IN RUINS- James Potter

chapter forty nine

Her hands were fiddling on her lap, as she sat on the edge of the seat, her jaw tense as she knew in only a few hours she would be seeing someone she didn't think she would ever visit. Guilt was through her veins, her stomach churning of fear. Nobody around her knew the pain she was feeling, and she wanted it to stay that way.

Leaving Hogwarts to not properly go home made Nora want to throw up— even though she did, all she could hear is her mothers and fathers voice, telling them about blood traitors and muggleborns, the mix they are together is horrible. Nora was dragging her own younger brother into a place they knew they were going to be loved in, betraying their parents.

Staring outside as she heard the boys talk to one another, Nora tried to take her mind off the decision she decided to do, her head turning to stare at regulus, him reading as his knees were tucked on the bench, eating a chocolate bar, in his own little world.

Nora should've counted the amount of times Evan was on board with their decision, from this morning till now, it would've been at least fifty times. Her heart was beating out of her chance, her silence being broken when Atticus lightly tapped her shoulder, a look of concern on his face.

"You haven't talked in over an hour, what's wrong?" He asked, his voice timid, whisper like. Nora scrunched her eyebrows up, wondering what he meant by that, shaking it off. "She's nervous of course! Seeing a cousin she isn't allowed to see. Bloody hell, I'd be snoring up." Evan exclaimed, his hands shaking as he slaps himself to be normal again.

Nora looked at regulus who looked at his friend, both being concerned for the lad. "You're not even going there? Why are you so nervous?" Atticus asks, Nora turning to see his face be in concerned as well.

Evan cleared his throat, apologizing for the little out burst, excusing himself and leaving the cabin. "Every year he keeps getting stranger." Nora said to her brother, hearing a small chuckle, a smile lingering on her lips to know regulus still laughs at what she says about Evan.

"I'm going to go to the loo before we get there." Nora spoke up, patting Atticus' leg before getting up. Sliding the door closed and beginning to walk, Nora wished she waited two more minutes, James walking towards her.

"Nora." James nodded, smiling awkwardly. Nora nodded, looking away but him, "potter" she spoke, scratching her head. Nora looked at the outfit James was wearing, seeing him for the first time since last night at dinner.

His hair was the way she liked it, wearing a white shirt with a Jean jacket on top; his favourite black jeans once again making an appearance. Nora looked the lad up and down, trying to stay focus on why she is ignoring him.

"Can we talk about the other night?" He whispers, his voice a little raspy. It was clear James wasn't sleeping properly, his eye bags darker than usual. Nora pretended she was thinking about it, rubbing her chin as she causally shows the middle finger with a snarky smile.

James rolled his tongue on the side of his inside cheek, smiling at her as Nora shrugged. "Hmm, no I'm good." She said, excusing past him, being pulled back with James grabbing her left arm.

"Look I fucked up, please let me talk to you, don't let us have problems going into the break." He pleaded, his eyes growing sad. Nora stayed true to herself, shaking her head, James' grip loosening.

"Have a good break James." Nora said softly, going into the direction of the loo, walking past many people into getting there.

Nora noticed the Slytherins together, pressing her lips into a fine line, hoping to not be noticed by them, scratching her neck. "Thought you were told stay at the school sweetheart." Nora rolled her eyes, Nott walking behind her now as they keep walking past the cabins.

"Staying at the Bulstrodes instead; if it's any of your business." Nora answered, hoping to get him off her back. Nott swiftly got in front of her, leaning a little as he played with a ring. "I know you're lying, but I don't care, as long as you're safe?" He softened his voice, showing care for Nora.

Nott and Nora never always saw eye to eye, him always being a big brother to her; cursing that bond right now. "Yes," she sighed out; annoyed of this conversation. "Good girl, here, merry Christmas Black." Being handed a ring with an infinity symbol on it, Nora looked up to Nott winking before leaving, wondering what this meant.

She felt like she was sweating, a hot flash hitting her as the train stopped; faint almost. Her nerves were in overdrive, using Atticus' hand to slap her hard enough to be offended, waking herself up.

"Better?" He asked; turning to look at her. Nora nodded her head, bear hugging the lad. "I won't see you the whole break, you do know that right?" She asked him, her chin resting on his shoulder.

"Oh no, a week and a half without Nora! What will I do?" The boy sarcastically answered, patting her back. Letting go of each other and having their trunks, regulus caught up to them after saying goodbye to Evan, all three wondering the same thing.

"How is this going to work?" They all say at the same time. Nora didn't know if andromeda was going to show up, walking out of the place with Atticus, the three standing in the parking lot of kings cross station, frowning.

"Do you think she forgot—"

Before Nora could finish her sentence, the three hear a honk, all turning to a green cars sunroof down, a man and lady sitting in the front seat. Nora seemed stunned to see Andromeda in such a muggle car, her jaw dropping.

Wearing red pants and a white shirt, Nora slapped the back of Atticus' head in case he was thinking bad, all clearing their throats. "You two must get in quick before people see you. Say goodbye to the lad."

With some hesitation; Nora listened to the man that spoke, ditching Atticus as Nora and regulus put their stuff in the trunk, having to jump in the car as there were no doors for them.

"Whose the lad?" Regulus asks, his guard suddenly up. Note too was wondering the same thing. There was nothing wrong with the lad, seeing how it fit he was, blonde locks and a beautiful smile. It finally clicked as to who he was when they saw his hand on Andromedas leg, the siblings looking at each other.

"This is Ted, your brother in law." Andy introduced, giggling a little. Nora did not like how long it took for her to realize, clearing her throat out of embarrassment. "I heard a lot about you two and I'm so happy you're coming to stay for the holidays." Ted spoke, catching Nora off guard with his welsh accent, intrigued by it.

The drive became quiet after a few minutes. Nora snd regulus looked out for the remainder of the drive; awkwardly uncomfortable as it was very tight and they were too tall for their age.

Realizing they weren't too far from Grimmauld, Nora felt good to know they were close, driving past all the mansions; including the Potters, going to the small houses, stopping in front of a mailbox that said TONKS.

Getting out of the car as andromeda came to hug them, Nora stared blankly at the house; unsure to go inside, waiting for her trunk. "How's the head?" Andromeda asked, patting Nora's back.

"Hm? Oh it's fine now. Less headaches." Answering honestly, Nora turned to see ted coming over to regulus, giving his fist out for a fist bump, starting out slow.

Regulus didn't want to: but he gave the man a fist bump, and Nora gave him a high five, whistling his way into the door. Nora began to frown a little bit more— making it obvious to andromeda they were scared of staying at a place that they weren't used to.

"Well kiddos; welcome to our humble home."

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call this chapter boring, or out of character for some of it, but I liked the awkward comedy I added because why not. Please inform me if there are mistakes, having acrylics are really annoying. Anywho, back from a break and now graduated woohoo. It's summer so I'll definitely be trying to get some chapters in and get the story moving again.
All the love,
-t