The first time...

[lonelyingreen]

Who: James, Ally (CLOSED)
Where: Hogwarts Kitchen
When: Late last night.
Warnings/notes: This was done in third person format over AIM, it's a log for the rest of the RP to see. And.. well I'm sorry my formating skills are lacking!



Ally: It was some what of a habit. Or maybe Ally just found herself hungry at odd times of the night. Either way she would often find her way down from the secret passages leading from the Slytherin common room down to the kitchen. She had done this a lot during her first year, but this was her first time doing it this year.

She wasn't a stranger to breaking the rules. Maybe that, was another reason she was in Slytherin? The great thing about traveling around at night though was that you rarely bumped in to other people. Smiling to herself feeling pretty brave she walked down the hallway almost to the painting of the Still life fruit that would allow her into the kitchen where the happy House Elves lived.

James: James chuckled as he slipped out of a secret passage beside a rather tall suit of armor. This map was brilliant, and it was totally worth sneaking into his father's study to knick it. During his first year after Gryffindor had won a few Quidditch matches, he'd quickly learned of the house elves' eagerness to please in the kitchens. Of course, he would never use them simply for that what with the wrath of Aunt Hermione hanging over his head. Really, that woman and her odd love of the friendly little creatures.
It hadn't been long before James and gained a sort of friendship with some of them what with him sneaking down to get butterbeers and snacks for various parties in the Gryffindor common room.

The map prooved handy in getting to his destination quickly and with a lesser chance of being caught. Tonight he'd stayed out a bit late practicing for Quidditch, and he'd, woe of woes, missed dinner. A growing boy needed to eat, so here he was.

Ally: Ally had already slipped through the portrat and was greeting all of her little friends. They had been so very kind to her in all the moments last year she needed kindness the most. Like the time those twins in Ravenclaw cut her hair, or the time the Slytherin girls spread a rumor that she had Hoopa cough. A very contangious and very painful virius so NO one went near her for a month or two.

Smiling she took her seat in the large over grown chair that the house elves saw fit to bring in when ever Ally needed comfort. Today however she was full of nothing but good stories to tell.

"So.. Winky. Today I met this boy named Al, and he was the nicest guy ever." She began as the little female house elf lisened. "He reminds me of someone. But I can't put my finger on it.." Reaching out she grabbed herself a cupcake and twisted it in her fingers. "I was attacked. And guess what he did." The little elf blinked her wide eyes in responce. "He actually helped. Stood up for me! It was so very kind. I'm glad I met him." She sighed. But the sigh wasn't for Al. "I wonder if my Muse is anything like that? Wot'cha think Winky? Think he's the type to defend the defenseless?"

The small elf was busy gathering more sweets for her favorite student which caused Ally to babble on more. "He looked so adorable today. Riding around on his broomstick. He's so good at that game.. makes me jealous that I can't try out." She looked down at the elf as it gave her a stern look. "You know they wouldn't let me Winky.. not even if I begged.. besides. I'm not that great."

Ally slipped her robes off and stuck them on the back of the chair. She was wearing a long black dress under it, since she didn't feel like going with PJ's on. And the dress wasn't anything special. Her blonde locks fell around her face as she poked at the cupcake.

"You know. I wanted to be someone when I came here Winky. But I .. feel like.. I'm just .. you know, a no one? Why in the world was I put in Slytherin? If I had been sorted a Griffindor I could have been someone special.."

James: James glanced about to make sure no one saw him. Finding the hall empty, he went through the portrait and entered the kitchen. He heard a distinct, non-house elf voice and figured someone else must have been out for a late night snack as well. James being James, he decided a grand entrance was quite necessary. After all, it was the first time this year he'd been in the kitchen for a visit. Not that the year was very far in anyway.

"I know you guys missed me, but pine no more!" The loud proclamation of his entrance caused the nearest house elves who were familiar with James to look up. They were obviously used to this sort of theatrical manner, and they welcomed James cheerfully with much amusement. James never brought them clothing, no, that would be disrespectful, but he did bring them neat little things sometimes to decorate their small little areas with. Usually it wasn't anything special. He'd given out a few old snitches that weren't strong enough to fly anymore or sometimes Aunt Hermione would even give him a few little trinkets she had laying around. She had helped with gaining recognition for house elf rights, after all. She'd always say they were just little things she didn't want, but James could tell she'd gone out and bought them specifically to be delivered to the elves of Hogwarts.

