Oblivious - James Sirius Potter

Using You

  "If I were to be Quidditch Captain in a few years, I would cut Miraline off the team."  

"Have you heard?" Tanya nudges Miraline as they both write an essay in the Gryffindor common room.

"About what? Finnick being chased by half the girls in Hogwarts? Yes, i have actually." said Miraline with a rather neutral face.

"No, it's not that." Tanya shook her head, "Elizabeth Kinley!"

"What about her?" Miraline raised an eyebrow. "Did she get prettier?" 

"Meyers, The Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain, you know him right? Of course you do. Well, he asked Kinley out at breakfast this morning. I heard from the Hufflepuffs." said Tanya as she continue to write in her parchment. "Shame we can't witness her turning him down, thanks to you and your early bloody Quidditch practice."

Miraline just hum in response, mainly because she's tired of hearing Tanya. But Tanya continue talking anyway, "Then everyone started to suspect that she and James are going out! Which is...."

"believable" said Miraline.

"not true." Tanya corrected. "Have you ever seen them snogging? Or being intimate to each other in a romantic way?"

"I don't care. Stop obsessing about Elizabeth Kinley, and for the record, James and her could be dating any day, they'd make a hot couple really." said Miraline, as she took out another parchment. "Now can you shut up?"

Tanya paused and then continued, "I can't believe we're stuck here with first and second years students, doing homework when literally all of the others are enjoying the first Hogsmeade trip of the year"

+++

James is not enjoying the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. 

Maybe it's because he wasn't spending it with Timothy and Jason. He was spending it with Elizabeth Kinley. There's nothing wrong with spending the trip with Elizabeth, but he just wished he could buy a few things from Zonko's.

They were enjoying tea at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop and James can't help but notice the slight pink color on Elizabeth cheeks.

"Do you think I'll be Quidditch Captain someday?" he asked, "Jason said It's tiring, but I do like the sound of it."

"I'm almost one-hundred percent sure you will, though. You'll be better than Alex." Elizabeth said as she sips her tea and continue to read the daily prophet, "Speaking of Quidditch Captain... Meyers ask me out this morning."

"The Hufflepuff?" James look intrigued, "What did you say?"

"No, of course" said Elizabeth as if it was obvious, 

"Good answer" James grins, which brings joy to Elizabeth. But then he continued, 

"I bet he's using you to get on the Ravenclaw's good side. He needs it, you see? Slytherin already have a few Gryffindors supporters because Finnick Brown is close to Miraline. Meyers is just scared Hufflepuff will lose supporters." James explained with great interest, 

"That's why he's trying to use you. To gain supporters. Do you get it?"

The smile on Elizabeth's face faded, "Of course  I get it." said Elizabeth with a bored tone. "It's a shame, though. He got a rather handsome face."

"I've got a much more handsome face than he does" He smiled, showing his dimples as he lay  his back on the chair. "If I were to be Quidditch Captain in a few years, I would cut Miraline off the team."

"Why?" Elizabeth asked, 

"Because she's close to Finnick Brown." He said simply, "Gryffindor would be a stronger team, and Slytherin would be our worst enemy."

Elizabeth didn't respond. She wouldn't argue a single bit, but she can't help but feel bad for Miraline.

+++

Only two hours have passed and Tanya is already sleeping on her parchment, Ink droplets on her face. If it wasn't for a second year girl screaming her name, Miraline would've fallen asleep too.

"Someone is asking for you outside."

"Tell her to go, I'm doing my homework"

"Am I not clear enough?" The girl eyed Miraline, " He's waiting for you outside."

Miraline's eyes opened as if she just drank a gallon of coffee. "He?"

The girl nodded,

"As in, Finnick, he?" She sits straight, and looked at the little girl expectantly,

"The Slytherin bloke, yes."

Then Miraline ran through the portrait hole and find Finnick standing there waiting for her. "Are you planning on taking me to Hogsmeade and buy Butterbeer? Please say yes. I can't stand History of Magic. It's draining my soul."

"Hello to you to, Miraline." Finnick looked at Miraline with great concern after seeing the bags under her eyes and ink on her nails. "You look... tired."

"Answer the question!"

"Uh... I was about to borrow your notes, but sure, Butterbeer sounds great" said Finnick as he chuckled.