Darling (or is it Darla now?),

I'm so happy you're in England! We can finally communicate! I always feel bad sending owls across the Atlantic and Hogwarts doesn't make contacting anyone easy unless by owl. The school has only just got a computer. It's an old, giant thing in the library and it's so highly in demand that I just don't bother. Plus, WizSpace is blocked anyway. This school, I swear to Merlin! How are you and Jayden? Are you panicking about having a little one in a few months? I'm so excited to meet the little lady or gent!

I'm writing to you to catch up but also I need some advice. You are my happily married and now pregnant sister, so who else to go to with love advice! I have appeared to have fallen for a Potter. Oops. It was purely accidental and I'm not sure when it happened or how it happened but I have got it hard for a Potter. We're not official yet, in fact we have our first 'date' today, but we had a long talk last weekend in a detention and we decided that we couldn't ignore our mutual attraction and now we're going to Hogsmeade on a date which should be good but I'm so freaking nervous. Like, I've known the guy for a good six months and we're really great friends (and we've also made out more times than I'd care to admit) but I just don't know how to act around him on a date? It's so daft and I can see that now I'm writing it down but... I don't know.

It also doesn't help that I'm very friendly with all his family, who expect great things from this relationship and have practically inducted me into their Wotter ways. I suppose I should be pleased about that but I feel like there's a lot of pressure on us to work out. And things don't always work out and I'm worried that if it ends, his entire family would turn against me and I'd – no exaggeration – only have half the amount of friends I used to have. The only Wotter who would stay on my side would be Roxy (I told you about her, right?) and that's only because she doesn't really like James very much. I'm just worried this is going to be messy.

Anyway, love to you, Jayden and the bump. The baby's due in June, right? You better come over during my summer holidays and see me with my new niece or nephew. I miss you!

Lots of love,

Poppet

Expertly, Poppet tied the letter to the leg of a Hogwarts owl and sent it on its way to her family home in London. She watched it fly off into the distance and watched it until it was a tiny speck in the landscape and then made her way down the stairs of the owlry. It was a beautiful March day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the air had a crispness about it which made Poppet feeling like she could achieve anything. She hoped that this feeling would help her today, as she was going on her date with James today. Her first date with James. She could hardly believe it. Old insecurities bubbled in the pit of her stomach. She'd avoided breakfast and spent her morning writing and then sending a letter to her sister.

Poppet had never been on a proper date before, unless you counted walks around the grounds of Beauxbatons with her ex-boyfriend (which she didn't!). Nerves made her whole body shake as she tried to tightly wrap her coat around her body, as the wind was bracing. Poppet had fantasized about a date with James for months, but she didn't think the day would ever actually come. She hoped it wouldn't be cringy but she still wanted it to be sweet and meaningful – she wouldn't be a true teenage girl if she didn't dream about a fairytale romance. Worries swam around in her stomach, diving and churning about, causing her to feel nauseous. What if it's all awkward? What if we don't have anything to talk about? What if? What if? What if?

She knew all her worrying was all in vain. Since their conversation in detention a week ago, nothing had been awkward between her and James. It was like old times but it was better, because both of them were excited an optimistic about their future together for the first time. James was, obviously, as friendly as ever and rumours spread like wildfire that they were going on a date. This resulted in Poppet receiving foul looks from James' fourth year Hufflepuff fangirls and also Jeanette, who was disgusted that her ex boyfriend was moving on so fast, but Poppet wondered if she was surprised. Florence certainly wasn't when Poppet had come back to the common room on Saturday night, goofy and euphoric. "I can't see how you didn't see this coming," Florence had said. Poppet had just beamed in response.

Poppet was due to be meeting James at ten in the common room. From there, they would make their way into Hogsmeade and their first date would commence. Poppet walked through the portrait hole and was greeted by an empty common room, heated by a roaring fire. She took off her coat, suddenly boiling hot, and decided to have a shower and start getting ready. It was already nearly nine. She made her way up to the bathroom and shrugged off all her clothes, leaving them in a neat pile on the floor in front of her shower and stepping in. The searing water beat down on her shoulders, making them red hot. Poppet was calmed by the rhythmic sound of the water hitting her bare back. Relaxed, she hopped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a towel and made her way back to her dorm room.

