A Gift Fic for Elaine for her awesome work in Round 8 of the Houses Competition! Pureblood-James-Potter and his newbie friend, Bella.

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"You know, you don't have to look quite so miserable," said a voice from beside him, bringing him back from reverie. "It is a party, after all."

"It comes with the territory," James Potter muttered, sipping at his firewhiskey. "Pureblood families. They like a party, but it's not the kind of party I want to be involved in."

"I get that," she said, slumping down into a chair. He glanced over at this, surprised that his somewhat irritable nature might actually prompt her to want to spend more time with him. "I'm Bella."

"Beautiful," James replied, translating.

"I'm not that fond of it. I'd rather have something badass, like… I don't know. Tyla, or Eve. Or Joan, like Joan of Arc," she continued. "Jade, maybe. Hard as nails, fightin' crime." At this, James had to crack a smile. "What's your name?"

"James," he said.

"I knew that," Bella murmured, playfully admonishing herself. "Dammit. Anyway, Mr. Potter, what are you doing here, all on your lonesome, at this fabulous pure-blooded party? Surely, it's not the caviar or the party tricks that have you bored out of your tiny mind?"

"My mind isn't tiny."

"No, your brain is about as large as your head."

James shook his head in amusement. "Bella, you make absolutely no sense."

"What's the point in making sense? When nonsense is so much more enjoyable."

"You are an enigma, Bella." James sipped at his firewhiskey some more and smiled at the pretty girl next to him. Damn if her name didn't suit. Brunette, olive skinned, and striking blue eyes. He liked the sarcasm too. It was a much-needed break for the drama that was surrounding the day.

"Tell me your secrets, James Potter," she said, leaning closer to him, so much that he could smell her sweet, floral perfume. It was completely intoxicating. Although, perhaps he was just intoxicated on a more general level.

"I don't even know your full name," he replied, copying her movements and leaning closer.

"Trust me, you don't want to."

"Why, what have you done?" he asked, raising a single eyebrow and putting down his drink. She was more interesting than perhaps he might have considered. A name he shouldn't want to know. Certainly enticing. "Go on, I think I can handle it."

"Nah," she said, leaning backwards, breaking the moment between them. James frowned for a moment. "Come on, there are better things we can do than talk about me. Let's take a walk. I want to see inside this massive house, anyway. Exploring the actual location of a pureblood party - there's a first time for everything."

She reached for his hand. For a moment, he thought to snap it away, to continue being bored and alone because that was the way things were in his household, but then… She was looking at him, with a sparkle in her eye, and there was just something about her that was so goddamn interesting. She was different, and she was fascinating, and she was so beautiful. Why wouldn't he take her hand?

"I don't bite, James," she said, encouraging him.

What the heck.

And he allowed her to pull him away with her, into the brightly lit mansion that surrounded their extravagant party.

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Thanks for reading!