CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
( BAD IDEAS.. )

Ever since Ella had got her grades, she had been staring at them. It wasn't entirely healthy and her friends had managed to distract her from most of it but as she sat in the Common Room on her lunch break, she couldn't help but feel inadequate. Her potions grade had improved but not nearly as much. Not nearly as good as she expected. Most of her grades were worse than she expected them to be but she couldn't get Potions out of her head. She had done so much with Potions to try and help her. But nothing worked.

So, she decided as she sat in the common room that she was going to try and make some of the basic potions in her own time. She didn't want to ask Slughorn to use the potions classrooms or for ingredients since he was well... Slughorn. He only liked a few students and Ella was not one of those students. That meant going to the Forbidden Forest and then mixing in the bathroom of her dorm was her next best option. She could also have spoken to her father about getting some herbs but as far as she could tell, he had yet to apologise to her mother. So, their conversations would be limited to the classroom as far as she was aware.

Once she had got to her dorm and switched to new clothes, Ella emptied her satchel and casted a protective charm that would mean that it wouldn't be damaged by the various plants that were put inside it. She didn't want any issues since the satchel was her only one. Getting it dirty with soil was bad enough as it is.

Ella then headed out of the Common Room, taking the steps down and heading towards the entrance towards the Forbidden Forest. However, as she walked, she passed right by her father's office. She slowed as she came up to the door, curious as to what he was doing and she found that he was standing and watching. The pair made awkward eye contact before Ella averted her gaze and tried to rush away but a hand grabbed her arm,

The brunette whipped around to look up at her father. His brown hair styled messily that day in an attempt to cover his exhausted look but it was only emphasised it more. The dark circles under his eyes and the bloodshot look clearly gave it all away.

"How are you, Ella?" He asked quickly as she pulled her arm from his grip. She shrugged and stepped back from him, moving to turn away, "Have you spoken to your mother?" He added after a moment. Desperate to just have a conversation with his daughter. His words almost pleading. Ella turned to face him again, her head slightly tilted.

"Have you spoken to her?" Ella asked as she let her hand rest against her satchel. Her fingers fiddling with the buckle as she waited to see his response. She already knew what it would be but she wanted to see how much he would lie first. Her father had abandoned her so she had no doubt he would lie about this.

"No. I haven't had the chance with work. I just wanted to talk to you. You're my daughter after all and I just want to be able to connect," He said quickly getting his words out. He was almost frantic, looking around the corridor before he sighed. His arms relaxing as he spotted somebody. Ella didn't even bother to look and instead stepped back.

"I'm busy, Professor. We can talk like father and daughter once you've apologised to my mum," Ella said before she adjusted her satchel and turned away. He didn't seem to argue with that which Ella appreciated. So, she just adjusted the strap over her shoulder and headed out of the castle. Her gaze flicking back as she heard voices. Her father was now speaking to her ancient runes teacher. Their hands intertwined. It made Ella briefly pause before she walked down the steps and headed down towards the forest. She could see a class happening so made sure to avoid that as she skirted around the edge of the forest. She searched for her exam slip and found it in her pocket, looking down at it.

There was a part of her that wondered if her grades were tampered with and as she looked it over, she spotted something. Her Ancient Runes grade. It was lower than it had ever been. She was bordering of a Poor, it seemed and that was unusual for Ella who had always exceeded in that subject. However, she put it to the back of her mind. She needed to focus on Potions.

Quickly finding herself in the presence of Hagrid, the games and grounds keeper. He towered over her and Ella was very close to running into him before she stepped back a little. Her smile widened a little as she saw him.

"Hi Hagrid," She said. Ella had become relatively familiar with the grounds keeper for the past few years. Between the Marauders and Kalia turning into animagi, she had often found herself clearing up any messes before anyone could see. Most of the staff knew of the Marauders statuses but it still made Ella cautious. Wanting to help the most she could.

"Hello Ella," He said as he looked down at her. Some logs piled under his arm, presumably for the fire in his house, "What are yeh doin' out here? He asked. Ella reached into her satchel and brought out the list of herbs she wanted to find.

"I was lookin' for these? Do you know where they grow?" Ella asked. Hagrid took over the list. His large hand practically engulfing it. He smiled, nodded and then passed it back to her. He quickly gave her a few directions and she smiled, thanking him sincerely before she strolled off.

