𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 / James Potter x Reader

Ch16 ★ The Marauders and Love

chapter song:
A Shitty Gay Song About You - Ezra Williams

The third week of their self-imposed silence found y/n and James navigating their daily routines with a heightened awareness of each other. They had spent evenings in the Room of Requirement or the astronomy tower, surrounded by soft cushions and the faint aroma of y/n's favorite coffee, discussing everything from quidditch tactics to their shared love for magical creatures to James' secret love for herbology.

Tonight, however, something felt different. As they settled into their usual spot, y/n noticed a subtle shift in James's demeanor. His eyes held a gentle intensity, a silent invitation to share more than just words.

He spent all his time recently admiring the girl.
Wondering how someone so perfect fell into his life.
Thinking about how he wasted so much time pining over a girl he didn't even know, let alone have actual feeling for.
He wondered how things would've changed if he kept her in his life all those years ago.

They sat on the ground comfortable silence for a while, the crackling of the fireplace and the soft rustle of pages the only sounds in the room. They were so close that their thighs were touching, and if both of them put their arms down, their hands would be together. Every now and then y/n would rest her head on James' shoulder, taking a break from whatever she was doing at the time.

James glanced at y/n, his expression thoughtful yet determined. He reached for his chalkboard, fingers tracing the outline of the words he wanted to write.

James Potter was nervous. There were only five times in his life James Potter would be truly nervous.

1. Right now
2. Before he asked out y/n
3. When he asked the love of his life to marry him
4. The night before the wedding, when Peter had lost the rings
5. When he stood between death and his beautiful wife who was in the nearby room with his two children who he loved with all his heart. The three people that flashed in his mind before the green light-

Oops. Didn't mean to get ahead of ourselves. I'll leave that with you to linger in confusion.

Finally, he held out the chalkboard for her to read. 'Y/n,' it read, 'there's something I've been wanting to do.'

Her heart skipped a beat as she took the chalkboard from him, her fingers brushing against his in the process. She read his words, feeling a rush of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and a profound sense of longing.

'What is it?' she wrote back, her handwriting slightly shaky.

James hesitated for a moment, his eyes never leaving hers. He took a deep breath and continued writing. 'I want to kiss you.'

Her breath caught in her throat at his confession. A wave of warmth spread through her, accompanied by a flutter of anticipation. She glanced at him, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt or hesitation. There was none—only a quiet resolve and an unspoken invitation.

With trembling hands, she wrote her response. 'I want that too.'

Their eyes locked, conveying more than words ever could. Without another moment's hesitation, James leaned forward, closing the distance between them. His lips met hers in a gentle, tentative kiss, a silent promise of everything they felt but hadn't yet said aloud.

His hand reached her hair while she cupped his face, nothing but a desperate want for this kiss powering them.

Time seemed to stand still as they lingered in that moment, savoring the sweetness and vulnerability of their first kiss. The room around them faded into insignificance, leaving only the warmth of each other's touch and the echo of their unspoken declarations.

After what felt like an eternity, they pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting against each other. James smiled softly, his eyes searching hers for any hint of regret or uncertainty. There was none—only a shared understanding.

Y/n returned his smile, her heart overflowing with a mix of emotions. She traced her fingers gently along his cheek, silently conveying her gratitude and affection. They stayed like that for a while, basking in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

James took y/n's face in his hands, admiring it. He traced her features and slowly leaned in for a kiss once more.

Meanwhile, in another corner of Hogwarts, Remus and Sirius found themselves in a similar state of revelation. They had danced around their feelings for months, years if they were being honest, navigating the complexities of their friendship and the unspoken truths between them.

Remus found Sirius sitting alone in their shared dorm room, lost in thought. He approached quietly, unsure of how to broach the topic that had been on his mind for so long. Sirius looked up, meeting Remus's gaze with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

Without a word, Remus took a deep breath and sat down beside him. He reached for Sirius's hand, intertwining their fingers in a silent gesture of solidarity and trust. Sirius's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't pull away.
It wasn't even the first time they sat together, hands being held with one another. The first time that happened was their first year.

"I've been meaning to tell you something," Remus began softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've realized that... what we have... it's more than friendship, isn't it?"

Sirius nodded, his throat tight with unspoken emotions. He had feared this conversation and yet, in the quiet stillness of the night, he found himself longing for its resolution.

"I love you, Sirius," Remus confessed, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart. "I've loved you for so long, and I can't keep pretending otherwise."

Sirius swallowed hard, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He squeezed Remus's hand, overwhelmed by the weight of his own emotions. Remus understood that he couldn't say it at the moment as Sirius quickly scribbled, 'I love you more than anything Remus, I always have. Ever since we met on either sides of the train windows, with your scars and the short haircut your matron forced you to adorn. I wish I could tell you this out loud.'

With those words hanging between them, Remus leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss against Sirius's lips. It was a tender, hesitant kiss filled with years of longing and unspoken promises. They held each other close, their embrace a silent vow of acceptance and understanding.

In that moment, Remus and Sirius found the courage to embrace their love openly, knowing that together, they could face whatever challenges the future held.

Years of unconfirmed flirting and teasing and loving was settled between them. Not to mention a few kisses here and there in their younger years. They used to just chalk that up to nothingness and experimenting. Not anymore.