"You look nice today, Hastings," James smirked at Poppet as she emerged from the dorms at exactly ten. He had his hands in his pockets, as if he were casual and cool but Poppet could practically see the nervous energy bouncing off of him. She was also certain that the outfit he was wearing – blue skinny jeans and a grey, chunky-knit jumper – was not the first outfit he'd had on this morning. He was clean shaven and his usually messy hair was surprisingly tidy. Had he even put gel in it?

"Thanks, Potter," Poppet said, walking towards the portrait hole. James followed like a puppy.

"Why weren't you at breakfast this morning?" James asked as they made their way through the castle, "I missed you."

Poppet blushed, "I was sending a letter to my sister."

"Oh, is she in London?" Poppet inwardly beamed. She was so pleased that James paid attention to her. This comment proved this as, earlier that week, Poppet had gone on a long rant to him about how she could only talk to Darling when she was in the country, as Hogwarts was not well-equipped with trans-Atlantic contact methods. They'd gone to see Hagrid together and all the way there Poppet ranted about this. She was convinced James wasn't listening. Evidentially, he was.

"Yeah, she's visiting my parents. She was going to come at Easter, but she will be too pregnant by then to use a portkey and you know the laws about apparation. She can't even come over on a muggle plane," Popped sighed, "I won't get to see her before the baby is born which is kind of sad."

"Will she come over in the summer? The baby's due in June, right?"

"Yeah, I hope so. That's what I was asking her in my letter, actually," Poppet said. Well, that and for some advice about you. Although, Poppet thought she might not need it. True, they were only at the Entrance Hall but conversation had been easy and not forced. She wondered why she'd worried about this. Everything was fine.

"Well, I for one want to meet the woman who set your hair on fire when you were two," James grinned, "and I want to congratulate her on her great work."

Poppet slapped his arm. "You're assuming we'll still be together over the summer and at this rate, it's not looking good."

"So, we're together are we? Haven't even started our first date and you're saying we're together? I knew I was good, Hastings, but I didn't know I was this good," James was smirking and Poppet was tomato red. Oops, little slip of the tongue there. Poppet internally glowered. He was like a dog with a bone. He would not let this go.

"When you ask a girl on a date, James," Poppet said, nonchalantly, "she expects some sort of commitment. You're not just going to take me out on one date and then chuck me, are you?"

James laughed. "We'll see."

Heavily, Poppet took a seat in the Three Broomsticks. It was packed with Hogwarts students but James had managed to find a little table in the corner. He'd instructed Poppet to save it while he went and got them each a Butterbeer and a bowl of chips. She was very glad that he hadn't taken her to Madame Puddifoot's. Peering through the window as they walked by, Poppet saw that it was already full of students and their significant others, cooing sickeningly at each other from across tables and sharing milkshakes. Yuck.

James returned to the table, bearing two frothy Butterbeers. He smiled as he sat down, pushing Poppet's Butterbeer towards her and encouraging her to take a sip. Poppet needed no encouragement. The Butterbeer was very welcome on this chilly day and it warmed up her insides. "I'm so glad this is happening," he said, with an elated sigh.

"Me too." Poppet grinned over the top of her goblet. "I've been waiting for this for weeks."

"Weeks? Think yourself lucky, Hastings. I've been waiting for this for months. Literally, months. Probably since I first freaking saw you," James' tone was playful but his eyes looked serious.

"Really?" Poppet questioned.

"Well, since you called the sorting hat a piece of shit, anyway," James laughed, "I thought that was funny."

Poppet went pink. "Well, it is a piece of shit. It called me a spitfire."

"I remember," James said, nostalgically, "and it couldn't have been more correct."

"What did the sorting hat say to you?" Poppet asked, even though she had a pretty good idea. Probably something about arrogance, cockiness, pig-headedness but a kind, sweet heart, and great abs...

