come on skinny love -- james

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

The weather was warm, but a slight breeze was blowing Xarrah's strawberry blonde curls as she walked through Hogsmeade toward one of her favorite places; Honeydukes. Xarrah had a love for candy, but especially chocolate and she was craving some. She had finished her stash she held back home and it was time to restock! She took her time walking through the village though, looking around at all the people that were shopping and having a good time with their friends and family. She would have brought Xochilt a long, but she knew her twin sister wouldn't want to be out in the light due to her condition. Xarrah honestly missed being able to do things with her sister. They just weren't as close as they used to be and that hurt her.

Starting to close in the distance between herself and the store, Xarrah's eyes caught sight of a familiar figure. James Potter. The poor boy was on crutches, which caused her normal smile to fade slightly. She had heard of the attack on him and his cousins, but she never got the chance to see him or find out how he was doing. She was glad to see him out and about though. Despite the year between them and the separate houses, Xarrah adored James and considered him a lovely friend. Honestly, he was one of the only reasons she attended the Quidditch games; to see him. But she wouldn't admit that to the Potter boy. Approaching, she once again placed a smile on her lips and stopped behind him, hands placed on her hips. "Well if it isn't James Potter. I was just wondering when I'd see that handsome face of yours again!" She said to the boy, awaiting him to turn around and talk to her. She was out for some candy, but she would take some time with James over that any day.

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James had ventured into Hogsmeade that summer day in order to stock up on a couple things - specifically, he really really needed a plain black robe for Puddlemere United to transform into his uniform. Of course they got uniforms, but since they could magically change a black robe into a decorated one, James was on the hunt for one of his own. Being in Hogsmeade at all, though, was great. He intended to stop by a couple of the shops that had become familiar to him over his seven years at Hogwarts on that day and was heading to said shop when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

James grinned and turned round on his crutches to see Xarrah Ollivander. The beautiful redhead was always a delight to see. He chuckled and said, "Hey!" James couldn't help but look her up and down but quickly found her face and continued beaming. "You look really great," he commented and shook his shaggy hair from his face. James wondered what Xarrah had been up to for the summer so this was a great opportunity to catch up. Since the incident, and there being a family trip to America, James hadn't had a lot of time to get to catch up with people from Hogwarts. It was a little depressing, actually, since a lot of his cousins and friends were off doing the 'couple' thing and James was left alone. After he was left broken-hearted in the beginning of Seventh Year, James hadn't really pursued any romantic options for himself. He simply didn't have time. That with the fact of him leading Dumbledore's Army meant that James didn't have a lot of time for much of anything besides Quidditch, DA, and schoolwork. It was unfortunate since he had bypassed a lot of things during school, but seeing Xarrah again (and almost being killed) made him realize he had to live in the moment and not take life for granted anymore. He was definitely not about to ignore this opportunity.

He looked down at himself and laughed. "And I'm looking pretty pathetic, ya?" James said with a laugh, meeting her gaze. "It's definitely been too long."

XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

Xarrah's lips only turned up more as the older brunette turned to smile at her. That smile of his was a killer for sure, but that was just another thing she wouldn't admit out loud. They were just friends after all. Not to say she wouldn't accept an invite from him for a date. Who would? Look at him. Well, maybe not at that exact moment since he was on crutches, but Xarrah sure would. James was a great guy and she regretted not getting to know him better during school. However, things got hectic with what happened to her sister and the mood swings coming from her brother didn't help at all either. It was all so complicated when all she wanted was simplicity and peace for a while. Maybe this meeting would give her that.

A light pink shade colored her fair cheeks as he told her she looked great. "Shucks James, you always know what to say to make a girl feel good about herself." She teased lightly, chuckling with the boy. Her light eyes studied him for a moment, her smile never ceasing. Even with the crutches, he looked great; he always had. Xarrah had her eyes on the oldest Potter ever since she first met him. It would be a lie to say there wasn't some sort of feelings toward him, but they had stayed friends for so long, she hadn't thought of it again until now. She was sure when he finally went off to play professional Quidditch, every girl would be all over him. She definitely planned on trying to make it to his matches. It had to be more interesting than just plain Hogwarts Quidditch.

