Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2013 8:57:56 GMT -8
Early that evening, James had come across and distraught and distracted Marlene, a rare outlook for the typically lively and vivacious lady. Mckinnon was one of the rare few females that Potter actually considered a friend. They had a plethora of interests and ideologies in common, including the same career ambition- both strove to become Aurors. As such, they were in countless classes together, almost every one, to be exact. On top of such goals, they both dominated the Quidditch pitch- he as a Gryffindor chaser, and she as one of the most achieved beaters that Hogwarts had ever harbored. They often frequented the same social gatherings, including Rodolphus Lestrange's Nighthouse, and had begun to develop a mutually beneficial companionship. As such, it concerned him to see her in such a stressed out and anxious state. He had concocted a bit of a plan to alleviate her frustration and put her in a more optimistic mood. Currently, he was returning to the Gryffindor Common Room after a profitable journey to visit the house elves in the kitchens. After a bit of amiable conversation and the perpetual slew of compliments he bestowed upon the workers, they had gifted him with countless treats. Stashed under his right arm was a canvas bag, overflowing with a cornucopia of warm apple cinnamon tartlets, fresh cherry turnovers, and a plethora of other baked goods. Under the other arm, two bottles of Elderberry Wine and flagon of Firewhiskey.
Hopefully, it would turn out to be a refreshing and enjoyable evening, he was in dire need of a bit of rejuvenation. James usually preferred to conduct himself in a jovial manner, caring little of consequence and pressure. This term was proving to be much more difficult and all-consuming than he had expected, however. The lessons that both he and Marlene were forced to attend were both rigorous and demanding, and of course, Quidditch practice was as physically draining as it always had been. Not to mention, that newest member of the Hogwarts staff, Professor Riddle, had paired James with Bellatrix as dueling partners- augmenting his ever increasing threshold of annoyances. On top of his individual irritations, the entire academy was in an uproar with all of the flustered activities for the Wizarding Championship. Grand feasts one day, challenges the next, and formal dances following suit- it was a seemingly never ending array of events. As such, Potter had had little time for the finer pleasantries that he usually sought to participate in copiously as of late. He was in desperate need of a reprieve from responsibility, and hopefully his antics with Marlene tonight would be just the ticket to alleviate said dissatisfactions.
It was after hours, and Sirius and Remus were gallivanting about the Forbidden Forest with the Marauders Map at the moment, so James was forced to exercise extreme caution. The very last situation he needed was to be spotted about by Filch or a professor, and be charged with a weeks worth of detentions. The teachers always seemed to reserve the task of scrubbing the Owlrey to he and his mates, as punishment for the consistent practical jokes and rule breaking. Alas, he had no need to worry- for he had arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady without running into the nuances of Ms. Norris, or the like. "Veni, Vidi, Vici!" he muttered the password in a whisper. The Fat Lady was on a Latin kick lately, so far this year they had had several different phrases as their password. It was becoming rather frustrating, with the new restrictions Hogwarts was attempting to implement, for the sake of the students protection. A new code every 2 weeks was a bit of an overkill, to say the least. He sauntered into the common room, hoping that it had already cleared out, for the most part. Regardless, it was getting late- the vast majority of the students would either be asleep, or making out in a broom cupboard soon. He and Marlene should have the room to themselves, simply perfect for a private party.
