“James, I... will admit that, in the past, I did at one point. It was a long time ago though.” Ouch. James Potter had gotten very ahead of himself. Though he hadn’t really even admitted to anything, he felt like he’d laid all of himself out there. And now he felt beaten and broken. He’d exposed himself to Lily like this hundreds of time and he’d never gotten anything but negative remarks from her. But this hurt like hell. This hurt worse than what Lily had done. James did not really understand why. He was so close with Lore, it had to have been it, right? But it’s not like he’d been pursuing Lore for a long time. Only a matter of like two days…if you could even call being confused about how much you do love your best friend can be considered a pursuit. Damn. He felt like leaving but he couldn’t. She didn’t have any feelings for him so the best thing for James to do would be to play it off as if he didn’t have any either. But that wasn’t going to work to be honest…. James felt as if he’d missed his chance. He felt that if he’d just opened his eyes a few years ago, he could be happy right now. He could be with Laurienta Flentowock without a single, stressful concern about Lily. He could be with his very best girl friend.

Because then she had to go as say crap like this. “You needn’t have anything to fear. I’m happy for you about Lily.” James eyes her carefully. How dumb was that? What was there to be happy for? James had nothing except a broken heart. He’d had one for a long time and Lore had just hammered in into a few more pieces. He didn’t have anything with Lily except idiotic, one-sided affection.

“Oh please, Lore, like I even have anything,” James said, his face red from anger. He rolled his eyes, looking away from her. He was a bit peeved. “There’s nothing to be happy for,” He added, “You know I’m just about done. You know that I can’t take much more of this. I’ve told you everything. You know I’m brokenhearted.” James said, his eyes moving down. “If you’re happy about Lily and I, you must be happy that I am a dumbass who can’t take rejection as a hint because there’s nothing else going on.” Yes, Lore knew all of this, yet James still begged her for help in pursuing her. He was still planning on doing that now. It wasn’t like Lore had feeling for him. He hoped she’d still do it. James wanted to give up so badly but he loved Lily too much to do it. He knew he was reaching his last chance. But every day, he was growing more and more lost.

James Potter was broken.

But never mind that now. James could not resist his loyalty to Lore. Merlin, this loyalty bit was getting rather painful. It was like he was under a spell. He absolutely could not refrain from it. He had to be everyone’s most trustworthy companion.

”I guess.” Oh Merlin. As uninformative as that statement appears, it told James everything. Something was seriously wrong with Lore. Or multiple things, he wasn’t quite sure. Something big. Oh no. She hadn’t said anything about anything being wrong in the past month had she? He wasn’t just for getting about something was she? Oh no. Oh no. Oh no! James looked up at her, his hand moved to her arm and he rubbed it softly in sympathy.

“Lore, what is it?” James asked, almost panicky. “C’mon, Lore, you know you can tell me anything, it doesn’t matter what it is.” James tried to assure her that as much as possible. He often tried to make her smile in order to cheer her up. “Even if you’d kiss Sirius or something like that,” James said, absolutely joking. He knew that would never happen in a million years. Never ever. His Sirius joke always made her laugh. His hand moved up and down along her shoulder, showing he cared. He wanted to see her smile. He wanted to know she was ok.

It didn’t matter how hurt he was hurt by her earlier statement right now. James was not the type that would let something like that affect his friendship. Lore was still his best friend and hopefully, despite the war, she always would be. And right now, that best friend was hurting and James didn’t have a clue in the world why. What could Lore have been hiding from him? Had someone done something to her? She didn’t look hurt physically or anything… Maybe she’d been teased badly by something. James teased her about a week ago but she knew he was kidding right? He always kidded with her… and it wasn’t like Lore couldn’t hold her own. She always had a witty insult to serve back to him. Was it CJ? Was it the war? Was it a guy? WHAT THE HELL WAS IT?

Laurienta grew pale at James’ sudden swing in attitude, from hopeful and inquiring to angry. She did not like to see James angry, it was not a welcoming sight at all. She had seen him like this at many points in his life, as he was one to blow his top when he became frustrated. Reasoning with himself was not his strong point. Was he angry at what Lore had said to him? This worried Laurienta profusely, as she had hoped that he would take the revelation of her past crush on him at least mildly well. Poor Lore, things were just not going her way at all. Maybe he sensed that there were still remaining feelings for him; perhaps he was aware of what she could not even bring to explication? If so, then his rash anger was probably justified. If Laurienta had been in James’ position, frustrated from chasing the girl he was in love with only to have your best girl friend tell you that she once had feelings for you, she would be rather confused as well.

James eyed Laurienta carefully, his face reddening as Laurienta felt a lump growing in her throat. She couldn’t bear to lose James’ friendship. They had had many a fight, some had even lasted for days, but they had been silly and the two had always made up sooner or later. Things were not right in the world if James and Laurienta weren’t getting along, and Lore could be quite fearsome, which was ironic considering how meek she naturally was, if she was in a temper.

”Oh please, Lore, like I even have anything,” James put in, rolling his eyes and scowling in the other direction. So he was not completely angry just with her; Laurienta wanted to breathe a small sigh of relief. She was not out of the woods – not by a long shot – but she had at least found north and was heading in the right direction, or so it seemed. So he was still frustrated with Lily. Honestly, Lore had often asked herself, who wouldn’t be? Lily was even more stubborn than Laurienta. She was genial, but not quite as friendly as Alice or Lore and certainly had more bite than bark. If she was furious with you, you would soon know it if you did not develop a functioning brain and run away at the speed of light. Aside from this, she was truly a good friend, but she seemed to have something against James. Possibly, it was that she was afraid to let him in and then watch her world crumble while he grew bored with the person he had desired for so long, but Lore had always doubted that this would happen. Lily and James had a certain connection – it was faint and it was distant, but it was most definitely there. Lily Evans had only to realize it before it was too late, and, judging by the events of this morning’s talk with James, Laurienta knew that there now existed a “Too Late” clause in the equation.

”There’s nothing to be happy for,” he continued. [/i]”You know I’m just about done. You know that I can’t take much more of this. I’ve told you everything. You know I’m brokenhearted.”[/i] Laurienta quite honestly know felt sick to her stomach. He was not only degrading himself – the wonderful, sweet, loyal, brave James that he was -, but he was also taking down Laurienta with him. Was it really fair to do this to her, to prey on her last statement? Well, considering that it had been a lie, it could be deemed fair, but not in the land of emotions. Laurienta felt guilty, her stomach making flips while her heart sank painfully. She wished she could have taken back what she had said, but how could she have phrased it differently – what did James want to hear?

”If you’re happy about Lily and I, you must be happy that I am a dumbass who can’t take rejection as a hint because there’s nothing else going on.”

