The day dawned bright and crisp, with the kind of spring sunshine that carried a faint promise of summer warmth. The sixth years were bustling with nervous energy as they gathered near the Hogwarts gates, waiting for the short trek to Hogsmeade where the Apparition exam would be held.

The village square had been temporarily cordoned off for the event, Ministry officials fluttering about like busy bees, setting up designated apparition points with chalked circles on the cobblestones. Small clusters of students milled about, practising their wand movements or muttering reminders to themselves about the "Three Ds" — Destination, Determination, and Deliberation.

Hermione stood with James, Sirius, Remus, and Lily, each of them carrying varying degrees of confidence. James, of course, looked as though he had no doubt he would pass, while Sirius was idly twirling his wand between his fingers, pretending nonchalance but glancing often at the examiners with a gleam of anticipation in his grey eyes. Remus, though calm outwardly, was subtly rubbing his palms against his robes, as if shaking off nervous energy. Lily was reviewing her notes one last time, her lips moving silently, while Hermione stood to the side, steadying herself with a few deep breaths.

Peter hovered awkwardly nearby, offering moral support but clearly disappointed he couldn't take the exam yet. "Don't mess it up, Pads," he teased Sirius with a grin. "Otherwise, we'll never hear the end of it."

"Oh, please," Sirius replied with mock offence. "I could Apparate circles around you in my sleep."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. "That's a sure way to end up splinched."

"Details, details," Sirius said breezily, waving her off.

The exam began with small groups being called forward. The students were instructed to Apparate from one marked circle to another across the square, their target not visible to them, then return to their original spot. Hermione watched as the first group disappeared with varying degrees of success—some popping back effortlessly, others reappearing with minor mishaps. One unlucky student returned missing an eyebrow, prompting a sharp reprimand from the examiner.

When it was their turn, James shot Hermione a confident grin. "See you on the other side," he said, stepping into his circle.

Sirius winked at her. "Don't miss me too much while I'm gone."

"Just focus, Sirius," Hermione replied, shaking her head.

The examiner's voice rang out: "On the count of three. One… two… three!"

With a collective crack, the group vanished. Hermione felt the familiar squeezing sensation, like being pulled through a narrow tube, before the world righted itself. She opened her eyes to find herself standing perfectly within her target circle. Relief swept over her as she glanced around. James was already smirking, his hand brushing his hair, while Sirius struck a dramatic pose, as if waiting for applause.

Lily and Remus appeared moments later, both looking equally composed. Hermione caught Remus's eye, and he gave her a small, encouraging nod.

"Piece of cake," James declared as they were directed to return to their original circles.

This time, Sirius's landing was slightly off—his foot outside the circle—but he laughed it off as the examiner merely raised an eyebrow. "Precision, Mr Black," she chided, marking her clipboard.

When the group reconvened, they exchanged triumphant smiles, each of them officially certified to Apparate. Peter was the first to bound over to congratulate them.

"You all passed?" he asked, though his question was rhetorical as he glanced at their glowing faces.

"Of course we passed," Sirius said, draping an arm over Remus's shoulder. "Now we have another way to sneak off and cause trouble."

"Except you can't Apparate inside the Hogwarts wards," Hermione reminded him pointedly.

"Details, Kitten, details," Sirius said, grinning.

As they made their way back to Hogwarts, the group was buzzing with excitement, even Peter sharing in their joy. James fell into step beside Hermione, his hand brushing hers.

"First place we're going this summer?" he asked, his hazel eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Not the kitchens," Hermione said firmly, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

"We'll see about that," James replied with a wink.


Exploring the Forbidden Forest with a werewolf in tow always came with its share of risks, but the Marauders prided themselves on their carefully planned routines. Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans could go awry when dealing with the unpredictable nature of Moony.

It started innocently enough. Wormtail, scurrying ahead, sniffed out a path through a dense patch of underbrush. He led Moony into a small clearing, seemingly harmless—until Moony froze mid-step, his nose twitching violently.

The first sneeze tore through the night with a deafening sound. The sheer force of it startled everyone. Prongs, in his stag form, whipped his head around, his antlers narrowly missing a low-hanging branch. Padfoot growled softly in confusion, his dog-like eyes darting to the blooming bluish-purple flowers scattered across the clearing.

Hermione, still in her Animagus form as an ermine, scrambled onto Prongs's back for a better vantage point. Her sharp eyes scanned the area, and her stomach dropped as she identified the plants. Wolfsbane.

