Later that night, Val did as requested rather reluctantly. Knowing the boys reputation, this was a prank of sorts and she was walking right into the trap. She would just hex them, of course. The only class she had issues with was Transfiguration so hexing them successfully would not be a problem.

"Hey," someone spoke up from right next to her and she jumped.

"Merlin!" she exclaimed, whacking the boy on the arm. He laughed at her and she scowled, "What the hell was that for Potter? You scared me."

"That was kind of the point," he informed her before gesturing for her to follow him. "Come with me."

"How do I know you aren't about to kill me?" she asked warily.

"You don't," he shrugged, "You just have to trust me." And for whatever reason, she did.

He paced back and forth in front of the empty wall and for a moment she thought he had lost it. Until a door appeared. He opened it and grabbed her hand, pulling her into a room where there were a bunch of seventh year students having a party.

"Oh, bloody hell," she muttered as he pulled her through the crowd. "A party?" she hissed and she was tempted to yank her hand away from the boy. "This was your plan to tell people?"

He looked back at her with a grin on his face, "Once people here see us together, the whole school will know in no time. Gossip spreads like wildfire around here."

"I don't like parties," she informed him. Her skin had already started to itch but he was holding one of her hands, leaving her to scratch only her upper left arm.

"I figured as much," he replied, still leading him through the group. "Hence why I didn't tell you where we were going."

"I want to leave," she requested and he stopped at this.

"Come on, Princess," he tried, catching both of her forearms in his hands and pulling her toward him. "Have some fun."

"You're lucky there are too many people here," she informed him, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "Otherwise, I'd kill you."

An amused expression made its way onto his face. His breath tickled her cheek as he whispered, "I don't doubt it." He pulled away from her, allowing her arms to drop and lacing his hand with hers again. "Just five minutes."

"Fine but don't call me Princess," she huffed and he began to lead her through the party again. "Where is it you are taking me, exactly?"

"To my friends," he answered simply and it was too late for her to protest. "Hey," he greeted, "This is Val."

Val smiled tightly at them and waved at them with her free hand. James gestured to his friends, "Sirius, Remus and Peter."

"Nice to meet you," Val told them uncomfortably as she scratched the inside of her forearm. James noticed this and released her hand.

He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her arms, nuzzling his face into her neck. She stopped itching and she was surprised to find that it eased the burning if only a little. She tilted her head so she could see him and he smiled at her. She rolled her eyes but smiled as well.

She looked back at where his friends stood to find them all staring at her. She cleared her throat, "Do they always do that?"

"Do what?" James asked in confusion.

"Stare," she replied. She tilted her head slightly as she looked between the three. Each was equally as surprised, if not more surprised than the next. Her eyes locked with Peter's and she tensed. James appeared to notice this and he looked down at her in confusion, rubbing her arms. She looked up again, "We have class in the morning. I should get back to the common room."

"Yeah, of course," he nodded and she could see the questioning look in his eyes. "I'll walk you back."

"You don't have to do that," she shook her head. She just wanted to get out as fast as she could.

"I insist," he replied, slinging his arm over her shoulder. He said a quick goodbye to his friends who were still watching Val as the two left. He leaned over slightly, whispering in her ear. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she nodded, ignoring the way his breath tickled her neck. "I just really don't like parties."

He opened the door to the exit and held it open for her. She nodded gratefully and the door shut behind them, silencing the noise from the party. "I won't make you go to one again," he told her as they made their way to the common room. "I didn't realize how uncomfortable they made you."

"I did tell you," she pointed out.

"I thought that was just you trying to get out of it."

"My life would be a lot easier if I liked parties, believe me," she replied. James said the password and they both entered, stopping at the bottom of the stairs that led to the girl's dorms. "I will see you tomorrow morning then."

"Tomorrow morning," he agreed, his hands stuffed into his pockets uncomfortably. "Night, Val."

"Night, Potter."

Val woke up the following morning to voices in her dorm. She had forgotten to put up the silencing spell but maybe it was for the best. She probably would have overslept otherwise.

"They aren't actually together, are they?" Lily asked and Val perked up at this. There was really only one 'they' she could have been referring to. News really did travel fast.

Val slipped on her robes and got ready as she listened into the conversation making as little noise as possible.

"Oh, please," Marlene waved off, "Potter's never had eyes for anyone but you. Whatever is going on between those two is hardly anything serious."

Val took this as her opportunity to exit her area. She moved the curtains and the two girls jumped at the appearance of the girl. Lily's eyes widened, "Val, hi."

Her eye twitched slightly at the tone the girl had used but she plastered on a smile, "Lily." She turned slightly and nodded, "Marlene."

