Rainy Days [James Potter]

Chapter 31

"What is this?" Robin gushed, her mind racing with infinite incomprehensible thoughts. There she was, standing in front of her normally empty room on Christmas Eve and it was filled to the brim with the corny decorations she never got as a kid-- the fake snow, stockings over a cardboard fireplace, a tree that was almost twice her size-- everything she ever could have dreamed of. She stepped in and was immediately greeted by a pleasant warmth, contrasting to the winter chill that echoed throughout the halls. She spun on her heel.

"I take it this is a nice surprise?" James asked hopefully, though he knew full well what the answer was a definite yes. They had just gotten back from a wonderful night spent alone in the Astronomy Tower, and her day had already reached a new high.

"Yes! Absolutely!" she almost yelled, blissfully forgetful of the girls next door.

"Alright, 'cause I have something to tell you." he took a shaky breath, though he was still grinning from ear to ear.

"I'm all ears."

"Well, I think I've made it pretty clear how I feel about you. If you don't know at this point, I'm going to question your IQ." He started, "But I wanted to ask you if you'd like to be officially... You know."

"I don't think I do." she teased.

"Oh, shove off." he chuckled, "Do you want me to do yet another cheesy hopeless romantic thing?"

"I'd appreciate it."

"Right." he bent down on one knee and panic flared through Robin, though only for a second. "You're pretty cool-"

"Understatement of the century, but go on."

"I really like you, so, Robin White, would you like to officially be dating the most charming lad at Hogwarts?"

She shook her head and giggled girlishly, the sound making her feel like someone else. "If you don't know the answer, I'll question your IQ." she grabbed his shirt and pulled him towards her, bringing him in for a searing kiss.

*

Christmas morning. Long-awaited, and a welcome event for the new couple. Robin leaned against James, his arm draped casually around her and she laughed at some joke he made. She reached into her pocket and took out a piece of mistletoe, hanging it over them. Their lips closened, but before anything could happen, Sirius threw an old sock at them.

"Some of us are trying to sleep!" He yelled, snuggling right back into Remus' side. The two still shared a bed due to the former's blatant lack of one. Robin laughed quietly.

"Way to ruin the mood." James chuckled.

"I don't know, Kitten. A dirty sock? Very erotic."

Robin fiddled with the Head Girl badge on her chest. Remus awoke dazingly.

"I think Sirius may have a point." He argued, "I mean a little sleep doesn't hurt."

"Where's your Christmas spirit, Remus?" Robin asked disappointedly, "Besides, you're just saying that because the two of you are hopelessly in love."

Remus shuffled away from Sirius quietly, smiling awkwardly. Sirius pretended to not have heard, though it seemed obvious to Robin that he had. She sighed and got up, jumping around the room, clapping her hands together as loud as she could muster, given her own hidden tiredness.

"Up! It's Christmas morning, and James says I can't open my presents until you guys are up!"

Peter groaned. "Then you should be prepared to wait."

She grabbed him by the forearm and pulled him off the bed and he hit her arm. Despite the cheery atmosphere and bright morning light that was shed over them, things were slow and tired. Remus looked up and decided to give in and get up, knowing sleep was no longer an option. Sirius followed after, hoping to never leave the arms of his beloved.

They gathered around the small tree they had somehow gotten into their room. The boys had wanted to open presents in the common room with other seventh year Gryffindors, but Robin felt uneasy seeing Lily Evans, knowing he had an infatuation with her just a few months before.

Seeing as everyone was up and ready, Robin pushed aside those thoughts and ripped open the wrapping paper of her first present.

It was an ornate jewelry box, a velvety green substance she had pointed out in the shop to her mother a few years back. Something she had said was ridiculous and overcompensation, but her mother saw through that.

From your loving parents. We may not approve of your friends, but we hope you enjoy your gift.

Robin wasn't sure whether to laugh or scream. It was a nice gesture, of course, but her parents had a habit of turning those into something hurtful, something almost kind into something almost cold.

She set it aside. She was sure what was inside the box was as empty a gesture as the note. She didn't have to deal with that.

The next present was Remus, who got her a sweater ('because she wouldn't stop taking his') and some exotic, fruity chocolates that she could've used as perfume, because of their intoxicating scent.

Peter got her some actual perfume, which smelled heavenly, and a pair of hoop earrings that shone brightly in the light of the rising sun over the horizon.

Sirius gave her one of his leather jackets, which smelt so strongly of smoke that she coughed upon opening it, but it reminded her of him. She knew how much his jackets mean to him. It was way too big but still somehow so cozy, she couldn't let it go.

As she got to her final present, she felt almost relieved-- nobody was comfortable with too many emotions, and she had more emotions around the four of them than she ever could have otherwise. Without them, she would still be waiting for the winter cold to catch up with her. She didn't want them to know that.

She gently unwrapped her final gift, the one she had been waiting for. Another ornate jewelry box, made of red wood, with the rough inscription:

For the memories you have yet to make.

Inside was a golden locked, engraved with flowers and wispy clouds, like a warm, spring day. She ran her thumb along it, tears already gathering in her eyes, though the reason was unknown. As she opened the locket, she noticed that one side was already filled with a picture of the five of them. They were on the quidditch pitch after Gryffindor's big win against Ravenclaw, arms swung casually around each other, hands gripped on the broom above them, the one that had one them the game. She held the locket close to her chest and turned to give the boys a hug, but James was already behind her.

"Merry Christmas, Kitten."