James, adorned in his Gryffindor Quidditch robes that seemed to accentuate every inch of his athletic frame, strode purposefully toward the Ravenclaw table. His confidence radiated like a magical aura around him as he zeroed in on Hermione, the intelligent and sassy brunette who was currently engrossed in a cup of steaming coffee. Determination burned in his hazel eyes; he had decided that now was the time to act.
With a flair that only a Gryffindor could muster, James plopped down on the Ravenclaw table, his roguish grin in full display. Spotting Hermione, he leaned in, his voice a mix of playful charm and undeniable bravado. "Come on Lupin, let me take you on a date."
Hermione looked up from her coffee, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Potter," she greeted him, arching an eyebrow in mock suspicion.
"Do you have to use last names, Angel?" James exclaimed, placing a hand dramatically over his heart as if her use of his last name had wounded him deeply. "You hurt me."
"You started it," she laughed, a musical sound that seemed to dance through the air.
"Details, details," The Gryffindor waved off her comment with a nonchalant flick of his hand. "So, will you let me take you out? A butterbeer, and maybe some kisses if everything goes well?"
Barty seated next to Hermione, furrowed his brows and shot the older boy a disapproving look. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for the match, Potter?"
"True," The brunette agreed, smirking at the Chaser. "You're playing against Reggie."
James raised an eyebrow, a cocky smile playing on his lips. "Black doesn't scare me. We're going to crush them. We always do."
"You sound very sure of yourself," Hermione mused, studying him with an intrigued gaze. "Let's make a deal."
"I'm all ears," he responded, his tone challenging and filled with anticipation.
Suddenly, Hermione hooked her finger in the collar of James' Quidditch sweater. She pulled him closer, the air between them crackling with a newfound tension. "Win that match for me, and maybe I'll consider that date."
"You're playing with fire," James whispered, his voice a low murmur that held a promise of something more. His eyes bore into hers, a magnetic force pulling them together.
"Afraid of losing, Potter?" she teased, giving him a playful push back into his seat.
"Start thinking about what you're going to wear to our date," James replied, his tone resolute. "Or maybe I can lend you one of my jerseys. What do you say?"
"I quite like the jersey I'm wearing," The Ravenclaw replied in a saccharine sweet tone, her eyes dancing with amusement. James frowned as he realized he was wearing a Slytherin Quidditch jersey, a detail that did not escape the keen observer.
"And haven't you thought that maybe red suits you better?" he suggested, feigning indifference. "I would let you have mine if you asked nicely."
"Wouldn't you like that, Potter?"
"I would," The bespectacled wizard stated with a hopeful gleam in his eyes, his Gryffindor bravado momentarily replaced by a genuine desire.
"I think Sirius is calling you," she commented, gesturing subtly toward the Gryffindor table where James' friends beckoned him. "This conversation is not over, Lupin," he declared, getting up with a confident swagger.
"Go away, Potter," Hermione said with a playful roll of her eyes, her lips betraying a small smile as James left.
James sauntered back to the Gryffindor table, a triumphant grin on his face as he took his seat and helped himself to a hearty plate of sausages and scrambled eggs. The aroma of breakfast wafted through the Great Hall as he dug into his meal, savoring the taste of victory, or at least the anticipation of it.
Sirius,his raven hair a stark contrast against the red and gold of his Quidditch uniform, looked at him with a raised eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in his gray eyes. "What's the deal with Princess?" he inquired, pouring himself a cup of strong black coffee.
James paused mid-bite, his fork suspended in the air, as he leaned back in his chair with a nonchalant air. "Oh, just asking her out on a date," he replied casually, a mischievous glint in his hazel eyes.
"Didn't you ask her already?" Remus chimed in, taking a sip of his tea. He regarded James with mild amusement.
The Chaser, fork finally meeting his mouth, chewed thoughtfully. "Decided to take action. Know what I want, who I want. Not sitting back and letting someone else ask her out," he declared, his confidence unwavering.
