Epilogue - 4 years later

After the end of the wizarding war, it was difficult for things to get back to normal. Both James and I had been busy at work as an auror and a medi-witch combined with our roles in the Order of the Phoenix. James had finally convinced me to start dating him a year after we left Hogwarts, under the impression that either of us could die and if he was going to die then he might as well have kissed the girl he fancied. Fair enough. Now, three years on, we were engaged. If it were up to James, we would've been married with kids already but I wasn't prepared for our relationship to escalate that fast. That was why we were currently in a sticky situation.

Having a muggle family was difficult at times, especially when only direct members knew I was a witch. And my mum, being the fussy, dramatic women she was, had planned a surprise engagement party for the day I'd told her James and I would visit. She had invited everyone. Even great uncle Scott who didn't remember my name most of the time and lived abroad. James was absolutely lost, the poor man. He'd never been around so many muggles in such a close proximity and his curious nature led him to breaking many things around the house. Like the touch lamp in the dining room. I'd told him that you needed to tap it to turn it on and James had decided to whack the thing across the room. Let's just say the light won't be turning on anytime soon.

"My dear girl, how are you?" My aunt grabbed my cheeks and kissed each one sloppily before giving me the once over. "You are far too thin! Here, have another sandwich, we need to put some meat on those bones!" Thrusting a dry ham sandwich into my hands, my aunt turned to James who'd, since the guests started to arrive, stuck like glue to my side.

"You must be James!"

"Yes, ma'am." James nodded, swallowing hard at the critical look my overbearing aunt gave him. Thinking she was being either subtle or hilarious, she leaned in and whispered loudly to me, "You got one of the good ones."

"Thanks." I muttered, already tired of the endless, repetitive chatter that came with family events in the Allen family.

"So James, what do you do?" At James' blank, panicked stare, she prompted, "Your job?"

"He's a part of the police." I replied smoothly, moving my hand from the crook of his elbow to his hand. "Emergency response and all that."

"Oh, very interesting." My aunt nodded, taking a sip of champagne. "What about you now, dear, what are you up to?"

"Finishing off my nursing training before I become full time."

As the war progressed, the need for medi-witches became more urgent and those who needed training were given quick, sufficient training and promised free full training once, or if, the war ended. I was in my last few months of the full training programme before I would become a fully qualified medi-witch. I couldn't wait. James had finished his auror training a while back and was constantly being whisked off to one place or another. I didn't mind too much with all my studies and anyway, he'd be home when I need him most.

"Will you be alright if I go help mum for a bit?" I ask James, looking up at his now at ease face.

"Yeah, of course." He kissed the top of my head before releasing my hand. I made my way through the never ending crowd of relatives and gave nods, waves and quiet greetings where appropriate before finding my mum in the kitchen.

"Darling! Why aren't you with James? You know the family want to see the both of you!" My mum scolded, bustling around the kitchen with a knife in one hand and a plate in the other.

"Can I ask you something, mum?" Sensing the seriousness of the conversation, mum turned around and placed the kitchen utensils on the countertop.

"Always. What's the matter?"

"When dad asked you to marry him, were you afraid?"

"Afraid? Of course. I was scared your father was going to change his mind and realise he didn't want to marry me, I was scared of what my parents would think, I was scared of the wedding and what came after: marriage, kids, commitment."

"How do I learn not to be scared?" Mum sighed and pulled me into a hug.

"You can't. The fear will always be there, you just have to trust that you love James and that James loves you." She mumbled into my hair, rubbing my back. Pulling me to arms length, she looked me in the eyes. "You've got a good man, young woman. Don't you dare let fear get in the way of your happiness." She told me sternly before her eyes flickered behind me. "I'll leave you two alone."

As soon as those words left her lips, I knew that it was James stood in the kitchen doorway. I groaned silently and muttered a curse. This conversation was not meant for James' ears. I turned to see him leaning against the door frame, his eyes boring into my own.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know what you'd say."

"If you don't want to get married-"

"No! James, no. That's not it at all. I just-" I sighed, struggling to put my words together. "I don't know how to do any of this, I don't know what's going to happen and it scares me!"

"I don't know either, okay? But I have faith in us." I nodded, opening my arms in my usual gesture that conveyed that I needed a hug.

"It's okay to be scared, I'm scared." James wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. I scoffed into his chest.

"You're a Gryffindor."

"You're a Ravenclaw. Where's that infamous wisdom? Everyone can be afraid. Even Gryffindors."

"I suppose. I could use some of your courage though." I muttered, feeling ashamed of my doubt and fears. "You probably proposed to the wrong muggle born witch, Potter."

James' arms tightened around me, "No. You're definitely the one for me, Allen."

I sighed, contently, relaxing into his embrace. "Good. I love you."

"I love you, too." A pause. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I'm really glad you never got over me."

I laughed loudly. "Yeah, me too."