xi. Interhouse Collaborations

Hogwarts Third Year

It was a sight one morning when James Potter sat down in the Slytherin table, right next to his brother, Albus Potter. James had casually put his arm around his confused brother's shoulders.

"Hey Al, what's for breakfast?" James smiled nonchalantly at his brother, ignoring the stares and whispers.

"Uh, there's cereal? And maybe you'd like sandwiches?" Al answered confusedly, "The Gryffindors have the same menu,"

"Ah, I didn't think about that..." James whispered to himself, but Al perfectly heard it.

"What are you doing here, James?" He asked with a sigh. Before James could answer, a figure appeared behind them.

"What the fuck are you doing in the Slytherin table, Potter?" Flint had stood up from his end of the table and went to the infiltrator.

"Uh, having breakfast?" James answered dryly, as if it was obvious.

"What I mean is, what is a Gryffindor doing in the Slytherin table?" Flint emphasized.

"Oh. Um... Having breakfast?" James answered wittily. Flint's face turned red.

"This table is not for Gryffindors--"

"There's no written rule that Gryffindors can't eat in the Slytherin table, Flint," An elegant voice cut him off, it was Lyarra Malfoy who had an amused smirk on her face. Behind her was Jemma Zhang and Sarah Parkinson.

"Yeah, look around. There are some Ravenclaws eating with Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs with Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs with Gryffindors too." Jemma pointed around, backing up her friend. Not many Slytherins like to eat on other houses' tables.

"You're free to sit anywhere you want." Lyarra concluded as she crossed her arms and stepped closer to the sixth year, "Potter can sit here if he wants. Is there a problem?"

She said sweetly and lowly, "Don't want anything surprising to happen to you again, right?" She whispered to his ear so that only him can hear, making him more red from embarassment.

"No. Just stay away from me you witch," Flint spat and backed off, going back to his group.

"What a bloody tosser," Sarah tutted from behind her.

"Well, the bloody tosser's gone. C'mon let's find seats for us and the boys," Jemma smiled and pulled Sarah and Lyarra with her.

Lyarra's eyes caught James in the scuffle. She nodded in acknowledgement to the Gryffindor which he nodded back before she got dragged along the table. Albus had looked back and forth between Lyarra and James in confusion.

"What was that?" His voice rose a little bit, "I thought you said earlier this year to stay away from Lyarra Malfoy," Albus recited as he whispered to James.

"You detested her."

"She's... Alright."

"Alright?" Albus frowned in confusion.

"We had a truce. I won't tell you the details." James left no room for debate. "So, did you-- Holy Merlin,"

James didn't finish his question as he gaped, jaw dropping in disbelief as he saw a familiar figure entering the Great Hall in embarassment.

It was Marie Copperfield. Her usually blue colored Ravenclaw robes and tie were green like the Slytherins. The top part of her hair was a murky green color like the Black Lake. Her face was red from the constant stares of the Hall as she sat down the Ravenclaw table with her group of friends.

"Hey look, a Slytherin's in the Ravenclaw table!" Sarah Parkinson's announced loudly, making Lyarra snort and Jemma choke on her orange juice. "See, it's free seating, Flint!"

"Bollocks," James whispered and grinned. Marie Copperfield just got pranked.

"Did she do something?" Albus asked curiously as the corners of his lips slowly turned up in amusement.

"Uh, I heard she badmouthed some Slytherins..." James informed vaguely, "...From what I heard."

He then caught the sight of McGonagall's pointed stare in the professor's table. James quickly shook his head and mouthed "Not me this time,", denying the silent accusation.

Albus actually laughed. "She deserved it then,"

"You liked the prank?" James asked as he took some sandwiches into his plate.

"It's funny, I guess." Al shrugged.

"Good Morning, Al... Oh hey, Potter..." Scorpius greeted awkwardly as he sat down next to Albus' other side.

"Uh, hi."

"Why's a Slytherin in the Ravenclaw table?" Scorpius face scrunched as he frowned. Marie Copperfield was the very center of attraction that morning.

"She's actually a Ravenclaw. James said she talked bad behind a few people and got pranked." Albus explained as he poured some cereal into his milk.

"Oh, that's brilliant. Is it the same bloke that pranked Flint? Or is it your brother?" Scorpius excitedly asked as Albus passed him the milk carton.

"Not me this time, sadly." James sighed.

