You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 10

The first month of classes at Hogwarts had drifted by with surprising smoothness. Mira found herself completely captivated by Potions. There was something about the rhythmic chopping of ingredients and the precise measuring of liquids that calmed her nerves. Professor Slughorn had taken a shine to her almost immediately, constantly praising her for the clarity of her brews. Charms and Transfiguration were a different story. Because the magic she was allowed to perform was intentionally dampened by Dumbledore's charms, she had to work twice as hard just to get a feather to float or a matchstick to turn into a needle.

However, the subject she truly dreaded was Herbology. She simply couldn't get the hang of it. While the other students seemed to have a natural touch with the magical plants, Mira felt like she had ten thumbs. Professor Sprout always looked heartbreakingly disappointed whenever Mira accidentally snipped a vital leaf or failed to identify a snapping plant correctly. Thankfully, Pandora loved the greenhouses. She spent most of their shared lessons guiding Mira's hands and whispering tips on how to keep the plants from biting. Pandora and Mira had barely spent an hour apart during the last four weeks, and neither of them was complaining about it.

But James was.

"Really, Ro, where have you been for the past two weeks?"

James had cornered her in a crowded corridor between periods. She had been walking with her "evil" friends, as James had taken to calling the Slytherins. It was rare to see James alone without his usual shadow of Marauders, and it became even stranger when he asked for a private walk with his "favorite cousin." Pandora had leaned in to whisper "Your cousin is very weird" into Mira's ear before the Slytherins wandered off, giving James suspicious looks.

Mira watched them go and then turned back to James. "I've been right here" she replied, feeling a defensive spark. She didn't understand why he sounded so accusatory.

James stopped in his tracks, forcing her to do the same. "Look" he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Sirius and I, admittedly, aren't your biggest fans most of the time. But everyone else simply adores you. And they're worried, Ro. Merlin, even I'm worried"

"What for, James?" she asked, her voice tight with exasperation. She was finally making a life for herself; she didn't see why that was a problem.

"You've changed, Rosie. They've changed you" he explained. His tone was surprisingly soft, lacking the usual bravado and arrogance he carried in the hallways. "And don't get me wrong, I think it's great for people to grow. But it's only been a month. It's wonderful that you have new friends—you'll need them when we graduate and leave you here. I trust your judgment. But don't forget the people who were there for you first"

Mira felt the air leave her lungs. She stood there, frozen, as his words sank in. He was right. She had been so caught up in the novelty of being wanted, of being chosen as a friend by Pandora and the boys, that she had pushed her summer friends to the side. She realized now that a part of her had avoided the Gryffindors because she felt like an interloper in their lives—someone they were nice to out of obligation to the Potters. But hearing James say they were genuinely worried made her feel a sharp pang of guilt. They weren't faking it; they actually missed her.

"You're right" she whispered, looking down at her shoes. "I haven't been a good friend. I'm sorry"

"Well, don't apologize to me. Come to our common room tonight. You could even stay the night if you want" he suggested. He gave her a cheeky, familiar smile. "I'll be at the portrait hole at eight. You better be there, little Potter"

He turned on his heels to leave, but Mira called out to him. "Wait, James! How exactly have I changed?"

James paused and looked back over his shoulder. "Well... the Rosie I met in the summer wouldn't sneak out to watch the sunrise with a Slytherin every single week"