CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO.
( MAKING-UP AND MAKING-OUT.. )

     Ella walked up to the door of the boy's dorm and she lifted her hand, going to knock on the door but she paused. Was she really going to bother James with her issues? It felt wrong to do that, they had barely spoken and now she was going to ask him for help. It felt wrong and so she dropped her head. Lily was wrong, he didn't want to see her.

     But before she could walk away, the door to the dorm flew open and James was stood in the doorway. A hopeful look on his face but when he saw Ella, his face fell. Not because it was her but because of the state she was in. Tears were staining her cheeks and the bruise that was already forming on her cheek instantly made him concerned.

     "Ella, come in, please," James said quickly as they met gazes. The brunette fumbled for a moment, staring down at her hands before she nodded. She stepped into the dorm and James closed the door behind them. He then rushed to his bed and opened the curtains nearby, sliding the Marauders Map back into the drawer. He then gestured for her to come over.

     "I don't need to sit, James. M'fine, really," Ella said softly as she smiled at him. Attempting to just act fine even if being in the same room as him made her heart thump against her chest. The concern on his face made her heart melt and the way he looked at her made her want to just be with him. The feeling was often overwhelmingly when he was around.

     "I need to heal your face," James said gesturing to it. Ella stared down at the floor again before she sighed. He was right, that's why she was here but she couldn't help feel awkward and unsure. She had regularly came into this room with no problem but after the week she'd had, everything felt wrong and odd. Ella then walked over to him, her steps cautious and she tentatively sat on the bed.

     "M'sorry. I never let you finish speaking," Ella muttered as she stared down at her hands. James shook his head and grabbed the stool from across the room. He placed it in front of her and sat down, keeping far enough away so that they didn't knock knees. He didn't know what she would be comfortable with. He was worried about doing something wrong.

     "It's fine, Ella. Just tell me what happened," He said softly. Ella shook her head, her frown deepening more at the request. She couldn't tell anyone what had happened. It would risk her father's position, her teacher's position and whatever Professor Landon had done, she was still Ella's teacher. A wonderful teacher that had got her the best grades in this class. She couldn't throw that away due to one incident, it was... wrong.

     James nodded a little at her lack of response. He found it understandable that she didn't want to talk to him. They'd barely said anything to each other for the past week but he couldn't say it didn't hurt. Even just a little bit. He then had to shuffle a little closer to her and he brought out his wand. He tapped her bruised cheek twice and muttered the spell which within a second had healed the bruise. James placed his wand back on the side and watched Ella.

     Her gaze still firmly fixed on the floor. She didn't know what to say, she didn't know how to say anything she wanted. But her mind was running away with her thoughts, her eyes pricking with tears as she wrapped her arms around herself. James noticed her change within a second and didn't even care anymore. He pushed himself off the stool and moved to kneel in front of her on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her torso and hugged her.

     The actions felt oddly childish as he rested his head against her but Ella just felt the relief wash over her body. Her arms wrapped around his head and she buried her face in his messy hair. The tension seemed to disappear from James' shoulder and Ella let a few tears fall down her face but was quick to left her head and wipe them away.

     "M'sorry, I missed you so fuckin' much," Ella mumbled before she pulled back and lifted his head up so she could look at him. James' eyes were glassy as he watched her, feeling her hands against his face made him feel so much safer. Everything about her made him feel safe and happy. He just wanted her here and around.

     "I missed you too, Ella. It's okay. Just let me finish next time, please," He muttered as he turned his face, pressing a soft kiss to the palm of her hand. Ella just watched to melt into his arms and she shuffled back on the bed, wanting to actually sit with James. The boy understood and stood up, kicking his shoes off. He then sat down on the bed, shuffling to rest against the headboard. Ella discarded her cloak and then moved to rest against his chest. She was curled up against his chest as she closed her eyes. His arms encircling her.

     Arguments had never been something that Ella and James could handle for long. Their friendship had been integral to each other's lives for as long as they could remember so as Ella sat in his arms. Listening to his thumping heart, she felt like the weight of the world had been lifted. She was finally safe and she could just talk to him.

