the girlfriend experience, james potter
𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕, 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟕

chapter two, TODDLERS AND TOILET TRIPS

✧ ━━━ · ✦ · ━━━ ✧

     "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BY THE WAY."

     Euphemia Potter, of London, England, spent her joyous days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry attached to Niamh Ward at the hip. Naturally, the two women expected almost the exact same for their two children.

     Being both only children, Niamh and Euphemia encouraged the relationship between their two children, Bronwyn and James. And somehow, sometime between the sorting ceremony that placed the two children in enemy houses, leading to them playing for opposing Quidditch teams, and the variety of very different hobbies — business running for Bronwyn and annoying the crap out of teachers for James —, Bronwyn and James grew apart, despite being not-so-close to start with.

     Since the two of them started Hogwarts, Niamh and Euphemia dreamt of the day that James proposed. It didn't take long for the two of them to begin on wedding preparations.

      What the mothers didn't know was that every hint at a budding relationship between Bronwyn and James and the "possibilities that awaited them if they rejoiced as a couple", just made the Slytherin and the Gryffindor grow an even deeper dislike for the other.

     In fact, if it weren't for James' parents and her own, Bronwyn would no doubt tell the boy what she really thought of him.

     But there was no way she could do that.

     As Euphemia appeared underneath the roof of the bricks, Bronwyn faked a smile of gratitude in the boy's direction, "Not for a month, but I appreciate the gesture, James."

     The boy smiled smugly, before standing off to the side, expecting their mothers to make a huge fuss in a matter of seconds.

     Niamh greeted Euphemia with clamorous hugs and smothers of lips that Bronwyn wondered how they were so loud. Now with Fleamont in the room, Henry ushered the family in with open arms, as Bronwyn continued to scowl at James.

     "Sirius is just coming now dear," Euphemia said, placing a gentle hand onto Bronwyn's shoulder.

     Bronwyn couldn't manage words. She stuck her head out, angling it slightly at the woman, her mouth now parted.

     If there is one thing Bronwyn disliked more than James Potter, it would have to be James Potter in the same room as Sirius Black.

     Together they were like a ticking time bomb. Havoc would wreak with every step they made and Bronwyn was in no way ready for her house to stink of Dungbombs. Although she knew that James and Sirius would most likely force their best behaviour in front of her parents, there was always the slim chance that the two of them wouldn't be able to resist a little trouble. Especially if that "trouble" was humiliating Bronwyn in front of Mr. and Mrs. Potter.

     That same bomb was on a timer. A timer that had gone off at the fourth familiar sound of a gust of smoke, and the trickling specks of dust, falling to the stone fireplace.

     "Evening all," came a voice.

     Bronwyn was met with a deep brown, almost black, pair of eyes, as Sirius Black announced himself to the room, welcoming himself into the Ward household on his own accord. With his long dark locks and annoyingly natural good looks, it was difficult for Bronwyn not to roll her eyes. It was difficult for Bronwyn to even make eye contact with her parents, standing idle by, waiting for a proper introduction from their daughter.

     Bronwyn was unaware that her parents wished for her to be the one to make a formal introduction, as she feared what they would think. It was Henry and Niamh who had denied their daughter the visit of her closest friend merely because of her last name. She feared it because Sirius had the very same name that followed his first as Andromeda did.

     Niamh subtly gestured to the boy who still stood in the fireplace. Bronwyn paused for a moment. Executed her slow reaction, before opening her mouth, silencing the "ohh" that wanted to drawl out of her.

     "Mum, Dad, this is Sirius," she said, holding out her hands to the tall Gryffindor, who crept forward to shake their hands. "Sirius Black." she finished, with the same forced grin she had given James not long before.

     Bronwyn wanted to scream, when her dad happily greeted Sirius with an enthusiastic shaking of hands like it was some kind of second nature.

     There must have been some kind of bias present because Bronwyn couldn't remember the last time Henry Ward had greeted Andromeda Black in such a comfortable way that showed he was somewhat merry that he got to see her.

     Just because Sirius Black has a gorgeous head of hair that made Bronwyn's look greasy, and some kind of contagious smirk that she wished she could slap off of his perfectly proportionate face does not mean he is any less of a Black, than his cousin, Andromeda. Someone Bronwyn would like to reiterate her mother and father had met before on several occasions.

     "Sirius," Niamh inclined her head. Bronwyn could have sworn her face scrunched up when her mother pulled Sirius into a hug. "It's lovely to meet you."

     Bronwyn could only assume that Euphemia had explained Sirius' "situation" to her own mother. That meant that for the remainder of this friendly reunion, Niamh Ward was going to take pity on Sirius Black. Not to mention, James was sure to suck up to Mr. and Mrs. Ward. Best friend present, or not.

