Things were still awkward between James and the others, but at least he had scheduled the practices and he'd implemented Fred and Dan's idea- that had smoothed over some of the gaping cracks. He felt like he was juggling far too many balls- and there were only some that he dared drop. Unfortunately, to his own private horror, his friendships were the ball he felt like he could drop. He didn't like it, but Fred just didn't understand that some things were simply more important, perhaps if he understood that, they wouldn't be in this situation, James couldn't help but think moodily.
James was walking from Defence to Charms, his mind muddled with the stress of trying to keep everyone happy, knowing that he was failing horrifically.
"James, James!" A voice called down the hall, cutting through the frosty air of the castle.
James turned, and smiled; Aalaa was barrelling down the corridor with an armful of books. "Aalaa" He said in genuine joy.
"Hi," her face was blotchy and she smiled openly, tucking her red hijab, that had been loosened in her sprint, back into her robes. "S'long time, no see!"
James pulled an apologetic face, his lips turning down as he realised how right she was. "Everything feels so different this year."
"Things change," she shrugged awkwardly, "and I'm not trying to make you feel bad, honest."
James blinked, "I know I haven't been around as much and I-".
"No, don't apologise. You have nothing to apologise for," she said firmly. "We are all growing up, there is nothing wrong with wanting to spend time with other people. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for that."
"I know, but-".
"Your true friends wouldn't make you feel bad for spending time with other people," she said vehemently. "I've had enough of Fred thinking he can tell people what to do with their lives. Just because he acts like he's twelve- he's been such a pain with Maddy recently. Trying to tell her which boys she can see, he needs to realise that isn't his place to say. He dumped her!"
"Oh I didn't realise," he said dumbly, Aalaa waved him away.
"It isn't your fault James, this is what I'm trying to say. Fred needs to grow up, and Dan needs to grow a pair and actually stand up to Fred. He knows Fred is wrong, but he stands there like a lemon with his mouth firmly closed," she rolled her eyes.
Things were obviously worse in the gang than he had realised although now he thought about it, it had been ages since they had all been together. He should have realised how bad things were getting.
"Aalaa, thanks," James said, giving her a hug and pulling some of her books from her, "I'm still right here whenever you need me."
"I know you sad sack! Stop acting like a dope," she said laughing, bumping him on the shoulder, "Jimmy Potter is going soft!"
"Oi, I resent that."
"'Cept I always knew you were. It's why you are my bestest mate," she said brightly, James knew that despite the joking tone, she was being serious. He felt the same. They started walking again and James felt the need to change the topic to a happier one, rather than their friends and the fact that everything was changing.
"What do you think our chances are in the cup?" He asked.
They walked to charms laughing and joking like they always had, right next to each other- together.
Despite all the drama from his friends, James still found plenty of time with Allie for scheming over the next few weeks. They practiced defence one night a week, the other three nights they met up, they conspired. James was building a picture of her family and he wasn't sure he liked what it showed. Her father was full of self importance that his job did not give him the right to, he was vocal and racist and a shit. Her brother was no better, they both felt they were better than muggle borns and that they deserved more than what they had.
Unfortunately having such opinions was not against the law.
They fed information along that James knew was harmless. They told them that James was insecure, that he felt inferior to his family and especially to Ted. They mentioned his ineptitude in defence (although this was mostly a lie thanks to Alison's help). Their scheme was consuming and before they knew it it was only a week before Christmas. It was a Hogwarts weekend and although James was again speaking go Fred, there was still an awkward air around them. For the first time James had made no plans for a trip Hogsmeade and he gloomily decided that he would have to stay alone.
"James," her voice said suddenly, "are you going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" James was a little bit thrown, Alison had a knack, it seemed, for questioning him at odd moments.
"I wasn't going to."
She bit her lip, "Me neither, we could go together." It was a statement, rather than a question.
"That would be nice."
She beamed at him and James, who was trying hard to stay nonchalant, beamed back goofily.
It was only when he reached his bed several hours later that the first doubts began to crawl into his head and take hold. Was it a date? Surely it was just as friends? Did he want it to be a date? He didn't know the answers and he rolled over too excited to sleep.
But then more pressing worries assaulted him. What would his family think? What would hers?
As much as he tried to convince himself he didn't care, the hollow feeling where his heart was told him he did. He didn't sleep much that night.
The next morning James stayed in bed long after the others had left. He felt like a liar as he peeked out from closed eyelids and watched his friends gather their things and dress in silence so as not to wake him. Did he not want them to know he was going without them, or was it that he didn't want them to know he was going with Alison? He wasn't sure.
