WHEN: january 30th, 7:21am
WHERE: james’ bedroom
WHO: @warsstag
she liked watching him as he slept. he was so calm. peaceful. it felt wrong to wake him up. and so she didn’t. for twenty-three minutes, she mimicked his breathing, shuffling closer so they were almost nose-to-nose and just watching, enjoying the quiet. when he began to stir, the gentle smile on her lips widened, her fingers coming up to trace the contours of his cheek and a soft hum sounding from the back of her throat. ❛ i ever told you you’re really pretty, potter? ❜ she whispered, placing a soft kiss against his nose. ❛ arguably even prettier when you’re asleep. ❜
he doesn’t dream, anymore. or he does, but he never remembers --- lately, he has been too exhausted for that. it’s for the best, too ---- it’s better that he doesn’t know the battles that his dream self fights every night, the horrors that leaves him absolutely paralyzed. so he doesn’t wake up screaming, like he used to. nor does he wake up in cold sweat, frantically reaching over to make sure that she’s still there. and it has been a while since he had to tip toe across the flat to check that sirius is still breathing, too. instead, he wakes up, blissfully unaware of his dreams ---- just very, very aware of the presence of her. it makes him feel calm, completely at peace. disgustingly, almost offensively happy, too. the kind of happy you’re definitively not supposed to feel during a war, probably. “ way too much, evans, “ he manages to reply, his voice hoarse. a sleepy smile appears on his lips, and he blinks against the light. not much use, really, because he can’t see shit without his glasses. “ you never really stop. careful, or i’ll become insufferable. “ as if he isn’t already. “ you all right, though? “ he asks, suddenly becoming more serious, his tone concerned, caring. a hand reaches out, fingers trailing her cheek. “ is it the baby? “
he has no reason to be at the ministry. in most circumstances he avoids it. the building the ultimate bastion of what his family - his former who the fuck are they family - had planned for him. but as the early hours ticked by. languid, lazy, immune to his irritation, he grew antsy. off his shift at the bus and no one around to bother. with the latest headlines, he was in no mood to be alone. and when in doubt, sirius sought out james. followed him around, a perceptive observer might say. a terrible habit really. he should probably kick it before james tricks lily into marrying him. unless he can convince them to just live with him post nuptials. he’s playing the long game. “isn’t what’s mine is yours or some bullshit?” he takes another drag from the pilfered cigarette - musing on if he looks as crap as his best mate does. “if you’re going to start getting stingy,” his attempt to blow out the haze in rings ends in a coughing fit. pausing the conversation as he flips a preemptive bird in james’ direction. minutes later his breathing returns to normal, and he slouches against the wall, a master at pretending as if nothing happened. “i want back the best years of my life.”
the sullen look on his face doesn’t completely disappear, and more so morphs into a half way entertained, half way annoyed grimace. “ you can have everything but the cigs, mate, “ he replies, his words slow, dragging. ‘course, sirius is right. it has always seemed that no matter how hard james tries, he can’t remain mad at him for long. once upon a time, that had been really bloody annoying ---- one of his best friend’s worse qualities, james would say. “ ah, you wound me, “ he retorts, equally as quick, equally as sharp. that had always been their undoing, hadn’t it? grimace widens into a full blown grin as sirius coughs, and james shoves him gently. “ real fuckin’ smooth. “ but he’s clever enough to not attempt the same show off, knows that it’ll end just the same. “ oh, fuck off. most of it was spent in detention with filch, “ he replies, amusement flickering in his voice, but he doesn’t sound like he believes it. they both know that james misses the hogwarts days ---- the golden age of the marauders ---- equally as much.
“ ----- what are you stealing my smokes for? “ he asks, offense creeping into his voice. “ could have asked. “ the crisp morning air isn’t enough to wake him up, and neither is the sharp sunlight that cuts through the clouds, seeping directly into his eyes. he is standing outside of the ministry of magic, coffee cup in one hand, cigarette in the other ----- the image of health. glasses are a little awry on his nose, his hair looks like it could use a good combing through ( though, when doesn’t it? ) and he looks like the last time he slept was... possibly in the previous decade. but at least he got his cigs. or at least, he used to. now all he’s got is a half smoked one, a cup of stale coffee and a pounding headache. fucking hell.
