Chapter 9
James Potter
"Mate you cant lay here sulking the whole day, we've got Quidditch practice and –"
"I'm not sulking," Padfoot growls out but doesn't open his eyes where he lays on the bed completely still.
"I know what Marlene –"
"James!" He all but yelled "Do not."
"What you can't hear her name now?" I roll my eyes.
"I'm done with this." He mutters and stands up from his bed.
I also stand up and sigh; "Yeah go and take a walk clear your head, but don't think you're just going to be alright –"
"Prongs, you know her, she isn't done with me. It's not over at all." Sirius mutters darkly before exiting the room.
I roll my eyes and turn to Mooney and Wormtail who both sit silently on their beds.
"What?" Mooney asks when I look at him a sigh.
"He can be so stupid sometimes,"
"Who?" Wormtail peeps up at the same time as Mooney says; "I know,"
"Sirius of course," I answer Wormtail who nods blankly "Anyways, are you getting Marlene something for her day on Friday?"
"Is there a Marlene day?" Wormtail asks as dimwitted as always
"Her birthday!" I remind him a little snappier than I should.
"Oh," he says
"Chocolate." Mooney shrugs. "You can give it with me if you want Peter," he then adds to Peter who smiles.
"What about you Prongsie, you getting her something?" Mooney asks.
"Mum always sends me a gift for her from me and my family," I shrug.
"What about Padfoot?"
There is a annoyingly long silence before I shrug again "I have no idea, he's probably not giving her anything."
"Does she expect him to give her something?" Mooney continues
"I don't know." I answer honestly "Hopefully not."
"Do you think he's right? Or do you think Marlene will stick with "this is over"?" Mooney then asked.
"I know Marley, she has done this often, told him its over. It probably isn't and honestly I think she doesn't want it to be, I don't think I want it too be over either… anyways, I'm gonna go and find Gideon before Quidditch practice I have something to discuss with him." I say – actually just making an excuse to get out of here and follow Padfoot's lead and exit the room.
– Hunting for Happiness –
Walking around Hogwarts really isn't as boring as it might seem, if you decide to take the stairs there is no way to know where you are going to end because the constantly move.
I hadn't really planned to go and find Gideon I cold talk to him at practice, I wasn't looking for Sirius either, I honestly don't know who I'm looking for or if I'm looking for anyone. I close my eyes and lean back on the stair, not caring where I end up.
Suddenly someone falls onto my body causing both me - and who ever it is to fall back from the stairs and land on the floor below. "Ouch"
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" The person says and I realize who it is right away and smirk.
"Well, well, well, isn't this tad over the top Evans?"
"Potter," Evan scowls when she realizes it is me she fell on top off. "What do you mean by that?" she then asks and pushes her petite little body off mine.
"I knew this time would come soon enough,"
"What time?"
"The time you fall for me. Just didn't expect it to be quite this way."
"Always so witty," Evans rolls her eyes at me my smirk doesn't move. "But I'll have to be leaving if you don't mind –" she doesn't even really finish her sentence before scowling at me and stalking away, leaving me staring dreamily after her still laying flat on the floor. Damn that girl for having so much power over me.
– Hunting for Happiness –
"Potter! Black!"" Gideon yells as Padfoot and I walk out of the Qudditch dressing rooms in our Quidditch uniforms. "Come over here for a second."
I look at Padfoot who shrugs and we walk over to our captain.
"Alright, so I'm pretty sure everyone in Gryffindor knows about you and McKinnon now or at least about your little spat at Hogsmeade." he addresses Padfoot who rolls his eyes
"There isn't –"
"I know - she broke it off. Fine. Just let me be clear: I will not have this "thing" between you – on or off – ruining my team, okay? This year we will win that bloody cup, this is my last year and you better make me proud." Gideon smirks and we both laugh.
"It's not going to do anything to the team." Padfoot promises, "It hasn't done anything yet and isn't going to ever. I want to win just as much as you do."
"I doubt that" Gideon laughs and then looks over our shoulders and grins "talking about the devil… Ah, McKinnon! Excuse me boys," he adds and walks towards Marlene.
"Is Fabian here yet?" I wonder.
"He's standing over there, mate," Padfoot rolls his eyes and points his finger behind me.
"Thanks… I'm gonna go and talk to him… you coming?"
"Naah… I'll be with you in a sec," Padfoot says slowly, his eyes not leaving Marlene, I raise my eyebrow but don't say anything.
"So James," Fabian Prewett, Gideon's twin brother, greets me when I walk up to where he and Patrick Peskey, a fifth year student and our seeker stand. "How to you find Gideon's new schedule?"
"It's gonna be hardcore training time," I roll my eyes "But we've got to train well if we wanna win Hufflepuff…" I shrug "Ravenclaw nearly beat Hufflepuff… 270 – 250, so if we don't beat them now our best hope is if Slytherin looses to Hufflepuff… and we win at least two games…"
"But Slytherin has a really good team… I mean Regulus is a lot better then I expected." says Fabian and Patrick nods in agreement
"Yeah, yeah I know… but there is always chance and beside… even if they don't loose against Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, there is still chance, as long as we beat Slytherin in the final game and don't loose two games."
