The Better Chaser; James Potter

Chapter 49- Unwanted Opinions

Word spread fast and maybe it was just me but I felt like everyone was staring at me as we entered the great hall for the welcoming feast. You would think my relationship would not be that big of a deal. I mean I knew my friends would freak out, maybe a couple of people from my house would judge me because I am dating a Gryffindor. But nope, somehow Potter and I were the talk of the whole school. I was worried that word would get out to Regulus or even Snape, but I reminded myself that they are not my problem anymore.

I heard whispering as I stood at the end of the hall and then realized I had been holding hands with Potter. I pulled my arm away sharply on instinct before I instantly regretted it. There was a brief look of hurt on Potter's face that he covered up. He plastered on a fake smile and started walking ahead. For the first time in my whole life I felt intimidated to walk to the Slytherin table. I turned towards the table and started slowly walking, feeling heavy from the amount of eyes on me. 

Why the fuck is this such a big deal? Why does the whole bloody school care?  a voice in my head inquired

Why do you care?  another voice butted in

Instead of ignoring that voice I actually gave it a thought. Why the fuck do I care what this school thinks of me. What do I have to lose. It's not like my reputation is on the line anymore, and while I do not indulge in PDA, it seems I really hurt James. 

Groaning internally about what I was about to do, I sighed aloud and turned back around to quickly catch up with Potter and I walked up and grabbed his arm.

"Sorry babe," I whispered to him as I went on my tippy toes to peck his cheek.

I turned around quickly to head back to my table and not make a scene more than I already had, but I caught a wide grin on his face which made me blush a little.

He is so cute, now wasn't that worth it? You didn't die did you?  The voice gushed in my head,

"Yeah yeah, whatever," I whispered to myself in response as I reached my table

Remember Reigna, every couple at Hogwarts have done what you have in the great hall and more. Couples kiss all the time as a way to say bye to each other. 

I was so in my own head that I didn't realize that almost every single person in the great hall was looking right at me. I sat down as far away as Regulus and Snape as possible and didn't even glance at them because I definitely did not want to know how they felt. 

I was never one for PDA at all, I didn't like attention on me (if I didn't ask for it). Relationships are intimate, but one glance again and James' face and seeing him so happy put all my anxieties at ease. I relaxed into my seat slightly and smiled back at James before I was saved by Dumbledore and the Professors entering the hall. Attention. slowly drew back to the professors as they announced a few things that I did not even comprehend before the feast began.

______________________________________________________

After the feast I waited for basically everyone to leave the great hall before I got up. I saw Snape and Regulus linger a bit but they eventually scurried off Merlin knows where. Potter and gotten up with the marauders and the Gryffindor girls and left as well. 

I inhaled deeply and got up, making my way out of the great hall and started to make my way to the dungeons before I heard my name being called,

"Ms. Watson," I turned to find Dumbledore standing with Professor McGonagall, Slughorn, and Madame Pomfrey,

I didn't even notice some of the professors were still here because I was too busy paying attention to the students.

I looked at him confused, "Yes sir?"