New Year's Day's Morning
After sleeping in this morning, I wander downstairs to find Ally and Lily eating a very late breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast in the kitchen.
Uh oh. They just got silent real quick after I walked in.
"Don't let me disturb your gossip session, my lovely ladies." I kiss each of them on the forehead as I pass by on my way to get some food.
Ally smiles at me while Lily looks a bit more serious. "Ally was just telling me about what happened last night."
"Oh. Yeah. And you thought I was being stupid trying to put off telling him."
"I never said you were stupid. I just didn't want to see Ally get hurt from not telling Uncle Neville."
I decide to change the subject. As I sit down with my plate of food, I placate Lily with a "Yeah, I know," before asking Ally, "Did you sleep well last night? I know his reaction was worse for you than me and I hope you didn't lose too much sleep because of it. You can't afford to be sleep deprived with school starting again soon."
"I slept fine, James. It's really sweet of you to worry though."
"Oh, don't you two start getting all lovey-dovey in front of me. I may approve since I know you're both helplessly in love but that doesn't mean I want to see it when I'm trying to eat."
Yes, my lovely little sister can be quite caustic when she desires it. "I thank you for your approval but neither do I wish to hear your opinions when I am trying to eat."
"Play nice you two. It's too early to be bickering already."
"Says you." Lily and I retort in unison. We really are more alike than either of us would like to admit. And we both love a good bickering session. It's how we show we love each other. I feel the need to add though that, "It's not early Ally dear. It's almost noon."
"Alright then. I have too much to deal with already with my dad; I don't need my best friend and boyfriend bickering on top of that."
She called me her boyfriend again! Happy dance! But she really does sound exhausted. "How about you take a nap? I'll stop by the Leaky Cauldron and get your things from your mum. And she can give me a progress report on how Neville is handling things, alright?"
"Thank you James. That sounds lovely. Oh goodness, I'm starting to sound like you now, aren't I?"
"Indeed you are. But you sound lovely sounding like me." I lean forward to kiss her. As I pull away, I see Lily turned away in disgust at the blatant display of affection.
After taking my dishes to the sink for Kreacher to take care of later, I stop by Lily to pull her into a hug. I whisper in her hair, "She was your best friend long before I fell in love with her and she will always remain so. It is not a competition." As I pull away, she smiles and I see I judged the situation correctly.
I turn to Ally and pull her into a hug as well. "I love you, lovely Ally. I'll see you later."
"I love you too. Do try to avoid my dad when you stop at the Leaky Cauldron."
"I will try my best." I give her a quick kiss before heading upstairs to get dressed to go out.
As I walk into the dim interior of the Leaky Cauldron, I instantly spot Hannah Longbottom standing behind the counter.
"Hello Auntie Hannah."
"Oh, hello James. It's good to see you. How is Ally doing?"
"She's alright. Still upset by Neville's reaction though."
"As she should be. I'm horrified that he would act in such a way. He knows you are a nice boy that would do right by our Ally."
"Thank you ma'am. The sentiment is much appreciated. Has he cooled down at all since last night?" Highly improbable, but I can hope.
"A bit. But not enough that it would be a good idea for you to hang around much longer sadly."
"That's more than I expected. I just thought I'd save you a trip and pick up Ally's things, seeing as how she most likely won't be home for the rest of the holidays."
What I hear next is almost enough to make me mess my pants.
"She better be staying in a room on the opposite side of the house from yours, young man." Uncle Neville had managed to come down without his wife or me noticing his approach.
"Of course, sir. She is staying in the room she has always used in the past when visiting Lily."
"Good. Tell her that she is welcome home any time that she wishes. It is not necessary for her to stay away from her mother when she is already gone at school for most of the year."
"I'm sorry sir, but she has made it abundantly clear that she will not come home until you accept our relationship."
"And why should I do that?"
Might as well be honest. "Because I have loved her with all by heart since I was fourteen and have never looked at another girl since I fell for her. And if she'll have me, I plan to marry her one day. And I would very much like your blessing; because while I would still ask her without it, I know it would break her heart having to choose between her father and the man she loved. Because, somehow, she loves me just as much as I love her."
He seemed shocked by my honesty and bluntness. "Well. Um. Is that so?"
"Yes sir. It is. Now, can I tell her she can come home or do I need to continue with my original objective of picking up her things?"
"Well. James. I must say, I do not like the idea of my daughter dating. And I still think that she is too young. Especially compared to you. But, if you make her happy, then I guess I will just have to deal with that, won't I?"
"Thank you sir. Very much. Ally will be very glad to hear it."
"Like I said, she is welcome home any time she wishes. Just make sure you don't get too affectionate with her. Understood?"
"Yes sir. Crystal clear."
"Good. Then, last time I checked, we aren't at school. Which means I am still Uncle Neville to you."
"Thank you, Uncle Neville. I'll go tell Ally the good news now, if you don't mind?"
"Of course not. Bring her back, will you? I trust you know how to safely maneuver the Floo Network, seeing as how you haven't had your license long enough to be taking her side-along."
"But of course. Your wish is my command." And with that, I apparate back home.
As I wander back inside, I see my father sitting in front of the fire nursing a glass of firewhiskey.
"A little early to be breaking out the alcohol, isn't it Dad?"
"Yes, well. I had hoped last night would go better. For your sake, as well as the sake of my friendship with Neville."
"Well, if that's what the alcohol is for, then toss it. Everything's fixed."
He looks up at me in surprise.
I say simply, "I ran into Uncle Nev at the Leaky Cauldron. We have his blessing, however grudgingly given."
"Why were you at the Leaky Cauldron?"
"I thought I'd save Auntie Hannah from having to make the trip over here to bring all of Ally's stuff. But everything worked out in the end."
"How in Merlin's name did you convince him to give his approval? Especially after his explosion last night."
"I told him the truth. Once he realized how serious I was, he decided it would just be easier to not fight me on this."
"I'm glad. You two deserve to be happy together. Now, I think Ally is napping upstairs. You should probably go tell her the good news."
"Will do, Dad. And I'm glad you approve. Seeing as how I plan to marry her one day." With that, I head for the stairs. As I pass through the doorway, I hear my dad mutter, "Just like his namesake." I'll have to ask him the story behind that comment one day. But for now, I had a girlfriend to make smile.
Author's Note: I am leaving this where it is for now. I'd say it's on hiatus but not really because I feel it could be left the way it is and still be a good ending. I am planning on adding to/improving it at a later date, but I just have too much on my plate right now. Feel free to read my other stories! They're quite good if I do say so myself. I actually think they're better writing quality than this is... Which is why improvements will be made before I continue this. I apologize to all those who were waiting for more. Just remember to follow this story if you do want to read the new and improved version when I get to it :)