I felt James' arms go around my stomach and couldn't help but smile widely. He spun around in a huge circle and then placed me on the ground in front of him.
"Ready for Christmas break angel?" he inquired with a quick peck on my lips. I nodded my agreement and linked my hand with his.
"No nosy parents or siblings. Nothing to... Interrupt us." I smirked and he pulled me closer to his side.
"My thoughts exactly." he responded and patted the pocket in his robes. I raised an eyebrow but didn't ask. There was no point in questioning his odd little quirks and mannerisms. He had been doing that all day. Everyone was about to leave for the train station and James and I were preparing to aparate. Lily, Dani, and Bridget charged down the stairs happily.
"We're all going to my house for the first two days, then bridget's house for the next two, and then Lily's house for the rest of vacation." Dani stated mater-o-factly to them. I watched as they traveled past us without even seeing us there. My little fourth years were so adorable. I was going to miss them so very much after I graduated. Bridget smacked Lily's hand as Lily tried to take a cookie from Dani's bag. Lily stuck her tongue out and Dani laughed and Bridget shrugged. I felt James being to play with the seam of my robes that were coming apart. I really needed to get new ones. But I was so cheap. I smacked his hand and smiled.
"If you keep trying to destroy my robes you're buying me new ones." I joked.
"Do you need new ones?" he asked in a serious tone. I rolled my eyes.
"No James. I'm fine." I said. He ignored me and stood rooted to his spot I stood there while he examined the hem he was just pulling on a thread at. He sighed and picked up one of my charred sleeves. I pulled it away and pouted. "Can we just go to our house?" I asked impatiently. James dropped my robe sleeve and a smile twitched its way on to his face. He wrapped his arms around my middle and pulled me close to him.
"You called it our house..." he said in a happy tone. He kissed me lightly and I groaned. I tried to press closer to him but he stepped back a bit. I sighed and took his arms off of me.
"I'll see you there." I said angrily and grabbed my suitcase, apparating quickly. I appeared in the upstairs bedroom and flopped down on the bed, burying my head under a pillow. He was either pulling me so close that there was literally no space between us or he was completely distant. It was irritating.
A couple seconds later I heard footsteps and then pressure pushed down part of the bed that my legs were on. A hand gently began to rub my back and I sighed. It wasn't fair. My resolve always collapsed before his. I was pretty sure it was due to my impatience. I could concentrate on something for hours and have no problem. But patience when it came to waiting or holding out was nonexistent. I took the pillow off of my head and turned on to my back so that I was looking at him. His face was riddled with concern.
"Love," he sighed, "tell me what's wrong. I can't help or fix it if you don't tell me." that was it. The word Love was like a trigger. I felt tears sting my eyes and sat up, pulling my knees to my chest.
"I don't get it muffin. I honestly don't. You're either so close that we have no space between us or you're so distant that I feel like you're miles away." I sniffled. He pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead.
"I'm so sorry angel. I didn't realize I was doing that." he responded in a gentle tone. I sniffled again and put my head on his chest.
"That's the problem James. Don't you see? You don't even realize you're acting like that. It kills me." I stated. He put a finger under my chin and turned my face so I was looking at him.
"Please forgive me. I know I hurt you but I swear I'll make it better." he kissed me softly. The spark that I had felt the first time he kissed me was still there. I was now convinced that it would be there forever. He turned ever so slightly in his arms, linking my hands behind his neck and kissing him fully and properly.
He seemed to understand that I had forgiven him because he pulled me flush against him and kissed me passionately. He kissed me with the kind of passion that left my head feeling dizzy and my body feeling like fire was running through my veins. I smiled as he pulled back the tiniest bit.
"You wanna break in the new bed?" I asked with a grin. His own grin matched mine as he laid us both back on the bed and began to kiss down my neck.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXx
I looked at my parents for a finale time. Margo had already left to get on the train. She had told me earlier that being seen with her first year little sister was bound to lessen her popularity and she simply couldn't risk it. I didn't really care to be honest. I was glad she had left me alone.
I saw my mother give me a look that meant she wanted me to leave. I had gotten that look plenty of times before. Either when she wanted to screw my father or when I was being an 'unbearable brat'. My father smiled brightly and hugged me for what felt like the twentieth time. Not that I minded. I loved my daddy.
"Have fun your first term okay? We'll see you when you get home at Christmas." he said merrily. I nodded and then rushed to get on the train. The sooner I got on the train was the sooner I would be far far away from my dear mother.
