✓ | MISCHIEF MANAGED | James Potter V.S. Sirius Black

13 : More Than a Feeling

So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky

13 : More Than a Feeling (edited)

     James couldn't concentrate in Transfiguration.

      While McGonagall was instructing the correct pronunciation of a spell, he was busy staring at the empty spot in front of him while chewing on his bottom lip. This was so unlikely of Catherine to be absent. She's never absent. Late maybe, but not absent.

     James's eyebrows were furrowed deep in thought when he barely heard McGonagall dismiss them. As soon as she did, he was up on his feet and stalking out of the classroom without as much as a glance to his friends and dare he say it, to Lily either. He needed Catherine here, after all she was one of them.

     Yes, that's probably the reason, James thought. It's just odd not seeing the newly proclaimed fifth Marauder prancing around the school.

     Without even realizing it, James was entering the Gryffindor common room and making his way up the stairs to the girls' dormitory after making sure no one was around. There was news that the Headmaster was planning on charming the girls' dormitories next term on having the stairs be inaccessible to boys. He cleared his throat, stage-whispering as he eyed the doors. "Oi, Valentine! Are you there?"

     After a few seconds of silence, James heard the faintest sound of coughing, followed by a raspy, "I'm here."

A breathy chuckle left James's lips as he shook his head fondly before tucking a hand in his pocket and pushing the door to his left open. At first, he couldn't see anyone in the room. Eyebrows furrowed, he scanned the room before his eye caught a slight movement on one of the beds.

     It was Catherine under her thick blankets, a few strands of her dark hair escaping from under it. She was so small next to him, James couldn't help but to laugh softly. "Valentine, are you alright?" he asked, pushing his sleeves up to his elbows as he stepped forward to her bed.

     "No, don't come any closer," came her muffled voice followed by a sneeze. "I smell like colds and phlegm."

     He rolled his eyes, "Don't be ridiculous, Valentine."

     "Prongs, I'm serious, you could get sick."

     "Valentine." He sighed stubbornly. "I really don't care."

     There was silence before mumblings and grumblings. "Fine. But first, fetch my perfume by my nightstand, would you?"

     James's face morphed into one of confusion but he obliged. He snagged it off and followed her next odd instruction, spritzing the delicious rose scent around her bed. James couldn't help but to smile, liking Catherine's perfume since it smelled like how she usually does whenever she's around him. "Can I come closer now?" James asked in a teasing voice before adding, "Your Royal Highness?"

     "Unfortunately, you may," she said with feigned disappointment, coughing in the end.

     James stepped over to her bed, taking a seat on the edge before gently pulling the comforter from her head. Something in James ached, his chest tightening upon seeing Catherine look so miserable. Her eyes were puffy, her nose was red, and her skin was ghastly pale despite the color high on her cheeks. "Wow," James breathed out, blinking at her, "You look . . . terrible."