Title: Giving love a chance 

Pairing: James Potter x Slytherin!Female!Reader 

Word count: 4.6k 

Published: 17 June 2021 

Author: Heloise Daphne Brightmore 

Notes: For the purpose of this story, Andromeda is the same age as the marauders.

Request: [Wattpad] Anonymous 

"Hey, I was wondering if you could make an imagine between James Potter and reader where the reader is a plaboy-ish and arrogant, and James tames her? Also, do you mind making the reader a Slytherin?"

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There were loads of rumours about you around the school. You have been called many names over the past year. Frivolous was your favourite of all, but reckless was a close second and being a flirt has grown on you as a compliment. As your last year of Hogwarts has approached, knowing there was nothing but death and pain waiting for you in the midst of the Wizarding War, you wanted to live the rest of your life without regrets. You wanted to be care-free, pushing all that troubled you aside.

You liked to flirt with people openly and you have dated almost as much as the rumours stated about Sirius Black. Though half of the gossip about you were lies, so you knew not to judge others on simple pieces of information you have overheard. Rumours, gossips, they were inevitable. Those who had nothing to do, those whose life was boring and dense had to make up for the lack of drama in their life and what better solution there is than to talk about others.

Though you never cared much about rumours, it did irritate you at times. Sure, you liked to enjoy yourself, but that didn't mean you were a bad person. As far as you were concerned, maybe you had a year left, maybe only months, no one really knew the outcome of a war and you didn't plan on leaving without enjoying your life.

You headed to your potions class; books carefully tugged against your chest as you hurried your steps. Professor Slughorn loved you and you thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of being his favourite student. As the teacher's favourite pupil and a student of his own house, he loved showering you with house points.

"Move," you groaned as you bumped into a boy, but you didn't turn around to apologise or to even see who the person was. You didn't care after all. In the last couple of months, you grew tired of caring about what people thought of you. Everyone cared about themselves; therefore, you didn't let yourself rely on others.

As you stepped inside the classroom and dropped your books on top of your desk, you started preparing your ink and quill, an empty parchment and opened your book at the upcoming chapter. You expected Andromeda Black to take her usual seat beside you, but instead of her sweet and pleasant perfume, a strong, musky cologne hit your nostrils. Turning to your side, none other than James Potter occupied Andromeda's seat beside you.

"What do you want?" You asked with a straight face as you started writing down the date and the page number of the book on your parchment. You didn't hate James or his pack of friends, you just didn't know them, nor were you interested in getting to know them.

"Woah, don't be so hostile. I'm going to be your partner today," he grinned as though it was something you were supposed to feel happy about.

"How come?" You asked, your tone holding absolutely no curiosity, your question more of a polite continuity of your conversation.

"I asked her to change with me so I could get to know you," he smirked proudly, expecting some sort of a reaction from you. But there was none. "You don't seem to care much," he added with a deep furrow.

"Yay," you replied in a monotone voice. "Are you happy now?" You asked with a questioningly raised brow.

"Are you always this enthusiastic?" He asked sarcastically, studying your face as though he was trying to understand what was going on in your head.

"Are you always talking this much?" You retorted as Slughorn entered the classroom, averting your attention from the frowning boy.

A good few minutes passed with your attention completely taken by your professor, but your idyllic moment was ruined by none other than the nuisance boy sitting beside you. His gentle nudges against your shoulder earned a groan from you, but it didn't seem to work on him. There was another and another nudge. Attempting to stop him, you shot him a warning gaze, your teeth gritted, your jaw tightly shut, but his reaction was only a smug grin. A god damn grin. You let out a frustrated huff, but it only seemed to make him happier.

"What do you want?" You asked with a murderous tone, expecting him to understand he was the last person you wanted to talk to, but the boy was beyond dense.

"Go on a date with me," he blurted out. Your eyes grew wide, your lips parted involuntarily. You have been on a couple of dates, you have met various people with various personalities, but none was as blunt as he was. You needed a second to organise your thoughts, your facial expression and find your voice.

"No," you replied nonchalantly.

"Why?" He asked with a shocked expression painted across his face.