Normally, Lore would have firmly, but softly, said James’ name to communicate that she did not want to hear that language coming from his mouth – though she knew him to be an adamant swearer who was known to use much, much worse language. Now was not one of these times however; things were different in this case. It was better to let things run their course. This statement, however, made Lore feel even worse, as if she were a fool who had not realized that James had been failing miserably in his quest for Lily Evans for years, as if Laurienta was inobservant and stupid, which she most certainly was not. It did not even strike a note of pride in her to stir up a retort, it simply made her sink into a mild depression, wallowing on the notion that she should have replied differently even though she really couldn’t have done so.

Laurienta knew, though, that James, while assiduous in his ardency, was beginning to break. He could not necessarily be held responsible for what he was saying because he was heartbroken and angry, two things that she did not want to cross James when he was infused with them.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized quietly. She had wanted to say something else, but her mouth seemed to close by itself, sealing off the cavern to her vocal chords until they would be needed most again.

Lore’s answer to anything when she was so upset that she was about to hit her melting point was always: “I guess,” and James knew this well, which was why he suddenly jolted with concern. She did not like to spill her heart out to anyone, nor did Lore adore laying her problems on other people. She was normally a silent sufferer, taking in what came to her as a young child does with bitter, foul-tasting medicine.

James rubbed her arm sympathetically. His sudden burst of empathy for the confused, hurting girl was riveting. It washed away what he had previously said and reminded Lore why she was friends with James Potter in the first place.

”Lore, what is it? C’mon, Lore, you know you can tell me anything, it doesn’t matter what it is.” Laurienta knew this. She had told James some things that even Dorcas Meadows did not know. He was often privy to her closed, locked mind, which could sometimes be more of an onerous burden than a privilege or a blessing.

Lore tried to smile a little in an attempt to lighten up the situation, something that she was never really skilled at doing at all, but it was worth a shot. She had meant to tell James about her mother and father’s situations for the past week, but had just never found the time or the courage to do so. And concerning the things happening with Sirius... well.. Laurienta would cross that bridge when she got there.

”Even if you’d kiss Sirius or something like that.” Laurienta could almost feel her face fall and grow numb. She tried to collect herself before James saw even the slightest change in her attitude. Apparently the bridge mentioned beforehand was looming right in front of her.

She let out a small, forced, ‘hmph’ meant to suffice as a laugh. “Yeah,” she answered lightly. She had wanted to add “because that would be crazy,” but she didn’t want to lie anymore. It wasn’t really that insane that Laurienta Flentowock liked Sirius Black. Well, maybe it was, but she didn’t think that James was ready for such shocking news.

She did want to tell him about her family, however. Things were spiraling out of control and Laurienta couldn’t handle being the eldest anymore, the one who knew everything but had to pretend not to know to both her parents and her siblings for all of their sakes. The weight was suffocating, and she could not even escape it at Hogwarts, a place where she had always found a sanctuary from people such as her mother. James hadn’t met her mother; she had made sure never to see Laurienta off at King’s Cross every year. He had met her father, Charlie, though – numerous times actually and they had seemed to get along when introduced. Maybe he would understand.

She feared for her father greatly. He had uncovered a link between this Dark Lord and some of the magical creatures and folk that lived far away from Muggles and Wizards because of the enmity that existed between them all. The most prominent group in the equation was that of the werewolves. The results of further investigations had been recently published in the Daily Prophet and students would no doubt start talk about it all this weekend. It was a huge deal apparently, but this meant that Charlie Flentowock was now leading the campaign against the allies, which was what terrified Lore the most. Her father, and her entire family, was not right in harm’s way.

On top of this, her mother had discreetly uninvited her and CJ home for Christmas for some reason that Lore had not been able to figure out, but it was not as if it was a complete surprise. It does, however, hurt deeply when your own mother does not want you home for one of the most important family holidays on the calendar. Just thinking about her mother’s letter and her father’s job made Laurienta lower lip begin to quiver. Her blue eyes begin to mist over in tears that would soon become sobbing waterfalls. She had not cried once since the night she had received her mother’s letter a week ago. She had tried to be strong and keep it all in like the good big sister she was. She had tried to keep her brother safe, letting him think that all was right in the world when, really, it wasn’t. To speak completely out of character, Lore would admit that it was all going to hell.

Tears began to fall down her face as she clenched her teeth and pursed her lips at the same time, trying to stop the madness before it became uncontrollable. She hated crying, she loathed and abhorred it because she didn’t like how she felt after. It wasn’t cathartic, it was sickening, but it was beginning to happen right now.

“Oh, James,” she said, a sob taking over as she almost gasped out his name. “It’s all wrong. I don’t kn – know what to do.” She stuttered over some of the words, messing them up as she put her face into her hands. She didn’t want James to see her like this, but he had before and she knew he could handle it. That still didn’t mean that she didn’t want to curl up under a rock.

James had realized he’d just done a terrible, terrible thing. He’d let his anger get the best of him and just pour out. Lore didn’t deserve that. She’d been there for him all along. She’d even been there when she’d had feelings for him. That must have been hard. Well, James didn’t exactly know how much she cared for him when she did but it most likely had been tough. James wasn’t certain that if the situation had been the other way around that he could do what she is. However, James was the type to go all in on things. He was not one to half-ass anything…well, maybe school.

The entire time, James could see Laurienta’s face change. This conversation was so awkward for the both of them. It was evident that both of them were having introverted, personally conversation between the words that had made in out of their mouths in communication to the other. James wished they could just read each other’s thoughts. That way, everything they wanted to say was out on the table without the worry of building up the courage to say it.

James honestly didn’t want to keep anything from Lore. He only hid what he had to and he’d always made an effort to keep that statement true.

He also wished he had a filter. All that stuff was wrong to say. It was all true….but for some reason, James had turned it on Lore. He’d made her feel guilt, made her feel sorry for him. Why? Because James knew Lore cared and he wanted to feel it right now. Damn selfish prat.

”I’m sorry.” Oh no. Now she was apologizing. She shouldn’t be apologizing. James was an idiot. He felt like a terrible, terrible friend. And she hadn’t even scolded him when he cursed.

All was not right in the world of Laurienta Flentowock….

And now the waterworks were coming. James hoped to Merlin he was not why these tears were coming. He hadn’t been that mean had he? No, Lore had something was up. This at least was not all James but there was a good chance he had some involvement.

“Oh, James.” At that, James knew she was in pain. Her voice practically screamed it as she said his name in surrender. James knew that Lore was not one to cry very often. Yes, he’d seen it before, but it was very rare and he knew she could not stand to do it in public, even in front of him. Merlin, speaking of heartbreak, this was heartbreaking.

