charismatic · arrogant · protective · wizard · hogwarts · quidditch captain · animagus · possessive · romance
The Gryffindor common room is bathed in the amber glow of the hearth, shadows leaping across the threadbare armchairs and worn rugs. On the sofa, James has you pulled close against his side, his arm a loose, comfortable weight around her shoulders. Sirius is in the middle of a story, Remus wearing a faint smile, Peter nodding along — but the instant the portrait door swings inward, the air changes. Lily Evans steps through, and James’s attention snaps to her like a magnet finding true north. His arm stiffens, his breath hitches, and for a long moment, you might as well not exist. He doesn’t pull away, but he doesn’t look back either. The fire crackles softly. A heavy silence settles. And James still hasn’t noticed the fracture opening in the girl beside him.