@warsstag // james potter sent a prompt: “ grownups work for things. grownups pay. grownups suffer consequences. ”
the auror couldn’t hide the smile that coloured his face. “ it’s shit, innit? ” one of the few things he could ever fault james for was his lack of conscious maturity and, oh, how he nagged him about it - hearing him say something so wise left him full of a certain pride. not that he’d outright say it. “ it’s a part of it all, i reckon. consequences are only really bad if you didn’t truly mean the original action. ” with that, the older man put his jacket on and began tidying together his belongings to go home. or his office. he would decide on the way out. “ so… what did you do ? merlin, if you say something dumb like getting told off because of late paperwork i will make you suffer consequences again. ”
“ it’s horse shit, “ he quips back, his shoulders a little hunched. his hands are stuck deep inside the pockets of his robe, and he’s shifting his weight between his feet. his entire demeanor reeks of restlessness, of someone who thrives off adrenaline having been chained to desk for too fucking long. " i was poking... “ he trails off. seemingly decides that it’s probably for the best to leave it at that, and not admit that he had been absolutely, bullheadedly sarcastic. but he can’t bite back his next remark. “ come on, moody !! why are we still doing that shit? wasting time on paper work when we could... be out there. making a difference. what if fuckin’ paperwork loses us the war? you think the death eaters are writing reports? “
📚 for me to grab the book nearest to me, flip to a random page, and use the first line of dialogue I see as a starter ----- ( KING OF SCARS / LEIGH BARDUGO ) @steelbones
“ they don’t trust a man of too much virtue . “ chair tips backwards and threatens to fall to the ground for a few seconds, before he catches himself, avoids a collision with the inevitable. it’s always a little too close for comfort though, when it comes to james potter isn’t it? a muggle coin flips in his hands, and he shoots his boss a nonchalant look. as if he doesn’t even know that she is... in fact his boss. “ neither do i. “ at that, he bites back a smile and gives a quick shrug. tries to play it cool ---- not let on just how eager he is to get out there, get his hands dirty, complete another mission. even if it includes just investigating a suspected death eater. “ just let us look into it, all right? i’ll take fletcher. poke around a bit. nothin’ too serious. “
📹 ( @mrlenes ) ------ for me to use a line from my favorite movie as a starter [ bohemian rhapsody ].
sunlight slices into his eyes as he leans against the wall outside of his apartment complex. a cigarette hangs restlessly from his lips, smoke trickling into the afternoon air like honey. “ fortune favors the bold, marlene, “ he says quietly, and takes a long drag on his cig. he always did have a flair for the dramatics, didn’t he? his feet cross in front of him, and he breaks into a slow smile that ignites a mischievous spark in his eyes. “ or do you mean you’ve gone soft on me, now? “ he continues. smile grows wider, white teeth gleaming in the warmth of the sun. he shakes his head, hair falling into his eyes, and he drags a hand through it on instinct. or habit. it’s both, at this point. “ come on, marls !! it’s a fool proof plan, innit? “ or perhaps a plan made by a fool.
🎬 for me to use a line from the last movie I watched as a starter
📹 for me to use a line from my favorite movie as a starter
📚 for me to grab the book nearest to me, flip to a random page, and use the first line of dialogue I see as a starter
🎧 for me to shuffle my playlist and use the first line of the next song as a starter
🎶 for me to use my favorite line of the last song I listened to as a starter
📺 for me to use a line from the last TV show I watched as a starter
💻 for me to use a line from my favorite TV show as a starter
🎵for me to shuffle my playlist and use my favorite line of the next song as a starter
💋 for a shippy starter
😡 for an angsty starter
👊 for an argument/fight starter
🌈 for a random encounter starter
💀 for a dark starter
🍬 for a fluffy starter
twenty. order member. probable trouble maker.
junior auror / in his last year of training.
ex-gryffindor. rebellious. mischievous.
cocky. courageous. moody.
pinterest.
BACKGROUND.
James grew up in a large and airy house situated by the beach in Norfolk, England. The house was painted blue, and was a little bit on the older side, which you could tell by the deteriorating panels, which needed constant upkeep. The house and the grounds themselves weren’t exactly suitable for children, with sharp cliffs close to the water, steep staircases inside the house and an attic with a window that just seemed to invite for someone to try to climb onto the roof. The house itself was also very cozy, though. Floorboards that creaked, paintings with a vast amount of personalities ( catch James bickering with the sailor in the painting in the living room, any day ), warmth from the fireplace, walls painted in soft blues and whites and browns, old furniture that has come to mean something over the generations. The house itself had a lot of personality - Potters ( on his father’s side of the family ) had lived in it for generations, all bringing something new to the place, a new touch. Since the house has been inhabited by Euphemia and Fleamont, new life has been breathed into its walls. Brighter colors have crept into the usually bleak decor. They’ve brought warmth, beautiful patterns and personality to the house.