Peter, seated across from him, looked at him with a skeptical expression. "And has she said yes?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"She said if I win the match, she'll think about it. But I know she's going to say yes. I have a feeling," James sighed dreamily, a lovesick grin spreading across his face. "I'm going to marry her one day, sorry, not sorry, Moony."
The werewolf chuckled, setting down his teacup. "It'll be her decision, Prongs. But your biggest problem might not be me or my father. It's Evan and Regulus, especially Regulus, hell maybe even Orion Black."
Sirius burst into laughter, nodding vigorously. "True, Prongs. My father adores Hermione as if she were his own daughter." He slapped his best friend on the back, a hearty gesture that made James swallow hard, his hazel eyes widening in a mix of surprise and a hint of fear.
Shaking off the momentary unease, the bespectacled redirected the conversation with determination. "Not important now," he stated firmly. "The key is to win the damn game so I can go on that date."
Peter grinned mischievously. "This is almost worse than when you were after Lily. You're so whipped."
"She's got you on a leash," Sirius laughed, slinging his arm over his shoulders. "And I'm the dog."
"My sister is anything but innocent." Remus interjected with a knowing smile, " You're playing with fire, and you're going to get burned."
"Maybe I do want to get burnt," James whispered, his gaze fixed on the Ravenclaw table where Hermione laughed with her friends. Sensing someone watching her, she looked up, meeting his gaze. He flashed her a charming smile, and she responded with a playful wink.
"I'm going to win that fucking game," His eyes filled with a fiery resolve as he prepared for the upcoming Quidditch match that held not just victory on the line, but the promise of a date with the enchanting Hermione Lupin.
As the excitement on the Quidditch pitch reached a crescendo, Hermione made her way toward Regulus, who was engaged in some pre-game stretching. The Slytherin Seeker flashed her a charming smile as he saw her approach.
"Hello, baby," Hermione greeted him with a smile, the best of her charms on display as she sauntered over.
Regulus, his tall and lean figure standing out in his Quidditch uniform, grinned in response. "Looking good, cherie. Are you here to wish me luck? Not that I need it, but you know," he teased, his tone laced with self-assured confidence.
"I've actually come to ask you a favor," Hermione said, her voice sweet and innocent, a slight blush gracing her cheeks. The Quidditch player raised an amused eyebrow, intrigued. "What does the lady want?"
Hermione adopted a puppy-dog face that would melt even the most stoic heart. "Will you play a little less aggressively today, pretty please?" she implored as she batted her eyelashes.
Regulus burst into laughter, the sound a low and melodious rumble. "Why would I have to do that? You've never complained about how I play."
"I may or may not have a date with James," The girl confessed, her blush deepening. "And honestly, I would really like to go on that date."
"I didn't have Potter for a coward." Regulus mocked, earning a playful punch to the shoulder from his best friend. Ouch, cherie, you're hurting the star player."
Hermione explained, "I told him that if they won the game, maybe I would reconsider the date. It's just a small favor, please," she pleaded, her gaze a compelling mixture of earnestness and hope.
The Slytherin, still grinning, replied in a provocative tone, "If Potter thinks I'm going to go easy on him because he wants to go on a date with you, he's sorely mistaken. What's more, he's going to have to earn that date," she pleaded, her gaze a compelling mixture of earnestness and hope.
As the players approached, ready to take the field, the Ravenclaw couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervous excitement, "What are you going to do?"
"Don't worry, cherie. I promise I'll get your boyfriend back in one piece," Black replied with a smirk.
"Hey, Angel, what are you doing here?" James exclaimed, his voice carrying a hint of both confusion and delight. His gaze flickered briefly to the proximity between Hermione and Regulus, sparking a twinge of curiosity and perhaps a touch of jealousy.
"Just came to wish Reggie luck." She giggled, giving her best friend a kiss on the cheek.
A hint of jealousy flashed in the Gryffindor's eyes. "And aren't you going to wish me luck?"
he asked, attempting to mask his feelings behind a casual demeanor.
"I think you're fine, Potter. We don't want your ego to grow even more," she remarked provocatively, brushing against him as he passed.