Shaking her head, Xarrah completely disagreed with him, which she was fully ready to state. "James Potter, there will be no pity parties here." She teased him, laughing lightly. "Seriously though, don't be so hard on yourself. I think you look great too, even with the crutches. Gives you sort of an... edge about you. You know the ladies love a good edge." She told him with a wink, before laughing again. "And yes, I agree. Way too long. How have you been, love?"

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James couldn't help but laugh as Xarrah blushed lightly. God she was cute. "Well you should feel good about yourself," he said matter-of-factly with a chuckle. It was true, though. James felt like Xarrah should well...should know how great-looking she was. James wondered if she was seeing someone...that would have been greatly disappointing, actually. He was a little afraid to ask. After all, James had been heartbroken in his last attempt at any sort of flirting or romantic relationship so rejection wasn't really something he was prepared for. Xarrah was pretty much perfect, really, so how was there any way she'd even be remotely interested in him? She was definitely way too pretty to be in his league.

Maybe James didn't have a great confidence. He did, once, and was actually pretty famous for it. He could strut around Hogwarts like he owned the place - and in a lot of aspects he did. James was very much a popular figure in Hogwarts, especially because of his name and more so because of his talent in Quidditch. He remembered Xarrah coming to the Quidditch games...he was actually a little distracted by her presence sometimes, not that he would admit that at the moment. He turned his attention back to her and laughed. "Okay okay, no pity parties," he laughed, leaning onto his left crutch more than the right. He looked at the ground and chuckled as she complimented him. Did she really just do that?

"Aw, well, thanks," James said with a grin and then looked up at Xarrah again. "I've been good! Really good actually besides being attacked and all, what about you?" he asked with a smile. "Hey, what are you here for? Do you mind if I join you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. James hadn't exactly planned on making a whole day out of visiting Hogsmeade, but if it meant hanging out with Xarrah all day then he was definitely up for it. He mentally scratched out his plans to visit his grandparents as he awaited her answer, a smile still pulling at the edges of his mouth.

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

Xarrah had always been the confident type, not needing compliments to know she was pretty. Don't take that the wrong way. She wasn't vain in the slightest, she just knew she wasn't unattractive. But there was something about hearing it from him that made it different, even if she didn't know exactly what it was. Even though they were good friends, she had always found him to be out of her league. He was older than her and had so much going for him with Quidditch and the army. He was a well rounded young man. Not to say she wasn't heading somewhere herself, it was just... He was James Potter. He was going to be great, no matter what he did. She had always believed that and would tell him so if he needed to hear it. "Well thank you James." She said as she smiled softly at the brunette.

Her light eyes studied him once again, wondering how he was truly feeling. It couldn't be that comfortable walking around on crutches, physically or mentally. If she was attacked like he was and had to result to using crutches, she would probably be embarrassed. She couldn't imagine how it was making him feel. But enough about that. The mood needed to stay happy. She had no reason to ruin it with her thoughts about his pain when he seemed to be doing just fine. At least on the outside. That's what worried her. What was present on the outside, might not be on the inside.

Chuckling lightly, Xarrah shook her head. "No need for thanks Potter. I meant every word and it's true. You don't know how..." Pausing for a moment, she could feel her cheeks growing hot again. Clearing her throat nervously, she kept her smile as well as her composure as best she could. "Appealing. I meant to say you don't know how appealing you are to most girls." She told him to finish her explanation. But her nervousness was soon washed away when he piped up about how he was. She was glad to hear him say he was doing well. If he had been worse, Xarrah wouldn't know what to think of it. After losing her brother, losing anyone she cared about would be a true devastation for her. "I'm so glad to hear you're doing good, despite the circumstances! If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know okay?" She told him sincerely.

