The Marauders Imagine - Blog Posts

four times james took care of you + one time he told you why | J.P

bf!james potter x clumsy!fem!reader

content: we gotta give the people the fluff the people need word count: 5000

content warning: mentions of unintentional self harm (nothing major), reader flushes, reader sits on james' lap, tickling, me projecting big time notes: we love james "acts of service" potter 😵‍💫

1.

Your eyes fluttered open at the crisp sound of the common room’s fire. Taking a few moments to get fully conscious, you noticed the scene around you: you were cocooned into James’ lap, your head resting against his neck. He was snoring softly while holding you tightly in an old armchair. You two had about five different pieces of homework due tomorrow, but after a long day, you had agreed to “rest a little” after dinner. By the looks of it, you two had rested much more than a little. Delicately moving James’ head, you looked around. Besides you and James, there were only a few students and Remus, who was entertained with a book near the tables. 

- Remus? - Your voice came out hoarsely - What time is it? 

- Good morning, sunshine - He giggled - It’s a little after nine, I think.

- Nine? Oh, shit… - You turned to wake James up, your heart suddenly racing with the amount of work you had to do in such little time. But when you looked at James, he was sleeping so peacefully into you, his thick lashes resting softly against his flushed cheeks, that adorable pout he made when he was deeply asleep. If you didn't have so much to do, you would never have the heart to wake him up.

- Baby? - You kissed his cheek delicately - Baby, wake up. We have work to do.

You brushed his hair out his face when he fussed.

- C’mon, Jamie, it’s already past nine…

- No - James pushed you into him and snuggled you further - Let’s stay here. 

- Jamie…

- Knock it off - Being the big baby he always was, he held you tightly so you couldn't move, the same way he did when you woke him up in the mornings.

Fighting against his strong arms, you were able to free yourself, even if he kept trying to hold on into whatever he could, in this case, your hand. Using all your strength, you started pushing him into Remus’ table.

- Stop being a baby and let’s just do it, alright?

He groaned loudly, but allowed you to drag him. You sat him down on a chair and he rubbed his eyes sleepily.

- We have a lot of things to do, and if we want to sleep tonight, we’ll have to hurry up, okay? 

- Aye aye, captain - James yawned.

- So, we have… - you checked a piece of parchment in which you had written down a to-do list before dinner - Five different subjects to do homework for.

- How have we built up that much homework? - James inquired, astonished. 

- Because you distract me

- I distract you? - James snickered -  More like the other way around!

- Oh, yeah? - You crossed your arms and raised a playful eyebrow at him -  How’s that so? 

- You know how… - James pulled you in for a kiss.

- My god, get a room - Remus grimaced from his seat.

- Alright, let me see - you bend down to your backpack, placed near the edge of the table. - Charms… - you started listing while placing your heavy books on the table and bending back down  - DADA… Herbology… Potions… Divination…

Remus snorted from his seat.

- What? - You asked, confused.

- Nothing… - Remus hid his amused smile behind his book.

- What was that about? - You asked James.

- Dunno. - He shrugged and stretched -  There’s no way I’m going to stay awake for all that unless I go wash my face or something. I’ll just go to the bathroom then we’ll get started, alright? Be right back.

- Don't you dare try to escape this, James Potter! - You warned him as he walked away.

- Never, baby - He teased, throwing you a kiss.

He disappeared into the bathroom, leaving you and Remus all alone. You started sorting out the books into piles in James’ absence, quickly realizing you had forgotten to get some parchment for the Charms essay. Reaching to your backpack, you ended up hitting your head on the sharp edge of the mahogany table.

- Ouch! - you exclaimed, quietly.

Once again, you heard Remus’ giggle on the other side of the table.

- What are you laughing about, uh? - You asked while applying pressure to the bang in a useless try to minimize the pain.

- Nothing. - Remus smiled and you gestured for him to keep on talking. He sighed and put his book down - It’s just… It’s just that you and James are too cute, that’s all.

- And that makes you laugh? 

