For the Love of Books (Open)

The clocktower was a wonderful place to read. The constant ticking was like a mesmerizing sound. Xeno sat on the ground in a corner with books piled around him. At the moment he was reading a book on mythological creatures. He was engrossed as usual. He put his book into his lap and took a drink of his hot chocolate and then dove back into his book.

Luna walked around the castle to end up at the Clocktower. She tilted her head seeing someone with books all around him. A small smile formed on her face as she walked over, staring at the book that he was reading. She leaned against a pillar, staring down at him whilst the hidden blade of her gauntlet popped in and out, matching the ticking of the tower. ''Hello...I'm Luna Valkyrie.'' She bows her head. ''Hope i am not interrupting your reading.'' Luna's voice was carried along the soft breeze and the smell of his hot chocolate filled the air. Tilting her head, her small smile turned into a lopsided one.

James held the Marauders map, tracing Sirius's steps just for chuckles. Always with Mira. Damn that guy, he thought. Tracing the footsteps of various other students, James ended up looking at Luna's. Where's she going... he asked himself, before looking at who was close to her, "Can't let Xeno be alone with another supposed sociopath." he muttered, before hiding away the map, and walking away from his hiding place. He took out a box full of CHOCOBALLS, and James sat in the stone bench right next to Xeno and Luna, "Please, interrupting someone's reading is never something bad. Unless that someone's a book worm, like Xeno here." James smirked, pulling out one of the chocoballs and taking a huge bite out of it. "What'ya reading there, Lovegood?" he asked, his inner beast wanting to ram Luna against a wall and hurt her. Another death eater...

Luna turned towards the voice and tensed, seeing it was James. She smiled at him. ''Hello to you James.'' She says softly. ''Oh so you're Xeno Lovegood! Nice to meet ya.'' She turns to him and then back at James, chewing her lip. She knew James hated her, she could see it in his eyes. She wanted to rewind the past, not just for that but for so many things. Aurora...Her name pulsed around her mind and Luna ran her fingers through her hair as a way of taking the thought away. No luck. ''If you could see, James, the books even says Mythological creatures...'' She says with a small smirk daring to show.

James glared at Luna momentarily, destroying the piece of chocoball he had in his mouth. ''Thing is, I'm more interested in looking at your hair.'' he said, looking down at Xeno with a smirk. ''Was that a choice, or did your sister force you?'' He asked with a chuckle afterwards. Eating another chocoball, he cracked his knuckles, still glancing down at Xeno.

Luna tenses. ''No need to be an ass. My sister is dead, James Potter. This is by choice so i can be more like my perfect little sister. I feel like i should be the one in the ground, not her so maybe you should just mind your own business about my hair 'cause you know nothing.'' She growls out with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her hidden blade was out and her mind begged her to cut him up but she didn't. He cared for Sirius, she cared for Sirius and in turn, she cared for him even if he hated her.

James sighed, getting up from the bench. ''I know more than what you think.'' he said, placing the box of chocoballs on the bench as he jogged to Luna. He held her arm, glancing at her blade for a moment, before pulling her to him, hugging her tightly. He had lost his father only a week ago. He knew well what it was like to lose a loved one...

Luna was shocked as he hugged her but she clung onto him, crying. ''I've lost my mother, father and now my twin...all my fault...Yet i feel so alone without them despite my hatred towards my father.'' The blade went back into the gauntlet and she buried her face in James' chest. ''How do you know, James? How do you keep your composure?'' She asked.

James sighed, passing his hand by her blonde hair, staring up to the sky. ''My father passed away last weak. Yet, we're in a war. I'm not letting them see my weak spots. I'm not weak, and neither are you. You could even lose Kronos in the war. But, you must stay strong. I can lose Lily, but I'll always remain strong. Standing. We may be on opposite sides, but we understand each other. And no matter what, even if it is your fault, people die for a reason. On my side, they die for the greater good. I'll never stop fighting for that. Even if I die too...I fight for my friends, and thats what keeps me living after losing my own father.'' he answered, his tone clearly showing sorrow, yet no tears fell. His father was amazing in his life, and that was how James was gonna remember him by. He was gonna be the same way to his own child, and tell him about his grandfather. Like Luna should do about her own family to her own children...