     "M'so dumb," Ella muttered and James softly shushed her. He ran his fingers through her hair, twirling strands around it He just let her rest against him.

     "You're not dumb, Ella. You're the most wonderful girl in the world and you're my best friend, if nothing else, you always will be my best friend," James said. His wording throwing Ella off, unsure whether he meant what she thought that meant. But she didn't question it, she just stayed there, "I don't know why I've been so stupid and nervous and antsy recently. I love you but I don't like how not telling you makes me act. I feel like I don't have oxygen," James admitted as he rested his head against hers. His nose burying in her hair and smelling the strawberry shampoo he always loved on her. He was so stupid not to see how much he loved her before.

     "James. I was being stupid. I was the one that cut you off. I'm sorry for being so terrible," Ella muttered as she lifted her head so she could look at his face. He was so close to her, she wanted just wanted to kiss him. She felt like such a fool for letting all of this happen. For letting her world implode because she cared too much and didn't try and get the answers. Layla was right, she was like Romeo but instead of killing herself, she self-sabotaged. And she was pretty sure he just said that he loved her but she almost didn't believe it.

     "No, you weren't. You were trying to protect yourself and I was being an ass," He muttered softly as he ran his fingers through her hair. Twirling the locks of hair around his finger as he sighed. He moved his gaze to the ceiling as he took a deep breath, "I shouldn't have done what I did. I'm sorry I forgot. I was just so confused and lost that day..." James admitted, wanting to get it out right now. He would never say it if he didn't now.

     "S'okay, Jamie. I promise, we don't 'ave to talk about it. Just be my friend, if nothing else," Ella muttered. She saw it as giving him a clause to escape his words but he didn't seem to take it. Instead, James nodded and pulled her back against him, cuddling her closer. He then pressed a soft kiss to her hair. Ella wrapping her arms around his torso and resting against him. They needed to talk this out, talk but she didn't want that now. She just wanted to be close to him again. Her

     It was strange how she was still here, cuddling with James as if nothing had happened and the past few months of drama didn't exist. It was soothing yet so disconcerting at the same time. Was this normal? Were friendships like this? Ella didn't know but she was glad at least her friendship with James was like this. She could just sit with him.

     "I missed you so bloody much. Merlin when did you make me feel so safe?" James muttered against her hair. The words quiet and his voice low. The confession was still audible to Ella though and it made her want to sob, kiss him. Just do something but when she lifted her head to talk to him. The door opened and Peter and Sirius strolled in. Little did she know that James was about to confess something as well.

     They looked thick as thieves and Ella was quick to practically leap out of his arms. James watched her with uncertainty in his gaze. The fear on her features and he paused. Not even caring about Sirius and Peter right now but then he realised they were talking. Ella was talking to them.

     "I think we interrupted something, Wormtail," Sirius smirked as he crossed over to his bed. Ella let out a huff and stood up from the bed. She didn't even know what to say, what rebuttal to make but Peter continued to joke back.

     "I thought we told him to put a sock on the door," Peter responded and Sirius chuckled in response. James moving off the bed and looking at Ella. He tentatively took her hand but she flinched away, shaking her head at him. She then collected herself, smoothing down her skirt before she moved towards the door. Not even giving the boys attention.

     "Oh come on, Ella, don't deny Prongs the satisfaction just because we walked in!" Sirius called behind her. Ella briefly paused, giving him the middle finger before she stepped out. She closed the door and sorted her hair out. Her cheeks were heated and red but she knew she should be fine. Her and James weren't doing anything, they had just been talking and the boys knew that. They weren't just going to go back to doing everything they used to.

     But Ella tried to put it to the back of her mind as she headed back towards the girl's dorm. She was anxious as to what James and Sirius would talk about even what they would be implying but Ella knew that it would surely be fine. There was nothing that James could say, they had only been talking and he knew that.

***

     Ella got into her dorm and was happy to see that Layla was there. If she had apologised to James she might as well finally talk to Layla. Their conversations had been few and far-between and Ella just wanted her other best friend back. Layla had been with her since they started Hogwarts and Ella wanted to just talk to her, hug her, have her around.

