Disclaimer: THIS IS A PIECE OF FAN-FICTION, DERIVED FROM THE ORIGINAL WORKS OF HARRY POTTER SERIES BY J.K. ROWLING.
James
Why was she looking at me like that? Is it to apologize? I don't want it. I don't want her to apologize. Iola was my issue and my mistake. Aria had no business with us, so why should she apologize to me?
"James?" I jumped at Iola's voice. She was wearing a short pink dress with high heels. I was hiding in a corner with a champagne flute, so I wasn't sure if I did a good job.
"Iola." I gulped, "Hello."
"How've you been?"
"Hardworking." I answered with a nod, "How about you?"
"I joined the Daily Prophet as a shadow for now."
"Good for you."
"Yeah. I wanted to work with your Mum but it's hard to get through for now." She bit her lip after a sigh. I'm not recommending her.
"Good luck with that then." I sipped at my drink.
"Do say hello to her for me? Tell her I'm a huge fan."
"I don't like doing that, so I'm sorry." I answered and she frowned.
"James, are you still mad about what happened? I'm telling you, I didn't spread the news!" She hissed.
"I don't care, Iola." I slumped, "I truly don't care anymore."
"Well, you're still sour about it."
"Iola-"
"He said he doesn't care, so he doesn't." Aria's firm voice stopped Iola's further statement, and I watched her come between us, "And it wasn't news, you spread a lie. A rumor. So take the hint Iola before you make things uncomfortable for yourself as well." I fixed my bow as Iola gave a cold grin to Aria and walked away.
"Are you-"
"I'm fine." I answered before Aria could finish, "And you don't have to worry yourself, Ari. Truth whatever it may be, I don't have the stamina to explain myself to people. I'm an open book and always have been. Those who want to read the facts, do, and those who want the meaning behind words that have none, I can't help them. So don't feel upset or bad or even guilty if you do. You're human, after all."
She was quiet, so I finally gained the courage to look from overfixing my clothes, only to find her nodding with tears in her eyes.
"Ari..."
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for not understanding you." She gulped, "But I... I understand that I was out of line for judging you the way I did."
"Ari... don't."
She nodded and sniffled, instantly fixing to a smile.
"Sorry."
"It's okay." I answered, and she blinked and walked away.
I leaned against the wall, feeling more exhausted than I did before I came here.
"James, honey." I turned to Mum, who came to me after a long while, "What is it?" She caressed my cheek with her knuckles.
"Just a long day at work."
"Oh, sweetheart, do you wanna take an early day off?"
I shook my head. She was silent and a small, almost apologetic smile lingered on her lips.
"Being an adult is more tiring than I thought." I snickered, "It's funny. I wanted to grow up as fast as possible but here I am now. Almost twenty and nothing to show for myself."
"I don't think so." She answered and I could only give a pursed smile, she was my mother after all, "No ordinary seventeen years old can bring his parents back from the dead while setting an entire timeline straight." She sighed, resting against the wall beside me, "I am your mother but I can never thank Merlin and God enough for having you." She smiled to herself, "This isn't me trying to make you feel better, I'd hate to lie with love."
Somehow, I believed her.
"When I married your father, we had Teddy in our care so I told him, I'd never be able to give him a family. We both truly thought that our lives would be with Teddy in our legacy."
"So I'm a miracle baby?" I scoffed teasingly.
"Yes." She answered, no remark, just a plain answer, "I learned a whole new version of myself when I was pregnant with you and had you. I learned to live again, James."
"But that's not my achievement, Mom."
"True." She nodded, "But no three years old child has the heart to look a werewolf dead in the eye and say "mommy?"" She cocked a brow.
I straightened a little, surprised by the news and the warmth on her face.
"Your achievements James, don't come acknowledged sometimes even by yourself. You have a lot to live for and a long life ahead of you. You've fought wars, and battled time at a young age and just as your crazy blood craves, your desire for more has your heart in speed."
I snickered.
"As for love...." She spoke and I followed her eyes to Aria in a distance for a second before she turned back to me, cupping my face, "Well we all suck at it."
I snorted along with her.
"I love you." I kissed the back of her hand.
