xx

“Oh please. Don’t act like you hate me. We both know you are deeply, madly in love with me.”

“Yes, without a doubt. It’s a horrible shame you are just now finding out.”

“Urrrggghhaaaa.” Tom expressed as he drops his head in shame giving a little head shake. “I was stuck between Gandalf and Merry and I knew I was going to pick the wrong one.” He laughs and shakes his head as he looks back up at Julian. “Alright, how about you be Gandalf and you can just up and abandon us anytime you feel like it.” 

“You should be ashamed, I, as Gandalf, am ashamed.” he smiled, finding the conversation more funny than expected considering the nerdy subject. “Fine, I can do that. I could even do that right now from how ashamed I am.” he teased. 

“You are really not as charming as everyone makes you out to be.” she said coldly. “Afraid we are out to get you?”

“It’s not my fault everyone decided to let you down with their comments about me.” he smiled. “No, fear is the last thing that crosses my mind. I don’t really care about your blood purity war.” 

“I’d love to hope for the best. Hope that all this hate would just vanish, but you’re right. Its probably best to remain realistic about all of that. Take my family for example, the amount of natural pride that runs in the Black family makes it nearly impossible to imagine them all of a sudden turning tolerant to those different from them. “

“I don’t know much about the sacred 28, that’s what those pure families call their club of nonsense and death, right?” he had only heard about it from eavesdropping on a conversation, and that’s when he stopped caring about such people. “Can’t all be too bad if a member from said family is right here talking to me and not planning my murder.” 

“You guys were amazing out there! You all played so much better than Slytherin.” Molly complimented. “Had it not been for Regulus catching the snitch, I’m sure you would’ve won.”

“That’s exactly what I think, even if we lost the snitch, it’s obvious we were far better.” he commented back whilst smiling. “That’s what I keep telling people, most believe me, others just drink funny potions to ease the pain.”

“I’m not depressed, Julian, just annoyed and I’d rather not think about it for now. Until I figure out what do about our next match.”

“But if everything else is true.... just don’t let it get to you, that’s all I’m saying.” he smiled. “We’ll beat the others and get that cup, don’t worry.” 

“Then take your pick. Have some fun.” The teasing smile never left her lips. She always appreciated never having to censor herself around him. They could go from teasing to serious and not miss a beat. It was why she often went to him first for anything. He was like a brother without the competition and comparisons from her own family. “Tell me something I don’t know. It’s never been your thing, and it’s not everything. I think you should stick it out, and take your exams to get it done with since you’ve put in the time, but it’s your choice, your life.” It didn’t matter what he decided. She’d still be there to support him. It’s how friendship worked. “I’m not that perfect either. I know you were joking.”

“This may come as hard to believe but I’m not too keen in having fun with anyone at the moment because the holidays are coming up and that might force me to have to buy someone something. I’ve never bought anyone anything.” he said, smiling as he shared the funny story even if it was true. “Thank you for understanding, but I’m over exams too. I’d rather be out there doing something with my life than being stuck here wondering when I will bring enough attention to myself to have some purist come after me.” he sighed. “You are by far the most perfect person I know.”

“Really? Yeah, I’d love to learn whatever you can teach me,” Emmielia said with a smile, “What’s first, teacher?” 

“Sure, well, it’s simple, you just have to be quick. Nothing a Ravenclaw can’t handle.” he smiled. “First, forget about the rules, no one bows before dueling unless you are Dumbledore or just old.” 

“Don’t overdo it. You’ll want to save that line for when you convince some poor soul to go out with you,” Florence teased. In actuality she was sure he would have little problem finding someone if he wanted. “Speak for yourself. Sixth year is lovely. I don’t have major exams to stress over.” Last year had been a nightmare, but she’d made it through. “We’d be here all year. Despite my need for perfection, I am a very flawed person who makes a lot of mistakes.”

“Some poor soul? In that case there are a lot of them around here.” he laughed. “And I don’t either but for completely other reasons. What can I say? I’m over school.” Julian confessed. It wasn’t difficult to figure out since he’d never been one to care much about schoolwork. “You are not that flawed, Flo, why have you got to exaggerate? I was only joking anyway.”

“Want it bad? To win?” she asked, tilting her head in her confusion, “I guess I’ve not really done anything like that… I mean, the way you describe it. I stick with the books too much, I guess. I like dueling, even if I’m not great at it.” 

“Obviously, you can’t want to lose that badly.” he mused. “You should stop sticking to books so much. Books will always be there, fun not so much. Live your youth or something.” he said, shrugging whilst taking out his wand. “Want me to teach you?”

“Is that a dare? Because I will do it. Although it might cost me a few house points.”

“It is a dare, and you better do it next time we play. Don’t give me another reason to not like you.”

James groaned as he made a face of discomfort, “not you too!” He said with a deep sigh. “How many times do I have to explain that I’m alright and focused and we’ll win. I not quitting just yet.”

#timeskip

“How about now?” Julian asked after the game while laughing. “Just kidding, Potter, don’t get depressed over this. We’ll get them next time.”

“I certainly can’t deny that.” She said with a small laugh. “But he’s still my friend.”

“And he’s still my captain, and we still lost.” he said with a sigh. “It’s fine, we had a good game, so I won’t blame him this time.”

“Still, don’t come crying to me if your hair turns silver, or your skin turns bright blue.”

“I will do just that, now that you mention it.” he said, bringing the potion up to his mouth. “Wait, so what’s in it?”

“Who would ever enjoy detention in the first place is a much better question, I think.” She replied unamused. “Are you implying that a Slytherin did it?”

“Anyone looking to not live by the rules.” he replied. “Yes, I am.”

Tom laughs. “You can’t claim to be any different though and that is why you should be a part of this band as well. You do remind me of Merry. So what say you?” 

“Merry? You could have at least said I’m Gandalf because the only fools I see in your band are the guys that call themselves the marauders.” Julian complained. “I say nay. We all know I would leave you all hanging in a moment of need... like Gandalf.”  

“Okay, well, how should I play rough? I’d probably end up with a broken bone or something.”

“Quidditch or?” he teased. “By playing rough I mean you need to want it bad, when you do your impulses and adrenaline do the rest. I’ve only broke a bone once.”