New Year's Eve's Eve
Hi. My name is James Sirius Potter. Just in case you didn't know me. Though that isn't likely seeing as who my father is. Today is the day before New Year's Eve. In my family, that is known as the day of the next generation's New Year's Eve's Eve party.
Let me explain. Starting with Teddy, all the kids born into my family, as well as the honorary cousins like the Longbottom kids and Scamander twins, would have their own party on New Year's Eve. Up until Teddy was 13 we would have one adult stay to supervise, but once he turned 13, we were allowed to party without any adults.
That's when the tradition started. Our annual game of Truth or Dare. And unlike muggle Truth or Dare, Teddy had a charm to make sure you couldn't lie. The game always turned out bloody brilliant.
Except then came the year when Teddy was old enough to go to the adult's New Year's Eve party. That's when New Year's Eve's Eve was born. We had our party a day early. Teddy, and later others, could come. And then they would go to the adult party the next night while the kids had an underage only party.
And this is the first year I am old enough to go to the adult party. I'm only a seventh year but I came of age earlier this year, so that overrules my status as a student. I don't know why this makes the New Year's Eve's Eve party different, but it just does.
The party is always held at my house. Probably because my house happens to be a mansion. Though technically, it's called Potter Manor, not Potter Mansion. But it's still a bloody mansion. Anyway, I head downstairs to see everyone already gathered in the living room, where we always play our game of Truth or Dare. I look at the clock and realize that it is 6pm and my parents will have already vacated the house.
I sit down at my spot in the circle. I look around and realize that our circle has grown greatly over the years. The first time we played this game, there were only 18 people. Over the years, people have been added. Some were girlfriends or boyfriends, now spouses. Some are still just girlfriends and boyfriends. And some are just dear friends. But now, our circle numbered 34.
And now that game began.
Finally, the game worked around to me. Louis asked, "Truth or Dare?" Now, Louis could come up with some ruddy awful dares, but he could also come up with ruddy awful truths as well. So having him ask is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. When I see him getting impatient, I blurt out, "Truth."
"Who are you in love with?"
Now, I must explain why this is such a ruddy awful question. See, I don't have a girlfriend. I never have in fact. Not because I'm gay or anything, it's just that by the time I was old enough to be interested in girls, I had already fallen hard. And despite Louis being my cousin and one of my best friends, I had never told him this. But then, this year, he finally figured it out on his own. And ever since, he's been bugging me to figure out who I was in love with.
And again, you think that this isn't a big deal. Except it is. Because the girl, she's an honorary cousin. Which means she's sitting across the circle from me. Right now.
And even that wouldn't be horrible if I had a chance with her once she knew. Except I don't. Because I'm a seventh year. And she's a fourth year. And I've been in love with her since she first got sorted into Gryffindor.
To make matters worse, she's not just any honorary cousin. She's Alice Longbottom. Also known as Ally. Her dad has had me in his office so many times through the years for getting in trouble. If he knew I was involved with his little girl, he would bloody murder me. And he wouldn't be quick about it and use the killing curse. No. He'd crucio me to death. Literally.
My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. I can tell everyone is waiting for my answer. After all, Albus has turned my lack of a girlfriend into a running joke in the family.
And I can't even whisper it and hope they don't hear because with so many of us, we use sonorous to make sure everyone hears.
I've just got to say it. I've only got to say it once. I can do this. I can do this. I can't do this.
"No."
"You can't back out James. You know the rules," Teddy reminded me. Bloody traitor. He's the only person I've told about Ally. He knows what this is going to do to me.
I bring my head up and look directly at Ally. My dear sweet Ally. Who is going to reject me the moment she hears her name. "I'm in love with Ally Longbottom."
Her mouth drops open with shock. I don't wait for her to recover. I just run. I make it to my room and slam the door shut, locking it.
I flop down on my bed and bury my head in my pillow. Despite my best intentions, a few tears leak out.
A moment later, I hear someone knock on the door. Thinking it's Teddy, I choke out, "Go away Teddy, I don't want to talk about it."
From the other side of the door, I hear someone whisper Alohomora. I look up to see Ally walk in. I sit up quickly and try to wipe the tears off my face. She sits down next to me. She's staring at me but I can't make myself face her.
"Did you mean it? Do you really love me?"
"You know we can't lie." I mutter, now facing her but not meeting her gaze.
"I was just checking." Then she leans forward and does the unimaginable. She kisses me. On the LIPS! This is the best thing that's ever happened to me. She's kissing me. She's kissing me. She's kissing me. I can't believe in. But then she pulls back. I see worry in her eyes. Then I realize I hadn't kissed her back. I can't ruin this.
I lean forward and kiss her this time.
And she kisses me back.
I think I'm in heaven.
After a moment, she pulls away. I start to worry, and then I hear the words I never thought I'd be lucky enough to hear, not from her at least.
"I love you too, James."