I searched aimlessly for a compartment but they all seemed to be full. Guess that's what I got for being one of the last people on the train. I passed a compartment that held my sister and her four friends. That was a death sentence waiting to happen. Just as I was loosing hope I found a compartment occupied only by a young boy.
He was tall but didn't look to be any older than a first year. His hair was messy but not in the way that it looked styled. Just in the way that that was how it fell. Upon closer inspection I saw that behind his glasses were gorgeous green eyes. In my experience I had always gotten along better with boys than I had girls. I was wicked on a broom and girls thought I was weird because I couldn't gossip about boys or fashion. Without second guessing myself I opened the compartment door and stepped inside.
"Do you mind if I sit in here?" I asked quietly. He looked up at me and shook his head. I took the seat across from him as he put my trunk up on the luggage rack. He was so nice. What a gentleman. As he sat down again across from me I smiled brightly. "I'm Natalya Wood." I greeted, extending my hand. He took it in his and smiled back.
"I'm James. Nice to meet you Natie." he smiled, I assumed it was because he was all proud of himself for nicknaming me.
"Well Jamie," I said with a laugh, "would you happen to have a last name?" I asked. He rolled his green eyes behind his glasses.
"Yes. I do." he grinned. I awaited his answer of what his last name was but he didn't seem to care. He just continued to grin as my impatience got the best of me.
"And your last name is...?" I inquired a little annoyed. He chuckled and stretched out his legs across the compartment. I really wished I could do that but I was in a dress and my mother would kill me. Wait...my mother wasn't here! I stretched my legs out as James had and smiled. He looked at me happily.
"My last name is Potter." he said in an off-handed way.
"Cool." I replied and lounged back. From the look he gave me I knew he was expecting a different reaction. The kind of reaction my sister would have. Screaming about his father. "Very nice to meet you Jamie Potter." I laughed. He smiled brightly.
"Nice to meet you too Natie Wood." After our exchange we talked about random things. Qudditch and what house we wanted to be in. Our families and our favorite colors. Our favorite food and the Great Hall banquet that was awaiting us.
When the train finally stopped James helped me get down my trunk. Before I could say anything he grabbed my hand and began to pull me off the train.
"Come on." he said impatiently, "I don't want to be the last ones to the boats." he tugged me along. A question was bouncing in my head and I had to ask. I was too blunt not to.
"James why are you holding my hand?" I asked curiously. He starred down at our interlocked fingers and then looked at me with a smile.
"I don't want to loose you Natie. So far you're the only friend I've got." he joked and then continued to pull me along. His answer seemed good enough to me. I rushed to catch up to him and we sped down to the boats together.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXx
My dad handed me the flu powder a bit reluctantly. He reminded me once again that while I was at the Potter household to be completely polite and not get in to trouble. I rolled my eyes but said okay and then I was gone. I arrived in the Potter's fireplace and stepped out. I was greeted immediately by a shorter version of James. He looked at me curiously.
"Are you Natalya?" he asked. He couldn't be more than a year younger than me.
"I am. Who are you?" I inquired with a tilt of my head, stepping out in to the living room.
"Albus." he replied and then ran to the steps to my right. "James! Your girlfriend is here!" he called. I raised an eyebrow. His girlfriend?
"She's not my girlfriend you idiot." James called as he came running down the stairs. His mother and father appeared in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Nice to meet you Natalya. James has told us so much about you." his mum smiled and pulled me in for a hug. When I was released I smiled shyly. My father had told me not to make any trouble but that was impossible for me.
"Please call me Natie. Jamie gave me the nickname and I really do hate to be called by my full name. It usually means I'm in trouble." I laughed and felt an arm sling over my shoulder. That would be James.
"Of course dear. Just as long as you call me Ginny." she responded and looked at her son. "Jamie, huh? I like it." he groaned.
"Please don't." he said but she was already walking away. Harry greeted me with a simple hello and then left to follow his wife. I looked at James with a smirk.
"Girlfriend?" I asked curiously. He rolled his eyes and moved us toward the couch. A small girl with bright red hair cane soaring down the stairs and tackled James to the floor. He laughed and tossed her off of him.
"My brother being an idiot." he replied to my earlier statement. I nodded and raised my eyebrow at the red head.
"Lily right?" I questioned. She nodded and put her arms around her brother's neck.
"You can't have him. He's not allowed to date!" lily stated matter-o-factly. I burst out laughing at James' annoyed expression.
"Don't worry Lils. I don't want him. Way too big of an ego." I joked. She smiled brightly at me.
"Finally someone gets it!" she cheered and ran away before her brother could grab her. I smiled happily and lounged back on the couch. He flopped down next to me and placed his head on my lap, looking up at me.
