Back to Black | Golden Trio Era

XXXIV

THIRTY-FOUR

Tonks ^^ ain't she cute?

"James! Sit your bony arse down and eat your food or I'll send you back to bed!" Thalia crossed her arms and pointed to the seat at the table. James stopped his jumping around and pouted, throwing himself in his chair, picking at his sandwich sulkily. Thalia looked rather triumphant as she picked up her drink and smiled at Eloise who was clapping,

"You have to teach me how to do that." She said, awed and Thalia did a dramatic bow,

"Excuse me!" James slammed his
hands down on the table and everyone in the kitchen (Eloise, Thalia, Sirius, Alfie, Mia and the Weaselys) turned to look at him abruptly, "I am allowed to be excited! My boy is coming back."

"Yes, but were not going to collect him for another 6 hours and we have to wait for Moody and that to arrive." Eloise said patiently but James just huffed loudly,

"Doesn't mean I can't be excited." He muttered and Sirius snorted before standing up,

"Come on, mate. I have some Quidditch stuff outside." He offered and James grinned before sprinting out of the room. "Well that'll put his energy to good use." Sirius said as he kissed Eloise and left to find his friend.

There was a knock at the door and Alfie went to open it. He came back with Remus and Eloise squealed slightly before throwing herself at her tall friend,

"Moony!" She squeezed Remus and he laughed before wrapping his arms around her, "I missed you!" Eloise pulled away and Remus smiled warmly at her,

"I missed you too, Puff. But I'm here for the rest of the holidays now."

"I HEARD MOONY!" James barrelled into the kitchen with Sirius a few steps behind and they simultaneously ran into Remus. The three of them fell to the floor in a heap and muffled laughter could be heard.

"How are they still such children?" Mia muttered to her mum but Eloise was smiling fondly,

"Leave them be, Mi." She wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders, "At times like this, childish joy is a blessing."

~~~

"Are we ready?"

"Yes, Moody."
"And we remember-"

"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

"Yes, thank you, Nymphadora."

"Don't call her Nymphadora!" Eloise and Sirius both said with coy smiles as the young woman's hair turned red. The group of Order members all got ready to leave: Eloise and Sirius on one broom; James on another; and they didn't really pay attention to anyone else. They set off for Surrey, the three adults filled with anticipation to see their Harry. They arrived a few hours later and Eloise was shivering slightly from being so high up at Sirius pulled to land. Sirius gave her his leather jacket as Moody opened the door to number four. They all tiptoed in to the kitchen, Eloise jumping a mile when Tonks hit a plate to the floor. Moody was reprimanding her as he ordered them to traipse up the stairs and unlocked Harry's door. The door swung open and Eloise smiled to herself at Harry's shocked face. She, James and Sirius pushes themselves to the front of the crowd of people and Harry's expression soon became one of happiness. The boy threw himself at his dad who looked happier than he had all Summer as he stroked Harry's hair. Harry soon turned to Eloise and Sirius who pulled him into them and let him sink into their embrace.

"I'm so glad you're here." Harry whispered to them and Eloise pressed a kiss to his head,

"Me too, Harry love." She cupped his face and smiled at him, feeling her heart hitch at the sight of the sparkle in his emerald green eyes - in Lily's emerald green eyes.

~~~

Harry was settling himself into his bedroom he shared with Ron with the help of Alfie and Mia so the adults sat in the kitchen. Thalia had returned home to Cornwall for the night but Remus was staying over to catch up with his friends.

"So what's going on with you and Thalia?" The werewolf turned to James with a smirk and was shocked to see his cheeks flush pink,

"Well, we're not together, but I'm hoping it's heading that way." He ruffled his hair up and Eloise was immediately transported back to Sixth Year, when Lily was still alive.

"Why don't you ask her out, mate?" Sirius asked from where he leant against the counter Eloise was sat on and James shrugged,

"I don't know...it's too soon...right?"

"Only you can decide that, Prongs." Remus pointed out,

"I'm scared that I'll ask her and she'll reject me and-" James stopped himself and let out a laugh, "I have deja vu." He said simply and his friends all nodded. Eloise felt sadness overwhelm her and she tried to stop her eyes filling with tears. Sirius still noticed. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she buried her face into his shoulder,

"It's been fourteen years," she said thickly and the three men wore devastated expressions as she cried, "and it still feels like she's here sometimes." Eloise looked at James and let out a watery laugh, "You're getting scared about asking someone on a date for Merlin's sake and all I can think about is how often you'd proclaim your love for Lils on the Gryffindor Table."

"He did do that a lot." Remus smirked and James held his hands up,

"What can I say, I loved her." He smiled softly but his eyes gleamed, "I still do. But I feel something about Thalia. I feel how I felt when I was sixteen and I would look at Lily." He admitted and Eloise smiled,

"James, that's so great." She nodded and James beamed at her,

"Go for it, Dad." A voice spoke from the
doorway and the adults all jumped as Harry walked in, "If you like her - this Thalia - go for it. Mum would be happy for you." Harry seemed to have joined in with the crying and James opened his arms for a hug. Harry embraced his father and James sighed contently,

"I will." He said with a smile, "I will ask her out. And I shouldn't be scared...I'm James Potter."

"He still says that like it's a good thing."

"Shut up, Padfoot."