Chapter 44- Christmas at the Potter's

97 2 28
                                    

When we arrived on the platform, Euphemia and Fleamont were waiting for us already. I never really had anyone ever pick me up from the platform. So it was a new experience for me that I'll admit I enjoyed. I didn't want to get too attached to them, I'm leaving eventually. But Effie and Monty- despite the short time that I've known them- have become parental figures in my life. The way their faces lit up when they saw Potter made me smile slightly and they greeted us all, hugging Sirius and I.

 I love them with all my heart, I thought, and if anything were to happen to them I will murder anyone involved in a heartbeat.

"You've got all your things right?" Effie asked me, pulling away from the hug, "No hidden apartment I need to know about?" She asked me pointedly,

"Not yet," I joked,

"Good, we better be on our way then," She responded with a smile as we started walking

Sirius, Potter, and I said our goodbyes to the rest of the group as we parted ways and they went to their families as well. 

I smiled sadly at all my friends who greeted their parents eager on spending the holidays with their families.

It still hurts, but it gets better every time. I mean even with my family- I can't even recall a proper holiday.

Sirius wrapped his arm around my shoulder when he noticed my expression and smiled down at me sadly as well. It helps being around someone who is going through the same thing. I squeezed his arm that was around my shoulder and wrapped my arm around his waist as we headed out the platform. Out of the corner of my eye I sensed Potter tense up but his face was expressionless.

The girls ended up finding out about my whole situation anyways. They all know about my dark mark, why I did what I did. Why I no longer live with my parents. The girls understood- more quickly than I thought they would- and were even talking about joining the order as well. I'm pretty sure I'll see them soon in our meetings. As much as I hate to admit it, Gryffindors are truly growing on me.

Once we exited the train station I became on edge. This was the first time I have been out in the real world in a while. Anyone could come and attack me now- and I was reminded how I am endangering the Potter's. At least the trace was no longer on me. I know I shouldn't think highly of myself, that they would still be after me, but my parents surprised me before. I couldn't be too safe. I started thinking of how dumb this was of me coming here- I could have just stayed at Hogwarts where it was safe. 

My mind started overthinking everything and I became hyper aware of my surroundings as we loaded our things in the boot of the car. Everyone started getting in and I was the last to get in, taking one last look around to make sure everything was safe. I kept staring at the window as we left the parking lot looking for anything suspicious. My leg bounced up and down in anxiousness as my hand tapped my thigh rhythmically. 

Suddenly my hand was engulfed by Potter's who was sitting next to me. His hand covered mine and rested on my thigh. I looked towards him with my eyes wide open and then to Sirius who was already knocked out cold. Effie and Monty were talking in the front seats looking ahead.  

I looked back to Potter and noticed my thigh stopped bouncing, his touch calming me. I laid my head back against the headrest and sighed,

"You alright?" He whispered,

I nodded in response. Instead of pushing the subject further, he nodded back and rubbed his thumb on my thigh comfortingly. 

There was nothing sexual about his touch now, it provided comfort and emotional support somehow. He didn't interrogate me and annoy me, he instead just comforted me in the simple act of his touch.

The Better Chaser; James PotterWhere stories live. Discover now