Sebastian POV

Flashing an award winning smile at his 'cheer squad', James Sirius Potter proudly slow motion walked towards his best friend and cousin, Sebastian Weasley.

"Mate! I knew you could do it! Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Bas," James replied confidently, giving his fan group a small wave.

Lowering his voice, James tried his best to downplay the enthusiasm, "you seen Ro anywhere?"

Sebastian smirked at his cousin. Almost everyone in the family knew about the popular playboy's obsession with Rosaline. Well, except for Rosaline. It was a shame that James never acted on it. Watching his cousin pine after their best friend was difficult enough to make him want to be the third wheel.

"I think she's with the Corner dude, they were talking about art technique or something during breakfast."

Almost instantly, the carefree sparkle in James' apple green eyes vanished.

Sebastian sighed.

He was so predictable.

"I swear, she's always with that bloody Ravenclaw," James announced through gritted teeth.

"Woah mate," Sebastian shook his head, "that's hardly fair. You go through new girlfriends like dad goes through chicken wings!"

"They're not girlfriends," he scoffed, "we're just talking."

"Damn…that makes it so much better. You know, it's kind of unfair, James. You shouldn't lead people on when you're clearly obsessed with someone else."

"That's hardly my fault," James protested, turning around, "and they're the ones who want me."

Instead of trying to stop his cousin from going to do the stupid thing he had planned, Sebastian took a deep breath and headed towards the Magical Creature Reserve.

He would need the energy to play the peacemaker later...

James POV

James knew exactly where he would find Rosaline. The courtyard was her favourite reading spot; she had spent nearly half of their time at Hogwarts there.

"Hi James! The quidditch captain batch looks great on you"

James delivered his signature smile on que.

"It's been a while," Chloe McLaggen reached for a tuft of his dark brown hair and tucked it behind his ear, "we should catch up."

"We should, but I've gotta run now. See you later, Carrie!"

What did she even see in him? Sure, he was Hogwarts' resident artist, but James could paint for her too. James perked up at the thought, maybe a romantic painting would make Rosaline Malfoy fall in love with him.

"Hey guys!" He greeted brightly, giving a very uncomfortable looking Corner a fist bump, "looks like you got the practice sheet instead of the painting, bro!"

Rose looked at him as though he had just passed the golden snitch to the opponent seeker.

"It's called abstract art," she said to him, removing the hair clip that had been holding her honey blonde hair above her head, "don't listen to him, Myles. I think it's gorgeous."

Forget about whatever the hell Corner had made, she was gorgeous. The waves fell till a little about her mid back, shining in the late morning sun that made her warm smile even brighter.

Was he staring?

More importantly, was the Ravenclaw staring?

Slinging an arm around her shoulder, he sat between the two of them. "Notice anything different?"

She glanced at the brand new badge on his robes, "well, you are a master of subtly."

Sarcasm.

One of the many things he loved about her.

"I heard that there's a small celebration party for me, shall we?" James curtsied and offered his hand to Rose.

He knew for a fact that many girls would lose it if he acted like an eighteen hundred gentlemen for them.

Unfortunately Rose, who looked severely unimpressed, was not one of them.

"I'll see you in the evening, Myles!"

The happiness lingering in her speech made him sick, she wasn't half as excited about the party…

Think James, think.

"No you won't…because…because we have quidditch practice in the evening! Yeah-yeah, we do," he interjected.

"Okay? Tomorrow morning then?"

"Oh no, we have practice tomorrow too."

"James," she hissed quietly, "that's an awfully large number of practices, don't you think?"