LOVER BOY || J. Potter

{CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE : SIRIUS AND SERIOUS}

LOVERBOY

{JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER}

James and Maeve had parted ways with goodnights and promises to talk the next day. As she started my ascent of the dormitory stairs, the side which had been flush with James' felt cold in his absence. The thought of their shared moment felt like a soft embrace, leaving her with a gentle smile as she continued up the stairs. As she reached the door to their dormitory, the brunette paused, taking a deep breath. Maeve wanted to savour the memory of the evening for just a moment longer before she reentered the chaos of their dorm. Closing the door behind her, she settled into her own space. The music was still blaring, the shower was running and everyone was talking. 

"And where have you been?" Marlene inquired, finally turning down the record player.

"In the Common Room reading," Maeve answered, gathering together my clean pyjamas.

"Was anyone else down there?" Alice asked in a sing-songy voice, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. 

"He came and sat with me for a bit," Maeve muttered.

"Who's he?" Marlene teased.

"You two need to leave her be. Maeve doesn't constantly tease and question you about Frank and Dorcas, does she? Oh, and Marlene you especially need to pipe down. You can barely get a word out with stuttering in front of her, so shush." Lily asserted, Maeve shot her a thankful smile as she walked over to the bathroom.

"Sorry Maeve." The two girls chorused behind her just as she shut the door.

Maeve was grateful that Lily had said something. She didn't mind the teasing, but it felt like she couldn't do anything without James needing to be mentioned, and he wasn't even her boyfriend. She quickly put on her pyjamas - a white linen button-down top and long bottoms with dainty red hearts scattered across the fabric. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and began running the hot water so she could wash her face. 

Once Maeve exited the bathroom the music and the chatter had stopped, each girl was either in bed or waiting for their turn in the bathroom. With a sigh of contentment, Maeve settled back onto the bed, the soft pillows welcoming her as she arranged them just right. She reached for the book resting on the bedside table, a familiar companion.

As she turned the page to where they had finished reading earlier, she felt somewhat guilty. As if she should wait and only read when he is there. A smile spread across her face at the thought of them finding themselves in the same position they were in tonight. Surely, one page or two couldn't hurt though, right?

With each page turned, her eyelids became heavier and heavier and sleep beckoned me louder and louder. She set the book aside and allowed herself to sink deeper into the embrace of the mattress.

*

Stretching languidly beneath the covers, Maeve blinked away sleep, feeling the comforting embrace of my cosy duvet. With a contented sigh, she pushed myself upright.

Everyone else was already awake and getting ready for the day, Alice greeted her and gave her a cheerful smile. "Sorry about yesterday, Maeve. We shouldn't have pried so much, sorry if we upset you."

"Don't worry about it, honestly. Just trust me when I say that if there is anything to tell you guys, I will." The brunette shuffled over and gave her a quick hug before continuing to ready herself for the day. 

After freshening up and changing into her school robes, Maeve joined her friends as they made their way down for breakfast. As they walked, many students groaned at the prospect of potions first period and having to endure yet another term of divination. The Great Hall wasn't even in sight before she could smell bacon, pancakes, pastries and so much more, her stomach growled at the prospect of a full English. The hall was already teeming with students, plates piled with food. The girls settled into their seats, exchanging cheerful greetings with fellow Gryffindors, before Maeve began piling sausages, scrambled egg, bacon, beans and toast onto her plate. It must've looked like she hadn't been fed over the holidays. 

"Good morning, ladies." Sirius greeted as he took a seat beside Lily. "How are we all on this lovely Monday morning?"

"Good thanks, you're very chipper this morning," Lily commented.

"Just happy to be back here with all of you." 

"Okay, now you're just being weird, where are the rest of you?" Eva questioned.

"They were taking far too long, so I thought I would come join my second favourite group of Gryffindors." He grabbed a piece of toast and began slathering it in raspberry jam.

"Ah, now the sickly sweet entrance makes sense," Eva said.

"How are you today, Maevey Wavey, not too tired after your late night with Prongs, are you?"

"I am very well rested, thank you for asking Sirius," she replied, still mainly focusing on her breakfast.

"You're very formal today, Brody." A familiar voice stated from behind me.

James took a seat next to Maeve, his hand gently brushing hers under the table. He smiled brightly at the brunette before turning to Sirius with a look that made the grey-eyed boy's smirk drop very quickly.

"Now, let's move on to a more pressing topic. The Hufflepuff match is next week and we are nowhere near ready, practice is starting again on Wednesday. I want you all on your A-game." James commanded. The three of them nodded in unison, not even Sirius would dare question the Gryffindor Captain right now. 

{A.N. Sorry that there has been quite a bit of filler - I promise there is some exciting stuff coming, just trying to build up to it.}