The Art Of Falling/ JAMES POTTER

11

Listen while reading: Looking out for you- joy again

Peter Pettigrew was a fourth year Gryffindor. People mainly knew him because his every step followed the other three Gryffindor boys'. He appeared harmless, prone to getting bullied and quiet at first glance. That of course, has nothing to do with our story, at least for now...

"So, does Prongs have a crush on Cally?" Peter abruptly asked. "What!?" both the boys heads shot up at the question. "Relax, you two. And you should at least give a warning before asking something like that, wormtail." Sirius tried to tone it down.

"Do you?" Remus repeated the question of his friend with genuine curiosity. "Wha- No! Why're you even asking me that!?" James replied, with a defensive attitude.

"I just saw you two after potions today. You seemed very close and all." the short boy answered, making weird hand signs to show how close they seemed.

"It's her birthday, i was wishing her a happy birthday! All of you did at breakfast." James defended again. Sirius sighed with a disapproving head shake. "How dare you touch a lady with no chaperone around? Not the way of a gentleman I'm afraid, Prongs." he joked, trying to lighten up the mood. Peter was the only one to laugh.

Remus sent both the boys a death look before turning to James. "Well, Wormtail might have a point. You two seem awfully close recently." he pointed out. "Where are you getting at?" James asked, very confused as to why his friend was acting the way he was.

"Moony, mate, calm down. If you have something to say, then say it. But don't go around blaming people for shit." Sirius told his friend, sending him a look. Remus sighed, trying to be more relaxed.

"Right, sorry." he said. He was thinking about what consequences it would have if he just confessed. "The reason i got so defensive, is because i like her..." he carefully admitted.

He didn't look at his friend in the eye, waiting for his response. James was only confused with the confession. "Who, Annie?" he asked, proven right with the nod from Remus.

"Can't say I'm surprised." James finally said. He continued talking with the shocked, questioning face of his friend. "You two have been hanging out quite often at the library. Honestly, how dumb of me to tag along. You should've told me sooner before i ruined your library dates."

"They weren't dates-" , this time Remus tried to defend. "It's okay mate. You've got nothing to worry about. Annie and i have been friends since we were kids that's all. Let's just say we had a few coincidences requiring me and her... together." James explained.

"So it wasn't Prongs, but Moony who fancied her all along huh? Guess we learn something new everyday." Peter told his friend that was leaning against him with his elbow on his shoulder. "No, just you my innocent little friend."

~•~•~•~

"Is that how you do it?" Remus asked with a smile, keeping his distance from the plant he was holding. Cally laughed at the way the boy was holding the plant with much inexperience.

"That's how you don't do it, great lesson. Let me show you." she took the plant from the boy. "You should keep close to him if you're holding him. That's how you let him know you trust him, making him trust you." she explained, showing the way she is feeding the Cobra Lily.

"Here, try it again. I'll help you this time." Cally handed the plant to the boy again, only not letting completely go of the pot this time. She smiled again when she noticed the hesitation in the boy's actions, encouraged him by taking his hand and putting it to the stem of the plant.