𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 / James Potter x Reader

Ch8 ★ Broomsticks and Quaffles

chapter song:
Oh No (I Think I'm In Love) - Blossoms

James checked the time, noting that he had just enough to make it to the Astronomy Tower before sunset. He'd spent the last week thinking about y/n more than he would care to admit, replaying their conversations and her smile in his mind. Tonight, they had agreed to meet for their potions project, and he found himself oddly excited.

As he climbed the stairs to the tower, the sun was just beginning its descent, casting a warm, golden glow across the stone walls. When he reached the top, he saw y/n already there, standing by the railing, her face bathed in the soft light of the setting sun.

"Hey," James called out, a grin spreading across his face. "Perfect timing, huh?"

Y/n turned, a small smile playing on her lips. "Hey, Potter. Right on time for once."

They set up their workspace, laying out their potions ingredients and equipment that they had acquired from Slughorn on the stone floor. He was ecstatic to hear they had chosen Amortentia, just knowing one of his favorite students would do great. The Amortentia potion was complex, requiring precise measurements and careful timing, but James was confident they could manage.

"Ready to make some love potion?" James asked, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

Y/n rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "It's for academic purposes only, Potter."

"Of course, of course," James said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

They worked in companionable silence, the only sounds being the rustle of ingredients and the bubbling of their cauldron. As the potion began to take shape, James couldn't help but steal glances at y/n, admiring the way the fading light highlighted her features. They made small talk here and there while preparing the potion.

"So, what's the story with you and potions?" James asked during a lull in their work.

Y/n looked up, surprised by the question.
"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're really good at this. Is it just natural talent, or did you have some secret potion master teaching you?"

Y/n chuckled. "A bit of both, I guess. Mum does potion work, but not in the way your mother does. Hers is used for no good. My father is the face of the family, working at the ministry, again not for good unfortunately. My family takes pride in being good at potions. It's expected. Well, that and it's expected to be great at just about everything."

James nodded, suddenly feeling a pang of sympathy. "Must be a lot of pressure."

Y/n shrugged. "It is what it is. What about you? What's the story behind James Potter, Quidditch star, second to me of course, and class clown?"

James grinned. "Well, my dad was a Gryffindor and a bit of a prankster himself. Guess it runs in the family. Mum was a superstar seeker for the Gryffindor team in her time as well."

Y/n raised an eyebrow. "So, it's hereditary troublemaking? And quidditch skill as well?"

James laughed again, the sound warm and genuine. "Something like that."

Y/n got caught up in her mind at the sound of his laugh.
'James Potter... the sound of your laugh is the sun after a million dark days...'

As the night grew darker, they found themselves sharing more stories, both personal and humorous. James felt a strange flutter in his chest whenever y/n laughed or smiled at something he said.

"What's that smell?" Y/n asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

James sniffed the air, detecting a faint, sweet aroma. "That's the Amortentia starting to work. It smells different to everyone, based on what they find most attractive." He quoted y/n, copying her voice.