James
After the professors left I stayed in the dorm. I didn't want to lie down again. I wasn't tired anymore. I couldn't leave though. Gwen needed me here.
I was talking to Parker. Fred had left shortly after the professors. He was probably in another broom closet. He needed to learn some form of decency. Although I guess he was taking his position as the new Sirius Black to heart. From what I've heard Fred is acting rather like Sirius had.
"What are you going to when she stops acting like this?" Parker asked me.
I knew he was referring to Gwen being so clingy. He could tell how much I loved it. We both knew that eventually Gwen would recover from what had happened. Then what would she do?
Would she ignore me?
Would she hate me again?
Would she accept what had happened between us?
I was really hoping for the last one. I wanted her to not hate me like she currently did. It would make things better. I would hope more than anything that maybe one day she might actually agree to go out with me. But right now wasn't the time.
"I just hope she won't go back to hating me." I said softly. "I don't know if I could cope with that after this."
"I understand that." Parker said. "Hey, at least she notices you, even though it is mainly screaming."
"What do you mean?" I asked him.
"He likes Molly." I heard Gwen mutter. "She notices you Parker. You just aren't as obvious as this idiot."
She began to move around eventually sitting up and rubbing her eyes after indicating at me as she referenced how I act towards her. Both Parker and I could clearly see that her eyes were still blue.
"What are you talking about Gwen?" I asked her.
"She's right." Parker said. "How did you know?"
"You look at her the same way he looks at me." She said indicating to me. "At first I wondered if maybe you just wanted to irritate her but then I remembered it's not in your nature. Then after I went out with Louis I pieced everything together. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, else."
Parker just stared at her. He was surprised. We both were. I don't think anyone had realised how perceptive Gwen could be. It wasn't something people really noticed about her.
"How are you feeling?" I asked her after a moments silence.
"Could be worse." She responded.
She smiled softly but I could tell she didn't really mean it.
"Where are the others?" She asked.
"Fred's probably with some girl." I explained.
She just rolled her eyes. She told Fred a few how unimpressed she was with his actions. She wanted him to be more considerate yet he never listened to a word she said. It was surprised how little Fred actually listened to any of us really. We'd all tried to stop him acting that way.
"I'm not sure where Molly and Louis have gone." I continued. "Probably the library if I'm making a guess."
"What am I going to do?" She asked. "I've got nothing."
"My dad's coming." I told her. "Professor Longbottom has gone to get him. We'll talk to him and maybe he'll be able to help."
"What does he know?" She asked me her eyes narrowing.
"You really don't know?" Parker asked surprised.
Gwen just looked at Parker. She was confused. It occurred to me then that maybe Gwen didn't actually know anything about the Second Wizarding War. Maybe she didn't know about the Battle of Hogwarts. She never did pay any attention during History of Magic.
"How much do you know about the Second Wizarding War?" I asked her.
"Nothing." She said. "I never cared enough to read about it. I lived separate from the wizarding world growing up so it was never really discussed by my parents."
"Only you would fall for the one girl who doesn't know anything about your family, James." Parker said with a laugh.
"What does he mean?" Gwen asked.
I noticed a flash of purple cross her eyes. She wanted to know.
"My dad, Harry James Potter, is known as the boy-who-lived and the saviour of the wizarding world." I explained. "He was orphaned at one. That's why he might be able to help you."
Gwen stared in shock. I don't think she had expected that. It did seem rather ridiculous when you didn't know the whole story. But I wasn't exactly going to tell her now. As Gwen stared at me Professor Longbottom returned to the dorm with Dad following after him. Dad didn't look very happy.
"I promise I haven't done anything." I said to Dad when his gaze met mine.
He just watched me. Gwen had sat back up while I was telling her the story. When she noticed how nervous I was I felt her grab my hand. I was shocked by her actions.
"Don't worry James, I've told Harry you haven't done anything." Professor Longbottom said before looking over at Parker. "Mr Peterson, I think Mr Potter would prefer to speak to his son and Miss Smythe alone."
Parker nodded at Professor Longbottom getting up and heading out of the dorm. I'm pretty sure he went down to the library to see if he could find Molly and Louis.
"What is this about?" Dad asked me.
Gwen looked at Professor Longbottom. I could tell she wasn't too happy with having to talk to more than one adult about this.
"Umm, Neville, could you possibly wait outside?" I asked Professor Longbottom nervously. "I think Gwen would prefer to just speak to Dad."
Professor Longbottom just stared at me. He was surprised that I was addressing him by his first name while at Hogwarts.
"Sure, I'll be out in the hallway." He said heading back to the door.
I smiled at him as he walked towards the door.
"Thank you." Gwen said to him sending him a small smile as well.
After Professor Longbottom had left the room Dad turned to look at us.
"Dad, this is Gwendolen Smythe." I introduced. "Gwen, this is my dad, Harry Potter."
"It's lovely to meet you Mr Potter." Gwen said quietly.
"You too Gwen." Dad responded. "It's nice to finally meet the girl that James doesn't shut up about."
I groaned not happy that Dad told Gwen about that. Gwen just laughed at what Dad said.
