Unexpected

Chapter Seventy Four: Self Control

The rest of the day passed by in a blur.

After lunch, Harry and his friends assembled in the common room for a 'fun & fine' afternoon. This basically included James making bad jokes, Sirius guessing them before he finished speaking, Remus chiding the two of them for fighting, Lily rolling her eyes at them and Harry and Fleur lost in their own little world.

"Oh come on, the two of you," James said after he finished arguing with Sirius and found Harry and Fleur snuggled up in a corner. "Can't you stay away from each other for one bloody second? I mean, look and Lily! I know she wants to rush up and kiss me but she's holding back, isn't she? That's called self control. No-OW!" He exclaimed, rubbing his shoulder where Lily smacked him.

"As much as it pains for me to say this, I have to agree with James. You two are entirely in love. Why don't you just get married and have cute-cute babies? I hope you name me godmother, though. Also, I don't want to 'rush up and kiss you', James. I rather want to smack you, but I'm not. That's what self control is." Lily snapped, rolling her eyes.

Harry bit his lip, suddenly having the urge to tell Lily that if he and Fleur did have 'cute-cute' babies, then she'd become their grandmother. He bit on his lip harder, thanking his super self-control. 

"You did smack me," James grumbled, rubbing his shoulder. "I think I'm going to have a bruise. Also, speaking of marriage, I agree with you. If Harry and Fleur did get married, we would be able to meet his mysterious parents. I've started to worry that you have a hell hound for a dad or something."

Harry fought back a smile. Surely, if he had a hell hound for a dad, James would know. "Why are you so worried about my parents?" He asked out aloud, his tone guarded. "You're my friend, I'm your friend and its not like we're going to get married or anything."

Jacques nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're right. I hardly think Fleur would appreciate your competition." He spoke, grinning. 

"Really Harry, you should make Fleur meet your parents someday," Remus said, looking at Harry thoughtfully. "I mean, its not like you have you-know-who for your dad, right?"

Fleur flinched, and Harry squeezed her hand. "Of course not," Harry agreed, shaking his head. "But even if he was, would it matter? I mean, would you abandon me?"

"You talk like he is your father!" Sirius exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "And no, it wouldn't matter. You're our friend. That's what matters."

James and Lily nodded in agreement. "Yeah." The spoke in union, and Harry noticed Fleur relax.

After that, the rest of the day and dinner were a blur of laughter, jokes and pranks. The only moment when Harry truly felt something fluttery was when finally all of them grew tired, bid each other goodbye and went to their respective rooms. 

Harry's heart started beating in that instant,

It was time to go to their room.