The Stag

Sure, friends. The way my girlfriend and I are friends.

Are you calling me old? I’ll have you know I’m only seventeen thank you very much.

Your hairline reads more like late twenties, early thirties. But I'm sure Marlene will love you no matter what. Now come on.

"Aww, I knew I had a special part in that heart of yours, Prongs." He grinned and shook his head. "I don’t have a problem. I could have been obsessed with other things, couldn’t I? I could be into drugs or cigarettes or whatever else there is?" He smirked. "But it’s books." He winked ‘Oh I know we agreed on that being used in private, but I doubt it would damage anything mate."

"You'll always be my favorite." James smiled, placing a hand to his heart "You know, at this point I'd be happy if you became a drug addict selling teeth  for cocaine. Because one day, I swear. You're going t be in your house, then you're doing to get lost in your books. And I'll never see you again!" He waved his arms around dramatically, hoping to prove his very logical point. "Think of the women, how will they survive if their dreamboy is now a woman?" James shivered at the thought.

Were you the only one in the competition…and was Black the judge? -Marlene glanced up at the boys face smirking before sighing loudly but jokingly- No, I won’t do it. Ice-cream is sacred and I will not let you dreamily muse about my best friend while I eat.

Many, many females were the judge. Because I am popular with the females, Sirius is just a bonus fangirl. [James huffed, doing hi best at being angry being easing back into a smile] But how is my fair maiden doing? I wouldn't want my beloved being lonely. 

I’d rather not study either, actually. We could always prank some Slytherins instead.

Well come on then, you're not getting any younger!

Handsome smile? Childish grin more like. -She smirked and moved her books from one arm to the other so they could walk easier- On an adventure we go, oh I hope the house elves have some mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

Exsqueeze me? I was voted best smile last year, thank you very much. [James huffed, but smiled as they made their way] You know what I love to talk about over icecream? A beautiful, but dangrous redhead.

"Neither would I, but you need to pass exams to make your time here worthwhile, right?"

"Nonsense, you make the best memories blowing off class and lighting pants on fire. Thank god I'm here to show you the light."

"Well you’re still doing it, so apparently not cute and adorable enough’ he grinned and nudged him. "I don’t have a problem, James, I just love books." He grinned "So shhh." Remus laughed. "Well you are actually, well you’re James and Prongs, and sometimes Jamie because I fancy calling you that." He grinned.

"I tease you now out of love, so you'll never forget how you make my heart flutter." James pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose and folded his hands behind his back."The first step towards getting better is admitting you have a problem. You'll never overcome this if you don't start now." He cackled, pushing his glasses back up. "I thought we agreed Jamie is a nickname we were not going to use in public. It could damage my street cred." He looked around nervously.

Potter stop it, I won’t help you at all! -She giggled and jokingly slapped his arm- Now come on, you can use your charm on the house elves.

You're no match for my handsome smile [He snickered, and put an arm around her shoulder] Alrighty, lead the way my blonde companion. 

The sound of James’s voice had Severus tensing already, his hand subconsciously going for his wand in preparation. “It’s the article about the Muggle girl from Halloween. Skeeter gave big names in it, it’s surprising. Can I help you, Potter? I wasn’t under the impression you knew how to read.”

James grunted at Severus's quip, and he slowly withdrew his wand from his pocket. "I'm sure someone like you is overjoyed at the incident us people with humanity think is awful. See any of your buddies on that list?"

Do you really think flattery will work on me? Seriously Potter, why don’t we go and study in the kitchens, eating and doing work. Best of both worlds.

I could charm the robes off of you, I simply choose not to because I'm a gentlemen. If we go study and eat, can you promise not to fall in love with me?

"I th-think I’m o-okay." Ana laughed softly, unable to stop the telltale flush of her cheeks. After all, she could hardly talk about boys, when doing so would mean talking to James about his best friend. At the patting of his hand, the brunette couldn’t help but chuckle, surprised by how at ease she felt in the elder male’s company. “Y-You don’t h-have t-to stay, you kn-know.”

"Come on, just think of me as one of the girls. I heard that cute James guy can doing one hundred push-ups." He laughed, fluffing his hair and sitting straighter in his chair. It made him feel happy that she was cheering up."I know, but I want to. You're a great kid, you know that right?"

"Hey, It’s not that bad… You’re making it worse than it is…" Remus pouted at his friend. "And you know that you are doing so." He smiled "Don’t do that, it’s not fair." He grinned. "But delightfully bookish and quiet one is better than being called a nerd so sure, but what about just Moony?"

"You're too adorable and kind to tease Remus." He pinched his cheeks and laughed. "And you definitely do not understand how much of a problem you have with books. I think you need to join a support group or something." He smiled. "Just Moony? Say, I've never considered just a think. I suppose I could just be Prongs..."

I know I lack some common sense but Potter dear, studying isn’t a choice. 

We could study, or we could talk about how beautiful you look in the light. Say, lets go the kitchen, then we'll think about studying. 

The article in the paper was unnerving, to say the least; Severus hadn’t even recognized the girl that had been attacked, but as the article said, he had shared courses with her. How had he not known it was her? Shaking his head, he flipped the paper closed, letting out a sigh. “I can’t believe it still. Everything happened so fast.”

"Care to share, Severus?" James peeked over his shoulder at the newspaper, making sure to keep a distance just in case he was hexed.