James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 11:39:36 GMT -5
“James, saying ‘Evans date me’ is not exactly what I meant by saying ask her out.” Ripley replied slowly as if he were a child. “Try something nice, send a flower…only one. Or maybe write a really sucky poem and don’t get cocky."
James looked at her, a bit confused, thinking for a long moment. Suddenly, his face broke into a grin. "I got her a flower!" he declared, feeling at the height of chivalry. "I got her this daisy in the Greenhouse and then... I..." his face fell a bit. "I forgot about it and went with Sirius to Charms."
Giving a low, defeated sigh, James Potter tousled his already messy hair. "I'm hopeless.' he muttered.
“James to us girls, you men are like big ole dumb dogs, most o the time. Girls also hide their feelings, until it kinda eats away at ‘em and they slowly die inside, while their heart breaks again and it feels as if the world were just spinning out of control.” Brown eyes glanced up at him. “Not that I would know or anythin’.”
Tilting his head to one side a bit, James regarded her curiously. "This is one of those subtle hints Remus was telling me about, isn't it?" he inquired slowly. "I just don't know what it means." Daft as always, of course.
“Well, first we’d need to get to Hogsmead without Lily or Remus finding us, she’d kill me and he’d kill both of us. Probably me more then you.” She looked around the castle. “Not like he cares much, but ya know…”
Suddenly, an elated feeling flooded through James and, as they walked toward Hogsmeade, still looking a bit rumpled and groggy, he placed his arm casually around his friend's shoulders and grinned. "Oh, Ripley, Ripley, you know so little." he said with a mischevious glint in his eyes. He passed a look towards her that suggested in his head he was singing the rather childish "I know something you don't know!" song and prancing about. But of course, he wouldn't tell her. That was up to Moony.
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Post by Ripley Todd on Jul 26, 2007 15:02:54 GMT -5
"I got her a flower! I got her this daisy in the Greenhouse and then... I..." his face fell a bit. "I forgot about it and went with Sirius to Charms."
Ripley laughed. “Okay, that was good, but it woulda been better if you gave it to her.” She shook her head smiling slightly. “You’re a strange, sad little man, James Potter. Very Strange.” She ignored him muttering that he was hopeless, if anyone was it was her.
"This is one of those subtle hints Remus was telling me about, isn't it? I just don't know what it means."
“Kinda, sorta, not really. Look she does like you, she’d like you so much better if you weren’t cocky, stop picking on Snape so much—don’t stop entirely though ‘cause that’s how I get my entertainment. And just put your best foot forward. Romance her, love her, keep her close to you, tell her she’s the only one—“ Ripley’s dreamy look faded away. “Hopeless Romantic—sorry.”
"Oh, Ripley, Ripley, you know so little."
“You’d be surprised with some of the stuff I do know.” Ripley muttered. “Get your arm offa me,” She stated with a kidding grin. She honestly didn’t care about it—but then again Remus had never done that before. “Drinking sounds good.” Deep down though, Rip knew she wished Remus was with them. And deep down she knew that it could never happen, her Ripley Todd, highstrung little devil with Remus Lupin sweet, caring smart guy--she had no chance.
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James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 15:21:06 GMT -5
“Okay, that was good, but it woulda been better if you gave it to her.” She shook her head smiling slightly. “You’re a strange, sad little man, James Potter. Very Strange.”
Giving a small, sad sigh, James shook his head a bit. "You're tell me." he groused. "I've been off my rocker lately." It was true, as of late he'd been acting a bit off, being randomly melancholy and somewhat sad. It irked him. Was it all to do with Lily? Or maybe it was something else... Had to be.
“Kinda, sorta, not really. Look she does like you, she’d like you so much better if you weren’t cocky, stop picking on Snape so much—don’t stop entirely though ‘cause that’s how I get my entertainment. And just put your best foot forward. Romance her, love her, keep her close to you, tell her she’s the only one—“ Ripley’s dreamy look faded away. “Hopeless Romantic—sorry.”
James blinked at her, disbelieving that she was actually speaking those words to him. "She likes me?" Though she may very well have been kidding, James pushed the thought out of his mind and swept his arms around her, lifting her off her feet. "She likes me!" he crowed proudly, spinning Ripley around a few times before sitting her down and planting a big kiss on her cheek. "Oh, man, Rip you're the best!" he declared with a wide grin. He knew he sounded rather stupid, but he couldn't help it. 'She likes me... Oh, wait until I tell the guys!"
“You’d be surprised with some of the stuff I do know.” Ripley muttered. “Get your arm offa me, Drinking sounds good.”