"I don't know you," you shrugged. Of course, you have dated others who you didn't know much about, but there was just something about the boy next to you. You heard all the rumours about him and watched him run after Lily Evans, the girl he dreamed of since first year and you didn't feel like dating someone with such a needy personality.

"Dating is for getting to know each other, isn't it?" He questioned with a cocky grin.

"Then go and ask Evans out," you replied as you started rolling up your parchment, now filled with notes.

"Oh, are you jealous?" He snickered playfully, earning a heavy sigh from you.

"Potter, you are dancing on my nerves. I'm not interested in you at all. I'm not interested in the love triangle between Snape, Evans and you, I'm not interested in going anywhere with you and I'm certainly not interested in getting to know you better," you huffed as the bell signalled for the end of the class and you started packing away your stationary. There was a moment of silence from the boy, but it proved to be only a second of calm before the storm.

"Well, I'm not interested in Lily anymore, but I'm interested in taking you out on a date and I'm certainly interested in getting to know you better," he replied with a proud smirk on his face as though he has won a competition. He turned around to walk out of the class with his friends on his side, but before he left the room, he stopped and turned to you once again. "If you know about Lily, it means you also know how determined I am to get what I want, so don't underestimate me," he winked at you with a smug grin and left the classroom, leaving you with a deep frown spread across your brows.

You didn't need his constant nagging; you didn't need him irritating you any further, but apparently, he had different plans. The next couple of weeks were a terrible nightmare. As he promised, James was relentless. Each date you have agreed to go on was a horrible disaster and you could only thank the marauders for the mess they have created. Though you couldn't find it in you to be too mad as some of their pranks on your dates were fairly funny. But of course, you didn't show that. You wanted him to know what he was doing was unacceptable. Especially his last prank, that seemed to have thrown you over the edge.

"Potter!" You screamed his name as you strutted along the park right beside the Black Lake. He was seated under a tree, leaning against the trunk, enjoying the warm ray of sunshine as he bathed in the relaxing weather. Remus and Sirius sat beside him whilst Peter sat in front of the lake, his eyes fixed on the water.

"I love it when you scream my name," he replied with a cocky grin, a loud chuckle leaving his lungs.

"It's not funny," you hissed through gritted teeth. "You can't keep doing this. This is harassment!"

Within a second James' confidence disappeared and you could see the fear in his eyes. He didn't mean to come off so harshly, especially when his only intention was to get you to go out with him. He didn't think he had gone as far as harassing you, but as the words left your lips, all that he had done came crashing down on him. Was he really harassing you? Was he really pressuring you into something that you didn't want? The thought alone terrified him.

"I'm sorry," he spoke in a weak tone, his confidence nowhere to be found. You felt guilty for saying those words, you didn't mean them, but you were just too angry, too emotional and without a second thought you just spat the words. Your gaze met with his, both of you trying to apologise with a simple look, but none of you spoke another word.

"Question," Sirius interrupted and he raised his hand as though he was in a classroom. James nudged his shoulder, wanting to stop his friend from saying anything foolish, meanwhile you offered him a deadly gaze, attempting to intimidate him. "I don't mean to interrupt this drama, because a part of me kind of enjoys the show, but hypothetically speaking, is it really harassment if you enjoy it?" He asked with a questioningly raised brow, earning a stunned expression from you.

"Excuse me?" You retorted; lips parted in astonishment.

"A little bird called Andromeda told me that you found our practical little jokes rather funny," he explained, arching his brows in a questioning manner.

"Padfoot," James nudged his friend, trying to stop him, but Sirius shook him off.

"Look, Black, I don't know what you've heard from your cousin," of course, you knew, it was you who told Andromeda that a part of you enjoyed their little plays," but I don't appreciate people getting involved in my business," but you couldn't tell them the truth, "so I would appreciate it if you could find yourself a better source of entertainment," you scoffed with a stoic expression. Without another word, you turned around and headed towards the castle.

"Wait!" James shouted after you, running to reach you before you disappeared, but you didn't budge. "Just wait a second, please," he pleaded with you, but you didn't give in. "I'm begging you, just give me one second," he tried again and this time finally you stopped. "Thank you," he said, breathing heavily.