- Yes, because I find it adorable.

- Can you elaborate, maybe? 

- Ah, you know… - Remus gestured dismissively, but quickly noticed your confused expression and smiled - You really don’t know, do you?

- Know what?

- When you were getting your books - Remus put his book down to explain - James kept his hand on the edge of the table so you wouldn’t hurt yourself. He always does that, almost subconsciously at this point. When he left, you bumped against it because you are unconsciously used to having his hand there to protect you. And I don’t know… that’s just really cute. 

Remus returned his attention to the book and left you alone with your thoughts. Did James really do that all the time? Just to make sure you wouldn’t get hurt, like you just did? You genuinely never noticed. You were flooded with a nice, warm feeling inside your chest, one that only James could bring you. Remus was right: it was cute. But… What if James does that because he finds you clumsy, graceless even? You wouldn’t want him to think you are that uncoordinated, so much so that he had to help you with it. You were clumsy, to be honest. Accidentally tripping, bumping against furniture, dropping your books, forgetting things… It was a daily occurrence for you, but you were used to it. You didn’t want James to think he had to worry about it.

Did he really do that?

- Oi - James’ return ripped you off your thoughts - Ready? We could start with DADA, maybe?

You had to see it yourself.

- Yes, perfect. Lemme just… get a quill.

James nodded and started opening his book. When you bent, you noticed James’ hand slipping towards the edge absentmindedly, almost like a second nature. When you straightened up, Remus’ smirk was visible.

2.

The fifth year’s Astronomy class was assembled in the tower for an exam, which consisted of staying up very late to watch the night sky and fill your charts with specific planets’ positions. You all had been extremely unlucky of having said test scheduled on an extremely cold night, so cold that not even the owls were flying out of the owlery.

- It should be a crime to get us out here on this temperature - Sirius complained while shivering violently. - Hey, if we die or something at least we’ll die knowing Venus’ position at 2 AM, am I right?

Everyone had come covered in multiple layers of clothing, including their heaviest cloaks, scarfs, gloves and hats, and even then, everyone was chilled to the bone. You weren’t so bothered by the cold, since you had James, the human stove, to keep you warm. The only part of your body that was positively freezing was your hands. Because of your usual distraction, you had forgotten to get gloves before leaving your dorm. If you told James, he’d probably give up his own gloves for you, but ever since Remus pointed out James’ habit of saving you from your own clumsiness, you were really trying to show James you were independent, or at the very least, hide your distracted nature and show him you can take care of yourself. Except that was never your speciality. One way or another, you had your mind set, so you’d have to settle with icy hands tonight.

- No one will be dying tonight, mr. Black - your teacher, Miss Vickers, replied to Sirius with a sardonic tone. 

James muffled a laugh.

- See, Pads? No one is dying. If it gets too bad, you can always get some dog fur, if you know what I mean.

- Right. Too bad some antlers won’t help at all.

James snuggled his chin between your neck and shoulder.

- Are you cold, lovie? 

- No, I’m fine, Jamie  - you whispered back, rubbing your cheek against his.

Forgetting about your new facade, you raised your hands to caress James’ curls. By doing so, he felt the extreme coldness of your hands.

- Y/N! Your hands are freezing! - James exclaimed worringly - Where are your gloves?

- In my pocket - you lied.

- And why are they in your pockets, and not your hands? - He mocked, lowering his head to stare at your side profile.

- Because I’m not cold - you lied, again, embarrassed.

- Right, cause ice lolly hands are super comfy - James snickered - C’mere.

With a swift but gentle movement, James made you face him. He pulled you into his arms, and used his glove clad hands to put yours inside his cloak’s pockets. You almost moaned in satisfaction when James took off his gloves and started rubbing your fingers with his warm palms

- You are really silly, you know that? - Your head, snuggled against his heartbeat, bobbed when his chest rumbled with a giggle. He rocked you both back and forth slightly while you enjoyed James’ warmth, his familiar scent, the comfortable sound of his heartbeat. 

