CLOSE TO YOU • jp + sb [1]

01.09 | I LOVE YOU

CHAPTER NINE

     FOUR months had passed since James Potter had faced the painful reality of his feelings for Selyna Diggory and his regret over losing her. Today marked Selyna's 17th birthday, and the day had already begun on a high note. Sirius had greeted her with a bouquet of vibrant flowers, his gesture brightening her morning with its heartfelt sentiment.

The evening promised to be even more special, with a party planned in Selyna's honour. The Gryffindor common room was decked out with streamers and balloons, and the air buzzed with excitement. James had prepared a gift for Selyna—a carefully handmade, deeply personal item that he hoped would convey his heartfelt emotions. He had made it with care, knowing its significance would be immediately clear to her. The thought of giving it to her made him nervous; he worried about how she might react, especially given her now deep affection for Sirius.

James planned to wait until later in the night, hoping to find a private moment with Selyna to present his gift. His anxiety grew as the evening unfolded, and he watched the clock tick closer to midnight. The party was in full swing, with laughter and music filling the room. He tried to gauge moments when he might be able to slip away with Selyna, but the opportunity never presented itself.

Selyna was surrounded by friends, and Sirius was never far from her side, making it difficult for James to approach her without drawing attention. As the night wore on, James felt a pang of disappointment. He had hoped for a quiet, meaningful exchange, but the crowded, lively atmosphere made it clear that his chance to give Selyna her gift would have to wait. And just when he finally thought he found his moment, Sirius swooped in and he watched from the sidelines once more.

THE party for Selyna Diggory's 17th birthday was in full swing, a vibrant celebration that filled the Gryffindor common room with laughter, music, and cheer. The room was alive with decorations, and Selyna was the centre of attention, basking in the love and affection of her friends. However, amidst the festivities, Sirius decided to steal his girlfriend away for a private moment.

He gently guided her to a quieter corner of the common room, away from the clamour of the party. There, beneath the soft light of a few scattered candles, Sirius suddenly appeared quite unlike his usual self—nervous and slightly fidgety. He sat Selyna down on a comfortable couch, and she looked at him with concern.

"Is something wrong, Sirius?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

Sirius shook his head, trying to steady himself. "No, nothing's wrong. I just have to say something, and I'm a little scared."

Selyna reached forward to caress his cheek and run her fingers through his hair, trying to reassure him. "You have nothing to be scared of, Sirius, unless you're about to tell me you've used the last of my conditioner again," she joked with a playful smile.

Her light heartedness seemed to relax him, and he chuckled. "No, I learned from last time, darling." His smile was warm, but his eyes remained serious.

The two fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of Sirius's forthcoming words hanging in the air. Finally, Sirius reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegant jewellery box. Selyna's eyes widened in surprise, and a hint of panic flickered across her face. Seeing this, Sirius quickly interjected, "Don't worry, I'm not proposing yet." He laughed, trying to ease her anxiety.

Selyna let out a relieved breath and nudged him playfully. "Well, what's the special occasion then?"

Sirius opened the box to reveal a delicate ring with a star-shaped diamond, its sparkle catching the candlelight. "I want us to make a commitment," Sirius began, his voice earnest. "I want us to promise ourselves that we'll never give up on each other. I love you, Selyna, and I know deep in my soul that there is no other girl out there for me. I want to build a life together, grow old, and have children. My future is yours, darling."