Late Night Snack [James]

[Sara Cromwell]

Sara was sitting in the kitchen eating a chocolate cake. Her favorite. She had woken up around one in the morning with a craving for chocolate. She sneaked down to the kitchens to get a little snack. She had always been on good terms with the house elves. She never grew up around one and found them quite amusing. Plus she liked how they waited on her. She didn't get that at home.

A large peice of chocolate cake half bitten sat in front of her. Lucky for her she had a high matabalism so she wouldn't gain any weight from this. She sat on a stool wearing her pink silk tanktop with shorts and a white silk robe with her family crest on it. She loved these pajamas for they were so comfortable. She looked around, seeing no one and signed. She would of liked to share this big peice of cake with someone but no one was up.

[James Potter]

James had tossed and turned in his bed for what seemed to him now like hours, it had to be nearly time to get up, surely! Sighing he placed his hands behind his head and stared up at the deep red curtains that hung lifelessly around his dark oak four poster queen sized bed that he hadn’t been bothered to close. The moons light beamed down upon the boys bed, lighting his up brightly and he couldn’t help but scowl at it, surely that had to be the reason his mind wouldn’t over come to sleep. Moving his gaze to his digital clock that sat on his bedside table the green numbers read 00:51. James groaned loudly, grabbing the pillow from behind his head and pressing it upon his face. “Bloody hell, sleep damn you,” he muttered into the pillow as his eyes closed but it was no good, the Gryffindor was wide awake.

Why? Yes okay so the moon’s brightness might have had slightly something to do with it but also he was starving. The Quidditch practise had gone well over schedule, mainly because James had been late to it, another detention had been given to the boy, as usual. Teachers seemed to hate him, okay so they didn’t, James just seemed to have a knack for getting himself in trouble. He really didn’t mean to but the temptation to wind up the teachers was just too much for a seventeen year old boy to handle. Even so, due to the late start of the practice he had completely missed dinner and his stomach growled almost angrily at the boy under the sheets, demanding it be fed as nausea crept upon the boy.

Throwing the pillow off his face, it landed on his sleeping room mate that stirred but did not wake, James pulled the covers off him, leaving him only wearing his black boxers and walked over to the large wooden trunk at the bottom of his bed. There he delved, soundlessly into it and pulled out exactly what he had been looking for. A large cloak made of silver coloured glimmering material that felt slippery to touch, almost like liquid. Smiling widely he threw the cloak over him and instantly the boy just disappeared.

The kitchens were not hard to find, James had been there too many times to remember. Of course he would not have been aware of their location had it not been for his father. Luckily he had only come across two prefects on his way down to the dungeons, not that it would have mattered of course, not when your wearing an invisibility cloak anyway. Tickling the pear it let out a girlish laugh as the portrait swung away from the wall, revealing a gateway to the world of food. Eyes wide he crawled into the entrance, not taking his cloak off just yet as he stepped into the kitchen.

A bang behind the boy told him he was safe and quickly he revealed himself to the now dozens of house elves that surrounded him. “Hey,” he said to them as he looked down upon the curious looking creatures, each wearing dirty towels that had the Hogwarts crest printed neatly upon them, “Got any food, I’m bloody starving, cheers.” The elves nodded, large smiles upon their faces as they scattered away to meet the boys craving. Smiling he looked around the kitchen, deciding to go to the fireplace where he normally sat but his gaze fell upon a blonde that sat at one of the tables. He had never seen another student down here before. “Hey,” he said to the girl, a smile fixed upon his lips as he walked over to her, “What you doing down here?”

[Sara Cromwell]

Just before she could take another bite she heard foot steps. Turning her head quickly towards the doorway, listening to the footsteps. She had hoped it wasn't a teacher for even for a Prefect it was too late to be out. She put her fork down and waited until someone showed up. To her surprise it was only a student. A sign slipped out of her smooth lips. She studied him as he talked to the house elves. A smile crept across her face as she realized who it was. James Potter. She had seen him around and heard stories about him from the other girls but never really paid any mind to him. Now that she saw him up close she had to admit, he was pretty cute.

Sara watched as he walked over to her, clearing her throat and thinking of something to say. "Hi. Eating some chocolate cake." she mumbled, her American accent clearly heared. "Want some?"

