𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 / James Potter x Reader

Ch4 ★ Double Potions - The Unfortunate Pairings

chapter song:
I Know You - Faye Webster

"Welcome to double potions! If you are in here, you are truly exceptional!" Slughorn's jolly eyes twinkled towards a select few, some including
y/n, Regulus, Lily, many other Slytherin's, and quite a few Ravenclaws.

"Although, some of you..." Slughorn's eyes shifted hesitantly towards James and Sirius crumpling paper balls and throwing it at a dumb founded Peter. "I don't know how some of you got in here. Not important though!"

Y/n and Regulus sniggered at Slughorn's comment at the infamous group of Gryffindors.
They just loved when Slughorn called them out.

"Right-oh, to start off the year I want to have a partnered project-"

"YES!!" James exclaimed and high fived Sirius.

"Just you wait before celebrating! Headmaster Dumbledore wants me to mix up the houses. Find some inter house peace. I have chosen your partners for you. You will be in groups of two to four, for some uniqueness. Who doesn't like to be quirky from time to time?"

Slughorn began reading off several pairs and groups.

"Dorcas Meadowes, Marlene McKinnon, and Evan Rosier"

"Our only group of four, Lily Evans-"

The whole class could hear James Potter take in a breath of anticipation.

"Ahem, Lily Evans, Pandora Fontayne, Mary MacDonald, Severus Snape."

He listed off other groups.

"Caius Avery, Barty Crouch Jr, and Peter Pettigrew.
Peter let out a squeak.

"Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Regulus Black."

The class dropped and Regulus went rigid beside y/n. Y/n gave Regulus' wrist a squeeze before quickly realizing that there was only two names left in the class.

"James Potter and y/n Gray," Slughorn uttered before continuing quickly, probably to avoid the general Slytherin and Gryffindor uproar,  y/n assumed. "Alright, now quickly and calmly sit with your groups, you'll have to share the tables with other groups but that's okay, it's all about getting along."

Y/n and Regulus kept their place. So did James and Sirius. Both waiting for the other to come to their table.

"We're not moving, so you better come to us," spat Regulus.

"No way, you're coming to us, fourth year," remarked Sirius, as if he didn't know Regulus.

Remus rolled his eyes.
"Let's just go to them, we're wasting time and people are starting to stare. They've got the good corner table anyways!"
Remus began heading over to y/n.

"Hey y/n, how's it going!" Remus inquired, with a polite nod to Regulus.

"It's good, and you?" Y/n said nicely. Remus was a good one. His friends may suck but Remus is polite.

Y/n always spent the past few years wondering how great it would've been to have a friend like Remus on her side, as close as they would have been had she been sorted into Gryffindor, or simply not villainized by Sirius.

"Just great! Come on you two!" Remus sat beside y/n on the bench as Sirius and James headed over, James sitting infront of y/n on the second bench forcing Sirius to sit on the bench with James and next to Regulus who sat on the stool at the edge of the table.

"Alright now that we are finally all seated, let me explain the project!" Slughorn beamed at his class, his round belly wobbling slightly as he paced in the front of the classroom near the cauldrons. "Settle down! Settle down! This is a very special project indeed, together you and your partner, or partners, will embark on a journey of discovery and creation in the fascinating world of potions."

He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes twinkling. "This project will not only test your knowledge and skill but also your ability to work together. You will be required to research, brew and present a complex potion of your choice. It should be something that challenges you, something that goes beyond the ordinary classroom brews. You'll need to document every step, every success, and every failure."

Slughorn clapped his hands together.
"You will have access to the Restricted Section in the library, special ingredients from my personal stores, and of course, my guidance. This is your opportunity to truly shine. I expect great things from all of you, and truly exceptional things from some of you."

Y/n could've sworn ol' Sluggy's gaze lingered on James and herself with that last comment.

'I'm in for it, aren't I?'