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CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO - 🍂୧ here. . .
with me ও🦌

A FEW MONTHS AFTER THEIR WEDDING, Autumn had decided to talk about the wedding and Elliot's presence, she was grateful it didn't provoke the anger she expected from James. Instead, he confessed that he had secretly sent an owl to Elliot, hoping to give Autumn the chance to see him if only for a moment.

James remained uncertain about Elliot's intentions and allegiance, but the unwavering friendship Autumn held for him was something he could never change.

Autumn was surprised but incredibly grateful for James's revelation. It showed his understanding and respect for her feelings, even though he didn't necessarily agree with them.

By the time June arrived, James and Autumn had re-joined the Order and resumed their roles, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead in their fight for justice.

As the summer months went on, James and Autumn found themselves deeply involved in their work for the Order. The tasks before them were difficult, but they approached them with determination and unwavering focus.

The arrival of August brought with it a sense of finality for James. It was the month in which he had made a pivotal decision.

It had taken James four months to finally return to his family home - something he thought he could never do. The memories of his parents would overwhelm him whenever he even considered the idea, but the months of delaying the inevitable inadvertently strengthened his resolve.

Autumn, her parents, and his friends had supported him throughout his healing process, reminding him that his courage hadn't been lost - it had simply been waiting to emerge. He knew now that, with the unyielding love and support of those around him, he could step into his family home and face the memories that waited for him.

James sat on the edge of the bed, watching as Autumn bustled around him, readying the bed for sleep. The air was thick with a mix of emotions. James had been dreading this moment for months, but now, with Autumn's help, he felt ready to face it.

He cleared his throat, capturing Autumn's attention. "Hey," he called out softly.

Autumn turned to him, a warm, understanding smile on her face. "Hey," she replied quietly, sitting down next to him. "How are you feeling?"

James took a deep breath, looking around the room. "I'm... I'm feeling better than I thought I would," he confessed truthfully. "I was expecting to feel more... I don't know, sad, I guess. But being here, with you, it makes it easier."

Autumn placed her hand gently on his knee, offering a silent comfort. "I'm glad I can be here for you," she said softly.

She paused for a moment, her gaze searching his face. "Are you sure you're ready for this? We can always go to my parent's house or the safe house if it gets too overwhelming."

James shook his head. "No," he replied, firm conviction in his voice. "No, I need to do this. I need to face the memories and the emotions that come with them. I can do this, with you by my side."

Autumn squeezed his knee gently, her eyes filled with understanding and admiration. "Alright," she whispered. "I'm here, right beside you. Every step of the way."

James took another deep breath, steeling himself. He glanced at Autumn, her support a steady presence beside him. "Thanks," he murmured, reaching to give her hand a grateful squeeze.

He looked around the room again, memories of his childhood playing in his mind like an old movie. "It's... strange," he confessed softly. "Being back here, seeing everything just as I remember, yet feeling so different."

Autumn nodded, her thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of his hand. "It must be a mix of emotions," she mused. "Nostalgia, sadness, maybe even joy. This place holds a lot of memories for you."

"Yeah," James agreed, his gaze drifting to the old photo frames on the wall. "A lot of memories... good and bad."

He reached out, his fingers tracing over the frame of one particular photo. It was a family portrait taken years ago, his parents' smiling faces staring back at him. "I haven't looked at these since..." he trailed off, the lump in his throat choking his words.

Autumn's heart ached at the pain in his voice. She moved closer, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice gentle.

She pointed at the picture, a small smile tugging at her lips. "They were happy, weren't they? Look at them. They look carefree and joyous."

James smiled, his eyes never leaving the photo. "Yeah, they were," he agreed, a fond note entering his voice. "They loved each other so much, and they loved me. They always had time for me, no matter what."

He paused, a hint of sorrow entering his voice. "I just wish they were still here. I wish I could hear their laughs, see their smiles... just one more time."

Autumn pulled him closer, her arms firm around his shoulders. "I know," she murmured, her voice soft and sympathetic. "I know..."

The room was quiet, filled only with the soft ticking of a clock and the sound of their breathing. After a moment, she spoke softly, her voice a soothing balm. "But remember James... even though they're not physically here anymore, their love still lives on. Inside you, and inside these walls."

James leaned into her embrace, taking comfort in her words. He looked around the room once more, taking in the familiar surroundings.

"You're right," he murmured, squeezing her hand once more. "They may be gone, but they're still here in a way. In memories and love."

