Poppet closed her trunk. Finally she was packed up. She was very excited to go home and see her parents. She really missed them both and she was excited to just be home in the quiet with no Wotters around to constantly badger her. While she would miss them, she was looking forward to just two full weeks of nothingness. And Christmas Dinner. She was very excited for Christmas dinner. It was a Friday evening and the train left tomorrow morning at eleven on the dot. As far as she knew, all her friends were going home for Christmas. She very much hoped that she would be able to meet up with them over the break.
Poppet climbed into bed and pulled the duvet tightly around her. Her stomach twisted with excitement. She used to be allowed home far more often at Beauxbatons because they had more holidays. She wasn't used to not seeing her parents as often. It was weird.
"You all packed?" Florence walked into the dorm room. She was wearing jeans and a navy jumper covered in little gingerbread men. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair tied up in a stubby ponytail. Poppet smiled at how festive she looked.
"Yeah," Poppet indicated to her trunk, "I'm really excited about going home."
"Me too," Florence sighed, "I'll miss you, though."
Poppet smiled warmly, "I'll miss you too. But you're going to see me, aren't you? We'll meet up?"
"Of course," Florence smiled, "Christmas shopping in Diagon Alley?"
"Sounds lovely," Poppet grinned.
It was nearing eleven. Roxanne and Jocelyn hadn't come to bed yet. Their trunks were neatly packed, only their pyjamas and an outfit for tomorrow were left out on their beds. Fairy lights twinkled in the window of their dorm room – Florence and Roxanne had put them up to add a bit of festive cheer. Poppet really did love this time of year.
"Blane is going to meet my parents tomorrow," Florence said, suddenly.
"Wow," Poppet said. "That's a big step, Flo."
"I know," Florence giggled, her eyes glimmering with unmistakeable glee. They almost resembled the fairy lights in the window. "I'm really nervous. But, I mean, we have been dating for like two months now!"
"That long, huh?" Time had seriously flown by. It only seemed like it was yesterday that Poppet was on the train to Hogwarts and dreading it.
"Do you have any plans to meet Tobias over Christmas?" Florence asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Nope," Poppet said, quietly. She wasn't sure why everyone was still obsessed with her dating Tobias. Sure, they were flirty. But it had been two months of them really knowing each other and they hadn't gone on a date. They hung out a lot but he'd never asked her out on a date. Maybe this would bother some girls but Poppet wasn't bothered. She was happy just having close friends.
"Why not?" Florence asked. Clearly their whole friendship was very confusing to her. It was confusing to everyone, apparently.
"I don't know," Poppet shrugged.
"Oh," Florence said, softly. She decided it was time for a subject change. "Have you been invited to the Potter's New Year's Eve party?"
"Yup," Poppet said. Albus had handed her the invitation two days previously, assuring her that it was the party of the year – no pun intended - and she had to come. Apparently it was a very family-oriented family and that she should invite hers along too. She dreaded to think about how embarrassing her father might be at a party with Harry Potter.
"Me too," Florence said, "Al told me to bring my parents but I think they might be a bit overwhelmed, being Muggles and all."
"Mmm," Poppet mumbled in agreement.
"Ah, well," Florence glanced at the clock on the wall, "it's gone eleven. I want to go to sleep. Where are Joce and Roxy?"
Poppet wasn't sure. She suggested that they turn the lights off, go to sleep and then hopefully Roxanne and Jocelyn won't make too much noise when they come up to bed. Florence nodded in agreement and luckily, Poppet didn't wake up until morning.
The train ride home the following day was a pleasant one. Poppet sat in a compartment with Roxanne, Florence, Jocelyn, James, Tobias and Blane. Everyone was buzzing about going home for Christmas and their compartment was full of chatter, jokes and friendly festivities. Florence was sat in Blane's lap, her fingers lazily looping through his hair as they talked and joked with the rest of the group. Poppet laughed as a rogue Chocolate Frog landed on James' head.
"Oh, bloody hell," James said, frantically trying to grab the frog before it made a run for it.
This made Poppet and the others laugh even harder. She leaned down to pick up the card that came with the Chocolate Frog that was lying on the floor. A man with dark but greying hair, round glasses, green eyes and a lightning scar stared out of the picture. He smiled, and then left.
"Hey, James," Poppet turned the card over in her hands, "You got your dad."
"You keep it," James laughed, "I have the real thing at home."
Poppet smiled and slipped the pentagonal card into her pocket. She wasn't much of a fan of Chocolate Frogs – James had perfectly demonstrated why just a few minutes previously – and so she hardly had any of these cards. She watched as James finally reclaimed the frog as his own and took a bite out of its head. She smiled, looking around the compartment. These are my friends. I finally have friends. Roxanne was flipping through the latest Witch Weekly magazine. She looked up over the top of it and caught Poppet's eye. Roxanne gave her a cheeky smile and returned back to reading her gossip magazine.
"I can't wait to be home," Poppet said, relaxing back into her seat, "I can do nothing for two whole weeks."
"Um – don't forget we have plans tomorrow, Pops," Florence reminded her.
"And you're coming to our party?" James quickly asked.
"And I was hoping you'd meet me for coffee one day –" Tobias added.
