ENCHANTED[2]

chapter twenty

CHRISTMAS EVE 1978

Fighting wasn't easy for him, but after being at Sirius' and ignoring her, it wasn't any better, seeing her sad and pathetic. James Potter was better than this, but at the same time he wasn't, sulking into the couch.

The presents were untouched, and he wondered what Nora was doing, sitting on a swing and smoking a cigarette. His parents weren't home for the evening, letting them go the opera house without him this year, hoping maybe she would show up to his door.

Their argument was the worst argument they could ever have, and yet all he wanted was her in his arms, cuddling on the couch as they watched a Christmas movie on their tiny television.

Getting up off the couch, James opened the cabinet to the drinks, staring at all the types of wine, grey goose vodka, and tequila. Wizard's only usually drink firewhisky, but James needed something stronger.

Pouring himself some vodka with ice and water, he stared at himself in the reflection of the fridge, wondering what he was doing with his life. Yes, Nora lied to him for many months, yes she's a death eater, but he still loved her before finding out the truth.

Taking a big swig back, James hated the way vodka tasted, taking another sip anyways. The elves had the day off, a manor to himself and he only wanted one person.

Finishing his first drink, James poured another one, going to the couch, hearing a knock on the door. Setting his drink down, James didn't care who it was, opening the door and seeing the girl shiver while looking at him.

"Hi." She said, standing with a black dress on, confused on why she was wearing something like that when the temperature was so low.

He would admit, she looked fucking beautiful in that dress, her hair curlier than ever, staring at her. "Hi." He whispered, trying to not smile at the fact she was here.

"Was trying on dresses for the Pureblood ball when I realized I don't want to be there, I want to be with you, in a blanket snuggled up." She admitted, James pressing his lips into a fine line.

"Yeah, I bet you would." James mumbled, Nora not really hearing him. "What?" She asked, needing him to speak up.

"I—"

With her lips crashing onto his, James was caught off guard, the girl missing his touch, James kissing her back as her back was pressed up against the wall inside.

"I'm sorry." She panted, James noticing her dress has a slit, grabbing her leg and pulling her in closer, neck kisses that were sending her not oblivion. The two weren't ever out of sync, James nibbling on her neck.

They were supposed to be taking some time away from each other and yet Nora's hands were underneath his shirt, near the hem of his pants. "James." She moaned, her eyes open for a moment, James kissing the cleavage she showed off.

"Fuck Nora, we shouldn't be doing this." He told her against her ear, panting as he felt her soft thighs. "I know." She said, their foreheads together.

"You didn't just come here to kiss me right?" He asked, holding her hips close to his, not wanting to let her go. "I fucked up, but I still love you and I wish you knew that." He said, staring into his beautiful eyes.

With her hand cupping her face, James didn't want her to move, going into her hand, feeling her soft fingers caress his cheek.

"I need more time to think about it Nora, what you've been doing isn't going to be forgiven overnight." He told her, taking his hands off of her. "Was it a mistake coming here to tell you?" She asked him, James shaking his head.

"No, but it doesn't mean I forgive you, not yet." James told her, both at the door once again. "I love you James, so much. Please don't shun me away." Nora begged, the boy frowning.

"Merry Christmas Eve my love, but for now you must go." He told her, seeing her stand outside as he shut the door on her. Frowning, James leaned on the door, hoping she was still there.

Waiting a second, James opened the door to see the porch empty, wishing he didn't send her away. Sad and tired, James didn't bother to stand outside to see her, shutting the door.

What James didn't know was that Nora stood by the gate, realizing he wasn't going to chase after her, letting him have a break away from her.

PRESENT

Grounded, she didn't know what the rules were, staying in her room for most days, doing very little eye contact to anyone except Harry. These last few weeks were terrible and with turning 15, there was nothing to celebrate about.

She was going to die with Harry, and the worst part is that they didn't know when. Laying on her bed as counting the stars that were glued to the ceiling, Louise heard the door open, letting them come in.

"Hiya, you didn't eat breakfast." Said Ron, coming in with a tray with a bagel and cream cheese on the side, a cup of water to help as well. Louise looked up as she sat up to help him set it down on the desk, looking at him.

"Thanks Ron, that was really sweet of you." Louise told him, the boy shrugging his shoulders. "Harry didn't eat either, I don't what you're going through but I am sorry, I don't like seeing you two so sad." Ron told her, hesitant to put his hand on her shoulder, Louise staring at his hand.

"I know your birthday already passed, but I feel bad you didn't get anything." Ron told her, Louise shrugging her shoulders, never really needing anything.

"So I got you something." Ron added, Louise looking back at him, watching him take something out of his back packet, wrapped in a square box.

Handing it to her, Louise furrowed her eyebrows, Ron wanting her to open it. "Twins gave me some of the tournament money but I knew you'd like this instead because you're obsessed with bracelets."

Opening the box, Louise was surprised to see green and black beads on a wire, a bracelet for her to wear, her initials on the beads. "Ron! When did you make this?" She asked, surprised that of all people, Ron made her something.

"We were making bracelets one day and I thought you'd like this, you don't hate it right?" Ron asked with a worried tone, staring at her with worry all over his face. Louise was stunned to speak, never having something homemade, smiling at him.

"Ron this is so cute, that's so sweet of you, truly." Louise told him, feeling the need to wrap her arms around him and embrace a huge hug. She wasn't one to hug so often, Ron appreciating her hug.

"I'm never going to take it off." She told him, putting it on as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Mum always made us appreciate the smaller things, and nobody shouldn't have to go through their birthday without anything:" he told with with a smile, staring at him through the mirror.

"That's really sweet of you Ron, all Millie gave me was fifteen punches and one for good luck." Seeing his face go read with laughter, Louise smiled at him, hearing someone at the door.

"You gave it?" Asked Harry, coming into the bedroom, seeing two plates, one for Louise and him. "Was my idea." Harry told her, Ron rolling his hands.

"Was not, your idea was to get her a  candle." Ron said, Louise watching the two bicker. "You can't go wrong with a candle!" He defended himself, Louise looking back at Ron, smiling at her