She followed the outskirts of the forest as Hagrid had suggested and quickly found the patch she was looking for. Kneeling down she began to pick through the herbs and plants, getting what she needed. The process was slow and as she was doing so, she noticed something in the corner of her eye. There seemed to be someone watching her and she looked up to spot a stag staring at her.

As she moved, it moved with her and she tried her best to brush it off. Continuing to pick the plants and putting everything in her bag. But as the stag watched, Ella became frustrated. She stood up and crossed her arms over her chest. There was no way this wasn't James.

"Starin' at me isn't gonna do you any good," She called to the stag that only seemed to turn it's head in confusion. Ella stared back at it and it was paralysed in fear, it seemed, "James, I'm serious. Stop staring at me, just come here. I wanted to talk to you anyway," She called. There didn't seem to be any movement and she quickly found herself becoming frustrated. Shouting at who she believed was James to finally come to her.

But, James never appeared to be the stag. Instead, she felt two arms around her waist that picked her up and twirled her around. She squealed at the movement and when she landed - slightly dizzy - she turned to see that it was really James. A grin on his laps as he looked down at her, his hand moving to push some hair out of her face.

"Do you shout at woodland creatures often or is that just a today thing?" He asked, the grin spreading wider. Ella scoffed and shoved his chest. She picked up her parchment from the floor and buried it in her pocket. He glanced down at her bag that was bulging before he turned his gaze back up to her face.

"I'm goin' to do some practical practice for Potions. I needed ingredients," She shrugged. He nodded a little and then gestured up towards the gesture as a way to urge her to go that way. Ella smiled and walked by his side as the two of them began to walk up, "Why were ya down 'ere anyway?" She asked curiously. Her hands swinging by her sides as they began to climb the stairs up to the castle.

"We were having a practical lesson in Care of Magical Creatures," He explained gesturing vaguely towards the small part of the woods reserved for those lessons. Ella nodded and they continued to work. Ella looking around, trying to find something to talk about. Something about him being around her was making her stomach squirm and it was most likely because he had kissed her not a few days earlier. She had no idea if he even remembered.

"We should really talk... about the other night," Ella muttered after a moment. James looked down at her and his face showed his hesitation clearly. Her hands buried in her cloak as she continued to walk up the stairs. James let out a hum of agreement, his hand moving to rub the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry about just about everything. Remus told me about how weird I was acting. I didn't mean to do anything inappropriate and I know I shouldn't have got drunk on my duty. It was... really dumb. I should really lose my badge for it..." James said after a moment. Ella being completely taken aback by it. He didn't remember... he didn't know that they had. Ella couldn't help but feel deflated by his words. Him and Sirius were pretty drunk, she couldn't say she was entirely surprised.

"It's not me you have to apologise to, mate. Lily's the 'ead Girl. You're still after 'er heart, right?" Ella asked so easy to pull up the facade of happiness and amusement at his ramblings. James rolled his eyes and nudged her, her grin only widening. Though a part of that was real, just being around him made her smile these days.

"She seems rather more interested in Layla and if her snogging you was anything to go off..." James shrugged in response. The pair making it to the top of the stairs, Ella slightly out of breath. No matter how many years she bounded up and down those steps, it was never really much easier. Still knackering and left her skin flushed and red.

"You never know, Jamie. She might suddenly gain an interest," Ella responded as he began to walk away. He turned to face her, a cocky smirk on his face as he walked backwards. Ella tilted her head, cocking an eyebrow at his smirk. She already knew what he was about to suggest and she was going to kill him.

"Race you to the Common Room," He challenged as he continued to step back. Ella reluctantly following behind.

"You know I hate this." Ella pouted. James stopped a few feet in front of her and moved his hand to her chin. He gently tilted it up and looked into her eyes. His smirk only widening as they met gaze. She could see the determination in his eyes and she sighed, "Fine, just let me take my cloak off," She said as she pulled her satchel off, holding it out to him. She then took it off, folding it neatly and shoving it into her satchel with the ingredients.

"Ready?" James asked as Ella pulled the satchel over her head. She pushed the sleeves of her jumper up and looked up at him. She nodded and the bolted. James following close behind. Once they had got inside the castle they had split off. Ella knowing a shortcut to the common room that James had yet to discover or just didn't care to go that way.

