I should petition Sinatra for that. She hated sports. She’d never let me have it.

I’d bet she’d let the Charms club have their own sodding bathroom.

I would too, though. I felt bad for the gits, being in the Charms club and all that.

“Who’s she going to date then, Potter?” He spat out my last name like it was a disease. I had to point out my last name was an attractive one and if it was a disease it would be a beautiful one that made everyone happy and good at Quidditch.

It was probably the strawberry lotion she always tried to get me to put on. It wasn’t manly enough, though. I’d have to get some Mountain Rush or Ginormous Avalanche or Knife Wound.

“When did you get put in charge?” Fred asked, obviously offended.

“Right now, I’m manning things.”

“It’s odd knowing I am currently being manned,” he replied offhandedly.

“James, what’re you doing on the floor?” Avery kicked me a little with her high heel.

I groaned. “Erm,” I said. My robes were twisted around my legs and I found it difficult to regain composure and get up. “I was just inspecting—why, look! Did you know this was real straw? It is. It’s real darn straw. The real stuff. Go on, take a bite.”

“I’m not taking a bite of the straw.” She smiled.

“Mum’s been teaching me a few things here or there.” Lily grinned. “But don’t tell anyone. Mum likes to let you think you’re the strongest Potter kid.” She snorted.

“Lil? I think I might just love you.” I half-hugged her and dug into the food.

“That nickname might stick,” I wondered out loud.

“Try it again,” said Fred.

“Wessy Pessy.” Bink wrinkled his nose.

“Nope,” I said. “Carry on.”

“Does that mean you love your brother?” She giggled.

“Potter boys don’t talk about love.”

“Snow!” I cried. “Snow! Snow! Snow!”

“I guess I should get to Lily’s room.”

“Are you really going to sleep in there? I don’t think Lily and Rose expect you to seeing as you’ve stayed in there all of ten times since we’ve been mates.” I cocked a brow.

“Do you want me to stay in here?”

“Well,” I continued, “she snogged me last night. What do you think I should do about it?”

More humming.

This wasn’t getting me anywhere. Thanks, Victoria.

I snorted. “You speak your mind, I punch your face. I think it’s a fair exchange,” I said. “We’ll both be hurting.”

“Well, there was hot fudge involved…no, not really, but for the purpose of this story, there will be.”

"Wear extra padding, Potter. We're gunning for you."

Avery had gone to bed early since she was exhausted and I couldn’t wait to see her. It was almost like I had little butterflies in my stomach.

But something much more manly than butterflies. Like big rocks or pterodactyls.

“Not good,” I mumbled, turning back to Avery. “Nice knowing you.”

“It was nice while it lasted.” To my surprise, the threat of death made her smile.

“Just nice?”

“Shut up.” She kissed my cheek. “McLaggen’s about to off us, remember?”

“How long did you wait?” I asked, turning to look at them and almost toppling over.

“Two dates,” Bink replied.

“Twenty minutes,” Freddie said.

“So you were sick and contagious and that’s why your team and the two Prefects did not make it to class.” Longbottom’s tone was forceful. Obvious.

“Oh!” I cried. “Yes.”

“Good.” He pressed his lips together. “I hope you feel better, Mr. Potter. Drink fluids and get to bed.”

I leaned my head against her shoulder. “How do you hurt someone you care about so much?”

“If you’re breaking up with Avery I am going to punch you right in the mouth, James.”

I leaned down and took the tiny golden Snitch out of the trunk. “See this?” I said to the group of Seeker candidates. “This is what separates you from being ordinary and being a legend.”

I let it go.

“I never said love!” I cried. “I don’t love her! I don’t. I dont love anyone.”

She raised a brow.

“I love you!” I said, throwing my arms around her and laughing. “You’re my favorite.” I kissed her cheek. “And I’m not pining.”

“She fancies me,” Fred said simply.

“You’ve never spoken to her.”

“Look. She’s looking at me.”

“Can I ask your advice?”

“Yes, you should give your sweaters to the homeless.”

“You want a kiss?” asked Bink from the couch. Several people laughed.

“Sure. Where’s Amy?” I grinned.

Fred threw a paper ball at me, but it missed. By like ten meters.

I looked down. “Let’s not talk about after graduation,” I said.

“What do you want to talk about then?”

“Here,” I replied. “Right now. Let’s just talk about now.”

Win.

That was all I wrote on the chalkboard.

I looked around at my team, thoughts centered on how far we had come together. We made it through dive-bomb Hufflepuffs and well-aimed hexes. Through balding experiences, Code-breaking, and things that threatened to break friendships. But we made it.