His Rose | James Potter

Chapter 11

The Gryffindor common room was alive with the energy of the Halloween party. The air buzzed with laughter and chatter, the flickering light of the jack-o'-lanterns casting a warm glow across the room. Music played from Marlene's enchanted record player, filling the space with an upbeat rhythm, while students mingled, enjoying the delicious food, sweets, and drinks spread across the tables.

Peter was the first to fall into a sugar-induced coma, plopping down on the couch with his face buried in a pile of pastries, his cheeks puffed out comically as he chewed through a mountain of chocolate frogs. Laughter echoed as Frank Longbottom made a joke about Peter becoming one with the sweets, and Remus leaned in to share a quiet laugh with Lily about the absurdity of it all.

Meanwhile, Sirius had sprawled out on Marlene's lap, his head nestled into her knees, his usual confident grin replaced by an expression of sheer contentment as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his dark hair. His eyes fluttered closed, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips as he basked in the rare moment of peace.

But through it all, James and Rosalyn stood off to one side of the room, a sudden stillness between them in the middle of the chaos. James, ever the charmer, turned to her with a mischievous smile and asked, "May I have this dance, my lady?"

The room seemed to quiet for just a second, as everyone's attention shifted to the pair. Rosalyn's cheeks flushed a deep pink, and for a moment, she felt her breath catch in her throat. His voice, so sincere and lighthearted, sent a fluttering sensation through her chest. She laughed softly, a nervous smile tugging at her lips, but took his outstretched hand.
"Of course, James," she replied, her voice quieter than usual.

James' eyes brightened, and he led her to the center of the room, his hand settling gently on her waist. The music swelled, transitioning into a smooth waltz, and without missing a beat, they began to move in sync. James, always the natural leader, guided her effortlessly through the dance, his eyes locked on hers, his smile widening as they glided across the floor.

Rosalyn couldn't help but blush under his gaze, her heart thumping faster with each step. "You're a good dancer," she whispered, surprised at how effortlessly he moved.

James chuckled softly, his voice teasing but warm. "I had good teachers," he said with a grin. "Mum and Dad used to dance together every morning in the kitchen. It's how I learned."

Rosalyn's heart fluttered at his words, the warmth in them making her feel suddenly closer to him. She smiled shyly, her gaze flickering to the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "That's really sweet," she said, her voice soft but filled with genuine admiration.

As they continued to dance, the room around them seemed to melt away. It was just the two of them, lost in the rhythm of the music, in the quiet connection that was forming between them, almost effortlessly.

From the sidelines, their friends watched with fond smiles. Marlene, ever the romantic, pulled out her camera and snapped a photo of the two of them, capturing the moment when James held Rosalyn close, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other clasping her hand gently. Rosalyn's hand rested on his shoulder, her small frame fitting perfectly in his embrace.

Sirius, still lying lazily across Marlene's lap, raised his head to glance over, his eyes narrowing with a teasing grin. "Oi, Prongs! You're not going to start serenading her next, are you?"

James shot him a playful wink, not breaking his rhythm. "I think I'll leave that to you, Pads."

Sirius rolled his eyes dramatically but said nothing further, a contented smile tugging at his lips as he watched his best friend and his closest friend share such a perfect, quiet moment.

Rosalyn, still in James' arms, smiled softly, a sense of warmth and affection filling her chest. "I didn't know you could be so romantic, Potter," she teased, her voice a little breathless from the dance.

James grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You'd be surprised," he said, his tone playful, but underneath it was something deeper-something he wasn't sure he was quite ready to admit just yet.

The song shifted, and as "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley began to play, Rosalyn felt her heart skip a beat. It was her favorite song, one she'd heard about from Marlene and had fallen in love with herself. She looked up at James with a wide smile, her cheeks flushed from the dance and the connection between them.

"I love this song," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "Marlene recommended it to me, and I've been listening to it non-stop ever since."

James' gaze softened, and he nodded as the music played on. "It's a good one," he agreed, his voice quiet now, but there was a certain tenderness in it that she hadn't heard before.

They continued to dance, the song enveloping them like a warm blanket. James held her close, his touch steady and reassuring. For a moment, everything felt simple and right. The laughter, the food, the chaos of the party-everything faded away, leaving just the two of them in the center of the room, swaying to the music.

As the song drew to a close, Rosalyn found herself not wanting the moment to end. She looked up at James, her heart still racing, and he met her gaze with a soft smile, his hand gently resting on her back.

"Thanks for the dance," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

James grinned, the familiar twinkle back in his eyes. "Anytime, Rose."

And in that moment, everything felt perfect.