Ache
She said no.
Not only that, she preferred the Giant Squid to him.
And that hurt.
Not because she'd mocked him in front of students from each house.
Not because she'd mocked him in front of his comrades.
No. It hurt because she said no. She didn't want him.
Not now, not ever.
Slowly, he rose from his sheltered four poster and made his way into the storm that was now his life.
Eyes downcast and heart aching, James Potter firmly set himself on a mature path.
After all, if he had a chance to catch fire for himself...
Wouldn't it be worth it?