James, unable to resist, grabbed Hermione's waist possessively, challenging Regulus with his gaze. "Come on, Lupin, not even a little good luck kiss?" he insisted, his voice a playful blend of boldness and charm.
The brunette raised an eyebrow, but decided to play along. With a wicked smile, she stood on her tiptoes, placing a soft, fleeting kiss on James's cheek. She whispered, "Good luck, pretty boy," her words carrying a hint of mischief and a touch of sincerity.
The boy let out a surprised gasp, his teammates erupting in laughter and making whipping sounds in the background. Blushing, he watched as Hermione walked away, a confident sway to her hips, leaving him both flustered and determined to win the game for that promised date.
"GRYFFINDOR WINS!" Remus' voice echoed through the Quidditch pitch, a wave of cheers and applause erupting as James and Sirius hugged triumphantly on their brooms. The victory celebration was in full swing, and James eagerly searched the crowd for a familiar face, his heart racing with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
There, on the Slytherin stands, he spotted her on the Slytherin steps, offering comfort to a slightly dejected Regulus. Determination and hope swirled in James' eyes as he nervously ran a hand through his sweaty hair, praying that Hermione would notice him.
Hermione looked up, chocolate eyes meeting hazel ones, and he felt his heart skip a beat. With a victorious smile, James flexed his arm, a playful gesture meant to catch Hermione's eye. The Ravenclaw responded with a small smile of her own.
As the Quidditch pitch continued to buzz with post-game festivities, James took a deep breath, mustering the courage for the next step. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he started "I'd like to say one thing," he declared, focusing on Hermione, who blushed at the attention. "You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much."
James sang with passion and sincerity, his voice ringing through the air, his eyes locked on Hermione. Her friends squealed with excitement, nudging her playfully as she hid her face in her hands.
"Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak."
With each word, he closed the distance between them, soaring towards the Slytherin stands. The crowd joined in, creating a musical backdrop that added to the enchantment of the moment.
"Oh, pretty baby
Now that I've found you, stay
And let me love you, baby
Let me love you."
The final chorus reached its crescendo as James landed gracefully in front of Hermione. The cheers and singing of the crowd intensified, enveloping the pair in a symphony of joy. Holding her hand, James sang with sparkling eyes, his voice filled with the emotions he couldn't contain.
"Let me love you."
Kneeling before the girl, he took a deep breath. "Hermione Lupin," he began, his voice slightly breathless, "you're the most amazing girl I've ever met. With you... With you, I feel like I can be myself, you know? So what I really want to say is, would you like to go on a date with me?"
"BOOO, peer pressure." Remus playfully shouted into the microphone. "That's playing dirty, Potter."
Undeterred, James whispered to the brunette with a teasing smile as she rolled her eyes in playful exasperation, "What do you say, Lupin? I think you should listen to the audience"
The stands erupted in chants urging Hermione to say yes. "Say yes," echoed through the crowd.
"I guess a promise is a promise," she whispered, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
"SHE SAID YES!" James exclaimed, jumping to his feet with exuberance, the entire crowd joining in the celebration.
"Why are you so against me dating Hermione?"
James' voice cut through the quiet murmur of students absorbed in their studies. The atmosphere became charged with tension as he confronted the Slytherin and Ravenclaw duo, who were huddled together studying for their N.E.W.T.S. The scratching of quills and the rustling of parchment seemed to pause, and all eyes turned toward the brewing confrontation.
Evan and Barty exchanged glances, both raising their heads to meet James' piercing gaze. The platinum-haired, leaned back in his chair, adopting an air of casual indifference. "Are you talking to us?" he asked, his tone a deliberate attempt to feign innocence.
"You don't seem to have any problem with Frank dating Alice nor with Peter dating Lucy, so why does it bother you so much that I date Hermione?"
Barty finally broke the silence, his expression serious. "You can hurt her. Plus, she's got enough on her plate without adding you."