"It told me I was smart, so would fit in well to Ravenclaw, but I was adamant I was going to be in Gryffindor, like my parents and Fred and Teddy, and I think that hat could sense that. It said I had a strong will and that I was determined and not afraid to speak my mind so sorted me into Gryffindor," James shrugged. "I was so happy but I always kind of felt like I was cheating the system. I just willed myself to think 'brave thoughts' and I guess it worked."

Poppet allowed a smile to play on her lips, "I think it made the right decision."

"Well, of course it did," James laughed. "The hat doesn't generally make wrong decisions, Hastings."

She glared at him playfully and he laughed harder while she took a sip of her Butterbeer, creating a foamy moustache on her upper lip. This caused another roar of laughed from James. Poppet, without thinking, used her index finger to scrape up some froth from the top of her Butterbeer and smeared it over James' top lip. He tried to protest but his laughter stopped his words. Poppet was laughing now, too.

"You know," James said, "there is an easier way to give me a foam moustache like yours." He leaned over the table and kissed her square on the lips. It wasn't a very long kiss but Poppet still felt the electricity zipping up her spine, almost causing her to shudder. She kissed him back slowly at first but as his lips became hungrier, faster and more intense, she matched him. Poppet had to remind herself that they were in a public place. She pulled away; her cheeks were scarlet. So were his. About half the room of people were staring at them. "Let's get out of here."

Poppet spent the rest of the afternoon with her fingers knotted with James', strolling around the wizarding village. They browsed Zonko's and Honeydukes and even walked all the way up to the Shrieking Shack. Poppet was so happy. She couldn't tell you the elation that she felt that afternoon in Hogsmeade with James Potter. It was as if everything in her life had finally come together.

"Hastings," James said, on their way back up to the castle, "I have had a thoroughly enjoyable day with you."

"Potter, I agree," Poppet replied, her fingers still entwined with his.

"It has been cracking, but do you know what would make it even better?" James asked, stopping in the path to turn and face her. She looked into his almond-shaped, chestnut brown eyes. They were gleaming with excitement and teeming with anticipation.

"I don't, but I'm sure you're going to tell me," Poppet said, but she already knew.

"If you'd agree to be my girlfriend," James seemed shy, for the first time in his life.

Poppet leaned over and kissed him, her arms wrapping around his waist and her hands feeling their way to his shoulder blades. He relaxed into the kiss, matching her rhythm and placing his hands on her waist, his fingertips touching the bare skin on her left hip where her jumper had ridden up slightly. His touch was thrilling and Poppet felt a shiver throughout her whole body. She finally pulled away from him, but her face remained inches from his. "Of course I will be, you idiot," she breathed before kissing him again. She felt him smile into the kiss and this made her smile too. The pair of them donned goofy grins as they walked slowly back to the castle.

"Oh, Pops!" Florence was shrieking. It didn't take much to get her excited but this was a whole new level of excitement. Poppet brought a hand to her ear, convinced that her overly-excited best friend had in fact burst her ear drums. She had taken her three best friends aside to tell them about her afternoon with James. Rumours were fast-spreading and she wanted the information to come straight from the horses' mouth. "This is amazing! We have to go on a double date now! Oh my Godric!"

Roxanne's reaction was less enthusiastic. "Just... spare me the gory details. Jocelyn and Flo will probably happily listen to what James is like in the bedroom but I don't want to hear it. Come to me if he's being an ass; that's where I can help!" Poppet was pleased she was accepting of their relationship. Losing Roxanne over this would have been possibly the worst outcome, so Poppet was ecstatic that she wasn't having a meltdown.

"You can tell me anything, Pops. I want to hear it all," Jocelyn was less excited than Florence but she was a generally more relaxed person than Flo. "I will live my dreams of having a boyfriend through you and Flo, as per usual." Florence rested a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, assuring her that her time would come and that she thought Adam was quite cute and a possible match for Jocelyn. Jocelyn was very pretty. She was of Filipino descent and so she had dark skin, dark eyes and chocolate-brown, wavy hair down to her bum. She was very thin and of a medium height but she was very shy. She'd always been the quiet one out of their group (and Florence swore blindly that she suffered from anxiety, but Poppet told her that making those assumptions was probably not the best idea) and she did struggle to be heard often above the loud voices of Flo, Poppet and Roxy but they all made an effort to listen to her, as she could be very insightful.