"I am doing good as well! Summer has been a bit boring, but you know, I'll survive." She laughed, calming back down to a smile soon after. "Join me? Oh, I would love you to, but I don't think my boyfriend would like that very much." She told him seriously, her face as straight as she could get it before she started laughing again. "Of course you can join me! And I was just joking about the boyfriend by the way. That's nonexistent at the moment." Xarrah would't mind having a boyfriend, but the right one just hasn't come around yet. Or maybe he has, and just hasn't asked her out yet. "I was going to head into Honeydukes for some chocolate, but if you had other plans, I'm happy to follow you instead."

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James wondered why Xarrah appeared to becoming flustered and then there it was - her sentence that made his cheeks match her own. He looked down and grinned to himself. It wasn't like this was the first complement he'd ever received, but coming from Xarrah it was definitely different than before. He chuckled and looked back up at her again, nodding. "I understand what you mean, don't worry," he said with a soft laugh, trying to ease the er...the tension between them. It wasn't a bad kind of tension, James just didn't want to make things uncomfortable for either of them considering they were seemingly about to spend the rest of the day together, which James was thoroughly going to enjoy.

"I'll definitely let you know," he said with a nod, knowing Xarrah was sincere in offering her help to him. It was very hard for James to accept help though, especially because he actually really needed it. Getting around on crutches wasn't exactly easy, though thankfully his doctor at St. Mungo's told him that he'd be able to walk - painfully but walk - on his own at the end of the summer. It was perfect because it'd be the start of the new Quidditch season and he'd have just a couple weeks to prepare and train to get himself in tip-top shape to compete. James was ready to make Puddlemere United the top team of the season that year and hoped he could do them justice. And maybe he could have Xarrah come watch a game or two while she was on Christmas break.

James' face fell when she mentioned her boyfriend. He should have known. He attempted to pull a fake facade of happiness, but he knew he failed pretty miserably. "Oh...okay," he answered awkwardly, then grinned even more awkwardly as she said she was joking. Honestly? James had been pretty hurt by the statement and he wondered why. He knew, and could admit, that he found Xarrah very attractive. Who didn't? And she was a brilliant friend to him...but the way he felt when she mentioned her boyfriend was strange. Jealousy? He uh...didn't know. "Well as long as your boyfriend won't mind then, how about we head to Honeydukes and then we can catch up on the other things," he said, nodding. James had no problem putting off shopping for robes. No problem at all.

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

Curiosity consumed her as Xarrah stood there, wondering about what exactly was happening with her. She had known James for years and now her interest was starting to peak? She didn't understand it and quite frankly she was embarrassed by all the blushing. She wasn't the type to get so flustered over a boy. Why all of a sudden was James Potter making her feel different than she had before? Sure, she had gone to every game of his and even supported him against her own team which was probably not a very good thing to do. And she had always found him to be attractive. Could it just be that she never really acknowledged the feelings? No, she couldn't like James Potter. There would be no point in wasting her time when he was most likely not even thinking remotely close to the same as her. There was no way he would like her back, was there? "Oh, thank Merlin!" She exclaimed, chuckling slightly. "I wasn't sure if I was getting it across right. I might be a Ravenclaw, but sometimes I have a bad way with words." She teased at herself.

Reaching out her hand, Xarrah gently placed it on James' arm with a soft smile. "Good, because I'm here for you James." She told him sincerely. "Always." In the years she had known him, she knew fairly well he didn't like to be helped. He was independent and did things on his own. Xarrah could respect that, as she was the same way. But still, she knew it was nice to have someone at least reach out and say they were there for them. If she were in his position, she would want the same. But she wasn't just saying it because she felt he needed to hear it. Xarrah was telling him because she wanted him to know that she cared about him and would do anything she could to help him, no matter what. That's what friends did. 

Noticing his features change to something more solemn, Xarrah got worried that she had upset him. But what had she said? She only joked about a boyfriend that she didn't even have. Was that it? And then he seemed to be better once she assured him that was not the case. At that moment, she was slightly confused, but she wasn't going to ask about it. She decided it might just be best to leave it alone, especially since he seemed to be teasing back again. Xarrah sighed in relief to herself before smiling brightly at him again. "Oh yeah, he won't mind a bit." She teased again, laughing before starting to walk at a slow pace so James could keep up with her. "So, where were you off to before I so rudely interrupted you?"

