𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 / James Potter x Reader

Ch5 ★ The Library

chapter song:
Kingston - Faye Webster

James and y/n had reluctantly chose days to meet up in the library that fit both of their Quidditch schedules, y/n's study schedules and prefect schedules, and James' general schedule of getting up to no good.

The musty smell of books filled the air as the Gryffindor and Slytherin pair settled into a secluded corner of the library where pillows and blankets were strewn across the ground on a comfy rug. Stacks of ancient books surrounded them as they searched hopelessly for an impressive yet difficult potion.

"We need to find a really hard one, so we score the best."

"It's not a competition, Potter."

"Oh as if you don't see it that way, miss second to top of the class." Remarked James.

"Excuse me? I am top of the class." Y/n corrected James quickly, her pride feeling bruised. Everyone always assumed it was Lily. She needed her parents to know it was her.

"Point proven." James rolled his eyes.

"Oh go shove a stick up your arse, and look for a brain while you roll those eyes."

"Shove off, Gray."

They looked for their potion in silence.

"Wait Potter!" Y/n exclaimed. "This is the one." She began reading a description.

"Amortentia, a potion known for its complexity and its ability to brew a powerful love potion, causing a drinker to be infatuated with the person who gave it to them. It smells different to each person based on what and who they find attractive. This potion is considered extremely dangerous as it can lead to an obsessive infatuation in the drinker."

The instructions to Amortentia in a dusty old book lay in front of them.

James leaned back against the stack of pillows behind him, twirling a quill between his fingers, a frown creasing in his brow. "So, Amortentia. Think we can handle it?"

Y/n smirked, her eyes gleaming with determination and a hint of disdain. "Of course I can handle it. It's you I worry about. As I recall, you're not the best at following instructions."

James narrowed his eyes slightly, his competitive nature sparkled. "I follow instructions just fine. It's Slytherins who like to cut corners," James spat in disgust.

Y/n's expression hardened when James brought up the house rivalry. "Well it's Gryffindors who charge in without thinking."

Tension crackled between the two as they reluctantly began their work.

Day one was for preparing plans and how to go about the potion, what recipes to abide by and such.

Hours passed as they poured over texts, their heads close together as they whispered theories and debated techniques.

James quickly found that the Slytherin girl had a mischievous humor to match his, as their joking threw them off track here and there, even when y/n tried to stick with her meticulous side and stay focused. She seemed to have failed this time.

At one point, James leaned over to point at a recipe for another potion in the oldest book they had ever seen. His arm brushed against y/n's, and he froze for a moment, the contact unexpectedly warm. Y/n didn't seem to notice.

"Just look at this recipe!" James forced himself back to his natural self. "A dragon's tear, who goes about getting that? Getting to and obtaining a dragon is one thing, but how do you make it cry!?" James exclaimed in disbelief.

"Hm, maybe just show the dragon your quidditch skills? Your chasing abilities bring tears of sadness and pain to my eyes!" Y/n replied sarcastically, but this time it wasn't to be mean. She said it with a smile that held back laughter.

"Oh be quiet, you say that like you're a better chaser than me!" James held back his own laughter as they mockingly fought.

"You know I am, Jamsie, you don't need to admit it, though, if it hurts your ego." Y/n gave James a nickname and it sent flutters to his stomach for some inexplicable reason. He also noted the fact that she had not called him Potter. She didn't call him James, but this newfound nickname was close enough.

"Yeah, yeah, Slytherin Princess, whatever you need to tell yourself." He rolled his eyes playfully.

"Ew, never say that again."

The night grew dark and it was getting close to curfew. They began to clean up, saving the books they needed, putting away the books they didn't.

Y/n carefully sorted the notes by what was their plan and what was their records keeping of what they had done for the day. With a silent swish of her wand she made copies for James, highlighted the muggle way, including a color code. It was James-Accessible.

James watched her as she did this, impressed by her thoroughness.

"It's kind of amazing how much we can get done when we actually focus. I never get anything done on my own or with Sirius," James beamed, a genuine smile on his face.

"Who knew you had a serious side?" Y/n responded, choosing to ignore the mention of Sirius in an attempt to keep the newfound peace. "But you're right, we made a great team."

"I have my moments, but don't get used to it. I have a reputation to uphold." James chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "There's a lot you don't know about me y/n."

They headed out of the library, ready to part ways as James approached the moving stairs going upwards and y/n went towards the staircase leading down to the dungeons.

"See you later, Jamsie!" Y/n yelled softly enough to not draw attention to any possible nearby prefects or professors.

"See you soon, Princess."

That is not what she meant when she asked to not be called 'Slytherin Princess'.

"Ugh, don't call me that!" Y/n exclaimed, walking backwards.

"Whatever you say, Princess!" James received a middle finger and took this as a goodnight and they left it at that.