astronomy • marlene mckinnon

twenty four

"That," James Potter raised an eyebrow. "Definitely doesn't look like detention."

"See! I told you!" Astraea grinned at the taller boy right next to her.

"No, you didn't!" James rolled his eyes, "I said it first!"

"No, you didn't!"

"Yes, I did!"

"No, you- shit, I think they saw us." Astraea immediately walked into Honeydukes to hide and was followed by James, not soon after.

"Nah," The Gryffindor ran a hand through his hair, messing it up. "They're too busy being in love to realize what's going on around them."

"No, I'm pretty sure Remus noticed," Astraea looked at him as they made their way to the chocolate section, fiddling with the sleeve of her jacket.

"Who cares," James shrugged, and started a mission to get as many chocolates as he could. "Do you think Evans likes chocolate wands?"

"Don't know, don't care," Astraea rolled her eyes and picked up a packet of choco balls.

"I thought you studied together," James raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, and how does that have to do with Evans liking chocolate wands?" Astraea looked at him.

"Then how do you not know if she likes chocolate wands or not?" James asked exasperatedly.

"Because we actually study and not fool around, discussing what chocolates we like." Astraea rolled her eyes, her eyes drifting to the sugar quill collection in front of the chocolate section. "I'll be back."

"No! Don't leave me alone, please. I'll die of boredom," James called out dramatically, bringing almost the entire store's attention towards them.

Astraea took a deep breath, completely annoyed. Of course, she had only agreed to hang out with the Gryffindor quidditch captain because none of them really wanted to be alone for a Hogsmeade weekend, and all of their friends conveniently had dates.

Though she really didn't want to, considering that he and Sirius had found a way into the Slytherin dormitories and now half of her hair was now a shade of green, but she had no other choice because she didn't find anyone else tolerable.

The two had done nothing, but keep bets on which couple would not work and which one would last a lifetime, and the two had just spotted Remus and Sirius, clearly not in detention, when Remus had noticed them and the two sixth-years had entered the sweet shop.

"You won't die if I leave you for five minutes and go get a packet of sugar quills for myself." Astraea rolled her eyes.

"But what if I do?" James pouted and followed her.

"Not my problem," Astraea shrugged.

"It should be," James grinned. "Because then you'll have no one else to hang out with when you're alone."

Astraea scowled. He was right.

"Oh hey, James, Black," A seventh-year Hufflepuff looked at the two with a grin. "I didn't know you two were dating."

Astraea and James stared at the dark-skinned boy with a blank look, and then looked at each other before James burst out laughing, and Astraea bit her lip, trying to control the laughter from spilling out of her, completely confusing the Hufflepuff in front of them, all three of them unaware of a pair of blue eyes glaring at them from across the shop.

"You're being very obvious Marls," Lily Evans rolled her eyes, keeping the new flavor of sugared butterfly wings she was about to show the blonde, only to see her glaring furiously at a certain spectacled boy and the Slytherin right next to him, once more.