- You should’ve told me you had forgotten your gloves. - He smiled down at you.

- You could just have given me yours, that would’ve worked…

- I like this better - James hummed, placing his chin on the top of your head.

3.

- It’s very simple, I swear. We just have to place the sweets on their table before dinner, and they’ll 100% eat it

Sirius was explaining to you and the Marauders the new prank he planned to pull on the Slytherins. This time around, he had made bonbons filled with a cream he had come up with. The cream was made out of Mandrake roots, something Sirius had discovered made anyone who ate it talk in a high-pitched voice for two days. 

- Don’t you think they’ll find it weird that no other table has them? - Remus pointed out.

- Look at those guys! - Sirius pointed to the Slytherin table - Do you think they notice what everyone else is doing? And even if they notice, they are so self-absorbed they will think it’s a prize for being better than everyone else or something… 

- Actually, that could work. - James chimed in while mindlessly rubbing circles around your leg - We can fake a note from Slughorn, and they’ll punch themselves to get the box.

You looked at your wrist watch while they discussed. Between the boys’ talk and James' caresses, you had lost track of time, and now you had five minutes to go all the way to the other side of the castle if you didn’t want to be late for Transfiguration. 

- Oh my God! James, we have to go! - You couldn’t be late to McGonagall’s class again: the last time you did, she scolded both you and James for, in her own words, “lovebirding around forgetting about your education”.- Bye guys, see you later. You bid the Marauders goodbye. On light speed, you gathered your books and started leaving, presuming that James would follow. You were midway to the Great Hall’s door when he called you out:.

- Wait! 

- Jamie, we’re late!

- I know, but there’s something I have to do.

When he finally reached you, he kneeled down.

- Baby, what are you doing? She will kill us both if we’re late again…

Your words trailed off when James put your feet on his lap and started lacing your shoes. Only then you noticed that you had been walking around with your shoelaces untied for God knows how long. You felt your cheeks getting warm. 

- Done. - James smiled up at you when he finished securing the knots. He got up and kissed your lips softly, one hand caressing your cheek, as always.

- I know how to tie my shoes, y’know. - you grumbled.

- Yeah. I just… wanted to do it for you.

- Thank you, Jamie.

- Of course. Can’t have my girl stumbling around, can I? Let’s go before Minnie kills us.

4.

- Are we going to Madam Puddifoot’s first?

You looked around Hogsmeade. You only had the chance to come here every once in a while, so everytime you and James’ class had a Hogsmeade weekend, you tried to make the most out of it. 

- I was thinking we save Madam Puddifoot’s for last. 

- Sounds perfect. So where do we go first?

- Could be… Honeydukes?

- Ugh, baby… - James groaned

- What?

- I’m a little tired of Honeydukes, to be honest.

- Why, not everyone gets to rob its basement every month, like you and the boys do! 

- I never rob it! I always put money in the register! - James threw his hands in the air defensively -  I even leave tips! 

- Aren’t you my little goody two-shoes. - You pinched his pink cheeks playfully.

- Plus, I always bring you sweets!

- Yeah, yeah, alright… But I like going there! It’s pretty, and it always smells amazing there. - You smiled sheepishly and batted your lashes at James’ - Can we please, please go?

James stared at your theatrical request with an amused smirk.

- Alright… let’s go.

James held your hand and started following the flow of students heading towards the shop through the snowy streets.

- Thank you so much!  - You kissed his cheek soundly.

- You are the most spoiled girl in Hogwarts, did you know that? - He elbowed your rib playfully.

- And who’s fault is that? - You giggled at him. 

At Honeyduke’s, you and James made the rounds collecting all your personal favorites: liquorice wands, sugar quills, chocolate toads, and an obscene amount of cauldron cakes. When you both couldn’t find anything else in your baskets, you joined the line to pay. 

- Feels weird to not get the sweets and just run? - You teased.

- You never complain when I bring you a dozen caldron cakes each time, do you? - James rolled his eyes at you while smiling.

- Hi, James! 

