Up to No Good// James Potter

Chapter 8

After taking a cold shower, Vanessa stepped out of the bathroom and into her dorm where her two friends waited for her. There was something special about showering after a quidditch match, but that was probably just because the girl had quite the obsession with the sport.

"Nessie! Our quidditch captain!" Marlene squealed loudly once she saw her best friend. "We've picked out a killer outfit for you to wear tonight. After all, our winning captain has got to make an impression."

Both girls looked quite proud. Not only of their friend who had just won her first game as captain but also of the outfit they had laid out on her bed. It was cute, Vanessa agreed. A baby blue skirt with a white shirt and the leather jacket Sirius had gotten her for Christmas.

The brunette flopped down on her bed, careful not to lay on the clothes as she didn't want either of her friends to behead her. She sighed contentedly, throwing an arm over her eyes.

"I'm so tired," she yawned.

The girl had barely gotten her sentence out when arms wrapped around her and pulled her up. "No, you don't! You are not sleeping. First of all, you love parties. Second of all, this one is basically in you honor."

"She's right, Nessie. You know I'm all for healthy behavior but you are not skipping this one." The redhead spoke as she leaned on Vanessa's bedpost.

"Fine," she groaned. "But at least let me take a nap. Just wake me up before the party starts and I'll get ready, I promise."

The blonde and the redhead shared a look with each other. Then they turned back to the brunette and nodded. Telling her she had a few hours and that if she didn't wake up they'd drag her out of bed.

After making them promise to bring some lunch for her later, Vanessa turned over and closed her eyes. Within seconds, the girl was asleep.

A staircase over, the Marauders waited for their friend to come out of the shower. All three boys were excited, there was no feeling like being a Gryffindor after the house had won a match. Out of all houses, the Gryffindors went the craziest whether they won or lost. They had always been the rowdiest house but it was never as clear as it was after a quidditch match.

James Potter finally made his way out of their bathroom, a huge smile on his face. "I still can't believe we won."

"Why not?" Asked Sirius. "After the amount of hours you spent on that bloody pitch practicing, I would've rioted if you didn't."

"Okay, okay." The boy conceded, "I can believe it. But I'm just so happy."

As the messy haired boy flopped onto his bed with a dreamy sigh, his friends laughed around him. "Merlin, James, you're acting like a schoolgirl who just got noticed by the boy she fancies."

"Whatever, Moony. Just let me be happy for the next few hours."

"The party tonight is going to be great," Peter began. "The first win of the year is always the best."

The rest of the boys readily agreed with him, it was true. Maybe because they hadn't had one in months, but the first win parties always felt the best.

Every house was invited and those were the only times the whole school got along. Of course the death eaters in training never came, so there was nothing to worry about with that.

"Do you think Lily will be my date to the party tonight?"

His three friends shared a look. Sure, they loved teasing him about it but they could also tell that the boy was hurt every time she rejected him, even if it was just a little.