With a grin that threatened to put the cheshire cat out of job, James shook his head and draped his arm abck around her as they continued their walk. "Nope, you're all mine for today and I'm feeling handsy." he teased with a smirk and a glint in his eyes.
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Post by Ripley Todd on Jul 26, 2007 17:19:00 GMT -5
"You're telling me." he groused. "I've been off my rocker lately."
“It’s because you’re in love, love makes people do stupid shit, not focus and act like—well, you’re a prime example.” Ripley teased smiling. “No worries kid, you’ve got more of a chance then I do.” She lifted a shoulder up. “Not that it bugs me or anythin’.”
"She likes me? She likes me!"
“Yes she likes—JESUS!” Ripley’s words were cut off as James picked her up and spun her around. “Do not ever—“ And then he kissed her cheek. Blushing a bright red, she looked at the ground even if her shoulders were shaking with laughter. “Do that again.” She whispered, feeling as if her dignity was gone.
"Oh, man, Rip you're the best!"
“Thanks,” The American muttered modestly. “All I did was tell you the truth, figured some one should.” “Someone should be happy, James and Lily deserve it more than I do.” She rubbed the back of her neck again as they walked, feeling James’s arm go back over her shoulders she sighed, tucking her hands into her jean pockets.
"Nope, you're all mine for today and I'm feeling handsy."
Ripley laughed and shook her head. ”You watch those hands mister, or there’s gonna be hell, and not from me.” From who? She didn’t know. Sure as hell not Remus, she doubted if he could ever get jealous over her, or like her in that way for another matter. She shook her head. Today she was going to have fun with James, no Remus. “Does he like me back or is it pointless?” She blurted out, and then clamped a hand over her mouth.
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James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 17:29:42 GMT -5
“It’s because you’re in love, love makes people do stupid shit, not focus and act like—well, you’re a prime example.” Ripley teased smiling. “No worries kid, you’ve got more of a chance then I do.” She lifted a shoulder up. “Not that it bugs me or anythin’.”
"Stupid shit..." James echoed, a faraway look in his eyes. He was quiet for a brief moment, before suddenly he snapped back with a goofy grin. "Sounds like me all the time." he quipped with amusement gleaming in his eyes.
“Yes she likes—JESUS!” Ripley’s words were cut off as James picked her up and spun her around. “Do not ever—“ And then he kissed her cheek. Blushing a bright red, she looked at the ground even if her shoulders were shaking with laughter. “Do that again.”
Watching her blush, James grinned cheekily. "Ooh, flustered?" he teased, but inwardly he frowned a bit. Hadn't other guys showed her subtle, friendly affection before? He made a mental note to bring it up later, when converstaion turned a bit more serious, as he knew it eventually would.
“Does he like me back or is it pointless?”
James's wide grin faded abruptly and he unconciously pulled her a bit closer, protectively. Ripley had grown on him, almost like his sister and he wasn't too sure of Remus's intentions yet. Giving a small sigh he tousled his hair with his free hand. "I really don't know, Rip." he said honestly. "He needs time."
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Post by Ripley Todd on Jul 26, 2007 17:41:20 GMT -5
Ripley only nodded; she didn’t feel like answering at the moment. She was thinking of the forest incident with Remus, she had told him everything she’d been holding inside, more so then after she had spied on him. If this got anymore confusing she would need to buy a new journal soon.
"Ooh, flustered?"
She grinned at him. “Yeah, James cause you make me all hot and bothered,” She rolled her eyes. She’d always hugged her guy friends, but normally it was a typical man hug. She had never been kissed, in a true kinda way and James just made her feel even worse when he did so.
James pulled her closer, as a protective brother would, and deep inside she felt a pang of sadness, if her brother had been with her would he have done the same? She put her head on his shoulder, tear pricking the back of her eyes, she closed her eyes tight, giving herself a pep talk in her mind.
"I really don't know, Rip." he said honestly. "He needs time."
“I told him I would give him all the time he needed,” Ripley whispered forlornly. “It’s not supposed to be a girl doing this James, a guy is supposed to give the girl time. All I want is to love and be loved in return is that so hard? I don’t want another Tyler who was my first boyfriend and lasted for a week and during that time cheats on me with a fuckin’ Slytherin.” That had nearly killed her inside, but now she was stronger—wasn’t she?
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James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 17:49:29 GMT -5
“Yeah, James cause you make me all hot and bothered,”
James gave her a cheeky grin, amusement sparking in his eyes. "No kidding, well, I seem to have that effect on people." he mused with a light chuckle as they continued their walk. He felt her rest her head on his shoulder and smiled lightly, glad that she felt comfortable enough around him to let her guard down. He'd watch out for her.