"This is the best day of my life," Florence grinned.

"What about the day you started dating Blane?" Roxanne quipped.

"Okay, the second best day of my life then," Florence corrected herself.

"What about the day you met me?" Poppet laughed.

"Okay, the third best day..." Florence was getting increasingly more annoyed.

"What about that day-?" Jocelyn was cut off mid-sentence.

"Okay, fine! It's just a very good day, alright? Jeez, what are you all? The exaggeration police?" Florence jutted out her bottom lip and Poppet repressed a giggle.

"I called it! I told you all! Rose Weasley, you owe me a galleon!" Albus was making quite a row at dinner that evening as James and Poppet walked in together and sat down next to each other, his hand resting lazily on her knee under the table. News had travelled fast and by dinner time, everyone knew that James and Poppet were officially an item. Poppet supposed the kiss they shared in the Three Broomsticks was a possible giveaway.

"Ugh, fine," Rose said, handing a galleon over, begrudgingly, "you're lucky I'm a woman of my word, Al."

"Wish I'd had this earlier when I was in Honeydukes. Think of all the Chocolate Frogs I could get for that," Albus said, stabbing a sausage with his fork and shoving it into his mouth.

"What did you bet on?" James asked, cutting up a roast potato. His hand had moved from Poppet's knee now, as they were both eating. Tonight's dinner was sausages, potatoes and a rainbow of vegetables from roasted tomatoes to carrots to spinach to purple sprouting. It looked very appetising.

"Whether you two would ever become a couple," Albus said through a mouthful of vegetables, "I bet Rose way back in October that you two would date and look what happened!" James scowled at his brother but didn't say anything. "Mum and Dad know, by the way. I sent them an owl before dinner."

"Oh, Al! I wanted to tell them. You're a complete an utter arse, you know that?" James looked genuinely put out. Poppet had to stop herself from smiling at how sweet he was.

"Sorry," Albus grumbled, "I didn't know."

James just scowled at him and didn't say anything more. The conversation turned to Professor McGonagall's rumoured retirement at the end of the year and, if that were to happen, who would take over as head of Gryffindor. The Wotters were very adamant that it would be Professor Longbottom. ("It has to be Neville! Who else would it be?") Poppet didn't really care, so long as they were nice.

That evening, in the dorm room, Poppet heard a tapping on the window. The Hogwarts owl that she'd sent to Darling was rapping its beak against the glass pane. Florence sleepily groaned at Poppet to 'turn it off'. It took every fibre of Poppet's being to resist giving a sassy reply about how it was an owl. She walked over to the window and opened it. The owl stuck out its leg and she untied the note and gave the owl an affectionate stroke before it flew off back to the owlry.

Pops,

It is Darla now, but you can still call me Darling, if you'd prefer. I'm not giving mum and dad the option though! Ha! Jayden, baby and I are fine and we are all being very well fed by mum. I do miss her cooking. Her pie is second to none!

So, boy troubles eh? Well, you've come to the right person. I assume by now the date has happened (I hope it went okay?) so I'll just address the matter of family. You've told me all about the vast amount of Weasley-Potters at the school (and in your house). My advice is to just think about you. If you're not happy and need a break or whatever, just end it with him. Your personal happiness is valued above everyone else's when it comes to your relationship. And, if they're decent people, they will see that. Good luck, my beautiful little sister.

We have plans to come and visit in August with our new little one, so I will see you then! I miss you too!

All my love,

Darla

AN: this was cheesy but i love cheese so hopefully you do too! James and Poppet are a thing. Thoughts on what this could entail. PS: sorry for time jumps there is one next time but fewer as we go on. New chapter out Tuesday! See you then!