You turned around to find Amos Diggory, captain of the Hufflepuff’s Quidditch team, standing behind you two. Despite James' competitiveness in the field, he always got along very well with Amos.

- Oh, hi, Amos! How are you? - James shook his hand amicably.

- I’m doing well. Taking Mrs Potter shopping, I see? 

- Yeah - James smiled brightly while your face burned in a violent blush violent

Every time McGonagall scolded you and James for being late, she graced you both with a nickname. Last week, she referred to the pair of you as “Mr and Mrs Potter”. Sirius instantly adopted the nickname, especially to tease James about being whipped. Somehow, other people heard of it and your friends started using it in a light-hearted manner. James found it all extremely funny, and even though it always made you shy, you secretly loved it.

- You know what they say, the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach.

They both chatted about the upcoming matches until you reached the register.

- That will be four galleons - Mrs Flume announced after checking your baskets. 

James reached for his pocket, but you touched his hand to stop him.

- I will pay, today.

- And why should I let you do that?

- Cause I want to spoil you, too - You booped his nose.

When you reached for the little purse where you kept your money, however, your smile fell. You had forgotten to grab your money due to your distraction.

- I, um… I think I forgot to grab my purse - you admitted, embarrassed to let your inattentiveness show once again.

James simply smiled, and handed Mrs Flume the golden coins. She busied herself with putting your purchases in a box.

- I’ll pay that back to you. 

- No, you won’t. I won’t take it.

- Yes, you will. I forgot, but I want to pay for it.

- Except you won’t, cause I want to pay this for you.

- You always pay for everything!

- And since when is that bad?

- Cause I wanna give you things, too! 

- Trust me, you give me plenty - he smiled suggestively at you, earning a slap in his arm.

- James! You called me spoiled an hour ago!

- And you are.- He smirked - But I like spoiling you.

Exasperated, you threw your hands up in defeat.

- Ugh! 

James grazed your cheek with his hand soothingly. 

- C’mon,  if I can’t use my money to spoil little Mrs. Potter, what am I supposed to do with it?

+ 1

You and James were near the lake, laying down under an orange tree, studying for exams. It was a sunny afternoon in which you both wanted nothing but to throw your books in your trunks and go do something outside. Since you really needed the study time, you two had to find a middle ground: studying in the garden, where you could at least enjoy the sweet summer breeze and the sunlight. You had been deeply concentrated in your books when a delicious whiff of the plump, sugary oranges above you had invaded your nostrils, making your mouth water. You were able to grab one from a lower branch, and now you were anxiously trying to peel it with a small knife. 

- Hey, pretty girl - You were distracted from your task by James’ lips grazing the warm skin of your cheek - Want me to do that for you?

- Thank you, Jamie, but I can do it  - You snickered at him, even if you never actually learned how to properly do it, and he knew that - I got it.

- Can I do it for you, please? - He smiled. You gave in, and gently removed the orange and the knife from your hands

You watched as he skillfully peeled the skin off the fruit. In no time he got the orange separated in two halves, handing you one happily. James leaned against the body of the tree, pushing you to sit back between his legs and lean into his chest. You both sat there, contently eating the sweet but slightly acidic fruit. 

James does a lot of things for you. Way too many, perhaps. He didn’t let you peel an orange, for Christ’s sake! Does it bother him, feeling like he has to do things for you so you won’t mess it up? 

- I know how to peel an orange. - You turned to face him - I really do.

- I know, doll. 

- I can do it. Seriously.

James thought to himself for a moment.

- Have you ever heard the theory that a perfect couple is composed of one person who loves oranges, but sucks at peeling them, and another person who loves oranges, and  is great at peeling?

- I know how to peel fruit!  - You stated. 

- Of course you do. You just suck at it. - He smirked at you, amusedly throwing another piece in his mouth.

You let out a sigh in frustration. Nervously, you turned to face him completely. 

- James, listen… I don’t want… I don’t want you to think I’m useless.

James’ smile fell off his face.

