In Another Life...

4

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Arriving back to Hogwarts, Ascella and the girls split up after spending the whole day together. While she went to the shared dorm, the other girls went to the great hall to grab some dinner.

As Ascella came down the stairs, she was met with a first year boy, holding a rose. With a confused look present on her face, he held it out to her. She cautiously took it. "From James." Is all he said before scurrying away.

"Okay..." Ascella mumbled, exiting the portrait hole.

She walked the halls, headed for the closest exit that would take her on a path to the lake. In the span of just a few minutes, her hands were filled with roses, handed to her by varying Gryffindor students, who all said the same thing before disappearing.

From James.

Just as Ascella turned the corner, Sirius appeared and linked their arms together, walking them towards the door. "About time you get here, Ella. Was wondering when the girls would let you go."

"Where are we going, Sirius?" Ascella sighed out the question.
Ignoring her, he continued to speak. "We're cousins, but you know you'll always be my sister, right?" He questioned as they reached the door.

"Of course. Merlin, what's going on? Everyone's acting like they've been poisoned."

"Everything's fine, just come with me." He said, opening the door. The stretch of beaten down path was lined with candles and suddenly her heart began beating faster as Sirius lead her down the path.

"You know, we never had our contest." Sirius stated, sensing her nerves. "Lets call it a tie... for now."

"Don't be nervous, Ella."
"Why would I be nervous? I'm not nervous, why should I be? Its just James." She stated.

"Have you figured out what's going on yet?" Sirius asked her.
"I might have an idea." Ascella admitted, smiling slightly. "Well this is where I leave you, Bones."

"Thank you, Siriusly, thank you Padfoot." Sirius pulled his younger cousin into a quick hug and sent her off down the remainder of the path.

When she reached the end, James was stood under the weeping willow that Dumbledore allowed her to plant by the lake during their first year.

With some magic all around, it grew to its full height by fourth year and quickly became one of Ascella's favorite tree's. Especially since she had been the one to plant it.

Ascella took the final few steps towards James and he met her in the middle with a large grin. "I missed you today." He stated, taking in her new outfit. "Merlin, you're sexy, Ella."

She blushed profusely and laughed. "Thanks... whats going on, James?" He took her hand and guided them closer to the water. She set the flowers up against the tree.

"Remember in first year, when you planted this very tree?" James asked, ignoring her question. Ascella nodded. "You thought it was stupid at first, but learned to love it like everyone else."

"I did, now I can't imagine Hogwarts without it. Remember in fifth year when you finally had enough of Lily insulting my advances, and you stood up for me?"
"It was possibly the biggest fight us girls ever had and we didn't talk for 2 weeks. Marlene was torn but never chose a side."

"It was that moment that made me realize I was undoubtedly in love with you, not Lily." Ascella chuckled. "And you told me as much in front of the whole great hall."

"Exactly. Ascella, the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew in my core that my life was about to change." He admitted, turning so he could look her in the eyes.
"That moment you stormed into the compartment first year and ordered Sirius to scoot over, is etched in my mind forever as it was that moment something, some unusual feeling that my life was about to change settled in. And true enough, after speaking with you, it felt like I'd known you my whole life." He reached up to wipe a tear from Ascella's rosy cheeks.

"The first time you spoke to me, it was because I had chocolate on my face, it was that very same day on the train. After, we talked about quidditch and you mentioned how much your family would disapprove of you playing. Now, you're one of the best players Hogwarts has ever seen... Who would have thought that the stranger in front of me that day would be the person I couldn't last a day without?"

James's hand slipped into his pocket unnoticed as he slowly sunk to one knee.
"Tonight, I want to let you know that you are the person I want to be with for the rest of my life. In many different stages and versions, regardless of the change – good or bad, I want to experience it with you… So, Ascella Seren Black, will you marry me?" He questioned, presenting her with a ring.

It was a Potter heirloom, Euphemia had showed it to her one night over the summer. All the Potter women in the past 200 years had worn it at one point.
It was a simple silver band with a larger diamond set in the middle, with two smaller ones set to either side. 'Nam virtus et astutia' was engraved on the inside of the band, meaning 'for courage and craft'.

Tears streamed down Ascella's face as she finally answered. "Of course, you bloody git!" The ring was slid on her finger just a moment before she was held in a passionate kiss.

"I love you, James Potter."
"And I you, Ascella Potter." She chuckled and stared up lovingly at him. "Not Potter yet." He grinned. "Soon."
"Soon." She agreed, pulling him into another kiss just as literal fireworks went off over the lake.

'SHE SAID YES!' Was written in the sky, the red and golds reflecting on their faces as all of their friends seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

"You were all in on this?" She questioned the girls. Lily grinned sheepishly, Marlene laughed lightly, and Alice smiled big with Frank at her side.

"Of course we were!" Her pixie haired friend responded, stepping away from Frank and the other group, to give her a hug. "Many congratulations from all of us, Ascella. You deserve happiness."

"Thank you." Ascella responded as Alice broke the hug.
"You know what this means?" Sirius questioned grinning at the large group. "Party time!" Everyone but Remus and Lily said at the same time.

By morning, word of the engagement would be spreading like wildfire.