     So the second Ella got in, she made sure that she had a plan. To say sorry and that started by simply talking, "'iya Layla," Ella said as she crossed the room. Layla looked up from the book she was reading, surprised to find that Ella was talking. Ella smiled a little wider. Layla smiling back before she closed the book.

     "Hey, how are you?" Layla asked curiously before she slid the book on the bedside table. Ella shrugged and sat down on the edge of her bed closest to Layla. The fringed girl frowned slightly and shuffled to the edge of the bed, "Lily told me about how you came in. What happened?" Layla asked, sitting across from her friend.

     "Before we talk about that, I want to apologise," Ella said quickly. She couldn't have the conversation just be about her, she had too much to apologise for her and be sorry for. She had been an awful friend thus far, "M'sorry for everythin' that I've been doin'. I've been so rude and basically a massive wanker when you've done nothin'. I don't want to make excuses but with everythin' with James, my dad, my bloody grades and just my own fear, I've been awful. If you never want to talk to me again, I understand. You've been such a good friend and I keep just bein' shitty in return," Ella added quickly. Trying her best to make it the best apology she could. She couldn't help but still feel slightly self-absorbed despite her best attempts. Layla - however - didn't notice.

     "Ella, trust me. It's fine. You've been struggling. I understand," Layla said as she watched her friend. Ella nodded, running her hands over her face before she let out a relieved sigh. Two people, Layla was forgiving her. That was good. She could be free from that guilt. James didn't hate her, Lily didn't seem to hate her and Layla was fine. That was three people. Ella still needed to apologise to Remus and Marlene but it was a start.

     "Thank you," Ella muttered. Layla smiled and then moved to sit next to her. The mattress sinking underneath her weight.

     "Now, tell me what happened. Lily said you went to see James about the bruise and he's healed it," Layla said, gesturing vaguely to her face. Ella nodded, running her fingers through her hair. She didn't really know where to start or what to say. She didn't know if she should just tell the truth or refrain from it. She didn't want anyone to get into trouble.

     "I only went to him because I knew he would help. He might have said he's in love with me and not Lily... I think," Ella muttered. Layla scoffed and though that wasn't the answer she was expecting, she could at least help Ella a little bit. If not push her in the right direction with the brunette.

     "He's barely even spoken to her and well... Lily seems more interested in me and what have I been telling you? He adores you," Layla responded. Ella paused and nodded, staring down at the floor. She began to kick at the air, trying to process and think. The awkward air seeping between them so Layla decided to break it, "I'm assuming the bruise was not from James, so who?" Layla asked as she watched Ella's face. Her eyebrows pulling together as she wrapped her arms around herself before she realised. Her face dropping to a frown.

     "It was Professor Landon, I was talking with my father and she came in. She disapproved of how I was talking to my dad, it seemed," Ella responded as she looked over at Layla. Her eyebrows pulled together and she seemed quickly stunned by the confession, "It was fine really. I was being super disrespectful and cruel but I was just so angry," Ella added after a moment. Layla shook her head and reached out to take Ella's hands.

     "Ella, that is not okay. She's a teacher, she cannot assault a student," Layla argued and Ella shrugged. She didn't think it was anything serious. It was nothing compared to what some parents did. Ella had heard the stories from Kalia's family. There was a lot worse things, a slap was nothing to make a fuss over, "Stop whatever you're thinking. Nothing can excuse this," Layla said quickly, squeezing Ella's hands.

     "This is why I was reluctant to say anything. It's not assault. It's just a slap, how many times have you or the others slapped me? It's not assault," Ella was quick to argue. She really just didn't want to make a fuss, Ella may have been silencio-ed but it was nothing. It really was nothing in her eyes but Layla was making it seem like it mattered so much.

     "We need to go to Dumbledore. It's still assault when we slap you we don't hit your face. We don't bruise you. It's playful but she is an adult, Ella. Dumbledore needs to know," Layla said and Ella rolled her eyes. She pushed Layla's hands away and walked across to her trunk. She then glanced down at it and grabbed her wand before shrugging.