“It’s all wrong. I don’t kn – know what to do.” James had seen Lore upset but he’d never seen the grounded, genius ravenclaw so distraught. He was frozen. He didn’t care what was going on in the rest of the world anymore. He didn’t even care if anyone saw what he was about to do.

James climbed up to the elevated rock Lore had been perched on. He let his long, muscular arms draw her to his chest. James cradled her so. One of James hands stroked her light, wispy curls soothingly.

“Everything’s going to be ok, Lore Lore,” James whispered as he held her gently but securely. “Just let it all out,” He added as he closed his eyes, not letting himself focus on anything but the girl in his arms and her needs. James wouldn’t even care if Lily was to walk out and mistake his actions for something else. All that mattered was his best friend. “Shh…” He tried to hush her as the hand that had been in her hair moved down to her upped back. He rubbed it gently, trying all he could think of to take care of her.

“I’m here, Lore,” James assured her. Generally, that would make her feel better, but James wasn’t so sure now. He hoped this wasn’t all his doing. Laurienta was at her bare bones now, stripped of all her dignity and pride. She was so vulnerable. James hated to see people he loved in such vulnerable states. He couldn’t deny them his absolute service at that point.

James was so curious as to why she was so upset but he knew this was not the time to ask, not the time at all. That would most likely come later, but if it didn’t he’d just have to suck it up. Lore would tell him if she felt he needed to know. He couldn’t imagine what would be causing her this much pain. Lore was probably the strong, most independent person he knew. She was not one to cave in to her emotions like this. Something had been building. Something had probably been eating away at her for weeks. He really wished she’d told him whatever it was. She knew he wouldn’t judge or anything like that. Maybe if she had, it wouldn’t have been so bad right now. Maybe James could of already fixed it by now.

He certainly wouldn’t have been so harsh with her if he’d known something was breaking her down. He shouldn’t have acted that way to begin with…but it was too late for that now.

As she began to sob, Laurienta couldn’t even force or will herself to take control or regain her composure. Sometimes what one really needed to do was to break down and let everything out, even extreme introverts such as Lore. Everything had been building up, her worry, her terror, her matronly attitude towards her brother, her feelings towards her parents: the love and adoration of her father and the petty maliciousness of her mother. It had been too heavy, too much for one, small and almost dainty young woman to carry for too long. It had finally succeeded in breaking her, i making her fall to the ground when she had been stumbling for so long. There was no possible way to hold everything in now – it as just too much.

She hated crying. It made her look terrible; her face became all blotchy, puffed, and red, and her eyes paralleled this same description. Wet tears soaked everything when they were let out in their entirety, making her uncomfortable in the dampness of her own clothes and hair, which she had, as usually, taken good time and care to straighten and curl so that it looked presentable – Lore was known as a perfectionist, which was probably why she was always so concerned about crying. It was not sheer vanity, however, that made her feel this way. She also viewed tears as a weakness, a sure sign that she was not able to take whatever life gave her. She was not Atlas, she could not hold the weight of the world no matter how hard she tried – and one had to believe that this girl had certainly tried many times in the past.

It is not as if crying helped anything anyway. Things were still just as bad as they were before and breaking down in tears did not alleviate any of the pain. It was like ranting about something. If you poured everything in your heart out about something, raging about it and almost throwing a red-faced tantrum, it still didn’t help. Sure, it was cathartic, which some people believed to be helpful for the soul, but that was just ridiculous to Laurienta.

Laurienta barely even realized that, while her chest began to convulse and her cheeks were being streaked with large, salty tears, James had wrapped his strong arms around her. He pulled her close to his chest, stroking her hair and her back in a fatherly sort of way, trying to calm her and let her know that at least she had a friend with her to help see things through.

”Everything’s going to ok, Lore Lore,” he whispered quietly, ”Just let it all out. And so she did. It seemed as if her broken-hearted crying would never stop, but none of this dawned upon her, as Lore was too upset to even begin to think about anything. Had she been thinking, she would have felt guilty about subjecting James to this, torturing him with her tears as she laid her head against his chest, curled up in his arms. She may have also been slightly embarrassed at her position, but, as was said before, none of these thoughts even dared to enter her distraught mind.

Shh... I’m here, Lore.” If there was one thing that Laurienta was sure of at the present epoch, it was of James’ friendship. He would be there for her rain or shine, thick or thin, the best of times and the worst of times. No matter how many times she had called him an idiot or dryly snapped some retort at him, he would forget all of this and drop everything to help her if she was in need. Now how many other people could she say this about in her life? CJ, her father, maybe Dorcas. That was it. Even Dorcas had her off days, when things would go wrong between the two and they wouldn’t speak. This had become more and more frequent what with her dating Evan Rosier and all. But the only thing that seemed certain now was that James was her one and only confidant in this tumultuous time in her life.

After what seemed like forever, Lore began to let up on the heart-wrenching sobs, now able to comport herself, well... somewhat that is. She slowly sat up as her chest began to move in and out much more slowly now, regaining its normal cadence of breath, though it was still ragged and broken. Her voice would be strained and slightly whiney, which she hated above all tones, but it was all she had.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, shaking her head and putting her hand to her forehead. “I’m so sorry that you have to deal with me like this.”

It was time for James to know the truth, or at least as much of the truth as she could let him know. She doubted that he had seen the Daily Prophet yet, so it was going to be much to explain.

“The truth is,” she began slowly, “well... things have been rather off with my family lately, James. I don’t know what to do about it.”

There she went again. But this time, it was more controlled crying. Tears streamed down her face, but she as able to talk at the same time.

“My mother doesn’t want CJ and I home for Christmas this year. I don’t know why, but she doesn’t. She didn’t exactly tell us, but it was implicitly stated when she last wrote me. And then there’s me dad...”

Her face became earnest and frightened. “I don’t know what to do, James,” she explained. “He’s gotten into some trouble, or I think that it is. I can’t let CJ know about it just yet, which is why I’ve been trying to keep the Prophet away from him. I don’t want him to find out yet, but things have gotten messy. You know that he works as the Department Head for the Department of Magical Creatures, right?”

She paused slightly, letting James take all of this in, hoping that he could distinguish what she was saying and praying that she didn’t sound like a distressed child to him, though she most likely did.

“Well,” she continued, “he recently discovered this connection between that stupid self-proclaimed Dark Lord and some of the more remote populations... but the dangerous ones. James, I mean like the werewolves.”

