Sunday, June 20th
Unlike most people, I'm a morning person. I've always been the sort to go to bed at a decent hour, so getting up in the morning has never been a struggle for me. Brunch is at 11, so when I wake up at half past 7, I decide that I may as well be productive and go for a jog. I tie my hair up and put on my sneakers, head down the stairs to the pub, and wave goodbye to Hannah before heading out into muggle London. I've always loved London, and particularly this part of it. I love that there's an entire Wizarding community tucked away and none of these people are the wiser.
I run for a bit, making sure to stay within a few blocks of the Leaky, because I know that if I go too far there's no way I'll find my way back. And it's not like I can just ask for directions.
When I return, I hop in the shower to freshen up, taking my time washing up. I then french braid my hair in two long pigtails, because if I don't it will dry a frizzy mess. I throw on a plain grey sundress and my favorite black converse, deciding to attempt to make a good impression with my appearance because I'll probably end up scaring them all away with how awkward I've become.
I have to keep reminding myself as I apply light makeup in the mirror that I know these people. These are the Weasleys and Potters and other close family friends, and even though it's been a while they're still the same. Most of them at least.
I check the clock on the the nightstand and notice that it's almost 10:15, which is when Hannah wants to leave. Apparently she likes to arrive early normally, and this way I'll have more time to catch up with my friends.
When I go out to the living room, Mom and the Longbottoms are waiting for me. I apologize for taking so long, to which Hannah replies, "Oh don't be silly, it's quite alright."
One by one, we floo to the Burrow, and I go last. It takes every last bit of willpower that I have to climb in that fireplace. Did I mention that I'm awkward with people that I don't know really well?
I stumble out into the cozy living room of the burrow. There are already people milling about, and I can't help it but to check to make sure none of them are James. I think it may be Lily over on the couch eyeing me with confusion, but I just hurriedly follow Hannah out into the garden and hope she doesn't recognize me. Which is silly, I know, but I'm nervous, so I'd like to put this off for as long as possible.
I'm immediately hugged by a few Weasleys and told repeatedly how tall and pretty I've gotten. I try to match names and memories to faces, but it's extremely difficult. Ginny Potter almost cries at the sight of me, but thankfully doesn't mention her eldest son, who is nowhere in sight.
"Finn!" I spin around quickly to see Rose Weasley running towards me.
"Rose!" I exclaim, hugging her tightly.
"It's been so long, what're you doing here?"
"I'm here for the summer actually," I laugh when her eyes light up at that. "I'm actually quite surprised you remember me."
Someone throws their arm around my shoulder and I start, but it's just Fred.
"Sorry, Rosie darling, but I'm going to steal Finn for a quick minute," Fred drags me over to Dom at one end of the long table that had been set up in the middle of the garden. I was actually quite impressed at the spread of food, and could feel my stomach grumble at the sight of it.
"Oh, good, you got her. Finn, you sit there, ok?" Dom points and the seat across from her. I comply and Fred sits down next to Dom.
Grandmum Weasley stands up and everyone quiets down just long enough for her to say, "Let's eat!"
We dig in, but all I can think about is that James still isn't there. Albus is a few seats down and had already said an astonished hello, and Lily finally figured out who I am, displayed by the look of surprise when Albus whispered something to her. I could see Harry next to Ginny at the opposite end of the table, but no James.
Dom starts to say, "Fred, how is it that he's always-"
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late," A deep voice says, dropping down next to me and reaching for a pastry. I stiffen and almost everyone at the table's voices drop to a hushed murmur. "What, I overslept? Albus was supposed to wake-"
His eyes land on me and everything stops.
I manage a weak grin but James completely freezes. The pastry in his hand drops to his plate. I hear Fred snigger, and a slight giggle from someone further down the table, but James does nothing. Just stares.
"Uh, hey?" I squeak, but it comes out as more of question.
Finally, "Birdie?" His deep voice dropped an octave and grew gruff, as if he was choking over my name.
I smile widely at the nickname. When we were small, maybe seven or so, we had stumbled upon a little bird that had a badly broken leg. I had really wanted to keep it, to nurse it back to health with a little magic and a little love. James had convinced me that it was beyond saving, but that didn't keep me from crying for the next four hours. I had protested the nickname he gave me afterword, since it reminded me of the poor creature's untimely death. But eventually the ill feelings faded and the nickname remained.
"Yeah, hi," I respond, reaching up to play with one of my braids. I almost wish I had left my hair down so that I could hide behind it. As if his gaze wasn't enough, everyone else was watching us as well. I tear my eyes away from his dark ones and fixate on the waffle in front of me. "Yum, waffles."
I hear my mom snort, and Fred loses it, bursting into laughter and everyone else follows, guffawing at my horrible attempt to return to normal conversation. I feel my face redden, but don't say anything else, simply take a small bite of my food. After everyone calms down, people begin to return to their meals and go back to conversing like the last minute and a half never happened. Except for me of course, and Fred, Dom and James. Fred is still clutching his side from laughing so hard, and Dom is lecturing him on what would have been an appropriate reaction to this situation. And James stares.
Five minutes pass, then ten, and I could tell that even Fred and Dom were beginning to get uncomfortable. He picks at his pastry, mumbling quiet responses whenever prompted by family members, and watches me out of the corner of his eye. Every once in awhile I glance over at him, trying to absorb small details about him without staring back. His black hair is artfully messy, and I could tell that he had just woken up a few minutes before. He's wearing a black shirt with the name of a band on it that I don't recognize and black skinny jeans with rips at the knees. His converse match mine. His jawline could probably cut diamond it was that sharp. And he's staring at me.
By the end of the meal, I'm annoyed. He could at least say hello! Any reaction would be better than none. So when people began clearing the table and we all stand up and he is still just watching me, I have had enough.
"James, stop looking at me." I put my hands on my hips, and despite my annoyance I can feel a blush rise on my cheeks when his eyes trail over me. I'm tall, towering over most girls I know at a grand height of 5'11", but he still had to be a good six inches taller.
"I-" He starts, but stops. We hold each other's gaze for another ten seconds or so before I roll my eyes and go to turn away. A hand on my wrist stops me, and before I can gather what's happening, I'm being pulled away from the garden and around the house.
"Let go of me, James, Merlin," I exclaim, trying to tug my arm away from him yet failing. Once we're out of sight of the garden, he releases me, but still stands much too close for comfort.
"What are you doing here?" James asks flatly.
"I was- wait a second, I'm not going to answer that. It's been six years, James, and I don't get so much as a hello? Everyone else was thrilled that I'm here, but you do whatever this is!" I rant, poking him in the chest when I finish. His very hard chest.
James scoffs, grabbing my hand and pushing it away. "What was my reaction supposed to be? You could've warned me you were coming, a letter, or a floo call or something! I just acted like an idiot in front of my entire family and it's because you just had to show up out of the blue!"
"It wasn't a planned trip, I didn't have time, okay?" I sigh, deciding just to let it go. I'd probably be annoyed at my presence if I were him, too.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I just…" he drifts off. "Didn't expect it."
"Well sorry," I say, watching him, his dark eyes are still looking at me with perplexity.
Suddenly, I'm pulled into a tight embrace. I didn't have a warning, so my arms are pinned to my side and my face is buried in his chest. He smells like cinnamon and books.
When he releases me, he holds me at arm's length, waiting for a reaction, I guess.
"Nice to see you too," I chuckle, and finally, he smiles.