"What do you want?" You asked in a stone-cold tone, crossing your arms in front of your chest. .

"Look, I didn't approach the situation well, I accept that and I'm sorry, but I just really wanted you to give me a chance. Now, I understand that you don't want that, and I would never want to pressure you into anything, I really just wanted to get to know you, so I'm really sorry," he apologised with clear worry painted across his face. As confident and cocky as he always seemed, the boy in front of you was vulnerable and completely out of his comfort zone. A part of you wanted to just leave him and tell him to just disappear from the face of the earth, but another part of you, a less logical half nudged you to see where it could go.

A heavy sigh left your lungs, before you could even think your words through. "Saturday, 6pm in front of Zonko's joke shop. Now disappear before I change my mind," you spoke sternly, earning a surprised gasp from James before it turned into a wide grin.

"Yes ma'am," he chuckled as he turned back, almost galloping through the park to tell his friends the news. You scoffed at the sight of the foolish man, but you couldn't hide the tiny smile in the corner of your lips. You weren't sure why you agreed to go out with him, you couldn't pinpoint what made you interested in the boy more than your casual dates, but there was just something in him, something that you didn't see in others. Needy he might be, but if anything, you knew there wouldn't be a boring moment beside him.

But then a thought returned back to you and the tiny smile you were trying hard to hide quickly disappeared as you remembered your friend's betrayal. Turning around, you headed to the Slytherin common room, ready to give a piece of your mind to your best friend. Within minutes you were entering the room with a displeased look across your face, finding Andromeda seated on one of the green couches in front of the fireplace with a thick book in her hand.

"Do you perhaps have a minute for me?" You asked using a stern tone and a faux smile, earning a questioning look from Andromeda.

"What is that tone for?" She asked, tilting her head innocently.

"A little bird told me that you have been spreading rumours," you clarified.

"Me?" She pointed at her chest with an astonished look across her face.

"Well, I'm talking to you, am I not?" You scoffed, slightly irritated by her innocent play. "Sirius told me that he had spoken to you and apparently you said to him that I enjoyed their little games and making a mess of my dates," you huffed in anger.

"Erm—," she heaved a heavy sigh as though she was stalling to come up with a good excuse.

"Did you or did you not?" You asked firmly.

"Well, it's not considered a rumour if it's true and you did tell me that you found it funny, so to be honest, I did not spread rumours, I simply told the truth to my cousin," she offered, fluttering her eyelashes innocently. "But," she interrupted you before you could have spoken, "I didn't do it on purpose, it just slipped out," she pouted, attempting to put on a coy play.

"Andromeda, how could you do that? I only told you because I thought I could trust you," you replied with a desperate look.

"I'm sorry, I did mean to tell him, but it just slipped out when Sirius started talking about James and you. It wasn't intentional," she bit on her bottom lip awkwardly. A heavy sigh left your lungs, not being able to stay mad at her for long. "Why? Did something happen?" She asked curiously, as though waiting for some saucy rumour.

"Well, I did agree to go on a date with him," you huffed as you flopped down beside her on the couch.

"Finally!" Andromeda let out a loud sigh. "I've been telling you; he is different. I get it, you like having fun, you like casual relationships, but you only do that because you get bored of people easily and you don't want to waste your time on someone useless. But I bet he could keep you interested, because he might be arrogant, cocky and way too confident at times, he is also adventurous, smart and loyal. I'm telling you; he could be the perfect partner for you," she explained enthusiastically.

"I'm going on a date with him, not marrying him," you scoffed as she finally finished her rambling.

"Can you be a bit more enthusiastic sometimes?" She groaned as he folded her arms in front of her chest, sulking like a child.

"You sound like him," you chuckled softly.

"That's just perfect. You love me, you will love him," she joked.

"Okay, that is my cue to leave," you nodded to yourself as you stood up and headed towards your shared room.

"I need to know all the saucy details," she shouted after you, but you just ignored her, massaging the bridge of your nose, the day's events starting a slight headache.