She was not sure how James would exactly take this, as, though it was difficult to explain, she knew about Remus’ condition. She had discovered it, or rather happened upon it, in their fourth year when they had been assigned an essay topic on werewolves. She had never let any of the Marauders know, seeing this as absolute folly and a complete abrasion of Remus’ privacy. Remus was so kind to her anyway. While at first she had been startle and almost frightened out of her wit’s end, she had learned to control this fear. Originally, Lore’s boggart had been a werewolf, as she had heard of them in a story an old friend of her father’s had once told them on Halloween night when she was very little. The description had never left her mind, leaving her frightened of the species of magical creature. It made her sometimes think about her own problems. How could she be crying about something so trivial when poor Remus was... well... sick almost half of the time? It made her sick to her own stomach to think about her own stupidity.

“Things have gotten bad, James. There have been inquiries and even a death threat against him. It’s – He’s ...” Her voice began to trail off as she began to cry again, unsure of how to finish her sentence. Charlie Flentowock was more than a father to her. He was a friend and a mentor, a guardian and a guide. He had been the slightly savvy, smart, affable, almost rockerish sort of dad she had always loved.

“James, he’s messing in affairs I want him to be quiet about,” she finished. “If something happened to him, I... I don’t know what I’d do.”

Every sob wrenched his heart. This was so unbearable to listen to. He could not stand to hear Lore like this. It so wasn’t Lore and it only justified how excruciating what Lore was going through was. It all made James want to cry with her. It hurt to see her hurt. But James thought Lore needed stability right now. The girl needed a rock and that’s what he was going to be. So James didn’t cry. He just held her there, rubbing and rocking and whispering. Merlin, he’d give a limb for her to feel better. James had never seen anyone cry so hard. There was no possible way that sobbing like this was not physically painful. Her poor lungs. Her poor throat.

It was almost as of Laurienta was gone. Like the strong-willed, sarcastic girl had gave in to whatever was eating at her heart strings like a pesky garden gnome attacking the sprouts. And now, someone new was here. Someone weak and beaten. James wanted Lore back. James wanted his Lore back. Indeed, James had a Lore, a certain bit of her that he believed to belong only to himself. And Lore had a James all to herself as well, a James that no one, not even Remus or Sirius had ever seen before. Just Lore.

It was unmistakable when Lore began to calm down a bit. Her body stopped shaking and her sobs slowed and moved down a decibel. Her breaths were easier but James could tell they were still catching on something. They had that raspy sound to them. But even as the storm dwindled to a small sprinkle, James did not let go. He continued to hold her in his embrace. James strongly felt that he needed to protect her. And as stupid as it might sound, he felt like he had to hold on or something might take her away. As if his arms could do that much. He hoped he was at least helping a little.

Lore’s pale, slender hand touched her forehead and then spoke in her shaky voice. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that you have to deal with me like this.” James shook his own head and he looked at her with serious eyes. “Lore, stop apologizing, you know I don’t mind.” James assured her. She was acting as if she was like a burden, and even though it’d been very difficult for James to hear her sobs, she was far from a burden. “I’m here for you,” He said again.

And then she began to speak again. “The truth is, well... things have been rather off with my family lately, James. I don’t know what to do about it.” James listened carefully. So her family was bothering her. Off? What did off exactly mean? CJ had seemed perfectly fine lately and Lore and been normal around him too. Well, if you could call trying to be his mother normal. But that was Lore and James almost smiled as he thought about that like quirk but he refrained. It would appear rude for him to smile right now. He’d have to save it for later.


Oh no. James got a little panicky as the steady sprinkle pick up a bit. He tightened his hold on her, trying to make his security more obvious if Lore hadn’t caught on already. James was overreacting a tad.


“My mother doesn’t want CJ and I home for Christmas this year. I don’t know why, but she doesn’t. She didn’t exactly tell us, but it was implicitly stated when she last wrote me. And then there’s me dad...” Her mother didn’t want to see her own children at Christmas this year? That seemed very odd. And James knew how important family was to Lore. That had been a low blow for her. Maybe James would offer her and CJ to accompany him and possibly Sirius, if he didn’t stay at the castle, to come home to the Potter’s for Christmas. The Potter’s welcomed anyone.


The fear on Lore’s face made James want to panic more but he decided it was best to hear what she had to say first. This sort of fear was not common on his best friend’s face. “I don’t know what to do, James. He’s gotten into some trouble, or I think that it is. I can’t let CJ know about it just yet, which is why I’ve been trying to keep the Prophet away from him. I don’t want him to find out yet, but things have gotten messy. You know that he works as the Department Head for the Department of Magical Creatures, right?” James nodded at her question as he continued to search in her eyes. Messy? What’d gotten messy? He hadn’t been hurt had he? They reported injuries in the prophet, right? James then cursed himself for his lack of motivation to stay up to date with wizarding news. If only he’d read the prophet. Then maybe he could of caught all of this much, much sooner.


James took a deep breath as he continued to think all of this information over. He knew more was coming. He braced himself.


“Well, he recently discovered this connection between that stupid self-proclaimed Dark Lord and some of the more remote populations... but the dangerous ones. James, I mean like the werewolves.” The seventeen-year-old’s face froze. Werewolves? WEREWOLVES!? Remus…Oh Remus was in danger. He’d be approached, James was certain, to join the darkside. James mind filled with horrid thoughts and terror was obvious on his face. Did Lore know? The way she had said the word werewolves had made it sound as if she knew the word was so significant to him. He knew that he needed to act controlled but it was difficult and James knew she’d see it clearly on his face. Oh all the damn magical creature out there, why the hell did the damn dark lord have to pick werewolves!?


But Lore spoke again and James focus shot back to her. “Things have gotten bad, James. There have been inquiries and even a death threat against him. It’s – He’s ...” If James face hadn’t already been filled with his own terror, new terror for Lore and her father and CJ would have appeared. This was bad, really, really bad. Bad was an understatement. James knew very well that Lore’s father was everything to her. Poor girl.


“James, he’s messing in affairs I want him to be quiet about. If something happened to him, I... I don’t know what I’d do.” His embraced tighten as much as it could without hurting her. James put her head on her shoulder and nestled his own chin between her shoulder and her neck as he just hugged her. “Oh, Lore, I am so sorry…” He whispered certain that no matter what he said, he could never make her feel better. James would try though; he’d try everything he could think of. “You’re father’s a great wizard, he will keep himself safe,” James said hopefully.

James had held Lore tightly as she cried her little heart out, releasing a flow of things she had kept from even her own brother. Nothing was more humiliating then being unprotected and exposed to all obstacles without a guardian and without armor. It was especially challenging for Laurienta, a girl who took care to protect herself very well in all situations. She did not like to be weak, but it was passable in front of James. Everything seemed to always get better around him, except when they fought, which was often, but in a sarcastic, friendly, bickering sort of way that only lasted for a few minutes. Why had he always been there for her, Lore had sometimes wondered. What could she possibly offer him return besides someone to nag at him about his late homework? It was true that she was many things for James Potter, and many others among the students in the castle. She was a friend above all things, but this was followed closely by a guardian and a tutor, the latter taken almost literally and academically. Furthermore, she was a mother and a morale-booster. She was always concerning herself with the actions and feelings of others, working herself into the ground to please everyone, which she usually did. It did, however, take a hefty toll on Lore’s level of sanity, as finding a happy medium for all parties involved is admittedly not an easy task. The greatest problem, however, was how was she ever going to take care of herself if she was always taking care of others? Who was going to take care of Laurienta Flentowock?