Outside of the Marauders, james really was surrounded by girls. But he soon realized that most of those girls were like sisters to him, he'd watch out and protect them always. 'I guess I really do love Lily.' he mused to himself. 'No other girl even really matters anymore. Not in a romantic way, of course.'
“It’s not supposed to be a girl doing this James, a guy is supposed to give the girl time. All I want is to love and be loved in return is that so hard? I don’t want another Tyler who was my first boyfriend and lasted for a week and during that time cheats on me with a fuckin’ Slytherin.”
James frowned deeply at this. He hated when any of his friends were sad, and all he wanted was for Ripley to be happy again, Hell, even if she was hitting him or cussing him out then at least she'd be herself. He didn't want her to be upset, ever. But that was life.
Comfortingly, he moved his thumb over her shoulder a bit, hoping to soothe her. "He'll come around." he enthused. "Moony's pretty shy and reserved, he's not used to all the attention being focused on him. And I hope you know after tyler did that, Sirius and I put spiders in his bed and froze all his underwear."
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Post by Ripley Todd on Jul 26, 2007 18:35:20 GMT -5
"No kidding, well, I seem to have that effect on people."
Ripley chuckled softly. ”Some do, some don’t. I’m the ones who has absolutely no effect on people.” She looked down at the ground, brown eyes watching the flagstone go by, her and James’s strides matched in pace. A wall of brown hair fell across her cheek. That meant one thing, her hair had been cut to short and it wouldn’t stay in the ponytail that well.
She wished she was back in the U.S. back with her ‘team’, those guys had meant the world to her, hockey made her whole and the camaraderie with them had built her into the girl she wanted to be. Now that she was away from them she only had Remus, James and Sirius as guy friends. "He'll come around." he enthused. "Moony's pretty shy and reserved, he's not used to all the attention being focused on him.”
“Like I told Remus, dreams are for rookies.” Ripley scowled at the ground. “I dreamt of dad being able to see a game that I would play in someday, with the guys beside me, he’s dead. I dreamt of mom being closer to me, I get ditched with an Aunt in Ireland, I dream of love—well, that’s working out perfectly.”
And I hope you know after Tyler did that, Sirius and I put spiders in his bed and froze all his underwear."
Rip lifted a corner of her mouth up in what could be considered a smile. “Defending my honor, James?” She asked softly. “Thanks.” She remembered he had been shouting about something to her, the last thing she remembered was punching him and ending up in detention. ”I don’t know what to do anymore, James. She confided softly. ”Let’s face it I’m shit outta luck.”
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James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 18:49:40 GMT -5
“Like I told Remus, dreams are for rookies.” Ripley scowled at the ground. “I dreamt of dad being able to see a game that I would play in someday, with the guys beside me, he’s dead. I dreamt of mom being closer to me, I get ditched with an Aunt in Ireland, I dream of love—well, that’s working out perfectly.”
James continued rubbing her shoulder and frowning as he stared at the cobblestone. "Karma, babe." he vowed with a small smile. "You'll get your big break."
”I don’t know what to do anymore, James. She confided softly. ”Let’s face it I’m shit outta luck.”
James frowned as he listened to Ripley, things really seemed to be sucking ass for her! Suddenly, he knew, he had to tell her. He had to tell her what strangely enough only Lily Evans knew and kept secret. He hadn't even gotten the chance to tell Sirius or Remus yet.
Letting out a deep sigh, he tightened his grip on ehr slightly and fought for composure. He had to do it, he had to let her know someone else was hurting too.
"Rip, my dad's dead." he said in a low, slightly hoarse voice. "He died two nights ago."
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Post by Ripley Todd on Jul 26, 2007 18:59:45 GMT -5
"Karma, babe." he vowed with a small smile. "You'll get your big break."
“Other than my heart?” Ripley retorted bitterly. She leaned into him. “Thanks James, you’ve put up with me for six years now I hate ta fall apart on you now.” She looked around at the castle. “This is home now I guess. For all of us.”
She wrapped her arm around his waist, resting it on his hips and on occasion giving a first year a glare as if they had asked if they were together. However The moment he tightened his grip on her, Rip slowed down, her chin lifted and she looked at him, brow furrowed in worry. “What James? Oh, God, you’re pregnant?” She tried to joke, but his look…it made her worry.
"Rip, my dad's dead." he said in a low, slightly hoarse voice. "He died two nights ago."
Her head felt as if it’d been thrust under water, she had heard those words before, but not from James, they had come from her own mouth. “Oh, shit, James.” She stopped walking and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, man I’m sorry.” She hugged him as tight as she could, letting him know silently that she was there for him, no matter what. She asked no questions he’d answer them if he chose to.