Saturday arrived quicker than you expected. A part of you was excited to see where it could go, but another part kept your toes down, forcing you to act as though you weren't interested. You weren't one to be in relationships, unless they were casual, so James' continued attack on you to go out with him and Andromeda's daily reminder of what a cute couple you two would make, made your mind fuzzy.

"My lady," James stood in front of Zonko's shop, offering you his arm as you arrived.

"Really, Potter?" You asked with a sceptical look across your face. "It's the 20th century not the medieval era," you scoffed.

"I don't see the difference. Whether a thousand years ago, now or thousands of years in the future, a lady has to be treated like a lady," he offered you his arm once again, but seeing the debate on your face, he continued. "You do know you won't be less independent just because you accept my arm, right? It's only a gesture, that means I want to treat you right," he said with a certain genuineness that you couldn't argue with. You linked your arm with his and followed beside him. "You are not easy compared to the rumours," he added with a questioning look.

"Oh yeah, what did you expect?" You asked.

"Well, as far as I've heard, you enjoy casual relationships, so I expected you to be easy going and more open, but you are quite closed off," he explained as he was studying your face.

"Usually, I am when I understand the other person's intentions. But when it comes to you, I find it hard to read you. I'm not sure what you really want from me, but I know it's not only a date or a casual relationship," you clarified.

"Well, I'm busted. Indeed, it's not only a date or a casual fling that I want," he confessed.

"You don't even know me," you furrowed at his words.

"Perhaps not on a personal level, but we have been going to the same school for the past 7 years and I have had time to pay attention to you," his words caught you off guard, you didn't expect such honesty from him. "Of course, if it doesn't work out and the date is a drag, I wouldn't want to force it either, but if it works out then no, I don't want a casual relationship. My intentions are clear, I guess. If all goes well, I want you to be my girlfriend," his confidence and sincerity scared you. You have never been one to stay in a relationship for longer than a week or so, but the boy in front of you had different intentions and even though a part of you screamed in fear, another part of you found his advances rather attractive.

"Well, you are putting hell of a pressure on yourself. Out of the two of us, you are the one with the expectations," you shrugged nonchalantly, not wanting him to see that a part of you now wanted the date to go well too.

"I find myself to be a pleasant company," he grinned proudly.

"With a very healthy confidence," you added to poke at him, earning a chuckle from him and for the first time, you dared to smile as well.

"Either way, I have a feeling we will have a good time," he licked across his bottom lip, the sight of your smile growing his confidence.

To your surprise that certain date and next one and the following one went so well, that you found yourself not only physically but emotionally attracted to the boy. You promised yourself not to have feelings for anyone, to just enjoy yourself as long as you could, but the more time you spent with the boy, the more you realised growing feelings might not be that bad.

You sat in the Gryffindor common room, way past midnight, James' arm wrapped around your shoulder as you leaned into his side on the worn-out couch. It was calm and relaxing, and you had to admit it was nice and comfortable to be appreciated by someone, to be cared for by someone. It was a feeling that you didn't know you needed, but now that you had it, you didn't want to let go of it. James didn't pressure you to go to sleep with him, nor did he attempt to kiss you yet. It was your time to grow impatient, wanting to feel his lips on yours, his touches burning your skin, but he took his sweet time, driving you into madness.

"James?" You called out to him as you looked up at his handsome face. He adjusted his glasses, before he turned to you with a soft smile spread across his face.

"Hmm?" He hummed, placing a light kiss on your forehead. That was all he had done, and you were growing tired of it. You felt your question - that you so desperately wanted to ask - was somewhat strange and so you awkwardly chewed on your lip, trying to find the right words. "You seem like you are thinking very hard about something," he chuckled at your thoughtful expression.

"Well—," you didn't know what to say, you didn't want to attack him so abruptly, but he left you with questions and those questions had been nagging at you. "Back when we had our first date, you said if it went well, you would want me to be your girlfriend, right?" You played with your hands nervously.

"Yes, I do remember," he grinned with a questioningly arched brow.

"Well, that date went well, didn't it?" You asked, picking at your nails.

"Yes, it did," his smile grew wider. He had a hunch where you were going, but he didn't dare to interrupt you, he found your awkward state way too adorable.

