Chapter 16

I can't fight this feeling any longer.
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger.

~Can't Fight This Feeling by Reo Speedwagon~

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Immediately I sat up in bed. Glancing at the clock hanging on the wall I saw it was 8:27 A.M. the match wasn't until three. Why the bloody hell was someone knocking on our door so early?

KNOCK KNCOK KNOCK

"Who the fuck is that?" Rose grumbled as she pulled the sheets up over her head, she never has been a morning person.

"No clue." I said as I slipped out of bed. Ryan was still asleep, that girl could sleep though anything. When we were little she slept straight though what I thought was the thunderstorm of the century. The next morning when she woke up she had no idea that it had even happened and if I hadn't brought it up she still wouldn't to this day.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Merlin who ever this is; is persistent. Finally making it to the door, the floor was a minefield of clothes and shoes that Rose had strewn about during her time in the small little room before we came, I pressed my face against the smooth wood and looked out the peep hole. All I could see was a blurred flesh colored blob that could mean only one person was standing outside the door, James.

I undid the chain and pulled the door open. I silently thanked Merlin that I was wearing an old sweatshirt and shorts instead of a nightgown. James smirked at me, his hazel eyes friendly. He was wearing his Quidditch uniform and had a piece of toast in his left hand.

"Morning Rye bread" yes he's the wonderful person that started that lovely nickname, " Is Rosie up?"

"Rose you up?" I called softly into the room.

"kdjofieoa" Rose mumbled. Her face concealed by her blanket and probably jammed into her pillow.

"From the sounds I just heard I would say she's conscious but not capable of speech."

James chucked to himself and I smiled. This was the James I liked. The laid back, fun, humors, James. Not the brooding, uptight, pissy James that he also could be. It was like ying and yang with him, but you never knew who you were going to get.

I stepped aside and James sauntered into the room jamming the last bit of toast into his mouth. He promptly walked over to Roses bed grabbed the comforter by the end and gave it a nice pull. Despite her grip on it the comforter slid out of her hands and onto the floor exposing her to the cold air. Immediately Rose rolled over and sat up. Her eyes betrayed just how mad she was.

"What the fuck James? It's barely 8:30 in the morning! Why on earth did you come here? Don't you have some big match to be stressing out about? You've been a right tosser over the last few days and now the day of it's like you've got sunshine coming out your arse."

James smiled at her. Rose did have a point. Judging from what I've heard from Al, James had been in a foul mood all week due to stress. His nerves should be hitting their highest point this morning. But instead he seemed laid back and carefree.

"Pickard isn't playing. He's injured."

"What?" Rose asked her anger melting.

"Pickard isn't playing. He got stupid during a family Christmas party and is out this match due to a broken arm that hasn't had time to heal."

"Are you fucking serious!" Rose screamed at him. All traces of anger were gone.

"What's going on?" A sleepy voice from the other side of the room asked.

Seems like Ryan couldn't sleep though the sounds of Rose and James girlish screams.

James whipped around seeming almost startled by the voice.

Ryan was sitting up in bed. Her blond hair was a mess, her over sized sweatshirt was hanging off one shoulder, and she had a line running across her cheek from a wrinkle in her pillow. Instantly her blue eyes widened and looked over at me panicked. I could tell that in everyway she imagined meeting James Potter this was not one of them.

"James, meet my cousin Ryan. Ryan meet James."

Ryan's eyes were glued to James's face. I give her mad props for not blushing. If the situation had been reversed I would have been as red as traffic light.

"Nice to meet you Ryan." James nodded and then turned back to Rose and started doing some form of happy dance.

"He's out Rosie! You have no idea how fucking wonderful this is!" he said as he spun around in a circle his arms waving franticly by his sides.

"Who's out?" Ryan asked.

"Michael Pickard." James called over his shoulder while he pelvic thrusted at Rose. She just rolled her eyes.

"Wait Michael Pickard, the top scorer in the league, is out?" Ryan asked becoming very interested in the conversation.

"You follow Quidditch? James asked as he spun around stopping his calibration dance. Rose seemed relived.

"Of course I follow Quidditch. It's like the best sport ever invented. And trust me I know a lot about sports."

"Rosie who is this girl and why have I never met her before?" James asked turning back to Rose.

