Chapter 22

Six Months Later

"Love, we have practice now," James reminded me. He pushed me up off him, but I resisted, and snuggled into his shoulder, reveling in our position on the couch.

"No," I mumbled into his shoulder. "I like it here."

"But I'm the captain and we really should get our arses moving or Slytherin will whoop our arses at the next match in a week. I can't believe it's our last match at Hogwarts. Ever."

I moved my head to look up at the ceiling. "I know. It's so weird we're leaving in two weeks."

"Bloody weird. We'll be … real adults," said James wondrously.

"I know."

We sat in silence for a few moments before James piped up, "Milla, we really do have to go."

"Wanker."

"So you and Ben are going on a month-long trip to Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yep," said Char, biting her lip and grinning. "It will be fab."

"It'll be bloody nice before starting your stint with the Wimbourne Wasps."

"I know. And since Ben wants to be an Auror, this will be good before all that intensive training he has to undergo," explained Char.

"And are you guys going to live together?" I asked. "After you get back?"

"Well, we talked about that. But we've decided to buy adjacent flats to be able to join them together if we decide to move in together. But if things go wrong, we can always go our separate ways. We think it's the most prudent thing to do," said Char matter-of-factly.

"Wow," I said, impressed. "You have really thought a lot about this and discussed it?"

"Obviously. We're out of school in a month," said Char with a wary glance in my direction. "Wait. So you and James haven't discussed anything yet?"

"No!" I exclaimed. "It's really irritating actually. I'm waiting for him to bring it up. I don't want to seem overeager or overbearing."

"But you've known him your entire life. He was – and is – your best friend," said Char in confusion. "Why can't you talk to him about it?"

"Because! I may know what binky was his favorite and when he peed his pants and his inner thoughts and shit, but this is new territory. It's weird to broach this stuff, you know?" I said, trying to articulate my feelings accurately.

"I reckon you have a point, but you should really think about what you're going to do. I mean, we're leaving really soon and you need to figure out your future," Char said with a raised brow. "It's very important."

"I know! I'm waiting for that tosser to talk to me about it!" I said defensively.

"Okay, but I would be looking into flats if I were you. In case he doesn't gather up the balls to discuss this apparently scary subject."

"Okay okay. I get your point. I'll look into it," I said.

"Thank you. Even Miranda has made plans," commented Char.

"She has?"

"Yes! She and Nate are moving in together. Honestly I think they'll be engaged within the next two years," said Char excitedly, nodding emphatically.

"I can definitely see that happening. She's so much more natural with him. Remember how stilted she behaved around Edgar Willington?" I giggled.

"Oh my God! Yes, I remember him. I wonder what happened to that bloke."

I laughed.

"Oh God. I am going to miss this place," said Char.

"Me too."

And we sat in silence, mulling over the past seven years.

"So you and Nate, eh?" I asked with a wink during dinner in the Great Hall.

Miranda looked bemusedly at me. "Er, yes, Milla. Brilliantly spotted. Yes, I am dating Nate Walters."

I shot her a look. "No, you daft cow! I meant, you and he are moving in together!"

"You are?" interjected Luke. "That's excellent."

"I'd run if I were you," said James with a grin. "Having Luke nearby is never a good idea."

Luke shot him a look.

"Well, you'll be just round the corner from us," said Nate. "Your flat is on the street next to ours in Kensington."

"Really?" said Luke. "I didn't even know you were moving there! This is great."

"I know," said Miranda, grinning. "I can't wait."

"I'll be happy to be done," Ben said with a pensive look. "I'm kind of … done with school, you know? But I will miss it here. It's been like home."

"I know what you mean, darling," said Char.

I darted a look at James, who was looking thoughtful. He caught my gaze and I saw something inscrutable in his eyes.

"I can't believe we only have two weeks," added Nate. "It's very soon."

"I was just –"

"Milla," said James abruptly, nudging me. "Can I have a word later?"

I looked flummoxed. "Okay, er, sure. After dinner, yeah?"

"Great," he said, unbending a little and shooting me a smile.

"Pass the potatoes, will you? I want to fling them at the Slytherins," said Luke.

Oh, for Merlin's sake. Some things never change.

After dinner James pulled me away from the others and I looked questioningly up at him.

"Let's go for a walk down by the pitch, okay?" he asked, seeming a bit tense.

"Okay," I said good-naturedly. "Fine by me."

"So, how was your day?" he asked a tad awkwardly.

"It was fine," I said cautiously, looking at him warily. "How was yours?"

"Good," he said.

And that was all.

We fell into silence as we meandered from the castle toward the pitch. As we reached the pitch, I snapped.

"Okay, James, I know you like the back of my hand. What's going on? What's wrong?" I said worriedly.