Moony sneezed again, violently shaking his head, his snout pointing upward as he fought another sneezing fit.

Padfoot barked sharply, his tail wagging in agitation as he circled Moony, trying to corral him back toward the path. Prongs joined in, nudging Moony gently with his antlers to guide him out of the clearing. Hermione squeaked, her tiny form darting toward Wormtail, who was still scuttling cluelessly ahead.

Realising his mistake, Wormtail froze, his beady eyes widening in alarm. He squeaked an apology and bolted back to the group, weaving between Moony's legs. The werewolf huffed, his nose twitching uncontrollably, another sneeze building.

The sound echoed through the forest, scattering birds from the trees and sending smaller creatures into hiding. Moony stumbled, his paws scratching at the ground, clearly agitated.

Prongs and Padfoot exchanged a glance, silent communication passing between them. Padfoot barked again, this time more insistently, while Prongs nudged Moony harder, steering him back toward the Shack. Hermione scampered ahead, her small form weaving through the undergrowth to scout the safest path.

The trek back was chaotic. Moony sneezed constantly, his body wracked with hitching breaths as the wolfsbane's pollen clung to his sensitive nose. Every sneeze was louder and more forceful than the last, making it difficult to keep him moving.

When they finally reached the Shack, Moony collapsed onto the wooden floor, his nose still twitching, and let out a frustrated growl.

Padfoot trotted over to him, sniffing cautiously before looking to Prongs, who lowered his head in concern. Hermione, darting through a narrow crack in the trapdoor, squeaked once before disappearing into the night.


Hermione didn't waste a moment. As soon as she realised what was needed, she slipped through the castle's quiet halls, her footsteps light but purposeful. Navigating the dimly lit corridors, she kept an ear out for Filch or Mrs Norris, her heart pounding in her chest. Darting into the Hospital Wing, she moved quickly toward Madam Pomfrey's potions cabinet.

The moonlight streaming through the high windows gave just enough illumination to see the neatly labelled shelves. Her fingers brushed over the glass phials until she found what she was looking for—a small, labelled container of antihistamine potion. Clutching it tightly, Hermione retraced her steps back to the Shack, her pace quick but careful to avoid detection without the Map and Cloak to help her.

The first rays of dawn began to pierce the horizon as she approached the Shack through the tunnel. She slipped through the trapdoor quietly, the potion secure in her hands. Inside, the room was dim and still, save for the muffled sounds of the transformation ending. Hermione hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the main chamber.

Remus, now back in human form but looking utterly miserable, sat slumped against the wall, his face pale and his eyes red and watery.

"Morning, Remus," Hermione said softly, kneeling beside him and offering him the phial. "Drink this. Quickly."

His eyes, puffy and bloodshot, widened slightly. "You… you brought an antihistamine potion?"

"Of course," she said, rolling her eyes. "What did you think I was doing? Sleeping?"

Remus chuckled weakly, wincing as another sneeze threatened to build. "You're a lifesaver, Hermione."

He took the phial, downing it in one go. Almost immediately, his breathing evened out, and the redness in his eyes began to fade. Though he still looked exhausted, the worst of the allergic reaction seemed to subside.

"Thank Merlin," he murmured, leaning his head back against the wall. "Pomfrey would've had questions for days."

"Well, try not to sneeze too much," Hermione said, a teasing lilt to her voice. "I didn't sneak into the castle at dawn just for you to blow our cover."

Remus gave her a tired smile. "I'll do my best."


By the time Madam Pomfrey arrived to check on him, Remus was thankfully no longer sneezing, though his eyes were still a bit red, and he had to stifle the occasional sniffle.

Pomfrey frowned, giving him a scrutinising look. "You look a bit tired, Mr Lupin. Are you sure you're feeling well?"

"Just dusty," he said smoothly, his voice steady despite the lingering effects of the wolfsbane. "The Shack could use a cleaning."

Pomfrey nodded slowly, though her gaze lingered. "If you feel anything unusual, come straight to me."

"Of course," he replied with a faint smile.


That afternoon, in the boys' dormitory, the Marauders lounged in their usual post-full-moon haze. The windows were cracked open to let in some fresh spring air, the sun streaming through and warming the room. Sirius stretched out on his bed, lazily tossing a ball in the air, while James perched on the edge of a chair, scribbling something on a scrap of parchment. Remus sat propped up against his headboard, a blanket draped around his shoulders, and Hermione was tucked into the corner of the room, perched on Peter's desk.

