Love & Scars

52. Birthday Surprises

James frowned at Izzie when Regulus dropped her off at the front doors of the castle.

"This isn't going to work." He muttered.

"Excuse me?"

"I wanted to give you flying lessons." He was still frowning, looking her up and down. "But that won't work in that dress."

"Dress?" She looked down, and that's when she realised she was still wearing the ballgown Evan had made for her. "Oh, it was a gift from Evan. It was part of Reggie's surprise." She smiled. "Just hold on a sec." She disappeared into the closest alcove, and when she came back, the dress was draped over her arm, and she wore her jeans again. "Is this better?"

"Yeah." He grinned as two brooms appeared in his hands. "But keep that dress for tonight, Sirius will love it."

"So, Sirius is my last stop then?"

"Jup, so you have to wait a little while to see him." He winked.

"I can live a day without Sirius, you know." She chuckled.

"You maybe. Sirius, on the other hand." He snickered. "But he's preparing everything, so he can keep himself busy."

"You know what he's planning?" She asked as they started walking towards the empty field.

"I do. So, flying—"

"You do know I have flown before, right?"

"When was the last time?"

"Oh, uhm." Her brows knit together as she thought about it. "It's been years, actually." She admitted.

"Is that why you don't like Quidditch?"

"No, that's another reason. But I like to tell Sirius first, if you don't mind."

"Of course not, that's a given." He eyed her for a moment. "How are things between you two?"

"Good, we're doing good. It broke my heart when he accused me, but he explained to me..." She shook her head. "We are in a good place."

"He trusts you more than anyone, you know. Even more than me, I think."

"I think we are at a tie." She chuckled as they reached the empty field.

"He loves you more than anyone else."

"He told me." She said, looking at the empty field. She looked back at James when he placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her to him.

"It's true. He's been my best friend for seven years, and I know him through and through. What he feels for you is something he has never felt before. And I think that it frightens him sometimes, which results in him being an idiot." James chuckled. "Please, keep that in mind when he's being a dumb dumb, as you like to say it."

"James." She placed one hand on the other on her shoulder. "I know. You two might not have known me, but I knew you. I knew Sirius, I know what we have, and believe me, this is new for both of us, so I think we'll both mess up from time to time." She offered him a small smile. She dropped her hand and looked at the brooms. "So, how is teaching me to fly a birthday present?"

"Honestly? It may be part of Sirius's benefit." He grinned sheepishly. Izzie's lips quirked up before she laughed.

"That's what I thought."

"It's just—" James rubbed his neck nervously. "Sirius loves flying, and believe me, it would make you happy to see his face when you offer to go flying with him."

"You're an amazing friend, Potter." She smiled. "I'll accept this present then, but next year I want something just for me, alright?" She chuckled.

"I can do that." He grinned excitedly and handed her one of the brooms.