Ella ran around the edge of the courtyard, knocking into a few students as she went before she reached the spiral staircase on the opposite side. She bounded up the stairs, panting heavily as she reached the third floor. She then sprinted down the quiet corridors and come out on the grandstaircase.

Her body coming to a halt as she waited for a staircase to move. Once she had jumped onto it, she bounded up to the desire landing. Her gaze flicking to below her for a moment where she saw James below waiting for a staircase. Ella grinned, shouting his name down at him before she went bounding up a few set of stairs. Ella then shouted the password at the portrait which opened but not before Ella was pulled away.

Sirius had his arms wrapped around her and Ella squealed, shouting at the boy to let her go but he didn't. Shouting down at James who was quickly running up the stairs. Ella was not willing to lose so was quick to jab her elbow into his stomach. Managing to - just about - break free from his hold. Throwing herself through the portrait and stumbling into the common room. Pants leaving her lips as she cheered for herself.

"One job, Padfoot!" James said as he stepped over the threshold. His arms wrapping around Ella as he panted himself. He lifted her up and tried to drag her out of the Common Room again but she was quickly whacking him.

"I... won! You... are not... taking this from... me!" Ella managed between her deep breaths. The boy eventually letting go as Ella stumbled back to her feet. A soft chuckle leaving her lips before she threw her hands up in victory turning to face him.

"Well done," James grinned, barely breaking a sweat now. His breathing back to normal as he watched Ella clutch her side. It was clearly a struggle to recover though the adrenaline was still pumping through her veins.

"First time, Ella. Congrats. He can't boast about it now," Sirius smirked as he appeared from outside. Ella rolled her eyes and gently shoved him, giving him a playful glare.

"You're a sabotager," Ella pouted. Sirius shrugged and glance at James who was just looking at Ella. His gaze focused on her, admiring her. Just taking her in. Ella didn't even seem to notice and was instead turning and heading to place her satchel down. The brunette collapsing against the couch. Her face red and her chest rising and falling heavily.

As she lay there, she let her eyes close. Her arm resting over her eyes and that's where Sirius took his opportunity to sit on her. He placed himself right on her stomach winding the brunette who quickly whacked him telling him to get off. When Sirius refused to move, Ella turned to James giving him a pout. Practically begging without saying a word.

"Don't fall for it, Prongs. She took your victory from you," Sirius said noticing the two. His hands moving to cover Ella's face but it didn't do much. James had already approached and proceeded to wrap his arms around Sirius' waist. He pulled the boy off her and instead threw Sirius over his shoulder. Sirius being equally winded and far too heavy for James. The pair proceeding to then stumble and fall backwards. Sirius' head narrowly avoiding the fireplace as Ella burst into laughter.

She rolled over onto her stomach chuckling as she tried to push herself to stand up. She stumbled off the couch and crawled over to the fallen boys. Who were both in equal hysterics at each other and the whole situation. When Ella saw neither were seriously injured, she just sat up laughing. Her hand over her face as she shook her head.

"What the hell happened to you three?" Lily asked as she appeared through the portrait hole. A book in her hand and a serious expression on her face. Then she noticed the cut on Sirius' forehead and she dumped her back, walking over, "What for Merlin's sake have you two been doing," Lily said as she pushed Ella to one side. The brunette falling onto James and unable to stop herself from laughing to even explain.

"I'm fine.. I'm fine!" Sirius said as she checked over the wound. Ella eventually managed to calm herself down, snorting and chuckling whenever she looked at James and Sirius who were still trying to get over their own chuckles.

"You're a fuckin' idiot, Jamie," Ella said, whacking his chest before she chuckled again. Shaking her head before Lily cocked an eyebrow, still confused, "I'll tell you later. Let me get these two idiots sorted and then you can help me in the dorm?" Ella said. Lily gave her a skeptical look before giving in. She was going to get the information either way. So, stood up and dissappeared up.

***

The trio eventually got themselves together and Ella grabbed her satchel from the side. Her cloak and exam slip slipping out. James quick to be the gentleman and pick it up. But when he saw her exam slip, he frowned. She had yet to show him her grades and they were not what he had expected from Ella of all people. Especially with the work that she had put in.

