Name Origin: JAMES ~ English form of the Late Latin name Iacomus, a variant of the Biblical Latin form Iacobus, from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov. Both Potter parents preferred a name they considered âclassically and simply Englishâ, having had traditional Indian names and more unusual English alternatives themselves; FLEAMONT  ~ named after his father who was, in turn, named for the otherwise dying out maiden name of his paternal grandmother; POTTER ~ a common surname in both muggle and wizarding Britain. It is believed the name in the wizarding world can be traced back to Linfred of Stinchcombe who was nicknamed âthe Pottererâ. However, there are also ancestors in the Potter family tree with the surname Matkari, which is Marathi for âpot makerâ.
Nicknames: Prongs (within the Marauders); Jay (His parents call him this, despite all their talk of not wanting to give him an Indian name)
Age:Â 18
Birthday: 27th March
Sexuality: Tragically Heterosexual (but an enthusiastic ally to the LGBT community)
Relationship Status: Engaged
Positive Traits: Loyal; Intrepid; Resolute
Negative Traits: Callow; Self-sacrificing; Cocky
Patronus: A stag ~ It is the same as his animagus form, down to the markings.
Boggart: Lily wandless and cornered by Death Eaters
Wand Type: Mahogany and Unicorn tail, pliable
Occupation: Intern, International Magical Office of Law
Affiliation: Order of the Phoenix
Biography:
Fleamont and Euphemia Potter never thought they would have a child. Years of difficulties getting pregnant and multiple miscarriages and by the time they surpassed seventy, they had more or less given up. Even for wizards, children were rarely a possibility that late in life. They focused instead on their already flourishing careers, Fleamont in the potions industry and Euphemia as a defence lawyer. As such, the life James Fleamont Potter was born into and the way he was raised was pampered and spoiled and treated like his parentsâ little miracle. Fleamont started to direct his company from home, slowly stepping further away until he sold the business completely. Euphemia kept on working, in her job as a defence lawyer, but was more choosy about the cases she took on. Both parents wanted to be home as much as possible with the child they never thought they would have.
The downside, for James, was a lack of friends his own age. The children of friends of his parents were all grown up. James passed his days pranking his dad and playing make-believe as he explored the land out the back of their house. He might not have had much in the way of friends, but when he came home at the end of the day he had dirty knees and a look of fresh-faced glee as he proudly displayed his new âbroomstickâ to his parents â â another large stick to add to the growing pile in their garden until on his sixth birthday he was given his own. From then, all games of make-believe were halted and flying was the only thing James wanted to do. It didnât matter to him that his dadâs hip was too bad to fly with him and so there was nobody to pass a Quaffle around with. James flew and flew and he loved the feeling. He would tell anybody who would listen that he was going to be a top Quidditch player when he was older, just because he wanted to fly.
Hogwarts might have been a scary concept to some, leaving his parents for the first time and going to a place where he only knew the professors but James was just excited for the next adventure and the chance to explore a new place. Armed with his newly inherited Invisibility cloak, James boarded the Hogwarts Express, excited and absent of fear and immediately ran into another first year boy, a meeting that he would later consider history in the making. There wasnât a friendship like that of James Potter and Sirius Black except, perhaps, the friendship of all four dormmates. The Marauders.
Where Remus kept disappearing to was a mystery James didnât know how to let go but his reaction to finding out the truth was anticlimactic. A shrug and a well it doesnât change anything, does it? and that was it for James. Except it wasnât quite it because nothing ever was. He had grown up watching his mother defend the vulnerable in society and while there were things he was missing, young and naĂŻve as he was, he knew he wanted to do whatever he could to change the world for Remus. Their lives had been opposite ends of the scale so far and James could see no justice in that. He made a vow to himself that as soon as they found a safe way to be there, Remus would spend no more Full Moons alone and that when he was old enough he would do everything he could to make life better for werewolves.
