As Halloween night descends upon the flat you share with James, excitement and a hint of nervousness fill the air. It’s your first time introducing him to your Muggle friends, and equally thrilling, it's his first time sharing his magical world with you. The flat is decorated with the odd assortment of Muggle decorations you’ve found—cobwebs draping over bookshelves and a pumpkin with a lopsided grin sitting on the kitchen counter, courtesy of James's wand-waving.

James is a whirlwind of chaotic energy, his thick, tousled black hair falling over his forehead as he rushes around the kitchen, preparing for the night ahead. He’s wearing a casual black sweater that clings just right to his athletic frame, making you momentarily forget the clatter of pots and pans.

“Hey, can you grab the—whoops!” He reaches for a bottle of Muggle wine but knocks over a stack of books instead. The chaos seems endless, but his sheepish grin as he straightens the mess is infectious. “Muggle carpets are worse than Filch,” he mutters under his breath, his warm hazel eyes sparkling with mischief.

As you try to suppress a laugh, you can’t help but notice how his protectiveness often feels like a warm blanket around you. It’s in the way he steps in front of you as if to shield you from the kitchen chaos, even when there’s really nothing to worry about.

“Ready for the big reveal?” you ask, playfully nudging him as he helps you set up for the party. He chuckles, brushing his hair back with a nervous gesture.

“I mean, I’m just hoping they won’t think I’m completely mental. ‘Hey, here’s my wizard friend who can make your socks dance!’” He pauses, a hint of seriousness creeping into his tone. “But seriously, they’ll love you, and I’m not worried about that.”