When he did venture out, the common room was largely deserted, except for a few first and second years. They'd arranged to meet at the front doors at about dinner time, James had enough time to grab some toast before meeting her. He was nervous though, his stomach clenching like it did before Quidditch. To say he spent most evenings with her, he was oddly worried. The toast felt like cardboard in his mouth and to his stomachs dismay he only managed one slice.
He was facing the great hall when she arrived.
"Hello," she said from behind him. He turned and swallowed a gasp. She was wearing muggle attire, leggings and a woolly tight-fitting jumper that ended around mid thigh. He'd always thought she looked pretty, but she looked even more so today. He felt out of place in his scuffed trainers and holey jeans.
"Hey," he beamed. They set off walking together, both aware of the awkward silence between them. James realised then that they barely talked about things that weren't their scheme or work. She seemed to realise it too.
"What's your family like?" She asked. So James spent the journey to Hogsmede retelling lots of stories about his family. Like the time Ron had fallen asleep at The Burrow and George and Harry had drawn on him in magic marker- he'd gone to work for two weeks with a mustache and an eye patch, or the time Harry had gone to work and someone had decorated his office in the cannons colours- it had taken weeks for the orange to fade.
Alison had laughed and joined in the discussion and James felt much lighter by the time he got to the village.
"Where do you fancy?" James asked, looking up and down the village but seeing no sign of his family. He wasn't sure whether he was grateful or not. Was he hoping they'd see him with Alison? Or was he keeping this secret? He looked into Alison's face and any doubts he had fled away. Whether this was a date or not he didn't care, and he didn't care if his family knew. He was more than happy for the whole world to know that he had Alison Higgs on his arm.
James and Alison tottered round the village buying Christmas presents. James got a necklace for his mum, a scarf for his dad and some chocolate for Lily. Alison too bought a small gift for her father and brother. Exhausted, the two popped into The Three Broomsticks for a drink. The pub was full to bursting, James fought his way to the bar and got them both a butter beer. Drinks in hand they then looked helplessly around the bar for a table.
"Jim! Jimmy!" A voice called, James looked around. Lily was waving frantically at him, half out of her seat. Next to her was a blushing Hugo, Albus and Rose. The table was completed by Maddy, Dan and Fred- who looked a little like he'd sucked a lemon. James stood to his full height, grabbed Alison's hand, giving it a squeeze, and he walked them to the table and they both squeezed in.
"Hi!" Lily said excitedly, "you must be Alison?" she nodded. "We've heard so much about you, nice to finally meet you." James felt like his sister was stretching the truth, he hardly ever spoke of her, did he?
"Nice to meet you too," Alison said, bright red, but James couldn't help but noticing that she looked happy.
"Packed isn't it?" Rose said, "It took us ages to get a table. I suppose everyone is trying to escape the cold." James glanced to the window and noticed that the snow that had been threatening to fall all week was finally gliding past the window.
"Did mum tell you about the ball?" James said suddenly, the others nodded unenthusiasticlly.
"Ball?" Alison questioned.
"Yeah it's this Ministry thing that Mum makes us all go to- Dad hates it as much as us," Albus said rolling his eyes.
"Yeah I didn't think my dad is looking forward to it either," Hugo said, "last year he said he'd eat a grindylow before he stepped foot in the Soreesom again."
"But surely it's exciting?" Alison asked in confusion but those that had attended the ball shook their heads in disgust.
"It's on Boxing Day- we all know Boxing Day is a pj day where you eat all your chocolate," Lily said, her eyes twinkling. Alison nodded blankly, obviously clueless about that tradition. James couldn't help but feel awkward. He hadn't been sure about introducing them all, but now he had he desperately wanted his family to like Alison. More importantly he also wanted Alison to like them. He wanted her to fit in with his friends and family. It felt right, all sat round the table together.
"What do you reckon our chances are in Quidditch?" James said, turning the subject into something he knew Alison could talk about, she squeezed his fingers gently under the table. Sitting there with his friends and his family all together and finally feeling like his family were accepting Alison and him as... Friends, James relaxed. Determined to enjoy the evening, laughing and joking, and not creating secret plans.
15th December- Ministry, Auror HQ
Harry Potter
Harry strode into his office, throwing his cloak onto the chair across from his desk, one hand held today's paper and the other a good cup of muggle coffee. His office was organised, in a way. He was sure if Hermione came in her fingers would be itching to tidy it all up. Luckily, he visited her more than she visited him.