"PRACTISE IS SET!" Gideon calls and I realize everyone is ready.
"Before we start," Gideon continues "The game is only a week and a half… We are a great team." He smiles "Patrick you've been outstanding in every practice." The small seeker smiles. "And we do have the best chasers," the girls (Marlene and Joann Clearwater) both laugh and Marlene says;
"Please, like we didn't know that… James you're okay as well," she smirks at me and I stick my tongue out.
"Our beaters are fantastic," Gideon continues and Padfoot and Fabian both grin.
"And I think I can honestly say I'm a bloody good keeper my self-"
"You are," Joann says forcefully "You are the glue for this team," she winks at him "But can we please start practice?"
Gideon looks at the dark haired fifth year that has been a part of the team since she was a second year and laughs.
"On your brooms then!"
– Hunting for Happiness –
"WORST EFFING PRACTISE EVER!" Joann all but screams as she stomps her way into the girl's dressing room, followed by a red Marlene.
"She's right," I sigh and Padfoot and I walk together, with Peskey following us, into the boy changing room.
"Do you think Gid and Fab are coming?" he asks.
"Let them scream at each other for a little while longer," I sigh and run my fingers through my hair tiredly
"Gideon has some nerve saying he's nervous about McKinnon and I ruining this team," Sirius sneers out.
"What is going on withy you and Marlene?" Peskey asks curiously. "I mean she is damn hot and she likes Qudditch… no wonder why you like shagging that! At least I wouldn't mind doing so"
"Watch it Peskey," Sirius sneers out before pulling the last of his clothes of and darting into the shower room.
"Sorry, he's not in a good mood," I tell Patrick who simply laughs.
"It's fun how he reacts," he shrugs his shoulders and I shake my head and roll my eyes "I'm just telling the truth though, McKinnon is damn hot, but well I guess she'd never go out with a fifth year and Sirius seems ready to kill whoever asks her out, he should just start a relationship with her."
I don't answer him, but I find it funny how a little fifth year like Patrick Peskey can understand so much when it comes to our group. He must have a really good eye for things – or maybe we were just more obvious than we thought.
– Hunting for Happiness –
Thirty minutes ago
"Gid! Call break!" Fabian yells at his brother.
"What now Fab!" Gideon asks pissed as he jumps off his broom.
"There is someone watching the practice –"
Gideon turns around to spot two giggling girls. "Those are not Gryffindors." he grits "Sod off, this is a closed practice!"
"Wow, Gideon really is in a good mood," I whisper to Padfoot who snickers.
Both girls redden as they realize they've been spotted and step away from their hiding place.
"Sorry, we really aren't spying or anything." the blonde one promises, shyly.
"Then what are you doing?" Gideon demands, both girls look at Sirius next to me and giggle. Gideon seems to realize what they want and sighs.
"Defiantly not what we need right now," he turns to Padfoot "Black, please make sure your fanclub girls don't interrupt my practice again.
Sirius looks confused for a moment and then he smirks.
"You know Prongs," he says and looks up and into the sky. "The sun is pretty hot today," he smirks again before dragging his Quidditch shirt off.
I groan tired of his acts, but cant hide my smirk as the girls both swoon and seem like they are about to faint.
"Are you coming back to practice Black or are we expecting you to remove more clothing?" Gideon booms from the sky.
"I'm coming," Sirius smirks and the two girls look a bit disappointed that he didn't take more off.
We've only been practicing for around five minutes when Patrick this time interrupts "Gid! There are more people watching!"
Gideon's face is turning redder by the minute and he once again step of his broom and looks around, paling when he finds Bethany Davies sitting not far away, glancing from him and then at Fabian.
"Beth," he greets her silently and walks toward her "What are you doing here?"
The Ravenclaw 7th year shrugs, "Just watching my favorite boys practice…"
I watch as Gideon seems to tense at the word boys.
"Beth, you need to leave," he tells her under his breath but gets cut off by his own brother.
"Oh common Giddy, you don't want to make a gorgeous girl go away, do you?" he smirks at Bethany who gives him a smile
"Hello, Fabian." She greets him and he gives her a short hug, leaving his brother with a scowl
"Beth, we're trying to practice."
"Maybe practice should be over," Fabian tells his brother who ignores him
"We'll talk later okay?" Gideon reaches out for Bethany's hand, she smiles back at him.
"But Gid…" she whines. "I'm just going to sit here and watch you guys, I'll promise to behave." She giggles.
"Beth…" Gideon groans but Fabian cuts him off
"Come Beth, I'll let you ride my broomstick with me if you want-"
"Fabian we're at practice" Gideon refuses and sends his brother a glare.
Fabian ignores him and takes Bethany's hand "Common, let me show you a good time. Remember how fun we had the last time?" he cocks his eyebrow up and grins at Bethany.