Taking care of such a sensitive and quizzical person would be have been a simple task. Laurienta was both easy to please and difficult to make happy. She did not explicitly state what she wanted, but rather implied it in her tone and actions though it was all unconsciously of course. She was far from materialistic, satisfied with only a rainy day and a thick book in her hands, along with a quiet place such as a library or a deserted area of the castle. She was quiet and often melancholy, as Laurienta did not just radiate cheerfulness. She actually found this behavior quite annoying, as one cannot possibly be happy all of the time. Personally, she found it difficult to believe that her own family put up with her. The irony was that her mother had stopped doing so. The fights had grown more and more frequent, almost becoming cattishly clawed during the summer when Lore and CJ had gone home for the break.

Sylvia Flentowock was very much like her daughter, but had developed a touch of pettiness as she had grown older. Perhaps she had a personal vendetta against the Wizarding World, or so Lore suspected, because she herself, though born of Wizarding blood, was not a witch. It was a common “syndrome” seen in squib-wizarding families. Frankly, one had to ponder if it was really not all that crazy for a mother to not appreciate objects suddenly whizzing through the air when she was trying to tidy up the house or send her ‘normal’ children off to school for the day. She was snappish and bitter at times, but this change had been recent, as in having happened within the past five years or so. Possibly it was because her husband was rarely home anymore, but this was not really his fault considering how monetary income was a necessity to all households.

The worst bouts had started over the summer. Laurienta and CJ, used to a vast amount of freedom at Hogwarts, had wanted to spend their holidays doing as they please. It was not much to ask to visit Oxford every other day or so, and to spend some time away on their own. Sylvia had taken this as a personal offense, defending her matronly pride through blaming Hogwarts for all of the trouble. Lore had taken the brunt of the criticism, shielding her brother from what would later on become quite unpleasant. When Charlie was home, he was able to step in between the two, making sure that neither mother nor daughter even thought about taking out her claws or baring her teeth; but when Charlie was away, which, as mentioned, was quite often, Laurienta could barely stand to remain at home on some days. The two women shared many things in common, but their greatest similarity was their sensitivity and unfortunate tendency to take everything as a personal assault.

Lore didn’t want to think about this anymore. It was driving her to lunacy at the moment. As she began to cry again, she noticed how James’ arms where still wrapped around her tiny figure, holding her close to make her feel safer. Lore had to admit that, in any circumstance, she liked feeling safe. Being out of her comfort zone was awkward and esoteric, as she did not normally adapt well in these placements.

She lowered her arm, allowing it to rest against James’, almost simply holding it for added support. ”Oh, Lore, I’m so sorry...” he whispered sadly. She hated to burden him, to make him take on her pain when she wished only to take the pain off of him, off of others, but she could not take it anymore. It was too much.

”You’re father’s a great wizard, he will keep himself safe.” While this was true, she doubted that Charlie Flentowock possessed the caliber to fight off the inestimable amount of Death Eaters that normally took care of the few that supposedly stood in this Dark Lord’s way. There had been few attacks, but they were growing in number and Death Eaters seemed to never strike alone, or at least if they did, it was rare.

“I hope so, James,” Laurienta replied, able to talk more clearly now, her eyes still stinging from the tears and the added pain from the whipping wind that occasionally blustered in her face. “I really do.”

She had finally regained control of herself. “Thank you,” she said quietly, still lying somewhat limp in her friend’s arms. She knew that she could always count on James Potter to be there for her; although, there was still the matter of what had happened before her sudden outburst. Did this need to be discussed immediately, or at all? Hopefully not, but, knowing James, he would be persistent if he wanted answers about anything. Perhaps another time.

“I’m sorry again,” Lore apologized, breaking away from James’ protection, “and don’t say ‘don’t say you’re sorry, Lore,’ because I am.” With that, she was able to add a small, almost invisible smile in the corner of her mouth. While Laurienta’s world was still in pandemonium in the world, at least today may continue onward somewhat less tearful.

i]“I hope so, James, I really do.” [/i] So did he. James was well aware of how important Lore’s father was to her. She’d be beyond crushed if anything were to ever happen to him. James sighed softly, rubbing her back gently. This was going to be a long year. Lore, the strongest person James knew, was already breaking now. And James was to a point when he needed her, whether she’d just be what she’d always been or something more. James needed her bad. He was burnt out on Lily, confused about Lore, terrified for Remus and more stressed out then he’d ever been in his life.


He heard her thanks and nodded, “Anytime, Lore-Lore, anytime,” James said confidently as he continued to rub her back. James would always be there for Lore, not matter what. He’d be there for anyone who needed him really. But, he’d do just about anything for Lore. He knew she’d do the same for him. Whether she needed a hug or for James to come save her from a bigger monster, he’d come at her first beckoning call. He couldn’t resist being an absolute reliable friend. It was just in his nature.


“I’m sorry again.” What could bring her to apologize? She hadn’t done a single thing wrong. James was about to open his mouth to tell her to stop it but then she spoke. ”and don’t say ‘don’t say you’re sorry, Lore,’ because I am.” James smiled a little at her comment but then his eyes moved elsewhere. Did he just see what he thought he did? Did the soft, pink corner of the girl’s lip just pull upward into a small smile? It did, didn’t it!? James’ own corners pulled up further as his heart skip a little beat. His cold but tanned and callused hand slipped beneath her chin and lifted her head up so he could see her better. He peered down into her dark eyes.

“Did my Lore just smile?” James asked happily. Relief drifted throughout him as his thumb rubbed her chin for a moment before dropping his hand again. A small bit of discreet but awkward tension stuck in the air in the moment but it faded quickly and James let the smile stick to his face. James was just happy that she appeared to be feeling better.

“Nothing else is bugging you, right?” He asked, just wanting to be sure. He couldn’t stand to see her hurting like she’d been. The boy wanted to make it better, all of it better. James needed to be sure he checked under every rock. No stone should be left unturned.

No stones, eh? Thoughts from before made their way back into his mind. James tried to shake them off but they were poke and prodding endlessly at him. This was not the time for this! He kept trying to tell himself that but it wasn’t really working. Maybe he should just see if she was going to the party with him. Maybe that’d reassure him that his comments and questions before hadn’t changed anything drastically. James would be a wreck if it had. But he knew Lore was not the type of person to get stuck on something like that.

