𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 / James Potter x Reader

Ch12 ★ Halloween and Forgiveness

chapter song:
All I Wanted - Paramore

The Great Hall was adorned with floating pumpkins, fluttering bats, and the usual enchanting decor that signaled the beginning of the Halloween day. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as students eagerly anticipated the evening's festivities.

James and his friends sat at the Gryffindor table, animatedly discussing their plans for the day. Across the hall, y/n and her friends were doing the same at the Slytherin table.

James caught y/n's eye and gave her a warm smile. Y/n smiled back, remembering the sweet night they had not too long ago in Hogsmeade. They had walked hand in hand under the moonlight, sharing stories and dreams, feeling closer than ever.

The morning passed in a pleasant haze of classes and light-hearted chatter. James and y/n found themselves stealing moments together between lessons, sharing jokes and gentle touches. It felt perfect, and y/n couldn't help but think about how lucky she was to have James in her life.

Later, during a break, y/n was sitting with Lily, Marlene, Mary, and Dorcas in the courtyard, enjoying the crisp autumn air. They were discussing their costumes for the evening's festivities when James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter approached them, their laughter echoing through the courtyard.

"Hey, y/n, fancy a walk?" James asked, his tone casual but with an underlying eagerness.

Y/n hesitated. "Actually, James, I wanted to talk to you about something."

James's brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Sure, let's find somewhere quiet."

They found a secluded spot by the lake, away from prying eyes and ears. Y/n took a deep breath before speaking. "James, I've been hearing some rumors... about you and that prank on the Slytherins last week."

James's expression turned defensive. "What about it? It was just a bit of fun."

Y/n frowned. "Fun? James, some of the first years were really scared, they've done nothing to deserve it. And I've heard people saying it was your idea."

James scoffed. "Come on, y/n. It's just a prank. No one got hurt."

"But they could have," y/n insisted, her voice rising. "You need to think about the consequences of your actions."

The prank in question had involved charming the Slytherin first years' beds to float out of the dungeons and into the Great Hall, where they woke up in the middle of the night, surrounded by eerie, enchanted ghostly figures. Several of the younger students had been terrified, some even crying, and the incident had caused quite a stir among the professors.

James's temper flared. "You're overreacting, y/n. It's not like I did anything that bad. Besides, they're Slytherins—your housemates should be able to handle a little joke."

Y/n felt a surge of anger. "That's not the point, James! You need to be responsible. You can't just go around doing whatever you want without thinking about how it affects others."

James's eyes narrowed. "So what, now you're lecturing me? Maybe you should worry more about what your own housemates are doing." James laughed. "I mean even you were victim of Lucius Malfoy's nastiness, and you're his housemate."

Y/n's face fell, hurt and frustration mingling in her expression. "I thought you were better than this, James. And also, fuck you, that was uncalled for."

They walked back to the castle in tense silence with a few feet between them, the earlier warmth between them replaced by a chilly distance. When they reached the entrance, y/n turned to James, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need some time to think."