The Stag and The Harpy | James Potter

Ickle Potter

James, Sirius, Remus and Peter wait eagerly from their seats, sitting up straight as they see Marlene, Alice, Lily, and Phoebe walk into the great hall and stop short. Phoebe finds them immediately, shock gluing her feet to the ground. There, at the head of the room, the boys had all claimed seats at the teachers table.

Lily gasps in horror, her fair skin growing paler at the sight, "Merlin, they're insane!"

Phoebe's hand flies to her mouth to stifle her laughter, especially when she sees the teachers are all sitting grumpily amongst the students. Even Dumbledore. Her smile fades slightly when the old man makes eye contact with her. She'd been avoiding him like the plague. Phoebe quickly turns back to look at the boys, shaking her head as James shoots her a wink and blows a kiss.

Unable to help herself, Phoebe flips them all the bird before wandering over to the Gryffindor table. Unable to help herself, Phoebe leans over and asks a cross looking McGonagall, "Um Professor? Why aren't you just hexing them?"

Minerva turns her wicked eyes on Phoebe, snapping, "Miss Griffin! I would never hex a student...and they've used Protega Maxima, Fianto Duri, and Repello Inimicum. An impenetrable barrier."

"Fucking brilliant," Marlene snorts, quickly coughing to cover it up when the teacher glares her way.

Alice decides it's best to change the subject and asks, "Still mad at the lads, Phoebe?"

The Veela smiles slightly and shakes her head saying, "No. but don't tell them that. Besides Marlene and I already have our prank set up to get them back."

The blonde and Marlene slap each other a high five, smirking cheekily. Lily sighs and shakes her head like an exhausted parent. Phoebe glances down at the food in front of her, spotting the number of pasties and hand pies. Her stomach grumbles at the delicious thought but she sighs and reaches for the vegetables conveniently placed in front of her.

She jumps slightly when a voice behind her says, "The meat pies are quite delicious, Miss. Griffin. Perhaps you'd like to try one?"

She glances over her shoulder at Dumbledore, meeting his twinkling blue eyes. Phoebe chews nervously on her lip before nodding and quickly taking one, setting it on her plate. Dumbledore winks and then carries on to the front of the hall, speaking to the boys. Dejectedly, they stand and lower the barrier, muttering apologies to the old wizard as they skulk by him to get to Gryffindor's table.

Phoebe smirks to herself, keeping her eyes glued to her plate as the boys sit down looking grumpy as ever.

James sees what's on Phoebe's plate and quickly snags it, scooping the meat pie off. Phoebe squawks indignantly, "Hey! I wanted that."

"No you don't, Sirius charmed them all," Remus says quickly, smacking one out of Alice's hand. Peter, seeming to have forgotten, had already taken a bite. He leans over the side of the table and begins puking up slugs.

Phoebe looks up the table to see Dumbledore smiling. The old man had nearly pranked her. Peter's retching as he ran away caused her to turn back to her friends.

"Merde," Phoebe groans disgustedly, pushing her food away. James grins apologetically and stands slightly, grabbing a small piece of pumpkin pie for the girl. She frowns, still pretending to be mad at him. James sets down her plate with the sweet and kisses her cheek, murmuring, "C'mon, Bee. It wasn't fair of me to not prank my girl too. I can't play favorites."

Phoebe raises a brow, taking a small bite of her pie. She chews thoughtfully, swallowing before she says pointedly, "I don't seem to remember agreeing to be 'your girl' Mr. Potter."

James' smile falls. She was right, he'd yet to ask. But it still hurt a little. Phoebe rolls her eyes at his pouting face and reaches under the table, grabbing his hand. His grin returns and he looks down at her adoringly, his chest warm at the sign of affection. He was determined to make her his, but knew he'd have to do it right.

The crew all finish they're meals and Phoebe let's go of James' hand, quickly joining the girls as they walk to the common room. Despite the ladies obvious irritation, James and Remus laugh boisterously while Sirius throws tiny fireworks at their feet as they walk. Phoebe and Marlene make eye contact as they round the corner to the portrait for Gryffindor's common room. Phoebe grabs Lily and Marlene grabs Alice just in time to pull them out of the way.

Slime suddenly falls from the sky, covering the three marauders. Sirius lets out a girlish scream, causing Marlene to fall over from laughter. Remus looks to the sky to see where it's coming from. James is too busy gagging and staring at Phoebe in horror.

"Ickle Potter covered in slime," a tittering voice says.

James freezes at the voice and turns slowly, jumping back when he finds Peeves the Poltergeist nose to nose with him. The horrible prankster turns invisible, popping up and starling Sirius and Remus.

Sirius groans, "Fucks sake! Not Peeves!"

Remus scowls as the poltergeist laughs maniacally, flying around them with ease.

"Loony lupin, Crabby Black, both have goo all down their backs!" He rhymes mischievously, coming to float next to Phoebe. They boys stare in awe, unable to believe that the poltergeist was in cohorts with the Veela

"Peeves," She says warmly. "Thank you for your assistance. I'll see you in the bathrooms for your swim next week??"

The poltergeist smiles wickedly and nods his head up and down, bells on his hat tinkling. James cries angrily when the spirit presses a cheeky kiss to the veela's cheek,

"Hands off, Peeves!"

The poltergeist mysteriously pulls out an astonishingly large meat cleaver, crowing, "Hands off is my favorite game, Potter! Whose first?!" He laughs chaotically and flies away from the group.

The girls shriek with laughter at the boys faces, and even after Peeves takes off down the hall they remain spooked.

James turns and glares at Phoebe, a cheeky and proud smile on her lips. Marlene claps the Veela on the shoulder, wiping away tears of laughter,

"Brilliant, Pheebs!"

Phoebe's grin grows and she looks away from
James, to Remus.

"I certainly hope you remember Care of Magical Creatures, Remus. Flobberworm slime is a pain to get off and there's no way these morons can do it."

Sirius and Remus stare, jaws dropped practically to the floor as the girls all climb through the portrait hole. James tugs at his collar, hands slick from the goo.

"Is it just me or was that hot?" He asks, staring at the place where Phoebe had been standing.

Sirius and Remus sigh, saying tiredly in unison, "Shut up, Prongs."