way. To be fair he is fairly good looking and well-built but he's constantly having a strop about something. Unfortunately he's been mildly obsessed with me for a while.

'Oh stop leering, McLaggen and get in the air!' scolds James.

As McLaggen flies off I grin at James.

'Thanks, God he's such a creep!'

'Ugh, he's disgusting. Hopefully someone will fly better than him and we can get rid of him. You do like nice though, I like your hair.'

My stomach flips, 'My hair? Is it different?'

He nods, 'It's longer and wavier.'

'Ha-ha thanks, James.'

'Okay this is the point where you tell me how hot I look after the summer' he jokes.

I roll my eyes,' Yeah you're just so sexy, James, I have trouble controlling myself when you're around.' Yep, sounds about right.

We laugh for a couple more minutes before James decides he better start the trials that everyone is here for. But all I can think is how flirty he's being with me.

The trials are only partly a success. Al and I earn our spots as Chasers again by scoring the joint highest number of goals and we're joined by a quiet fourth year called Sophie who surprises everyone by scoring four more goals than the highest of the other contenders. We find a fantastic new Keeper, a stocky fifth year called Jack, and Fred hits one of the bludgers so hard that it is knocked off course out of the pitch and Al has to fly and retrieve it. Then it goes wrong. Ten people try out for the second Beater position. The first three miss the bludger completely, the next two are giggling girls just there to ogle Fred and the one after that turns out be a Hufflepuff. Numbers seven and eight are fairly good but end up hitting each other with their clubs after disagreeing over who had the hardest shot and the ninth person loses his nerve completely and ends up falling off his broomstick and having to cling to one of the goalposts until rescued. So to James' disgust, the tenth candidate, Connor McLaggen, is given the spot. He celebrates with a couple of victory laps and loop-the-loops.

James lands on the ground next to me and mutters, 'Bloody show off. Thank God that's over. Come on, I'll walk you back.'

I lift my broom onto my shoulder and follow him up towards the castle.

'You flew well,' he says, 'we're definitely going to win the cup again this year.'

'We better! My parents hated it last year when we thrashed Slytherin in the final.'

James shakes his head, 'I don't get your parents. They just don't realise how amazing you are.'

I freeze inside; surely this is more than just friendly talk? Why am I being such a poor judge of it all now? I'm usually clued up about boys but now that it matters, now that it's someone I like, I'm stumped!

We walk in silence for a few moments, almost back at the Common room, my mind whirling, when James moans, 'Oh I've left my wand down in the changing rooms.'

'Do you want me to do back with you?'

'Nah, it's late, don't worry about it. I'll see you in a bit.'

He jogs off and I head through the portrait to the common room where I'm ambushed by Anna as soon as I enter.

'We need to talk, Vic!' she says sternly and steers me into one of the isolated armchairs in the corner.

'What's happening?' I ask, alarmed at the usually calm and collected Anna's behaviour.

I'm seated and she leans over me, looking slightly menacing.

'Right,' she begins, 'what the hell is going on with you and James?'

'What?' I splutter.

'If you like each other then do something about it now! You'd be perfect together but you're both too thick to realise it!'

I'm too shocked to form a sentence for a moment.

'What? We're just friends.'

Anna rolls her eyes, 'Yeah right, you stare at each other all the time. And Fred said that you were all over each other at the trials earlier.'

I search for Fred to give him an evil look but it seems like he's gone to bed already. A wise move; I'm furious that he's set Anna on me like this when I wasn't expecting it.

Anna stares me out, waiting for a confession.

'Alright,' I give in, 'I think I do sort of like him. Maybe.'

'I knew it!' she gloats triumphantly, 'Right, go and find him and tell him. This tension is driving everyone crazy.'

How many people suspect it? I wonder wildly.

'Nothing can happen,' I mutter, 'He's Harry Potter's son! And my whole family were Death Eaters!'

'That's a pathetic excuse, Victoria. Everyone knows you're nothing like your family, including James's! Now go and find him and I promise that you'll be going to Hogsmede together next weekend.'

Without realising it, I'm climbing out of my seat and heading out of the portrait hole, re-tracing my steps to the pitch where he'll still be. Images are floating in my mind of us. At Hogsmede. At the Christmas Ball. I grin to myself and jog round the corner so I'm almost in the entrance hall, just the staircase to go.

The main doors swing open and I duck behind a pillar because it's after the time which sixth years have to be in their common rooms and I don't fancy a detention on the first day back.

Two figures enter and I immediately recognise James as one of them. Who is he with? My heart drops. James Potter is standing in the entrance hall kissing Emma Thornberry.