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James chuckled. He knew what it was like sometimes, wondering if the words you were trying to speak actually conveyed the message you were trying to give. As a guy, that happened fairly frequently he thought. Then again, he actually never found himself at a true loss for words. He usually knew what to say, actually...now that he thought about it. James shook his head at her. "I understand - no worries love," he answered her with a grin, hoping she wasn't too hard on herself about the whole thing.

As Xarrah put her hand on his shoulder and spoke, he felt a small shiver quiver down his spine. He put his hand atop hers and nodded at her, offering a small smile. "That means a lot coming from you," James said with a grin. He really meant it, though. And he knew that, since they had been friends for a while, she knew what it meant, too. She knew how he was. Xarrah knew that James had a struggle with accepting help. He was a very independent guy and he was used to relying on himself. After Rose told him of her being with Scorpius, James lost it and....despite their having been such very close friends, he was keeping her at a distance. It emotionally hurt him. James didn't put his trust in just anyone and most of his friends knew that about him. He was friendly, sure, and would talk to just about anyone, but getting close to him...that was another story. He had a bunch of friends but only a select few that he could actually confide in. Thankfully, Xarrah was one of those few people.

James laughed as they started on toward Honeydukes, noticing Xarrah being kind enough to not leave him behind."Well, I'm actually on the hunt for a plain black robe. You see, Puddlemere United promotes small businesses and all that so I'm supposed to get a robe that they'll use magic on to look like the uniforms. That way it's a bit of recycling and giving back to the community...use it in press and stuff," he said, shaking his head. There was a lot more politics in Quidditch than James originally anticipated, but he suspected that was normal. James just hoped he wasn't being used or played for some type of political gain due to his last name. "Anything particular you're wanting at Honeydukes?"

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

Relieved to hear he understood, Xarrah smiled at the older boy just like she had been. In fact, she realized that she was smiling more than usual because of him. Not that she wasn't a happy person, because she did smile a lot, but it was different. But she couldn't help but think about his words too. He understood. Did he really? Because if he really understood, he would see the meaning behind her words. Sure, she was talking about most girls in existence because she had seen plenty of them fawning over the Potter boy, but in all honesty she was talking about herself. She never realized it until now, but she liked him and more than a friend. She wouldn't tell him that and she figured she would leave that part of the conversation alone, but she was starting to feel it. He was very handsome and any girl would be lucky to have him, even if it wasn't her.

When he placed his hand on hers, Xarrah could feel her cheeks growing hot again, making her wish it wasn't apparent. That would be embarrassing. Blushing was embarrassing. Why did people have to do it? "Coming from me?" She asked, before she slowly took her hand away from him, placing it back at her side. "I"m sure there's nothing special about me James. You have a lot of good friends that would say the same." There she was, downplaying herself again. But to her it was true. He had friends other than herself and he would be making more when he went off to play with Puddlemore. Maybe he would even find a girl that was his age and very pretty; one that would take care of him and always be there for him when he needed it. Just like she would if she were to be so lucky.

Xarrah listened to his words carefully, making sure not to miss a single one as they made their way to their first stops. "Well, that certainly sounds um.. interesting? Why are they using you all as their advertisers? That's a bit odd to me. You're a person, not a billboard." She told him quite bluntly, but it was how she felt. She wouldn't want to be paraded around with ads flashing all over her. James was going to play quidditch, not be a flying advertisement. "But anyway, I would love to help you out." She told him with a bright smile. Once she had her daily dose of chocolate, she'd be good and ready to do just about anything. "Nothing in particular. I just wanted a bit of chocolate. You know me and my chocolate. I ran out today." Xarrah said with a laugh. "I'm really surprised I'm not fat or something, as much as I eat."

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James raised an eyebrow as Xarrah took her hand away and questioned him about the truth in his words. "Are you serious right now?" he asked and stopped walking. James looked at the ground and shook his head, a smile upon his face that didn't prove what he was thinking and feeling. He actually wasn't happy, for once. He was happy to be with her, but not happy about what she said. James looked up at her and raised an eyebrow at her, a frown line tracing his lips. "Xarrah, you are special," he said and then squished his nose up at her. "You're special to me," he added, then looked down and felt his face grow hot. He cleared his throat and then continued walking, hoping he hadn't made their conversation even more awkward.

