It's Nice To Have A Friend

29 - I Got You Babe

Mallory walked beside James after the Gryffindor quidditch game. The sun was setting along the horizon, giving the earth an orange glow. "You played really good today, James," Mallory told James. 

James shrugged, ruffling his hair with a sigh. "I suppose we did win," he mumbled.

"I suppose we did win," Mallory mocked. She let out a laugh as she watched him.

"We hardly scored any points," James complained. He shook his head, looking toward the castle. "We only won because we caught the snitch!"

"James, that's the biggest part of the game, in case you forgot."

James ignored her comment. "We shouldn't have let Hufflepuff get around us like that. We're conditioning on Monday. I refuse to let that happen again," he insisted.

Mallory nodded at James. Her injured stomach didn't seem as bad as she imagined everything James had planned for Gryffindor's next practice. She glanced over her shoulder at Sirius as he walked with a girl with dark brown hair and porcelain white skin. He was speaking animatedly, hands moving as he spoke, but as his eyes met Mallory's, he paused. A slow smile spread across his face, and he gave her a small wave. Blush crept across Mallory's cheeks as she lifted her hand in return, then turned away, her heart fluttering at the small interaction.

"We're going to run laps, and we need to work on our abs," James insisted. "Oh! And—"

Suddenly, Mallory was yanked away from James. The girl who had been walking with Sirius took her place. Mallory looked up as Sirius smiled down at her. 

"You're welcome," Sirius sang in her ear as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.. "And the jersey looks good on you." 

Mallory's cheeks burned as she quickly turned her gaze away from him. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Did you tell the girls who have worn this before me the same thing?" she questioned. 

"Yeah, but I didn't mean it." 

"Did you tell them that too?"

Sirius let out a hearty laugh. "That obvious?"

"Incredibly obvious," Mallory remarked.

"Sorry. I don't mean to treat you like them," Sirius mumbled. 

"It's alright," Mallory replied. 

A comfortable silence fell over them as they made their way through the grassy field toward the castle. It was interrupted as Sirius swore under his breath. 

Mallory looked up at him as he stared ahead, brows furrowed. "What?" she questioned, attempting to follow his gaze.

"It's Ramona. Hide me!" he exclaimed. He ducked behind Mallory. 

Mallory watched as a girl looked directly at Mallory. Her eyes narrowed as she strided in their direction. "I think she heard you," Mallory quietly told him. 

Sirius swore again, returning to Mallory's side. "She's pissed at me," he told her. 

Mallory looked up at him. Before she could ask why, a shrilly voice spoke, "Hey, Sirius!" 

Sirius let out a long sigh. "Hey, Ramona," he replied. 

Ramona stood in front of Mallory and Sirius, a clearly fake smile across her face. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Ramona," she said, eyes glued on Mallory. 

Nervous, Mallory smiled back at Ramona. "I'm—" Mallory started. 

"I didn't ask," Ramona interrupted with a laugh. She turned her gaze to Sirius. "I was—"