Poppy's POV

We actually had had a very enjoyable time in Diagon Alley with James and Priya. We had a good chat about school as she was doing the same subjects as me and I told her to just shout if she ever needed anything which she seemed happy about. I noticed how they both seemed to relax a little around Sirius and I as the day wore on, sneakily holding hands if they walked next to each other and I figured it was but a matter of time before James asked her to be his girlfriend. I had managed to have a brief chat with him about her as Sirius talked to her and he seemed dead happy which in turn just made me happy. He seemed very much into her, more so than he had with Lizzy and definitely more than Olivia and I only hoped that it would all work out well for the two of them. When we were done, I got Sirius to see me home to give James and Priya some space, James mouthing thank you to me in return and in the end, Sirius hung out at mine until dinner, when he eventually went out to get the full low down on what was going on.

It was now the week before we went back to school and I was surprised when Pegasus arrived one afternoon, wondering why James was writing to me.

Hiya Pop,

So Priya and I are officially going out, as in she's my girlfriend now. And, well, I kind of want to introduce her to mum and dad but I don't want it to be a huge deal or anything so wondered if you could come round for dinner too? I know mum and dad want to see you before we go back as well and obviously Sirius is happy with it but it's up to you. I would really appreciate it if you could come though, you'd be helping me out. It would be tomorrow night, about 6.30? Let me know?

James

X

I was very taken aback that he would want me to be there and it made me smile to hear that he and Priya were officially going out now. Seeing how he obviously wanted me to be there I checked with Sara and Phil who said it was fine before I scribbled a quick reply and attached it to Pegasus who had been waiting. Sara and Phil then suggested that I invite Sirius over for dinner the following night so they could see him before he went back and I promised to ask him when I saw him tomorrow, thinking this would be a great way to end the summer.

"Hi beautiful" Sirius greeted me with the usual crooked smile as I stepped out of the fireplace at the Potter's. He pulled me gently to him, giving me a soft kiss before hugging me and as always, I relaxed into him, breathing in his all too familiar smell. He hugged me for longer than usual, hands gently stroking my back and although I knew I was here for a reason, I couldn't help but linger with him in this position. "Priya hasn't been here long so figured I'd give them some space" Sirius murmured an explanation and I nodded in understanding. "How's your day been?" he asked quietly as I shifted myself so I could see him but not so much to allow much space between us.

"Good. Max has got a couple days off work so he's over. Spent the day with him" I told him, and he gave me a smile in response, gently brushing a piece of hair out of my eyes. "How was yours?" I asked him and he laughed quietly, the rumbling spilling out of his chest and making me smile.

"Trying to chill James out. He was unusually uptight about tonight" he remarked, and I looked at him in surprise, Sirius nodding at my reaction. "I know. I think he really likes her" he told me.

"Then why did he invite me over?" I asked, feeling confused.

"He's trying to play it down. Besides, you know how much you mean to him. I think he's waiting for your seal of approval" he admitted, taking me by surprise all over again.

"Really?" I asked, making him laugh.

"Really. You know he considers you one of his best friends, right?" he asked with a smile, making me blush. "I'll take that as a no" he laughed, tucking me back into him and I nuzzled into him, unable to help myself. "It makes me happy that the two of you get on so well" he said softly, making me smile. "So, I see why he wants you to like Priya" he explained. I took in the information for a moment before moving out of Sirius's arms, seeing him smile.

"Well come on then, let's not linger. Else you'll know he'll shout at me" I told him, and he laughed at this but nodded.

"But first" he said, cheeky smile on his face now as he pulled me to him and kissed me. It was a much longer kiss which led to us becoming a little distracted before Sirius pulled away. "Okay I'm good now" he said, making me laugh and shake my head as I allowed him to pull me from the room. I could hear the sound of happy conversation as we neared the kitchen/dining area which was a good sign and I smiled upon seeing everybody sat at the table conversing. My eyes went straight to James who smiled widely as I came in, standing and quickly dashing over to me. I felt Sirius drop my hand as James pulled me into a hug.

"Thanks for coming Pop, I really appreciate it" he whispered to me, feeling him give me a squeeze.

"Any time" I whispered back, and I saw how big his smile was when we pulled apart.

"Hi Poppy" Matt greeted me with a smile as always, gesturing me to join them at the table.

"Poppy you look beautiful as always" was Carol's greeting, making me blush as I allowed Sirius to lead the way.

"Hi Matt, Carol" I smiled at them both as I settled into a seat next to Carol who grinned at me in a James like way before she turned her attention back to Priya who looked a little nervous.

"Hi Priya. It's nice to see you again" I told her, and she smiled at me, also looking thankful for my arrival.

"Hi Poppy. Yes, you too" she replied politely as Sirius went to get me a drink and I settled in for my evening with the Potter's.