- What? What are you talking about, sweetheart? - he worriedly reached for your hands - Why would I think you’re useless?

- Because… - You run your hands through your hair - Because you are always doing things for me. Tying my shoelaces, warming my hands because I’m an idiot and I forget my gloves, things like that and I just… I appreciate it but I don’t want you to do these things because you think I’m incapable.

You could see the engines turning in James’ head as he pondered. All of a sudden, he started laughing.

- You think I do that because I think you are incapable?

- Well, yes! - You lowered your head - I know I’m kinda distracted but I don’t want to be a burden or anything…

- Hey. - James used his index finger to lift your head, forcing you to look into his incisive, but soft gaze - You are never a burden. And that’s not why I do it, at all. I do these things because it’s my way of showing you I care for you. But I understand if it makes you feel lessened, and not loved, and I can find new ways to care for you, if that’s wh…

- No! - You exclaimed, stroking his cheek - I love it. And it does make me feel very loved. I’m just… silly. I guess I don’t want you to feel obliged to do things for me, that’s all.

- Baby. - James smiled and held your face between his warm, orange-scented palms. -  When I tie your shoelaces, I know you can do it, obviously. But it makes me feel happy that I even get to do that for you, you understand? And it’s like that with everything else I do. I love taking care of you because I love you. 

Your heart warmed at his words.

- So you don’t think I’m clumsy?

- Actually, I do - he smirked.

You slapped his arm and turned away from him.

- I’m sorry, I'm sorry - he reached for you again - You are… distracted. Almost as much as you are distracting. But I like it. Makes me feel like a knight in shining armor.

- I’m not distracted! - You narrowed your eyes at him. 

- You are, doll - He soothed you amusingly - A little teeny bit. 

- Oh, yeah? I would’ve peeled us this orange myself if you weren’t so… nosy!

James gasped in a dramatic manner.

- I’m nosy? - You shook your head yes in defiance  - Yeah? Are you sure? 

James threw himself at you to attack your sides with tickles, the most powerful weapon he has against you. You both rolled around in the blanket you had brought from your dorm while you laughed so hysterically you couldn’t breathe. James couldn’t help but laugh too, infected by your laughter. 

- Stop! Stop! - you begged, tears rolling down your face.

- Only if you say I’m not nosy.

- You are not  nosy! - You shouted, and James finally stopped the tickling.

You were laying underneath him, and when the laughter died down, James stayed on top of you, watching your flushed face with loving eyes. A sweet summer breeze passed you both, making your hair fly. He carefully placed the rebel strand behind your ear.

- Great. Now, say: “I love you, Jamie, my beautiful amazing perfect boyfriend and thank you for peeling every orange I’ll ever eat for the rest of my life”

- I’m not going to say that after you just attacked me! No way!  - You laughed.

- Yeah? Then get ready for another tickling attack!

When he placed his hands back on your sides to resume the torture, you panicked.

- No! No! Fine! I love you, Jamie, my beautiful amazing perfect boyfriend and thank you for peeling every orange I'll ever eat for the rest of my life! 

- Perfect - he kissed your lips delicately.

- That’s a lot of oranges, you know.

- What?

- Every orange I’ll eat for the rest of my life - You grinned, lifting your hands to trace his features with your finger - That’s a lot of oranges.

- I know - He gave you that full teeth smile, the one that made his dimples pop before kissing your palm - You love oranges.

- I do. 

- At least you will never have to risk chopping your fingers off, since your amazing boyfriend will take care of it. - He explained playfully. - You can be clumsy safely.

You pouted at him angrily and crossed your arms. 

- You don’t scare anyone with that face, missy - He snickered and lowered his head to kiss you again. - You are too adorable when you are angry.

James hummed happily against your mouth when the kiss deepened. He rolled you both around so you could straddle him.

- You taste so sweet - He breathed against your mouth.

- Like oranges, maybe?

- Yes, precisely.

- Like the ones you peel for me because I’m distracted? - You sneered softly.

- Yes, just like the ones I peel for you because I love you.