Christmas with the Potters is always extremely busy. The whole house was covered in decorations. There was the occasional sprig of magic mistletoe and all the mirrors sang Christmas carols as you walked past. It was two days before Christmas and Hazel woke in the spare room to the smell of frying bacon. She pulled on some clothes and sleepily trudged downstairs. Al and Lily were playing outside in the snow but James was still sitting at the table. His hair was ruffled and his eyes were just as tired as hers. His voice was sleepy and slightly sexy. Sitting next to him she threw him a quick smile before taking the bacon Ginny offered her. "By the way Haze, I wanted to show you something today." James started. "Do you want to go for a walk through the woods?"
"That sounds great just give me 10 minutes to get ready" she replied encouragingly. They both stood and James followed Hazel back up the stairs. 15 minutes later James came running down the stairs pulling his socks on. "Sorry Haze, Al was being a dick."
"That's alright" she laughed "should I wear my wellies?" with a nod James led her out the front door waving to his dad.
They walked for several hours laughing and chatting amicably. Hazel had to admit the woods were beautiful. The sunlight glittered through the trees; a twitter from exotically coloured birds came from the high canopy. The day was reasonably warm for so late in the year and apart from their laughter, there was very little sound. James walked towards two huge weeping willows towering among the rest. "This is it" he whispered lifting the branches over their heads as they clambered through. The weak sun speckled over the large rocks lining a pool, glistening on the water's surface. A dragonfly flew past their faces landing, not far away on the springy green grass. "Wow" was all Hazel could muster, not wanting to disturb the serene atmosphere. "It's beautiful"
"I thought you'd like it" James said with a huge grin. They both settled down on a rock. Hazel laid in the sunlight and turned on her side to face James. "So when did you find this place?" she asked.
"My dad discovered it when he moved here after the battle of Hogwarts; it's a great place to think."
"What do you have to think about?" she wondered curiously. "Lots of stuff I guess", he said sighing.
They sat in silence for several minutes enjoying the warming sunshine on their faces. James took a deep breath, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Course, you know that" she answered reassuringly.
"I know this is going to sound really stupid, but Lily's just started going out with Jack Gravesham in her year I think he's a complete twat but I don't want to hurt her feelings what should I do?" Shocked by the unexpected reply she took a minute to answer but eventually…
"Nothing."
"What?"
"Don't do anything, it's probably just you being protective but if he is a douche then it's better for her to learn that for herself. She'd just resent you if you got involved I know that from experience."
"Experience?"
"Yeah, 4th year I went out with Will Anderson…"
"Oh I remember,"
"Do you remember Marcus punching him in the face?" said Hazel with an anguished look that made it look like it pained her to remember. James burst out laughing at the thought and soon Hazel joined him and they giggled hysterically for ages. Finally they caught their breath again.
"Thanks for the advice though otherwise I might have followed Marcus' example."
"Anytime" she reassured smiling broadly
"One more thing," he added as he looked deep into Hazel's eyes. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of his green eyes, exactly like his fathers or so she'd heard but that wasn't what made them so beautiful he seemed to smile from them and they constantly sparkled with the smile that played around his mouth. Now she was looking at his perfect mouth, she looked up again, smiled and James leaned in and kissed her. His lips were just as perfect as they looked. He kissed her with such intensity as if he'd been waiting his whole life for this moment. He tasted of chocolate and strawberry bertie botts every flavour beans, and then, suddenly they broke apart. "Sorry "said James sheepishly "I couldn't stop myself."
"Why are you apologising?" Questioned Hazel,
"So you wouldn't mind if I kissed you again?" he teased.
Hazel smiled as she kissed him, once again their lips meeting; this time however, it was more careful, not so desperate. James paying close attention to every part of her mouth as he nibbled her lower lip and slid his tongue inside her mouth. They kissed for a long time and eventually stopped when a stag broke through the trees, it was Harry's Patronus.
"I'm coming to get you two lunch is ready, I'll be there in five." They sat on the rocks holding hands for a few minutes then James said. "I was just thinking, do you think Marcus will punch me?" he said; his mouth turning into a playful smile.