somewhere only we know | ariadne

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Ariadne couldn’t quite ignore the fluttering going on in her stomach area. Everyone knew James Potter was a good looking lad; he knew it too. But he had chosen to get to know her, a quiet bookworm who was bullied by her fellow students for either being a Lestrange, or not being “Lestrange enough”. She really couldn’t win with most people. But James made her feel like a winner every day. They headed into the village, the crisp fall air filling Ariadne’s lungs and making her feel at ease. Ariadne laughed as James mentioned how his cousins (for there were many of them) enjoy smuggling in Weasley Wizarding Wheezes products. “Let me guess, Lily is the ringleader of this endeavor?” she asked with a smile. She didn’t know Lily personally, but James had told her enough to know she had clearly inherited her family love of mischief making.

“Halloween was always a holiday my parents like to celebrate, but not in the ‘Muggle way’” Ariadne told him, putting Muggle Way in air quotes to emphasize her point. Of course her parents had not used the word Muggle, but Ariadne did not stoop to their level when discussing those without magic. “We would set out old dusty photographs of long dead Lestranges and Blacks to communicate with them over All Hallows’ Eve, then we had a great big feast.” It was a nice memory, but tinged with something dark. Ariadne could see that it was only the five of them at this ‘great feast’ every single Halloween before they went to Hogwarts, and now she was sure her parents continued the tradition without them present; to hear them revere their ancestors and dead relations made it perfectly clear how they felt about the present condition of the Wizarding World.

They arrived at the Three Broomsticks and Ariadne ordered them two butterbeers. It was a distraction to hide the fact that she was blushing at James’ question about the Quidditch Match. Ariadne typically didn’t go to matches; she didn’t have many friends, and would prefer to spend her time with a book than the raucous crowds that went along with the Quidditch matches. However, she would make an exception for him. “If it means that much to you,” she teased, hoping her face was less flushed when she turned around to hand him his mug. “I don’t have anything else planned for that weekend.” Ariadne never had anything planned for any weekend; that would require people actually talking to her and involving her in their plans, which was rare.

james sirius potter

[james sirius potter]

i felt the earth beneath my feet

sat by the river
and it made me complete

Early October 2022
@ariadne

James grinned as he nodded. ”Usually. My cousins Fred and Hugo help out as well, sometimes.” It really was just a family endeavor. Few didn’t participate like Albus, but he’d always been the type to sit things out. But he couldn’t imagine his family any other way. Growing up with constant friends his age or younger, a few older—he felt it shaped who he was. And despite the varied personalities within his immediate family, he would do anything for them. ”It's good they help. Lily can turn into a rogue bludger with enough sugar.” James laughed, remembering a Christmas or two when they were younger, and Lily was essentially set free in the Burrow. While James and his cousins were amused, some were not.

He listened as Ariadne explained how her family celebrated this holiday. While his mother had told him of such things, he didn’t think people still did them. But perhaps people like Ariadne’s parents held on to these traditions as they were the importance of their blood purity. But, in a very un-James fashion, he kept his opinion of her family to himself. But James merely listened, and suddenly they were already in the village and at the Three Broomsticks. He held open the door and let Ariadne walk in first, the occasional glance and stare weren’t lost on him, but he stood tall next to her.

”Thank you.” She had rushed ahead before James could place the order. But no matter, it just meant he’d buy the next round. ” It's settled then.” He grinned broadly before looking for a place to sit. Quickly he spotted the tall, hulking figure of a long-time friend and main competition in the height department. ”This way.” Bran smiled at James as they approached and offered his small table as he was leaving to chase after his sister. James thanked him. Standing upright, Bran was about an inch taller than James at the moment, but he was sure that would change by the end of the year. Bran also gave Ariadne a polite greeting before heading on his way.

One benefit of such a crowded place was that it allowed for quite a bit of privacy. Most would hardly notice that Ariadne Lestrange, the subject of such cruel rumors, was sitting nearby. ”So, how have you been doing?” James asked, drinking from his butterbeer. Quidditch practice ate a lot of his time, and he had come to enjoy his routine of talking to Ariadne as they headed to class. Or he’d walk Ariadne to her class though he insisted that he was walking in that direction because she would never ask him to do that. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do it more, and those rumors persisted.

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[Deleted]

Ariadne snorted, something she only did when she was trying to smother her laughter. Of course she felt the color in her cheeks rise again, and once more she quickly took a sip of Butterbeer to mask it. Naturally this time, it went down the wrong pipe, and Ariadne found herself sputtering. She reminded herself to breathe through her nose and out through her mouth. She tried not to draw attention to herself even more, sinking low to avoid the stares as she got herself under control. She was thankful that the chatter was rather loud in the Three Broomsticks, filled with students coming in from the castle, so only a few curious glances came their way.

Clearing her throat for good measure before speaking, Ariadne shrugged at James’ question. “Alright I suppose. Less people seem to stop and stare at me since the train arrived at school back in September, so that’s been nice. However, my housemate Desiree seems to not want to let the matter rest.” A stormy look crossed her face; Ariadne didn’t feel one way or another about many of her classmates, as they normally just left her alone. But Desirae Rousseau did not seem to want to let the rumors die out. She would always make a nasty quip, usually with her cronie Elaine Dupree lurking in the background. Elaine never said anything to her face, but she didn’t stop Desi’s abuse either, so she wasn’t an ally to her. “Other than that, classes are good, homeworks a lot but I expected that, and we all know what my social life is like,” she finished with a small giggle. Her social life was mainly whatever James forced her to do, including being in attendance for the upcoming Quidditch match, and this very trip to Hogsmeade. She didn’t think she led a very interesting life, but perhaps that would change when she had the freedom to be an adult in the Wizarding World out from under her parents scrutinizing looks.

james sirius potter

[james sirius potter]

i felt the earth beneath my feet

sat by the river
and it made me complete

Early October 2022
@ariadne

James had never been the type to feel awkward or out of place. It seemed that if any of those feelings were meant for him, they were passed on to his brother. A quiet and shy James Potter seemed unbelievable even in the magical world. But then he met someone who, in that regard, was his opposite. But it suited her, as did her adorable awkward moments. He supposed she was unique from all the people he knew with genuine personalities. People thought so little of her simply due to her name, but if only they could look past that.

Then again, James had the opposite problem. Thankfully his mother had always been quick to keep him humble, and there was nothing like a look from Ginny across the room to stop him in his tracks. He frowned. James knew of Desiree but had never really spoken to her. ”I can talk to her if you wish.” He found himself offering. But that was just so typical of James. ”This whole rumor business is ridiculous.” Justice was important for him, and nothing about all this was just. He drank more of his butterbeer, casually scanning the room. Random eyes looked his way, but he wasn’t perturbed. In fact, James would return the look. It was easy when it was natural for him to be so friendly.

But at least when James was around, people let them be. And he preferred it that way. It was easier to talk to Ariadne without so many people interrupting. And that was something he’d realized—he enjoyed his time with her. Their conversations and James nonchalantly dragged her away from homework assignments that weren’t due for months. The way her eyes would light up when she laughed was a far cry from when other students were around. ”Well now you have Quidditch matches to attend.” James added. While he’d only invited her to the next one, he was saying he’d like her to attend them in the future as well. ”And homework can always wait when there is butterbeer.” Speaking of, James drank heartily from his own.

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