PERFECT // JAMES POTTER

26. Coming Home

As the last day of term approached, the five Marauders found themselves discussing arrangements for New Years. James suggested that Remus and Peter visit his house for the occasion, as Scarlet and Sirius already lived with him. The pair agreed and they made plans for activities. Suddenly, Scarlet shot up from her slouching position.

"Can I invite Lily?" She asked James excitedly, casting a quick wink over to Remus, who's face turned red.

"Go for it." Her boyfriend smiled at her.

Scarlet grinned and stood up from the red sofas of the Gryffindor common room.

"I'll be right back!"

She ran up the stairs and burst through the dorm door. Lily, who had been braiding her flaming red hair, jumped about three inches in the air at the loud noise.

"Merlin Scar! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" She aggressively questioned.

"You. Me. New Years. The Potter's. What do you say?" Scarlet asked.

"Do I have a choice in this?" Lily huffed.

"Remus will be there." Scarlet said suggestively with raised brows.

"Count me in."

-=+=-

The last day of term rolled around pretty fast and Scarlet and Lily were chatting whilst waiting for the Hogwarts Express.

"I'll owl you the details for New Years later." Scarlet said as the red train came into sight.

Lily nodded with a smile and the two girls hugged before Scarlet walked off to find the Marauders. When she found the four boys, they all boarded the train together and quickly found their usual compartment, dragging their trunks behind them.

"Need help with your luggage, love?" James asked as he watched Scarlet struggle and his mind went back to when they first met.

Scarlet pursed her lips and begrudgingly nodded. James beamed and took her trunk, before effortlessly hauling it onto the overhead rack. Scarlet sat down on the cushioned seat and let Cleo out of her cage. The cat stretched her legs before jumping up between James and Scarlet. Unconsciously, James began scratching Cleo behind the ears and she started to purr loudly.

"So, Remus," Scarlet started. At the mention of his name, Remus looked up from his book, "You and Lily, huh?"

At the black-haired witch's words, Remus flushed and turned bright red, adverting his eyes.

"Ooh, what's this?" Sirius asked, a cheeky smile on his face.

"Remus and Lily went to Slughorn's party together. As dates." Scarlet told Sirius.

"I'm guessing Lily told you what happened?" Remus asked Scarlet in a small voice.

"You bet she did."

"What happened?!" Sirius eagerly asked, excited for some gossip.

"We-, well, we kissed." Remus mumbled but everyone could hear it.

"Good on you, mate!" Sirius grinned

Peter congratulated Remus and, eventually, the conversation moved on to different topics.

-=+=-

The train arrived at King's Cross and the five friends all got out.

"I'll miss you!" Scarlet said to Remus and Peter as she hugged them both.

"You'll see us at New Years." Remus laughed as he hugged back.

After a few seconds the three pulled away and Scarlet stepped back, allowing James and Sirius to bid the boys 'goodbye'. Remus saw his parents and waved at them once more before walking off. Peter did the same once he saw his mother and the three were left to try and find Euphemia and Fleamont.

After about a minute of searching, Scarlet caught sight of the couple and pulled James and Sirius towards them. Euphemia tightly hugged each of them in turn, before they all joined hands and disapparated.

Once they were all safely inside the Potter house, Euphemia ushered the three teenagers upstairs to unpack their trunks while she made snacks for them all. Scarlet grinned at the news and raced upstairs, dragging her trunk behind her and nearly tripping up the stairs. James and Sirius exchanged looks and Sirius playfully rolled his eyes. James snorted before following his girlfriend up to the second floor.

Scarlet arrived in her room and immediately began to unpack, letting Cleo out of her cage and allowing the cat to wander around. When she was finished, she fell back onto her soft bed with a sigh. Only then, did the realization come crashing down on her.

Today was the anniversary of her parent's deaths.

She choked back a sob that came clawing through her throat and her eyes began to fill with unshed, clear tears. Her mind went back to the last time she saw them alive - King's Cross. They had come to wave her off as she started her fifth year at Hogwarts. If she had known that was the last time she would see her mother's twinkling eyes or her father's proud smile, she would have hugged them tighter, told them that she loved them.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Euphemia's voice shouting up the stairs, calling them down. She sat up from her bed and sniffed, wiping away the tears that had fallen down her cheeks. She glanced at herself in the mirror and was thankful that her eyes hadn't puffed up or were red. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and met James and Sirius in the stairs.

James offered her a warm smile and gently took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. Together, the three of them walked into the kitchen, where a plate of cookies sat waiting for them on the oak table. 

Euphemia turned around the greet them but her eyes immediately landed on Scarlet and James' hands. Both teens looked down and flushed, however they did not remove their hands. Euphemia turned to her husband with wide eyes.

"You owe me five galleons." She said to him, her face breaking out into a wide and happy grin.

Fleamont sighed, lowered his newspaper, rummaged around in his pocket and dropped five big, golden coins into his wife's outstretched hand. Scarlet and James watched the exchange with bewildered looks whilst Sirius broke out into heavy laughter.

"Why couldn't you two wait until the summer?" Fleamont asked with a sigh, although he was smiling.

"You placed a bet on us?!" James incredulously.

Euphemia didn't answer. Instead she walked over to Scarlet and wrapped her into a huge, warm hug.

"Welcome to the family."