James could face down a Bludger at full speed, talk back to McGonagall with a grin, and duel three Slytherins before breakfast — but asking you out? That was a different kind of courage.

He’d been pacing the corridor outside the common room for fifteen minutes, running a hand through his hair so many times it looked like he’d been electrocuted.

“Just ask,” Sirius had said, smirking. “What’s the worst that could happen? They hex you?”

James had shot him a look. “Not helping, mate.”

But he did ask. Voice a little too high-pitched, smile a little too hopeful.

“So uh, I was wondering if maybe you’d, you know, want to go out? With me. Like, not just as friends. More like… stars, food, charm- that kind of thing.”

And when you said yes, just a simple, calm, “I’d love to, James.” his brain short-circuited.

He blinked at you. “Wait… really? You- you’d actually go out with me?”

You laughed, and Merlin, that laugh lit him up brighter than a Lumos charm. “Yes, really.”

For once, James was utterly speechless.

That night, you realized that when James said he’d plan something special, he meant it.

He’d somehow convinced Professor Flitwick to let him “borrow” the Astronomy Tower for the evening. The moment you climbed the final step, your breath caught.

The stars stretched endlessly above you, glittering against a clear, inky sky. A soft blanket was laid out near the parapet, candles floating in midair, a small basket beside it filled with chocolate frogs, pumpkin pasties, and still-warm treacle tarts.

James stood there waiting, hands shoved nervously into his pockets, cheeks pink beneath the golden light. “Didn’t know what you liked, so I got… well, everything.”

You grinned. “You did all this?”

He shrugged, trying for casual and failing spectacularly. “Didn’t want to half-arse the first date with someone who actually said yes.”

You rolled your eyes fondly and took his hand, tugging him toward the blanket. The warmth of his fingers lingered, hesitant at first, as though he couldn’t quite believe you wanted to hold them.

You both sat down, trading jokes and sweets, your laughter echoing softly into the night. Every so often, he’d glance at you, quick, stolen looks that carried more than he could say aloud.

Then, as the clock tower chimed somewhere below, a slow melody began to hum through the air. James waved his wand shyly. “Thought… maybe we could dance?”

You raised a brow, smiling. “You can dance?”

“Not well,” he admitted, standing anyway and offering his hand with a grin. “But I make up for it in enthusiasm.”

You took it, laughing as he spun you under the stars. The music drifted, his hands steady on your waist, his smile softer than you’d ever seen it.

For a moment, you forgot you were at Hogwarts. It was just you and him, the smell of old stone, candlelight flickering on his face, the sound of his heartbeat when you rested your head against his chest.

When you finally pulled back, he looked dazed, eyes flicking between your face and the stars above.

“Y’know,” he murmured, voice low and honest, “I used to think I’d never stop chasing someone who didn’t want me. But now I can’t believe I ever looked anywhere else.”