"It's not like it's a secret James." She told me. "Albus told Carter and Carter told me."
She explained before freezing.
"Carter." She said softly.
"He's with his friends." I said quickly. "Rose and Milla will tell us how he's doing later."
Gwen just nodded before turning to look at Dad.
"So what is it you wanted to speak about?" Dad asked me. "Neville told me you needed to talk in person although he couldn't tell me why."
I looked over at Gwen to see if she wanted to tell him. She just shook her head. I don't think she was ready to talk about it yet. I leaned over and grabbed the letter thinking it might be easier to just show Dad the letter rather than explaining. I handed him the letter and watched his face as he read through it.
As he read the letter he looked both sad and angry at the same time. I was a little confused. I wasn't sure how he managed that expression yet somehow he did.
"I think I know what you want." He said after finishing the letter and handing it back to me. "I'll need to speak to Ginny about this."
"Can't you just bring Mum here so I can speak to her?" I asked him.
"Someone needs to stay with Lily." He told me.
"We have like a hundred relatives." I argued. "Can't she stay with one of them for an hour?"
"James, you know that isn't fair." He told me.
"Stop, please." Gwen told us. "I don't want you arguing over me. If this is all too much trouble for you Mr Potter, I'll figure out something else. Just please don't argue over me."
Both Dad and I stared at Gwen. I could see tears forming in her eyes again. Everything that was happening was terrifying her. I felt awful. I hadn't meant to make her feel worse.
"Give me a few hours to talk to my wife and I'll come back to talk to you two." Dad said.
With that Dad headed began to head towards the door.
"James, can I have the map?" He asked me. "Don't try to lie. I know you and Fred took it from my office."
I just stared at him. I didn't want him to have the map he wouldn't give it back then how would I sneak around and cause trouble?
"I'll give it back, I'd just rather avoid the students trying to get back to McGonagall's office." He explained to me. "I don't need to be stopped every five steps."
"Sure." I said getting up off my bed and heading over to my trunk.
I rummaged through it and listened as Dad talked to Gwen.
"It will get easier." He told her. "Remember that it won't always feel like this."
"I just worry about my brother and sister." Gwen admitted. "Carter's Albus' friend and Ivy won't be here until next year. We are all separated right now."
"Your friends are the best people to help you." Dad explained. "My friends were the ones that got me through everything. Don't try to push them away."
As I turned around, the map in my hand, I saw Gwen smile and nod at Dad. The blue in her eyes had faded and they were now their normal brown.
"James what did you do to her eyes?" Dad asked me having noticed the change in their colour.
"Actually, Mr Potter, it wasn't James." Gwen told him. "The two other girls in my dorm, not Molly, gave me a potion last year which messed with my hair but because of their inability to brew potions they messed it up causing this side effect. James and Fred actually helped me prank them."
Dad smiled at me. He could tell that she wasn't lying to protect me. I handed Dad the map and took my seat beside Gwen who once again leaned into me. It felt strange having her react like this but I was thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.
"I'll be back soon." Dad said heading to the door again.
We watched as Dad left the dorm and Professor Longbottom came back in not wanting to leave Gwen and I alone in the dorm.
I was surprised that Albus had brought both Scorpius and Carter with him. I knew Mum, Dad and Lily wanted to see him when they came back to the school and I suppose they would want to meet Gwen's brother if she was going to be living with us.
It was a strange feeling. All the other students had been cleared out of the common room and sent down to dinner. Professor Longbottom had stayed with us and Madame Abbott had even come up to join us. All the Weasley kids who were at Hogwarts had all either remained in the common room or joined us from their own common room.
It was strange to see us all in one place. There was Dominique, who had decided that for once her family might be more interesting than her friends. She also believed that more rumours would be started if she didn't attend as she was apparently removing herself from her family.
All my friends were there. Gwen, who had only left my side long enough to get changed sat beside me on the couch. Molly and Parker were sitting on the other couch next to us. Fred was off harassing his sister, Roxanne. Louis was over talking to Frank Longbottom, Professor Longbottom's son and a close friend of our family. He was the year below me, in third year, and he seemed to be separating himself from the associations that came with his name, much like mine.
Albus had arrived with his two friends and another blonde girl who ran straight over to Roxy when she got here. It was strange to see Carter looking so normal. He didn't appear to be affected by his parent's deaths as Gwen was. When he saw Gwen and I on the couch he walked straight over to where we were sitting.
Scorpius and Albus stood awkwardly in the entrance not really knowing what to do. Eventually I watched as Albus spied Rose and Milla and the four of them met up occasionally glancing over at Carter who was now sitting beside Gwen.
It was all the younger kids, the first years, that were making up the crazy numbers that were currently filling the common room.
Roxy had now shoved Fred off her and was talking to the blonde girl that had come in with Albus. I could see Alice Longbottom, Frank's younger sister, and Lucy, Molly's sister, talking in a corner with the Scamander twins, Lorcan and Lysander, who were more close family friends of ours. Out of those four none of them were in Gryffindor. The two girls were Hufflepuffs and the two boys were Ravenclaws.
