It was their Hogsmead weekend. Everyone started to head towards the village some with their friends, some with their dates. It was a breezy day. More students headed towards the joke shop in which Fred was one among them. Of course he will meet his dad sometimes there. Louis promised Liza to go to Hogsmead together. So that left James. James got dressed up and started to walk towards the village when he met three familiar students. Of course it was his brother, cousin and Scorpius.

'Hi guys' said James. He joined them.

'James I don't see you accompanied by your best friends, I am surprised' said Albus and deserved a smack on his head from James.

'You know Louis has gone with Liza and Fred has gone to the Joke Shop' He looked around. Many students with their friends were walking and somewhere in his mind he hoped for a particular girl to meet. And suddenly he spotted a red head but not the Weasley's red head but the familiar red head different from the Weasley's one. Of course he spotted Emily walking towards the village but alone. Alone, wow a great opportunity thought James. 'Um, OK guys see you around' and before anyone could stop him to ask where he was going he walked towards the direction where Emily was coming from.

'Hi Emily, where are your friends?' said James trying hard to sound casual.

'Oh, Hi James' said Emily looking surprised. She nearly ran into him. James caught her arms to steady her but immediately released her arm when she stood alright. 'Thanks, didn't see you coming, um, Melody has gone with her friends to Hogsmead and I don't see you with your friends either'.

'Well Louis has gone with his girlfriend and actually I woke up late today, so I told Fred to carry on 'He looked at her for a second then with a great strength he asked 'You don't mind joining me, you see Fred might be busy in the Joke shop with his dad and I don't want to interrupt them'

'Sure why not, let's get going then'. They started to walk on the road. James couldn't believe this he was going to Hogsmead with Emily. But he warned himself not to gloat because they are of course like friends. They reached the Three Broomstick and entered inside to have some drinks. They ordered Butterbeer for each and got a table to sit.

'So, can I ask why you have not joined your little friends group?'

She hesitated for a bit then said 'I don't usually used to hang around with Melody when she is with her friends'

'You mean the giggling group'

This made Emily smile her beautiful smile. James heart skipped a beat whenever he saw her smile that way. 'Wow, you call them that, glad to know someone is including those girls in their hate list'

'It's not like I hate them, I find them creepy actually, so tell me why don't you like them, well if you don't want to tell me then don't tell, I'm not forcing you'

'It's OK you can ask me anything, well you know they are Melody's childhood friends so Melody used to hang around with them more usually than with me, but these girls find me boring when I used to held up some conversation with them' She sighed. James noticed an air of exhaustion in her face.

'But you are not boring actually you are fun to talk with you know' said James unable to stop himself.

'Thanks James that means a lot, well but they never used to behave in a good manner with me especially when Melody isn't around so I got used to those things and so I always hang around with Melody only when she is not surrounded by that little group' She looked calm when she explained it to James and James noticed she didn't have tears in her eyes and she wasn't regretting about anything. 'But I have friends in other houses you know as study buddy or as chatting companion'

'But Melody must have noticed about her friend's behavior towards you'

'I can't blame Melody. She knows everything but you know she can't avoid them for me as I told they are her childhood friends. Melody is a nice girl. She never hesitated to be a friend with me and she never hurts anyone intentionally' She smiled and sipped her butterbeer with her eyes on the table. She took her own time and looked up. 'But I don't mind these things. They are like passing clouds. There are other things going on this world to learn about.'

James smiled. The more she talked the more he started to like her. Especially when she smiled, this made a cute little dimple in her cheek. James knew he started to think like a lovesick puppy but he liked the new feeling. But he was new to these things. Of course he is the popular guy in his school who used to be cool and perfect. But this girl made him feel weak and different. He couldn't stop this type of feeling. He couldn't stop this feeling.

'Um James, are you there?' said Emily waving her hand In front of his face. James snapped out of his thoughts and looked around. Emily suppressed a giggle when his mouth was open ajar. James blushed and cursed himself. There was an awkward silence between them. Emily kept sipping her drink and James who finished his drink was starring at the people around.