Albus looked around the hall and found a grinning Lyarra reading the Daily Prophet. Jemma was at her side, giving Lyarra a few pointed knowing glares in different intervals. Albus' head whipped back to Scorpius. "I think it's the same bloke that pranked Flint."

"How'd you know?" James was the one who asked this time, since he was interested in the mysterious bloke who managed to prank undetected in Hogwarts in the span of the school years.

Albus shrugged. "Just a feeling,"

"Hello, Hogwarts!" Fred's loud voice made everyone turn around to look at him as he walked inside the Great Hall, "Looking radiant today. Hey Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, Slytherins, and Ravenclaws--"

He stopped when he saw Marie who stood out like a sore thumb.

"Blimey, Marie Copperfield! Nice robes you got there, you're really looking green like the Slytherins!" Fred commented. Most of the Great Hall recipients laughed while Marie further sank into her seat in embarassment.

"We love to see interhouse collaboration!"

And with the public embarassment, Marie Copperfield never bothered to talk behind someone's back ever again.

While his relationship with Marie Copperfield was a bust, James still had another girl up his sleeve. Eunice Heffley, ever so shy Hufflepuff. They had partnered up for an Ancient Runes project since they were seatmates. And now they find themselves sharing a table together in the secluded corner of the library on a Thursday evening.

James and Eunice had searched up some books and had written on their report, and James would enjoy their time together if it wasn't for Eunice's jumpiness. She was also very timid so James had to frustratingly ask her to repeat her sentences since he couldn't decipher what she was saying. Eunice had apologized and turned to write on parchment instead, like their note passing in class. Other than that, their homework went pretty well and they were done in two hours.

As James stretched his body from constantly sitting in place, Eunice had tidied up her stuff and stood up, getting ready to leave before James stopped her by grabbing her elbow. Eunice squeaked. He thanked Eunice before she could go, and offered something that would make her stay a little bit longer.

He stood up and leaned on the table. The two were so close together, and James leaned a little bit so he can sweetly whisper in her ear.

"Want to snog?" He asked innocently, but with a purr.

Eunice gulped but shyly nodded.

He didn't hesitate to pull her closer to him as their lips mingled. He guesses it was her very first kiss as she wasn't as experienced as Marie was, and he was the one who had to take the lead.

But Eunice shyly followed along as James took her hands and put it on his shoulders as his hands lay on her waist, continuing to make out.

"Oh Salazar. Really? Right in the library?" Came out a disgusted voice, making the two break off of their kiss.

"Malfoy," James said annoyedly. Why is she the one that's always finding him in weird situations?

"Potter, of course." Lyarra rolled her eyes as it trailed to the red faced Hufflepuff who looked like she could faint. "And you are..."

"This is... Eunice? Wait!" James tried to call out to her, but Eunice had already taken her bags and fled the scene.

"Merlin, she's fast," Lyarra commented. James turned to her and gave her a pointed glare.

"What are you even doing here, Malfoy?" He sighed and brushed his messy bangs out of his face.

"I'm getting a book, Teddy told me it's somewhere near here," She shrugged and explored down the aisle, reading the book titles from their spines.

"You're studying-- no, hanging out with Teddy still?" James asked, crossing his arms as he leaned back on the table again.

"Yes, but not always. We just hang out and talk too."

"And... You're okay with that?" He asked unsurely.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Lyarra frowned as she took a book. "Because of Victoire? We're all friends. I know her too, she's fine with it."

"But don't you feel like--"

"Vic actually knew that I liked Teddy at some point. We kind of talked it out and I answered honestly-- I felt heartbroken, but I don't like Teddy that way anymore. Vic also told me that if they were to ever get married I would get invited so I'm fine with it," Lyarra shrugged.

"If we aren't meant to be then so be it. He's just not the one, but I am happy for them both." Lyarra turned to him and smiled slightly, but it was genuine.

"I hope you and Eunice work out. Night, Potter." With that, Lyarra went back to her seat, leaving James Potter alone in his thoughts.

Lyarra was very kind when not triggered and always talks very prim and proper, even if she was livid at someone, which he found amusing. She was elegant as she walked, confident and graceful, the epitome of a Pureblood spawn. She was wise for her age and smart as well. No wonder she was the Slytherin Princess.

James sighed and yawned. He finally tidied up his books, while suddenly a new genius prank idea came into mind, replacing his thoughts about Malfoy. He quickly went back to the Gryffindor tower to excitedly tell his new plan to Fred, Danny, and Terrence.

Hogwarts should watch out because trouble is coming, and is coming fast.

A/N

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