"So, if it went well—" you weren't sure why, but you weren't as confident as you were back when you had no feelings for the boy, "why didn't you ask me to be your girlfriend? Why haven't you even tried to kiss me yet?" You wanted to bury your face in his neck or cover it with a pillow, either way you just wanted to hide away. For the first time you found it embarrassing to even think about kissing someone.

A loud chuckle left James' lungs, making you feel as though your question was too bold.Tightening your jaw, you promised yourself not to say another word, hoping the couch would just suck you in and save you from further embarrassment. James hadn't spoken a word, he enjoyed the shy expression you tried to hide by focusing your attention on the sleeves of your hoody, he bathed in the moment for a little longer, wanting to cherish that sweet look on your face. But for you it felt like rejection. You swallowed loudly as you realised the long silence could only mean one thing. He didn't want to kiss you; he didn't want you to be his girlfriend, he didn't want you around.

The thought weighed heavy on your chest, your nerves stretching painfully. Without a reply you felt like a fool and you knew you were a fool. From the very first moment it was obvious that falling for James would be an easy task, maybe that was what kept you away from him. But now that you grew feelings for him, feelings that you didn't even want to begin with, you felt so stupid, so silly for listening to a less reasonable part of you, instead of leaving him just like you did with everyone else. Feeling the tears collecting in your eyes, you knew it was your cue to leave. You couldn't show emotions after you have already made a fool out of yourself.

"I should go to sleep," you jumped up from the couch in haste, surprising James. "Good night," you said with a faux smile as you headed towards the exit, wanting nothing but to throw yourself on top of your bed and sob into your pillow, muffling your loud cries. But before you could have left the common room, a hand wrapped around your wrist and pulled you back against a hard chest. As you looked up, James' soft gaze met yours.

"Don't be silly, don't run away," he cupped your cheeks, caressing the soft skin of your face. "I didn't mean to scare you or embarrass you, but you always act so though and seeing you becoming all shy and sweet, I just wanted to enjoy the look on your face," he explained, hinting a small kiss on your forehead. "To answer your question, I didn't want to rush things. I knew you weren't the kind of person who enjoyed long, and serious relationships and I didn't want to scare you away. But it doesn't mean I didn't want you. I wanted to kiss you before we even went on our first date and of course, I want you to be my girlfriend, but you are not the only one who is scared. I was just as afraid of rejection as you were," he added with a soft smile.

"Well, I guess the only way you can get over that fear is by asking the question," you offered with a playful smile, earning a chuckle from him.

"Oh, really?" He asked with a mischievous smile. "I guess you are right," he said, stalling, dancing on your nerves.

"James," you called him, your voice warning, as a fit of laughter erupted from James' lungs.

"Sorry, but I can't get enough of that look on your face," he said as he kissed the tip of your nose. To stop him from joking around, you rearranged your facial muscles, offering him a straight face as a result of his teasing. "That's not fair," he chuckled.

"Well, life isn't fair, is it?" You huffed as you folded your arms in front of your chest, sulking in a child-like manner.

"If it wasn't, I wouldn't be standing here with you right now," his words found you just in the right spot, warming your cheeks, awakening the butterflies in the pit of your stomach. Noone ever said something so sweet to you and you immediately forgot about your sulking. "This is certainly not how I imagined it, I had a whole plan in place, but I guess what matters is that both of us are here," he said with a soft smile. "It would make me possibly the happiest person if you became my girlfriend. So, do you think you would like to maybe make it official?" He asked biting on his bottom lip awkwardly.

"Yes, of course," you jumped in his neck happily. He knew you would agree, but it didn't make the question any less terrifying. As long as the answer is hanging in the air, it's a scary thought. "Does that mean I can kiss you now?" You asked giggling, a sound you haven't let out much of.

"Or I could kiss you," he replied with a playful grin.

"Or we could just kiss each other?" You snickered as you met him halfway, enjoying his lips pressed against yours, his arms wrapping around your waist safely, pulling you closer in his embrace as you tightened your arms around his neck. It took you long enough, but as you were standing in James' arms, all your worries flew away, and you couldn't remember anymore why you were so afraid of giving love a chance. 

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