This was written for the Moonlight Forgotten Year 7 THC/ The House Competition 2021

Round 8

House: Gryffindor

Class: Muggle Studies

Category: Standard

Prompt(s) chosen: [Event] Celebrating somebody's death

Word Count: 1357

James basked in the air around him as he stood outside the Hogsmeade grocery store. He had missed the outdoors after being in hiding for nearly a year. It didn't just represent the outdoors to him but his very freedom. He chuckled at the people around him who were all in a celebratory mood. Various people had wished him a good day or tipped their hats to him while saying "It's a good day, ain't it? We're finally rid of 'You Know Who'". James could only smile and agree with them. It was a good day indeed. Quite a contrast the past few years, particularly the past year for him and his family. On top of the fear of Voldemort's rising power in the past few years, James and his family had the additional fear of being directly targeted by Voldemort for the past year. Freedom aside, it felt good to be free from the fear of Voldemort's tyranny. He felt this more for his family than for himself.

The people, so caught up in their celebrations, didn't even recognize James under his sunglasses and top hat. He didn't like hats but wore one along with his nice gold sunglasses to avoid attention. James quietly entered the grocery store and tried to keep to himself as much as possible while looking for the things on the list Lily had given him.

James was looking at pumpkins on their usual day after Halloween sale when he was knocked to the ground by what felt like two lightweight figures, causing his hat and sunglasses to fall off. He looked up to see the perpetrators as he got up from the ground, ready to tell them off but softened when he saw they were merely two cute little boys with red hair who looked no more than three years old. They had guilty looks on their faces, and it seemed they had accidentally knocked him over while running or chasing each other.

"Sorry," they said together.

James melted at this. Having Harry had softened him up even more than usual towards children, especially babies and toddlers. Before he could respond, he heard a lady's voice.

"Fred, George! This is why I didn't want to let you two off your strollers," said a woman with red hair who was pushing a stroller with four seats. Two were empty, one had a baby boy about Harry's age and one had a baby girl who looked barely a few months old. The whole family had red hair which James found to be excellent coordination. "Arthur, I wish you had listened to me and not have pampered the twins by letting them off their strollers," the lady continued.

"They were getting restless, Molly, and I thought I'd just let them down for a few minutes before putting them back. They ran off before I could catch them," said Arthur sheepishly, pushing a shopping cart.

His wife glared at him but said nothing in response, scooping the two young boys in her arms. "We're terribly sorry on behalf of our twins, sir," she said to James.

"It's alright. I think they're adorable." He ruffled the hair of one of the twins in her arms who grinned in return.

"That's really kind of you, sir."

Arthur then looked at him with a fixed gaze and a slack jaw. "Wait, you're… you're James Potter, from the family who got rid of "You Know Who."

James realized his cover had been blown as his hat and sunglasses had fallen off. He quickly shoved them back on and looked around. He breathed a sigh of relief as he realized everyone else aside from the family of the twin boys were too busy to notice.

"Yes. It's me. I'm wearing a hat and sunglasses to avoid attention," he said quietly. "Could you all please not give me away?"

"Of course, sir," said Arthur.

"No need to call me sir. James is just fine." James held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, James. I'm Arthur, Arthur Weasley," Arthur said, taking his hand.

James was then introduced to the whole family including three more older boys.

"Your family got rid of 'You Know Who'?" That's awesome!" said the oldest boy, Bill, with awe. He looked old enough to be at Hogwarts, but James supposed he still had a year or two left before he started school.

"Actually, it wasn't us. Professor Dumbledore fortunately showed up in time when we were being attacked, and it was he who killed Voldemort," James said honestly. "I mean… 'You Know Who'," he corrected when the family gasped.

James fell into easy conversation with the family and found himself very fond of them as they seemed like really good, kind and hardworking people. Molly had even kindly inquired about Harry. He learned that Molly was the sister of Gideon and Fabian Prewett.

"I apologize if this is too forward, but would your family like to come over to our place today? We're having a small lunch celebration to celebrate Vol— 'You Know Who's' downfall," said James.

Arthur and Molly looked at each other and had a silent conversation before turning back to him.

"We'd be delighted! But only if we can bring a dish," said Molly.

"Certainly. Here's the address." James pulled out a paper from a pocket in his cloak and scribbled out his address.

As James left the grocery store after getting all the items he needed, he wondered if Lily would be alright with having another big family over for lunch. He had invited them on an impulse. 'It should be alright,' he told himself. Lily was always kind and welcoming towards people, and they had hired extra help to help them prepare lunch. James didn't mention the dinner feast they would be attending later at Hogwarts since that would only include Hogwarts students and staff along with the Order Members. James didn't have authority to invite them to that feast.

Lunch was a small celebratory affair with Sirius, Remus, the Longbottoms, and the Weasleys. James and Lily had chosen to have this celebration despite the grand feast they were to attend as they wanted a smaller, more private and intimate gathering. After a delicious meal, they toasted to Voldemort's death, to new beginnings, and to finally being free. They then set off fireworks outside their house. Like James predicted, Lily had welcomed the Weasleys with open arms. Lily and James were both glad to have another boy Harry's age for him to play with besides Neville, and they thought it would be nice if all three boys became best friends.

Later that night, James attended the Hogwarts feast with Lily, Harry, Sirius, and Remus. The feast and celebration at the Great Hall must have been grander than any Halloween or Christmas feast at Hogwarts. The halls were decorated like James had never seen before. The walls shone with the words "Victory!" in colorful, glowing letters, and there were more lights and ornaments decorated around the walls and ceiling than James had ever seen in his life.

After they had their feast (which students whispered was better than any Halloween feast) and toasted to their victory, Dumbledore gave a speech. His speech was positive at first but ended on a sour note.

"Voldemort is likely not gone permanently," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling as they scanned the celebrating crowd. "He could return. And we best be prepared when he does."

James felt a pang in his stomach. Were they just celebrating a temporary downfall rather than permanent death? He sighed and took a deep drink from his goblet. 'Well,' he thought to himself, 'may as well enjoy the party while we can then.' He truly hoped the wizarding world would never have to relive the terror of the past few years and that the celebration of Voldemort's death would be permanent. But in case Voldemort did rise again, James resolved he would once again overcome his fear and be prepared to fight and protect his loved ones so that even if not today, one day, they would celebrate the permanent death of Voldemort.