Sirius tossed the ball at Remus, who caught it clumsily with one hand, his other occupied with a handkerchief. "Well, Moony, you survived another one. Barely."

Remus sniffled, giving him a half-hearted glare before tossing the ball back. "Thanks for the reminder, Pads. It's not like I lived through the sneezing symphony or anything."

Sirius grinned. "You have to admit, mate, a sneezing werewolf is kind of hilarious."

"Only when you're not the one sneezing," Remus shot back, stifling another sneeze into his handkerchief.

"Bless you," Hermione said pointedly, shooting Sirius a look. She pushed off the desk and walked over to sit beside Remus on the edge of his bed. "And let's not forget whose brilliant idea it was to wander so far into the forest."

"I wasn't the one who wandered us into a clearing full of wolfsbane!" Sirius protested, sitting up now, his grin fading slightly.

"That's true," James chimed in, looking up from his parchment. "Wormtail, care to explain why you didn't check ahead properly?"

Peter, who was sitting cross-legged on his bed with an open book, looked sheepish. "I didn't recognize it," he admitted, his face flushed. "I mean, I'm not exactly an expert on dangerous plants…"

"Clearly," Hermione muttered, folding her arms.

Remus chuckled softly, though it quickly turned into a muffled sneeze. He sighed, rubbing at his nose with a tired expression. "Alright, let's not pile on Wormtail too much. We all missed it."

"Speak for yourself," Sirius said with mock indignation. "I smelled it. It just hit me too late to stop him."

"You smelled it?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow. "And you didn't think to warn us sooner?"

Sirius shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a sheepish glint in his eyes. "I might've been a bit distracted."

"Distracted?" James repeated, smirking. "By what? A butterfly?"

"No," Sirius said dramatically, flopping back onto his bed. "By the sheer thrill of running with Moony, obviously."

Remus rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "Right. The thrill. How could I forget?"

Hermione shook her head, exasperated but amused. "For the record," she said, fixing them all with a stern look, "next time, someone needs to scout ahead properly. And avoid leading Moony into random clearings. Agreed?"

The boys exchanged glances before nodding, albeit reluctantly.

"Agreed," Sirius said with a dramatic sigh. "But only if you agree to be our official plant expert from now on, Kitten."

Hermione rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "Fine. But don't call me Kitten when I'm trying to save your necks."

Sirius grinned. "Deal."

Remus, still sniffling occasionally, gave her a grateful look. "Thanks again, Hermione. For the potion and everything."

"It's what I do," she replied softly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "But really, no more wolfsbane, alright?"

"Noted," Remus said, holding up his hand as if making a solemn vow. "No more wolfsbane."

"Good," Hermione said, leaning back slightly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I've earned a quiet evening of studying."

"Studying?" Sirius groaned, flopping back onto his bed again. "You're ruining the mood, Kitten."

James smirked, tossing a pillow at Sirius. "Don't listen to him, Hermione. You saved the day. That alone deserves a break."

Hermione laughed softly, shaking her head as she headed for the door after a quick kiss on his cheek. "Good luck getting them to behave, Remus."

Remus grinned, though his red-rimmed eyes betrayed his exhaustion. "I'll need it."

"Oh, and just to be sure, add the antihistamine potion to the supply list for our stash down there," Hermione said over her shoulder.

"On it!" James called after her.


The last hurrah before exams truly consumed everyone's minds was Peter's birthday on May 14th. The boys, still harbouring some good-natured resentment about Peter not recognising aconite during their last moonlit outing ten days earlier, decided to lean into it. Naturally, Sirius took charge, declaring the birthday party theme with a flourish: Herbology.

The Gryffindor common room, always a little chaotic, was transformed into a haphazard jungle of enchanted plants. James and Sirius had raided the greenhouse earlier that day, with Sirius charming vines to drape dramatically over the furniture while James animated fake puffapods to pop out bursts of confetti when triggered.

Peter stopped in his tracks as he entered the room, his eyes darting around the transformed space. "What is all this?"

"Your birthday extravaganza," Sirius declared, waving his arms like a showman. "We thought you could use a crash course in plant recognition. You know, for next time."

"Next time?" Peter echoed warily, his voice rising slightly.

"Relax," Remus said, patting him on the back with a grin. "They're mostly harmless. Mostly."

Peter's eyes narrowed as he spotted Hermione sitting cross-legged by a small table, surrounded by a collection of tiny potted plants. "Don't tell me you're going to make me study on my birthday."

