It was Easter Break. Notice I didn't say finally? That's because I was dreading it. Not because I didn't want to meet Al's family, I did. But I was nervous. Well, not just nervous. Extremely-hands-are-sweating-might-be-shaking-a-little-too-nervous. Al was being wonderful about it really, which of course made me feel even worse for being so nervous. I would mostly be with Rose and Al anyways and Al had assured me that he wouldn't leave my side. I kept telling myself that it would be fine, that it wasn't a problem (it's just a challenge {Last Five Years}*cries)
When we got off the train at King's Cross, I could see his family waiting. I knew it was them because it was basically just a large gaggle of redheads, but I could also see his dad's dark black hair. I grasped Al's hang tighter as he led me through the crowd towards his family. He looked back at me and gave me a smile. I smiled weakly back and he squeezed my hand reassuringly.
We were going to "the Burrow" for the night then I would go with Rose's family. Rose had said that the whole family would probably be at the Burrow for most of break so we'd just floo over each day (FLOO POWDER POWER x4 AVPM fans unite! )
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Sorry I had to now the story will continue)
I'd never used the floo much to be honest since my parents weren't used to it, but it would be much faster than driving like we usually did. I waved quickly to my parents who were picking August up, then followed Albus' family to the car. We probably could've fit more than just the six of us with the extension charm that was on it, but the extended family had decided to apparate and side-along instead. I think there were too many people in our group to apparate and also Al's mom seemed like she didn't want to scare me off by having me side-along with her and Lily. They had told me it was about an hour long ride. I was silent as we got into the car, which because of the charm reminded me of a limo.
"So" Al's dad said as we started to drive, "how's the school year been for the lot of you?"
"You never send us any letters" Al's mom said pointedly.
"It's been fine Mum" James replied, "I've been spending time with Alice a lot."
"How is Alice?" Al's mom asked.
"She's great" James said, grinning wudely as he talked about his girlfriend, " once I confessed my feelings for her on New Years she said she'd go out with me and we've been dating ever since. Nothing notable really Mum, although you'd probably already know if it had since gore a journalist and all."
I could hear Al's dad chuckling from the front seat, "that she would."
"How about you Lil?" Al's mom asked again.
"Fine Mum" Lily replied. Thus seemed to be a standard response. Funny sighed, but stayed turned around.
"Al?" She asked, "and don't tell me it's just fine because your girlfriend is sitting right there to witness it."
"We've been good Mum" Al told her, "but besides this, nothing big really. Lots of studying for OWLS. Rose forces us to." I cracked a smile at that.
"Studying" James said, putting finger quotes around the word, "Ha! Studying my arse."
I blushed, embarrassed. The sad thing was we really did study mostly. I was a Ravenclaw after all.
"JAMES SIRIUS POTTER!" Ginny exclaimed, "in so sorry Alyssa, James never really thinks before he speaks."
"That's probably why it took him so long to get Alice" Lily chimed in. For a thirteen year old, she really was quite perceptive and witty. I could see Al's mom holding back a smile as James scowled.
"It's alright Mrs. Potter" I told her, "I'm used to it. My dad is like that as well."
"You can call me Ginny, Alyssa" she told me, "most of us adults go by first name since there are so many Weasleys around, though I guess I am a Potter now so it wouldn't be as confusing for me."
"You guess?!" Harry said from the drivers seat, "we've only been married for twenty years, how long did it take you to figure that one out?"
"Hey!" Ginny said, "I'm surrounded by so many Weasleys it's easy to get confused. Especially when I was one originally." She turned to me, "so Alyssa tell us a little about yourself."
"Sorry Lyss" Al said, "like James said earlier, Mum's a journalist. She's very pushy." He ignored the death glare his mom gave him as I giggled.
"It's okay" I assured him, "my parents ask way more when I get home for break since they don't know what we're learning about. Umm I don't really know where to start."
"Maybe start with your family" Ginny prompted.
"Well my family moved here from America when I was younger, that's why my accent is so odd. Both my parents are muggles. My brother is actually a first year. His name is August he's a Slytherin but he's actually nice most of the time. Mom's a teacher and Dad used to own a few convenience stores back in California, but now we own a pub where we live in Chelsea. It serves American food like burgers and hotdogs and ribs because when we moved here my brother got homesick and there wasn't much American food so we made our own. Sorry I'm rambling again aren't I Al?" I looked towards him but he just smiled. He was always smiling at me. It made me feel special. I couldn't help but smile with him. Ever since I had clumsily run into him on the train I hadn't been able to stop thinking about him. Then Rosie helped me figure out that he liked me and he had asked me out on New Years and gotten me my favorite candy, something that I hadn't even known he was listening to. He was amazing.
When I came out of my thoughts, everyone had moved on to a different conversation , completely ignoring Al and I. I looked up at him again and he brushed my bangs out of my face.
"You're probably tired" he told me, "why don't you sleep?"
"Are you sure it's okay?" I asked, looking around.
"Of course" he said. He kissed me gently on the forehead, which he knew I loved. I leaned my head on his shoulder, closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
