The final notes of sweetness lingered on their tongues as the two families finished their celebratory ice creams. The atmosphere was light, a pleasant buzz of conversation mingling with the soft clinking of spoons against glass bowls.
Fleamont, with the ease of a man used to making grand gestures, leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with a hospitable gleam. "Serena, my dear," he began, his voice carrying a dignified warmth. "Would you consider visiting us at Godric's Hollow during the summer vacation? Our son, Jamesie here, gets pretty lonely at times, and getting his friends to visit would surely do him some good company and influence. Especially if it's someone responsible like Serena," he finished, winking at her.
Euphemia, always the gracious hostess, nodded in agreement, her voice a melodic endorsement. "Oh yes! It would be a splendid opportunity for James and you to spend some time together. And Fleamont has quite the garden of potion ingredients and plants that I'm sure you would find most intriguing."
Hearing this, James' posture straightened in a flash, his hazel eyes dancing with excitement. "Yes! You really should come, Serena! You don't want me to become lonely now, would you? I can show you around, and you can tell me if Dad is actually as good with his plants as he claims to be."
Serena was quietly savoring her mango-flavored ice cream, the rich and creamy taste providing a momentary distraction from the sudden invitation. She was caught between the comfort of her ice cream and the allure of exploring a garden that promised to be a Potion Master's haven. Of course, she completely ignored James' theatrics.
Wilfred, meanwhile, sat with his unfinished coffee-flavored ice cream, a testament to his own discomfort with the persistently sweet environment. His gaze flitted between Serena and the Potters, a silent observer waiting for his granddaughter's response.
Serena's mind raced as she searched for a polite way to decline, her heart torn by the conflicting desires to retreat into her own world and to indulge her own plans. The idea of spending extended time with Potter, under the watchful eyes of his parents, was dreadful—yet the thought of rare and possibly unique ingredients waiting in Fleamont's garden was undeniably tempting.
Seeing the earnest faces of the Potters and feeling the weight of their expectation, Serena's resolve wavered. There was something genuine and kind about their invitation, an openness that she found difficult to dismiss. With each passing second, the idea of disappointing them grew increasingly unpalatable.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Potter, for your kind offer," Serena finally said, her voice soft but clear. "I must admit, the idea of exploring your garden is quite appealing to me as a potion enthusiast."
James practically beamed at her response, his earlier eagerness now blossoming into full-blown delight. "Brilliant! You won't regret it, Serena. It's going to be amazing! We can even go flying! We can ride my Silver Arrow together!"
Fleamont clapped his hands in approval and smiled. "Good, good! Expect a letter from us in the near future to schedule the date."
Wilfred, seizing the opportunity, offered his unfinished dessert to Serena, a silent gesture of support for whatever decision she made. She accepted it with a small smile, acknowledging his quiet patience.
~~~
The joyous atmosphere from the ice cream parlor followed the group as they continued their afternoon excursion through the myriad shops of Diagon Alley. The Potter and Prince families found themselves amidst the hustle and bustle of shoppers, eager to find the perfect gift for the upcoming engagement party of the Blacks and Malfoys.
Their search led them to 'Mystic Trinket Emporium,' a shop located at the edge of Diagon Alley, known for its vast array of magically imbued jewelry and accessories. The store was a treasure trove, with items that sparkled, hummed, and occasionally moved on their own, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment.
YOU ARE READING
IN ANOTHER LIFE (James Potter x Severus Snape)
Fanfiction(OMEGAVERSE) Severus finds himself rising from his near deathbed into the past, as a female 10 year old version of himself in another parallel world, where secondary genders exist. (Also uploaded in Fanfiction & Ao3)