He couldn't help but laugh at her comments about advertisements. "Well, unfortunately, professional Quidditch has to have profit somewhere since paying players isn't cheap, and neither is setting up the stadiums and such for games. It's just how it is," he said with a shrug. He supposed that being around it the past few weeks let James on the inside of things in knowing exactly how that world worked. It wasn't what he thought, so her reaction wasn't surprising, really. He had the same initial reaction. James nodded. "I'm sure you have better taste than me - you coming along will help a lot. You know there's like different types of material or something...I know nothing about clothes," he said and laughed.

"Chocolate sounds good to me! And yes, I know how you are," James laughed. Xarrah had always enjoyed chocolate, really, but James did, too. It was one of the things that had first bonded them and he remembered that day like it was yesterday. James was sitting in Honeydukes and saw the young Xarrah fumbling around with the tons of chocolate she was attempting to set up on the counter to purchase. Instead of succeeding in the task, though, chocolate frogs and other sweets fell to the floor - not ruining them since they were wrapped, but definitely making for a hassle. James assisted Xarrah in picking them up, asked her to sit with him to enjoy them, and the rest was history and they were friends ever since. Seeing her after Hogwarts, though, made him feel like they should be more than friends. "Here we are, my lady," James teased and held the door open for her, leaning on his crutches as he did so. Those bloody things weren't about to ruin his chivalry.

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

James suddenly stopped walking which caused Xarrah to do the same. Her eyes found his as he asked her if she was serious, and inside she felt a little guilty for what she had said, but she didn't know why. She figured she was just another friend among his others. Never had she thought she was was more special than the others, despite the years they have had together. She would say that James was one of her closest friends and she would do anything for him to see him happy. But, she wasn't in his house or year, so it wasn't like they saw each other all the time. And then there were his teammates. Surely there were those he thought of as higher up on his friends list than her. That was why she didn't feel she was so special in his life. However, he cut that idea down really quick when he admitted that she was special to him, making her cheeks flare up again, her face turning from him for a moment to regain her bearings. 

Looking back again, Xarrah smiled softly at her friend and nudged him lightly with her elbow. "Thank you James." She told him, her tone calm, but sweet. "That really means a lot..." She paused for a moment, a small smirk coming to her lips as she met his eyes again. "Coming from you." She teased, repeating his words to her earlier. However much she was joking though, she meant her words. James meant a lot to her and any kind words from him were taken to heart. "But.. um.." Spit it out Xarrah! Why are you so nervous? "James, you're special to me too." She told him, turning her blushing face away again as they started to walk on. She really didn't know what was going on with her. James was a friend of hers and had been for so long. She shouldn't be so afraid to talk to him or share her feelings. Well, the feelings that didn't show too much of what she actually thought.

Xarrah nodded at his comments, still stuck in her opinion that they shouldn't use them. That's really what she felt like they were doing. "Well, I guess that makes sense, but I still don't care for their tactics." She told him as they continued on toward Honeydukes. She could see that they were almost there and slowly she was starting to get excited. She probably wouldn't get much seeing as they were going other places and she didn't want to carry it all, but just a few pieces to hold her off would suffice. "Plus, when I come to watch one of my best friends, I'd prefer not to see him lit up with advertisements." She told him, scrunching up her nose at the thought. It just didn't seem appealing to her and she didn't like the fact they were using him. He was one of the best players she had ever seen, but she knew there had to be some underlying factor surrounding his last name and that was just horrible to her.

"Well, I do know my fashion." Xarrah said, playfully flipping her hair back in a prissy manner, a laugh escaping her lips afterward. The young redhead was overjoyed that she had found her friend that day. Just a trip to Honeydukes and back home would have been a boring day, but now she knew it would not be so dull because she had James with her. He was always a delight to be around. When he opened the door for her, she smiled at him. He was such a sweetheart. Chivalry was not yet dead it seemed, seeing as even with crutches he tried his best to stay the gentleman he had always been to her. "Why thank you kind sir." She teased, doing a small curtsy to the former Gryffindor before walking in. She waited inside the door for him though before moving on to anything. She wanted to make sure he could make it in without any trouble. Those crutches really had to be a burden.

