Back To School [Open]

[James Potter]

James just gave a nod. It made sense that she was a prefect. She seemed level headed enough to know how to keep younger kids in line. Sitting there, he felt a small twinge of awkwardness in the air. Obviously because they were from rival houses. Mostly because James basically had no social skills. He really was trying though. Ever since Penny told him to be more confident, he was determined to make a change. Better late than never, right?

As he sat and thought about his shy demeanor, he pondered about what could have made him that way. He came to the conclusion that it was probably from all the attention he got as a child. Apparently there were headlines all over the Daily Prophet when he was born: "Harry Potter's First Son: A Legend in the Making". And ever since he could remember, there were always people wanting to take pictures with him. At least until his siblings were old enough to be aware of everything. Then they all were the center of attention. James just learned to keep to himself.

He had been doing a lot of day dreaming, and a bump in the ride made him jolt back into awareness. He glanced over at Chasity who was being rather quiet. Shrugging it off, he opened his book and started to read. Nothing came of that though. The odd feeling was still hanging around him.

"So," James piped up, only taking a moment to flash his eyes up at her before returning to gazing at his book. "What's your family like?" he asked trying to make casual conversation. What ever the strangeness around them was, he was going to uncover it. "Did they come with you to King's Cross?"

[Chasity Atherton]

"Uh... My family." Chasity paused. Normally, inquiring about family wouldn't be a touchy topic, but with hers... "They're great." she blurted out, then blushed. "Well, not really. I, uh, no. They didn't come with me this time. Actually, they don't ever come with me." Knowing that this would raise questions, since it usually did, she squirmed. "They don't... like me much." She raised her eyebrow at James, then explained, "It's kind of a long story. My parents... sort of... hate me." She didn't figure that he would understand that, being part of close family, or so it seemed. Most people didn't understand. She didn't understand most of the time. "I'm kind of their big mistake. Being sorted into Slytherin came close to some redemption, but not for long. I'm nothing like what they expected. Or wanted." Her eyes turned to the darkened countryside, as she fought the feelings that speaking of her parents brought on. She hated them, and loved them, but it was all pretty useless.

[James Potter]

James listened curiously, and felt somewhat surprised that she was actually telling him these things. He half expected her to give him a one liner and then be done with talking with him. Expecially since it was obvious that she didn't like talking about her parents.

He couldn't quite relate to how she felt. He was lucky enough to have a loving family with parents who readlly did care about him. Sure he had some anxiety about his father, but he knew that his dad at least loved him. James couldn't even imagine what it must be like for her. It was probably very lonely... He frowned as he watched her gaze out the window. There wasn't really anything he could say.

"I'm sorry..." was all he managed to say to her at first. "I wish I could understand better, then maybe be able to give some advice," he said frowning in a concerned way.

[Chasity Atherton]

Chasity looked back at James. She had been right in assuming that he couldn't commiserate, but she was used to it by now. Shrugging, she replied in a callous tone, "Yeah, it's fine. I'm used to it. Them not liking me doesn't affect me anymore. It just caught me off guard when you asked. I thought everyone knew." When she looked out the window this time, Hogwarts was slowly coming into view. She glanced back at James and pointed. "Almost there. I guess we probably won't be running into each other much after this."

She wasn't sure if he even wanted to see her again, but she'd decided a while back that she wouldn't mind. Their friendship might well raise a few eyebrows, and his Gryffindor family surely wouldn't approve, but he was really nice. Chasity wasn't even sure if he had a girlfriend, and if he did, she probably wouldn't like it very much. "Unless you want to, I don't know, be friends or something..." She very nearly blushed as she added this, being unaccustomed to things of that nature. Most of her friends were only "friends" because they shared a common house and classes, she didn't even like most them very much. "Of course, if you don't... well..." she trailed off, looking at him with a fairly blank expression, trying to decipher what he was thinking without giving her own thoughts away.

[James Potter]

There was something different about the way she answered him. As apathetic as she came across, James picked up on a little hint of sandess. He sighed, feeling really bad for her. But he didn't know how to relate. There were no words he could say to make her feel better.

He looked out the window as she pointed out that Hogwarts was getting near. His thoughts clouded as he continued thinking about her, and the odd conversation they were having. He, a Gryffindor, and she, a Slytherin, were talking about personal matters with one another. No yelling or snide remarks were present. James looked back over at her as she spoke. Not see each other again? James frowned. She seemed nice, and he honestly hoped to at least run into her a few times.

"I wouldn't mind seeing you again," he said quietly. "So what if we're in rival houses..."

That was the truth he felt. Sometimes he thought the housing system was a bit prejudice, not allowing students the full opportunity to make friends with everyone. Unwritten house boundaries were always there looming in the background.

He felt a bit awkward now, after being so straight forward with her. James couldn't find any reason why she would be annoyed though. It was she who suggested they might stay friends in the first place.

There was a jolt as the train slowed and came to a stop. Instinctively he stood and lugged his heavy trunk off the top rack. Luckily he only had to carry it off of the train, then it would be magicked back to the school. It was still a pain, even though it was mostly his own fault for packing so many books. "I guess I'll see you around...?" he said awkwardly as he pushed his way out into the crowded corridor of the train. James looked over his shoulder, acting as if he was checking his trunk that was trailing behind him, when really he was trying to look at Chasity.

[Chasity Atherton]

She was surprised when he replied that he wanted to see her again. The house thing really didn't matter? She smiled and nodded, "That would be nice. I'm sure it'll cause quite the stir. You know, I-" She started to add something, but the train suddenly came to a halt, shaking the seat and stopping the current thought. James stood and grabbed his trunk quickly, making Chasity pause and wonder if he had just been being nice to her. When he turned back and spoke again, she smiled tentatively and nodded. "Yeah, I'll see you around," she said with more confidence than she felt right at that particular moment. She really hoped she would. Reaching up, she pulled her trunk down and also made her way through the milling crowd. She glanced up, seeing him look back, and stopped for a moment. She raised her eyebrow and smiled, wondering if he was looking back for her.

[James Potter]

James noticed her look up at him. Yes, he had been caught staring. A little jolt of anxiety went through him, but seeing her smile reassured him. He smiled half heartedly back at her. Not paying attention to where he was going, he accidentally rammed into the back of a poor little first year. He nearly plowed her over she was that tiny. James frantically apologized, cheeks blazing red, and helped her gather the few things he made her drop.

Looking back up he tried to see if Chasity noticed. He shrugged sheepishly, hoping he didn't make himself look too foolish. He diverted his attention back to the little eleven year old and dusted her shoulders off apologetically. "I'm so sorry," he said, his cheeks finally back to their normal color. "My fault."

After he got her on her way, James turned back around to see if he could still see Chasity. Since the collision there were now dozens of bobbing heads traveling out of the train. He sighed, a bit frustrated that he lost his new friend. At least he hoped they could be friends. He like Chasity; she was the nicest Slytherin he had ever met despite her bold questioning. But he couldn't blame her for being curious. Finally he thought he caught site of the top of her blonde head. He gave a weak little wave before he was pushed off the train and onto the platform in Hogsmeade.