Chapter 6

Tuesday the 17th of November, evening

I look at the clock and groan, it's nearing ten o'clock and I really should do some homework before I go to bed. I'm on my way back to the Head quarters after having a detention with Flitwick for not showing up in class. Of course he had to give us one, but that alright with me and Roxanne didn't mind either. He was actually really nice, let us off the hook after only two hours. He is one of my favorite teachers and I think that maybe he sensed that we hadn't just skipped class to have fun.

I enter to our common room and see James sitting by the fire. He looks exhausted and is sitting with his eyes closed on the couch. He doesn't even open them when I sit beside him. After a while I can't bear the silence any longer. He looks troubled – has a small frown on his forehead.

"All right there James Potter," I ask him and impulsively grab his hand. He then looks at me, still not saying anything. I just decide to wait. He will talk eventually and I squeeze his hand. He sighs.

"I saw you talking to Sam today," I nod 'cause I know. Sam approached me about something which I don't even remember what was, because James suddenly appeared and I couldn't help looking at him. Obviously I didn't hear what Sam talked about.

"Yes I know."

"The two of you looked friendly." I just shrug my shoulders. We were friendly, Sam is a friend of mine.

"Yes, well I guess we were. Sam is nice." James is looking at me, almost as if searching me eyes for something. I hold his gaze.

"Do you like him," he suddenly blurts out and by the look of it he didn't mean to because he almost looks angry with himself for asking. I'm a bit surprised. Why does he want to know that? We never really talked about anything like that since the episode with AS. Nevertheless I turn towards him and reply:

"As a friend – yes I do, but nothing more." He nods. Then the silence surrounds us again but a question is appearing in my head; why does he want to know? What is it to him?

"Why, James?" I just have to ask it. I'm studying his face. I don't know what he's thinking but something is going on in that head of his and he got me curious.

"It's just – nice to know, you know?" I can almost see him roll his eyes because of his answer to my question and I want to smile. I don't know if this is just something I'm imagining but for a moment he almost sounded jealous of Sam. He looks kind of shy – and I don't think I have ever seen James like that before. Entirely by its own my hand decides to catch the lock of hair that always falls down on his forehead. I can't tear my eyes away from his; don't want to as I tell him:

"Because if I didn't know you like I do, I would say you sounded jealous James Potter". It was meant to be said jokingly, but I don't think that was how it came out. He doesn't answer straight away. I can see him swallow hard and then it feels like his making a decision. Without breaking eye contact he then murmurs:

"Well, maybe I am". In a split second my world stops spinning. What? Did he just say what I thought he said? Can it really be true? Why would he be jealous at Sam?

"But, why? He's a friend of mine like you are my friend." The last thing is not entirely correct but he doesn't know that does he now… He turns his head away now. I don't dare to say anything so I just wait. He takes a deep breath.

"Well, maybe I want to be more than your friend."

…

I'm stunned. He's not looking at me but I can hear he's serious, he isn't joking. I don't know what to say. Guess Roxanne was right! Who would have thought? I notice he's beginning to blush and I'm beginning to smile. He wants to be more than my friend. James Potter wants to be more than friends! I want to jump up and start dancing and I want to hug him and kiss him at the same time but I contain myself, don't want to scare him away you know! He carefully glances at me and I can't help myself:

"Finally! James Potter, it was about time you figured that out. I thought I was going to wait for you forever." And then I do something definitely not Alice-ish. I carefully let my hand cup his cheek and I kiss him! Right on the mouth! And when James kisses me back it feels like someone just set an entire swarm of butterflies free in my stomach.

Wednesday the 18th of November, morning.

I woke up with a smile on my lips this morning. I'm in love with James Potter and he's I love with me and yesterdays we kissed! Can you believe it? He was so sweet. We just sat in front of the fire and talked and kissed and cuddled but eventually we had to go to bed to get some sleep.

Now I'm sitting on the aforementioned furniture and staring at my door. I know James is waiting in the common room because I heard him open and close the door to his room. Why am I sitting here you might ask? Well, that's good question. I think I'm a bit nervous about this whole new development in our relationship. What if he has regretted it after sleeping? I groan at myself. Stupid Alice. Of course he hasn't. It's just your brain that's messing with you. As it turns out, it was actually my heart that was right this time and right now, it is telling me to go out there. I think I will listen to it. Stupid brain.

I open the door. As I knew he would, James is leaning on the back on the couch waiting for me so I carefully smile at him and he smiles back. As I come closer he grabs my hand and draws me all the way over to him. My heart is beating a bit faster and I don't quite know what to do with myself. Can I kiss him? That would be okay wouldn't it?

"Hi," I whisper and sneak a glance at him. He gently runs his finger through my hair which is hanging loose. Then he cups my head and kisses me. I can't help but smile. What a way to start to the day. I could definitely get used to this!

Eventually we have to breathe again and I beam at him because he finally mine. All of a sudden he lifts me of the floor and starts spinning around in circles. We both grin like lunatics. By Merlin I'm so in love with this wonderful guy and the weird thing is that he seems to like me back.