It was the start of a turning point, albeit one that would move slowly and gradually. Pranks were still the forefront of his priorities, followed closely by Quidditch, but he kept looking around and seeing injustice and it bothered him because he had no idea why. The look on Siriusâ face every time they boarded the train to go home for the holidays. Remus in the Hospital Wing after a bad Full Moon. The word Mudblood thrown around like a casual taunt. These were all things James couldnât stand and he wanted to fix them all. He wanted to fix the sneers some of the Slytherins directed towards his friends for no good reason. Â (He wanted to fix that Lily â â beautiful, smart Lily â â was friends with one of them and, to James, seemingly oblivious to the way he acted towards others with her parentage.) Â Â He wanted to fix the fact that the summer between his third and fourth years was taken over by his mum going to trial against a Death Eater accusing their house-elf of killing someone. It wasnât the first he had heard of Death Eaters but it was the first he had paid enough attention to the way his parents talked about them and really taken in what they wanted. It was just a passing comment by his dad, a scornful remark against the Dark Arts, but it stuck with James. For a boy who still tended to view the world in black and white, the Dark Arts became something that fell very much in the wrong.
Arrogant, bullying toerag. Words that rang through his mind the night before his Transfiguration OWL. The rest of his classmates were studying but James sat and re-evaluated his whole life. Â (Not that he particularly needed to study for Transfiguration which was not only his best subject but the one he had spent the best part of three years doing extra studying so as to master the Animagus transformation.) Â The Dark Arts were wrong and he had wanted to fix those sneers and fix the guilt inside him at all the hurt Remus had suffered from Snapeâs discovery of his secret and somehow that had turned into bullying. James rankled at the word and his instinct was to defend himself but the truth was, Lily was right. Â (Lily was always right. It was part of her charm.) Â He had gone too far, turned into the one taking action before his victims had done anything.
In one night Jamesâ dreams of playing Quidditch professionally seemed to have disappeared. His parents tried to ask, but James was unable to put into words what had changed. If he hadnât wanted to, James knew he would never have to work. Family money could comfortably see him through to old age but with that money came privileges, even more than the ones attached to his blood status, as well as the potential for influence. How could he waste that away on pursuing a Quidditch career when there were people he could help? Again, Lily was right â â the arrogance was outstanding. Â Â (She really was the cleverest witch ever, possibly even more so than his mum).
The James Potter who went back to Hogwarts for his sixth year was like a new man. The growth spurt over the summer helped to solidify his newfound maturity. Quidditch had to be somewhat of a priority now that he had the captainâs badge on his chest but it was not the all-consuming obsession the school had grown to expect. He was more focused in classes, suddenly switched onto the idea that a natural intelligence might not help his ignorance about a lot of the world, and he started tutoring a few younger students in Transfiguration. There were still pranks and mischief, but they had adopted an air of being their last chance to be teenagers. Similarly, there were still Full Moons and late night excursions, even a Map to help them sneak around, but these too had changed for James. They were still about helping Remus, as they always would be, but he also kept half an eye on the Map for others potentially up to no good, so that he could stop anybody else getting hurt the way more and more muggleborns had been recently. And, when the Head Boy badge came with his seventh year booklist, less people were surprised than would have been a year earlier.
Nobody had really believed he was serious about dropping Quidditch after school until he turned down the scouts and applied for a job in the Ministry of Magic, within the Department of International Magical Law, where he hoped to one day be able to have an influence on laws governing human rights and equality. He was also amongst the first in line to sign up for the Order of the Phoenix. He might still be privileged and sheltered in comparison to his friends but James was desperate to do anything to help keep them safe.
