Unforeseen Consequences ☞︎ A James Potter Fan Fic

{34} To Be Or Not To Be A Thestral, That Is The Question

"This year is N.E.W.T.S dear. You have to make it count," her mother scolds as Holly keeps looking back to the train.

"I know mother," she makes sure to say clearly. Her eyes darted as she looked for Brie, Maryanne, Sirius, David, Peter, Remus- anybody!

"Holly!" Her mother yells, making Holly snap back to attention. Her mother narrows her eyes. "You need to focus this year. You won't get to take them again. You need to study harder than you've ever studied before. You need to focus less on your friends and more on your future," she replays the same old lecture she has every year since the second. Holly holds back a sigh as she nods.

"I will. I promise, mother. I won't let you down, mother," Holly says, copying what she always says. Her mom lets out a huff before nodding firmly and giving Holly a nice pat on the shoulder as a goodbye. Holly sends a tight-lipped smile her mother's way before she steps over to her father.

They smile at each other widely before their arms wrap around each other firmly.

"Just make sure to have fun with your friends, monkey," he says, using his special pet name for her. Holly blushes before nodding.

"I will," she promised. He squeezes her once before letting her go. She steps back, looking between them once more.

"You should get on the train! Don't want to miss getting a good spot," her dad says happily. Holly smiles and turns away from them and into the crowd as she starts looking for her friend. While also keeping a wary look out for a certain group. Or more specifically, someone specific in that specifically stated group.

It embarrassed Holly to admit, even to herself, but she was avoiding James Potter. She was giving him the silent treatment after he had ignored all her letters all summer! Though she suppose he may be dead. He did promise on his life after all.

But what hurt most was that she knew he got them. It wasn't as if her family's owl lost all her letters. He was too good for that. But she knew because she had been sending letters to the other Marauders as well and they all received them. More specifically, Sirius was getting them, and responding, and he was living with the Potters!

There was no reason why he shouldn't be responding. So she was giving him the silent treatment. At least until he returned her letters. She realized that was a petty requirement but she was feeling petty and rather unfriendly. She resented him for it and she deserved those letters. He had promised. It was the principle. That's what mattered.

When a familiar head of wildly curly hair was in Holly's sight, she squealed and rushed over to Maryanne.

"Annie!" Holly shouted, making Mary-Anne whip around and smile wide once she saw her friend. Mary-Anne's arms opened wide and Holly jumped right in. They hugged each other tightly and even though hair was all in Holly's face, she enjoyed being in her friend's embrace.

They had seen each other less than a month ago, but still, she missed Mary-Anne terribly and didn't even want to think about not living with her for almost the entire year after this year. It was only the beginning of 7th year. They had time.

They step away from each other, Mary-Anne smiling wide while Holly was already looking around for Brie. Her brows furrowed.

"What are you looking for?" She asked.

"Brie," Holly mumbled, her eyes darting around. Though Holly was sure she would hear her friend before she saw her.

"What's the rush?" Mary-Anne asked next, sounding very at ease. Holly didn't answer but instead, continued looking for the third out of their little trio. Mary-Anne snuck up close to Holly. "You know the Marauders are still gonna be there, no matter how fast we find Brie," she teased. Holly snapped back away from her, a deep crease between her brows.