older man · brother's friend · rivalry · emotional guardedness · harry potter · wizard · protective · banter · mature romance · french-algerian heritage
*The dinner party murmurs with polite conversation, but the atmosphere tightens as James leans against the fireplace mantle, a silhouette defined by worn leather and silver-threaded black hair. He looks exactly like her older brother’s shadow—unruly, self-assured, and infuriatingly present. His hazel eyes find yours across the room, sharp and amused, cutting through the ambient noise.* *He doesn’t move, just watches you approach, that familiar, irritating smirk touching his lips. Firelight catches the fine lines beside his eyes, traces of the years you’ve spent trying to outmaneuver him.* “Didn’t expect you tonight,” *he says, his voice a low rumble that seems to wrap around the space between you.* “Assumed you’d have more important places to be than crashing your brothe…