James Potter and the annoying Twin Sister

[ 5 ]

As I marched down the slightly chilled path leading down into the cheery village of Hogsmeade, it dawned on me that Spence and I had not set a place to meet. I guess that made sense, considering we didn't really have a chance. My first instinct told me to head to The Three Broomsticks, so I picked up my pace ever so slightly.

As I stepped out of the cold, harsh winter weather, I was immediately greeted by the intoxicating smell of butterbeer, cinnamon, sugar, and all things sweet. Taking a swift look around, I saw no one but James, sitting in a booth with a Ravenclaw girl. I think her name might be Leanne? I surely didn't want to interrupt, and was planning on leaving, until I decided I'd grab a Hot Chocolate to go. As I casually walked up to the counter to place my order, an arm slid around my waist.

    I looked up to see none other than Spencer, who was giving me the cheesiest smile I'd ever seen him wear.

  "How are you, love? You were out for quite a bit." He drawls in a smooth, cheery voice. I glanced over to James's table, who is giving me a look of confusion and shock and he keeps on politely talking to Leanne. I look over to Spencer and jerk my head in James's direction, as kind of a you're really dying to get yourself killed, aren't you? Look that I really hope came across. Thankfully, not a second later, he brought his arm casually upwards when he went to wave at one of his friends, and my order came out as well. I reached into my pocket to pull out my change when I looked up to see that Spence had already gotten it.
What a gentleman, I thought as I shot a quick glance to James, who had now lost interest, thankfully.

   "Let's get out of here," I whispered to Spencer, sipping my drink, "Before he gets up to talk to us." He nodded as we walked out, his hand gently locking fingers with mine.

~~

     As we stepped into Honeydukes, I inhaled the scent of sweets from every direction. It was like heaven compact in a sweet shop. I stood on my tippy toes excitedly, dragging Spencer along to look at all of the different flavors and varieties. My eyes gleamed at the sugar-coated jelly beans, and the foot-long gummy worms. Pure bliss.

     The rest of the day, the same emotion was rapidly coursing through me, bliss. Bliss and excitement of being on a date where it felt like nothing could go wrong.

    So naturally, everything went wrong.

    Don't get me wrong, the day was wonderful. We had been to Honeydukes, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Madame Puttifoots (not for too long, thankfully), The Three Broomsticks, once James had taken the Ravenclaw girl for a song session down an alley, and all was going well. We were sitting in a booth, at The Three Broomsticks naturally, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar face.

Ange. Angelina Baxton.

I knew she had seen us, and she was bloody shocked as well. But I knew one thing was for sure, that it was past curfew already, and of the older students that did get a bit cheeky and stay after curfew, James had not been one of them today. He went back up just before curfew. So he was at the castle, probably in the commons.

Which is exactly where Ange seemed to be sprinting off too. Now, Ange is my best mate, don't get me wrong. But she has blatantly fancied James since we were in first year, and she was going to go tattle on us just to get close with him. I grabbed Spencer's arm and yanked him up, putting enough money to cover our bill down on the shabby table as I dragged him out.

"Josie!" He called as he grabbed my wrist to pull me back, "Slow down a bit, love!"

"We can't slow down, Spencer! Ange's about to go and tattle on us to James!' I cried, turning around with tears threatening to spill. I couldn't stand it when James was mad at me, and I knew he would be. "He's going to scream at me, I just know it!' I said as I turned around and rubbed my eye.

I wasn't looking forward to arriving at the common room, and to see James's cross, pained expression that he gives me when he's angry.

~~

   As I threw open the door to the common room, I was almost sick to see Ange and James standing in front of the fire solemnly. Her eyes widened as she turned and darted up the spiraling stairs (coward), his expression did not change as he sauntered over.

  And slapped Spencer right in the face.

  As Spencer lunged for him, I attempted to jump in between the two and separate them, and they backed off for a minute before James looked at me, eyes filled with rage.

"Get out of here Josie! This is none of your business!" His voice firm and aggressive, I stepped forward a bit.

"It is completely my concern!"

Spencer cut in from behind me. "Josie I think I'd be best if you-"

"Shut it! You wouldn't know what's best for her if it stood right in front of you!" James retaliated, as he stepped around me to get face to face with Spencer.

"I swear if she wasn't here.." Spencer spat in my brothers face as his fists clenched.

I put my hand gently on James shoulder, hoping that it would distract him, and opened my mouth to talk when he cried out something inaudible, while his hands shot out from his sides, in a display of frustration.

I've never been forcefully hit by James before, accidental or purposely. But I will never forget the look of regret his face as I tumbled to the ground.
~~

Beep beep all aboard the drama train