"You guys have got a good stock of butterbeer, haven't you?" Withen moments they were already bringing out a few bottles of the aforementioned drink along with a plate of food leftover from dinner. James grinned in response, not paying much attention to the other girl. Hunger came first.

Ally: When Ally heard the voice she froze. Because there would be no way on earth that the one person she wanted but didn't want to see the most could have just suddently appeared in the very place she was... as this time at night. No way. NO WAY. Pale as a ghost she dared to take a shuttered breath. Maybe he wouldn't notice her and simply go away? She had never really heard his voice before. Most of the time she was to busy doing other things or to far away to clearly hear him. But there was no doubt in her mind. That voice was his. Her muse. James.

Now it might sound silly to other people that she had no idea what his last name was. She had only recently found out what his first name was. That was by luck. But the name James was common around Hogwarts. She looked to Winky who seemed to be over joyed at the boys presence and unaware of the uncomfortable situation that had just arrose for poor Ally.

The only course of action now was to sneak away while he stuffed his face. Because lord knows how much James liked to eat. Yes. She would be invisible and he'd never notice her. Slowly she stood up and reached for her robes.

James: James sat down comfortably and started to eat, cheerfully greeting the house elves, asking how their summers had been, and all in all just catching up. The seeker in him noticed the movement out of the corner of his eye, and he glanced over out of curiousity. A girl, the other person he'd noticed upon entering, seemed to be preparing to leave. Leave now that the party was starting? That was no fun!

"Hey! Hey you! The blonde girl!" He didn't really recognize her for what house she was in, but she appeared to be around his age. With her wearing a dress rather than her uniform and the robe still being draped over the chair, he couldn't tell what house she was in yet. "Don't you know it's rude to not finish your cupcake and run off? If you don't eat it, then how will it look to its cupcake buddies?" Admittedly, James was a somewhat odd boy.

He never seemed to take much seriously; there was no point when most anything could be turned into a joke. Or a prank. James quite liked both. His father liked to say that James took after both of his namesakes what with him being James Sirius Potter and all.

From what he'd heard from his father, he rather liked the idea.

Ally:: She instantly blushed three shades of pink when he addressed her. He had NEVER addressed her before. She could hear her own heart beating in her chest, it was so loud she was scared he could hear it. Did she dare face him? He'd surely laugh at how red her face was... ung. Delemas. Run away and save face? Or spend some time with the only guy you've ever stalked just to be around?

With that she sat back down and tried to make herself look very small as she reached for the cupcake. Her hand was shaking slightly as she reached it. "....S..sorry." She mumbled under her breath not even sure if he could hear. She wasn't even sure why she was saying that? Yeah right. Like James would ever like a mouse like her. She stared down at the cupcake. Why couldn't she act like she did around Al, around him?

James: James took another large gulp of his butterbeer and eyed the other girl. There was something familiar about her. "Hey...were you that girl that fell over earlier? When that big Slytherin prat knocked into you?" He vaguely remembered something like that happening, although he was distracted by his friends. They'd taken the time to get a good chuckle out of it, although James had also seen his brother's actions at the time. Not that he would likely ever mention it to the younger boy, but when he'd stood up to that Slytherin girl, James was proud of him. It also made him doubt why Al was ever put in Slytherin; that show he'd put on to stand up for this girl was quite a bit more Gyffindor, or so James thought.

"Yeah, yeah you are! You're that girl Al stood up for, aren't you?" He snickered, a devious grin coming to his face that didn't necessarily mean good things. So his little brother was already getting along well with the girls. Obviously James had rubbed off on him.

Ally: Damn it to hell. He had to grin didn't he? She gulped a little, how did he know Al? Him mentioning Al gave her the strength to look at him and speak. Her green eyes shining what seemed to be new found courage.

"You saw that?" Her stomache had dropped and she felt as if she could just fall through the floor right now and never come back. The boy she crushed on so hard had stood back and just watched. For some reason that ... angered her? She turned away and shrugged. "Well. Either way. Al took care of it. I don't know how you know him, but he's a good guy. He's the only person to ever stand up for me." She said it in a huffy tone. Clearly annoyed at something. Deep inside she was hurting, because she knew what happend. Him and his little Griffindor friends most likely got a chuckle out of it.

