As the group of six approached the serene lake surrounded by the woods, the air was filled with excitement. Serena still clutched tightly onto James, her anxiety about flying evident in every tense muscle. The broomstick hummed beneath them, a testament to the magical craftsmanship, but Serena could hardly appreciate the wonder of it all as she focused on not looking down.
James, who was deeply aware of Serena's grip, couldn't help but smile at the situation. Here was the fiercely independent and often aloof Serena Prince, holding onto him for dear life.
"You know, Serena," he began, his voice filled with playful mischief, "I didn't realize you were such a great hugger. If I knew you liked me this much, I would have offered my services as a human broomstick sooner."
Serena's eyes widened at his audacity. "W-What?" she exclaimed, her voice held shock and indignation.
James burst out laughing, enjoying her reaction. "You don't need to hold on so tightly. I'm not planning on going anywhere. In fact, you can hug me every day if you want. Just say the word, and I'll gladly allow it. I'll even allow you to kiss me."
His bold, shameless teasing struck a nerve. Serena was so shocked that her mouth opened and closed several times. So flustered and angry, she forgot her fear and released one hand from his waist and started hitting James in the chest repeatedly. "Stop. Joking. Around. Potter!" she yelled, her voice rising with each word. "You're insufferable!"
James couldn't contain his laughter. Her small fists hitting his chest felt more like gentle taps, and her red cheeks only made him adore her more. "You're so cute when you're angry," he said between laughs. "I'm definitely going to marry you someday."
Serena gaped. "Are you mad?!" Serena wanted to understand James' thought process. She felt a strong compulsion to use Legilimens to somehow delve directly into his mind, almost as if she wanted to open up his brain one neuron at a time, in order to uncover what he was thinking.
"Not mad," shaking his head, "just in love with you," James replied wholeheartedly.
Her breath hitched as she paused to look at him. James' face was lit up with pure happiness, his wide smile and wind-tousled hair making him look like the happiest boy on earth. And for a brief moment, Serena's heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by the scene in front of her.
But then, reality snapped back, and she resumed her protests, hitting him again. "Stop your nonsense, Potter!" she yelled, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and something she couldn't quite identify. "You're impossible!"
James, still laughing, finally slowed the broomstick down to a gentle glide, offering Serena some respite. "Alright, alright," he conceded, his tone still light but a bit more serious. "I'll stop teasing. For now."
Serena huffed, clearly exasperated but also strangely comforted by his laughter. Despite her irritation, a small part of her appreciated the distraction from her fear of flying. She muttered something under her breath about annoying Gryffindors, but she couldn't deny that the warmth of James' laughter had a way of melting her cold exterior, if only just a little.
As they continued to fly, Lily and Peter flew closer, their brooms almost touching James and Serena's. Lily's emerald eyes sparkled with excitement as she yelled, "We're going to start our race around the lake! See you guys there!" With that, she zoomed lower to the ground.
Peter, who was right behind her shouted, "Hey! Wait for me!" Their laughter echoing through the air.
Remus and Petunia approached next, their broom moving steadily as Remus skillfully handled it. Petunia was clutching the broom handle and Remus' arms in a mix of fright and awe.
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)
