Where: Three Broomsticks Who: Open

“First of all, it was Enchantments for the Moderately Ambitious, thank you very much, and I finished reading that yesterday— this, I'll have you know, is a muggle novel.” Remus retorted, shooting James a mock glare as he tucked the book tighter against his chest. “And second—if you’re feeling neglected, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself. You’re the one who decided Sirius’ bad ideas were a better use of your time than keeping me company earlier.”

He tilted his head slightly, eyebrows arching as James’ pout morphed into full-blown theatrics. “Oh, the tragedy of poor, forsaken James Potter,” he said dryly, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “Trapped indoors while the world turns! Forced to entertain himself without resorting to actual effort. What a fate.”

Remus finally sighed, closing the book with exaggerated care and letting it rest on his lap. “Fine. Five minutes. But don’t think I’m going to chase you around the Quidditch pitch or wrestle with you like Padfoot. My day’s been peaceful, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

He glanced out the window, squinting at the perfectly blue sky, and then back at James, whose grin was somehow as bright as the sunlight outside. “Expand my mind in other ways,” Remus echoed, feigning thoughtfulness. “You mean like how you expanded it the last time you convinced me to come outside? I’m still recovering from the fallout of your ‘charming’ use of that levitation charm on Sirius.”

But he couldn’t quite keep the amusement out of his voice as he stood, leaving the book carefully on the chair. “Come on then, Potter. You’ve got five minutes to prove this isn’t a terrible idea.”

“Chill out, Moony," James smiled, still reaching for the book his friend clutched like he couldn't bear to be torn from it. "I’m not trying to ruin the riveting love affair you've got going on with Advanced Spells for Overachievers-" he grunted. "-or whatever that is.”

"Guilty." He said with the blinding flash of a smile. "And some of us are feeling neglected." An overexaggerated pout forged its way onto James' faced, only slightly marred by the fact he had just been smiling. "I'm just saying, you've been glued to that for hours. It can't be that interesting." One final attempt at reaching for Remus' new love interest, and James finally gave up, hands in the air in defeat. "Come on. Sirius is off doing Merlin-knows-what, Peter’s probably off whispering sweet nothings to the kitchen's elves, and here I am: dangerously close to falling asleep from boredom... in the middle of the day!”

He flopped down beside Remus. “What do I want, you ask? Only your undivided attention for five minutes. Maybe seven." Looking doe-eyed at his best mate, James relented. "Okay, maybe a lot longer than that. But look, it's nice out!" He pointed out the window, through which he could miraculously see the blue sky. "And you're making me stay indoors. It's not right."

James nudged the corner of the book with a finger, grinning as he added: “Come on, Moony. Expand your mind in other ways.”

Narcissa’s lips twitched, the barest flicker of amusement threatening to break her practised poise. She tilted her head, her pale hair catching the soft glow of the light, and regarded James with the kind of cool detachment reserved for overly eager performers.

"Ah, yes," she began, her tone a perfect blend of dryness and sharpness, "your happy helping of arrogance, recklessness, and that unyielding Gryffindor optimism. A truly baffling concoction. It’s a wonder you’ve made it this far without collapsing under the weight of it all."

She closed her book with a deliberate slowness, letting the pause linger just long enough to keep him guessing. When she spoke again, her voice was softer but no less cutting, with an edge carefully hidden beneath her smooth delivery. "You’re fortunate, James. Most wouldn’t tolerate such impudence. But then, I suspect you’ve always counted on your audacity to carry you through. I hear you have a knack for landing on your feet—no matter how recklessly you leap."

Her gaze briefly caught his, the faintest flicker of something teasing glinting in her eyes before she glanced at the book. She ran a finger along its spine, as if reminding herself that she had far better uses for her time, though the smirk playing at her lips suggested otherwise. "As for my reading," she said, her voice now laced with mockery, "it’s hardly the sort of thing you’d grasp easily. Some pursuits, after all, require more than sheer determination and an oversized grin."

She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms with the grace of someone who knew exactly how to command attention without asking for it. After a brief pause, her smirk deepened, a glimmer of amusement finally betraying her mask of indifference.

"Still," she continued, her voice lowering ever so slightly, "do feel free to keep trying to amuse me, James. Who knows? One of these days, you might even succeed."

With that, she reopened her book, her expression calm and composed, though her eyes betrayed the faintest spark of intrigue—a sign, perhaps, that she found him far more entertaining than she’d ever admit.

James grinned, large and proud. It was the kind of grin that could disarm or infuriate, depending on the other person. Although knowing the blonde before him, he anticipated the latter, but ever optimist, James thought today might just be the day she would surprise him. Still, he didn't shy away from a challenge, so he settled into what was now his seat with warmth. He wouldn't have joined Narcissa had he bothered to look (and would make a note to do so next time), but as it happened, he was willing to ride the wave today. And most others, if he was honest.

