Hi, Everyone! I've been away for too long and now I'm back to writing! This story was published years ago when I was a teenager, and after reading it again as a twenty something year old, I decided I had to change my writing style and how I had to properly word everything out so it'll become clearer for you readers. I apologize if there are some grammatical errors and the like. I'm only human and I'm still working my way up to increase my writing skill.

To my previous readers and followers, a huge THANKS for your messages of support and inquiries if I'll still be continuing this story. And YES! I'm back again! I'm sorry it took this long though!

I'll also put it out for you guys so you can have something to look forward to in the future: This will be a 4-5 part story. I've planned everything for years and I'm finally putting it into writing.

So I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original HP characters. However, I do own the MC, her friends and other unnamed or unfamiliar characters in my story.

Also, it's pronounced 'pew-see' and not 'pussy'. I bet you can imagine just how much jokes were made from that name alone. Oh, and he's canon. He appeared in Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets.

CHAPTER 1

Grilling: one of muggles' ways of cooking food. Personally, I've no experience or possess the accurate information of such term, but from what I heard, you basically place one side of the meat on what they call a "grille", wait until everything you can possibly juice out has oozed; and then once that's done, you proceed with the other side until you end up with a dry piece of meat from all the juice inducing procedure that it entails.

Okay, side note: that's way too many "juice" in less than one hundred words. But who's counting, really? I haven't explicitly mentioned food and its wondrous blessings served to us humans, but all that talk about juices and grilling is making me hungry –especially since my friends have been grilling me nonstop ever since I decided to tell them about my attraction for Slytherin chaser numero uno: Adrian Pucey.

Today was unusually bothersome since both my friends have been at it since breakfast–which, by the way, they spared no ounce of concern for their best friend who just wanted to eat in peace and not subject herself to their much anticipated interrogation. That being said, you can imagine how much of a good meal I had and how well I am supplied with nutrients and such. I thought my quick escape during breakfast and disappearance during lunch would already give them the hint. But no. They just had to pester me until afternoon's class.

"SERIOUSLY, ELIZABETH… WHY?!" Jeanine, who was sitting next to me, asked hysterically enough that made some of our classmates in Potions look at us.

"And someone from my house, not to mention." Mai, who was on my other side, added as she was picking at her nails.

Merlin. These girls would just not stop.

I might as well end their misery –and mine.

I took a deep breath and slouched on my chair, whispering, "He's… well, how you say –kinda cute?"

Both of them gave me what was no doubt, a look of pure utter disgust combined with disbelief.

I lowered my head, trying to hide my sheepish grin while glancing left and right for any change of reaction from the two.

Mai placed a hand on my forehead, shaking her head, confirming, "She doesn't seem to be running a fever, Jeanine."

Jeanine then slammed both of her hands on our table, "TELL US THE TRUTH! DID SOMEONE GIVE YOU A LOVE POTION AND SHOVE YOU IN A BROOM CLOSET WITH HIM?!"

"Bloody hell, Jeanine! Could you be any louder? I'm definitely not having a fever attack, but I'm soon gonna have a heart attack if you guys don't stop!" I retorted, pulling her hands off the table after witnessing half of the class giving us the stink eye and the Weasley twins presenting us devious smiles from Jeanine's little outburst. Poor table. It didn't do any harm and yet here it was, taking every bit of physical abuse Jeanine inflicted on an inanimate object. Sometimes I wonder where her violent side comes from… and if I should be concerned about her abusive tendencies towards such objects.

Hmm. Shoved in a broom closet with him? That's something I would gladly take any day.

"Well, I suppose I just find him really attractive, is all. His chiseled face, that serious type aura he gives off, and he seems nice." That was all I could explain. Of course there was definitely more to it. His voice, (I've done enough eavesdropping to claim that there was something so alluring about it), that stoic look he shows when he's in any situation, and his clean, fresh, out-of-the-shower scent. Oh merlin's beard, the scent. As much as I would like to expand on the other reasons that the two clearly would not even consider as much as the first few I gave, I was –and still am hungry after missing out on lunch and I can feel my energy being drained by these two girls already.

Jeanine facepalmed herself and sank in her seat, muttering words and phrases I can barely make out such as, "crazy", "chiseled, my arse" and "I never thought".

Mai gave a small chuckle after finally picking out that hangnail from her index finger. "As his fellow Slytherin, and being you and Jeanine's non-Gryffindor friend, I should tell you that he's pegged as an asshole for reasons unclear to me still. It's a bit of a shocker you like him considering you've only known him this year since you got transferred for you to be able harbor these feelings of attraction. Besides, as what Jeanine and I have been discussing previously, there are like, a lot more hotter guys out there who would probably best suit your preference."

"Take for example, you have Harry Potter, Colin Creevey, Terrence Higgs, Theodore Nott…" Mai suddenly giggled. "… and that fourth year Justin Kelby from Ravenclaw."

At the mere sound of 'Harry Potter', Jeanine snapped back to her usual self and replied, "Oi! HANDS OFF POTTER! YOU ALL WELL KNOW HE'S MY DESTINED HUSBAND AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL THESE GORGEOUS BABIES!" pointing a finger at Mai then me, reassuring her possession over the Boy Who Lived.

