except i skip over a bunch of shit bc it’s 1am and i am tired. 

“I heard they have huge statues that you have to duel to decide which one you get into,” Sirius said. 

“Well that doesn’t even make sense,” Peter squeaked. 

“Well, I heard-” James yelped suddenly as he tripped forward, falling on his face and groaning, his glasses landing away from him. He groaned, rubbing his nose, feeling out the ground for his glasses. 

“Oh, my word I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Soft hands grasped his arms, the fingernails painted electric purple. James looked up, and above him was a girl- a perfect, flawless girl. She had shining auburn hair that cascaded over her pale, round cheeks, stunning green eyes and thick lashes, full lips. That girl from the train. 

He had hoped he would see her again. Hoped maybe she would notice him. Maybe he could say hi. Maybe he could also ask her parents for her hand in marriage. 

The girl hauled him to his feet. She was strong- James liked that. Please, pick me up and take us away. He was breathless. He also couldn’t see very well. She slid his glasses onto his nose, wincing.

“I’m so sorry,” she babbled, “I had no idea where I was going. Are you sure you’re okay?” 

James blinked several times. Mother of Merlin, her face was very distracting. He finally caught his breath. Say something. Something cool. Impress her. “Oh, it’s fine- I mean, er, it’s cool,” he tried to lean backwards, appear nonchalant like he had seen the older boys in his town do when they talked to girls. But they were surrounded by people, not walls, and he just ended up stumbling further. “It’s great, I’m great- I mean, I saw you on the train earlier, and you were great- we were all great, I think- greatness. Yes. I’m James. I’m completely in love with you.” 

The girl blinked. Once. Twice. “Did you hit your head?”

“Yes. NO. I mean, possibly.” James stuck his hand out- he wasn’t sure if he could stop his mouth from forming words. “Hi, I’m James.” She stared at him. 

“I’m Lily. Do they have a nurse here? I really think you should-” A boy around their age came up behind Lily, taking her hand. 

“Come, Lily, the doors are opening.” Lily opened her mouth, but he pulled her along, and they disappeared.

James stared after them, opened mouth. He stopped Sirius as he walked in front of him. “Did you see that?” he asked, still watching after Lily’s direction. 

“What, you falling on your ass? Yes,” he snickered. 

“No, no. That. The girl.” 

“Oh, Lisa? She sat in my cabin earlier. Her friend is weird.” 

“So you saw her?” Sirius turned towards James, an extremely judgey look on his face. 

“Did you hit your head?”

“Answer the question, Black.” 

“yes, I saw her.” 

James nodded. “Good. I was just making sure she was real.”

Sirius blinked. “You’re joking.”