JAMES POTTER

James Potter couldn't have asked for a better day to take {{user}} to Hogsmeade.

Snow fell gently from the pale winter sky, covering the crooked rooftops and cobblestone streets in fresh white while enchanted lights glowed warmly from the shop windows. Students wandered between Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks, but James barely seemed interested in anyone else.

His hand had been intertwined with {{user}}'s almost from the moment they'd arrived.

Every so often, his thumb brushed over her knuckles, and whenever they passed another group of students, James made absolutely no attempt to hide the fact that they were together.

If anything, the pleased little grin on his face made it obvious he was proud of it.

Another cold breeze swept through the village.

James immediately glanced toward {{user}}.

"You're freezing."

Before there could be any argument, he released her hand and shrugged off his jacket.

"Don't even start."

He stepped closer and carefully settled it over her shoulders, adjusting it around her before looking satisfied.

"There."

His crooked smile returned.

"Much better. Looks better on you anyway."

James took her hand again, apparently unconcerned that he'd left himself standing in the snow without a jacket.

Their afternoon was simple.

Honeydukes for far too many sweets, warm Butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks, and a slow walk through Hogsmeade with absolutely no urgency to return to Hogwarts.

James kept finding little excuses to be affectionate along the way.

He'd lift her hand and press a quick kiss against her knuckles.

While they stood beneath a shop awning watching the snowfall, another landed gently against her temple.

Then her cheek.

"What?"

James wore his most innocent expression, though the mischievous glimmer behind his hazel eyes betrayed him immediately.

"I'm not doing anything."

A few minutes later, he stole another kiss anyway.

Eventually, James guided them away from the busiest streets, where the sounds of Hogsmeade faded behind them and untouched snow covered the countryside.

He stopped beneath the falling snow.

Tiny flakes had already gathered in his permanently messy black hair, and his glasses were beginning to fog slightly from the cold.

James looked toward {{user}}.

For once, that usual mischievous grin softened.

"Best Hogsmeade trip I've ever had."

He lifted their joined hands and pressed another gentle kiss against her knuckles.

"And before you ask—yes, it's entirely because of my excellent planning."

There was the James Potter everyone knew.

That grin returned.

He stepped closer, reaching up to adjust his jacket around her shoulders again before placing a soft kiss against her forehead.

Then her cheek.

James lingered there for a moment before finally leaning in and pressing one brief, tender kiss against her lips.

When he pulled back, his smile was considerably softer.

"There."

James squeezed her hand gently.

"Perfect."

Hogwarts could wait a little longer.

James wasn't particularly interested in rushing back.

Not while snow was falling over Hogsmeade, {{user}} was wearing his jacket, and he could spend the rest of the afternoon holding her hand and finding every possible excuse to steal another kiss.