Hooked - James Sirirus Potter.

Chapter Eighteen

James smiled into Claudia’s blue eyes as she gave in.

Stamping her foot and throwing her head back in annoyance she let out a childish moan. “I don’t want to, it’s your idea! You’re the one with the hangover.”

“But you agreed and pushed me to go; then you lost.” He shrugged, reaching over the lab desk and squashing her cheeks together.

“You cheated.”

“Albus cheated and then left.” James corrected. “Now I would like a slice of cheesecake, anything without fruit on top and then a bunch of grapes or maybe some kiwis.”

“Slave driver.” She grumbled, swinging her bag over her shoulder and walking toward the doors. “Can you come with me?”

“Why?” he groaned, wondering why his head was still pounding two days after the quidditch drinking session, “I don’t wanna go out.”

“It was your idea!” she pouted, stamping her foot a little. “James the least you can do is come and choose what slice of cheesecake you want.”

“Fine.” He sighed, though a small smile spread over his features. He was going to the local muggle market and high street with Claudia; just the two of them. “Make sure I don’t get lost.”

Claudia stood and settled a hand on her hip, swinging her skirt about as she did so. “Really James, you’re older than me.”

“But a defenceless wizard.” He smirked, holding his hand out to her.

“Baby.” She snorted, looping her arm through his and heading towards the hustle and bustle of the muggle market.

Everything was so busy and chaotic around him; he’d never been into the market, only ever glanced in as they’d walked past either to the Ministry or on the other side to the Leaky Cauldron. The place smelt, he wasn’t sure whether it was meant to or not, and the noise was almost unbearable.

“What are they saying?” he whispered, moving to walk behind Claudia as she headed directly into the market.

“Pound of banana’s fifty pence… two punnets of strawberries three pound.” She reeled off after every new muffled shout. “I’ll have half a dozen kiwi’s please.”

“Anything for you sweetheart.” The man grinned with a wink. “Feeding your man are ya?”

“Only because he can’t do it himself.” She laughed passing him some change as he passed over the fruit. “Pleasure.”

“Anything for a smile like that!”

“Did you know him?” James asked, stepping away from the stall and following her in the new direction.

“No, why?”

“You sounded like you knew each other.”

“That’s what normal people sound like; polite people anyway.” She laughed, taking his arm back in hers. “Is there anything else you want to see on our way to the bakery?”

“Maybe another time.” He mused, looking around and seeing all sorts of stalls around them. “Are those miniature dragons?”

“Toys.” She laughed, “Cheap ones too, probably shoot sparks after an hour or two... have you ever seen a dragon, like a real one?”

“Course I have.” James laughed, as her eyes grew wide in awe. “Let’s find me some cake and then I might tell you some stories.”

“Yay!” she cheered, pulling him quickly through the crowd towards the row of shops opposite the ministry phone box.