     "She didn't snap my wand and she's done it once. It doesn't matter. Dumbledore won't care about that. Plus I was being disrespectful. I should have just watched my mouth," Ella responded as she went to slide her wand in the pocket of her cloak but she was quick to realise she left it on James' bed. Mentally cursing herself she just held her wand.

     "Ella this is serious. A teacher should not put their hands on a student no matter the circumstance. Who cares if you were being disrespectful. It's your father, it's not her place to 'punish' you," Layla said as she stood up. Ella stared down at the floor, thinking over Layla's words. Deciding whether to tell Layla the other new information she had discovered. It might help strengthen Ella's argument so she looked up again.

     "She's my step-mother, she has every right to do as she pleased. My father married her and they have two kids together. I don't want to ruin their careers," Ella said as she glanced over at the door. She needed her cloak back, it was one of the only three she owned. She didn't want to lose it, her mother would probably kill her if she did, "Plus, we don't have to go to Dumbledore. We want to find out what they're doing so we can just do what the Marauders do. Follow them, I need to go back to James' dorm. I left my cloak and I can steal the Marauders Map. I've watched them use it enough to know how to use it myself," Ella said as she flicked her wand against her leg. Muttering a spell that would warm her up. She was freezing without the cloak but she just needed to get it back.

     "Okay but only because I want to find more evidence. You need to be careful and make sure none of the boys see you steal it," Layla said as she walked back to her bedside table. Ella grinned and headed towards the door. She kept her wand in her hand as she crossed back to the boys dormitory. Ella knocked on the door and was glad to receive no reply.

     She then pushed the door open slightly and checked for anyone. It was empty and that made Ella sigh in relief. She did not want to go searching for it while the boys were in here. She closed the door once she had slid inside and crossed to James' bed. She grabbed her cloak and slid it on, letting it warm her skin. She then looked around.

     "Where?" Ella mumbled to herself before she looked around the room. James or Remus were the two that were most likely to have it. Which narrowed it down to two trunks and two bedside tables. James' side would be harder to look through so she started there. Ella went to his trunk first and quickly went searching through it. Finding nothing, not even a hint of the map.

     So, she stood and moved to the bedside table. She started at the bottom drawer and just found various boxers and other junk. A box of half-open condoms that made Ella pause. She gently shook her head before putting everything back. She then went through the top drawer and let out a small squeal when she saw the Marauders Map on top. She grabbed it but a voice made her pause.

     "Are you looking at my boxers?" James asked, cocking an eyebrow. Ella was quick to keep the Marauders Map out of sight as she turned to look at him. Her hand resting casually behind her back as she subtly slid the drawer shut.

     "I was... well I was looking for my bra that I left here before Christmas. I thought you'd probably kept it but I can't find it," Ella shrugged as she watched him walk over to her. He cocked an eyebrow at that, a small smirk spreading across his face, "I assume you've been wanking over it," Ella joked softly, trying her best to keep smiling

     James scoffed at that as he moved to stand in front of her. The pair stood barely a few inches apart as she met his steely gaze. He leant forward to try and reach behind her but rather than allowing him to grab it. She wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. Her hand moving into his hair as she let her eyes close. The kiss surprising even her

     James let out a surprised noise before he relaxed into it. His hand sliding underneath her cloak to rest his hand against her hip. Ella melting into his arms as he kissed her passionately back. His tongue sliding into her mouth as she slipped the map into her pocket. She felt it slide further down so it didn't even look like anything was in her pockets.

     Her other arm then wrapped around his neck, pulling him further down. Standing on her tiptoes as she let him deepen the kiss. A soft pant escaping her lips when they pulled away for a split second. But James was quick to restart the kiss. His other hand moving to hold her waist, he lifted her up slightly and Ella found herself sitting on the bedside table.

     James' tongue exploring her mouth as she let her fingers run through his hair. She couldn't deny how much she had missed this. The breathless wonderful feeling that he gave her, it was addicting and she didn't want to break away. Her fingers gripping his hair and keeping him close until neither of them could breathe any longer.

