𝕮𝖆𝖘𝖚𝖆𝖑 (ᴊ. ᴘᴏᴛᴛᴇʀ)

0.4

Jules strolled through the lively streets of Hogsmeade, the autumn air crisp with the promise of winter. The smell of fresh butterbeer and roasted chestnuts filled the air as she passed by The Three Broomsticks, her scarf pulled snugly around her neck. 

As she wandered, a familiar voice called out to her from across the street.

"Jules! Oi, wait up!"

She turned, already smiling as James jogged toward her, his messy hair and wide grin unmistakable.

"James," she greeted him warmly as he caught up to her, slightly out of breath but still beaming.

"Wandering about on your own? Tsk, tsk, love, that's no way to enjoy Hogsmeade," he teased, slinging an arm over her shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Internally he was having a panic attack and near pissing his pants.

Jules rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her grin. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. How could I ever enjoy Hogsmeade without you?"

"Exactly," James shot back with a wink. "Fancy a little troublemaking today?"

"With you? Always," Jules replied with a laugh.

They spent the afternoon exploring the shops, James pulling her into Zonko's to demonstrate some new prank item, then dragging her into Honeydukes, where he insisted on buying her every sweet, she so much as glanced at.

"Jamie, this is ridiculous," Jules protested as he handed her a bag overflowing with chocolate frogs, licorice wands, and sugar quills.

"Nothing's too ridiculous for you, love," he quipped, nudging her with a smile.

By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, they were heading back toward Hogwarts, laughing over the chaos James had nearly caused in Zonko's when one of the joke wands exploded into sparks.

"Best day ever, I'd say," James declared, his arm still draped casually over her shoulders as they strolled through the village. "Don't you think?"

"Definitely up there," Jules agreed, her smile soft as she glanced up at him. "You always know how to make things fun, Jamie."

"Only with you, love," he said, his tone playful, but there was something genuine in the way he looked at her that made her heart skip a beat.

As they neared the castle, they spotted Sirius and Peter lounging on the steps, talking in low voices. But it was Remus, leaning against a nearby wall with his arms crossed, who seemed to be waiting for them. His expression was thoughtful, and when his eyes met James', they were laced with something like hesitation.

"Moony!" James called out as they approached. "You are waiting for me?"

Remus pushed off from the wall and gave Jules a small smile. "Jules, mind if I steal James for a moment?"

"Of course," Jules said with a nod, her eyes flicking between James and Remus before heading toward the castle. "See you later, Jamie."

"Later, love," James replied, watching her go before turning to Remus with a grin. "What's up?"

Remus glanced at Sirius and Peter, who were now watching the interaction closely, clearly sensing something was off. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable.

"I... I saw you two in Hogsmeade today," Remus began slowly.

James raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? We were just hanging out. Is that a problem?"

Remus sighed, looking at James seriously. "It's not that, James. It's just... you've been different around her. Calmer, more—" he hesitated, searching for the right words, "more yourself. I just want to make sure you're serious about her, that's all."

James blinked, caught off guard but not defensive. "I mean, Jules is great, Moony. You know that. She's fun, she makes me laugh, and I don't have to pretend to be someone else around her."

Remus seemed to hesitate again; his gaze uncertain. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but Sirius cut in, stepping up beside them.

"Oh, come off it, Moony," Sirius said with a roll of his eyes. "You're overthinking this. James is head over heels for her, and you know she's good for him."

Peter nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, Remus. James is different, but in a good way. Jules is great, and James is... well, James is happy. Can't you see that?"

Remus shifted, still not entirely convinced, but the sincerity in Sirius and Peter's words seemed to ease his worries. He looked at James, who was standing there, waiting for his response, his eyes betraying the fact that, despite his usual confidence, he cared what Remus thought.

"I just don't want you getting hurt," Remus said quietly, his concern finally surfacing. "Or hurting her. But... if this is really something, then—" he hesitated again before sighing and finally offering a small smile, "then you have my approval."

James grinned, the tension in his shoulders disappearing. "Thanks, mate. I mean it."

Remus gave a half-smile, clapping James on the shoulder. "Just don't mess it up, alright?"

"Mess it up? Me? Never," James replied with his usual cocky grin, though this time, there was a warmth in his voice that hadn't been there before.

As they walked toward the castle, Sirius threw an arm around James' neck, ruffling his hair. "See? Told you Moony would come around. And for the record, I've approved of Jules since day one."

James laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, I know."

But as they made their way inside, James couldn't help but think of Jules, her smile, her laugh, and the way she made everything feel easy. Maybe this was something more than just a fun day at Hogsmeade, and maybe, just maybe, it was something worth holding onto.