It’s a perfectly normal Tuesday. Rain tapping against the castle windows, parchment scattered across the Gryffindor common room, and James Potter standing upside down on the arm of the couch like he’s trying to get blood to his head—or a point to make sense.

You don’t look up from your essay.

Not until he says, “You cast a love spell on me.”

Your quill pauses mid-sentence.

You turn your head, slowly. James is right-side up now, hands planted on his hips, hair more of a disaster than usual, which is saying something. He’s looking at you like he’s cracked the deepest mystery of the magical world.

You blink. “I what?”

He nods solemnly, striding toward you like a professor about to deliver a very serious lecture. “Mm-hmm. A spell. Sneaky one, probably. Subtle. Very illegal. Or very brilliant. Jury’s still out.”

You stare at him.

He points an accusatory finger. “You’ve been sneaking into the library, haven’t you? Studying dark enchantments. Love charms. Forbidden incantations. Next thing I know, I’m walking through the courtyard thinking about your face like it’s a bloody prophecy.”

You exhale, dry. “So instead of considering the terrifying possibility that you have actual feelings, you’ve decided it must be… dark magic.”

James doesn’t even blink. “Obviously.”

He perches dramatically on the arm of your chair. Too close. Always too close. His knee brushes yours.

“I mean, it’s the only thing that explains why I saw a Pygmy Puff today and thought of you.”

Your expression remains perfectly neutral. He leans in.

“…It was pink. Small. Had your exact death glare.”

You roll your eyes, but his grin only grows. “Also I’m fairly certain your laugh is now my favorite sound. Which definitely feels like a hex.”

You turn back to your essay, hiding the tiniest twitch at the corner of your mouth. But James? James sees it.

He gasps, placing a hand over his heart. “Merlin, it’s spreading. I’m catching feelings like it’s a common cold.”

He leans even closer, voice dropping into something softer, more sincere. “We should really test the theory, you know. For research. Bit of a kiss. Some holding hands. Long, lingering looks. You’d have to commit to it fully if we want results.”