ᴅᴀᴛᴇ ғᴏʀ ғᴀᴋᴇ → ᴊᴀᴍᴇs ᴘᴏᴛᴛᴇʀ

↳ 16: POTTER HUGS

FREYA HAD NOT EXPECTED FOR Euphemia Potter to engulf her in a hug the moment she stepped out the fireplace. She stumbled back a bit in surprise as James rolled his eyes at his mother's over dramaticness.

          Grabbing Freya's abandoned rucksack on the floor, James said, "Mom, let my girlfriend go."

          "Oh, don't tell me what to do," Euphemia muttered amusingly but, thankfully, let go of Freya. She held the teenager by her shoulders as she smiled at her. "You look exceptional, dear. What do we call you?"

          "Freya, Ma'am. Just, Freya."

          Euphemia waved a hand in the air. "Call me Mia."

          Freya smiled and nodded once. Euphemia continued smiling at her before snapping, "Oh, dear, you must be famished! Come on, let's head on to the dining room."

         Euphemia lead the way and Freya's eyes couldn't believe how wealthy the Potter's were. For one, the house was grand. Second, it was huge. And third, it was so spotless. Freya suddenly felt conscious of wearing only a beige sweater, a brown skirt and worn up sneakers. Subconsciously, as she followed Euphemia, she dusted herself off and fixed her hair and everything else she could do to make herself at least much better.

          Reaching the dining room — which was as regal as the other rooms they've passed — Euphemia rose her voice as she started setting the table, "James! You and Sirius get down here for dinner, dear!"

         Freya had completely forgotten Sirius lived there for a moment. She felt her heart pick up pace as the familiar padding of the running best mates slowly increased to the dining room. And then, a laughing James and Sirius entered the dining hall. They halted, however, when both laid eyes on Freya — who simply stood out behind the polished black, gold and glass furniture.

          James immediately beamed and strode to his girlfriend. "And I thought my mother might have stolen you from me." James said aloud, making Euphemia roll her eyes, before grabbing Freya by the waist and kissing her cheek. "I just dropped your things in the room you'll be staying."

         As they pulled back, Freya caught Sirius' gaze who faintly smiled at her. She didn't knew if she was dreaming or imagining it but nevertheless, she smiled back as well. What it meant for them, Freya didn't know. But she was glad there was at least some progress on her part.

         "Were you crushed to death?" James voice whispering in her ear caught back her attention from Sirius.

         "No. But, I definitely now know where you get your hugging trait from." Freya whispered back amusedly. James chuckled lowly in her ear and her stomach throbbed with pleasure.

         "And let me see my future daughter-in-law!" The voice of Fleamont Potter boomed as he entered ever so charismatically in the dining hall. And in an instant, Freya was pulled away from James and into the arms of Fleamont Potter.

         "Oh, yes, she's stunning!" Fleamont exclaimed before letting the teenager go. He clasped her shoulders tightly and smiled at her, "You are the very first woman James had brought home for us to meet. I reckon you'd be around for a while."

         Freya blushed and said, "Thank you, Sir."

         "Oh, dear, please, it's Fleamont."

         Freya smirked at the word and looked at James with eyes twinkling. "Of course, Fleamont."

         James rolled his eyes before abruptly grabbing Freya's hand and pulling her away. "If anyone would be glad to not steal my girlfriend, that would be amazing, thanks."

         "Oh, hush, James." Fleamont scolded his son before looking back at Freya and grinning. "Go on ahead and sit, dear."

          Freya ended up, of course, sitting next to James. In front of them was Sirius and on both ends were Euphemia and Fleamont. Soon, platters of gourmet looking food flew to the table and set themselves in front of the household. Euphemia beamed, "Everybody, dig in."

          Unsurprisingly enough, James and Sirius were the first to take the serving handles and to pile up their empty plates. Freya, still being conscious with her surroundings, only took a minimum amount of serving. And as the whole lot of them ate, the conversation was born.

           "So, Freya, I must say I was a little offended to have to find out through letter that you and my boy are dating. And the fact that it seemed like a dilemma for James to meet your parents seems off." Euphemia started though her voice wasn't hard nor mean, it simply laced with concern and sadness.

          Freya blushed. "I'm so sorry. It's just that —" Freya looked over at James and he was looking at her nonchalantly and Freya prayed she could be as good as an actor as him. She continued, "James knew how I've never introduced a boyfriend to my Mom or Dad before. And I really got nervous into thinking how they'd react if they were to find out. The same as how nervous I am into meeting you. And James respected that a lot and so, he didn't force me and told me we'd meet each others families when we're ready. I'm really sorry, though."

          "Oh, dear, that's perfectly understandable! No worries, at all." Fleamont said. He took a bite of the porkchop before continuing, "So, how old are you, Freya?"

          "I'm sixteen — turning seventeen at July."

          "Oh, so James is older by four months," said Fleamont and Freya nodded in agreement, briefly remembering that James' birthday was in March.

          "What house are you in?"

          James rolled his eyes. "Duh, dad. Of course, she's in Gryffindor."

          "Don't talk to your father that way, hun." Freya scolded James lightly making James scowl like a child and for his father to smile in triumph.

          "Yes, thank you, Freya. It seems that he listens more to you." said Fleamont, looking pointedly at his son.

          "I think that's nice though. Freya being a good influence, I mean." commented Euphemia then looking at her son. "James needs it."

          "Oh, why thank you, Mum, for making it seem like I don't influence James any good." Sirius sarcastically commented. Freya's ears perked at how he called James' mother as Mum. It only made her realize how so much like family Sirius was with James'.

          "I know you aren't, hun. But we still love you." Euphemia said with a smirk making Sirius blush yet grin.

         "So," Fleamont spoke. "Tell me, what do your parents do?"

         Freya chewed delicately on her carrots and swallowed it before answering. "My mom is a sushi chef in Arizona. And my dad is a Healer at St. Mungo's."

         Euphemia frowned. "But that's two continents apart."

         "Oh, my parents are divorced."

         The way Freya said it so nonchalantly made James look at her with furrowed eyebrows. It concerned him how she handled it. Sirius seemed to have the same reaction as well. Staring at her from across the table, Sirius knew he cared, somehow, for Freya.

          "Oh, goodness, I'm so sorry for asking." Fleamont looked genuinely apologizing that it made Freya confused.

          She waved her hand and smiled to ease the tension. "No worries, I'm totally fine with that. Me and my brother, both of us."

         "And you manage with that?" Euphemia asked.

         Freya took a breath and smiled, "Surprisingly, yes."

         James looked at the girl beside her and just admired how she managed to keep it to herself. James, himself, couldn't imagine how things would be if his parents were separated. And just like Sirius, James admired how strong she was despite of her family problems. He then slid his hand and intertwined them with Freya's that was underneath the table. Freya looked at him in surprise and question. James simply smiled at her in the most comforting way possible. And Freya's face melted and she smiled softly at him as well.