âIs that Prâ I mean, a stag?â
Pairings: James Potter x reader
Summary: James sought you out after your argument in an entirely different way.
Note: hello! this idea had been stuck in my head for days and wonât go away not until i write it. hope you will like it!
James had been looking for you for an hour after you had left, his eyes scanning the halls of Hogwarts in search of your familiar figure. He ran his fingers through his hairâsomething he always did whenever he was stressed.
You had both gotten into an argumentâsomething that started small but blew up into something massive. Things were said, jabs were thrown, and feelings were hurt, and before he even knew it, you had stormed out of the common room, the portrait slamming shut in the wake of your anger.
Even though the argument was a result of mutual misunderstanding, James knew deep down that he had to apologize, and no doubt you felt the same way. But this was not the kind of argument that you both usually resolved easily, given the fact that you have both hurt each other with words that were hurled like daggers.
But despite the truth that the problem was way harder to confront than your previous onesâ James was still determined to seek you out, an apology already swimming in his mind.
He craned his neck in hopes of catching a glimpse of you or even just your hair. His elbows brushed against the throngs of students littering the corridors of Hogwarts, not even caring if he pushed too harshly. You seemed to have vanished, and James almost felt his hands itching for the Marauder's Map in his trouser pocket to look for you, though the thought of further upsetting you by invading your privacy stopped him whenever his fingers brushed against the dry parchment.
His footsteps faltered as the afternoon sun stung his eyesâ the cacophony of students rushing in the hallways fading as he walked through the cobblestone path that led towards one of the fountains in the courtyard. He didnât even realize that he had reached the place, too deep in the memory of your flight earlier.
He was about to turn back around, but the unmistakable sound of your frustrated grunt reached his ears, accompanied by the noise of grass being pulled, no doubt taking the brunt of your frustration. The sound came from behind a large oak tree, the trunk completely covering your seated frame. He stopped in his tracksâ the thought that you might not even want to see him echoing in his mind.
But he wanted to see youâ no scratch that, heâs dying to see you!
James shook his head, and slowly, he crept up behind you, a stupid, ridiculous idea popping into his head. Godric, if you ever found out what he was about to do, youâd probably curse him into damnation or maybe have a good laugh.
Without any second thoughts, he transformed into his Animagus form, his large hooves moving quickly to where you were.
The sudden intrusion startled you, the grip of your hands on the poor grass softened as you stared at the majestic creature in front of you, your mouth hanging open in awe.
âOh, hi,â you greeted as you let go of the now wilted grass.
The enormous animal in front of you looked as if it was straight out of the fantasy book you had borrowed from Lilyâ its antlers pointing proudly in the air. You supposed this wasnât uncommon in the wizarding world, considering that this place is filled with magic.
You straightened up in your seat, Jamesâ eyes following your move.
You tentatively stretched your hand as if you wanted to touch him. James, seeing the flicker of hesitation in your eyes, immediately nudged his snout against your palm, his heart melting at the warmth of your touch. âI didnât know deer frequented the grounds.â You murmured to yourself.
You began scratching his ears, the action completely drawing him close to you. He buried himself deeper into your touch, his head heavily resting on your lap while the rest of his large body lay on the ground. He was careful enough to avoid poking you with his antlers.
âYouâre beautiful. Whatâs your name?â you asked, to which he responded by nudging your stomach with his nose, eliciting a giggle from you.
âMerlin, youâre clingy, arenât you?â you smiled as you continued caressing James's Animagus formâ the animal's brown deep eyes had your mind wandering to your boyfriend.
âYou almost remind me of James,â you sighed softly, the once wide smile on your face replaced by a solemn look. âYour antlers even remind me of his nickname; Prongs,â
âSpeaking of James, heâd probably be thrilled to see you. Merlin knows that boy is quite fond of your kind,â you said with a smile, your eyes gazing into the distance. âSuch a shame he was acting like a complete prat.â
James let out a grunt, pulling your gaze towards him. You chuckled, your eyes twinkling with amusement as you continued to stare at him. âWhat?â
âItâs true! He was acting like a prat.â James let out another sound, this time it sounded more like a whine. âBut even though he was acting like a dick earlier, heâs still my James,â you continued, your tone soft and adoring.
âStill my pratââ
You were about to continue when a familiar voice broke the calm atmosphere, calling your nameânot far from where you were sitting under the tree. James let out a groan at the loss of your touch, his nose nuzzling deeply into your lap.
âMarlene was wondering where youâve been,â it was Siriusâand if James was in his human form right now, he was certain heâd be burning red. He went still, his eyes wide like a deer in headlights, pun intended. He could hear the sound of his best friendâs footsteps approaching, the dry leaves crunching beneath his shoes.
âWhat the hell!?â Sirius guffawed as he reached you, the sound of his voice coming out amused.
âWhat?â you asked innocently as you continued stroking the top of James's head.
âIs that PrâI mean a stag?â Sirius asked, his face grimacing as his nickname almost slipped out of his mouth.
âI guess. Heâs quite big, isnât he?â you replied, your smile evident in your voice.
Sirius only nodded at you, his cheeks turning red as he tried to contain his laughter.
Merlin, James could already hear Siriusâ voice in his head as he imagined the way he would share this story with their other friends. Heâd never live this down.
âAnyway, I have to go. Girlsâ duties. Take care of him, will you?â you said as you stood, leaving James to lay his head on the grass.
He watched as you walked away, his heart feeling heavier than before. But before you could take another step, you suddenly halted, his heart leaping up in his chest as you turned around to face Siriusâwho, by the way, was still trying to stifle his laughter.
âBy the way, have you seen James?â you asked, your lower lip held hostage by your teeth. His heart swelled as his name passed your lipsâthe sound so soft and light.
âOh, Prongs? Heâs probably sulking right now,â Sirius answered, effortlessly masking his lie with an innocent look on his face. James could feel Siriusâ scrutinizing gaze as the words left his mouth, a small, unnoticeable glint in his eyes.
You nodded at Sirius. âIf you see him, will you please tell him to meet me in the common room at seven?â
âWill do, darling,â Sirius gave you a salute as you turned your back on them and headed towards the entrance, your figure slowly disappearing in the distance.
James felt a twig land on his forehead, the impact enough to make him wince. He turned his head towards Sirius with the deadliest glare he could muster in his Animagus form, to which Sirius only laughed. James had almost forgotten that Sirius was with him and that he was still in his Animagus form, too absorbed in the haze that your presence had left.
âMerlin, arenât you pathetic, Prongs?â the raven-haired boy said as he poked James with a twig on his behind, forcing him to transform back into his human form with a grunt.
âLeave me alone, Pads,â he grumbled, his ears turning hot.