“So are you still my date for the Marauder’s Halloween bash?” His voice was smooth and casual. Typical James Potter. The grin on his face turned a bit smug. He tried to keep the face away from Lore as much as possibly but it just kind of came out. It might show Lore that James with same old James he’d always been though. No change here. Not on the exterior at least.

James was still a mess on the inside and that was not going to change anytime soon what with this crazy idea of wanting Lore and Remus in possible danger. His mind would not settle for a while. Maybe he could talk to Lore about the Remus thing….Maybe he’d wait and see if she brought it up. James felt like she knew. She was so damn smart, how could she not know? Lore was too intelligent to fall for the whole, ‘Furry Little Problem’ bit. Maybe she thought it was just the Marauder’s being their usual, mischievous selves. Who knew? But James did know that he was not going to bring this up on his own. It was too risky. As much as he trusted Lore, he still couldn’t take the chance of revealing one of Remus’ deepest, darkest secrets.

”Did my Lore just smile?/ Lore felt the muscles in her face straining to keep her smile taunt and stretched, preventing it from growing any further although they were fighting a losing battle. She was smiling; it was small, diminutive and almost non-existent, thus making it somewhat of a Mona Lisa smile, but with less ambiguity. Laurienta had never been one to radiate cheerfulness or exuberance, but she was not a melancholy person as well. Perhaps the best way to describe Lore’s demeanor was forcibly balanced. She was rational and sane and there had to be one such as Laurienta in every school. It became alarming, however, when this person began to slowly lose her reason, as it did not forebode well for the rest of the community. Then again, not everyone was undergoing the same pressures. Everyone has their problems, Lore reasoned silently as she tried to avoid James’ hazel gaze as he tipped her head up toward his face.

It was a soft, friendly gesture, but Laurienta could have sworn it felt ardent for the briefest moment. It’s only your imagination, silly, she castigated herself, stop that right now. An image of Sirius flashed across her mind, reminding her where her affections lay at the moment, though she could not help but ignore James’ hand. His skin was cold from the frigid external temperature and calloused from Quidditch, but for only the slightest second, it felt soft and mild, yet strong and guarding – safe.

She gave James an informal, rapid roll of the eyes to communicate that she was moderately placated and much in debt to his comforting.

”Nothing else bugging, right?” James asked protectively. Lore hesitated in answering, disguising the pause by inhaling deeply and looking out at the Black Lake. Of course there was one more thing, and it had been biting at her heels for the past week, especially since last night. She desired to tell James about Sirius, but now just seemed to be an inappropriate time. But if not know, she thought to herself, when? Perhaps the time would present itself. What would James think of all of it? His two best friends together. It was all the more confusing for Laurienta as she was still untangling feelings from a complicated web of emotion involving James as well. History tells one that things always become worse before they become better and, as they had not gotten particularly bad yet, Lore feared for the day when the worst would just out from a hidden crevice, a niche in the wall.

”So are you still me date for the Marauders’ Halloween bash?” James inquired casually. In this existed another problem. Sirius was bound to be there, as he was the one who had sent out invitations to the Halloween party initially. A sinking feeling accompanied this thought, making Lore’s stomach and heart twist in worry. Perhaps Sirius would understand if she talked to him, let him know that she was only going with James to... why was she going with James anyway? If he thought it was over with Lily, then why did he still want to pursue the idea of making her jealous? She doubted that Sirius would understand, as it seemed futile to explain, but perhaps if she and James talked to him together. Lore still did not find the idea amenable. In fact, she found it rather sly, but maybe, just maybe, it would work. There was no question, however, that James needed to know about Sirius. Just... not at this very moment.

Lore looked at James with a blank countenance before breaking into another small smile. “Of course,” she answered quietly, realizing some, but not all, of the implications that resulted from her answer.

James watched as her irises rolled in a circle in typical Lore fashion. It made him laugh a little as it always did when Lore got like that. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, Laurienta,” James commented like a parent, who was scolding their child, would by using her full first name. An amused smile was set upon his face as he watched her carefully. James had never taken this much time to actually look at Lore. He’d never noticed the nearly invisible, fading freckles that the sun had placed on her face a child. There were very, very few but like most people. Lore had them too.

After he’d asked her if anything else was wrong, Lore grew silent. He tried to follow her gaze out over the Lake but could not pinpoint what exactly she was looking at. Maybe she wasn’t looking at anything. James sighed. Lore did answer. He knew what she was doing; he’d seen her do it before plenty of times. James shook his head. What was she hiding now? On a normal day, James probably wouldn’t have pressed but he knew how stressed Lore’s week had already had been and he knew how much more painful it was to keep something in then to let it out, as much as an introvert as Lore was.

“Lore, what is it?” James inquired softly. His face had changed. The amused smile had been wiped off of his face and the concerned look that had been there a few moments before had returned. “Lore, Love, you can tell me,” He explained in a sweeter version of his voice. His hand stroked under her chin softly again. “Please don’t be afraid.” The boy was a little confused as to why people kept hiding things from him. Both Lore and Remus had been keeping to themselves lately. And a lot of it, James thought, was stuff they should of told him. He was that sort of person for them.

He waited patiently for the answer.

”Of couse.” That’d been Lore’s answer to being his date. James began to feel like he might be forcing it a little. And did he really still want to make Lily jealous.? He still loved Lily. He still wanted Lily above all. But James heart was like an hourglass at the moment. Lily, being the top part of the container, was slowly letting its contents fall, grain by grain into the container belonging to Laurienta Flentowock. James wanted to flip it back over but he couldn’t. He couldn’t even lay it on its side to stop it. James wanted to stop everything, right now. He preferred the numbing feeling of not having to feel anything.

He was no longer sure of his real intentions of wanting to take Lore. Did he simply want to go with Lore now? It wasn’t so simple though. James was letting his heart get ahead of his brain as it often did. As much as he planned little things like this out, he never took into a count how one-sided his love life was. James loved, he never was loved. Well, that is if you didn’t count the screaming little fan girls. But that is how it always went. He loved Lily but Lily never loved him. Lore had liked him, but she’d said that’d been in the past but now James thought he might like Lore and Lore did not like him in the same way.

“You don’t have to, Lore,” James admitted, looking directly into her deep blue eyes. “I don’t want you to jeopardize your friendship with Lily over my silly little obsessive crush.” He was now seeing the potential of Lore getting her in the process. Her and Lily were pretty close friends and shared many in common. James would feel absolutely horrible if something bad happened to Lore. But wouldn’t Lily have to actually like him in order for this to happen?