He was late into the office today as it was James' birthday, his 17th birthday. It was one of the times where Harry wished they all weren't so far away, they only turned of age once, after all. Still, James would be back in five days which wasn't that long, really.
The mail tray on his desk was overflowing with memos and documents to sign. With no time left to ponder his son, he got straight on to his mail. He usually replied to his letters and signed paperwork till ten, then he would have a meeting with the senior aurors and discuss the cases. Then he had a meeting with Kingsley and by the time he got back to his office his tray would be overflowing once more. His predecessor hadn't warned him about the amount of paperwork. Although knowing Marcia, she probably had ignored it all.
Going through the mail was tedious, he was just thankful that the howlers never reached him. The next hour passed for Harry as usual but it was the Manila letter at the bottom that caused him to pause. His name was printed on the front, not written, which was odd. The letter was stiff and large. Harry drew his wand from his holster and waved it over the envelope. Nothing.
Constant vigilance a voice hissed in his mind. He paused before carefully peeling the envelope open and peering inside. Photos, dozens of them. He poured them out onto the table and nearly groaned.
James stared up at him from every single photo.
James laughing in class, James scowling in transfiguration, James shouting at Albus. James. James. James. Every single one.
The newest photo had fluttered to the top. James, Albus, Lily, Fred, Hugo, Rose but it was taken with James in the centre, he was smiling but the rest if his face was missing. Scratched off crudely. Harry searched the pile and was rewarded by a note.
'Happy 17th Birthday James Potter'
His plans for the day gone, Harry stood from his desk and made his way into the office. This called for a meeting, it'd have to be early. Kingsley would have to wait. Hogwarts would need to be informed, Ted. Ted could go.
They'd need to increase the security.
Mind racing Harry's bellows had everyone scampering towards him. The pinched expression telling everyone that this was serious.
Same day- Hogwarts
James hadn't made a fuss about his birthday as he usually did. For one, things were awkward still with his mates and he also knew his parents would have planned a party for when he got back. Still it was nice to be pounced on by his brother and sister.
He opened his presents from his family and friends still in bed. His parents had sent him the customary watch, but it was of the wrist variety. He had books from Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron as well as from Aunt Audrey and Uncle Percy. He'd got some joke stuff from George of course, and a sneakoscope from Bill. Happy with his haul, James dressed and headed down.
The boys hadn't pranked all year. So if George asked him how he'd been so unprepared he had an excuse.
Fred and Dan had managed to sneak something into his pumpkin juice. As he sipped on the goblet he coughed, a tingling sensation spreading across his body and stinging his forehead. He grabbed his head as steam began to pour from his ears.
The table exploded, confetti and banners flying into the air, they hung in the air strangely before spelling, Happy Birthday Jim-bo!.
James groaned good naturedly, smiling at his grinning friends. The hall itself seemed to be in a shocked silence before Cleese came scurrying down the aisle waving her wand.
"Boys, what the hell do you think you are doing?" She hissed at the grinning duo, "detentions both of you, Wednesday in my room at 7pm, no excuses. And you!" She scowled turning to James, "I suggest you go scrub your face!" With a huff she stalked back to her seat.
Holding a spoon up to his face James tried to read the squiggles on his forehead as Fred and Dan moaned about their undeserved detention.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned, spoon in hand to face the new arrival.
"James!" Alison said, "I have your present," she dragged him to his feet and squinted at his forehead.
"Real imaginative," she snorted, tossing an incredulous look at the still complaining Dan and Fred.
"Wha-" but James couldn't finish as she was bodily removing him from the hall.
Once they were clear and in a secluded corner just next to the main entrance she screeched to a stop.
"What the..." James said, staring at the girl in front of him. He just didn't get her. At all.
"I didn't get you anything," she said hurriedly, biting her lip, "I didn't know."
"O-okay... But I Thought you said you had my present?" James said frowning in confusion as Alison shook herself .
"I do," and without warning she stepped towards him and pressed her lips on his. James responded enthusiastically, completely surprised, and a little over the moon. James had spent a few evenings thinking about kissing her, but he had never thought that she would be the one to kiss him. They kissed for a while, the world dimmed around them, enjoying a kiss that meant nothing and equally everything.
James Sirius Potter's first kiss with Alison Higgs happened on his seventeenth birthday with James Potter's forehead charmed to flash, 'I'm a pretty princess'.