[James Potter]

It was true that the boy had never seen a student in this kitchen ever before, at least not one he hadn’t invited. He remembered back in his fourth year he had taken a girlfriend down here who had some sort of obsession with house elves. Oh and then there was that Slytherin girl back last year that James instantly dumped after she tried to kick a particularly small house elf for not bowing low enough. Okay so it was unlike James to date a Slytherin but he had thought that girl hadn’t been your typical stereotype from the house of snakes. After all she had taken in upon herself to think it was okay to date a Potter. But alas he had been wrong, still it hadn’t been a massive problem to him, he just moved onto the next girl as he had throughout his years at Hogwarts School.

James smiled at the girl as he looked down at the chocolate cake that sat half eaten in front of her. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows, she was most probably either really down and depressed, been dumped by some boyfriend probably or she had broken her diet to extreme lengths. These were indeed very naïve thoughts and typical of James Potter but he seemed to think he understood girls, what made them tick and what pissed them off. Of course this wasn’t true but still he must have some sort of connection with them or how could he keep pulling girls?

His good looks helped, which of course he was completely aware of and would never doubt anyone should they comment of it. His charm yes but those corny chat up lines he so frequently abused. It was a complete wonder that he managed to pull anyone other than some desperate little first year. The lads were always taking the piss out of him but yet he still managed it and normally it was him laughing at them. Of course he wasn’t, by any means perfect and had his fair few share of complete failures.

“I can see that,” he replied as she stated the obvious and James sat down on top of the tables top, feet rest on the bench where she sat. The first thing he noticed of course was her accent, American if he wasn’t mistaken. It was cute, he had to admit that and James Potter was a complete sucker for accents. The English one was boring to him but then why wouldn’t it be, he had lived in this country his whole life. As he looked back to the blonde of course the first thing he noticed was that she was a very attractive girl. He had seen her around, more than sure of it, after all he did have an eye for pretty girls. He hadn’t been with her though, right? Yes he wasn’t one hundred percent sure of this fact, which wasn’t a good thing, well in his eyes it was but he was sure it wouldn’t be to any others.

“Na I’m good,” he continued as he looked to the house elves that had now ran back to the boy with dozens of large silver trays full of his favourite food, mainly consisting of sandwiches. Smiling at the elves he grabbed a large goblet of butter beer from one and a plate of chicken and salad sandwiches. Licking his lips he looked down at his meal before taking a large bite from one, the nausea instantly fading and his stomach no longer unsatisfied. Swallowing placed the plate on his lap before holding out his hand to the girl, “James Potter,” he said, “And what might I call you?”

[Sara Cromwell]

She had remembered seeing him in class and around the common room, even coming out of a empty classroom with a girl once. She knew who he was and his reputation but that was it. She didn't bother talking to him before because she knew he would either be busy with Quidditch or he was involved with someone else. It wouldn't surprise her if he tried to make a move on her. He was a teenage guy.

She put her fork down after taking another bite and watched as the house elves gave him loads of food. She didn't know how he was with the house elves but hopfully they were on good terms. She was protective over people, especially house elves due to their smallness and obidence. She grabed a cloth napkin from her plate and wiped her mouth. She probally had loads of chocolate on her for she was tearing up that chocolate cake. She couldn't help it. She loved the taste of chocolate melting in her mouth. "Sara Cromwell." she responded. She crossed her tanned, smooth legs and placed her hands on her lap. "What are you down here for? It's way past cerfew." she said, her Prefect senses kicking in. She knew she was breaking cerfew too but that wasn't anything new to her. Atleast she wasn't running around setting up traps for the first years like she normally does.

[James Potter]

The house elves still scattered around the two, some running back to large cupboards to gather more food for the two and the others waiting their approval. “No seriously,” James exclaimed to the ones that were fetching more, “This is more than enough to feed me for a week, cheers it’s perfect, thanks guys.” He smiled down at the creatures as they bowed down to him muttering their thanks before they once more scurried away back to their chores. The boy shook his head, he was always more than slightly amused by the elves.

Of course he had grown up to respect them, taught to not look down upon them in anyway and that they, or at least some of them, enjoyed serving wizards every demand. Of course he had been told otherwise by his cousin. They should have rights, holidays and be paid but what was the point in fighting for their rights when they didn’t want any? He always laughed at her when she started on the subject, which of course always ended up with her being angry with James for the rest of the day. But to him they were just crazy thoughts.

