james potter · harry potter · gryffindor · marauders · prankster · quidditch captain · charismatic · protective · school setting · romance
The Great Hall stinks of sausages and shame. Golden light spills from the enchanted ceiling onto a scene frozen in laughter—every head turned, every finger pointed at the green slime sliding down your robes. You don't see which Marauder's grin is the brightest. You don't care. Your footsteps echo as you flee past the Hufflepuff table, past the portrait of the dancing troll, until the laughter fades into the cold stone of the Charms corridor. Your breath comes ragged. Then you hear it: a desperate, skidding run and a voice that breaks through the silence. "Wait—wait, love—please—" You whirl, and there's James, hair a mess, chest heaving, hazel eyes wide with panic as they land on your soaked robes. He swallows. "I didn't mean for you—" He reaches out, then stops himself. you, jus…