"But I'm glad we could be your entertainment for the day."

James: James laughed, not at all put off by her obvious attitude about the whole situation. "Saw it? Of course I did, the whole hall did. Al handled it pretty well, I gotta say." He wrinkled his nose a little bit in distaste, a rather Weasley-esque habit. "Don't tell him I said that though, little prat'll let it go to his head." He looked at the girl, his eyes not at all like Al's green; instead they were a almond-y hue of brown like most Weasleys. His hair, however, had mixed with both of his parents in a way to become a sort of dark red. "Of course Al's got some redeeming features in him." The confident grin was back as he leaned back comfortably in his chair. He had a way of lounging that seemed like he couldn't possibly be comfortable when he was. "After all, he's related to me."

Ally: The world just shattered around her. So that was why Al reminded him of James, or those looks he made sometimes made her heart pound. Well. There goes the neiborhood.

"Do.. do you mean like cousins? Cousins right? You and Al.."

James: "Cousins? If only. Then I wouldn't have to worry about Mum sending me Howlers if I get on his case." He snickered. Howlers were not unfamiliar to James. "As much as I hate to admit it..." He rested his arms behind his head now that he'd finished his bottle of butterbeer. "We're brothers. Mum showed me the birth certificate and everything to prove it when I tried to convince him he was really adopted from a muggle family."

Ally: Something felt wrong about that whole statement. She felt, offended. Offended that he was in a way insulting Al as if he wasn't good enough to be his brother. Standing up she stormed over to him and pointed right in his face.

"Al is a great person. Anyone would be lucky to have such a brave and careing person for a brother. You...you sound so ...so ungreatful! Brothers! HA! You both are nothing alike! And here I thought.." She frowned and didn't finish the sentence.

"Whatever. Winky." She walked back over to the House elf and grabbed her robes throwing them on, "If you could please help me find my cake I'll leave Mr. Potter to his brother bashing."

James: James smiled. Well, it was something between a grin and a smile really; as close as a regular smile as he was likely to get. So, his little Slytherin brother had made a friend. Not that bad of one either. She was obviously loyal to him, something he hadn't quite expected out of that house. Honestly, he'd been a bit worried for the little git. If he got abused in the common room, James obviously couldn't get in and hex them. Unless, of course, Al gave him the password as he'd requested, but that was another matter in and of itself. Seeing this girl stand up for his brother at least helped lessen the odd sense of worry he'd felt since the sorting hat and yelled out Slytherin.

"My, my. Al got himself a girlfriend. I never knew he was so good with the girls. He's got the innocent thing going for him, I guess." Of course, James wasn't about to admit that he did indeed feel protective of his younger brother.

Ally: There was a loud snap sound and all of the food that was once around James was now ON James. Ally, was wonderful with charm spells. And she had just used one on him. She growled loudly and actually for the first time since she arrived in Hogwarts, yelled.

"I AM NOT DATING AL. HE IS MY FRIEND YOU PRAT. YOU'RE AS BLIND AS ...AS..WELL. SOMEONE WITH CAKE ON THEIR EYES." With that she grabbed her cake and slammed the frame shut on her way out. She was storming down the hallway before she stopped and leaned against the wall.

"My god what have I done.."

James: Suddenly he had food all over him. He would have been angry had it not been so bloody hilarious. He laughed as he pulled the bits of chicken out of his hair. That girl had a temper that could rival even his Mum's! Priceless! And her attempt at insulting him hadn't gone over that well either. Indeed, he did seem to have cake suspiciously close to his eyes now.

The house elves scurried about, using their own magic to remove the food that was stuck to his robes, pants, and in his hair. James vaguely realized he hadn't caught Al's girlfriend's name. Oh well, maybe he'd ask Al about it later. He didn't fancy following her and being further blinded by cake, at least. Really, some people were so easily riled up.