Emily on the other hand kept looking at James nervously. She didn't know why was nervous around him. She never got this type of feeling whenever she was with others. It's not like she has never talked to a boy in fact she has friends from other houses in which some of them are boys. After sometimes James cleared his throat to announce that they shall go to some other places. They slowly walked towards the other side of shops.

'Hey can we go to Shrieking Shack it will be fun' said James and then smacked him mentally. Just great, thought James. You ask a girl to join a haunted place for the first time. Idiot!

'Shrieking Shack, wow James I think you read my mind I too thought of that' replied Emily. This was unexpected thought James. Usually girls used to shriek by hearing the name Shrieking Shack.

'So you like to go the Shrieking Shack, I mean girls used to be afraid of this place' When Emily raised her eyebrow he added 'and some boys '

She just took her time viewing the place as they reached it. Then slowly she said 'I used to come here whenever I come alone you know and relax a bit' Looking at the confused face of James she added 'It's quiet and peaceful here. I know the story about this place but people think it is where ghost live or something'

'Wow you are so different then I thought, Fred, Louis and I used to come to this place play our pranks on the people passing by' and he started tell about the pranks they did. Emily roared with laughter. After several minutes they found themselves laughing and making people stare at them. Emily breathed heavily.

'Oh…. My…gosh that was…. the funniest thing… I ever heard….. Of, oh no... I can't breathe James' She clutched his shoulder for support but didn't notice James cheek which turned into red. Few minutes later James asked. 'So you used to come here just for relaxing'

'Yeah sort of' she rummaged in her bag a little to take out a Muggle novel book. 'And I used to sit there on that bench and enjoy reading this book'

'Wow, I never thought the studious girl will never do anything except read her academic book'

'This comes from the person who used to spend most of his time on pranks but still is one among the topper' said Emily raising her eyebrow.

'Fine, fine I'm done' said James raising his arms in defense. 'So can I ask what type of novel do you read?'

'Um, I like adventurous one with at least a little humor in it.' Bingo, I like to have adventures in my life and I'm funny. I like the way where this is going thought James.

'Can I ask you something?' asked James. She nodded keeping her novel inside her bag. 'Are you a Muggleborn? Don't mistake me but I have seen you many a time's wearing muggle clothes and now I found you reading muggle novels which most of the students don't'

'Actually I'm not a muggleborn' smiled Emily 'Well it's a long story'

'I'm a good listener' said James.

'Well, you see I have muggle cousins whom I used to visit for summer'

'Oh so your mom is'

'No, actually my Grandmother is a muggleborn. She was very close to her cousin before she found herself as a witch. She was afraid to tell her because if she knew, she would hate her and thought to keep it as a secret. Well she told her that she would be going to a boarding school. My gran didn't have guts to tell her. And she never did tell her so whenever we used to go to her house we used to completely act like a muggle. You know we don't want to risk my Gran's friendship for anything'

'Till now you guys are keeping it as a secret' asked James. Emily nodded her head. 'Won't she find when you invite her for tea or something?'

'That's impossible she moved to America when she got married'

'But what about occasions like marriage; didn't your gran invite her for her marriage?'

'Well, as my gran married a wizard she didn't want her to invite and told her that they didn't invite more people it was like quiet and in a hurry'

'What about your mom's marriage did she tell the same?'

'Well luckily Grandma Mary you know my Grans cousin fell ill so my Gran made it up with that'

'OK, then what will they tell her when you are going to marry' he spoke without thinking then smacked himself mentally. James saw her blushing. There was a silence between them. Then James thought of something else to speak. 'Wow, your family should be an example for "the cooperation with muggles" '

Emily smiled. She didn't know what to tell him. She was happy when James decided to speak.

'Um, so what about your dad's family?'