James’ room was located on the second floor of the house. It was big, with walls painted in red and black, and the decor being very much influenced by his favorite Quidditch teams. He also has a flying carpet hanging over his bed.
When friends stayed over, they usually stayed in the attic. It had been kindly decorated by his mother to be a sort of guest room ( mostly with James + friends in mind, lbr ). James and pals sitting on the roof at night, counting stars, is an aesthetic too, I would say.
James grew up playing Quidditch on the beach and constantly scaring his parents half to death when pushing himself a little too far. Flying a little too close to the cliffs. Dipping his toes in the water. Doing backflips.
Was sort of a lonely child, because their house was a little bit secluded, and there weren’t a lot of kids around. James mostly played with his dogs.
His parents were a little bit on the older side of things. Euphemia, his mother, was nearing forty two when he was born. Fleamont, his father, was forty nine. They had both wanted a child for so long, and had most definitively given up hope by the time James finally came along. Homeboy is always late.
His mother was incredibly empathetic, compassionate and kind. She was also very driven, and so so clever.
She moved to England after finishing her education at the best wizarding school in India ---- where she scored top marks, and used all of her free time to delve into muggle sciences. Mathematics, chemistry and biology would soon become second nature to her. She moved to England in order to work at a magical research institute, developing potions ( she was also the kind of witch to believe that muggle science and magic shouldn’t necessarily cancel each other out ).
So Euphemia Potter ( née Vaidya ) became a potioneer, and a highly educated woman - before James’ birth, she had taken several muggle courses and wizard courses, and held a pHD in chemistry. During her free time, she was also a popular children’s book author, and published several books that were well loved throughout wizard Britain.
Fleamont Potter was also a potioneer, like his wife, —- which is how they met. Working together, bickering about what the best approach to different remedies and potions would be. They challenged each other, constantly making one another better. Though he was more of a businessman, than a scientist, and launched his own successful hair potion company ( Sleekeazy’s Hair Potions ), which he eventually sold for a vast profit. Both Euphemia and Fleamont passed away from complications due to dragon pox shortly after one another, when James was eighteen. They left him a fortune, and their house ( which James doesn’t have the heart to sell, at least not quite yet / probably not ever ).
HOGWARTS YEARS.
James was the kid that somehow got into trouble at the Hogwarts Express during his first year. Before even arriving at the school. And then his second. And then his third. And fourth. At that point, it was basically tradition. That’s how he started every year, and that would also set the tone for the rest of the term.
Also somehow managed to always drag other people into his bullshit? It’s a talent.
His electives at the school were as following: care of magical creatures, alchemy and muggle studies.
Very Gryffindor™, but would have done well in Hufflepuff too, I think.
During his second year, he made the Quidditch team, and became a chaser. After that point, Quidditch basically became his life. Wouldn’t shut up about it. And he also knew that he was good, so his head grew about ten sizes probably.
Had zero impulse control. Was the type to punch first, ask questions later. On that note, James got into quite a few brawls with other boys at the school. Most fights were rooted in 1) James getting annoyed by their pureblood elitism 2) someone insulting one of his friends 3) possibly trying to show off, just a bit.
Emotional maturity, while at Hogwarts? Sorry, who?
May or may not have some sort of record in most detentions in a year. Every year. Which.... he was kinda proud of....
Was active in a lot of clubs !! His personal favorite was the dueling club.
Managed to keep his grades up without much effort. Teachers were lowkey perplexed as to why someone as bright as James would CONSTANTLY cause problems / trouble. James was mostly in it for the thrill, the fun, and the risk. Taking unnecessary risks ( often putting himself in danger ) was kind of his thing? And he’s still doing that.
Was infamous for having a mood that changed like the weather, often quickly and without warning. Could be smiling one minute, and be incredibly testy the next. Was unfortunately also infamous for showing off, mostly through hexing people that he didn’t like. He was also quite inventive, and made up hexes with the sole purpose of embarrassing his enemies further.
