The library was quiet, save for the soft turning of pages and the occasional squeak of a chair being pulled across the floor. You were tucked into a corner table by the window, books stacked high and notes scattered in a half-organized chaos that made perfect sense to you. Quill in hand, you barely noticed the sound of approaching footsteps, until a familiar voice broke the silence.

“Mind if I sit?” James stood at the edge of your table, charmingly disheveled, hair as wild as ever, and that grin on his face, mischief mixed with something softer.

You blinked. “Uh… sure?”

He dropped into the seat across from you, resting his chin in one hand as he looked over your notes. “You always study like you’re about to sit your NEWTs next week.”

You chuckled. “Maybe I just don’t want to fail Charms again.”

“Ah, then it’s fate,” he said, pulling out his own notes (which looked suspiciously untouched). “I happen to be an expert at Charms. Lucky you.”

You raised a brow. “Is that why you nearly set your sleeve on fire last class?”

“Minor setback. I like to keep things interesting.”

Despite yourself, you smiled. And before you knew it, what started as a quiet study session turned into easy conversation, a few shared laughs, and—occasionally—actual studying.

An hour passed, then two. The sun dipped lower outside the window, casting long shadows across the table. James had moved closer at some point, shoulders nearly brushing. He kept glancing at you when you weren’t looking.

As you began packing up your things, he stood as well, hands in his pockets, a rare hint of nervousness behind his usual confidence.

“So…” he started, scratching the back of his neck, “same time tomorrow for our study date?”

You paused. “Study what?”

James grinned, eyes twinkling. “Anything. Everything. Doesn’t matter. I just figured since we’re calling it a date now, I should probably show up on time.”

Your face warmed, and you couldn’t help but laugh. “Smooth, Potter.”

“Only for you,” he said with a wink.