This entire place was just on the edge of familiar, skirting and dancing around in steps half-forgotten behind the shadowed curtain of memory. It wasnât the first time tonight Sirius had felt this odd nostalgia for a life unlived and it didnât look like it was going to be the last time either. To say the sensation of it was frustrating was, frankly, far too simple but there werenât any better words leaping forward and so it would have to do, consequences of it all be damned. Sometimes, Sirius thought ruefully, things just had to be damned if you wanted to survive them. Though, of course, that thought did fuck-all to make this whole thing more bearable, Sirius added as anger colored those words red. He leaned over, whispering quietly as so not to be heard over the music, âI donât suppose youâve got the slightest damn idea of how to make this whole farce even slightly less painful, yeah?â
âœâ§ïœ„ïŸ:*  đșđđ¶đŠ  *:ïŸâ§âŸ
At any event the sight of James Potter and Sirius Black sat together was to be expected. They had practically been attached at the hips since eleven years of age, after all, to the point where sometimes it seemed like they shared a stream of thought. Especially now when James had just been about to lean over and suggest they needed to liven the place up before he screamed out of frustration for being there, when Sirius beat him to it. âIâve got an idea or two,â he said, reaching into pockets that were magically extended for this exact moment. A bright red muggle can was the first to come out but he set it to the side as if that wasnât what he was looking for. Next was a pack of fireworks, then his invisibility cloak both of which he hid on his lap rather than risk any other guests besides Sirius from seeing, and finally a small glass bottle labelled âgigglewaterâ. âFancy seeing some of these miserable old sods giggling uncontrollably? Bet you anything I can get more people than you can.â
While his parents were going to the Summer Gala as well, James didnât travel with them but rather went by Lilyâs apartment so that they could turn up together. He was wearing a light grey three-piece suit, something a bit more modern and more muggle than the usual wizarding fashion in part to separate himself from those purebloods who thought it distasteful to embrace muggle inventions. His tie, however (also a plain grey one) was in his hand rather than around his neck, ready to be charmed to match Lilyâs outfit. âHi!â He said when the door opened, face cracking into a smile despite the fact that he didnât really want to go to this stupid gala. âYou look great. Are you more or less ready? I just have to...â he held up the tie in explanation. âAnd do you have any of those muggle fizzy can drink things? The ones that go everywhere if you shake them before you open them? I want to borrow a couple.â
âAnd hello to you.â Lily tipped her head back in anticipation of the gentle peck, which was their usual form of kissing these past few weeks. Who thought life would just keep getting busier after school? The only thing that had not changed was the beaming smile they exchanged on seeing each other. In the pause, Lily listened intently, nervous that James had picked up on something she hadnât. It took a few moments to realize she was just on edge, and had taken the playful comment the wrong way. Shoulders dropping, letting herself relax, a quiet chuckle rolled off her lips. âI think about it every day. Practically every minute at this point.â Lilyâs response was whispered, preserving the quiet for a moment more. She stole another kiss as she leaned over to pick up her first evening glass of wine. âIt was alright. The usual. They had me reading old ruins for hours on end. Pretty sure Iâll need my reading glasses updated soon.â Lily sunk back into her couch, having taken the moment waiting for James to actually enjoy her apartment. âAnd how was yours?â
James noticed the tension but didnât worry about it. He knew she would realise quickly enough that there wasnât actually anything wrong. It wasnât intended as a prank but those sudden changes of emotion were often what James appreciated most about playing pranks. There could only be a sharp release of tension if someone had been feeling tense in the first place and that contrast lightened the mood more than the silly jokes. âWish we could,â he agreed. âMaybe a holiday. When all this is all over or...â he trailed off with a frown. Logically, he knew there was nothing stopping them taking a holiday while the war was still ongoing but perhaps it was the Gryffindor in him that made that feel like running away, which he would never be able to forgive himself for doing. âRather you than me.â He helped himself to his own glass of wine and fought back a yawn as he let himself relax into the couch next to her. âSame here, really. Well, not the runes, obviously. They havenât started trying to get me to do that yet. They probably realise that I wouldnât be able to do anything except recite the Tale of the Three Brothers and hope they donât notice, but theyâve got me filing papers and copying sections of the ICW minutes to send to the relevant departments while Iâm waiting for the day they let me do some actual work. Met the Minister, though. That was interesting, I guess.â He didnât sound enthusiastic, however.