"Okay, fine. I won't be doing nothing," Poppet conceded, "But it'll be more relaxing than being at school."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The train screeched and then came to a halt in Platform 9 ¾. Everyone eagerly looked out of the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of their family. James grabbed Poppet's trunk and hauled it down from the luggage shelf for her. She went to grab it but James was quicker.
"Allow me," he grinned.
"What a gentleman!" Poppet laughed, giving him a very grateful look.
"No need, James. I'll take it for her," Tobias said, placing his hand on the trunk and trying to pull it free of James' grip.
"No, honestly," James said, with a sincere smile, "I got this. You run along and find mummy and daddy."
Tobias looked like he was about to snap. Anger contorted his face into a very unpleasant expression. Poppet saw the concern flicker in James' eyes. He knew he'd spoken out of turn.
"Boys," Poppet warned. Neither of them dropped their grip on the case. Poppet gave an over exasperated sigh, hoping to add a little comic relief to this situation. "I'll carry it."
Both of them turned to look at her. James' eyes were like stone. Poppet – she wouldn't like to admit – was a little frightened. "No," James said, firmly. "I offered first. Tobias is just a little bit possessive."
"Me? Possessive? That's rich, coming from you," Tobias snorted.
"I don't know what you're talking about," James responded quickly.
"Like hell," Tobias snapped. He dropped his grip on the trunk. "Pops, I'll write you tomorrow. Have a nice Christmas, Potter."
And, with that, Tobias stormed out of the compartment. Everyone's eyes fell on James and Poppet.
"It's just banter," James said, weakly.
Roxanne flashed Poppet a concerned look and she shrugged in response. She didn't know what had happened to these two. They used to be pretty good friends. They were, on the whole. However, lately, they just seemed as if there was a strain. It had happened a few times recently. This one had been the worst.
James followed Poppet out of the train, still carrying her trunk. As soon as she stepped out on the platform she scanned it for her parents. She knew they were both coming. James still had hold of her case. She felt very awkward stood there with him, especially after what had just happened. But her trunk was so heavy. She couldn't wait until after the Christmas break where she would be able to have it hover in front of her. She'd finally be seventeen.
James' parents spotted them both and hurried towards them - Ginny enveloped James in a giant hug. "Hello, sweetie," she said, "How have you been?"
"Good," He grumbled.
Poppet could tell he was embarrassed.
"Poppet, right?" Ginny asked, turning to Poppet. "The wonderful Quidditch player?"
"Douglas' daughter," Harry smiled at her, as Poppet confirmed that she was in fact a wonderful Quidditch player. Coming from the mouth of an ex-Holyhead Harpies player and now head Quidditch correspondent for The Daily Prophet, this was an incredible compliment.
"Oh yes!" Ginny said, the smile never leaving her lips. "We saw Douglas a minute ago! He was just back there." Ginny pointed behind her with her perfectly manicured index finger.
"Thank you, Mrs. Potter," Poppet still had no idea where her parents were but she didn't want to be rude, for obvious reasons.
"You can wait with us, if you like," Harry said.
"Yes, we still need to find Albus and Lily," Ginny nodded.
"Al's with Ross," James said, quietly. There was something off about him. His face was red and flustered. His eyes wouldn't meet Poppet's.
"Figures," Ginny rolled her eyes. James forced a smile. "He'll find us in a minute. We're alright here, aren't we, love?" Ginny directed her question to Harry.
"Yeah. We'll be easier to find if we're stationary," Harry agreed.
Ginny enthused wildly about Quidditch to Poppet. Harry was stood, looking around the platform. He was clearly looking out for either his son or his daughter. Poppet and Ginny's conversation was interrupted by Harry shouting "Douglas! Over here!"
Poppet whipped around to see her mother and father walking hastily towards her, giant grins on their faces. She ran over to them and jumped into her father's arms. "I missed you!" she practically sobbed into his coat. She then gave her Jennifer an equally as forceful hug and they turned back to the Potters. Lily had joined them while Poppet was reuniting with her parents.
"I didn't realise our two were friends, Harry," Douglas grinned euphorically.
"Neither did I," Harry laughed.
"You must come round for dinner at some point," Jennifer gushed. "Bring the kids! I make a mean steak pie."
"She really does!" Douglas nodded wildly.
Harry and Ginny both smiled kindly. Poppet noticed that the two of them were rarely without kind, knowing smiles on their faces. They seemed so... patient. She really admired that quality in people. She wished she was more patient. "That sounds lovely."
"Shall we say next Sunday?" Jennifer asked.
"Perfect," Harry replied.
Jennifer and Douglas beamed at Harry and Ginny and Harry and Ginny beamed back. Poppet made a moment of awkward eye contact with James.
"Well, we ought to get home," Douglas said, placing his hand on Poppet's shoulder. "Lovely to see you, Potters!"
"And you," Harry said, with a smile.
"I'll write you," Poppet promised James.
"I'll be waiting," James said, with a mischievous smirk.
AN: Ick, I'm so unhappy with the way this turned out. I don't know, it was going to be a filler chapter anyway (sorry!) and I just feel like it's short and awkward? Tobias and James keep having spats. The Potters are coming for dinner. All very exciting stuff. See you next time. Remember to R+R!