"Study?" Hermione said, looking genuinely offended. "Of course not. But they did rope me into organising a little quiz game." She gestured at Sirius and James with mock exasperation. "Apparently, I'm the only one who can name most of these plants correctly."

"Why do I even need this?" Peter protested, though his grin betrayed his amusement. "I don't even have N.E.W.T. Herbology!"

"Exactly," Sirius shot back, plopping a wizard's hat onto Peter's head. "That's the problem, Wormtail. You're a Herbology hazard."

The games began with an over-the-top round of "Name That Plant," where Peter had to guess the names of various enchanted plants Sirius conjured. Each correct answer earned him a sweet from a Honeydukes box, while every incorrect answer resulted in James charming a nearby fern to spray him with water.

"Oh, come on!" Peter shouted after his third dousing. "That wasn't even a real plant!"

"It was too!" Sirius insisted, his grin wicked. "I call it 'Sirius's Surprise Sprayer.'"

Even Hermione, usually the voice of reason, was laughing too hard to intervene. "Alright, alright, let's move on to something a bit less damp," she said between giggles. "How about—"

"Cake!" Peter interrupted, raising a hand like a student in class. "No more games. I demand cake."

"Fine," Sirius said, dramatically waving his wand to summon the centrepiece: a cake shaped like a Venomous Tentacula. Its frosting tentacles wriggled unnervingly as Sirius placed it on the table with a flourish.

Peter stared at it, horrified and impressed in equal measure. "Leave it to you to make even cake unsettling."

"Go on, Wormtail," James said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Cut it before it attacks someone."

Peter hesitated, then plunged the knife into the cake. It let out a faint squelching sound, causing the group to burst into laughter again.

As they dug into the cake, Peter finally relaxed, leaning back in his chair with a contented grin. "Alright, I'll admit, this is brilliant," he said through a mouthful of frosting. "Even if you're all completely mad."

"Happy birthday, Wormtail," Sirius said, raising his slice of cake in a mock toast after casting a privacy charm. "And here's to no more sneezing werewolves."

Peter groaned but raised his cake slice in return, his laughter joining the others' as they celebrated the perfect send-off before exam season claimed them all.


The next month went by in a blur, with a particularly uneventful June full moon in the middle. Now that the exams had just finished, and the weight of months of studying had lifted from their shoulders. The Great Hall was abuzz with chatter and laughter as students celebrated their freedom. Hermione sat beside James at the Gryffindor table, idly picking at a slice of pie while James scribbled something in his copy of their enchanted notebooks.

He chuckled, closing the notebook with a snap. "You know, I didn't think Lily Evans would end up being my most active pen pal."

Hermione glanced up, her brow arching slightly. "She's been writing to you a lot?"

"Yeah, mostly about her ideas for Head duties for next year. She is really hoping to get it. Prefect schedules, patrols, that sort of thing," James said casually, leaning back in his seat. "But it's odd. Feels like she's actually trying to be… friendly? It's different."

Hermione hesitated, glancing around to ensure no one was paying too close attention before speaking. "Well, she's been showing signs of taking interest in you since that whole Valentine's Day note mishap."

James blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Wait, what? What signs?"

Hermione shrugged, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Little things. Glances in the Great Hall, asking Remus about you, spending more time with us…"

"And?" James asked, leaning forward, his hazel eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What are you trying to say?"

Taking a deep breath, Hermione fixed her gaze on the table. "I'm saying… if you wanted to pursue something with her, I wouldn't be angry. I just want you to be happy, James."

Silence fell between them for a moment, and when James finally spoke, his tone was incredulous. "Are you—are you seriously suggesting that? What, is this some witch thing I don't know about? Sharing a wizard? Or it will be… in the future?"

Hermione's head snapped up, her face turning crimson. "What? No! That's not what I meant! Not that people don't… I mean, some probably do, but—" She stopped herself, burying her face in her hands. "Merlin's beard, that's not what I was trying to say."

James crossed his arms, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips despite his bewilderment. "Then what were you trying to say, Kitten?"

Hermione peeked out from behind her hands, her voice barely above a whisper. "I meant… if you wanted to be with her, I'd step aside."

James froze, his expression shifting from amusement to shock. "Step aside?" he repeated, his voice rising enough to draw a few glances from nearby students. "Have you gone completely mad?"

Hermione winced. "James, I just meant—"

"You're insane," he interrupted, running a hand through his hair. "Do you honestly think I'd ever give you up? For anyone?"

"James—"

"No, seriously. What do I have to do to prove it to you?" He was speaking louder now, and more heads were turning their way. "Should I get down on one knee right here?"

