Wands and Wildflowers - J.S.Potter

You're hopeless,James

The start of the third year at Hogwarts was always an exciting time—new classes, new challenges, and, for the third-years, their first trip to Hogsmeade. But for James Potter, excitement was the last thing on his mind. Ever since Daisy Dawson had rejected him over the summer with such harsh finality, things between them had been worse than ever. Every interaction was strained, full of tension and misunderstanding.

It didn't help that their friends—Ben, Gwen, Chris, and Bella—were often caught in the middle of the awkwardness. Ben and Gwen, who had become a couple over the summer, were particularly sensitive to the situation. They wanted to help, but every attempt they made seemed to push James and Daisy further apart.

Now, as the first week of classes drew to a close, the tension in the group was palpable.

---

James trudged into the Great Hall, his mind in a fog of frustration. He had been trying—truly trying—to show Daisy that his feelings were real. That her rejection hadn't changed how he felt about her. But every time he got close, Daisy would shut him down with a sharp word or a cutting look. It was driving him mad.

He spotted Gwen and Ben at the Gryffindor table, their heads bent together as they shared a laugh over something. Bella and Chris sat across from them, both lost in their breakfast. There was no sign of Daisy, and James felt a mix of relief and disappointment at her absence.

"Morning, mate," Ben called, catching sight of him. "Everything alright?"

James shrugged, flopping down onto the bench. "As good as it can be, I guess."

Bella, always the perceptive one, shot him a sympathetic look. "Still no luck with Daisy?"

"None," James muttered, stabbing at a piece of toast. "She won't even look at me properly anymore. I don't know what else to do."

"She's just being stubborn," Gwen said, reaching for a jug of pumpkin juice. "Daisy's like that sometimes. She'll come around eventually."

Chris snorted. "Yeah, just like Lily came around for your grandpa , right? Took him six years."

James groaned, running a hand through his messy hair. "I don't have six years. I want her to see that I'm serious now."

"Well," Gwen said thoughtfully, "maybe you need to stop trying so hard. Just... be yourself. She'll notice."

"That's easy for you to say," James mumbled. "You're not the one she hates."

---

Meanwhile, across the castle, Daisy was already in the library. She had been avoiding James as much as possible since the term started, and the library had become her sanctuary. There, she could focus on her studies and not have to think about the whirlwind of emotions James stirred up in her.

But today, even the quiet atmosphere of the library couldn't calm her thoughts. Her rejection of James over the summer had been brutal, but necessary—or so she told herself. James was reckless, always charging in without thinking things through, and Daisy didn't want to get caught in that chaos. She didn't want to be another girl who fell for the Potter charm, only to get hurt in the end.

No, she was sure she had done the right thing. And yet... why did it feel so wrong?

She sighed, closing her Charms book and resting her head on the table. Maybe she was being too harsh. Maybe James really did care about her. But how could she trust him after everything?

"Daisy?" A soft voice interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to see Gwen standing in front of her, a concerned expression on her face.

"Hey, Gwen," Daisy said, sitting up. "What's up?"