𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚 || 𝘳.𝘢.𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬

065. like it was before

"Shit—sorry!" Maria swears as she collides with someone who chuckles, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Oh my—Jamie?"

"Hey stranger." Jamie smiles cheerfully and Maria wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him into a friendly hug and he smiles over her shoulder, rubbing her back awkwardly. "Where've you been?"

"It's a long story." Maria sighs exasperatedly and Jamie smiles.

"Well, it's good you're back, those blonde Slytherins—Alyssa and Sam?"

"Stan."

"Yeah, they've been completely out of it." Jamie states and Maria frowns. "I mean, skipping lessons and stuff, not too unusual but if I noticed, anyone could."

"Ah, yeah, completely clueless you Diggorys'."

"Yeah, thanks." Jamie rolls his eyes. "See you in muggle studies later."

"Yeah." Maria smiles, walking into the owlery as Jamie walks down the snow covered staircase. She grins happily once she spots Benny perched on the opening carrying a parcel and a letter tied around his leg.

"Woah, thanks Benny." Maria whispers, gently stroking the owls feathers on his chest before digging around in her pocket and handing the barn owl a treat. "There." She smiles, watching him hoot and soar out of the opening, falling for a few seconds before taking off towards the distant hills and back to the Potter Manor.

Running down the snowy hill towards the black lake with excitedly, Maria has a bright grin on her face when she sees a bow fully dressed Regulus Black skidding stones across the thin layer of ice on the surface of the lake.

"Reg! I got it!" She hold up the parcel and Regulus smiles and rolls his eyes as she slows to a stop in front of him before sitting on her robe so the snow doesn't get on her skirt.

She tears the paper of the envelope and flattens out the parchment, holding it in front of them so they can both scan over the ink.

Dear Maria,

Of course you can fucking borrow the cloak to prank Snivellus! Honestly I was way too excited when you owled saying you had a prank idea involving him and shampoo.

And guess what—Remus said I should wait until you get home but I can't wait three weeks. Me and Lily are engaged, Lily Evans agreed to be my bloody wife.

I swear Mar, my palms where sweaty, I could barely talk when I got down on one knee, it was kind of bad timing cause she was in sheep pyjamas with a face mask on but I walked into my bedroom and saw her beautiful hair and I thought 'well there's no time like the present'.

She's brilliant how's Minnie?

I heard Poppy had to treat a case of excessive sneezing, ask her how she enjoyed that for us would you Mari.

I miss you lots,

James P :)

Maria's lip trembles and her eyes tear up reading how excited James is to be marrying Lily, never once did she see that coming.

"My brother's getting married." Maria sobs and Regulus stares at her strangely but wraps his arms around her waist when she hugs him, burying her face in his shoulder as tears stream down her cheeks.

"Shhh, what's wrong Ria?" Regulus whispers, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs and she laughs hoarsely.

"It's just like it was before." Maria looks out into the lake, leaning into Regulus' side as he pulls her closer. "This is perfect."