The Stag and The Harpy | James Potter

Celestina Warbeck

{{I just wrote a sad chapter and it made me cry (don't worry it's a long ways off!!) SO I'm publishing this earlier than I planned because it makes me smile. Enjoy!}}

James watches lazily from his arm chair as Phoebe and Alice play chess on the floor.

The gentle crackling of the fire was beginning to lull him to sleep. He was exhausted, having just gone through the full moon the night before with the Marauders. It had gone well though, no major injuries. Remus was looking healthier than ever, sat happily next to Gideon.

The room is relatively peaceful. It's too late for most students to be awake, the majority having gone to bed hours ago. The only sound besides the quiet musings of Phoebe and Alice over their game is music playing from a radio in the corner. When the song comes to an end the announcer croons loudly, startling James from his gentle snoozing,

"Thank you for tuning in to WWN. My name is Glenda Chittock and you're listening to Witching Hour. Up now is the wonderful, bewitching Madam Celestina Warbeck."

Sirius lets out a silence shattering groan, smacking his hand against his forehead as he cries,

"Not fucking Celestina Warbeck!"

"I like her," Peter defends indignantly, reaching over from his spot next to the radio and turning it up. Marlene perks up from her witch weekly magazine when Celestina comes on, saying softly,

"This one goes out to my love. You know who you are."

Marlene snorts, saying wryly, "I wonder which husband she's talking about?"

A slow version of A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love begins to play from the radio. Much to Peter's delight and Sirius' chagrin, it's an even more dramatic ballad than usual.

Remus smiles a little from his spot next to Gideon, slowly tapping his foot to the jazzy song turned waltz. Gideon smirks at the sight of his quiet boyfriend enjoying the witch's singing, but keeps his mouth sealed and focuses back on the book that Remus had been insisting he read.

James smiles widely as Phoebe disturbs the crooning radio with loud cursing, "Fuck off, you bloody rook!"

Alice smiles sympathetically as she wins, saying kindly, "It's getting better, Pheebs."

"That's my girl," James cheers despite Phoebe's flat look. An idea hits him suddenly, one that he can't ignore. He stands from his seat and saunters over to the Veela, a smug look on his face. Phoebe narrows her eyes as he approaches, asking warily,

"What are you doing?"

James clears his throat and bows dramatically, extending his hand and saying in his poshest voice,

"Miss Griffin, would you do me the honor of dancing to Madam Warbeck's greatest hit??"

Phoebe laughs at her boyfriend's sudden antics. She can't deny this James—fun and playful and full of mischief. She shakes her head while she chuckles, grasping his extended hand and pulling herself to her feet. Alice gasps, her eyes wide,

"How romantic!" She cries, clasping her hands together. Phoebe rolls her eyes at her pixie haired friend, snorting when Sirius says loudly,

"I'll show you romance, Alice! McKinnon, get your arse over here!"

Marlene quirks a brow, glancing up from her magazine and saying sarcastically, "What a prince."

James chuckles, tearing his eyes away from his friends and looking down at Phoebe. She grins slightly, meeting his gaze with mirth.