MY TYPE OF LOVE | marauders era

| chapter thirteen |

The biweekly trips to Hogsmeade made life much easier when it came to planning a date. Conveniently for both James and I, the trip was the next week, which meant two things. One, there was only one week of awkward smiles and weird distances as Carri and Sirius simultaneously tried to push us together, and two, there was no need to come up with an original date.

In my personal opinion, the week passed by way too fast. To me, a first date meant awkwardly trying to get to know a person I had no interest in while time dragged on until finally we reached the agreement that neither one of us wanted to continue the date and we should just head back to Hogwarts. I had some hope that James Potter would turn out to be different, but not too much.

At least this time I had some interest in the person.

I met James at the entrance to Hogsmeade, and we silently walked to The Three Broomsticks. Clearly, I thought wryly, neither one of us was very prepared to talk quite yet if the silent tension said anything. We walked inside and split up. I went to get a table and James went to grab some butterbeer.

James sat opposite of me and offered one of the butterbeer he carried. I accepted the drink gratefully, glad to have something to warm my hands. The October wind hadn't fully started up yet -- it was only the first week, after all -- but there was definitely a chill outside. In hindsight, it would have been a good idea to bring gloves.

Unsure of where to begin a conversation, I settled on the topic both of us could gush about for ages. "How's the Gryffindor Quidditch team coming along?"

James beamed. "It's been fantastic. We only have to train one new person this year -- one of our Chasers. It's weird being Captain, though." James laughed and ruffled his hair. "Before I was just one of the players, y'know? Now I get to make all the decisions for the plays and what our strategy is going to be when we play games."

"That sounds like tons of fun!" I said, leaning forward, and James nodded.

"I've been up super late sometimes planning out all sorts of moves that we've been practicing. The team kind of hates how hard I'm working them, but I've been having a ton of fun. How's Ravenclaw doing? I heard there was a lot of drama at tryouts," James replied, and I grimaced.

"You know Autumn?" I asked, and he nodded. "She and Olivia didn't get along too well, especially last year. Olivia made captain, and decided to make everyone try out for their spots again." James' eyebrows shot up, and I nodded my agreement. "Yeah, that was my reaction."

"I'm guessing it was an unpopular decision?"

"Of course. Fast forward to tryouts, and Autumn can't keep her mouth shut. You know how she can be."

"Yeah, she's in my potions class," James replied, "Her wit isn't lacking, that's for sure. It's pretty funny when she and Remus get at it. They can go for ages."

I snorted. "Remus may be quiet, but Leon's positive it's all an act. To be honest, it doesn't surprise me too much."

James grinned. "He's created quite the persona. What else happened at tryouts?"

"They got in a fight halfway through and Olivia officially kicked Autumn off the team. Unfortunately, Autumn was the only other Beater trying out who had experience, so now I have to train the new Beater how to even swing his bat correctly." I rolled my eyes.

"Can't say I'm too sorry about it," James said dryly, "Autumn nailed me last year with the Bludger."

I laughed, setting down my empty cup. "I remember that! You fell off your broom."

James groaned and rubbed his face. "She didn't stop bragging about that for weeks. Of course, Sirius taunted me too."

"You know, they would be quite the pair if they were on the same team," I mused, and James shuddered.