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James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 19:08:10 GMT -5
“Other than my heart?” Ripley retorted bitterly. She leaned into him. “Thanks James, you’ve put up with me for six years now I hate ta fall apart on you now.” She looked around at the castle. “This is home now I guess. For all of us.”
"Home..." James echoed, his hazel eyes searching around, a small smile tugging at his lips as he held his friend in one arm. Yeah, it was home, more home than anyone except those who stayed here would probably ever know. "Home, and family." he said with his smile a bit wider, hoping that even with his short, caveman-like words she'd catch on to what he meant.
“Oh, shit, James.” She stopped walking and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, man I’m sorry.”
Not caring who was watching (which, lucky for them, was no one) James reciprocated and clung to her like second skin, burying his nose in her hair. he took several long, deep breath to restrain himself from the tears that threatened. He hated crying. He was glad he had Ripley to hold at that second, because if he hadn't he knew he would've broken down even more than he already had. "I miss him, Rip." he said softly, trying to control the quake in his voice.
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Post by Ripley Todd on Jul 26, 2007 19:17:36 GMT -5
"Home...Home, and family."
Ripley nodded tears coming to her eyes. ”Yeah, family. The one true kind.” She smiled at him. ”Not matter what happens, we’ll always be there for each other, right James? Lily was like her sister and Sirius and James were like brothers. And Remus—she took him out of the equation for the moment, she didn’t need him clogging her mind.
"I miss him, Rip."
Ripley put her hand on the back of his head, holding the taller boy closely. ”I know James, She whispered softly. She knew the pain he was going through, hell it had just happened to her the year before. “I’m not going to tell you to look for the good even through the bad, all I’m going to say is, you gotta be strong, for your mom when you see her. She had done that, Jared hadn’t even shown his face and afterward her mom had left her to be strong by herself.
She tilted her face into his shoulder hugging him as tightly as before. Ripley forgot her problems to focus on James’s, his needs were more important then a love sick school girl’s, hands down, her friend needed her. To hell with everyone else, but James.
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James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 19:22:25 GMT -5
”Yeah, family. The one true kind.” She smiled at him. ”Not matter what happens, we’ll always be there for each other, right James?
Smiling fondly down at his friend, James nodded with a small smile touching his lips. "Always." he vowed, and ruffled her hair. It was true, he'd never abandon his friends, not ever.
”I know James, She whispered softly. She knew the pain he was going through, hell it had just happened to her the year before. “I’m not going to tell you to look for the good even through the bad, all I’m going to say is, you gotta be strong, for your mom when you see her
James nodded against her, his eyes still closed, he was grateful for teh support that was Ripley. He needed her right now, she was like his sister. He gave another deep, shuddering sigh, before finally trusting himself enough to speak again. "I'm sorry." he croacked. "Stealing your limelight." he quipped, trying to be funny, but it wasn't working. Humor didn't amke him miss his dad any less.
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Post by Ripley Todd on Jul 26, 2007 19:33:58 GMT -5
"Always.".
Ripley grinned at him, and even allowed him to ruffle her hair with no complaint. ”Good to hear. She answered cocking her head to one side. Always is a long time, James, sure you won’t get sick of me? She was teasing him, trying to make both them feel better and not think about Lily or Remus. None of that would help them at that point.
"I'm sorry. Stealing your limelight."
She chuckled softly. “Limelight’s all yours James.” She whispered. “Forget about me, I’ll live, you on the other hand.” Rip wasn’t about to say she was worried about him doing anything. “Just hang in there with me, okay?” If James did what she had done when her dad died, shutting everyone out and letting herself drift away to that place where no one could reach her, she didn't know what she would do. She needed James as a friend, as her brother. And the others needed the prankster James, the guy who would go to detention with her and Sirius, be scolded by Remus and yelled at by Lily.
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James Potter
Gryffindor
Sixth Year Quidditch Team Seeker Prefect Stag Animagi
what a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
Posts: 132
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Post by James Potter on Jul 26, 2007 20:26:56 GMT -5
”Good to hear. She answered cocking her head to one side. Always is a long time, James, sure you won’t get sick of me?"
James allowed a smile to pass over his lips. "Me? Sick of you?" he sounded incredulous, but it was true. "Never. The other way around, probably."
“Limelight’s all yours James.” She whispered. “Forget about me, I’ll live, you on the other hand.” Rip wasn’t about to say she was worried about him doing anything. “Just hang in there with me, okay?”
James sighed agian, breathing in the warm, comforting scent of her hair. It made him feel safe, and that was nice. "I won't do anything stupid, Ripley." he promised, using her full name. When James used people's full names, usually that meant he was being quite serious. "Just... hold onto me... for a little bit longer?" he asked hopefully, he really did need support right now.
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