New Year's Eve's Night

Finally. Ready to go. And my hair is looking decent enough that Mum won't attack me with a comb. I hope. Time to test that theory.

I head for the sitting room, which is where we always gather before leaving. Anticipating Mum's attack, I walk in with my eyes tightly closed and my whole body braced to be attacked.

Wait. Why is there no attacking going on? Not that I wanted to be attacked but… I should probably open my eyes now.

Oh. That's why. I'm the first one down here. Damn. That means I might still get attacked.

Finally, footsteps. That better be Mum and Ally or I'm going up there to get them myself.

Yeah! It's, um, it's, she, her, that, um, Wow. She is absolutely gorgeous.

In case you're confused, I am currently standing here with my mouth gaping open, completely speechless, because Ally is so completely beautiful. Not that I didn't already know this, but that dress, the hair, just. Wow.

"So, um. What do you think?"

Ah, crap. She thinks I don't like it. Well, they say actions speak louder than words. So I go right up to her, bend down, whisper, "You're absolutely gorgeous," and then kiss her like my life depends on it.

Yes, I know. It's very cliché. But hey, it's true.

"Ahem."

I pull back from the kiss to see Mum looking at us with her arms crossed in front of her and the hint of a glare on her face.

"Sorry Mum. You look gorgeous too." Flattery always helps.

"Really?" Ok, maybe not always.

"Sorry," I say again, now a bit sheepish.

She sighs before giving in. "Just don't let Neville see anything like that. It won't help your case."

"Thanks Mum." Have I ever mention how much I love my mother. I really do.

Once Teddy comes down, we apparate to the party. Teddy gets to take Ally for side-along because according to Mum, I haven't had my license for long enough to be taking others with me without splinching them.

And now to head into the party.

Except I just realized, I'm going to die tonight. I am actually going to die. I'm not ready to die. I'm only seventeen. I haven't had a chance to live my life yet. I've only just barely been able to kiss Ally. I'm not ready to lose all that.

"JAMES!"

"Huh? What?" Oh, it's just Ally.

"James, it's time to go in."

"You know Ally. Maybe it's not the best idea for us to just walk in together."

"Are you really that scared of my dad?"

"Would you dump me if I said yes?" He's not the DADA professor for nothing!

"I'm not going to dump you. And because I know how much my dad's reaction means to you, I will talk to him first. Without you. Then he can get the ranting out of his system and he'll be okay with it. Or else. Okay James?"

I nod stiffly. I can do this.

Ally gives me a quick kiss before heading into the party. Not wanting to miss what Uncle Neville says (I may be scared of his reaction but knowing is always better), I follow her in.

Rather than head straight for her dad, Ally's taken a detour to the drink table. Now she's heading for her dad. He still hasn't spotted her. Spoke too soon.

"ALLY! What are you doing here? This party is only for those of age."

"Hey Daddy. I came as a guest." Good. Good. Ease him into it gently.

"Who brought you?" Uh oh. He's looking suspicious.

"My boyfriend, Daddy."

"YOUR WHAT?" Aw crap. He's really going to murder me.

"YOU ARE ONLY FOURTEEN! YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DATE YET! YOU ARE TOO YOUNG!" I can't just let him yell at her like that. I'm going to have to stop this. Merlin protect me.

"NO ONE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO DATE MY ALLY!"

I walk up and sling my arm around her shoulders. She seems surprised that I didn't wait. Like I'd just let him yell at her without doing anything. "I would hope I'd be considered good enough to date her."

"NO!" Merlin's saggy pants, he got his wand out! I'm not ready to die! "NO ONE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY ALLY! I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE THE SON OF HARRY BLOODY POTTER!

I'm so going to die. I should have written my will this morning. If anyone's listening, I want my broom to go to Albus. Rose can have all my school books. Hell, she can have all my books. Lily can have—

"WHAT THE HELL DADDY? BACK OFF! HE'S MY BOYFRIEND AND I LOVE HIM! YOU CAN'T STOP US FROM BEING TOGETHER! AND IF YOU CAN'T ACCEPT THAT, THEN DON'T EXPECT TO SEE ME AGAIN ANY TIME SOON!"

Wow. Just. Wow. I didn't know Ally had that in her. And now she is dragging me to the fireplace and flooing us back to my house.

"Ally, that was—" Except then she breaks down sobbing on the couch. "Oh Ally. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I hold her tight and rock her gently as she sobs, murmuring comforting (hopefully) things into her hair.

After a while, she seems to have calmed down a bit. "You know how much I love you, right Ally? Because I really do. I can't believe you defended me to Uncle Neville like that. You are so amazing. I love you so much."

"I love you too James. That's why I said what I did. And I meant it."

Wait. Huh? Which part?

"The part of about him not seeing me." She knows me so well. I didn't even have to say anything and she knew I was utterly confused. "Umm. James?"

"Yes, Ally?"

"Could I, umm, maybe, you know—"

"Stay here for the rest of break? Yes. You can."

She looks relieved. Good. I don't want her worrying anymore than absolutely necessary. "Thanks. I should probably—"

"James? Ally? Where are you?"

"In here Mum!" Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me.

"Ally! Are you okay? You can stay here for as long as you like sweetie. It's no trouble at all. Harry's working on calming Neville down and your mother is going to send over your things in case you don't have a chance to go home before the holidays are over. Is that alright?"

Oh, how I love my mother. I think I've said that already, but I really do.

"Thank you, Aunt Ginny. You're amazing."

She's smiling again! Woohoo!

"I told you, it's no trouble at all. Now. It's been a long day. James, go show Ally to the guest room down the hall from Lily's room. I've had Kreacher get it all ready for her to use for the rest of the holidays."

"Thanks Mum. You're the best." She deserves a hug for this, so I give her one. She hugs me back in one of her signature bone-crushing hugs.

"Come on, Ally. You're in the same room you've used the other times you've visited."

Except this time, she's here as my girlfriend, not Lily's best friend. That means I can show affection freely. Though right now, I just do that by holding her hand as we head upstairs in comfortable silence.

As we reach her door, she turns back to me, still holding my hand.

"I don't think I ever thanked you for interrupting my dad's shouting match. So, thank you. It was very brave of you."

"Well, I couldn't just let him yell at you. If he wasn't your father, I probably would've hexed him for yelling at you like that. It wouldn't be the first time." I mutter that last bit hoping she hadn't heard. I didn't mean to tell her that.

"The first time?"

Now I'm looking down at the floor sheepishly. "Yeah, you know. Umm, that Slytherin bloke in your year. The one that's always annoying you. Until he stopped back in March. That's, err, that's because I hexed him and swore to do loads worse to him if he didn't leave you alone."

She's smiling! That's a good sign. "Normally, I would scold you for hexing another student, especially since you're a prefect, but right now, it actually sounds really sweet. So thank you. And good night."

"Sweet dreams, my lovely Ally." I kiss her good night then. And, you know, it turned out to be a good night after all. Despite the lack of sleep that kiss caused for me.