"Are you sure these are yours Ella?" James asked as he passed the two items back. Ella nodded and stuffed the paper back into her back. The cloak staying rested over her arm as she looked up at him. Pushing a smile across her face.

"Yea, they're not terrible," She shrugged. James nodded and glanced over at Sirius who had now took his seat again. He was looking for a healing charm it seemed, most likely to heal the cut he had recieved when they fell over.

"But what about those Potions practice papers we did? Out of the two we did, you got an O in both of them," He responded. Ella nodded and then shrugged. She didn't know how to explain her grades and at this point found herself accepting them. She wasn't as good as she thought she was and that was perfectly fine. She shouldn't have expected anything different. She couldn't just act like she would be amazing forever.

"I guess I was overly stressin' myself and froze up. I dunno, James," Ella muttered. He sighed and walked over to her, pulling her into a hug. He had no idea this had even happened and he couldn't help but feel guilty. With everything going on in her life, he just wanted to protect her but he had no idea how to voice just about anything.

"The ancient runes grade makes no sense. Maybe they've been tampered with," James suggested as he let his face rest against the top of her head. Ella shrugged, her arms moving to wrap around his torso. Her head burying in his chest as she just took in his scent, "Well, we can do more studying before the proper exams for all of it. I'll help if you want," He said as he ran his fingers through her hair. His touch soothed Ella to no end and she felt herself melting against him. Desperate to just feel his warmth. If she could stay there forever, she definitely would but the clearing throat of Sirius made her pull away. Giving a small nod in response to James who smiled back.

"I've gotta go to Lily. She 'as questions," Ella said, gesturing towards the staircase. James smiled and gave her subtle nod. Ella walking off, taking off up the stairs. The voices of Sirius and James dying out as she reached her dorm. She pushed it open and found Lily lying across Layla's bed. A smile on her face as the two giggled about something.

"There she is," Lily said as she noticed the door open. Ella smiled and dumped her satchel on her trunk before she moved to the empty space on Layla's bed. Her body collapsing against the mattress. Layla cocked an eyebrow as she turned to face her.

"What's up with you?" Layla asked. Ella blew a piece of hair out of her face and let her hands rest on her stomach. There wasn't anything particularly wrong. Well, if anything she felt better. What James had said made her wonder if he was right. Maybe they had been tampered with. It would make sense but she doubted that would have happened. They were at Hogwarts after all.

"Just tired. James raced me up to the Common Room," Ella said, waving it off. Layla rolled her eyes and poked Ella's cheek, the brunette letting out a puff of air. Lily was now sat up, one of her arms keeping her upright as she looked at Ella.

"And what happened to Sirius?" Lily asked, her tone was almost accusatory but it was obviously was merely concerned. Which was very much understandable. He had been bleeding after all but it was never as serious as Lily expected.

"He just fell over. I was lyin' on the couch and 'e decided to sit on me. James tried pullin' him off and throw Sirius over 'is shoulder but they both ended up fallin'. Bloody pillocks," Ella responded, a smile on her face. Layla couldn't help but smirk, glancing back at Lily. Ella not even noticing the interaction as she stared up at the canopy of the four-poster bed.

"You're supposed to be setting a good example. Not running around like headless chickens," Lily argued. Ella shrugged and managed to gather the strength to push herself off the bed. She then grabbed the satchel and put it over her shoulder. Her hands moving under her bed to grab her cauldron from underneath. She then carried it into the bathroom.

"What in the blazes are you doing?" Layla asked as she rolled over onto her stomach. Watching Ella place it down on the tiled floor. She then proceeded to gather the supplies needed to create the small fire and once it was ready. She knelt up next to it.

"Makin' potions. I've not set it up for nothin'," Ella responded as she looked up at her friend. Acting like it was the most obvious this in the world. Layla sighed and then crawled off the bed, walking into the bathroom and sitting on the edge of the bathtub.

"And why are you making potions?" Layla asked curiously. Ella then decided to take out her grades and show them to the pair. Lily frowning and Layla equally as surprised though she had seen them before. It was only a glimpse but still had seen them.

"I thought James helped you study for Potions," Lily said as she moved to sit down next to the cauldron that Ella was proceeding to fill up.

"He was but clearly it wasn't enough," Ella muttered as she finished with the water. She then grabbed her wand and muttered 'Incendio'. The unmeltable flammable stone quickly caught fire and began to heat the cauldron. The flame was bright but their eyes soon adjusted. They weren't really supposed to use the stone to heat the cauldron but Ella had no other option in that moment.