Luna sighs. ''I am on no side. Yes...I've shown signs of...darkness, cruelty and you probably think i am insane. The only bad one in my family is Astra...my older sister. I protect my loved ones and that is that. If need be, i'll fight by your side to keep your loved ones alive. Sirius is like my brother to me, James...He means a lot and i know he means the same to you.'' She pauses. ''You know...you're a pretty awesome guy, James.'' She backs away from him and gives him a small smile. Care was evident in her eyes.

James half smiled, at the mention of Sirius. "He means the world to me. Like Lily. I wouldn't be here without them." he said honestly, before smirking."Uh, tell that to Morana or Marvolo Gaunt. But hey, I'm awesome to those who deserve it like Xeno here.'' James chuckled, as he looked down to Xeno, who had been silent for a long time now. James quickly jogged to the bench, picking up the box of chocoballs. Going back to Luna's side, he held out the box, "Want one?" he asked with a grin.

Luna smiled, fully. ''They're pretty awesome people i have to say and Hm i guess i may have to..'' She smirked and then it broke. She grinned at him. She watched as he got the box of chocoballs and her eyes lit up at his question. ''If you don't mind then yes please...I'm kind of addicted to chocolate. Thank the gods i train and hunt a lot or i'll be huge!'' She exclaimed with a laughing tone.

James grinned, and laughed as Luna spoke about her addiction. "As long as you don't get like Pettigrew." He said with a chuckle, offering her the box, "Ya can have it, I have tons of these." He sang out, happily smiling at Luna.

Luna rolls her eyes. ''I'll never get like that. I love training far too much to end up like that.'' She smirked and grins as he gives her the box. ''Thank you!'' She took one and popped it in her mouth, chewing on it contently. ''I never asked...what are you doing out here anyway?'' She asks with a raised eyebrow.

James smirked, quickly going through his thoughts, thinking of an excuse, "Wanted to find Sirius. Ya know, my best man has to get ready for the wedding after Remus's," he said with a grin. Not many people knew Lily and James were engaged, but it was no secret.

Luna tilts her head. ''Find Mira and find Sirius.'' She smirk. ''Congratulations by the way.'' She says with a smile. ''I'm sure you'll find him...He's never far away, i've learnt.''

"Thanks, I should be on my way now," He said, stretching his arms in the air with a smile on his face. "Keep Xeno company" he said, before walking past Luna. He stopped abruptly, and kissed her cheek. "Sorry I'm an asshole some times," he said, with a chuckle before vanishing.

Luna smiles. ''It's okay...Later James.'' She frowned as he paused and blushed as he kissed her cheek. ''It's fine...sorry for being so crazy sometimes.'' She laughs and smirks, watching him as he walked away.

Xeno was engrossed in his book but he heard everything that was said but decided not to butt in. It was none of his business anyways. He smirked when James said he was one of the people he was awesome too. Xeno liked James. He was a really nice guy to him. After James left he looked up at Luna. "Yes I am Xeno. Pleased to meet you Luna. What brought you here by chance?"

Luna looks down at Xeno with a bright smile. ''Nice to meet ya too. I like coming here...The walls are easy to climb so i can watch the sunset sometimes. It's really...relaxing here.'' She admits, looking around. ''And let me guess...you just like reading here?'' She asks with a raised eyebrow and a lopsided grin.

Xeno marked his book and sat in on the pile next to him. "Yeah. I do like to read. I am trying to find a creature that everyone says doesnt exist. I know it does but I am just looking through the books looking for clues. Everyone says I am crazy. A bit nuts you know but oh well. I will prove them wrong someday. Why dont you have a seat.

Luna smiles, listening to him. ''Not everyone thinks you're crazy, Xeno. I know i don't.'' She grins. ''You just have an ambition and a great mind that you've set on a task. I'm sure you will prove them wrong.'' She says softly and sits next to him with a bright smile.

"I suppose you are right and thanks for the vote of confidence. I just feel like cutting myself off from everyone just to look for the creatures that go through my head." he said pulling a drink from his back and taking a sip from it. He held the bottle out to Luna and continued talking. "I am sure they are out there. It's just they elude me so well it's ridiculous."