"If you paid attention to anything anyone has ever said to you, you would already have the answer to your question. She's Rileys cousin."

James then rounded on me.

"Rye bread you have this amazing cousin and you've never introduced me to her before? What's wrong with you."

"She has never come to England. There for, no meeting has ever taken place until now." I told him.

"As much fun as this early morning chat has been, get the fuck out James. Some of us like our sleep." Rose said as she gathered and then pulled the comforter back up over her head.

"Yeah alright. See you girls later." James said and with a wink in Ryan's direction he left the room.

Ryan sat beaming in the corner. A smile plastered on her face. Looks like even though it was picture perfect her first encounter with James went swimmingly.

"Move your arse there's not enough space for the both of us when you stand in the center like that." Rose said startling me and causing me to jump. Something very dangerous to do when one is applying mascara.

I quickly turned away from the mirror to fake glare at Rose.

"You know I could have poked my eye out." I said as I slid over.

Rose just shrugged her shoulders and stepped into the space I had created.

After breakfast we had moved all of our stuff out of the hotel and into James's apartment. It was very nice but a little cramped with the three of us sharing one room and one bathroom. Al and Hugo had to share with James though and hearing about the mess he made when he lived at Hogwarts I some how think we got the better end of the deal despite the lack of breathing room.

The two of us worked in silence for a few moments. Doing my makeup next to Rose was comforting. We had been standing side by side now for four years, ever since we discovered the little boutique in Hogsmeade. Seeing that we were away from home and away from our mothers' watchful eyes we were free to experiment with as much and as gaudy makeup as we wanted. Over time we learned things like glitter eyeliner doesn't really work on a everyone and that blue eye shadow should be used sparingly. In the beginning Morgan was in our Friday night make up makeovers but she stopped coming around the year after we started them. Rose and I hadn't done them in ages. Friday nights were now consumed with homework, friends, boyfriends, or a party. No longer were we holed up in our dorm laughing at one another over how ridiculous someone looked while munching on some desert we had acquired from the kitchen. Suddenly becoming nostalgic I was overwhelmed with the need to ask Rose what happened between her and Morgan. The three of us used to be so close.

"Rose." I began breaking the silence.

"Hmm" she hummed back.

"What happened between you and Morgan? I know you told me to drop it but it was years ago and no one has told me."

Rose stopped completely brush in hand.

"She never told you?"

I shook my head no.

Sighing Rose turned to look at me.

"I know it was a long time ago and I regret what happened. Looking back now the reason the two of us no longer talk is very very dumb but it's to late to fix anything. It's hard to explain care if we put this off until after the match? Possibly until we return to school?"

I nodded my head. I've been waiting four years to hear this story what would a few more days hurt.

Science descended upon us again but it was different this time. Not as comfortable. Something or some form of tension was underneath the surface just noticeable for me to fell somewhat uncomfortable.

"James really needs to get some color into this place. I mean everything is blue or white."

I glanced at Ryan in the mirror as she came in and chocked back a laugh.

"Not to mention your face."

One side of Ryans face was painted a deep navy blue and the other was the color of chalk. The two colors meet in the middle of her face in a sharp line contrasting one another.

Rose just rolled her eyes.

"James gets very into team sprit. His decorating choices come as no surprise to me. When he was in school everything in his room was red and gold. At least his team has normal colors. It would be horrid if he played for a team who's colors were black and orange. I cringed at the thought.

"Speaking of team sprit. What's with the face paint?" I asked Ryan.

"I've done it for every match I've ever gone to. You should see me during our school games. I go all out."

"All out crazy" I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that?" Ryan asked placing her hands on her hips.

"I said you're crazy."

Rose was standing their watching us with a bemused smile on her face.

"I am not crazy. I like to support my team."

"And by painting your face two different colors you're able to do that? Doesn't wearing a jersey accomplish the same thing?" I said teasing her.

Ryan glared at me. Her competitive win at all costs side was coming out. Sports were very near and dear to her heart and I knew that she went all out in supporting whatever team she played on or watched. I honestly didn't care what she did I just liked messing with her. I mean she's my cousin I'm allowed to mess with her from time to time.

Suddenly her face broke out into a wide grin.

"What? I asked skeptically. I knew that face. It was a face that led to things like spray-painting bridges or skinny-dipping.

"Rock, paper, scissors." She said holding her right hand in a fist in her left hand.