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James hoped that Xarrah didn't take his words as a sort of lecture. On the contrary, he just wanted her to realize that she was, in fact, a special person. She was brilliant, attractive, funny, sweet...everything James sought in a girl. Maybe that's why he'd stayed away, romantically, so long, because he subconsciously knew that if he pursued Xarrah, there would be no turning back. She was the perfect person for him. That scared James a bit; she was obviously quite above his league. And yet, James had never felt more compelled to take a leap of faith before in his life. His courage was seeping out.

He chuckled as she teased him by repeating his words, shaking his head at her. He grinned widely as she said he was special, too. He secretly wondered what that meant. Did she mean he was a special friend, or was he special? Gah, why was this so confusing! James just wanted to grab her by the waist and plant a kiss right on her lips!

Wait....did he just think that? Did I just think that? James smiled at her as she turned away from him, but as she did he stared himself down. James, what are you doing? he thought as he followed her, his crutches scathing the ground and sticking slightly from the heat that the ground was exuding. He nodded at her comment about quidditch, smiling a little wider when she mentioned coming to see him. "Well I don't think that it'll be that bad - I think it's just one logo on the back. Most teams have that," he said as he tried to assure her. "But yea, you definitely have to come and see me play - that'd be awesome," he said with a grin.

James chuckled as she curtsied at him before walking inside Honeydukes. She was a riot, she was. James' shoulders shook as he continued to chuckle, following her in on his crutches and looking at her. "So what are you getting today? Fudge? Chocolate frogs?" he asked with a raised and curious eyebrow. James knew how Xarrah liked her chocolate - if anything, they'd probably leave there with every chocolate option the shop had. He wouldn't doubt it, being with Xarrah.

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

Xarrah didn't know where this was going, or if it would go anywhere at all. That had always been just friends, nothing more. Confusion was all she could feel every time she looked at him, aside from the pure joy that he was by her side. She just couldn't figure out where all these feelings were coming from. Had they been there before and she just didn't realize? She was sure if they had been, she would have known. He was James Potter. How could someone forget if they had ever had feelings for a Potter boy, or James for that matter? He was amazing, smart, just an all around great guy to be around and to have in her life. It was never about the last name. His last name never meant something to her. She knew his father was "the boy who lived" and did so much for the wizarding community, but she also knew that James was not his father. Sure he might have some of the same traits, she didn't know, but he was his own person and she would never be friends with him or even like him just because of his last name.

Listening to his words, Xarrah let out a sigh and decided to leave it alone, despite what she thought. "Alright, alright. I shall leave it alone, but just know I still don't like it." She told him with a playful glare. She could never actually be mad at him for such a silly thing. It was his choice to follow suite with the team or not, and she would stand by him in any decision he made. "Even if it is just one ad." She finished, before he told her it would be awesome if she went to see him play. Smiling brightly at him, she gave him a nod of assurance. "Anytime I can be there, I will be." She told him, thinking back to all the times she went to the games, even when Ravenclaw wasn't playing. "After all the only reason why I watched the games when Ravenclaw wasn't playing, but Gryffindor was, was for you. It was always for you." Realizing what she had just said, she mentally kicked herself. Did she really just say that out loud? Good going Xarrah. Seriously, it was like she had no filter. Hopefully he didn't find any underlying meaning in it, because if he did and he didn't like her in the slightest, she might have just made things awkward.

Once both of them were in the shop, she looked around for a moment deciding on her game plan. "You know, despite my past, I think I'm only going to get one of each. I don't want to look like some fatty carrying around a bunch of chocolate while we're making the other errands." She told him with a light laugh. "Not to mention, I just don't want to carry that much. I don't need to be leaving a trail of chocolate as we walk around Hogsmeade, you know?" Walking away from him for a moment, she found herself at the chocolate frogs, picking up one in her hand and looking it over. She remembered the first time she had ever tried one. Her chocolate got away from her which made her really upset actually. But she also liked the cards that came with it, so it wasn't as bad. Looking at James again, she smiled at him and held up the chocolate frog. "I wonder who I'll get. I've always liked that surprise, even if it might seem a bit childish." She said with a chuckle.

