Éthérée

CHAPTER 23

"Are we still doing the Christmas Party mum?" James asked as he absentmindedly fiddled with his quill, writing his fifth letter to Lily in a week. His brown hair kept falling in his eyes, and he swept a hand over them, moving them out of the way.

"Yes James, of course we are," Mia Potter replied, as she sat on the rust armchair, Audrey sitting on the floor in front of her. The woman braided her blond hair, and the girl sat with her eyes closed, enjoying the slight hair massage she was getting.

"I should invite Lily- flower!" James exclaimed, and Sirius rolled his eyes, groaning loudly.

"I love you mate, but it is not gonna happen. Give it up,"

"How dare you Sirius! How dare you attempt to kill my love for my beautiful Lily- flower," James aid, dramatically putting his hand over his heart, and fainting on the sofa.

"Your 'Lily flower' has said five words to you this year," said Audrey, now sitting beside James, her hair tied.

"It's two more than last year," James grumbled, and Sirius and Audrey laughed at the guy.

"Oh come now, children, don't kill Jamesie's hopes," Fleamont said with a chuckle, messing James' hair up who was sitting with his arms folded, and a frown on his face, pouting dramatically.

"Oh for Rowena's sake, don't mess it up more Monty," said Mia, and she reached forward trying to flatten it, but James ducked out of the way. The woman laughed, and went into the kitchen.

"So, Audrey," Mr. Potter said, putting down his Ministry documents, looking at his daughter.

"Yes, Fleamont?" she replied in a business like tone, a hint of a grin on her face. James snorted, and their father rolled his eyes, a smile evident in his face.

"When will be get to meet Robert, your boyfriend? I suppose he's coming to the party?"

At this, Audrey tensed up, the smile that had grown on her face, vanishing. She tensed up a little, and clenched her jaw.

"Er, I don't think he'll be coming," she replied uncomfortably.

"Why?" Fleamont asked, not picking up on the little signs that his daughter was sending him to stop asking her about the boy.

"Well, we had a bit of a row before the holidays, and we just, never made up," she said, fidgeting with her hands, avoiding eye contact with either of the three men. Awkward silence flowed through the room. James, Sirius and Fleamont had no idea what would comfort the young girl, and Audrey chewed on the inside of her cheeks, regretting speaking up at all. The only thing that filled the silence was the the slight sound of breathing, and the occasional sound of the fire crackling.

"Alright well I hope the four of-" Mia started speaking joyfully, but stopped when she noticed the tense atmosphere of the room.

"Well, clearly I missed something," she said, looking at the four people in hopes of an answer. Audrey's eyes flickered towards her mother, blue meeting blue. She discreetly tried to ask the woman for help, and Mia being who she is, caught onto the signal with ease.

"Who wants to watch a Christmas movie?" She announced brightly, and Sirius perked up, raising his hand excitedly.

"That's my boy," she said with a smile, putting in the tray of hot chocolate down, and starting the movie. Mia sat down next to Fleamont, on one couch, while James took a seat on the armchair. Sirius and Audrey sat next to each other on another smaller couch, sharing the same woolen blanket.

The boy inched towards her until their shoulders were touching.

"Are you okay?" he whispered lightly into her ear, not wanting to disturb anyone else.

She looked into his eyes, and lightly shrugged. "Meh,"

The boy chuckled, bringing a smile to her face. He put his head on her shoulder, relaxing comparatively and listened to the movie intently.

and the girl would never admit, but her heart fluttered looking at the boy.

probably her gravest mistake.

***