James was bored. He had never enjoyed things like this. It was too easy to lose the people he actually wanted to spend time with and he was expected to act in a certain way. It was even worse now that he was there as a Ministry worker and yet his boss wasnât the person who seemed to have the closest eye on him. He was relieved to see Remus and he joined him by the buffet table. âMoony! McGonagall is giving me that âIâm-looking-for-a-reason-to-give-you-detentionâ glare and I need you to prank Padfoot, because Iâm never going to win if she keeps watching me like that.â He frowned and put a couple of chocolate peanuts in his mouth before adding, âI donât know what her deal is. Itâs not like sheâs our teacher any more and putting gigglewater in the wine was a public service. I mean look at them,â He tugged on Remusâ arm to turn him to look in the direction of a group of snobby-looking Ministry officials who had just taken glasses of the tainted wine. âThey really need to smile.â
A hint of a smile crept over his features at Jamesâ enthusiasm. He always had a way of making it hard to maintain the most negative of his thoughts. âI hope you told him you intend to make more trouble than she has thus far,â Remus gave a low chuckle. He would have offered to assist if it werenât for avoiding the place since high marks and a decent personality werenât good enough to get him a job there. His eyebrows furrowed together once his thoughts were the topic of conversation, feeling rather hesitant since his issue was far more serious than Jamesâ story. He pressed his tongue against his cheek and took a steadying breath through his nose, slowly releasing it once ready to speak. âNothing major,â Remus admitted with a shrug, teeth digging into his lower lip before he went to continue. âFigured out I am best off as a lone wolf is all.â It wasnât exactly new information since he preferred the marauders as his acquaintances over other people with the same affliction. âTake a wild guess at who I ended up drinking with.â
âOf course,â James said, with all the air of that cocky exterior that had been the majority of his personality for much of his teenage years. The insincerity in his eyes, however, betrayed that he actually had barely said a word to the Minister. âI think I might still have a way to go before any of that, anyway. Strangely, they donât let interns change the law, I donât know why not.â A sigh of frustration passed his lips when Remus described himself as a lone wolf. âMoony, how many times do I have to tell you that youâre stuck with us now and youâre never getting rid of us?â He shook his head. It had never mattered to James that Remus was a werewolf and the rest of them were only animagi. They were a pack. They were the Marauders. They would make sure Remus wasnât alone. But he frowned when Remus asked him to guess who had been drinking with, his first thought being a Death Eater or a Black and concern etched over his face. It took a while before the clues fell into place. âA wolf?â he asked, voice hushed.
âThereâs an idea,â Ted laughed. It would certainly save him the disappointment of taking her through the forest by their cottage. âBetter yet, do you think Sirius would be up for my pawning her off on him since he would be able to make a better ordeal out of it?â Admittedly one of the more outlandish things he would request of Andyâs cousin but it came with the potential of Dora being more distracted by Siriusâ presence than looking. âShe hasnât stopped asking me since we ran into one of my inlaws.â
âIâm sure heâd love that,â James said with a grin. It was hard to tell if he was being genuine or just enjoying the idea of forcing Sirius into a childâs adventure but he did suspect his best friend wouldnât complain. âHeâs basically a child himself so he would probably get a kick out of it, as long as heâs not too loud to stop the unicorns coming close to them.â He started to nod, not thinking much of Tedâs comment until another beat had passed, at which point he remembered who Tedâs in-laws actually were and he froze. âWho, er... who did you run into?â He could guess it wasnât Sirius, at least, and James was incredibly biased against any Black who wasnât Sirius.