"I like your family." I stated with another laugh as I brushed a lock of hair from his face. He really needed a haircut. Especially since we were going in to summer.
"I'm glad. They like you more than they like me." he stated. I rolled my eyes but didn't reply. There was no need to.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Charms class was a pain in my ass. I reviewed my notes once more before sighing and pushing them away. I was having breakfast in the Great Hall. My second favorite thing about Hogwarts since I started three years ago. I should be enjoying it. However, the Charms professor had other ideas when he had told us we would be having a test today. I picked up a chocolate chip muffin and stared at it.
Just then my first favorite thing about Hogwarts walked into the Great Hall. My best friend. James sat down next to me with a resigned sigh that I knew meant he hadn't studied either. We were so dead.
"Muffin?" I asked, holding out the muffin toward him. I really wasn't in the mood to eat it and I felt odd about putting food back that I had already touched.
"My name is James." he corrected with a laugh and looked up from his own notes. He smiled when he saw my offering. "Oh..." he grinned and reached out to take it. Albus sat down at the table across from us with a wide smile.
"Muffins!" he exclaimed excitedly. I giggled and poked James.
"It's singular Al. His name is muffin. Not muffinS!" I smiled widely as James laughed.
"Would you like to tell my mother about yet another name change? She's already started calling me Jamie." he responded a bit bitterly. I stuck my tongue out.
"No. Only I get to call you muffin. No exceptions." I states firmly. He rolled his eyes and went back to his notes while biting into the chocolate chip muffin and getting crumbs everywhere.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXx
I woke up from my string of dreams. Well, I shouldn't say dreams. They were all memories from when I first met James. I smiled happily and tried to turn over but suddenly realized that I couldn't. There were a pair of arms wrapped snuggly around my middle. James. I felt his hot skinned chest through my thin tank top I used for sleeping. I wiggled a little more and James pulled me tighter against him.
"I'd really prefer if you would stop squirming." he stated in a tired voice. His hot breath fanning across my neck. I giggled and placed my hands on his arms.
"Let me go. I'm hungry." I said in an impatient voice. He just nuzzled my neck with his freezing cold nose and held me close.
"Go back to sleep." he said and sighed. I grumbled under my breath, continuing to move around.
"Muffin..." I muttered as I saw the time on the alarm clock next to our bed. It was 11:21 in the morning. I huffed and tried to pry his arms off of me.
"Angel... Stay still." he groaned.
"Muffin, it's eleven thirty. I'm hungry!" I protested. Before I could comprehend what had happened James was hovering slightly above me, pinning my back against the mattress.
"Go back to sleep you annoying little witch!" he exclaimed. Out of habit I kissed him. He smiled a lazy smile and sank down next to me. "Go get your food." he waved a dismissive hand. I giggled and kisses his cheek.
"I love you muffin." I called as I darted out of our bedroom and down to the kitchen.
"Love you too angel." he called back. I decided I would be a good girlfriend and make him his favorite food. He loved chocolate chip waffles. In the mist of making the food he appeared in his jeans and t-shirt.
As soon as I flipped the waffles out of the iron and onto the plate I looked down at my attire. A flimsy tank top and a pair of James' sweatpants. I felt terribly underdressed.
"Do you have plans to go somewhere?" I asked curiously. He looked at me like I had lost my head.
"Nat, it's Christmas Eve. We have to be at my parents by two o'clock." he stated. I bit the inside of my cheek as I put the last batch of waffles on the plate. It had been so nice having this house to ourselves yesterday when we arrived and this morning. Now we had to go and see his family? We had to deal with Ginny asking all kinds if questions? Endure the torture from his siblings and Scorpious? Did we really have to?
I placed the plate infront of James and he grabbed my hands in his. I looked at him confused. His face was full of concern.
"We can always not go. I know you don't want to deal with the comments." he said sadly. My eyes narrowed.
"Are you completely sure you don't have mind reading ability?" I inquired keeping my eyes on him. He reached out his hand and cupped my cheek.
"I just know how you think, that's all." he said quietly. I smiled and turned my face to kiss his palm.
"Do you think your mom will be upset if I put a silencing charm on Albus?" I joked. He shook his head and smiled.
"Come on, we'll eat, you'll get ready, and we'll endure my family." I leaned across the counter and kissed him once he finished talking. I took a bite of a waffle and headed upstairs to find an outfit. "That is not breakfast Natalya!" he shouted. I rolled my eyes and continued up the stairs.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
(A/N: Sorry I took so long to update! I really missed writing! I hope you guys like it! Please please review!)