"Gwen, are you sure you're alright?" Carter tried asking Gwen again.
"Carter I said I'm fine." She sighed. "James has been helping me."
Carter looked up at me and glared. I could tell he didn't want someone else to be looking after his sister. He must think it's his job. But how can this tiny thirteen-year-old possibly think he had enough power to protect his sister when he was coped up in the dungeons?
"You take care of her Potter." He hissed at me.
Yes, that's right, he hissed. This kid is mental. And that's coming from me.
"I could never hurt Gwen." I answered.
Gwen hit my shoulder softly causing me to laugh. Carter saw the smile that was forming on her face and decided to go back to his friends. He gave his sister a hug before walking off.
We watched Carter walk off. I noticed Gwen's eyes lock on Louis and Frank as they stood talking. There was a brief flash of purple as she stared at them.
"Oh what I wouldn't give to know what they're talking about." Gwen said.
"What do you mean?" I asked her.
"I'll let you figure that one out for yourself." She laughed.
Oh I was going to get it out of her. One day.
Mum and Dad decided to come over and see us. When they got here Lily, who had insisted she come to Hogwarts to meet her new sister, bounced over onto the couch next to Gwen. For an eleven-year-old Lily really did act like a small child.
"Do you really like my stinky brother?" I heard her whisper to Gwen.
I tried not to laugh along with Gwen as she tried to think of a suitable answer for Lily's question.
"Your brother is very annoying, isn't he?" Gwen asked in response.
I watched Lily nod excitedly before turning to look at Mum and Dad. They looked like they wanted to talk. Without Gwen.
"I have to talk to Mum and Dad." I said to Gwen.
She looked at me and nodded.
"I'll just talk to your sister." She said.
I smiled before following Mum and Dad up to my dorm.
"You're sure about this James?" Dad asked me.
"Gwen needs someone Dad." I explained. "She's hurt and she's got no where to go. I don't want to leave her all alone."
"And you're sure this isn't just some ploy to get close to you?" Mum asked me.
"If it was anyone else I wouldn't be sure." I said. "I'll get Molly to show you her notebook. Tell me then if you think she's just trying to get close me?"
I didn't want to listen to them. They clearly thought Gwen was just trying to come after me to get close to my family. It wasn't like that. Gwen wasn't like that.
I headed out of the dorm and back down to the common room. I walked over to where Gwen was still talking to Lily. They were both laughing at something one of them had said.
"What's going on here?" I asked picking up Lily so I could sit down in her seat.
Lily frowned at being moved but smiled broadly when I offered her my lap to sit on. She jumped up and sat down.
"I think I've found my favourite Potter." Gwen said as she smiled at Lily.
"Gwen was telling me about all the stupid things you've done." Lily said with a laugh.
"I'll write to Aunt Hazel and Uncle Harold and see what they say." Gwen said to Lily. "Because there is also my cousin Felix. Although I'm pretty sure Ivy will be sick of him by the time term starts."
"Gwen's going to introduce me to her sister, Ivy." Lily told me. "So I won't get stuck with Hugo."
I smiled at Gwen. That was nice of her. I suppose it was also to help her own sister but it was still nice of her to think about Lily.
"Maybe Felix and Hugo will become best friends and then we can be one close little group." Lily squealed after turning back to face Gwen again.
"Yes, and all the Smythe siblings would be friends with all the Potter siblings." I responded dully.
Gwen hit my shoulder again, careful not to hit Lily. I didn't see what the problem was with us all being friends. Maybe it was the way I'd said it that made Gwen so irritated but I don't think I'd ever really know. But really it was Gwen who had first introduced Albus to her brother and now she was going to introduce Lily to her sister. It was like she wanted our families to be friends.
"So you're really coming to live with us?" Lily asked Gwen seeming rather excited.
Lily really liked Gwen. It was nice.
"Why don't you ask your brother?" She said looking at me.
She didn't know what I had talked about with Mum and Dad. For all she knew they could have been telling me that she had to find some other arrangements.
"We just need to show them Molly's notebook." I told her. "Then it should be fine."
Gwen laughed while looked between us with a confused expression. Gwen's eyes had flashed yellow. She was happy. It was good to see yellow again. She had worked out why we needed the notebook.
"Okay, two things." Lily said looking between Gwen and I. "One, why does Molly's notebook matter? And two, why did Gwen's eyes turn yellow?"
Gwen laughed harder at this. So her eyes hadn't flashed at all while I was with Mum and Dad.
"Some girls thought it would be funny to prank me last year but they messed up the potion so now my eyes reflect how I'm feeling." Gwen explained. "Don't worry though. James and Fred helped me get those nasty girls back."
Lily laughed at this. She knew how bad some of mine and Fred's pranks could be having been on the receiving end of many throughout the years.
"Molly's notebook has all the reasons I won't go out with your brother." Gwen continued to explain. "It's become a rather extensive list."
There wasn't anything I could do to defend myself. But right now, I didn't think I wanted to. I was happy just sitting here with Lily and Gwen. It was nice.