James blanched. "Um, nothing. I've just been doing some thinking …"

"About?" I prompted gently.

"Us."

"What about us?" I asked, slipping my arm through his.

"Us … after school is over. The future," he said a little apprehensively.

"James!" I exclaimed, fed up. "Stop being a dolt! I've known you for forever and you can tell me anything. Now what the bloody fuck is going through that mind of yours?"

"Well, since everyone has been talking about what they're doing after we graduate. And I know we haven't discussed it yet or anything, but I've been thinking about it. After graduation, how would you like to move in with me?" He looked nervous.

I recoiled in shock. WHAT?

I certainly wasn't expecting him to talk to me about our future and the first thing he says is that we move in together.

"Milla, we don't have to. It was just an idea," he said, examining my astonished face.

"James –"

"No, really, if it's moving too fast, then we can just –"

"James, would you just –"

"You don't need to explain."

"JAMES!" I shouted. He looked at me startled.

"Please just shut up and listen to me, you great prat." He looked a bit miffed but listened. "Of course I want to bloody move in with you. I love you, you idiot. I was just waiting for you to make the first move."

I grinned stupidly.

His face relaxed into a smile. "Excellent. I can't wait."

"Neither can I," I said happily, putting my arms around his neck and kissing him. He moved his mouth down my neck, and I groaned.

"James, love, stop. We're in public," I half-heartedly complained.

"Mmph," complained James, but he pulled away. "When we finally live together, you and I will be able to do all sorts of things without people intruding."

He raised his eyebrows suggestively and I swatted him.

"Oh shut up, you idiot," I said, but ruined the effect by grinning.

We started to walk again, and he slung his arm around my shoulder. We fell into another silence, but this time it was comfortable and we were in complete harmony.

After a while, I said, "I just can't believe we're leaving."

James sighed heavily. "I know. It's bloody strange, isn't it?"

"Yeah. I can't believe so much has changed since we started school."

He looked down at me with an intense expression. "I know. You and me together, our best mates, everything. It's been a fucking rollercoaster, but fun. I can't believe we're old!"

I laughed. "We're not old," I said mildly. "But we're certainly more mature. At least some of us are," I added wryly.

"Shut up, you bint. Maybe I'll retract my offer if you're always rude to me," he said with a grin.

"Believe me, I'd be glad," I said.

We lapsed into another silence. The lake was glistening in the distance in the evening sunlight. Birds were chirping overhead and I felt completely at peace in that moment.

"I still can't believe we ended up together," said James pensively.

"I know. But apparently it was bound to happen. I mean, our parents even bet on us, for fuck's sake," I said.

He laughed. "I reckon so. But it's still funny. Best mates to dating." He squeezed my shoulder.

"I wonder what will happen after Hogwarts with us," I said.

"Well, we're already moving in together," James said, slipping his hand around my waist.

"I mean after that, idiot," I said, him on the arm.

"Hmm. Maybe you and I will break up and I'll marry Lucia," James said with a twinkle in his eye.

"You prat! You know what I went through while you dated her. Insensitive prick!" I exclaimed, swatting him.

He laughed, pulling me nearer him. "Shut up, Milla."

"But really. I do wonder what'll happen. If we'll last or …" I trailed off, not even wanting to articulate my next thought.

"Well, I mean, it's fairly obvious isn't it?" he said.

I looked at him curiously. "What d'you mean?"

"Well, ever since we've started dating seriously, I've been thinking about … the future. And I mean, eventually, we'll get engaged and then married, yeah? That's what usually happens," James said, running a hand through his hair.

He looked down at me warily. My eyes were shining.

"You've thought about this?" I asked in amazement.

James looked a bit sheepish. "Well, yeah."

"I think that's really sweet," I said softly, looking up at him. "And I've had those same thoughts for a long time."

"Well, time will tell," he said after a while. "But I think you and I are in this for the long haul."

With that, we strolled around the lake, James's arm around me.

"He SAID that?" Char squealed.

"That's pretty bloody adorable," Miranda conceded gruffly.

Char clapped her hands. "I think you should have blue bridesmaids' dresses."

I swatted her. "Shut up. I'm not marrying the bloke…. Yet."

"You will be," said Char knowingly.

"Hopefully, yes," I said dreamily. "He is it."

"The One?" asked Miranda with an eye roll.

"Yes, he is," said Char defensively.

"I suppose so, yes," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "There's nothing to be done."

"I'm so excited for us," said Char.

"I know." I grinned.

"It will be so much fun. We're going to do a cocktail party before we leave, mkay?" Miranda said.

"Excellent," I said. "It'll be so much fun."

"There's only one problem," said Char.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Who are we giving my List to if we're all paired off? That's the criteria for a perfect man!"

Oh, for God's sake.