Ally: The scary fact, and the very annoying fact. Was that Ally had accidently left her wand in the room. After using it she had sat it down to grab her cake. There was NO way she would go back in there, she couldn't! Not after attacking the one guy she really liked!! But he was a ...PRAT! How dare he say things like that about Al! And her! ....She shook her head. Curseing loudly in her mind. She knew she would HAVE to go back in there. But how?

James: James stood up and stretched, having been given more food to satisfy his likely bottomless stomach. The trip had definitely been worth it. There'd even been a dinner show, he mused. He thanks the house elves and handed out some candy he'd brought in the pockets of his robes. Just about to leave, something of a slightly lighter wood and sheen caught his eye on the counter. A wand? But who--oh! He gave a toothy grin to no one in particular. The girl had left her wand. James picked it up, but he didn't dare give it a flick. Who knows what would explode. Instead he pocketed it and decided to give it back to the girl later. It could pose a good opportunity to tease Al about having a girlfriend, after all. Just wait til he wrote home to his parents to tell them.

James excited the kitchens cheerfully, ready to head back to the Gryffindor common room, when he saw the same girl lingering just down the hall.

"Oi! Cake girl!" He tried not to be too loud so no teachers or Peeves would come searching for the source. James didn't like detentions THAT much. "It's not smart to hang around." Pausing, he knew he had a chance for further amusement. "Especially when you can't even defend yourself." He pulled out her wand but barely paused before heading into the secret page behind the suit of armor.

Ally: Ally was frozen in place for a moment as James came out of the kitchen. It looked as if he was going to attack her, but then instead he waved her wand in her face and took off. So. he thought he knew the secret tunels of Hogwarts better than Ally? She smiled. "Okay Mr. Potter. Let's play."

She knew the passage he took would take him to the second floor, so she took another one under a drunken knight riding a mule that she knew would take her right where she needed to be to cut him off. Hiding behind a drape as James passed she jumped out and grabbed her wand from his robe pointing it right in his face with a devious smirk.

"My name, Mr. Potter, is Alexandrea Yearling. And I would not under estimate me again." She looked amused. Far more than she had been in a long time. She should have been angry for him taking the wand and trying to run with it. But she wasn't. It was as if all the anger melted away.

James: James stopped, as any person would likely do when confronted with a wand in the face. He didn't look worried. On the contrary, he seemed pleased. "My, my, Miss Yearling. Someone knows a few secret passages." With a slight flourish of his robe, James gave her a rather exaggerated bow. "A pleasure, I'm sure." In a way, the oldest Potter child felt like he'd been testing the girl. After all, he had to make sure his dear brother was getting along with the right sort. It wouldn't do to have him being mates with someone who didn't at least know their way around.

"Do you always threaten everyone you meet, or am I just a special case?" He half grinned, half smirked in that cocky way that was so often part of his demeanor.

Ally: "I wouldn't say special. Seeing how I could ask you the same question, do you always offend girls you meet or is it something of a special privilage I get?" She lowered her wand but kept a close eye on him. It was weird. She wasn't acting like she normally does, and she had no idea where all this sudden courage was comeing from. She even shivered a little and tried not to blush when he called her by her last name. Surely she would die if he used her first name alone.

"I am sorry I dumped food on you-" She paused before making a face and smirking, "on second thought no I'm not. You looked better with pudding on your head." She was clearly jokeing.

James: "Offend? I am always a gentleman, thank you very much." He grinned, knowing it was a large and obvious lie. Not that he felt bad about it; he was quite comfortable with himself. "You're an odd sort, aren't you? It's not every day I get cake thrown in my face. Al's got the strangest tastes, really. Does he like that sort of thing?" He paused and made a face that bordered grossed out. "Wait, nevermind. I'd rather not know."

James tilted his head back a bit, giving her a lopsided grin. "Darling, I always look good. Pudding or no. It's vicious, really, to be this good looking. Don't worry about me though. I'll get through it." He paused for dramatic effect. "Somehow."

Ally: "Has anyone ever told you, that you have a fat head?" She rose her eyebrows in a curious manner. "Do you honestly think every female around fancies you?" How ironic... She pauses and rolls her eyes. " and for the last time. We aren't dating, he and I are friends. You know, girls and boys can be friends without dating." She swished her wand a little for affect.