This seems to do it; Gideon suddenly lounges himself at Fabian, pushing away from Bethany, causing him to fall flat on the ground.
It doesn't take Fabian long to get off the ground and he runs towards his brother, slamming his hands into his chest "What the hell!" he yells.
"I'm tired of this!" Gideon yells back.
"Tired of what? Me flirting with Beth, because last time I checked you didn't own her and Tuesday night she sure as hell wasn't thinking about you!"
Gideon's face turns red "Oh? And what, last night she wasn't thinking about you, was she?"
Now its Fabians time to rage "What?"
I look clueless at Padfoot and we both silently decided to try and break the two twins up.
"Gid!" Padfoot tries to restrain Gideon, but Gideon seems to not see him, he only glares at his brother and the curse words come flying out of his mouth.
The same tale is to tell of Fabian, who I try to hold back.
"Guys –" Joann tries "Guys! GUYS! Guys stop!" She tries, pushing her self on Fabians body to try to restrain him with me.
"Gideon, shut up and breathe!" Marlene lectures but Gideon doesn't stop cursing Fabian and tries his best to fight Sirius off.
Patrick stands clueless next to Bethany who looks if she's going to cry.
"PESKEY!" Joann yells "Get Davies the fuck out of here!"
"I… I don't… How…" He still looks just as clueless as before.
"I… I… I'm sorry, I'll go…" Bethany mumbles out and looks a little frightened "Bye …" She whispers before turning around and running of the pitch.
"You fucking son of a bitch!" Gideon rages and somehow is able to loose him self from Padfoots steal grip.
"Oh, why would you talk about your own mother like that dear brother?"
Fabian gives me one last push and succeeds - I fall back and he breaks free from my grip.
We watch as the two brothers tackle each other to the ground and lay there rolling, cursing each together.
"This is bullshit!" Marlene swears "I'm out of here!"
"WORST EFFING PRACTISE EVER!"
– Hunting for Happiness –
After "practice" Padfoot and I join Mooney and Wormtail back at our room, deciding we should have some quiet time just us boys after all that's happened for the last week.
"What would you guys say was the thing you must regret the most?" I ask casually and lean back on my bed.
"Hmm…" Padfoot wonders about it for a second.
"Sleeping with Marlene" Mooney offers and looks at Padfoot, but before anyone can say anything suddenly Padfoot is pushing Mooney against the wall.
I stand up surprised but have no idea what I should do or what is going on.
"What?" Padfoot rages, giving Mooney a push "When the hell did you s-sleep with Ma-Marlene?"
"I –" Mooney struggles.
"I knew something was up when you were dancing –" Padfoot continues slamming Mooney against the wall
"Sirius!" I try, knowing I need to say something so he won't strangle Mooney
"Sirius let me go!" Mooney pushes back "I did not sleep with Marlene!"
Padfoot slowly lets go and Mooney falls to the floor "Then why did you say so –"
"I was talking about you!" Mooney sighs, getting up. "'Sleeping with Marlene' was meant to be a question to you, if that was the thing you most regretted!"
"Oh…" Padfoot says slowly "You… You didn't sleep with McKinnon?"
"No!" Mooney, Wormtail and I all shout at the same time
"And Pad, why would it matter to you anyway?" Mooney pushes and glares at Padfoot "You say you don't care with who she sleeps with, you sleep with other people – she can do so too. Right?"
"Of course," Padfoot says but looks down on the floor. "I don't care."
"Then why did you push me against a freaking wall?"
"I… it's … different… I mean… I… She can't sleep with you!" He finally breaks. "Not you guys, not people connected to me –"
"Like Regulus?" I ask hesitantly.
"It's frustrating! This bloody pull she has over me, I know I have no right to be mad… but … She just … she isn't supposed to be with people I know."
"Then what about just being in a relationship with her? Being exclusive?" Mooney pushes
"I can't." Padfoot answer "I can't be in that… I can't deal. I can't not sleep with other people, I can't not over react… It will drive me insane, she already drives me insane, Marlene McKinnon is a bloody flirt, I'm know that I am a flirt too – but still she drives me bloody insane. I couldn't be in a relationship. I can't do that to her. She doesn't want to go through how I would be." Padfoot sighs but cuts us of quickly when we try to say anything; "Maybe it's good she broke it of… even though its not going to last. It's never worked, never will. Not until I want it to be," he adds darkly
"Padfoot –" I try but once again he cuts me of
"Lets not talk about this shall we." He says in the same dark tone and sits on his bed. "I'm too tried to stay awake anyway."
We all nod silently, knowing when it comes to Sirius and Marlene we are supposed to let it go – or at least we always do let it go. We don't know how to deal with problems like this, because Sirius himself has no idea what he's doing.
A/N: So this wasn't the best chapter I've written, but James is EXTREAMILY hard to write for me, I just don't seem to get into his mind like I can get into Marlene and Sirius's… Sighs Anyways, hope you didn't hate my chappie … ^^ And thanks for the review you guys who reviewed! Hehe. (And yes, there was only one really short Limes scene, I deserve your punishments.)