It turned out to be a lovely dinner and I tried not to speak too much, allowing the others to get to know Priya in the way they had me. It was really cute to see how James was with her, obviously holding her hand under the table, jumping up and getting her another drink whenever her glass was empty. And it was just as cute to see how Priya smiled at James, how she relaxed more and more as the evening went on and obviously felt comfortable to talk to Matt and Carol a bit more as well.

"It's going well, right?" Sirius murmured to me after we were finished with dessert and I nodded, turning to him with a smile.

"Definitely. They obviously really like her" I whispered back, and Sirius nodded, his eyes darting to Matt and Carol who were listening as Priya told them about her family.

"What do you think of her?" he asked me, and I smiled.

"She's great. And it's clear they both really like each other so what more could you want?" I told him and he nodded his agreement. "What do you think of her?" I asked in return, curious as to his assessment. He glanced over at her before looking back at me.

"I'm surprised he's gone for a Ravenclaw, won't lie but I like her. And James likes her which is the most important thing" he said, making me smile widely. I resisted the urge to kiss him in that moment, remembering we were sat at a dinner table with people he considered his parents and got the feeling he was doing the same as we had both leaned ever so slightly towards each other. A small cough made us both jump and we turned to see James had been watching us and he rolled his eyes when he had our attention, although he was grinning. We said nothing but turned our attention properly back to the table, just in time as Matt and Carol both glanced over at us.

"Poppy, are you staying tonight?" Carol asked me with such a casual tone which made me realise how much they had welcomed me into their lives and home.

"I can't tonight. Max is back from France and I said I'd spend tomorrow morning with him" I told her, and she smiled in understanding. Next to me, I was positive I could almost hear Sirius's pout and James and Matt's laughter made me think I was right on the money.

"Anyway kids, tonight's been lovely, but Carol and I are off out for the rest of the evening" Matt told us and I looked at him in surprise but saw James smile as though this had been planned.

"Poppy, Priya you two are welcome to stay as long as you like" Carol told us both as the pair of them rose from the table, all of us mimicking their gesture. As Matt and Carol said goodbye to Priya, telling her how lovely it was to meet her Sirius pulled me to him, making me surprised.

"Are you going to stay before we go back to school?" he asked me quietly and I couldn't help but laugh a little at his expression. "I'd like you to" he added on with a keenness which I think made him wince slightly.

"I'll have to speak to Phil and Sara but I'm sure one night will be fine" I told him, seeing his eyes light up.

"Poppy will we see you before you go back to school?" Matt asked and I turned to see he and Carol looking at Sirius and I with matching smiles.

"I think so" I told him and they both nodded.

"Fabulous. We'll see you soon then" they said before they made their way out.

"So, what do you wanna do?" James asked us, looking more relaxed now his parents were gone and putting his arm around Priya who looked pleased with the contact.

"I don't mind but I said I'd be back by ten" I told him, and he pouted, making me shake my head. "Max is back. This is the last time I'm going to see him before Christmas" I reminded him and he sighed but nodded, being very dramatic. "Besides I'll be back sometime this week" I added, and he nodded again.

"Fiiine" he relented, and I looked at Priya who was shaking her head, grinning at me and I rolled my eyes at her to show her what I thought of his dramatization.

"Why don't we go sit outside? It's such a nice evening" I suggested, my eyes looking out into the garden, longing for the feeling of fresh air. I heard James moan, but Sirius pulled me out, knowing I liked being outside and I smiled my thanks to him, hearing Priya and James follow us.

The rest of our evening was lovely as we just sat around and chatted, and it was a good opportunity to see how James and Priya were now that they were going out. It was clear to see how much they liked each other, and I really was very happy for James that he had found somebody who could make him so happy. As I had told them, I didn't stay long as I did want to spend some time with Max who was going back to France in a few days and as such wanted to maximise my time with him. We had a great laugh over those few days and when he left, I felt a little sad that I wouldn't be seeing him for several months. Thankfully I didn't have too much time to dwell on it as he went on the Friday and I was due on the Hogwarts Express on the Sunday. I therefore stayed at the Potter's Friday night, being surprised when I got a hug from both Carol and Matt who wished me luck for my last year at school. Carol also managed to sneakily ask me to keep an eye on the boys which I reassured her I would, earning an approving smile in thanks. On the Saturday I didn't linger too long, much to Sirius's disappointment, reminding him I had my own family who I needed to spend time with. I'd also be spending the next 3 and a bit month with him which, when I told him this, made him much happier about letting me go. I spent the rest of Saturday with Sara, Phil and Sienna (who came over specially to spend the last weekend with me) with a final family dinner on the Saturday night. I couldn't believe that a year ago I had been brimming with anxiety and worry about starting a new school, not touching my dinner and barely sleeping the night before. And now I was chatting excitedly to my family about the new school year and all the challenges and exciting opportunities it would bring. What a different a year makes.

A/N: That's it folks - short and sweet! Keep your eyes peeled for a full length Seventh Year sequel! Thanks for reading :)