Loverboy

Oh my God, it's you

"Since all of you managed to conjure the pincushions on your first day, I will be giving everyone an A for the day," McGonagall said as she went around desks and picked up the magicked pincushions. "You're dismissed."

As the class filed out of the room, Ollie and her friends talked idly. "I can't believe McGonagall let us out early," Sirius said. "She never does that."

"I'm just glad I'll have enough time to get some chocolates before Defense," Remus said, looking sickly and tired. "I ate all of them in Transfiguration."

The full moon would be the next Monday. So, as per usual, Remus would look awful for a few days as the date approached, and would spend at least two days afterward in the hospital wing. And he would insist that his friends bring his homework for him. And so they would, but they'd also remind him that the teacher would let it slide; he simply refused to listen.

"I'm going to get some food from the kitchens," James said as the group approached the fourth-floor entrance to Gryffindor Tower. "I'll meet you guys in Defense."

"See you then, I guess," Ollie said, as she and the rest of the group entered the portrait hole.

As soon as the Fat Lady swung shut, James leaned against the wall of the oddly empty corridor. He could hardly contain his euphoria from Lily offering to spend the weekend with him. He had to remind himself that it was as friends, nothing more- but still, he was excited.

A girl rounded the corner of the corridor, looking around in wonder. James didn't recognize her at all. And if he'd seen her before, he'd definitely know.

She was tall- about the same height as Ollie's friend Josephine. Her skin was a rich tan color, not unlike James's own, only his was slightly lighter. Her hair fell to her waist and was a silvery white. She wore the school uniform, complete with a Gryffindor tie. Only her robes had scarlet lining, which was unusual. Her eyes were a golden amber, and they widened in shock upon seeing James staring at her.

She seemed to belong at Hogwarts for some reason. It was probably the Gryffindor tie that was identical to the one James wore. Her shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and her tie was loose, and her long white hair was in a braid down her back. Her socks were scrunched down and there was a bright red piece of fabric holding her braid at the end. It looked like one of the elastics Ollie and the other girls wore, but with lots of red fabric scrunched around it. It was weird.

And she was wearing a necklace. It was a choker, like from the 1920s, except thin and made from black loops of wire. She wore heavy eyeliner, but no other makeup. Her shoulders were slightly slouched, and her shirt was untucked.

She seemed to be frozen at the corner of the hallway, staring at James like he had two heads.

"Um," he said, if for nothing but to break the awkward silence. "Can I help you?"

The girl kept staring at him. "Holy shit," she said softly. Her voice was rich and gravelly, like someone who strained their voice, or perhaps smoked a few cigarettes too many. 

"What?"

The girl's eyes seemed to pop out of her skull. "Oh my God, it's you," she breathed.

"I am so confused right now," James said, eyeing her carefully.

The girl looked back around the corner and walked up to James. She grabbed his arm and pulled him into a dimly lit corner where no one would look.

"I can't believe I found you," she said,  staring at James's face. She looked a little similar to him, but by no means the same.

"What are you talking about?" James asked. "Should I get you to Madam Pompfrey-"

"No, no, I'm fine, it's just..." the girl said, her intimidating demeanor vanishing. She suddenly seemed like an underclassman. "I'm Viktoria. Your daughter."

"My what?" James said, his own eyes widening.

"I stole this girl at my school's time turner and I came all the way back to when you're at Hogwarts!" Viktoria explained. "Oh, where's my mom?"

"Okay, we should definitely get you to the hospital wing," James said.

"Javad Ali, right?"

James just stared at her. "I have no idea who that is."

The girl's smile disappeared, and she looked defeated. "Prim Wilshire?" she said, disappointment flooding her words.

"Never heard of her," James replied.

Viktoria dragged James into an area with a little more light. "So you're really not my dad?"

"I'm pretty sure I'm not your dad," James said.

"Oh. Wait, you look exactly like Harry," she said, looking at James, her eyes widening once more.

"I have no idea who these people are that you keep talking about," James replied.

"I- never mind," she said. "So what's your name?"

"I'm James," he said. "James Potter." 

"Oh my God," Viktoria repeated. "I guess it should have been more obvious you weren't my Dad. You're wearing Gryffindor robes."

"Yeah, I am. So you said you, what, time traveled?" James asked, looking this girl up and down.

"Yeah. I stole some girl's time turner. She's two years below me," she explained. "I saw her using it, so I knew she had it. I don't think she realized I saw her."

"When she finds out you took it, she'll be really mad," James said.

"Well, she's not going to find out. Hopefully," the girl replied.

"Okay, um," he said. "We've got to hide you or something. Because people will definitely notice you don't belong here."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Viktoria asked indignantly.

"You aren't exactly dressed for the fall of 1976," James explained. "You stick out like a sore thumb."

"Well, I can change how I dress, you know, if you have a friend my size, I can borrow her clothes, it's no big deal-"

"Your appearance is also very, uh," James paused, looking for the right word. "Distinctive."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Nobody else here looks anything like you," James said, a sense of urgency punctuating his words. "That's going to raise quite a lot of questions."

"So what am I supposed to do?" Viktoria asked.

"I think I know a place you can hide out for now," James said. And then he lead her to the fifth floor, and he opened a room he'd only heard of from Marlene. The Room of Requirement.

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this one is a little longer than the usual, but I like it. also if you know the new girl we're introducing, you're a real one. if not, check out Trickster's Heart by  @Theboredsimp bc some of the parts coming up might make less sense if you don't read that. anyway ily guys, and i hope you've been enjoying the story so far! also, side note, two James chapters in a row?? expect more of this sunshine boy <33 alright see you next update!

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