James Potter sat at the edge of the Gryffindor common room, his fingers tapping an anxious rhythm against the armrest of the couch. His heart was thumping painfully in his chest, and his thoughts were a swirl of excitement, fear, and frustration. He had planned this moment for weeks, carefully crafting the perfect proposal to ask Sirius Black, his boyfriend of nearly three years, to marry him.
It seemed that every time he tried, the universe had conspired to ruin his perfect moment.
It all started that morning in the library. James had arranged everything down to the finest detail: a secluded corner by the large windows, the sun streaming in softly to give everything an ethereal glow. He had found a book of poetry that he thought would be the perfect icebreaker for the moment—a way to ease Sirius into the big question. On the table sat a small velvet box, the ring tucked inside, glinting in the light.
James had wanted to do this with sincerity, to ask in a moment that felt as close to perfect as possible. They had been through so much together in the three years they’d been dating: their first awkward dates, their quiet moments after the war, their late-night talks, and the shared smiles and laughter that had bound them together. It was more than just love; it was partnership, it was destiny.
He had just led Sirius into the corner when—
"Prongs! James!"
Remus’s voice echoed through the library, causing both of them to glance up. There was no mistaking the urgency in his tone.
James groaned inwardly. Remus, of course, had impeccable timing. Why now? he thought, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.
"Sirius, I'll be right back," James said, trying to keep his voice calm, though the frustration was building behind his smile.
Sirius frowned but nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll just… uh… browse through this collection of Muggle poetry.”
James gave him a small, apologetic smile and hurried over to Remus, who was standing near the entrance, looking a bit too casual for someone who was supposed to be ‘urgent.’
“Moody’s looking for you,” Remus said cryptically. “He needs you for some last-minute patrol arrangements. You know how he gets.”
James felt his frustration building but masked it with a forced chuckle. “Moody. Of course.” He shot a glance back at Sirius, who was now flipping through pages of a Muggle poem with a bemused look on his face. James had to turn away quickly to hide the groan that threatened to escape his lips.
“Tell him I’ll be there in a minute,” James muttered to Remus. “I need a few minutes with… well, with Sirius.” He couldn’t bring himself to say the ring out loud, afraid of how silly it would sound.
“Right. But don’t take too long. You know he’ll send Filch after you if you do.” Remus winked before disappearing.
James turned back to Sirius, but the moment had been lost. The quiet, intimate atmosphere was gone, replaced by a sense of urgency.
He slumped into the chair across from Sirius, his mouth dry. "Sorry about that. I’ll make it up to you later."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “I’m not sure how, but I’m open to suggestions.”
James sighed, giving up on his plan for the day. "I guess we can try again tomorrow, huh?"
Sirius nodded, but his eyes twinkled with mischief. "Tomorrow it is, then."
The next day, James tried again, this time planning a more private setting: a quiet dinner in the Great Hall after hours. He’d convinced the house-elves to set up the table, and even managed to get the entire Gryffindor tower emptied out, leaving only him and Sirius in the expansive, candle-lit room.
It was perfect. The food was everything Sirius loved, the atmosphere warm, the mood relaxed. Sirius was already eyeing the dessert when James felt that familiar, aching pull in his chest. This was it. The moment he’d been waiting for.
James stood, his palms sweating as he reached into his pocket. He was about to speak when—
“Oi, James! Got a minute?”
It was Peter, of course. James turned to see his best mate grinning widely, practically bouncing on his feet. James' shoulders slumped.
Peter ignored his obvious discomfort and plopped down in the seat next to Sirius. “I just had a great idea, and I need your advice,” Peter said, ignoring the odd look James shot his way. “It’s about my aunt’s birthday present. I’m thinking of getting her a bouquet of flowers, but I’m torn between lilies and daisies. What do you think?”
James stared at him, stunned. "Peter, this isn’t the time—”
“Sure it is! I’ve been mulling this over all day, and you’re the one I trust for floral advice, mate.”
Sirius leaned back in his chair, watching the exchange with an amused smirk. “I’m starting to think the universe is conspiring against James.”
James could only laugh, though it was a bit bitter. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I swear, I was just about to ask you—”
But before he could finish, Peter was already launching into a detailed breakdown of flower types, oblivious to the fact that James’s carefully laid plans had once again gone awry.
The final straw came two days later. James had decided to take the plunge. He would not let his plans fail again. It was the night before graduation, the night when everything would change, and he couldn’t wait any longer.
The grounds were quiet, bathed in the silvery glow of moonlight. James had led Sirius to the edge of the Black Lake, where the reflection of the stars danced on the water’s surface. He had a blanket tucked under his arm, and though he had planned a simple evening, it had a magical feel to it—just the two of them, surrounded by nothing but the night sky.
Finally, this was the moment. This was the time he’d been waiting for.
"Sirius," James began, his voice suddenly thick with emotion. "I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately. About everything we’ve been through. And I… I just can’t imagine my life without you."
He reached for the ring in his pocket, his fingers trembling with anticipation, and slowly, carefully, knelt before him.
But just as he opened the box, a shrill scream pierced the night.
“James Potter!”
James turned, his heart sinking, to see none other than Lily Evans charging toward them, looking frantic.
“Lily?!” James exclaimed. “What in the—?”
“You have to come with me, right now!” she shouted, looking a bit too flustered. “There’s a problem in the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey needs you! We’ve got students with—”
Sirius looked utterly bewildered, then burst into laughter. “Lily, you couldn’t have waited two minutes?”
Lily shot him a sharp glare but ignored the comment. "James! It’s urgent! Now!"
James stood, exasperated. "Lily, please—"
But it was no use. They had all but dashed back to the castle, leaving James utterly frustrated once again.
That night, as they sat together on the couch in the common room, James slumped forward, his head in his hands. “I can’t take it anymore. I’m losing my mind,” he muttered.
Sirius sat back, watching him with an amused smirk. “James, you’ve been planning this for weeks. But every time you try, it’s a disaster.”
James groaned. "I’ve tried to be romantic, Sirius! I really have! But every time, something happens. What am I supposed to do now?"
Sirius leaned in closer, his voice soft and teasing. "Well, I don’t know, mate. Maybe just ask me without all the grand gestures? You know, no distractions. Just you and me.”
James’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, so now you think it’s funny?”
“Just a little,” Sirius said, his grin wide. “Go on, then. Ask away.”
James’s chest tightened, his frustration finally boiling over. Without thinking, he stood up, pulled the ring from his pocket, and dropped to one knee before Sirius. His heart pounded in his chest, but this time, he wasn’t going to wait.
"Sirius Black," James said, his voice surprisingly steady despite everything. "Will you marry me? Because I love you, and I can’t imagine my life without you. I don’t need all the perfect moments—I just need you.”
Sirius stared at him for a moment, eyes wide in shock. Then, without warning, he burst into laughter.
“Really?” Sirius chuckled. “You’re asking me now?”
James, flustered and almost embarrassed, nodded. “Yes. I’m asking you now. Will you marry me?”
Sirius stood up, took the ring from James’s hand, and kissed him softly on the lips. “Yes, James Potter. I’ll marry you. But next time, let’s not wait for some cosmic sign, alright?”
James laughed, a weight lifting from his shoulders as he pulled Sirius closer. “Agreed. But at least we know I’m committed.”
“I’ve always known that,” Sirius replied with a smile. “Now let’s go and get a proper drink. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”
And so, despite all the mishaps, despite all the failed attempts at the perfect moment, the proposal was finally done—and Sirius wouldn’t have had it any other way.