"How much time did you actually study?" Layla asked curiously as she watched the cauldron. The trio all waiting until it began to boil. Only then could Ella start to make any potion at all but she was only trying to assess what to make. And after a few moments, she grabbed the ingredients from the bedroom, avoiding the question completely.

"I bet James spent most of it on top of her," Lily said overly loudly. Layla smirked and Ella just shook her head as she sat down. Using the pestel and mortar to crush up some of her ingredients. The pair were watching Ella waiting for her to finally tell them what really happened.

"Honest to Merlin, the pair of you are so nosy," Ella muttered as she began to dump the ingredients into the cauldron. Lily quick to correct was she was doing, instructing her to do it slowly. The redhead asking - jokingly - how Ella was even able to get into NEWT level potions. There were only two small classes at NEWT level. James' class and Ella's. Lily was in neither of those classes. She couldn't say she wasn't jealous.

"Just tell us, Lily can tutor your technique later," Layla muttered becoming impatient. Her curiosity had peaked and she wanted to know what had even happened. Because clearly Ella had been distracted. Her grades were far from what they normally were. Half of them she nearly failed and that was completely unlike the brunette in every case.

"We just studied. 'E got me to do practice papers. They're in my bedside drawer if you don't believe me. Yes we had 'fun' but 'e taught me a lot about potions before that. 'e's the only reason I didn't 'ave a mental breakdown that week. 'Appy?" Ella asked as she looked to Layla. The fringed girl's smile dropping to neutrality at Ella's snappy behaviour. Layla nodded and Ella continued with her potion. Lily trying her best to help her along. It was really things she should have already known but Lily tried not to judge, just helping as she always did.

"Right there, let's leave it to brew," Ella said as she got up from her knelt position. She then crossed into the dorm room and collapsed back onto the bed. Her arms star-fished out as she let out a huff of breath. Her face was flushed from the heat and she wanted nothing more than to curl up and sleep. But not yet, she was still going to be asked a million questions.

"I don't think your grades are right. You always get Os in History of Magic and Ancient Runes," Layla said as she moved to her own bed. Lily leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom, just watching. Waiting to see what Ella would say. No doubt it would be rebuttal.

"That's all OWL level. This is way harder. I don't know how I even got the O that got me into this advanced potions class," Ella muttered as she sat up, leaning against the wall. Lily sighed and walked over to Ella's bedside table. Clearly looking for the papers she did with James which she found relatively easily. Simply opening a draw and there they were.

Ella watched as Lily flicked through them, noticing a few errors that James had corrected in his scraggly handwriting and various notes about the technique in which she said things. James seemed to have it covered and when Lily checked the grades, her eyebrows furrowed.

"They had to be tampered with. There's no way you got two Os on these and then got an A in the actual thing. There's just no chance and you know that," Lily said as she looked back down at Ella. Ella shrugged in response. Acceptable wasn't even bad. It wasn't a fail but it was still a lot less than what she usually would get.

"It's fine," Ella muttered as she rolled over onto her front. Her face burying in the pillows. Layla watched her for a moment before crawling off the bed and draping herself across Ella. The girl letting out a soft groan, attempting to move her hands but quickly finding them stuck. Ella whined the girl's name and Lily managed to drag the fringed girl away before Ella began to kick off any further.

"These aren't right and we're gonna find out why," Lily said as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Ella rolled her eyes but reluctantly nodded, taking the slip back and placing it on the bedside table. Exactly in the spot that the parchment from James should have been, not that Ella remembered anymore. It was currently lying squashed under her bed, forgotten and left.

***

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ! pls excuse my shitty excuses for chapter titles, tho this one is kinda relevant if you think about it. cause everyone has some very BAD IDEAS in this chapter, ya know james lying about remembering, ella making a potion in her dorm, james  & EVERYONE questioning ella's grades, ya know, BAD IDEAS cause it's gonna make my bby insecure but ANYWAY, here's the chapter! more james and ella interaction cause they're the lomls and just build up! we're getting past... wait no WE ARE PASSED the halfway point.... yeah... no i don't want that haha but yeah we're passed the halfway point so... yeah... i hope you're enjoying <3