BONUS : CHAPTER ONE
Longing Stares
September 15th, 1977

          "Nice work, James," Frank Longbottom's hand clasped on his shoulder, a way to congratulate him on the one hour practice they just had. "You coming, mate?" He queried, noticing James wasn't moving an inch and instead looked around the pitch as though something was coming their way.

James shook his head, eyes fixated on the small path that came from the castle and replied, "No, go ahead. I'll just stay here for a bit."

"Right, sure. See you later," he muttered, walking back to the locker room.

With his broom in hand, James walked back to the stands and sat down. There was another reason than Quidditch for James to stay here a little longer. That reason being Sirius' cousin, Daphne Rosier. A Slytherin brunette, captain of the Quidditch team and most intelligent witch in their year...after Lily Evans, of course.

James should be happy, in fact, he was happy because for once in actual years, another woman was taking up the free space in his mind. My, my, my! Another girl and Slytherin. If Sirius knew, he would have probably tried to kill James. First, because she was part of his wicked family; second, because she was Slytherin and they were usually bad people but James could see it. Daphne Rosier wasn't bad.

Finally, voices echoed towards the path and he moved his head a little so he could perceive who was coming. His lips curled upwards as he spotted the Slytherin team, and Daphne Rosier glued to Regulus Black with a wide smile on her face.

"Everyone, listen up!" She shouted and James shivered at how soft yet firm her voice sounded. That probably made her a good captain. "Barty, I'm going to need you to level up because I am not losing against bloody Hufflepuffs this week. Am I clear?"

"Yes, captain."

"Good. Reg, I want you to be yourself and just crush them, alright?" Her cousin nodded curtly and she focused her attention back to Rebecca Goyle. "Becca..." Her voice faded away as he squinted his eyes, trying to see her better.

Her hair was tied up in a loose ponytail, she wore her Quidditch robe with Rosier behind it. If he was honest with himself, she was an amazing player, better than him sometimes. Before he even had the time to react, the whole team was up in the air and none of them noticed him.

To his surprise, Daphne met his eyes at some point during the practice. It felt more like a longing stare, none of them able to tear their eyes away from one another. Had she noticed him the way he had noticed her? Her eyes said a lot.

"Alright there, Potter?" Her tone was far from mocking, instead it was compassionate. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed and her lips formed a thin line. "You've been sitting here for..." she stopped to check the watch on her wrist and added. "An hour and a half."

He chuckled, ran a hand through his greasy and messy hair and answered, "I was just watching," he confessed, despite his best attempt at keeping it a secret. But, he wanted her to know. "You're a good captain," he then commented, feeling the bench shifting next to him and noted that she was sitting right next to him.

"Thank you. It means a lot," she replied and he wondered if she heard that a lot, but from her tone, it seemed unlikely. "So...you were just watching us?"

"You," he corrected instinctively. He felt his cheeks reddened at the lack of flirt he had. He never had to think things through with Lily, he never thought a lot when it came to Lily. Perhaps it was a bad thing since it had gotten him a lot of bruises due to hexes. "I'm sorry," he mumbled shyly.

Instead of storming off or acting mean like James thought any Slytherins would have done, she laughed.

"Aye, it's quite alright, Potter."

"I'm too straightforward."

She waved him with a careless hand, "I'm indeed good at Quidditch, I can't blame you for actually admitting it. It's really brave of you," she teased.

He snorted with a shrug and said, "I'm a Gryffindor," he reminded her cheekily.

"Oh, trust me. I know," she said with a soft smile. God, had he been missing this his whole life? That, right here. Her. "How was your practice, then? Bad? Good?"

"Bloody brilliant," he breathed out. "Yours seemed as good as mine."

"My team isn't that bad," she replied with a small shrug. "And, I'm not losing against Hufflepuff this week."

"If we're lucky enough, we will be playing against each other at the Cup," he said softly and she arched an eyebrow. "What?"

"Eager to play against me, eh?"

"Maybe," he chuckled.

"Right," she grunted, rising on her feet and glancing towards him. "I have to go. Charms class is starting soon but maybe I'll see you around?"

"Yeah."

With one last smile, Daphne walked back to the locker room leaving him alone. He didn't miss how her head turned a few times just to stare at him, and he didn't stop himself from staring back. He reached for his chest, massaging it as he tried to stop his heart from almost jumping out of his ribcage. Had he ever felt this way with Lily? Godric, he had never paid attention.

Once he was fully showered, he walked back to the common room hoping to catch some sleep before his first class of the day. But, he couldn't help it, his mind drifted back to Daphne and he could feel his neck getting hot, his jaw clenching and the way his knuckles tightened around the broom. Merlin, he craved her. Not only physically but mentally too, he wanted to know every single thought that invaded her mind and if some were about him. He wanted to know her opinions on random subjects. He wanted to know all of it.

Was it bad of him to want someone so different from him? So dangerous? But again, was she dangerous? Her last name surely meant nothing, her family meant nothing just like Sirius' family meant anything.

"Hello, you. Nice of you to actually come back," Sirius snorted as he watched him enter the dorm.

"Got lost in the locker room, Prongs?" Remus teased, looking up from his book. Before James could answer, Sirius threw himself on Remus' bed and settled himself between his legs. "Merlin, Sirius!"

"What?" He looked up innocently. "Am I not allowed to cuddle with my boyfriend, mmh?"

"Alright, enough," James chirped in with a laugh. "I stayed to watch another team's practice."

"Which team?" Peter queried, walking out of the bedroom. "Morning, Prongs."

"Morning, Wormtail," He smiled warmly, then cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. "And Slytherin."

"Ugh, not my idiotic brother and cousin."

"Well, if Frank ever lets you play again and not sit on the side, you'll have to know that they're bloody strong!" He argued. "It's all about tactics, Pads. Not just some creeping way to watch your brother."

Ah, that was bad of him to lie because he had exactly stayed to watch, not his brother, but his cousin. Maybe it was less bad, in a way?

"They're good."

That was all he said before returning back to his own thoughts where Daphne reigned, for quite a time now and he had finally managed to talk to her. And it was pleasant. More than pleasant. James couldn't help but wonder when he would have the opportunity to talk to her again.

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authors note, okay there are 2 other bonuses, they're all kind of short but it was made for steve at first so he could see how they met. now that im done with the book, he convinced me to post them so all of you can see.

so, enjoy and the other chapters will be out soon! and please, do leave comments and tell me if you enjoyed it 🥹

love you!!!!