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James chuckled, shaking his head. "Noted," he said with a grin. James couldn't exactly help it that his team was going to promote him, but there weren't a ton of options for Seekers. At least with Beaters and Chasers, there were multiples on a team; there was only room for one Seeker per team, so James considered himself very lucky. Of course he had a few other teams after him, but Puddlemere United seemed like the proper choice. It wasn't until his first practice, though, that he realized Scorpius Malfoy chose the same team. That made James a little wary, to say the least, but he wasn't going to run from Malfoy. James had come to the conclusion that if he and his cousin were to remain on good terms, that he was going to have to accept Malfoy in her life. He didn't like it, but he loved his cousin, and ultimately he would do anything for her.

"That'll be great," James said with a smile, then listened to her next few words. Okay, that sealed the deal. James' cheeks burned and he had to contain himself; could it be that she returned his romantic feelings? Oh god. What was he going to do? He had to tell her. He was going to have to, right? Feeling like this, keeping it all inside, was going to drive him mad and he couldn't suffer like that. James was going to have to use his Gryffindor courage, brace himself, and let her know what he was feeling. Just....maybe not right that second. "Well I'm...I'm definitely grateful you were there for me, Xarrah. You're the reason I was able to play so well. Anyone can be good at Quidditch - well, most anyone - but your support drove me to keep at it for so long," he explained, biting his lower lip before taking a deep breath.

James looked her up and down and then chuckled. "You could never look like a fatty," he laughed. "But that seems fair - now go pick your stuff out," James nudged her forward into the shop and took a couple of more steps in, watching her pick up a chocolate frog. He chuckled. "Not childish, just humorous - but I'm guessing Mad-Eye Moody. He's a popular one," James said, then added, "Though it would be pretty cool to get someone rare."

[XARRAH PRIMROSE OLLIVANDER]

Noting the red flaring up on his cheeks, Xarrah's brows furrowed in thought, wondering what he was feeling. Did she have that affect on him; the power to make James Potter blush? The blush had to mean something right? Maybe she should just tell him how she feels. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad and he'd feel the same. Or maybe... she should wait. They were having such a good time, why would she want to ruin it? And then she heard his words which made the familiar pink color return to her cheeks just like it had colored his. He had such a hold on her, which was quite scary even for her. Xarrah didn't get caught up in things like this. She knew how to approach these things and handle them with grace, but with James, it seemed like she had forgotten how to do so. "Oh... um, I never knew." She said, looking at him again with a small smile upon her lips. "Anyway, it was an honor to support you. You're one of my best friends." She told him hoping that if he liked her, the use of the word friend wouldn't diminish any hope he had because she really liked him. She just didn't know how to tell him.

As she held the chocolate frog in her hand, she chuckled at his words. "Oh, you think I'm humorous? Such a lovely thing to know." Xarrah teased lightly, picking up a couple more and then moving to another part of the store, sadly out of sight from the man she was having so much fun with. What else did she want? There were endless possibilities in that store that it made her hard to choose just a couple things. However, she was sticking to her words of only buying a couple things because she didn't feel like carrying so much around. Instead of buying some fudge, Xarrah's eyes set on the simple chocolate bars Honeydukes was famous for selling. So, she picked up one of those as well.

Peeking her head around the corner of the shelf, Xarrah's eyes landed on the handsome brunette standing across the way. "I decided to go with a chocolate bar, along with my precious little chocolate frogs." She told him with a bright smile. Like he actually cared about what she was buying, but still, she told him anyway. "By the way, would you like anything?" She asked him, stepping out from behind the shelf now. "It'll be my treat." Xarrah had a feeling that he might not accept the offer, being the way he was, but in her eyes it never hurt to ask.

JAMES SIRIUS POTTER