The Gryffindor common room was unusually quiet for a Friday night. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the red and gold tapestries. Most students had gone to bed, save for a few scattered around, whispering about homework or playing a quiet game of wizard's chess. In the corner, curled up in one of the plush armchairs, was Y/N Lupin, deeply engrossed in a book.She had found a comfortable position—knees tucked up against her chest, the thick blanket draped over her shoulders, shielding her from the cool autumn air. A steaming cup of tea rested on the side table, forgotten as she lost herself in the world of her novel. It was peaceful. It was perfect.And then came James Potter."Y/NNNNNN!"The whiny voice was accompanied by a familiar weight flopping onto the arm of her chair. She barely reacted, merely tilting her book slightly to keep reading."Y/N."Silence."Y/N, my love, my star, my moon and sun, the very air I breathe—""James, I swear if you don't shut up, I will hex you," she muttered, eyes never leaving the page."But I'm bored," he whined, nuzzling against her shoulder. "And cold. And sad. And very much in need of my beautiful girlfriend's attention.""You sound just like Sirius," she noted dryly, flipping a page.James gasped in mock offense. "Excuse you, I am ten times more charming.""You're a menace," she corrected, reaching blindly to push his face away.James, ever the persistent one, only leaned in closer, dropping his full weight onto her as if that would make her yield. He wiggled dramatically, trying to disrupt her focus."I know you love your books, darling, but I need love too."Finally, with an exasperated sigh, Y/N reached out and grasped his face between her hands. His hazel eyes widened, his glasses slightly askew from her grip. He beamed, thinking he had won."If you want cuddles later," she said, voice firm, "you have to let me read for at least another hour."James pouted. "But—""An hour, James.""That's forever.""Then I guess you don't want cuddles," she teased, loosening her grip and picking up her book again.James groaned dramatically, throwing himself off the chair and onto the rug by the fire. "Fine. But only because I love you."Y/N smirked. "Good boy."For about five minutes, there was peace.Five.Miserable.Minutes.James tried. He really, really tried. But patience was not his strongest trait. He lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling. He got up, paced a bit, then flopped onto the couch, sighing loudly every thirty seconds just in case Y/N had forgotten he was suffering. He fiddled with his wand, twirled a loose thread on his sweater, and even tried counting the bricks in the fireplace.Nothing worked.So he glanced at Y/N, hoping—praying—that she'd be looking at him too. That she'd finally give in to his need for affection.She wasn't.She was still completely absorbed in that stupid book.James huffed. He was desperate.So, he did the only logical thing.He groaned loudly, making it sound as though he was dying. "Oh, no," he gasped. "I think—I think I'm fading away. My heart—it's breaking."Y/N turned a page.James gasped again, rolling onto his back. "So cold. So lonely. If only—if only I had the warm embrace of my lovely girlfriend to keep me alive."Y/N exhaled slowly, clearly at the end of her patience. "James—""I guess she doesn't love me anymore," he sniffled. "This is the end for me. Tell Sirius I always hated the way he left his socks on my bed. Tell Remus he was my favorite twin."That got her attention.Slowly, deliberately, she closed her book, setting it aside. James, sensing his victory, peeked at her with a smirk.She sighed, climbing out of her chair and dropping onto the couch beside him. "You're lucky I love you."James lit up instantly, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "I knew it!" he cheered, pressing a dramatic kiss to the top of her head.Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling as she tucked herself into his chest. "You're impossible.""And yet, you still love me," he murmured smugly.She hummed, nuzzling closer. "Unfortunately."James chuckled, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her back. "You should know by now, love, that reading is fine and all, but nothing compares to a good old-fashioned cuddle with your boyfriend.""That's debatable," she muttered sleepily, already melting into his warmth.James grinned, pressing another kiss to her forehead. "Face it, sweetheart, I win."Y/N groaned. "If I say you win, will you let me sleep?""Absolutely not. Cuddling time just started."And so, with James grinning victoriously and Y/N snuggled against him, they stayed there, wrapped up in each other, as the fire crackled softly beside them.
