05: christmas

813 21 4
                                    

Elodie loved the feeling of Christmas Day. When she was 8, she woke her parents up at 5am to open presents. If Elodie's kids did that, they'd be getting getting ignored until at least nine, but hers got up for her, and watched as she unwrapped every present with a permanent grin.

When Christmas was Christmas, and not the 25th day of the last month.

She lost Christmas when she was sorted into Gryffindor. Getting a pair of socks, maybe some new school equipment at the most. It was those moments she wished she was sorted into Ravenclaw like they wanted for her.

But then she wouldn't have met any of her friends, who had given her more love than her parents had when she turned eleven. When McGonagall said her house would be like her family, she didn't expect her to be right on the nose about it.

"El, come on - wake up." James spoke softly, and when she opened her eyes, exiting her daydream, she didn't feel her pillow. She felt the uneven breathing of his chest, she felt his heart beating. She felt the blush rush to her cheeks.

She felt his hand on her shoulder through the stitching of her- his, jumper. The lines were blurring for Elodie. Nobody was here for them to convince, so why were they being so... convincing? Why was she convinced?

"I don't want to get up." She mumbled, still half asleep, and she repositioned her head, barely hearing the hitch in his breath. "Me neither, but they're waiting." He closed his eyes, hoping that he could escape the situation he found himself in.

She huffed, pushing herself up off of James, and sitting upwards on the bed. She ran a hand through her hair and rubbed her eyes, which James nearly aww-ed at. He had to catch himself at the last minute.

It took a couple of minutes for Elodie to wake up, but when she did she headed straight into the living room where Effie was sipping on a cup of coffee. "Morning, love." She called to her, looking up from the newspaper. "Good morning, Merry Christmas."

"Sleep well? I came in to check on the two of you when you were practically melted together. I remember young love like that." She felt her stomach flip remembering the incredibly close proximity of her and James. "Yeah, turns out he's a very comfortable pillow."

Effie laughed and put her cup on the table. "I should crack out the album, we have hundreds of baby photos." Immediately after, the sound of someone running down the stairs was heard, and James burst through the door.

"Don't you even think about it, Mum." Elodie heard Sirius laugh from behind him, ruffling his messy curls and sitting down next to Effie, Monty slipped into the living room too, holding something behind his back. James must've gotten a glimpse, as he dramatically sobbed when his photo album was placed onto the table.

"This is James when he was around 2, maybe 3 - he was already in love with the idea of Quidditch." Elodie turned her attention to the photo in question of James riding a kitchen broom, smiling at the camera and hand covering the sun from his eyes.

"Oh James, your hair was even curlier!" She teased, looking at the rest. One of him when he was tiny, probably not even a year old. One with him with mashed potato all around his mouth, one with him making a beard out of bubbles from the bath. "You were so cute, don't be embarrassed."

"Were? Am I not cute anymore?" He gasped, faking betrayal. Elodie laughed at his antics as he joined her on the sofa, head on her shoulder so he could see too. "Oh my god, Mom - no. That one is awful." Effie smirked, flicking the page and showing a picture of James in glasses bigger than his face, covered head to toe in tomato sauce.

Elodie couldn't contain her laughter at the sight of James, drenched head to toe in red sauce. He turned his head, hiding in her neck - his curls tickling her a little. "Shut up.." He wined, his voice vibrating against her neck slightly. "That is amazing, how did you even manage to get it all over you? Apart from on your glasses!"

"I regret inviting you." He lifted his head up, running a hand through his hair when Sirius noticed the black polish. He reached for his hand to get a look, before gasping. "You're actually whipped, Merlin Prongs.." He said, displaying pleasant surprise. His mom leaned in to get a closer look, cooing at the gesture. "He really is."

"Sorry have I missed something? Is it bully-James-day?" He asked, feigning anger. "Speaking of holidays, can we open presents now? I didn't wake up to be terrorised by my girlfriend and family."

With that, the two boys hopped up, and passed presents around. Elodie looked at her pile in confusion. "I had Sirius bring them up for you, as a little surprise." James said, looking flustered. Her heart warmed at his gesture, thanking him gratefully and opening her first gift.

Marlene had gotten her a Queen Vinyl, with a cheesy note attached saying 'For my favourite Queen. Love you, El.' She made a mental note to owl her later.

Mary had given her a scarf she knitted, it was red, with little flowers patterned into it. It felt soft against her skin, and had come at perfect timing since Winter was in full swing.

Lily had given her something called a Cassette tape, with earmuffs that managed to play the music. And she was meant to be the magic one. Thankfully it came with instructions hand written by Lily.

Her last present had been awfully wrapped, so she guessed it was from James from his gaze on her as she inspected it. "Nothing will jump out at me, will it?" He laughed and shook his head. She reluctantly unwrapped it, finding a small box inside. She carefully shook it, but when it made no noise she decided to bite the bullet and open it.

Inside was a stunning golden ring, with three small gems between. The ring was shaped like a vine, the gems between the leaves - and she had noticed it looked similarly to the one she saw on him just two weeks who in potions. "James, how did you get this on such short notice?" She asked, tears brimming in her eyes.

It was the most beautiful thing she had seen. "I have my ways, do you like it?" He asked tentatively, twisting his own. She looked at him incredulously.

"Are you kidding? I love it, you idiot - it must have been hundreds.. Thankyou, so much." She wiped a tear that had started creeping down her face, and tackled him in a hug. He pulled her close to him, arms wrapping around her waist. "Don't cry."

The Potter's and Sirius Black watched lovingly at the two, being nothing but overjoyed at the happiness they had found in one another.

——————————
!AUTHORS NOTE!
so oblivious i hate them (i love them to death)

I Was Made For Loving You - James PotterWhere stories live. Discover now