The Gryffindor looked back to the girl and raised his eyebrows at her sudden change in manner and her authoritive voice. James couldn’t help it, he had to laugh out loud as he picked up his half eaten sandwich once more. “What the hell do you think I’m down here for,” he asked as he waved the sandwich in his hand at her, “I’m bloody hungry that’s why, spent way too long on the Quidditch pitch this evening and missed dinner. Is that okay with you Miss. Cromwell or are you going to be a good little prefect and take points away from Gryffindor?” He smirked slightly and shook his head as he once more bit into the sandwich.

[Sara Cromwell]

Sara raised her eyebrow as he spoke. How dare he talk to her like that. Not that she was a Prefect but she was a girl. She was way too stubborn to let him get away with that. Plus she wasn't stupid enough to take points away from her own house. Especially because of him. "Excuse me?" she said, standing up with her arms crossed over her chest. "Don't get snappy with me." her voice raising a little more as she spoke. She didn't tell too well with comments like that. Plus she didn't like people to tell her what to do. But that wasn't really the case.

"Yes I may be a Prefect but I'm not stupid enough to take points away from my own house. I'm not a total Prefect maniac." she said, her tone going down just a bit. She took a step closer, standing in front of him with her ears and cheeks red from getting mad. "Besides" she let out a sign "I'm way too hungry to take points away anyway." she said, looking down at the house elves then back up at him.

[James Potter]

James raised his eyebrows at the girl and couldn’t stop himself from laughing, nearly spitting out part of the sandwich he had just bitten into. “No need to get pissed with me,” he said through a mouthful before swallowing, “I‘m just pointing out the obvious, though you know you‘re kinda sexy when your angry, best make a mental note to piss you off more often.”

He winked at the girl before replacing the now demolished sandwich’s plate onto the table next to him and taking up the goblet of butterbeer. Needing something to wash down his food he downed the drink before putting it on top of the plate. A house elf was quick to remove his dirty cutlery and James nodded in thanks to him.

The Gryffindor looked back to the girl, his head tilted he was silent for a few seconds before he spoke again. “So Miss. Cromwell any particular reason your down here alone eating chocolate cake? Your boyfriend just dumped you?” he asked, “And if that is the case then I‘m more than happy to be your rebound from him if you like, help you to forget.” He smirked at Sara as he gave moved down her slender physique.

[Sara Cromwell]

Sara knew his type. Confident and sure of everything. Something Sara didn't take any mind too. She couldn't help but laugh as he talked about her eating cake and about dumping a boyfriend. It was so typical of him. She shook her head as she replied "No my boyfriend didn't dump me. If there was to be any dumping it would be me dumping him. I'm just down here for a late night snack." she said as she returned to her seat. A small laugh came from her pink lips. "I'm sure you would love that but I'm not as easy as your other 'fan girls'" she commented, raising her hands and motioned her fingers, making air quotes. She crossed her legs and put her hands on her lap. She wouldn't mind 'talking' to him more, getting to know him but she wasn't going to be so easy about it. She does have her standards.

[James Potter]

“damn Sara you‘ve broken my heart,” he replied sarcastically, “And here I was thinking I‘d have a chance to be your play thing while you got over your ex. And now your telling me you two are still together. If I were you I‘d hurry up and dump him pretty quickly cause I‘m afraid to say that James Potter doesn’t hang around being single for very long.” He shook his head and laughed slightly before moving down to sit on the bench next to the girl.

“Not easy, huh?” he replied as he placed his finger into her chocolate cake, scooping up a small amount before putting it into his mouth. “Mmm,” he muttered as he swallowed, “Good cake. So…” he placed his arm around her shoulders, “I like a challenge, easy girls do bore me so. So how long have you and dream boy been together?” It was wrong of James to try it on with a taken girl, he knew this and he wasn’t stupid but then this was James Potter, the notorious player of Hogwarts. And after all just a bit of mindless flirting would never hurt anyone. Just as long as he could keep it to just flirting that is.

[Sara Cromwell]

Sara shook her head once more, denying having a boyfriend. "I don't have a boyfriend. I was just stateing that if I did I woul dump him. Not me. In all my years no guy has dumped me. It was the other way around." she said. She wasn't the only person in Hogwarts that had alot of boyfriends. Yeah she loved guys but she wasn't easy. For her to date the guy she had to like him, rather than just one hook up. But most of her boyfriends had atleast been longer than a month. She wasn't sure about his dateing habbits but it seems that his didn't last long for they weren't serious, or atleast to him. Now if he was dating her then he would deffinetly be different.