“Maybe it’s about time I gave up, huh?”He was uncertain of what to do anymore. Lore would know. Lore always knew. He was positive she could see his confusion and he was curious as to what she’d say. Was she going to be the honest, no mercy type of friend or would she sugarcoat all of this for him and tell him to keep trying and maybe someday, he’d get what he wanted? James sighed as he put his forehead on Lore’s boney shoulder and closed his eyes.

”Don’t roll your eyes at me, Laurienta,” James chided her, mockingly of course. Lore smiled meekly, exhaling in almost a way that replaced a laugh. James always knew how to cheer her up; he was that sort of person. He was there in the good times and in the bad, but most especially when one was joking around or needed to be coaxed into a better mood. Lore had to admit that he was very good at it even if he very usually was quite blunt and unintuitive. They shared the latter quality at times though.

”Lore what is it? James asked softly, stroking under her chin softly. Laurienta closed her eyes momentarily, not because of a sudden sweep of loneliness, but rather because of the feeling that accompanied James’ touch upon her neck, and more importantly the most sensitive part of one’s neck. It was a sign of complete trust to show or bare one’s neck to another – though this usually only counted for animals that lived in hierarchical societies and domiciles. He made her feel safe and warm even in the cold air and the harsh world. There would always be troubles, and then there would always be James, or at least, she hoped.

”Lore, love, you can tell me.” Laurienta opened her eyes, unaware of how long she had been silent. ”Please don’t be afraid.” Lore raised her eyes to meet James’ own, meanwhile considering what she was hiding, and, indeed, she was still hiding something: Sirius. After pondering, Laurienta decided that now was not the best time to tell James what had passed not a week ago. It was not simply because he was not ready to hear it, though Lore doubted that he was. It was also that she was not ready to tell him, nor was she even able to quite comprehend her own feelings at the time be. A young woman who is unable to sort out how she feels should never be crossed or questioned. Now to think of an answer that would suffice.

“I now have a Care of Magical Creatures essay due on Monday,” she said quietly, trying to hide the fact that she was lying. Technically, however, she was not lying, as she really did have an essay due in that class on Monday. This could have been considered as more of a beating around the bush technique. In harsher language, one might dub it a white lie, though the thought of doing either and especially to James was enough to make Lore queasy, her stomach twisting and tying itself into knots. She flashed him another small smile, but it was strained and done while adverting blue eyes to the ground.

”You don’t have to, Lore,” James conceded, ”I don’t want you to jeopardize your friendship with Lily over my silly little obsessive crush.” “Oh, James,” Lore said guiltily, but her words were also infused with condolence. She was not longer merely worried, she was dreadfully concerned about the situation of James’ heart; his larger-than-life crush on Lily was eating him apart and breaking him down piece by piece.

Laurienta took another moment to think. She did not know how Lily felt about James as of now. Until this year, Lore had always been aware of Lily’s mild contempt of and irritation towards James Potter, thinking that he was just simply a hormonal, teenage, love-struck young man. He was more than that and Lore had always known it. James was one to give his heart too easily to some people, unfortunately.

If Lily’s feelings about James had miraculously changed, then she would be furious about Lore and James attending the party together. But if they were the same as always, then she really had no reason to be angry at either of them. Lore had secretly hoped that she would not have to attend the party at all, though a small part of her had wanted to go with Sirius.

Sirius. If Lore had been as out of control of her emotions as she had been a few minutes ago, then she would have turned as pale as a ghost. What was she going to tell him? Maybe he would be accepting of it considering that it was a favor for a mutual friend – but, then again, was it just a favor? She knew that she and James had nothing but good, friendly intentions, and perhaps it would all work out in the end.

“James,” she said, placing her hand on his, “I want to go – with you. It’s fine, really.

”Maybe it’s about time I gave up, huh?

Laurienta wanted to immediately answer negatively to his question, to tell him to keep trying, as she hated seeing him broken. There was an urge, however, to be honest. His prospects with Lily looked quite bleak from what Lore was able to see, but not hopeless. Then there was the tinier voice in the back of her head that told her something was not quite right in her heart. Lore was what one could term stuck between a rock and a hard place. Whichever way she turned, she was somewhat hurt inside: it was a choice between James’ broken heart and... possibly her own.

No! she told herself. James is my friend and only my friend. My best friend.

“James,” Lore said, pressing her own head against his as he lay on her shoulder, “I don’t think you should ever give up, and I know that’s not the James Potter I know.”


Lore paused before continuing. “Maybe one last shot?”

It wasn’t really a question. It was more of a suggestion. One last try for Lily’s heart and, this way, if things went badly, James would be able to recover – and Laurienta would be there for him the entire time.

One last try for Lily’s affections. No pressure of course.

“I now have a Care of Magical Creatures essay due on Monday.” Did Laurienta really think should could lie to James Potter? Silly girl, James can read you like a book. If Lore was really trying to hide whatever it was that was bothering her, then she must really have a reason for it. James decided it was best to let it go right now. Evidently it was a different sort of problem or Lore would have just told him when she told him everything else that was going on. James gave her a nod as in a pardon and decided he’d offer help with this essay.

“Well you might not believe but Care of Magical Creatures is one of two classes I’m actually good at…” James said with a smirk. “You’ve been so stressed Lore, let me write it for you… I’ll cover the main bit of it and then you add, making it worthy of having the name Laurienta B. Flentoclock written across the top.” He teased, reaching a hand down to poke her in the side playfully. James then gave her a look of disbelief. “Did I honestly just offer to write an essay? Lore what’ve you done to me?” He inquired with his typical smug look.

Laurienta what have you done to James Potter? Hogwart’s smug little prankster, infamous for his lack of motivation for homework was offering to do someone else’s. Something just isn’t right about that sentence.

“Oh, James.” James watched Laurienta as she responded to his comment about the date. He could see she was feeling a little bit guilty. His eyes watched carefully as she was silent again. Thinking. Lore always had to think, she never just spoke. Her heart rarely came before her mind. She was a logical person. She was never one to try and have what was considered a ‘good time.’ She was quiet and reserved and a reader. James knew this party would be strange for her, foreign beyond all reason. But James had always wanted to see Lore let her hair down for once, get a little wild. The quiet smart ones were typically the most fun when drunk, as James had observed at many parties.

“James.” She said his name again and James’ face immediately when alert. Her slender hand touched his and James felt a shiver run up through his body which was not in any way a result of the cold.

“I want to go – with you. It’s fine, really.” Instantly, James’ mouth pulled up at the corners into a smile. James hugged her tightly. “Thanks, Lore,” James said excitedly. “And even if, even if Lily still won’t give me the time of day, I’ll be happy that you went with me anyways,” He admitted, as his eyes glanced away. His cheeks flushed with red.

