Prongs {Book One}

Chapter Nine - Post Christmas Party

JAMES.

"She's what!?"

"Taking Snape to the-"

"I bloody heard you the first time."

"Don't take your anger out on me," Mary McDonald said coolly, but I could see the smirk on her face.

"Well then," I said, "I'll just have to take someone else." Mary raised an eyebrow and walked away.

Clenching and unclenching my fists, I leaned back in the chair.

"Who are you going to take?" Sirius said, looking at me skeptically.

"Someone that will make Lily jealous."

"That's going go be so easy," Sirius said sarcastically.

"Give me some time to think, here," I muttered.

"I don't think you'll do it," Remus said, turning the page of his book.

"Thanks for the moral support, Moony."

"I'm just saying, Lily isn't the type to get jealous easily."

"What about that Hufflepuff Quidditch player, Prongs?" Peter said suddenly.

"What? Oh, the one Lily was idolising," I said, remembering, "could work."

"Yeah, she seemed to really look up to her," Sirius agreed.

"She might not be so inclined to date you after the Quidditch match," Remus pointed out.

"The match is after the party, though. The party's on Friday night and the match is Saturday morning. She'll probably think I'm going to try and drug her or something."

"Worth a try," Sirius said, "I rate you go for it, mate." Peter nodded and Remus shrugged.

"Yeah. I'll ask her after Defense Against The Dark Arts tomorrow."

--

"Hey, Paula," I swallowed nervously as I walked out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

"Oh? Hi, Potter."

"Hey. I was, uh, wondering. As a... token of... goodwill for the match tomorrow, do you want to go to Sluggy's party with me? As friends?"

Paula's eyes widened as she looked at me with incredulity.

"Um, what?"

"The party. Tomorrow night. As friends. You know," I attempted a flirtatious grin.

"Uh, yeah, I guess. As long as this isn't a plan to hex me so I can't play on Saturday."

"Haha," I said weakly, "No. Um, I'll meet you in the entrance hall at eight, then?"

Paula smiled weirdly, nodded, then walked off.

"Prongs, what is wrong with you?" Sirius said, coming up behind me.

"I don't know," I chewed my lip.

"You would usually be able to ask out any girl in the school and they'd all say yes. You wouldn't even break a sweat. You're shaking, mate! Are you sick?"

"I'm fine," I said, shaking myself. "Right. Party tomorrow with Paula Ashens. Right."

---

SEV.

"Reese, can I borrow your dress robes?"

"Why?" Reese sighed.

"Slughorn's party. It's fancy so I need dress robes, but... I don't have any."