He drew in a shaky breath, looking back at Autumn. "Thank you," he murmured. "For being here with me. I couldn't do this without you."

Autumn smiled softly at him, her eyes filled with tenderness. "Of course," she said, her voice soothing and reassuring. "I would never have even let you consider doing this alone. You're stuck with me, James Fleamont Potter."

James laughed softly, his heart warmed by her steadfast support. "I am, aren't I?" he mused, his voice regaining a bit of its usual humour.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I'm glad I'm stuck with you, Autumn Willow Potter" he murmured, his lips brushing against the top of her head.

Autumn chuckled, her arms encircling him. "You are stuck with me," she affirmed, her voice warm and affectionate.

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a grin. "And you know what? I'm pretty damn glad I'm stuck with you too, James."

James smiled down at her, his heart swelling with love. "I know," he replied, his voice soft. "And I have it right here in my arms, right?"

Autumn laughed, a blush tingeing her cheeks. "You're impossible," she teased, but the affection in her eyes was unwavering.

"But yes, you do have it right here," she added, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I love you, James Potter, forever ."

James felt his heart skip a beat at her words. "And I love you, Autumn Potter," he declared, a loving smile on his face.

He pulled her closer, his embrace firm yet gentle. "Forever," he echoed the words a promise, a vow, and a comforting assurance.

They remained like that for a few moments, the silence in the room broken only by the soft ticking of the clock and the steady rhythm of their breathing. There was only them, their love, and the warmth of the room.

Autumn broke the silence first. "James," she said quietly, her voice gentle yet firm. "I have something to ask you."

James tilted his head, curiosity piqued by her serious tone. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her face. "What is it, love?" he asked, a slight note of worry creeping into his voice.

Autumn took a deep breath, her eyes locked on his. "Promise me something."

Her gaze was unwavering, the seriousness in her eyes leaving no room for jokes or playfulness. "Promise me that, no matter what, you'll always talk to me. Never shut me out, never keep me in the dark."

James's gaze softened, the worry replaced with a mixture of understanding and love. He gave her a soft smile, his hand coming up to cradle her cheek.

"I promise," he replied, his voice resolute. "I promise that I'll always talk to you, Autumn. I'll never shut you out, never keep secrets or hide my feelings. I'll always communicate, no matter what."

Autumn let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her body relaxing slightly at his promise. "Good," she whispered, her hand coming to rest on top of his on her cheek.

She leaned into his palm, soaking up his warmth. "I won't ever keep secrets from you either," she added, her voice filled with promise. "We're in this together, remember?"

James smiled, his thumb gently tracing her cheekbone. "Together," he echoed, his voice filled with love.

He moved his free hand to caress her other cheek, framing her face gently. "We're a team, Autumn," he murmured, locking his gaze with hers. "No secrets, no hiding. Just honesty and trust."

Autumn nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "Exactly," she agreed, her hand sliding down to rest on his chest, right above his heart. "No secrets, no hiding. Just honesty and trust."

She let out a shaky breath, her eyes filling with emotion. "This is what love is all about, right? Sharing everything, both the good and the bad?"

James took her hand in his, tangling their fingers together. "Yeah," he confirmed, squeezing her hand gently. "This is what love is about. It's about opening ourselves up, without fear or hesitation, because we know we have someone to catch us when we fall."

He paused. "It's about knowing that someone will stand by your side, no matter what life throws at us."

...

Although it had been a month since they began spending their nights at James' family home, Autumn and James had not yet formally moved in.

After James had finally gained the courage to step into his deceased parents' house, it turned out to be a healing experience more than anything else. The memories they had created in the past were still there, but instead of being shrouded in grief, they were filled with happiness and love.

And with Autumn by his side, it was easier to find comfort in the familiar surroundings. But there was one thing they had yet to do - fully move in.

On one particular evening, as they both lounged in the living room, James turned to Autumn, a contemplative look in his eyes. "You know," he mused, breaking the comfortable silence, "we've been staying here for almost a month now, and yet we still haven't... officially moved in."

Autumn looked up from the book she was reading, slightly startled by the observation. "You're right," she replied, her eyebrows knitting together in mild surprise.

She closed the book, setting it down beside her. "I hadn't really noticed, to be honest," she confessed, a small, sheepish smile playing on her lips. "I guess time flies when you're having fun," she joked lightly.