Hermione's eyes widened. "Don't you dare—"

But James was already moving, sliding off the bench and onto one knee in the middle of the Great Hall. The chatter around them died down as people realised what was happening, and Hermione clapped her hands over her mouth, her heart pounding.

"James," she hissed, her face burning with embarrassment. "Get up!"

He ignored her, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small, velvet box. "I'm not joking, Hermione. If this is what it takes to convince you, then fine." He flipped the box open, revealing a beautiful ring, with the band delicately adorned with small, sparkling diamonds, in the focal point of the ring was a small triangle-shaped frame crafted from gold, with a single round diamond set at its centre. "Hermione Prewett, will you marry me?"

Gasps rippled through the hall, and Hermione felt her knees go weak. She stared at him, tears brimming in her eyes, completely stunned.

"Please say something," James said with a crooked grin, though his voice was tinged with nervousness. "Don't leave me hanging here."

Hermione finally found her voice, though it was shaky. "Yes," she whispered, then louder, "Yes! A thousand times yes!" She laughed, covering her face as tears spilled over. "I was just shocked."

James stood, slipping the ring onto her finger with a grin that lit up the entire room. The hall erupted into cheers and applause, with Sirius whooping the loudest of all.

"Finally!" Sirius yelled, throwing his hands in the air with exaggerated flair. "Took you long enough, Prongs!"

James chuckled, ignoring his friend as he turned back to Hermione. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. Pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, he murmured, "Told you. There's no one else. Ever."

Hermione leaned into him, her fingers brushing against the ring now adorning her hand. Her voice was soft but curious. "How long have you been carrying that in your pocket?"

James gave her a sheepish grin. "Ever since my birthday."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Your birthday? That was in March! You've had this for months?"

"Well…" he began, his grin turning a touch smug. "Technically, I picked it out from the family vault last summer. You went home for Percy's birth, and I figured… well, I figured I'd need it someday. But you know… can't make engagements official until you are of age."

Hermione blinked, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her again. "You've been planning this for that long?"

"Of course," he said simply, his hazel eyes shining with sincerity. "The moment I realised I didn't just love you—I couldn't imagine my life without you—I knew. And I wasn't going to let anything stop me when the moment was right."

Her throat tightened, and she could only manage a small laugh, brushing at her tears. "You're impossible, James Potter."

He smirked, brushing a stray curl from her face. "Impossible to resist, maybe."

Sirius groaned dramatically from the side. "Oh, Merlin, save us. The two of you are going to make me sick with all this sappiness."

"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Padfoot," James shot back, his arm still firmly around Hermione's waist.

"I'm not jealous," Sirius retorted, though the twinkle in his eyes betrayed him. "I just don't understand how you managed to pull this off without screwing it up, Prongs."

Remus chuckled from the corner. "Because somehow, Sirius, even James gets things right once in a while."

Peter, who had been watching with wide eyes, finally piped up. "So, uh… does this mean we're going to have a Marauder wedding someday?"

Hermione laughed despite herself, the absurdity of it breaking the tension. "Let's focus on finishing school first, shall we?"

James leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers. "One step at a time," he agreed softly. "But you're stuck with me now."

Hermione smiled, her heart full. "Wouldn't have it any other way."


The late afternoon sun streamed through the dormitory windows, casting a warm glow over the mess of trunks and scattered clothes as the girls packed for their journey home. Hermione had been quietly folding her robes and double-checking her books when Lily's voice pierced the air.

"Alright, Hermione, spill!" Lily said, hands on her hips as she stood at the foot of Hermione's bed, her green eyes gleaming with determination.

Marlene, lounging on her own trunk, grinned wickedly. "Yeah, we want to see the ring. Don't think you can just walk around with that on your finger and not show it off!"

Alice clapped her hands together, practically bouncing on her heels. "Oh, it's so exciting! I still can't believe it! James Potter, proposing in the middle of the Great Hall—what were you two even arguing about right before?"

Hermione flushed, her hands instinctively going to her pocket where she had tucked the ring away for safekeeping while packing, not wanting for it to get caught on the metal reinforcers of her trunk by accident. "It wasn't an argument," she muttered defensively. "It was just… a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding that led to an engagement," Mary teased, flopping onto her bed with a wide grin. "Honestly, you two couldn't be more dramatic if you tried."

With a sigh, Hermione slipped the ring out and held it up. The dorm erupted in squeals of delight.

"Oh, it's gorgeous," Lily breathed, moving closer to examine it. "Look at the little diamonds on the band—and that triangle design! So unique."