Sometime during his fifth year at the school, he became an animagus, mostly to help Remus during the full moons. He also saw it as a challenge, and a bit of a test — to see how good they truly were, how far they could push themselves. ‘Could they do this, too? Where’s their limit?’
Also made Quidditch Captain !!!! Can’t believe this man achieved all his dreams at the age of 15....
Eventually mellowed out a bit during his sixth year, grew up a bit, became a little less full of himself. Could see things clearer. Though the pranks and the mischief in reality became more elaborate ( as he was growing older, and also bolder ), he found other ways to entertain himself that didn’t always involve hexes.
Was also slowly growing out of his teenage angst, so that definitively helped. Though the occasional punching without thinking still… occurred.
In his seventh year, he was made Head Boy. Was probably not the best for the job, but he showed up to everything he was supposed to, and didn’t make a total fool out of himself either. Also decided it would be best to be more lowkey, so he stopped getting caught. He still sneaked out of the school, but he was more careful about it, you feel?
POST HOGWARTS.
James enrolled in auror training the day of graduation. With the war weighing heavy on his shoulders, he didn’t see any other options, any other futures. Though he had idolized aurors since he first heard of them as a child, there were still other roads that he could have taken, if there hadn’t been the urgency of war pushing him towards action – doing something good. He could have pursued playing Quidditch professionally, could have worked with dragons, could have been a hit wizard. Mostly, really, any action packed job would have suited him ( and he had the grades to choose any profession he would have liked ). In the end, the war chose for him.
Joining the aurors just felt right. He passed extensive aptitude tests (which made him a little impatient tbh, he just wanted to get out there, do stuff) and soon started his first year of training.
Auror training has been lowkey hard on him, though? It’s so exhaustive, very serious, no room for errors. Luckily, James is about as stubborn as they come, and is determined to get through it. It’s just another challenge, right?
Now, he’s one of those mini aurors lowkey following the older aurors around. Probably being annoying while doing it.
Joining the Order and the aurors has definitively sobered James up a bit. Made him more responsible, a little less impulsive. But unfortunately not less reckless with his own life. Taking dumb risks, all the fucking time, is still his brand.
Has somehow managed to not kill someone himself yet. Sure, he has wounded and hurt a lot of Death Eaters. There is blood on his hands for sure. But it will also 4 sure change James once he Kills Someone With Intent, u feel.
PERSONALITY.
James ultimately has a heart made of gold, and is constantly trying to prove himself by showing off just how good he is at what he does. This adds up to a bit of a hero complex, tbh.
Is 1000000% his son’s father and I try to play into that... a lot...
James usually has a stupid grin glued to his face ( the cocky kind, often a little crooked, as if he knows something you don’t ). He never stays serious for long, and is in the habit of playing serious things off as a dumb joke.
Known for being highly unpredictable and volatile, and can change from bright and smiling to tense and sour in the matter of minutes. He’s usually the former though.
That fun mix between Atlas, Icarus and Achilles, tbh !!
Radiates energy ! He’s such a lively person, like a human espresso. Kinda short compared to his pals, definitively a little bitter, high energy.
Was raised to be polite and pleasant, so he has good manners.
Pays little regard to rules in general though, and usually does not respond well to authority ( but it kinda depends on who it is too? Like. He can semi-behave while at the auror’s office, and respects them… but is also the guy who plays pranks on his co workers constantly ). WILL also get himself into trouble by mouthing off if he thinks someone is in the wrong at work ( common situation is that someone else suggests that they hold off on going in on a death eater nest & James is not a fan ).
Constantly taking things as a challenge! Even if they definitively aren’t a challenge.
Kinda moody.
Definitively that guy that tries to light up a shitty situation with an even shittier joke.
Bad at following orders. Usually winging it. There are only really two people that he will properly listen to, we all know who they are.
Very loyal !!!! Would die for his pals. : ~) Would kill for them, too.
A sentimental bastard.
Smokes way too much. Knows it isn’t good for him, but got hooked back in school, when he thought it made him look cool.
Loves teasing people. Can be a bit mean spirited at times, but he usually doesn’t mean any harm by it.
Doesn’t know how to pick his battles.
Known for being way too impulsive for his own good. He acts first, thinks later.
Has a Queen playlist on repeat probably.
James is so bright, but also so so dumb. I hate him.
Can be really confrontational. Will deadass fight u.