âHello, love.â James leaned in for a chaste kiss in greeting and as he pulled back again, his lips parted in a smile. That was fairly normal for him when Lily was around, because he had been well and truly smitten for years and still couldnât believe his luck that she liked him back these days. âDo you hear that?â he asked, pausing for a moment to relish in the quiet around them, though James had never been very good at letting things stay quiet for very long. âWhen was the last time it was just the two of us? I was starting to consider bunking off work and escaping somewhere with no responsibilities for a few days.â Not that he ever actually would, because as much as James liked to complain about not liking being responsible, he had been taking it quite seriously since even his sixth year of Hogwarts. The world was in too serious a mess for that. âDid you have a good day?â
âThe kid has her heart set on seeing a unicorn,â Ted groaned and rubbed his temple. âAll for the adventure of looking for one but we arenât living by one of the forests that would frequently have them. What am I supposed to do?â
âœâ§ïœ„ïŸ:*  đșđđ¶đŠ  *:ïŸâ§âŸ
James hummed thoughtfully, not finding it quite the predicament that Ted seemed to think. âMy family have a place in Godricâs Hollow. Itâs only about a fifteen minute walk into the heart of the moors and I know Iâve seen a unicorn in Exmoor Forest before.â His mum didnât believe him but this was a great opportunity to prove himself right. âYou could just apparate there for your adventure! Or floo, I guess. I canât remember how old kids are supposed to be before you side-along them.â
âYou look like you need a drink, can I offer you one?â Fabian pulled his flask from his pocket and handed it over, but right before the other could take a sip he snatched it back with a giant smile on his face. âNow, had I let you drink that youâd have been running about diagon with chicken wings for arms for the next few hours. It would be a right funny sight to see, certainly but, I donât imagine youâd think so. Shouldnât take drinks from a stranger, should you?â He gave a wink. âI know what youâre thinking - You arenât a stranger, Fabian - and you might be wrong but these are strange times, are they not? I might be Fabian, I might be Gideon and I might be Voldemort himself!â A couple passerbys gasped at Fabianâs reckless use of a name that had recently become Taboo. âAh yes, yes, right, the name thing. Silly, but alas, people are uncomfortable these days. Maybe someone ought to go clucking around town for the sake of Morale, what do you think?â
âœâ§ïœ„ïŸ:* đșđđ¶đŠÂ *:ïŸâ§âŸ
James watched the scene with amusement, hardly able to believe that the target had taken the drink without even considering questioning what they had been given. It was part of what made pranks so successful when people simply trusted in other people but now that he was out of school and very much acknowledging the war that he found himself in, it highlighted all how easily some people could be duped. Best not to dwell on that, however, and he much preferred to laugh when Fabian took the drink back and instantly explained what it did. âCall yourself a prankster?â he asked, through his laughs. âYouâll never get anybody that way. And if you were Voldemort, youâd have to be pretty stupid to announce it.â He ignored the reactions from those around them. He agreed with Fabian that the whole name thing was silly. People would forget he was just a wizard (albeit a powerful one) soon. âWeâll have to go somewhere else now to get someone to fall for it, but Iâm all down for seeing someone clucking about Diagon Alley. In the name of morale, of course.â
Under ordinary circumstances, Remus would have played along with Jamesâ antics. He would have asked the right questions to get more about the story and seemed genuinely interested. Instead, he was left masking a look of annoyance and carefully thinking his answer over. The run-in with Fenrir was fresh on his mind and the insecurities that accompanied it left him dreading talk about the Ministry. âDid he at least greet you by name?â He asked after a moment of silence. âOr was it one of those cases of not getting a chance past the handshake?â There was a momentary pause where Remus wrinkled his nose then glanced back at James. âIâm almost certain I can outdo your horror story for the week.â
âœâ§ïœ„ïŸ:*  đșđđ¶đŠ  *:ïŸâ§âŸ
James had never been the most perceptive, even when it came to his friends. He had always just trusted that if something was up then they would tell him, even when in Remusâ case there was evidence to the contrary. So, it didnât occur to him that the reaction wasnât quite what he had expected, he simply started to consider the question asked. âSort of...â he said, though he didnât look certain as he tried to think back on the moment. âNo, I donât think he did, actually. It was all, oh, youâre Euphemiaâs boy! I hope you arenât going to cause as much trouble for us as she has.â He put on a fake snooty voice as he mimicked the conversation but there was a smirk on his face at the thought of being like his mum. He could only hope to be able to cause as much trouble to the stuck-in-their-way Ministry bureaucrats as his mum had in all her years as a defence attorney. âThatâs a challenge if I ever heard one.â James had plans and while he hadnât exactly told Remus yet that one of those plans involved changing the laws for werewolves, it was hardly a secret that he thought the Ministry had a long way to go to move into the 20th century. He frowned when Remus mentioned his own horror story, tilting his head to the side as he looked at his friend. âWhat do you mean?â