"It's perfect," Alice agreed, leaning in to get a better look. "Not too flashy, but still so elegant. Very you, Hermione."

"Very her?" Marlene snorted. "That's all Potter, I'd say. Bet he spent hours agonising over it, probably had a whole vault full of options and narrowed it down like he was picking his next Quidditch strategy."

Hermione laughed despite herself, sliding the ring onto her finger for them to admire. "He actually said he picked it out last summer."

"And he's been holding onto it this whole time?" Lily raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That's… surprisingly patient of him."

Mary tilted her head, studying Hermione with a curious expression, unfortunately having missed the thing first hand in the Great Hall. "Did you say yes right away, or did you make him sweat a little?"

"I was stunned," Hermione admitted, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. "He was so serious about it, even got down on one knee in front of everyone. I don't think my brain was working properly—I just nodded like an idiot."

"Sounds like you," Marlene teased, but there was affection in her tone. "Always overthinking everything."

Lily reached out and touched Hermione's arm gently. "But you're happy, right? Like, really happy?"

Hermione smiled, the kind of smile that made her whole face light up. "I am. It still feels a little surreal, but… yeah, I'm happy."

"Good," Alice said firmly, folding her arms. "Because if you weren't, we'd have to have words with Potter."

"Oh, please," Mary laughed. "Hermione could outsmart him any day."

"And I could outfly you," came a familiar voice from the doorway. James leaned casually against the frame, his grin as cocky as ever. "Are you all ganging up on my fiancée in here?"

"Fiancée," Marlene drawled, smirking. "You're really milking that title, aren't you, Potter?"

"Absolutely," he shot back without hesitation. "Now, hands off, ladies. I need her help packing."

"Help you pack?" Hermione rolled her eyes, but the fondness in her voice was unmistakable. "You mean you haven't started?"

"I figured you'd be better at it," he said with a shrug, then winked. "Besides, I'd rather spend the time with you."

Lily gave Hermione a knowing look as James tugged her toward the door. "Just so you know, we're not done yet. We need details."

"I'm sure you'll get them," Hermione called over her shoulder, though her cheeks were burning as James led her out.

"How did you even get up here?!" Lily's voice rang out after them, her tone somewhere between scandalised and impressed. "The stairs are supposed to turn into a slide if a boy steps on them!"

Hermione stopped in her tracks, glancing at James if he was going to give his secret away, who grinned smugly and held up the broomstick in his hand. "You really think a little charm like that is going to stop me, Evans?" he called back, his hazel eyes twinkling with amusement. "I just hovered up. Easy peasy."

Lily rolled her eyes, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like, "Of course he did."

Marlene, however, burst into laughter from her perch on her bed. "Only you, Mr Quidditch Captain. Seriously. Couldn't wait two seconds for her to come down, so you broke centuries of dormitory security rules."

"Not the first time I've broken the rules, McKinnon," James shot back, slinging an arm around Hermione's shoulders as he hovered just above the steps on his broomstick. His feet never touched the enchanted stairs, ensuring he didn't trigger the infamous slide mechanism.

Hermione shot him a look, half-exasperated and half-amused, as she walked beside him. "You're ridiculous, you know that? You could've waited downstairs like a normal person."

James grinned, adjusting his grip on the broom with one hand while keeping his other arm firmly around her. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, I've got a reputation to maintain."

"You mean the reputation of being a troublemaker who gets away with bending the rules?" Hermione teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly," he replied with a wink, as if it were a badge of honour.

From the top of the stairs, Lily shouted after them, her hands on her hips. "You're a menace, Potter! If McGonagall finds out, she'll have your head."

James turned, still hovering effortlessly, and called back, "Then it's a good thing McGonagall likes me!" He gave Lily a cheeky salute before focusing on the descent, careful not to bump into the walls.

Hermione rolled her eyes, though the corners of her mouth twitched in amusement. "You're going to get yourself killed one day with that overconfidence."

"Maybe," James said, tilting his head to look at her, his grin softening into something fonder. "But not before marrying you."

Hermione's cheeks turned pink, and she shook her head, fighting a smile. "You're incorrigible."

"And yet, you still said yes," he teased, leaning in closer as they reached the base of the stairs, his broomstick still hovering a foot off the ground. "Guess that makes us a perfect match."


A/N: Ring inspiration (and yes it is deliberate, it will have meaning later that this is a Peverell family heirloom ring): pinterest pin/38562140554512896/