James slammed his fists against the table, leaning forward. "I hope you're not implying what I think you're implying, Crouch" he warned, his eyes narrowing in a glare.
"Watch it, Potter," Evan, unfazed, rose from his chair, closing the distance between them. "It's no secret to anyone that you used to like Evans. How many years did you spend behind her, begging her to go out with you? Two, three years maybe?" he snapped, his voice rising. "What guarantees that the moment Evans is free, you won't go after her?"
"I love Hermione, and I may not have told her yet, but I intend to marry her," James declared through gritted teeth, trying to keep his composure. "So I suggest you get used to seeing me."
Barty snorted in disbelief, his skepticism evident. "You've only gone on one date, Potter. A puny date. And you already want to marry her? You don't know what you're getting into."
Before James could offer a rebuttal, a new voice, cool and composed, interrupted their heated exchange. "What's going on here?"
The trio turned to find Regulus observing them, his arms crossed, a sardonic smirk playing on his lips. "Well?" His smirk grew, and he leaned against a nearby bookshelf, thoroughly entertained.
"Speaking of the devil," James huffed sarcastically.
"Golden Boy here says he wants to marry Mia," Evan explained with a laugh, "and they've only had one measly date."
Regulus raised an eyebrow, a subtle amusement flickering in his gray eyes as he left his books on the table. "One date, and you're ready to put a ring on it? Potter, you never cease to amaze me. Enlighten us. What do you have that every other boy in this school doesn't? It's not like the entire male population is worth dating her.
"She's not yours to keep, Black," James replied, his tone steady, the tension escalating with each word.
"She's not yours to steal either, Potter," Regulus retorted with a sly smile, his tone laced with venom. Evan and Barty snickered as they exchanged amused glances.
The tension in the library reached a boiling point as James Potter and Regulus Black engaged in a heated exchange. The air crackled with anger and rivalry, each word exchanged escalating the confrontation.
"I'm sick of your shit, seriously," James erupted, the frustration evident in the fiery intensity of his hazel eyes. "You're jealous."
Regulus, with a cocky smile and an air of calculated confidence, scoffed, "I would never be jealous of you, Potter. I know she would choose me any day, every day over anyone else. Can you say the same?" He taunted with a triumphant glint in his eyes, "You can take her on dates, recite her poems, and whisper nice things in her ear, but at the end of the day, she'll always ends up in my arms." His words dripped with a cruel satisfaction, watching as the older boy tensed his jaw.
"That's it!" James exploded, propelled by a surge of frustration. He lunged at Regulus, seizing him by the collar and forcefully slamming him against a nearby shelf. "I'm going to kill you, asshole."
Regulus, undeterred, pushed his buttons further, "You don't have enough guts to do that. Go ahead and hit me. It's going to be fun explaining to Hermione what happened." The Slytherin's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with James's fiery rage.
However, the mere mention of the girl's name seemed to break the Gryffindor's resolve. The boy's grip loosened, and he pulled away, allowing the SLytherin to straighten his disheveled shirt with a smug satisfaction.
"I strongly advise that you lot get over whatever problem you have with me because I really like Hermione, and I'm not going to leave her unless she asks me to," James declared with a calm yet resolute voice, addressing the three other boys. Without uttering another word, he turned on his heel and left, leaving the lingering tension in the air.
"She's going to be so mad at us if she finds out," Barty commented, running a hand through his curls.
Evan playfully put an arm around Regulus' shoulders, "Nothing Reggie here can't handle, right?"
"Potter can fight me all he wants, he can think I'm jealous because I like Hermione," Regulus asserted, his tone firm. "I'm not going to let a boy with a school crush break her heart when she's doing everything she can to keep him alive, to make sure her best friend is born. She's risking her life, altering the timeline by getting involved with him. If he's here for the long haul, he's going to have to prove it."
Suddenly, a cascade of books crashed to the floor, echoing through the library. They turned to see Remus, Hermione's older brother, standing there with a frown etched on his face, and his mouth slightly open in surprise.
"What did you just say about my sister?" he demanded, his voice low and threatening.