     Ella's eyes stayed closed as she pulled away. Heavy pants leaving her lips, her chest falling and rising heavily as she rested her forehead against his. Their breath mingling as he held her in place. Her lips were already red and kiss-swollen but as soon as she had gotten her breathe back enough, she was on him again. Her hands didn't move from his hair and James was more than happy to indulge her. His fingers gripping her hips as he kept her close against him.

     "James! Come on!" A voice said, a heavy knocking coming from the door. Ella didn't even hear it at first, her mind not comprehending it as she got lost in the kiss. She had never felt happier to be kissing anyone in her life. But James noticed and pulled away from her. Their eyes opening and Ella frowned slightly.

     "It's Remus. We were going to go the library," James muttered and Ella sighed. She pressed a few soft kisses to his lips, wanting nothing more than to keep him here. Her heart was aching for him still and he smiled softly down at her, "We can talk later, okay?" He asked. Ella let out a sigh and nodded. She then pressed one more kiss to his lips and he seemed satisfied with that. He backed away from her leaving her on the bedside table with swollen lips and a desperate need to be with him.

     James managed to just about shield her from Remus' view but his own swollen lips from kissing did not go completely unnoticed. Ella just watched him go a pout on her face. She stood up and felt the map in her pocket. Her heart dropping as she reached into her pocket. She couldn't take it now, surely? She had just kissed James to make sure she got it. That was wrong, so wrong but she had this map now. She needed it. How was she going to face James? Ella ran her hands through her hair before she stuffed the map back in her pocket.

     It was only a kiss, it meant nothing. Just kisses, it was fine. Yes he had kissed back but that didn't mean anything. They had kissed for months and it meant nothing to him. Why would this time be any different? It was a heat of the moment thing. Yes Ella enjoyed it but that didn't mean he did. It was fine. She hadn't done anything wrong.

     Once she was sure the boys would be gone, Ella rushed back to her dorm. Surprised to find Layla still there, waiting for her return, and the fringed girl was quick to notice the kiss-swollen lips. The unimpressed quirk of an eyebrow making Ella shake her head. She pulled out the map though and that made Layla grin. They could start their plan it seemed.

     "I'm assuming you didn't make out with Remus, Sirius or Peter to get that map," Layla said as she placed her book back down. Ella rolled her eyes and sat across from Layla on the bed.

     "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Ella said before she tapped the seemingly blank piece of parchment. She watched as the ink seeped across the pages and after a moment, the map was fully formed. Ella then opened it and they could see the whole of Hogwarts and where everyone was. James and Remus were sure enough heading towards the library, "I kissed James to stop him from seeing me with it. He nearly caught me but I think I curbed any suspicion," Ella muttered as she watched his footsteps walking across the map.

     "Based on your lips he kissed you back," Layla muttered. Ella nodded and then moved her attention to the greenhouses where she could see her father. He seemed to be pacing around Professor Landon was heading that way. Ella let her tongue pass over her teeth and she could still taste James in her mouth. Ella knew she would do anything to kiss him again.

     "He was probably just feeling nostalgic. We spent the whole summer fucking each other," Ella muttered and Layla rolled her eyes. She then grabbed the map and folded it up, looking to the girl across from her.

     "Let's go see what your father and step-mother are talking about," Layla said, passing the map back over. Ella was reluctant but took it from Layla, putting it away. A smile spreading across Layla's face before she got off the bed. Ella came with her and then they both headed towards the exit. They were ready to spy on Ella's father and find out what was really going on. But Layla was only really hoping because she needed to something to fill her days which had been incredibly boring the past few weeks since Ella was barely even around.

***

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ! just saying, this chapter went very off outline AND RUINED MY PLANS, that damn kiss ruined everything for me BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, I AINT MAD, this chapter is by far one of my favourite ones in the whole damn book, james and ella interacting and making out, the marauders being idiots & friendship with layla, definitely my favourite thing honestly. it was just *chef's kiss* for me haha, so yeah, if you can't tell i loved this chapter and it's really gonna cause some drama bUT it'll be okay in the end. i hope you enjoyed.

also, i've started updating my remus fic 'someone' which is set before this and i'm publishing a three-part james fic this week if anyone wants more content from me (idk why you would) and yes i'm shamelessly self-promoting, sorry not sorry <3