"Well, good morning to you too, Narcissa," he said brightly. The juxtaposition between their tones might've been jarring without context. "I see you've been working on that winning personality of yours. That's an E for Exceeds Expectations. Keep it up and you might just earn that O you've been vying for."

James' eyes moved to the book as she placed it, with purpose, on the table before them. Pulled away from it by her continued line of questioning, he peered up at her again. James wasn't sure whether he'd rather dodge her curses or her questions. But, ever the good sport, he plowed on ahead. "Oh, how well you know me. Let's say it's a happy helping of all three." He raised his brows a moment, his bright smile still plastered onto his lips. "Besides, you know you secretly live for these little interruptions of mine."

James leaned in again, eyeing the book. "So, what is it today? A gripping tale about the trials and triumphs of good, old-fashioned wizarding families? Or a thrilling essay on the remarkable allure of whatever shade of emerald you'll no doubt be wearing to Sluggie's Christmas Party?"

{ mary tag dump }

Mary raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk as she crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “You thrive in chaos? I’d never have guessed, Black,” she quipped, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. “And here I was thinking you were the poster boy for order and discipline.”

Her gaze flicked over to the window where the moonlight spilled in, painting the room in silvery hues. “As for me,” she continued, fixing him with an amused look, “I was actually enjoying the quiet—something you seem determined to disrupt. But I suppose it’s hard to expect peace when Sirius Black is on the prowl, keeping lonely ghosts company and all.”

She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin in her hand, her smirk deepening. “Skipping essays for mayhem, though? Tempting offer. Care to elaborate on the mayhem, or is it the type of thing one just needs to go with the flow?” Her eyes sparkled with intrigue.

Sirius leaned against the edge of the table, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. "Well, you know me, McDonald. I thrive in the chaos of the night," he replied, his voice smooth and teasing. "Besides, someone’s got to keep the ghosts company. They can get a bit lonely, you see."

He glanced around the dimly lit room, then returned his attention to her, his eyes glinting with mischief. “And what about you? Lost in the depths of coursework or just enjoying the quiet? I’d like to think it’s the latter, but then again, I’ve never been one for schoolwork. How about we skip the essays and cause a bit of mayhem instead?”

{ alecto tag dump }

{ cissy tag dump }

{ remus tag dump }

ASLIHAN MALBORA via Instagram

my youth is yours

Mary arched an eyebrow, her lips twitching into an amused smirk as she watched James adopt his regal pose. “Osmosis, is it?” she repeated, her tone dripping with mock reverence. “I had no idea we were in the presence of such a pioneer of unorthodox study techniques. Truly, the textbooks will sing of your methods for generations, Potter.”

At his mention of the Flirting Glow Charm, Mary snorted softly, shaking her head. “You know, James, the fact that you know about a Flirting Glow Charm speaks volumes. Was that from one of those textbooks you so rarely grace with your attention, or are we venturing into your field research?”

Her grin widened as she watched him wink and lean back. “Breaks, you say? Of course. A cornerstone of brilliance. I’ll be sure to cite you in my footnotes. James Potter, Esq., Champion of Distraction and Master of Breaktaking. It has quite the scholarly ring to it, don’t you think?”

As he sprawled out on the table, Mary tapped her quill against her parchment in exaggerated thought. “Inspiration, hmm? Careful, Potter, too much exposure to true genius might overwhelm you. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for you feeling the sudden urge to actually pick up a quill. Might ruin your reputation.” She shot him a teasing smile, before turning back to her notes, though the humour still danced in her eyes.

"Many wish to embody dedication as I do. Few actually achieve such heights." James straightened up, adopting an almost kingly posture as he spoke. "It's really quite the skill - the osmosis. I could teach it to you, but only some of us have the knack." He said, flashing a daring smile. "I'll have you know that I do occasionally read the textbooks - if I fancy it."

James nodded along as though enraptured by the subject. In truth, he'd long ago thought it unnecessary to write about the correct form when practicing magic - charms or not. Surely practical experience was the better method of testing such things. Nevertheless, it seemed that parchment did in fact grown on trees and their professors were absolutely going to use that as a way to torture them. "Important stuff, that. You know one wrong flick of the wrist and your Flirting Glow Charm can go devastatingly off course." He pointed at the notes. "Glad you're taking it so seriously."

"Oh, you can never have too many breaks, MacDonald. That's when the magic happens." He winked before sitting back in his chair again. "Consider that my sage advice." Running a hand through his hair, his gaze moved around the library for a moment, darting between bookshelves and across tables. He slid down onto the table, giving up whatever quest his eyes had been on, and rested his head on top of his hands. "Perhaps I'll sit and gain inspiration from what is no doubt a essay worthy of the next edition of A Charmed Mind: Essays of the Enchanted Arts."