Umbrella

Ten year old James Potter stood picking at his clothing. His mother was talking to him, but he was barely listening, frustrated and fidgeting. He didn't want to be in this Muggle clothing. He didn't want to be going to Muggle school. He wanted to be back in the normal world, not here where people don't even use magic. How do they ruddy survive?

"James Potter, are you listening?" his mother asked, heralding his eyes attentions.

"Yes, mum," he lied, like any self respecting child would do. She sighed and kneeled down in front of him

"Listen, Jamie," she pacified, "I know you would rather be home right now, but you have to understand there are some bad things going on in the wizarding world right now, love. Icky bad things, and because of it we have to stay here for a while." While her words were true, they didn't comfort the little boy at all. "Just be the best you can be for mummy, okay?" He nodded and she gave him a peck on the forehead. She handed him an umbrella and he gave her a quizzical look. "It is called an umbrella, love, it is raining out, and we don't want you to get wet."

"Can't you just do a repelling charm?" he asked but her quick angry glares at him, answering the question with out words. He walked out the door resolutely, much like a prisoner going to his death, the Potters had been known for their flair for the dramatic.

Walking outside the door he instantly regretted not asking his mother how to use the umbrella, but refusing to go back in he just walked forward with determination. Getting to the little bus stop at the end of his driveway he was surprised to see a girl sitting their on a tree stump, shivering in the rain. She turned as she heard him and a look of great relief passed over her face.

"Oh good, you brought an umbrella," she said. "I forgot mine, and my mum and I have had a fight and I didn't want to go back." She looked at him pointedly and waited to see if he opened the umbrella. "Well, aren't you going to open it?" she said exasperatedly. He looked down at it a few times, but kept looking at her confusedly. Finally she grabbed it and opened it up. He sat down next to her and was glad for the slight relief from the rain.

"Sure coming down, isn't it?" he commented, half heartedly searching for a break from the silence.

"Yup," she said simply, and then gave a great grin that caused her green eyes to sparkle. "My name is Lilian Harriet Evans, but only my mum calls me that, most just call me Lily. What's yours?" She put her hand out and he grabbed it awkwardly.

"James Potter," he replied. A great thunderous clap came from the sky and it made Lily jump almost a foot in the air and make a yelp in fear.

"I hate storms," she conceded as she peeled herself off of James' side. "Why did you move here?" she asked.

"Uh... my dad's job," he said, not exactly lying. Silence fell once again, interrupted by a pair of people walking by under a huge grey umbrella. They paused to kiss, and the girl passively waved at Lily.

"That is my sister, Petunia and her creepy boyfriend, Vernon," Lily muttered, the name coming off her tongue like a particularly nasty poison. "She was really nice until... HIM..." she said, bitterly.

"Don't worry, it won't last." James said, trying to appease her.

"Have you ever done that?" Lily asked.

"Not lasted?" James asked, tilting his head. He was met with her laugh, which he thought was sweet enough to make this Muggle thing half bearable.

"No, silly," she laughed again, "you know, KISSED a girl?" His eyes opened wide and he slowly shook his head.

"No. Have you?"

"Kissed a girl? Nope," she laughed.

"You know what I mean," he muttered.

"Haven't kissed a boy either," she conceded. James muttered something, but Lily couldn't discern it. She leaned in towards him and said, "What?"

"Do you... wanna?" he asked, sheepishly.

"Wanna what?" she asked, but a quick glance gave way to a look of realization, her eyes widening to the size of a House Elf's. With out asking further he leaned in and pressed his face against hers. The umbrella fell from their hands and to the ground. They both looked dumb struck and then James picked the umbrella back up.

"I'm sorry," James muttered, blushing furiously.

"S'okay," Lily muttered in response.

A few incredibly awkward moments passed while James fiddled with the umbrella's bottom. What seemed to be an eternity later, another thunderous clap sent Lily jumping again. James took her hand awkwardly and held it tightly.

"Don't worry; I won't let the storm hurt you. I will protect you," he said, seriously. She laughed again, her soft sweet laugh.

Maybe this Muggle thing wouldn't be so bad.