in surprise, feeling James Potter's arms wrap tightly around her shoulders, holding her close to his chest. "Let go!"

He complied with a shake of his head, knowing her annoyed tone of voice wasn't really sincere. Still, James laced his fingers with hers and swung their hands as they walked along the halls to their potions class. Students were buzzing with excitement as the year nearly draws to a close. Christmas was approaching and students looked forward to the upcoming Hogsmeade visit. Snow had started to fall on the grounds of the Hogwarts castle, beginning to engulf the school in layers of glittering white. Faculty, with the assistance of the prefects, had also began decorating the castle's walls with various wreaths and baubles.

James grinned as he and Diana sat on their usual seats. Their classmates flitted in, but he paid them no attention. His eyes were trained on the girl that sat beside him as she grabbed a quill and some parchment from her brown leather book bag. A loose strand of blonde hair falls from Diana's ponytail, he reaches out a hand to tuck it behind her ear. Diana turns her face away from James but he still notices the pink tint that graced her pale cheeks.

"Is it awfully cold in here or are you actually blushing because of me?" James teased, nudging Diana's shoulder with his own.

"Shut up." Diana mumbled, shoving James away, causing him to nearly fall off his chair. Sirius and Arabella, who sat right behind them, watched the pair with amused expressions on their faces. They held in their laughter as James turned to them to flip them off. Arabella responded by blowing him a kiss, which makes Sirius let out a small chuckle with a shake of his head.

Their professor enters the classroom and a hush falls over the room. He launches into a lecture about Golpalott's Third Law.

"...simply put, the antidote to a blended poison is more than the sum of its parts. We cannot just mix the individual antidotes of their their respective poisons and assume that it will work..."

James drowns out his voice and focuses on the person sitting next to him. With her brows furrowed, quill flying from each end of the parchment paper as she hung onto every word that left the professor's lips, Diana was far more interesting than any potions lesson.

"Go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend." James said, just loud enough for Diana to hear. He was unsure if she really heard him, so he opens his mouth to say it louder but she cuts him off immediately.

"No."

"Why not?" James pouted. Diana's eyes are still trained on the professor, not sparing him a single glance; however, the slightest hint of a smile makes its way on the corner of her lips. One which James does not fail to notice.

"I have homework."

"Lame."

"Come on." James insists, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at her. "It'll be our first date."

"We already had a date there. I helped you look for dress robes then we went to Madam Puddifoot's."

"That's when we were faking it. I'm asking you for real this time."

Diana was about to open her mouth to answer when their professor turned away from the board and stared directly at the two, "Anything to share with the class? Mister Potter? Miss James?"

"No, sir. Sorry." Diana mumbled, her face slowly turning into the brightest shade of crimson anyone in that potions class has ever seen. James just snickered into his sleeves and quickly shook his head at the professor. The professor rolled his eyes at the two, a small smile gracing his lips, and turned back to the board.

"So?" James asked, nudging Diana's elbow with his.

"Okay." Diana replied, exasperated at James' antics. "Now, shut up and listen. I'm not failing potions because of you."

"Yes ma'am." James grinned, finally focusing all of his attention onto the board.

like for Christmas, Diana?" James asked pulling Diana closer to him as they strolled through the snowy streets of Hogsmeade. Students bundled up in thick winter coats rushed in and out of stores trying to find gifts for their family and friends. There was a palpable air of excitement, the kind that rushed through your bones and put the biggest spring in your step and the brightest smile on your face.

"You don't have to get me anything." Diana insisted, her breath fanning out into the cold winter air.

"But I want to!" James whined, putting on an exaggerated sad face. One in which Diana could only giggle at.

Diana shook her head, knowing that there was no convincing James otherwise. She knew him long enough to be sure of that. "Whatever you'll get me, I'm sure I'll love it."

"Woah, no pressure then." James said with a teasing grin, putting a hand over his chest in pretend nervousness. His eyes roam her face, taking into account her red nose, the intricate snowflakes that sat delicately on her eyelashes and the blonde hair that peeked out her wool hat. He holds Diana tighter, if that were even possible, feeling the slight shake that emanated from her body. "You must be freezing. Let's go inside, yeah?"

on top of the doorway of The Three Broomsticks signalled James and Diana's entrance. The place was packed with people, their voices all blending together to create the sound of warm, welcoming chatter. The pair looked around for an empty table to see couples using the cold as an excuse to snuggle and friends huddled over tables, warming themselves up with glasses full of butterbeer. James' eyes land on the other marauders seated at the far back of the pub. They wave James and Diana over.

"I know this was supposed to be a date, but all the other tables are full and I don't want to go back into the cold..." James starts, putting his hands in his coat pockets, avoiding Diana's gaze.

Diana rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth was twitched upwards. With a sigh she said, "Of course we can sit with your friends, James."

They weave their way through the tables, nearly bumping into other students. They settle and sit in front of Sirius and Arabella. Originally seated there were Remus and Peter, who moved to sit at the ends of the table once they saw James and Diana approach. Sirius passes them two mugs of butterbeer, "Knew you two would be joining us at some point so we ordered extra." Diana gave them a nod in thanks and sipped, letting its sweetness fill her senses.

"Are you staying for the holidays, Diana?" Arabella asked, resting her head in her palm, gaze directly at Diana.

She shifted in her seat and shook her head. "No, I go home every year."

"Is there any way we can convince you otherwise?" Sirius asked, leaning forward towards Diana.

"Yes, we have snowball fights, drown ourselves in hot chocolate, open gifts together..."

"The Christmas feast is really good too." Remus and Peter added, listing all the things they loved about celebrating the holidays together at Hogwarts, a tradition that they've had since their very first year.

"What do you say, Di?" James asked, looking at her expectantly. He pouts and tilts his head to the side, hoping it would help convince her.

"I'm sorry. My parents are expecting me home."

"Aw, that's fine. We'll give you our presents after you come back." Peter shrugs. He wipes off the foam on his top lip with the back of his sleeve.

"You don't have to give me anything."

"Don't be silly, Diana." Arabella waves her off with a flick of her wrist before pulling her butterbeer mug closer to her.

"Yeah, you're one of us now!" Sirius exclaimed a little too loudly, causing customers from surrounding tables to glare at him in annoyance before returning to their respective conversations.

"I am?"

"You're really cool." Remus agreed, taking a sip of his beer before adding with a nod towards James, "Plus, you keep him in check."

"Yeah, and once you're in, you're in for life. Isn't that right, guys?" Sirius asked, looking around the table at his fellow marauders. They all nodded, looking at her with warm smiles.

"Ohh, Diana's blushing!" Sirius teased, pointing a finger at her increasingly red cheeks. Diana tries to hide her face behind James' shoulder. He wraps an arm around her shoulders and she leans her head against his.

"To Diana." Arabella states, looking at the scene in front of her. She lifts the mug of butterbeer in her hand. The others follow suit.

They cheer, "To Diana!"