✧

     DESPITE THE DESPERATE DESIRE TO BE anywhere else, Bronwyn thought the dinner was okay so far. The parents hadn't completely excluded their children from the discussions, meaning Bronwyn wasn't left with the dreaded small talk with the two boys, of whom hadn't embarrassed Bronwyn like she thought they would, and James Potter hadn't been the complete snob Bronwyn expected him to be.

     Of course, he had mentioned his Quidditch ambitions once or twice, but Bronwyn expected no less from James, seeing as, the fact that he played as Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, was about the only personality trait the kid possessed. That, and being the most irritating, and arrogant child on the planet.

     Maybe he was capable of being more than just smug.

     Sirius was quick to praise James for his accomplishments, grasping onto his shoulder, grinning broadly like being James' best friend was his only personality trait.

     Bronwyn cringed at how making progress with Lily Evans (something Bronwyn was seriously curious as to why it was even brought up at a friends-of-family-type dinner) and catching a snitch (something Bronwyn did well too) were classed as huge celebratory happenings.

     "So, Bronwyn," Fleamont Potter raised his chin to the girl, "How is Hogwarts life treating you? Ready for your last year?"

     Bronwyn was loving school life. She was popular, relatively smart, a badass on a broom, and richer than one should be at sixteen.

     Her crafty brain and successful business were credited for that. Sometimes, despite giving herself an enormous sense of pride, Bronwyn wondered how some people could be so stupid. Sure, her business was well thought out, had zero flaws, — the price was questionable — and was a necessity to some students struggling with their love life, but she still couldn't wrap her head around why people actually paid her to date them. But, why should she care why they did it? She created the perfect hobby, with great revenue, for the best target audience available.

     Bronwyn forced another smile, "Fantastic, actually. Certainly ready to leave, though." she replied, sending James a subtly put expression that read "because that would mean, no more James Potter."

     James knew exactly what Bronwyn meant by her look. It was readable. He fought the urge not to kick her under the table. He grinned sarcastically instead.

     James sucked in some air and lowered his knife and fork onto his plate, "Would it be okay for me to use the bathroom, Mrs. Ward?" he asked, too politely that Bronwyn could have gagged on her own food.

     Niamah smiled sweetly. Bronwyn hated how oblivious and naive she could be. James Potter had never spoken so graciously in his entire life.

     "Bronwyn dear," Niamh turned her attention to her daughter, "could you show James to the bathroom please?"

     Bronwyn almost knew it was coming. It was as if Niamh Ward thought that her daughter guiding her best friend's son down the hall would spark some kind of romantic relationship that would prove that they're soulmates.

     The girl made an audible groan, as she forced her chair out from underneath the table, the legs scraping along the floorboards, causing James to grimace at the noise. At least one good thing came from this.

     The conversation was rekindled once James had gotten up from his seat and followed Bronwyn out of the dining room. Bronwyn made sure to shuffle at a slower pace just to get her message across. James scuffed his foot once or twice, his hands resting in the fabric of his pocket.

     Bronwyn was walking ahead of James when she decided to mock him. "Would it be okay for me to use the bathroom, Mrs. Ward?" Bronwyn repeated with a whiney tone, fed up at how perfectly he portrayed himself in front of her parents.

     James chuckled, "I didn't know that being polite was a crime?"

     "It's not. But being a two-faced prat might as well be," Bronwyn retorted.

     It was a scoff that escaped his mouth this time, "And how else would you like me to talk to your parents, Bronwyn?" James asked, with a false sense of curiosity. He never called her by her first name.

     She didn't say anything, but her eye roll was almost perceptible to the ear.

     They reached a door at the end of the hallway. Bronwyn leaned up against the beam of the doorframe, and tilted her head to one side, in the direction of the bathroom. "You don't need me to stand outside like your mother do you?" she snapped with sunken eyes that made it seem like she was going to fall asleep, mid-stand.

     James rocked on his feet, as he chuckled to himself, swiping his thumb along his chin, "No, Ward, you're very much welcome to return to dinner." he said, leaning closer, so he was almost bent over at a right angle.

     Bronwyn pushed off from the beam and met his eyes. "Great," she smiled sarcastically, "Lovely to know you are no longer five."

     James was the one to smile caustically now, before he disappeared into the little toilet room, the door clamping shut behind him.

     Bronwyn sighed and began heading back to dinner, her feet still not picking up off of the ground properly.

     A thought ran through her mind. Her parents had always been ones to over-do things. And so, even if it wasn't her birthday for another month, Bronwyn prayed to God her mother hadn't prepared a cake.

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ummm, new favourite oc and love interest? i think so. anyway, i can't wait for y'all to meet more of bronwyn. her and james make my heart melt x