𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓 ⇝ 𝒋𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓

Manoir Dalton

A month had passed, and November rapidly turned into December. Everyone was in a festive mood, ready for the winter holidays, excited to get Christmas gifts and to see family again.

Athena wished she was at that state.

She was packing her clothes hurriedly, looking around her dormroom for anything she may have missed.

She wasn't thinking of her family, her house, or even the 'fun' that happened in the shed. She was thinking about the possibility of December being the month she'd get the Dark Mark; meet the Dark Lord himself in person.

"Dalton," a voice said.

Athena turned towards the tunnel she had forgotten to close with a door, James standing in front of it. She sighed and rubbed her temples, hoping this would be the last time she had to deal with this.

"Yes, Potter?"

"I hope you're all packed; The boys want to say their goodbyes." He said.

Athena shrugged, her back turned to him as she packed some viles into her bag. "Let them in."

"Athena!"

Her heart melted at the familiar, cheery voice of Sirius. Athena turned, meeting his smiling eyes. "We've been friends for a month or so, but I feel like you could be my sister-"

"What's with the dramatic speech?" She mused, her eyebrows quirking up. "We won't see one another for three weeks."

"Longest three weeks of my life!" Sirius groaned, "I will miss you."

Athena let out a grunt when he wrapped his arms around her small frame, "Sirius. I'm not a hugger."

"You are now!"

"Stop. touching. me."

Sirius sighed. "Okay"

Remus smiled warmly at her, "stay safe Athena."

"Stay safe?"

"Yes," Remus nodded. "Don't let France brainwash you or something."

"Biensure que pas," she rolled her eyes. "Aurevoir, Remus."

"Yes," Remus grinned. "Whatever that means."

"Bye, Athena!" Peter squeaked, "Enjoy France!"

"Thank you, Peter." She said kindly.

The boys were making their way out of her room and back into the tunnel. James stayed.

Athena scoffed, "Yes?"

"No bye for me?" James teased, faking a frown. "I'm hurt."

"Thank Salazar."

James huffed. He turned his heal and walked into the tunnel, not before saying. "Happy Christmas, Dalton."

And he was gone before he could hear, "You too, Potter."

She spent the afternoon ride back to London with Marlene, Dorcas, and their group of friends; Athena thought it wasn't so bad.

Mary Macdonald; despite only knowing of her as the loud, boisterous Gryffindor that had snogged half the school, was very funny.

Lily was a little bit awkward and stiff at first, but she was sweet and polite the rest of the time.

"Before we get off the train, we say our goodbyes. Bla Bla Bla." Marlene went on, staring at the group nervously. "Me and Dorcas are dating."

Mary and Lily squealed with delight and immediately attacked the blonde in a hug. Dorcas watched, red faced as Athena smirked at her.

"How long have you two been sneaking off for?" Mary urged, "I swear if it's been more than three months-"

"Ever since Halloween," Dorcas said. She turned and smiled at her girlfriend. "We made it official yesterday."

"You know, Meadows." Athena hummed, "I still need those five gallons you didn't give me yet."

Marlene raised an eyebrow, "five gallons?"

"I'll explain later," Dorcas mumbled. "Bye girls, see you in three weeks!"

"Bye bye Meadows!" Athena said. "I'll be off aswell."

"Let me come with you-"

"I can't keep my parents waiting," Athena said.

By the mention of her parents, Lily's cold, stone-like eyes went dark while Marlene just stayed silent and nodded, refusing eye contact.

Athena left the compartment, and quickly got off the train.

Her eyes scanned the crowd of people, either reuniting with their families or waiting for their children to return. Athena's eyes landed on a family, The Potters, to be exact.

James' parents were enveloping James first in a warm embrace, then moving onto Sirius and hugging him like their own son. She thought that was the happiest she had ever seen James look in his life.

"Athena."

The Slytherin had never felt her heart skip a beat this fast before.

Athena's neck started to bead with sweat as she grew more and more nervous. Hard, unyielding ones were slowly replacing her tender eyes as she slowly turned her head to meet the familiar eyes of her father.

He stood tall, the man never slouched. His dark curly hair neatly styled and dressed in a black suit.

Nearly Half of the Wizarding population we're keeping their distance.

"Papa," she said lowly, nodding her head. "Où est maman?"

"She is waiting for you at the Manoir." He said, "nous partons à cet instant."

No hugs, no "i miss you". Not even a "How was the start of school?".

Athena also noticed the sudden change in his tone; she had done something wrong. She didn't know what she had done, or how they had even known because she had been away from them for nearly four months.

Athena nodded her head, letting her father's grip on her arm tighten before they apparated away.

"Was that her?" Fleamont Potter asked his son.

James didn't reply.

"Yes, that was her." Sirius answered, "James acts like he hates her arse- I mean, butt. But he doesn't. He fancies her-"

"I do not!" James exclaimed, scoffing. "Never in a million years am I going to fancy that bitch-"

"James Fleamont Potter," Euphemia Potter scolded. "We never speak about a woman in such way."

James lowered his head, "Sorry mum."

Sirius snickered, turning to Fleamont. "She's pretty, isn't she?"

Fleamont nodded, "very nice taste, son."

"I do NOT fancy her!"

"Oh yes yes, you love Lily Evans." Fleamont mused.

"Come on, children." Mia rolled her eyes, "time to go back home."

Sirius groaned loudly, "Can we not apparate? Remember what happened last time when James puked all over-"

"Hey! That was one time!" James frowned.

"A horrible one time thing too," Monty shivered. "I'm freezing! Let's go now before our son starts balling about Lily for the millionth time."

"My own father...How dare you!"

The family proceeded to laugh joyfully as they apparated to the Potter Manor. They were all so happy to be together again.

But James couldn't help but think about a certain Slytherin, and boy was he worried.