"Not easy for what?" she said as she watched him take a small peice from her cake. She smacked his hand and moved her plate away from him. She was very protective over her food. Don't ask why. "My last boyfriend was during the summer if that satisfies your curiosity." she said, a slight Southern accent coming along. Her family wasn't from the South but it had seemed no matter where you live, if you visit the South for just a few weeks then it sticks. Notice it only appears every once in a while. She watched as he put his arm around her and her eyebrow rose slightly. Who does this guy think he is? she asked herself, but she kept quiet. She wanted to keep the little bit of company she had.

[James Potter]

James quickly pulled his hand away when she smacked it, his eyebrows raised but he did not remark on it and only rolled his eyes. “Women and their chocolate,” he thought as he watched the plate being moved from within reaching distance from him. “Wow your up with yourself,” he commented at her remark about her only ever ending it with her boyfriends, “I’d wanna go out with you just so that I can dump you for a change, see how you like it,” he laughed, “But no doubt I’d probably already be cheating on you with your best mate so if you did dump me first then it wouldn’t matter… okay lets not go there.” Laughing again he removed his arm from around the blondes shoulder and looked to the rest of the platters of food the house elves had left him.

“Mmm,” he muttered as he pondered on some chicken legs before looking back to her when she asked him a question. “Easy, easy,” he replied, “As in your not an easy bird to pull… you like playing hard to get and you know what Sara I like the odd challenge.” James winked at her before his attention went back to the chicken and removed a leg from the plate. “That’s all very interesting and all,” he said, “Bout your ex and everything but I’m more interested in what might happen with us. Why not live a little dangerously in your life? You never know you might be able to convert me from my womanising ways.”

[Sara Cromwell]

"I know it's not fun to be dumped but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do." she said. "You mean to tell me Mr. James Potter was dumped once before?" she asked, curiosity was killing her. She couldn't help but ask loads of questions. Thats how you learned. She turned her body to face him as their conversation kept on. If you called it a conversation. It was more of a battle of words, just in a calm way. It had seemed Sara was not the only stubborn person in this school. Her smile quickly faded as he talked about her best mate. "You mean Rusty? Oh no. He is like my brother. There is nothing going on there." she said, shaking her head slightly. She kept quiet until he was done 'flirting with her', if that was what you called it. Her smile slowly came back in silence when all of a sudden a burst of laughter shot from her mouth. She couldn't help it when he remarked about him 'converting from his womanising ways'. It would take a miracle to change him. But if there was to be one person for the job, she could do it. "I'm sorry. But you will never change." she remarked.

[James Potter]

James frowned slightly, this girl was in all honesty confusing him like hell. “I never said I was dumped, though yeah I have been dumped, may, may times,” he shrugged, “Means nothing you just move onto a new girl, that’s life and I like a bit of variety or you just get bored.” A yawn escaped his lips before he bit into the chicken leg, his stomach now more than satisfied as he swallowed the contents in his mouth.

“Rusty?” he asked, confused once more, “When did I ask about him?” James shook his head as he listened to the girl once more and laughed at her comment in saying that he’ll never change. “Maybe,” he replied, “Or maybe not… or maybe you might be the one to change it all.” He put on a pleading look upon his face and stuck out his bottom lip, “Teach me to love Sara,” he asked in a sad tone before laughing again, shaking his head and taking another bit from the chicken.

[Sara Cromwell]

A smirk came across her face as her innocent smile faded. She was wide awake now and it seemed he was falling tierd again. So to mess with him she thought she would 'play' with him. She wanted to tease him, like he teases all those other girls. Make him feel like them. She stood up and stood in front of him. She pulled his legs apart and stood in between them, face to face with him. She looked him dead in the eyes as she spoke. "You know. I've been kind of hard to get and I'm terribly sorry about that. I just don't like to look too easy." she said and she ran her finger down his thigh. Her voice had softend. "But you know, I'm starting to realize what a big and strong man you are. Please, show me why James Potter is the ladies man." she moved her finger up to his bare chest, running it down to the tip of his pajamas pants. She loved to tease him and wanted to see what he would say.