"You should. It takes effort to be a parent." She winked and just then, Aunt Hermione called for attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Wizards and Witches, it is an honor to have you celebrate the pride of the Crown tonight with us. Throughout the history of the British Crown, the Royal Family has guarded our community with power and sincerity. The rule remained loyal to the King and the people as well. Today, we'd like you to honour the Crown and the First Prince of the British Ministry of Magic on this delightful day of unity. Presenting, His Highness Jasper Marhock with Her Highness Queen Arlina Marhock. Princess Keila and the Future of the British Wizarding Community and the First Prince Jason Marhock." Trumpets sounded as His Majesty Marhock, walked to the balcony above the stage with a beautiful blonde Queen in a royal blue gown, along with their young daughter in a blue and white gown. And finally, a very different Jason walked out, wearing his royal blue jacket and one shoulder white cape. His hair gelled and his face seeming healthier. His posture was strong and it was evident that he'd worked hard during his training to become a royal.
The news that the upcoming prince was gay had spread around and the people took it surprisingly well. No one showed hate but curiosity as to what kind of ruler he would become. We also found out about Jason's orientation through the news but the truth about his partner came to us through his own mouth as he gathered all of us at hogwarts. That brat Mason was apparently his significant other. I didn't hate the idea though, Mason seemed tamed by Jason somehow. People bowed in respect as they reached the main floor and sat on their thrones. Jason sat on the third largest seat and the little girl on the smallest. Aunt Hermione herself sat the crown on Jason's head, who inhaled a large breath as it was done. People clapped for him and I could see Mason right in the front, ecstatic.
Love was annoying me now.
"He looks happy." Mum spoke.
"Well, he is in love." I knew I sounded bitter and Mum sighed, taking the drink from me.
"He's happy because he's giving a chance to something that seemed impossible at first. Sometimes, you have to jump over the obstacles to take a chance at what seems rather impossible or even difficult. You'll never be more than who you are right now if you don't attempt what you think you can't do." She finished my drink, "I learned that from a movie."
"I know this will be a fail. Not everyone is as lucky as you and Dad, Mum." I exhaled a loud breath.
"True. I am lucky. But do you really think our relationship didn't have its hurdles."
"I know. Why do you think I said what I did?" I gulped, "You were able to overcome it. For me, I know I'll fail."
Her smile faded and she seemed concerned a bit.
"Dad's about to go greet Jason. We should head over there."
She seemed sadder by now but touched my cheek with cold fingers before making way through the crowd with me on her tail. I found Lily and Al with Dad already and he let Mum chain her arm in his as we walked ahead and gave her greeting.
"We, the Potters, welcome His Highness the Prince to our aid." Dad spoke as we bowed.
"Thank you." Jason spoke and we straightened, "For everything and your service." He smiled and Mum and Dad acknowledged. As we moved, it was Candice's family who greeted next and then came Mason's.
"Killian has come outside to tell me something, I'll be back." I told Mum and Dad and they squinted before nodding. They knew I was lying. Killian Walter was my partner but he wasn't here at the moment. I just needed some air. I was ready to face Aria after a year of being away from her and dodging her every chance I got but I didn't know I'd be this affected by just one meet.
I was only reaching the exit hallway when someone called for me and my heart almost dropped. Then it pumped up again and beat so fast that my chest hurt. I turned to face Aria walking to me and stopping as she neared enough to have a proper space for a normal volume of a conversation.
"I had something to do with my part-"
"I love you."
I lost my voice. My body rigid yet still and my mind went blank as my eyes my grew wide. I knew I had an expression of a stunned man but I couldn't help it.
"Come again?" Was all I managed. She stepped ahead again and held a dropped hand of mine.
"I love you." She spoke, "But I don't expect you to just choose me now because I've said that. I've treated you harshly and honestly, very unfair. I believe that and I will wait till you start believing in me too. My doubts for you must have scared you just like I fear that you've grown some for me too. I'll wait till you have a clear mind and even if you don't choose me after, I'll understand with a clean heart." She looked up and smiled. She wasn't tearful or seemingly heartbroken. She was calm, sincerely peaceful.
"Why did you have so much hate for me?"
"It wasn't hate. Typical jealousy. I've liked you since I started Hogwarts. First year really. I was a child yet I couldn't help but like you. You defied logic and you liked living at ease. I'd thought that when I meet the Potters at school, they'll be scary or at least intimidating but you were the first to prove me wrong." She smiled again, "I'm just too prideful for my own good to give in."
"Aria..."
She chuckled lightly.
"Merlin, I feel as though I've lost some heavy weight off of my chest." This time, she did seem to have a wetness in her eyes, "To be honest James, you're a great person, more so than you admit. So, while I harbor these feelings for you, I greatly respect you too. So don't think that I'd doubt you in the future. I was just too pained and saw what my rage made me. But I've understood now it's clearer that if I have to love you, I also need to have faith in you."
When she let my hand go, she inhaled a deep breath. Her cheeks turned red and she looked anywhere but at me.
"I'll leave you be." She pursed a smile and with this, I let her go away.