"Only if Rose has to too." I knew where this was going and I planned on taking someone down with me.

Rose looked quickly between the two of us.

"What are you doing?"

"Don't worry about it Rose just go with it." I said as I extended my own hand.

"Rock" I said

"Paper." Ryan responded.

"Scissors"

"Shoot" We said in unison.

I can't believe you got me into this" Rose grumbled into her hands. Good thing for magical paint other wise her hands would be covered in blue and white face paint.

"At least I'm not alone now," I said

Rose glared at me. The eye on the white half of her face standing out much more then the one on the blue side.

"Right, now we both look like idiots."

After losing rock, paper, scissors to Ryan, Rose and I were forced to paint our faces to show our support to James. When we arrived in the box (bonus points for James for scoring us wicked sweet seats) Mr. Weasley could barely contain his laughter at his daughters face. Needles to say Rose was not happy at all, but being the good sport that she is followed though with it. However she currently was sitting in her seat with her arms crossed pouting quietly to herself.

"Lighten up Rose it's not like you have anyone to impress here. Besides I think Scorpius would find you adorable right now. The paint really brings out your eyes."

Rose cracked a small smile at that but then her eyes turned sad.

"What's wrong Rose?" I asked lowering my voice to a whisper "Are things alright between the two of you."

Rose nodded her head and opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Al as he sat in the open seat next to me.

"Which one of you lost a bet?" he asked as he motioned to our faces.

"That would be me." I said as I raised my hand into the air. "And it technically wasn't a bet but more of a loss in a rock, paper, scissors match."

"What is it with you and losing rock, paper, scissors. It's a game of chance and yet you will lose 9 times out of 10."

"I will not."

"Wanna bet?" He said extending his hand.

I glared at him.

" I would but I'm still carrying out the last thing I lost I don't need to add another things on top of it."

"Whatever you say love." He said smiling at me.

Rose leaned forward at this and stared at Al. Her eyes communicating something I didn't understand. With a small shake of his head Al brushed off whatever she was telling him though eye message. It was so subtle that if I didn't know both of them so well (and wasn't sitting in-between them) I wouldn't have noticed it even occurring. The three of us descended into silence. The noise of the stadium filling in the quiet between the three of us. Strange how it can be so loud all around you and yet you can still feel silence weighing you down.

"Did you know that because we're in a sweet we get free food?" Ryan said as she sat down in the seat next to Al. Her arms loaded with popcorn, soda, chips, and other assorted snacks. Thank Merlin for Ryan. For the second time that day she had saved me for a borderline uncomfortable silence.

I smiled at her.

"No Ryan I didn't know that. Toss me some of that candy will you?"

She tossed me a fizzy sucker. It tasted and felt like you were drinking a real soda. I smiled she knew me so well. As I unwrapped it I was grateful to do something with my hands. Rose was still silently sitting to my left and Al and Ryan had engaged in conversation about Quidditch to my right.

"GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"

The announcement started the hell out of me causing me to jump. In doing so my whole body shifted and my left leg ended up pressed against Als. Heat spread through me and I felt my face start to heat up. Damn you body making me turn red when I'm embarrassed or feeling any emotion for that matter.

Quickly I drew my leg away. Only to have him follow me and press his leg against mine. Again heat surged though me starting from my leg and fanning out word.

I would like to say the match was amazing and that James played brilliant but to be honest I don't remember anything except the dull sound of the crowd and the heat radiating though my body and all because his stupid leg was pressed against mine. And to top it all off when James's team won and the box went crazy he hugged me. All I could process was the feel of his chest pressed against mine, the heat of his arms wrapped around my back pulling me closer, and most of all his overwhelming intoxicating smell of something that I had only smelled so strongly once before. Damn that Amortentia potion. Damn myself for having to acknowledge that I have feelings for him. Most of all Damn Rose for being right.

Yey for updates! I had time over the long weekend to sit down and write this :) So Riley finally admits her feelings to herself, something that has been coming for a while. I love all the reviews that you guys have been leaving! You guys are so awesome! Every time someone favors or reviews the story it makes me want to write it so much more. Shout out to all the guests or anyone without an account who have reviewed :) You don't have an account so I can't respond. Just wanted to let you know that your reviews are read and always appreciated. Hope you guys like this chapter :)