By preference, you mean you and Jeanine's. Merlin's beard. If there's one thing you should know about Jeanine and Mai, is that their undying love for the younger male population is beyond Professor Trelawney's love for predicting the death of one of her students. And no, I'm not talking about the typical older sister-younger brother type of love. I'm talking about their cougar and pedophilic tendencies. I could give you a list of incidents that would prove my claim that would even straighten out Hagrid's kinky hair. But just the mere fact that all of the names Mai just gave are all ranging from ages 11-13 is already a start. Although you could debate how 15 year olds girls were merely 2-4 years older, and age is just a number, I for one, was not particularly into dating younger men. My reason? I just see younger guys as immature. No offense to all you, youngsters. It's just a personal preference.

I rolled my eyes and decided to rest my head on the table from that burning feeling in my stomach. How much did I manage to eat anyway? As if nothing could make it worse, Adrian Pucey, along with three other Slytherin boys entered the classroom, making me bite my lip and hide my ever-so obvious grin that complimented my now fluttering stomach. Unfortunately, my two friends were quick to fully understand my actions after growing up together. They gave each other a scheming look before sharing their expression with me. But little do they know that I was quicker to anticipate their next move.

"God no –"

"HEY, PUCEY!" Jeanine and Mai both shouted simultaneously.

HOLY FIREBOLT.

If there was ever a time I went berserk on my friends, this would be the first. I immediately yanked both of them by their robes and vigorously shook them both at their impulsive –not to mention embarrassing stunt, while spewing out words faster than I, or even the two can comprehend. Who the heck does this? Seriously?! What is it with friends and the tradition of making your attraction for someone known not just to the public, but to the person himself?! Is it something that needs to be passed down from every generation of friends? Who even started this in the first place? The world is a crazy place, I tell you.

Bat. Turd. Crazy.

As if this could not get any worse, Pucey caught himself being beckoned by these two nitwits and went over to our table.

"Hello," He greeted and I couldn't bring myself to look him straight in the eye. "how can I help you ladies?"

Oh my goodness. Such a gentleman. See? I told you there were more reasons!

The next moment irritated me and at the same time gave me the urge to gloat since they couldn't give an immediate reply. Jeanine and Mai obviously did not think this plan through. Yes, go ahead and dig a deeper grave for yourselves. Serves you right.

"I don't think we've properly introduced ourselves –kick aside the evident fact that we're all just usually on a last name basis." Said Mai suddenly. I must say, that was a good save.

Mai held out a hand first. " Madeline Thompson –'Mai' would do."

"Jeanine Arrington. –You can call me 'anytime'." What the heck, Jeanine?! She did not just say that. It seems the Black Lake's gonna have to change its name to 'Red Lake' after this.

Okay, maybe not. I mean, she usually does this, even back home and I know she means no harm.

But, still…

Speaking of red, I may not see it, but I can definitely feel myself turn into a deep shade of red as all eyes were on me as the three were waiting for my turn to introduce myself to the love of my life –and exchange handshakes as bonus too!

C'mon, Elizabeth! It's just a freakin' handshake and a formal introduction. No hint of malice to be misunderstood with just the socially acceptable way of physical contact between a man and a woman. Just grab his–no. Oh my goodness, DO NOT GRAB HIS HAND. Hold out your hand and repeat after me, 'Elizabeth James. James is fine if you find Elizabeth too long to pronounce'. Yeah, that's perfect! Now, let's try that in one go:

I can do this!

I slowly look up and meet Pucey's blue eyes.

OH MY GOODNESS. I CANNOT DO THIS.

"I…..I…."

ABORT MISSION. I REPEAT, ABORT!

"E…beth… Jamz" Well, that was a good start.

May Day! May Day! Get it together, woman!

"Err… she's a bit tired. She hasn't eaten anything decent for the day. Reviewing for O.W.L.S and such, after all." Jeanine interjected rather confidently. "She's Elizabeth James."

"James for short!" I somehow manage to say with whatever energy I have left. "…if Elizabeth's too long, that is." I added, returning to the mellow, shy state I was in.

Fortunately, he didn't seem to show any expression of being creeped out by this entire scenario. He gave a curt nod and as an added bonus, a faint smile before introducing himself. "Adrian Pucey…" he paused. "Adrian is fine."

Pucey afterwards, pulled out some Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans from his bag and handed it to me. "Was saving it for later, but you should have it. It's not much, but don't skip out on your meals." He went on to his table after giving each of us another one of his nods.

HOLY. MOTHER. OF. MERLIN.

I know looks could kill, but never did I consider smiles –faint smiles surprisingly, to be deadlier. But the perfect murder would be the fact that he was being thoughtful enough to give out his food! He must think I'm starving myself… but who cares, right? I literally feel myself burning up from that small gesture. He gave ME –Mary Elizabeth James, his food! Forgive me if I sound like a toddler getting all giddy about having a friend share his Pumpkin Pasties with me.

Mai, I think you need to check on that fever again.

I'm definitely running a fever.

A/N: What did you guys think? I personally enjoyed writing this.

Funfact: I was hungry when I came up with this scenario and ended up eating sweets to fill up that nagging hollow.

Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated! I would love to hear your feedback! :)