Unexpected

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Ow, ow, ow... Ouch!" Thyme had not particularly enjoyed that last meeting she'd had with the ground in Flying.

"We get it, you're in mortal agony." Harper groaned.

"Do us all a favour and suffer quietly?" Marie added.

We were meandering towards the Great Hall in our first lunchtime at Hogwarts. I hadn't yet seen any of the other Weasleys, but one would probably turn up soon enough.

"Aren't we early?" Thyme enquired as we drew to a halt outside the Hall.

"Nope." The twins answered in sync as they pushed open the huge double doors.

To my surprise, James was already sat at the Gryffindor table. It wasn't busy yet, not even half full.

"Tell me all about it." James burst out as soon as I sat down, his eyes sparkling.

I told him everything that had happened during our lesson, every tiny last detail.

"See Flippers, I knew you had it in you!" He grinned, "Oh, and by the way, you left before the post arrived this morning. Mum and Dad've sent you a letter."

He produced an envelope from the folds of his robes, handed it to me, and continued eating.

"Oh my Merlin, Clara. Open it." Marie hissed.

I rolled my eyes and opened the envelope. Pulling out the letter inside, I read it out, "'Dear Clara, hope all is well with you. How're you settling in? Your parents have sent their love. Has Jamie injured anyone yet (if so, please don't tell us)? You must write back soon with your house alright? Love, Ginny and Harry'." I laughed, "That was from Ginny. Harry's handwriting says, 'What she said. Look after James and Al for us, Clara. We're missing you already! Harry'. Yes guys, the famous Harry Potter and his wife are missing me. Please don't get any of your drool on me."

James sighed dramatically, "All I got was 'Blow anything up and you're coming home' and they're actually my parents!"

"Oh look, there's a P.S. from Lily! 'How dare you abandon me Clara Adams? I hope you're ready for the holidays because I'm going to get you. Love Lily'. Well, isn't that... nice?"

"How did you find Mr Wood?" James asked. The abrupt change of subject made me think he was probably feeling a bit homesick. Aww, poor little Jamie.

"Mr Wood? Well, he is lovely. And he's Scottish, and lovely." I replied.

"Did she mention he's lovely?" Harper asked, rolling her eyes.

James let out an unsure laugh, "It kinda sounds like you have a crush on Mr Wood Clara..." He furrowed his brows.

"Oh, she does." Thyme said, "She made that really quite clear during Flying."

The twins were staring pointedly at James, whispering at weirdly high speeds until eventually Marie said, "We'd best get to Herbology huh, Clara?"

"What? We've only been here 5 minu-"

"Yeah, let's go." Harper said as Marie linked arms with me and frogmarched me from the Great Hall. It was only once we were sat on the wall outside and safely out of James's hearing range that the twins burst out simultaneously, "He fancies you!"

"What? Mr Wood? No he doesn't he's-"

"No, you idiot, James." Harper laughed.

What? No way, he was basically my brother.

"James Potter fancies Clara? Yeah, and I can speak Parseltongue." Smirked Thyme.

"Go on then." Marie said.

"What?" Thyme asked.

"Speak to your slithery brethren, because little Jamie in there's got a thing for Clara."

"Look, guys, this is funny and all, but he's practically my brother and... how do you know anyway?"

This was just weird. Why would James even consider liking me?

Harper and Marie crossed arms to tap each other's noses and said, "Trust us, we can just sense these things."

"Now that you mention it, he did look jealous when he realised Clara's in love with Mr Wood." Thyme pondered, "Hmm... Clara Potter. It's not too bad."

"Oh my Merlin guys, shut up!" I laughed, "What I really want to know is what Jamie would make of all of this!"