"Seriously I don't believe I've ever met a boy more full of himself before in my life. Come off it, you're not god in robes James Potter." She turned heel at that moment and began to walk off. Almost a bounce or swish in her step. To think, she just told the boy she had a huge crush on-- he was not all that.

James: Apparently Al's friend didn't have as much promise as she seemed to have at first. At least, she lacked good taste. He'd listened to her small rant about him with barely contained amusement. Very bad taste, he decided. It was far too late and he was still a ways off from the detentionless safety of his dorm room. Behind Ally's back he gave a cheerful wave, knowing he'd likely see her later around Al. He pulled a piece of old parchment out of his robes and whispered so the leaving girl wouldn't hear. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Ink appeared on the paper, turning into a map. It was with a look of surprise that he realized old Filch was walking towards them just a few halls away. He glanced at the girl who was still walking away and frowned.

True, she'd thrown cake in his face, but if she was stuck in detention then Al would be unbearably annoying until she got out.
James moved as quickly and quietly as he could towards the girl before grabbing her wrist and pulling her back the other way. "Filch is coming." He whispered, frowning in annoyance that she'd made his clean getaway to the dorm slightly harder. "If we don't take the secret passage behind the painting of those three old witch sisters, we'll never get around him."

Ally: She was caught off guard, way off guard. Her face lite up at the close contact, not only did he grab her but his face was a little to close and his voice was much more closer than she had ever experienced. Her face was burning way to hot for her liking and her eyes to wide. It even took her a moment to realise that he was talking about Filch, and how they were going to get caught.

"Okay." She knew the sister witch painting was a good idea, but oh lord the passage was tight.. cramped even for one person. For two of them it was going to be a tight squeeze. She felt her shield of courage breaking, her mask of 'I can take this without breaking' was indeed falling apart. She wanted to leave him with a ambigious note letting him know he wasn't gods answer for women. But instead she was doing the opposite, she was sure her face and emotions were just screaming 'I LIKE YOU!'

Takeing a deep breath she bolted a quietly as possible to the painting and in to the passage. It was true, James could have left her behind. The moment they werent in danger and she wasn't blushing like an idiot, she would say she was sorry.. and thank him. Who was she kidding? That stunt she pulled three seconds ago wasn't her. He was god in robes to her. She felt pretty pathetic even though .. well, she couldn't have been in a happier spot right now.

James: James climbed in after Ally, shifting the painting back in place after him. "Lumos." His wand instantly lit up the previously pitch black passageway. "Hurry up!" He whispered in the darkness of the passage, illuminated only by the light of his wand. "You've got to get the dungeons and I've got to get the seventh floor." With Quidditch coming, he didn't want to waste time on another detention. If this was some brilliant prank, maybe, but not for a snack in the kitchens.

Rather oblivious, he didn't notice the inner turmoil of the Slytherin girl in front of him. He was more concerned with getting through the passage and back up several flights of stairs. At least there were a few good shortcuts along the way.

Ally:: Not once did Ally need him to tell her where she was going, she took all the right turns and passages until they were at a fork. She took a deep breath and frowned.

"I'm sorry I insulted you. That isn't like me. I'm not sure what.. was going on in my head." Something on the ground sure was intresting because she decided to keep her eyes locked on it. "Thanks. I know you could have left me there." Manageing to forget the thing on the ground she offered a small smile.

"Even though.. I'm sure you only did it so Al wouldn't get upset. It still meant you helped me and I'm greatful." Ally was sure he'd rub this in, or just shoo it away and head off to his dorm. Either way, she had to say it and she felt better for comeing clean.

James: James raised his hand dismissively. "If Al's hanging around with you, you can't be all bad. Not that he's some great judge of character. I mean, look at how he talks about me! Plus, " he grinned, ever amused, "for a Slytherin, you're pretty funny." He shrugged which was likely his way of accepting the apology and, perhaps, maybe returning it. James Potter did not apologize verbally unless utterly necessary. "You seem to know where you're going. Good luck." He turned around and headed off towards his own dorm. After a while, the map was pocketed and he made it easily back to the safety of the Gryffindor dorms without running into anyone.

Ally: She was shocked at the nights events, but she made it back to the common room in one peice. Has he.. said she was alright? Not all bad? ....She was pretty funny? Smiling to herself she walked up to her room, "Pretty funny... is a good place to start."