Ava Slora and James Potter have hated each other since they were ten, ever since their fathers-old Hogwarts friends-joked at an annual dinner about them getting married one day. James immediately dismissed the idea, declaring he'd never marry a girl...
The Gryffindor common room was unusually packed for a Tuesday evening, but that was just how it worked lately. Ever since Ava and James had stopped trying to kill each other and started acting like two people who maybe—maybe—liked the sound of each other's laughter, their two friend groups had slowly fused into one chaotic, loud, unstoppable mess.
Tonight, the girls had claimed their usual territory near the fireplace. Ava sat cross-legged on one of the large cushions, her boots kicked off and resting beside her. Jamie and Maeve had flanked her with mugs of spiced cider in hand, while Dorcas and Marlene—who had every reason to be there, being actual Gryffindors—were spread out on the couch, legs tangled and halfway into each other's space.
They were mid-discussion about who would most likely survive a zombie apocalypse. (Dorcas claimed she would weaponize Marlene's hairbrush. Marlene insisted she'd charm her way out with a wink and a knife.)
Ava laughed as Jamie declared she'd just flirt with the zombies, and Maeve—dramatically clutching a throw pillow—sighed, "Honestly, let them eat me. Less homework."
Just as Ava was about to contribute her plan of escaping to the library tower and leaving everyone else behind, the portrait hole swung open with a groan, and in marched the Marauders, loud and wind-chilled from their evening wander.
Sirius was first through the door, dramatically announcing, "Your favorite disaster has arrived."
Remus followed with a long-suffering sigh. "And unfortunately, he brought company."
Peter waved politely. James came in last, eyes scanning the room until they landed on Ava almost instantly.
She pretended not to notice the way his whole face lit up.
"Look at that," Sirius said, taking in the scene with mock horror. "The Hufflepuff invasion continues."
Jamie raised her cider. "You love it."
"Don't lie to me with that perfect hair," Sirius muttered, collapsing onto the floor between Maeve and Jamie and immediately stealing someone's blanket. Remus sat near Dorcas and Marlene, giving Ava a warm smile as he leaned his head back against the couch. Peter hovered awkwardly for a moment before perching on a stool.
James, however, frowned dramatically and looked around the room.
"Oi," he said, "where am I supposed to sit?"
Ava arched a brow. "The floor. Like the peasant you are."
"Blasphemy," he replied. "This is my tower."
"Well, it's our common room now," Maeve said smugly, "sorry about it."
James pressed a hand to his heart. "Betrayal. In my own home."
"You'll survive," Dorcas muttered.
Still standing, James scanned the room again and then looked straight at Ava, a glint in his eye. "Only one seat left I see."
Ava narrowed her eyes. "Don't even—"
He grinned. "Guess you'll have to sit on my lap."
There was a moment of pause. Just long enough for everyone to register it.
Dorcas blinked. Maeve choked on her drink. Jamie nearly dropped her mug.
Ava didn't flinch.
"Oh, darling," she said, voice sugary and sweet, "if I sat on your lap, I'd break your legs and your spirit."
The room exploded.
Jamie howled, leaning into Maeve. Marlene threw her head back laughing. Sirius clutched his chest like he'd been blessed by the gods of entertainment.
Remus muttered something like "she's not wrong" under his breath while trying to keep his smile contained.
James, for his part, didn't even try to hide his grin. "Worth it."
Ava smirked, eyes glittering. "You say that now."
"You threatening to hurt me is, like, oddly comforting these days."
"I'm consistent," she said, sipping from her cup.
He finally gave up and sat on the floor next to her, bumping her knee lightly with his own. She didn't move away. Instead, she leaned back on one hand, stretching her legs out and letting the warm, flickering fire light play against the curve of her cheek.
Sirius shook his head, still recovering. "You two are gonna kill me one day."
"You'll die happy," Maeve added.
"And dramatically," Jamie said.
"I accept this," Sirius replied solemnly, raising his stolen mug in a toast.
The conversation shifted again, back to whether a boggart would take on the form of a student loan or an exam scroll, but James and Ava stayed close, trading small glances and quiet jokes under their breath. It wasn't loud. It wasn't over-the-top.
But it was there.
The kind of ease that came from knowing exactly what to say and how far to push it. From a hundred shared silences by the lake, and stolen laughs in the library, and a hand that reached for yours even when it didn't have to.
Ava nudged his arm with her foot.
He looked over.
She smiled, slow and lopsided. "Still want me to sit on your lap?"
James grinned. "Maybe next time."
And they both knew the joke wasn't just a joke anymore.
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jamespotter replied to your story!
jamespotter now you are a slytherin? your boyfriend is a bad influence
avaslora i look good in every colour and he is not my boyfriend
