Work Text:
They were at the annual Christmas dance. Lights were shining, music was playing, people were laughing. The floor swirled rhythmically with happy pairs waltzing.
In the back corner friends sat together enjoying their last night before they all went separate ways for Christmas break. Sirius and Remus were having a quite conversation next to Peter leaning on each other like they couldn’t bare to be apart. Mary was laughing with lily and Pandora. And Marlene and dorcas were sitting with James, Barty, Evan and Reg.
James was leaning on Evans shoulder with Barty’s feet draped across his lap. Barty was currently trying to balance between Regulus and James. And failing.
“I love Christmas.” James exhaled in a happy sigh.
Regulus laughs. “Oh course you do.”
James rolls his eyes but continues.
“Marls remember that one Christmas when-“ he doesn’t even finish the sentence before Marlene is laughing loudly. She obviously does remember.
They had been playing hide and seek one year when they were around nine at the annual Potter Christmas party. Peter had been looking for them and Marlene has suggested they hide in the attic. They ended up locked up there for the rest of the party.
Once Marlene had calmed down they explained what happened.
“Didn’t you know that it couldn’t be opened from the inside?” Evan asked ruffling James hair with a mocking smirk.
James fake pouts. “Ok first of all no. Second of all Marlene it was your idea to hide there. So if anyone, your to blame.”
“Well I blame Pete he was the one who gave up on looking for us.” Marlene declares.
“Blame me for what?” Peter says joining the group. Remus and Sirius close behind.
“Nothing.” James and Marlene call out at the same time. They didn’t really blame him.
Peter eyes them suspiciously, but moves to sit down.
“Jamie was just talking about how much he loves Christmas.” Barty says drawing out the love.
Sirius snorts. “Of course you do.” He says almost identical to regulus. Which makes reg frown and the rest of them laugh.
“You love everything, Prongs.” Remus says.
“Not true.”
“Okay, name one thing you hate.”
“I hate this line of questioning.” James says with a smirk.
Remus laughs. Mary and Lily walk over with Pandora in what seems like a lighthearted argument.
Pandora frowns at them “Fiiiiine.” she says and walks over to James. She offers her hand. “Dance with me?” She asks him.
James smiles and pretends to swoon dramatically. “I thought you never ask.” He takes her hand and follows her out to the dance floor.
The others watch as James and Pandora laugh waltzing around. The have to dodge couples because they are total out of step but they laugh and joke about who knows what. James spins Pandora and then Pandora dips James. It’s fast and chaotic and the embodiment of happiness.
Still staring at James Evan let’s out a soft sigh. “You know I think everyone who meets James can’t help but fall a little bit in love with him.”
The all stay silent because it was true. James was the sun. He was light. He was warmth. He loved everything. He loved all of them. And everyone was a little bit in love with him.