James chuckled a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yeah, time does seem to go by fast when you're having a blast sleeping in my childhood bedroom" he teased.

He shifted to lean against the armrest, angling his body to face her. "But seriously, love," he began, the playful note gone, "I have been thinking..."

Autumn's attention was piqued by the sudden change in his tone. She sat up straighter, shifting to mimic his position. "Thinking about what?" she prompted, concern replacing her playful smile.

James looked up at Autumn and smiled as he voiced his thoughts. "I want to live here, but I'm not sure I can... this can still be our vacation home, but..." He noticed the careful way Autumn moved around the house, tidying up as if she was scared of disrespecting his memories.

James turned to Autumn and continued, "You're so careful here—I can see it. And we can't have that. Let's look for our own home together. What do you think?"

Autumn blinked in surprise, not expecting the direction the conversation had taken. She had been trying to respect the house and its history out of love and respect for James, not realizing that it had been so obvious.

His words washed over her, and her heart skipped a beat. "Our own home," she echoed, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and wonder. He was right, this was a vacation home, and if they were going to truly be together, they needed something that was wholly theirs.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement, and an eager smile appeared on her face. "I love that idea," she confessed, the happiness in her voice tangible.

She then paused, a hint of worry clouding her happiness. "But... are you sure? Is that what you want?" she asked, her eyes searching his face.

James smiled at her, the worry in her voice tugging at his heart. "I'm sure," he assured her, his voice firm and steady. "I want us to have a home that's ours - a place where we can make new memories, just the two of us. Here is... important to me, but our own home would be even more so."

Autumn gazed into his eyes, reassured by his conviction. She could see the certainty and love in his eyes and a warm sensation spread through her chest.

"Then let's do it," she agreed, a smile stretching across her face. "Let's go house hunting, James. Let's find a place that's ours and build our future together."

James felt a wave of relief wash over him as her agreement hit him. He'd been somewhat nervous that she would resist the idea of leaving this place, but clearly, she was ready for the next step as well.

He reached out, taking her hands in his. "You won't regret this, love," he promised, his voice low but filled with conviction. "We're going to find a perfect home, where we can create memories that are entirely ours."

Autumn's heart skipped a beat at his words, and she clutched his hands tightly, her fingers interlacing with his. "I know," she whispered, her eyes shining with love and excitement. "As long as it's with you, I could never regret it."

She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "But... we have to visit this place often, James"

James wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer against his side. "Of course," he assured her, his voice soothing. "We'll visit often, love. This place will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'd never want to abandon it completely."

Autumn nodded against his shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her forehead. "Good," she murmured, a hint of relief in her voice.

She shifted slightly, her gaze roaming the room as her thoughts strayed to their new endeavour. "Where should we start, do you think?" she asked, looking up at him. "Muggle neighborhoods, or magical ones?"

James pondered her question for a moment, his mind mulling over the different options. "Maybe we should start with magical neighbourhoods," he suggested, his arm tightening slightly around her in a protective gesture. "It would be less complicated, wouldn't it? There's no need to worry about hiding our magical capabilities or explaining anything unusual to the neighbours."

Autumn considered his suggestion. "That's true," she agreed, the practical side of her nodding in agreement. "But there's so much less of those, and they're all so... hidden."

She looked up at him, her voice filled with a hint of excitement. "Muggle neighbourhoods on the other hand... they're vast, and we wouldn't have to worry about hiding our magical side. Plus, it could be a new adventure for both of us."

James smiled down at her, her excitement contagious. "You make a fair point," he admitted, his eyes gleaming with a touch of mischief. "Muggle neighbourhoods would be the ultimate adventure, wouldn't it? Navigating the non-magical world, blending in, and having a whole new side of life to explore..."

Autumn grinned, her eyes lighting up. "Exactly!" she exclaimed, her voice animated. "It would be a whole new experience for both of us. And who knows, maybe we'll find a perfect home in a place we'd least expect it to be."

James chuckled, her enthusiasm endearing. "Well, then, it seems like we have our answer," he said, a determined note entering his voice. "Muggle neighbourhoods it is. Let's go house hunting in the non-magical world."

Autumn nodded, her heart fluttering with anticipation. "Let's do it," she agreed, a wide smile on her face. "We're embarking on a new adventure together, James and this place will always hold a special place in our hearts. But our future is waiting for us elsewhere."

A much shorter chapter than usual—just wanted to make this one be more of a filler of the months.