'Oh, dad's family is completely opposite to my mom's. My dad's family is full of witches and wizard not even muggleborn. I have an aunt who lives in Australia and an uncle who lives in France. They have two children each and I used to visit them for holidays'

'Wow, you must be lucky to go to different places'

'Yeah, I'm lucky when it comes to my cousin; they are the one I have to share my feelings with. I used to get along with them, they are so much fun to join with and it includes my muggle cousins too you know Grandchildren of Grandma Mary. I used enjoy with them even if they are not witches or wizards I love their games. I wish my cousins would study with me in Hogwarts. We would have been like you guys you know like Fred, Louis and you' she finished with a sigh.

James just stared at her. He did not know she felt all alone in Hogwarts for six years. And he couldn't be without his friends for one minute. He felt bad and had a sudden urge to hug her. But he controlled his feelings with a great difficulty and said 'you know actually I think it is good for them to be abroad'

Emily looked up shocked. 'So you are telling me that it's good for me to be alone here and miss my cousin miserably'

'No I didn't mean that, what I mean is fate has a given a chance for us to talk with each other, to know each other. You see would it have been possible for us to have fun like this if you were sticking with your cousin. I wouldn't have found you alone here and accompanied you. You wouldn't have been so brave and independent if you were with your cousin all days. I have never seen a girl this independent like you, coming to Hogsmead all by yourself and enjoying. Even I wouldn't have guts like you to come alone to Hogsmead' he paused then continued 'You know sometimes life isn't fair at all but that doesn't mean you should show your back to this world and miss enjoying other things in your life. You have Melody as a friend and you have got other friends from different houses which lacks in many people. You know I got you as a friend to know about and you are great I mean you are smart and funny and everything and you are going to see your cousin this summer and you are not missing them because they are in your heart Emily judging by the fact how you love them'

Emily just stared at him for a whole minute. It looked like she was surprised. Then she found her voice 'Thank you James that ….that means a lot' there was a silence between them not awkward. 'So we are like friends know'

'Like friends? We are friends'

'Deal' smiled Emily. She looked happy and James looked pleased with himself. 'Enough talking about my family. So tell me about your family.'

'Come on you might have read about them'

'Only about the war, not like about how you used to play prank on your cousin'

James smiled. On their way to school they had fun discussing about pranks and people. They also started to discuss about their subject. 'I feel Transfiguration a little tough and defense against dark arts too. Especially when it comes the conjure a patronus' said Emily

'Actually they are the easiest for me'

'I know I have seen your skills in both of the subjects. Your patronus is a stag right?'

'Yeah. Actually you should think something happy when you do that'

'I know but it is hard for me'

'Why don't you try that thinking about your cousins you know you love them'

'I have tried that. But OK I'll try again'

When they reached the fat lady they said the password in unison and enter to see whom James didn't want to see. Of course Fred and Louis were sitting on the chairs smirking at James. James hesitantly turned to Emily who said 'It was fun with you around. See you around and yeah you will not mind if I ask you doubts in Transfiguration'

'No, of course not'

'I think Melody is in the dormitory I'll see you around' she waved and drifted back to the girl's dormitory. He stared back at her then turned to see their idiotic face whose expression didn't change at all.

'So what's up?' said James acting normal.

'How was your date?' asked Fred

'It wasn't a date. I just joined her because she had no company as she didn't like to join Melody as she was hanging around with those giggling girls and Louis had gone with Liza and you told me you were going to meet your dad at the joke shop so I didn't want to disturb you OK'

'Hmm, a likely story. I saw you guys were at the shrieking shack. What were you thinking James taking your date to a haunted place?' said Louis

'For the last time I'm telling you it wasn't a date idiots' shouted James

'Fine, fine we agree' said Fred. Then he started to snigger when they all decided to take a nap in their dormitory.

'What?' asked James

'I wouldn't wear a lousy dress like yours if I was going on a date'

'You…'

Long story right. I hope you enjoyed. Next chapter is about Emily and James getting along just like friends. Please review this chapter. More reviews the sooner the next chapter will be updated.