Chapter 4
SPOV
While James finishes getting ready I get word out to his family so they will all be at the Burrow. "James?" I yell down the hallway.
No answer. I sigh and walk down the hallway to the bathroom since he was supposed to be taking a shower. I bang on the door. "James Potter you open the door this minute!" I was hoping he wasn't going to be difficult about this. I really don't have the patients for him right now, but I sigh and open the door. "James-" I stop. On the floor with his hair wet and just a towel around his waist is James.
And he's crying.
"James?" I ask tentatively. I walk in and sit down next to him. "Jamie what's wrong?" The familiar nickname slips out with ease and I want to slap myself for it.
"They're all going to be so different!" he cries. "I mean, I've missed so much that I barely recognised you with your short, dark hair. I won't recognise them! What if they can't tell it's me? What if they hate me?" He whispers the last part.
"Oh Jamie," I sigh, wrapping my arms around him. I wish he wouldn't cry. I've never been able to handle James when he cries. "They'll recognise you. They might be mad at first, but they love you."
"And do you?" he asks.
I pull back, startled and give him a questioning look.
"Do you love me?"
I freeze. I'm not sure how I feel anymore. I used to love him. It's been three years though, do I still love him? Recently, I've been trying to hate him, but if I'm being honest I don't. I can't.
"It's okay if you don't. I'll understand," he says looking down at his hands.
"I don't know," I whisper finally.
We stare at each other for a few moments, eyes searching for answers, but I break the connection. I can't do this right now.
I stand up and offer him my hand. He takes it and I help him up. I let go and pull out my wand. I wave it a couple times and the bathroom becomes neat and clean, and Jamie's hair dries. "Put on some clothes so we can get going," I say, trying not to stare before I turn and walk back to the kitchen.
He's ready to go a couple minutes later. I take his hand and we apparate into his old bedroom where I know no one will be. "You stay here while I go make sure everyone is in the living room alright?"
He nods.
"It'll be okay," I squeeze his hand before gathering everyone into the living room. I know that he needs the support right now from at least one person. I can be mad at him another time.
"Why are we all here Serena?" asks Uncle George once I get everyone.
"You'll see in a moment," I answer. "I'll be right back."
I get James and bring him downstairs. "Ready?" I ask.
He takes a deep breath. "Yes."
I open the door, telling James to stay in the hallway for a few moments so I can make sure everyone is still in the living room. I slip into the room shutting the door behind me. I have no idea how to tell them James is back. At least Kat, Louis, Lindsay (who is still here), Mandi, and Fred know. That's a start.
Everyone looks up as the door clicks shut. "Er hi," I say running a hand through my hair.
"Are you going to tell us what's going on?" asks Albus impatiently.
I sigh. "Before I do, I want you all to promise not to get too angry or violent."
"Why would we get angry or violent?" asks Hugo suspiciously.
"Just promise," I say earnestly.
Everyone nods or mumbles.
"Okay," I say turning and walking back through the door I entered through.
I find James pacing frantically and mumbling under his breath. I catch his hand and he looks at me nervously. "It'll be okay," I reassure him, giving his hand a squeeze.
"Yeah," he mumbles. "It'll be fine." He unexpectedly yanks me into a hug.
I rub his back soothingly. "Come on," I say pulling back and wipe away the tears on his cheeks. "Where's the Gryffindor I know?"
He gives me a small smile. "That's better," I say quietly, taking his hand and pulling him to the door. I tug him through the entryway.
"Hi," says James, tears still running down his face as gasps echo throughout the room.
"James," chokes Ginny as Harry grips her hand tightly.
"Hey mum, dad," he says through his tears. I reach up and wipe a few from his face again.
It's absolutely quiet as Ginny jumps out of her seat and runs over to us, engulfing James in a loving hug. I go to move away, but James doesn't let go of my hand as he wraps his free arm around his mother. I try to tug my hand away as the rest of his family runs up to him, but he just grasps it harder. Soon I'm in a large Weasley sandwich.
Eventually they move away and we all sit down as James is bombarded by questions. He answers them all calmly even though they occasionally yell at him. Most of them just want to know why he left, none of them are too angry. I expect that those will come a bit later, once everyone's excitement has faded away. They'll realize what he's done and people will get mad, but hopefully I'm wrong. They're his family and as mad as I am I don't think he needs us all being mad.
James doesn't let me leave his side. He's always touching me as well, whether he's holding my hand or our legs are pressed together during dinner. He seems to be taking strength from me being there. I'm not too happy about it, but I guess it makes sense. He was always like this.
We stay well into the night. We don't apparate back to the flat until two in the morning. As we're taking our coats off James finally seems to relax.
"They don't hate me!" he beams.
"Of course not," I say taking off my coat. "I told you they wouldn't."
"Thank you," he says quietly.
"For what?" I ask throwing my coat onto the sofa.
"For making me go talk to them," he says before spinning me around and putting his hands on my shoulders. "I feel so much better. Honestly.
"I'm glad," I smile softly resting one of my hands on his cheek. "You should be happy." I can feel my anger melting away as he grins. He's just so happy.
I see something in his eyes flash as his grin fades and his gaze meets mine. I swallow and quickly pull away.
"I-I'm going t-to bed," I stutter, walking quickly down the hallway. I slam the door shut behind me and slide down it onto the floor, resting my head in my hands, utterly confused about what was going on.