When we leave the common room we are holding hands. There is no one around us yet and we just enjoy each other's company. I can't help but think of what the other students will say. I, as in Alice Longbottom, the boring and ordinary Head Girl, am now dating one of the most popular guys in Hogwarts. How will we act with each other when around all everyone else?

I'm not a big fan of public displays. Holding hands, hugging, even kissing occasionally is okay but some of the couples around here almost have no limit. I could never do that and I will never become one of them. I am pretty sure James feels the same but we haven't quite talked about it.

"Alice, what's wrong," James suddenly asks me. I should have known he would sense something was bothering me. He has been like that sine the episode with AS. It's like he's tuned in on me.

"How am I going to act? How will we tell everyone? What if they all hate me for being your girlfriend?" I'm blabbering and I know it, but that's how I get when I'm nervous. James smirks a me and in return asks me:

"So, you're my girlfriend, huh?" – and I just want to hit the prick! I know he's joking and all (he's grinning at me) but honestly James Potter, be a little sensitive, I'm kind of worried right now! I push him away from me – stupid jerk - and I just want to hit him so that's exactly what I do. Unfortunately I can't help but grin simultaneously because James is now laughing and it's very contagious. I know that I'm probably overanalyzing things as I usually do.

He's doing a poor job of defending himself – that is until he chose to grab my hand. Then, as the bastard he is, he kisses me.

"Stop that you git!" Here I am being worried and all and he just wants to cuddle! I narrow me eyes and look at him while I point my wand at him:

"I would run if I were you". And as the clever guy he is he runs. I follow him all the way down the corridors shooting a couple of hexes at him but alas – my aim is very poor and running, laughing and shooting hexes at the times time is very ineffective. Eventually I have to stop because I'm in a severe need of breathing properly. James has stopped too and we grin at each other.

All of a sudden I discover that we've reached the Great Hall and are standing here like the lunatics we are.

"Oh, we're here." I mumble and for the life of me I can't wipe the smile of my lips. James is looking at me and out of the blue he decides to kiss me. I'm not one to object about that, the kissing part of being James girlfriend is definitely something I enjoy immensely…

At some point I start to wonder why everything is quiet. A little voice in the depths of my mind is trying to tell me something but I try to ignore it. Eventually though, as the whispering, sniggering and catcalls start, it reaches the conscious part of my brain and I realize what we are doing – Kissing each other in front of the entire student body – including the professors (and my dad might I add).

Oh dear! Now I'm blushing again and it is as if all the previous blushing has been practice for this exact moment. James is grinning. I'm sure he's enjoying this very much but I'm just embarrassed. My fist makes at pathetic attempt at hitting James but I quickly decide to just hides my tomato red head in James chest. Luckily for him he gets the message and he embraces me in a tight hug. Although it's rubbish it feels like he's shielding me a bit from everyone and everything, and at this moment I'll take what I can get.

When I'm feeling alright, I lift my head and James leads me to the table where Roxanne and Fred are sitting, both beaming at us. It actually feels as if the worst is over now and I can relax again. At least I don't have to worry about how to show the world that we are together anymore.

James immediately starts putting food on a plate and starts to consume it. Of course he's not affected by this at all stupid wanker. I, on the other hand, haven't quite got my usual appetite just yet, so I just decides to grab some fruit and bread till later.

"So, the two of you are together now," Roxanne asks us with a sly smile and I swear I just saw her give me a discrete thumbs up under the table.

"Yep", James just answers and keeps on eating. I can't help but smile at this because we actually are. James Potter is my boyfriend! I rise and Roxanne joins me right away just as I expected – she always knows when leave the boys for some girl talk. Before I leave I can't help but answer Roxanne:

"Yes, we are. Took him long enough but I finally got the Head boy to notice me. Guess he must have seen something he liked yesterday huh?" Take that one James Potter! He looks dumbfounded as I kiss his cheek, but hey – I was the one to get him to my room while I was practically naked - therefore I should get the credit for us being together don't you think? You could argue that it barely was on purpose, that I was in a momentary state of craziness, but then I would have to kill you! I then my arms with Roxanne and we stroll out of The Great hall, both laughing loudly.

Later in the evening I let myself fall down in the couch and into the arms of James Potter and sigh. I have been looking for it everywhere but it's nowhere to be found and I even tried to accio it! James hugs me into him.

"What's bugging you Alice? You have been walking around in here for almost half an hour. Are you looking for something?" I turn my head and look at him and now I'm beginning to smile.

"Oh it's nothing. It's just that I can't find my hairbrush anywhere, I seem to have lost it." Now I'm grinning at my own private joke and of course James doesn't get it. He just shakes his head at me as if saying I'm crazy and I probably is – crazy Alice.

I guess the house elves will someday find a grey hairbrush at some odd place at Hogwarts.

The end.

I hope you liked it. I'll be happy to read any reviews and good advices