Chapter 404 - James likes Lily (2/2)

”I won't help either of you,” Rowan truthfully replied.

James looks slightly cheered at her answer as he says, ”I guess that's fair.”

”Yes, well, but matter's of the heart are often far more complicated than they seem,” Rowan muttered as she took a sip of her hot cider. ”But will you promise me just one thing, James?”

”What? That Severus and I will stay friends no matter what happens?” James ruefully said.

”No, that if you confess to Lily first will you ask her to wait before receiving an answer,” Rowan solemnly said. ”I'd at least like to give the Severus the chance to confess his feeling to her. But the same rule would apply to you, I'd make sure to let you know if Severus confessed his feelings to Lily first.”

”I know it sounds silly,” Rowan paused as she touched the rim of her drink. ”But I think she'd be lucky to have either of you. And Severus is my brother, and you're my friend.”

James widely grins and says, ”Heh, it's nice to hear you admit that out loud, Rowan.”

”Oh, sod off,” Rowan grumbled as she rolled her eyes at him.

James chuckles and says, ”Anywho, you never did tell me. How'd you hook up with Boone?”

”Ah, that,” Rowan drily said. ”Let's just say one of us was in emotional distress and the other helped them out. And after that everyone spiraled out of control.”

”Huh, so was he your knight in shining armor? Get it?” James joked with twinkling eyes.

”Hahaha, very funny,” Rowan muttered as she gulped down her drink.

”Well, he's a nice guy, I can't think of anyone better for you,” James happily said.

”Really, you don't think Sirius and I should make a run at it?” Rowan said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

James chokes and through watery eyes says, ”Are they insane?! You'd kill him before the week was out! No offense, Sirius is my and Severus's best friend. But you're on better terms with Lupin and Terry. In fact, if you were going to marry a Black, it'd be Regulus!”

”True, but alas the cutie is already taken,” Rowan regretfully mused out loud.

”I know, that's why I said it was utterly crazy,” James sniffed with a violent shudder. ”Or like the people who said that you and I would make a good couple.”

This time Rowan is the one who chokes at James's smug expression. Breathing harshly, she says, ”Why? No offense, Prongs, but you have the attention span of a goldfish. It'd be like dating a child.”

”None taken,” James said with a brisk nod. ”I know that despite our being friends, we truly don't see each other that way.”

”I thought the train incident that we never speak of proved that point.”

”Yes, well, there's no telling people, otherwise. The more we deny it, the more they'll think it's true. Thankfully the rumors have mostly gone away with your dating Boone and everything.”

”Well, I'm glad that my dating has at least alleviated some of the harsher rumors.”

James and Rowan chat until their drinks are done, before walking around Hogsmeade for a bit. The mostly explored the shops with James buying something in every shop. The poor boy had a terrible shopping addiction. Thankfully, the Potter family was loaded.