And now James Potter was blushing too? Oh Lore, what have you done?

James had expected Lore would give him a logical answer. He thought he’d tell her maybe things weren’t ever going to work with Lily, but Lore answered differently.

James.” She said his name for a third time. She pressed her head to his own. One reddish curl fell against his face, tickling him slightly. “I don’t think you should ever give up, and I know that’s not the James Potter I know.”

Shocker! Well, both James and Lore were being unpredictable today.

James sat silent and still, just breathing for the moment.

“Maybe one last shot?”

James nodded his head, pulling his head away to look at her. “One last shot….” He said, thinking for a moment. “Lily did agree to go on a date once our little picture war ends…. But I’m not really sure about her intentions…. What if she just agreed to go in order to me to shut up?” James asked, a bit of fear entering his voice.

”Well you might not believe it, but Care of Magical Creatures is one of two classes I’m actually good at...” James stated with a smirk. ”You’ve been so stressed, Lore, let me write it for you... I’ll cover the main bit of it and then you add, making it worthy of having the name Laurienta B. Flentowock written across the top.” Laurienta could almost feel her skin paling at she spun her head to face James. “You will do no such thing, James Potter,” she answered defiantly, but with an air of mock-offense. She knew that James was intelligent, but this was her homework, though the chances that he was simply jesting were extremely high.

James’ face quickly melted into a countenance of disbelief. ”Did I honestly just offer to write an essay? Lore, what’ve you done to me?” Laurienta tried to barricade herself from James’s teasing poke, but was unable to. The result was a ticklish laugh, or rather a dignified giggle if there ever was such a thing. This combined with Lore’s amusement at James’ offer made her truly and honestly laugh, good-naturedly but still quietly. Lore was never really one for laughing, but her sense of humor was unconquerable when it came to satire and reaction-based humor. The ridiculousness of life was pegged as some of the most laughable things she had ever seen, while most were content to let them pass by without even noticing. Once again, Laurienta Flentowock had proved herself to be a nuts and bolts sort of person – analytical to the bone.

“Yes you did, and I just refused,” she answered, prodding the side of James’ head lightly with her hand. “What have I done to you?” Lore asked, placing the same hand’s fingers lightly just below her neck to emphasize the impossibility that anything could ever be her fault. “Absolutely nothing except corrupt your mind with homework and essay-writing of course.” She laughed again – if one had not ever heard Lore Flentowock laugh, it was truly a thing to come across; rare and genuine, clear as crystal and as thinly layered as a piece of matzah bread, no hidden meanings, no white lies, no armor.

“Thanks, Lore,” James said excitedly as he hugged her, grateful for her relenting about this one part. “Any even if, even if Lily still won’t give me the time of day, I’ll be happy that you went with me anyways.” Lore was personally glad that James wasn’t able to see the blood rising to her cheeks, her modesty not being able to take so much gratefulness, even from her closest friend.

”One last shot... Lily did agree to go on a date once our little picture war ends... But I’m not really sure about her intentions... What if she just agreed to go in order to get me to shut up?” Laurienta almost smiled at the mention of the picture war, the infamous picture war, but knew it would be inappropriate in this scenario. The war had gone on for a long while, dragging Alice and even Sirius into its treacherous clutches. Thank goodness Lore was so careful about being around cameras in general or she would have gotten sucked in with nothing to do but hide under her blue-curtained bed in Ravenclaw Tower.

Lily Evans had made the proviso that the termination of the picture war marked an open-ended date with James Potter? She had not known this, though it did not sound like something Lily would do on a whim. Had she honestly thought she had the chance of winning, or had she finally relented after all these years of James chasing her around the school and immaturely shouting pick-up lines at her? Had she indeed only told James that she would go out with him to get him to “shut up?” Hopefully not, and this “hopefully not” troubled Laurienta.

“I don’t think Lily would do something like that,” she answered him thoughtfully, “but does it really matter after all of this? You’ve gotten what you’ve wanted. Congratulations.”

She had meant for her “congratulations” to be somewhat more... congratulatory, but it was accompanied by another slightly forced smile. Why shouldn’t she be happy? This was what James had wanted after all.

“You will do no such thing, James Potter.” Lore had said to him, trying to sound offended. Following his gently jab into her sides Lore let out an honest laugh and it made James laugh as well. It felt good to laugh. It felt even better to see Lore laugh. He loved when Lore laughed. It was often rare but it was a moment to treasure whenever she did. But even as James heard this laugh, he could tell, that Lore was holding back, she could never let herself do anything that might draw even the slightest attention to her. Laughing too loud would just be too much. It made James all the more determined to see Lore, uninhibited one day. Something about Lore needed to be freed.

“Yes you did, and I just refused.” Lore replied before returning the poke she’d given him with one to his head. It caused James to chuckle as he continued to watch her. “What have I done to you? Absolutely nothing except corrupt your mind with homework and essay-writing of course.” Yes, corrupted was the perfect word, smiled again as she laughed at her own joke.

“You have corrupted me!” James claimed in a playful manner. “I actually do seventy percent of my homework now….Thanks, Lore,” he said as he rolled his eyes. “I feel so awesome when I turn in essays.” He said, smiling all the way to imply his sarcasm incase it wasn’t evident enough. Lore was at the epitome of sarcasm at times, James knew she could appreciate. It was her go to defense with him.

As James hugged her in appreciation for agreeing to go to the part with him, James felt her body tense up slightly. It was just a small, barely noticeable twitch. James had noticed it… but he shook it off, assuming he’d probably just surprised her. Yeah, that’d been it right? He slowly broke the embrace up let his hands rest on her forearms, just near the elbow. He’s fingers were just gently grabbed around her pale arms.

[i[“I don’t think Lily would do something like that.” [/i] Lore was more than likely right. She was closer with Lily and she did understand females quite a bit more, seeing as she was one. James nodded, but too quickly. Lore spoke again. ” But does it really matter after all of this? You’ve gotten what you’ve wanted. Congratulations.” He then shook his head, looking confused.

That statement had seemed very out of character for Lore. James was rather baffled as to why she’d said it quite like that. He gave her a look. “Of course it matters. Lore, you think it doesn’t matter that this might of just been a ploy to get me too shut up?” James asked, his voice was again serious. “You don’t think I’ll be terrible hurt again if I find out that’s all this was? You know that I don’t want just some silly meaningless date.” He explained, still surprised at Laurienta’s words.

“It’s not just a date that I’ve been after. It’s Lily that I’ve always wanted…..”

Not only had Lore said something, well, rather un-Lore-like, she hadn’t sounded too excited for him either, despite the fact she’d even congratulated him. Maybe she knew something. Maybe Lily had said something about the date to her.

“Lore, is there something you’re not telling me?” James asked.