Val cleared her throat uncomfortably. While they weren't friends, things had never been this awkward. "I have somewhere to be," she announced, itching to get out of there. She made her way to the door when Marlene spoke up.

"Hey, Val," she said and Val turned to look at her. "Have fun with Potter."

"Believe me," Val replied with a faint smirk, "I will."

Val could just see the scowl on Marlene's face as she shut the door. If she had thought the dynamic with the group had been uncomfortable before, it would definitely be far worse now.

She made her way to the Great Hall, ignoring the whispers around her. Correction: Trying to ignore the whispers around her.

"Did you hear about who James Potter is dating?"

"Don't tell me Evans finally gave in?"

"No, it's Valda Hufflepuff!"

"As in the Hufflepuff who's in Gryffindor?"

"Is there another one?"

Then there's her ultimate favorite.

"How much do you think she's paying him?"

"Does he even need money?"

"It probably doesn't hurt."

Or, even better.

"Do you think her parents are paying his parents to make this happen?"

It was safe to say the next few days were not going to be all that enjoyable for Val.

"So what is your rate exactly?" Val asked as soon as the boy sat next to her at the table. He was sitting so that his legs were on either side of the bench and he was facing her.

"My rate?" he asked in confusion.

"Yes," she nodded, marking the page she was on with a piece of paper from her pocket. "Is it hourly? Daily? Weekly? I'll have to scrape up my allowance but I'll make sure you have it all when it's due."

He raised a slightly amused eyebrow, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about how I'm paying you to date me, of course," she explained and realization flashed across his face. "As I was saying. You're rate better be worth it otherwise you are going to have to up your game significantly."

James's nose wrinkled slightly, "Do people really think you're paying me?"

She nodded as though it were obvious, "Why else would you be dating me?"

He shrugged, "Fair enough." She raised her hand and whacked him on the arm.

He rolled his eyes as he stood up. He stepped up onto the bench and then onto the table confusing Val as well as those around them. "What are you doing?" Val asked the boy.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?" James announced and Val wanted to pull him down but it was too late. The Hall essentially fell silent except for students here and there who couldn't be bothered to listen to the boy. "Thank you," he grinned. "It has come to my attention that some of you are under the impression that Val is paying me to play her boyfriend and I'm here to say that it's simply not true. If you would so kindly fuck off, that would be greatly appreciated."

"Potter!" McGonagall shouted at the boy and he bowed jokingly before hopping off the table and retaking his spot next to the girl.

Val looked up from where she had rested her face in her hands. "Really?" she asked as she tried to ignore the people watching from around her. "Was that necessary?"

He shrugged, "If I hadn't said anything, they would have kept talking. Wouldn't want you to get sent to Azkaban for killing someone. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I just let that happen?"

"An unpaid one," she replied as she opened her book.

"What are you reading?" he asked and she looked up at him for a moment.

"Pride and Prejudice."

"Sounds fascinating," he announced as he rested his chin in his palm.

"You don't even know what it's about," she reminded him.

"That's true but if I ask then you'll tell me," he explained. "I figure I'd save both of us the trouble and pretend it's the most interesting book in the world."

She rolled her eyes before resuming her book. She was halfway through the page when she stopped. "Would you stop that?"

"Stop what?" he asked innocently.

"Stop staring at me," she stated.

"I'm your boyfriend," he pointed out. "I'm not staring, I'm gazing romantically."

"It's creepy."

"What am I supposed to do?" he inquired.

"Not stare," she suggested and he rolled his eyes.

"Put the book away."

She scowled, "Why would I do that?"

"Because I'm bored."

"I'm sure you're perfectly capable of fixing that without my help."

"Any suggestions?"

"What do teenage boys normally do to distract themselves?" she asked passively as she flipped to the next page in her book. "Put up a silencing charm and go to town on yourself."

He leaned in, a mischievous grin on his face and his breath tickled her neck, "That would be much more fun if you assisted."

"We have been dating-" she began, putting emphasis on the word 'dating', "-for less than twenty four hours. Don't push your luck." She turned to look at him and their faces were about an inch apart. "Besides, I'm sure there's a playboy hidden under your mattress that's just begging for some one on one time with you."

"You are a cruel tease," he informed her as he leaned back in his seat. "And I will see you later."

"Have fun playing with yourself," she suggested.

"I'm not-" he began but cut himself short. He hopped off the bench. "I'll be in the library if you need me."

"In public?" she gasped dramatically. "Risqué."

He scowled before walking off, leaving the girl with an amused grin on her face.