It was a typical day at Hogwarts, the sun streaming through the castle’s tall windows and casting playful shadows across the Great Hall. The air buzzed with chatter as students finished their lunches. At the Gryffindor table, James Potter and Sirius Black sat side by side, joking and teasing each other like they always did.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, James stood up, ready to head to their next class. He turned to Sirius, a playful glint in his eye.
“See you in Transfiguration, Pads!” James said, leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to Sirius’s cheek.
The action was so casual, so routine, that James barely registered the surprised looks from their friends—Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and a few nearby students.
“What was that about?” Remus asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched James stroll away, blissfully unaware.
Sirius shrugged, a grin creeping onto his face. “Just James being James. It’s nothing.”
But Remus exchanged a glance with Peter, who looked utterly bewildered. “That’s… not normal, is it?”
“Probably not,” Remus replied, a teasing smirk on his face. “But it’s definitely entertaining.”
---
As the days turned into weeks, this habit became a part of their daily routine. Each time they parted ways—after classes, before Quidditch practice, or at the end of the day—James would lean in, plant a kiss on Sirius’s cheek, and saunter off, leaving Sirius to blush and roll his eyes.
“Why do you keep doing that?” Peter asked one afternoon as they walked to the Quidditch pitch.
“Doing what?” James replied, a smile playing on his lips.
“That! The kiss! It’s… weird!” Peter exclaimed, looking between the two of them in disbelief.
James laughed. “It’s just a friendly goodbye. Don’t overthink it!”
Sirius leaned closer, a teasing tone in his voice. “Maybe because most people don’t kiss their friends every time they say goodbye?”
James waved it off. “Pfft. They just don’t understand our bond.”
---
As their routine continued, the whispers around Hogwarts grew louder. The rest of the student body had started to notice James’s peculiar goodbye ritual. Some found it endearing, while others simply baffled.
One day, after Quidditch practice, James walked up to Sirius, who was sitting on the bleachers, taking off his gear.
“See you in a bit!” James said, leaning in to kiss Sirius’s cheek.
But this time, a group of girls from Ravenclaw nearby gasped, their eyes wide.
“Did you see that?!” one of them whispered. “They just kissed!”
“Is that a thing now?” another asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Sirius glanced over at them, a mix of amusement and embarrassment washing over him. He looked back at James, who was completely oblivious to the commotion.
“James,” Sirius said, trying to contain his laughter, “you might want to tone it down a bit. People are starting to talk.”
James shrugged. “Let them talk! It’s just a kiss, mate.”
---
The weeks passed, and every goodbye only fueled the growing curiosity of their classmates. One evening, as the Marauders lounged around the Gryffindor common room, Sirius was sprawled out on the sofa, flipping through a Quidditch magazine.
James leaned against the mantle, glancing over at Sirius with a playful grin. “Hey, Pads! Ready to call it a night?”
Sirius looked up, raising an eyebrow. “You mean, ready for your goodbye kiss?”
James chuckled, stepping forward. “Of course! I wouldn’t dream of leaving without it!”
As he leaned in to plant a kiss on Sirius’s cheek, the room erupted into laughter, their friends clearly entertained by the ritual.
“Honestly, you two are ridiculous!” Remus exclaimed, shaking his head with a fond smile.
“I think it’s sweet,” Peter chimed in, his mouth full of chocolate frogs.
James shrugged, still oblivious. “It’s just a friendly thing! Nothing weird about it.”
But as they settled in for the evening, Sirius felt a flutter in his stomach that he couldn’t ignore. Each kiss, though innocent in intent, felt charged with something deeper. He pushed the thought aside, laughing it off as his imagination.
---
As the year rolled on, the habit showed no signs of slowing down. James’s kisses became more theatrical, each one more exaggerated than the last. One afternoon, as they were walking out of Herbology, James announced loudly, “Time for the farewell kiss!”
Sirius feigned exasperation, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “James, you’re such a drama queen!”
But James was already leaning in, planting a theatrical kiss on Sirius’s cheek, which drew laughter from nearby students.
“That’s it! I’m starting a fan club!” one girl shouted, earning a round of cheers from her friends.
Sirius blushed furiously but couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face. He was torn between embarrassment and delight, the attention both amusing and perplexing.
---
The following weekend, the Marauders decided to visit Hogsmeade. As they strolled through the quaint village, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and excitement. After a stop at Honeydukes for sweets, they headed to the Three Broomsticks for butterbeer.
Sirius took a sip of his drink, watching as James animatedly recounted a Quidditch story, his gestures grand and his laughter infectious. As James paused for a moment, Sirius leaned in closer, feeling the warmth of their camaraderie wash over him.
“Alright, Prongs, you’ve had your fun. Time for a goodbye!” Sirius teased, trying to divert attention.
James laughed, clearly undeterred. “Not yet! We’re not leaving until I give you your proper send-off!”
Sirius rolled his eyes, but inside, he felt a warm flutter of anticipation. James’s attention, even in jest, made him feel special.
When it was finally time to leave, James stood up, announcing loudly, “Alright, everyone! Witness the epic goodbye kiss!”
The entire pub turned to watch, laughter and cheers echoing around them. James leaned in, capturing Sirius’s cheek with a dramatic flourish.
As he pulled away, James noticed a new glint in Sirius’s eyes—something deeper, something more. “What’s with that look?” he asked, playfully nudging him.
Sirius shrugged, pretending to be casual. “Just contemplating your audacity, that’s all.”
James laughed, oblivious to the weight of their exchanged glances. “Nothing wrong with a bit of flair!”
---
Back at Hogwarts, the end of term feast approached, filled with excitement and anticipation. As the feast wound down, James felt the familiar urge to kiss Sirius goodbye, but there was a sense of anticipation in the air.
“See you tomorrow, Pads!” James said, leaning in as he always did.
But this time, the entire Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and laughter, their reactions catching James completely off guard.
“James! Sirius! Just date already!” someone shouted, eliciting more laughter.
James turned, confused but still grinning. “Why would we date? We’re best mates!”
Sirius, trying to hold back his laughter, nudged him. “Maybe we should think about it. I mean, people seem to really want it.”
James finally looked around, taking in the chaos they’d created. “Wait… you’re serious?”
Sirius shrugged, a smirk on his face. “Maybe I am. It’s just a thought.”
The room went silent for a moment, processing the revelation. Then, as if on cue, the Gryffindors erupted into cheers again.
James beamed, a mix of excitement and disbelief swirling in him. “Well, then! I guess it’s time for a new goodbye, isn’t it?”
With that, James leaned in, this time capturing Sirius’s lips in a soft kiss. The room burst into applause, and the world outside faded away.
Sirius’s heart raced as they pulled apart, both grinning widely. “So, uh… what now?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I suppose we figure it out together,” James said, his tone serious for the first time. “And maybe throw in a few more kisses along the way?”
Sirius chuckled, warmth flooding through him. “I can definitely get on board with that.”
As they settled back into their seats, the cheers and laughter continued around them, but James and Sirius shared a new understanding—a promise of what was to come. Their bond was no longer just friendship; it had transformed into something deeper, richer, and undeniably special.
In that moment, surrounded by their friends and the magic of Hogwarts, James realized that sometimes, the best things in life come from the simplest gestures—a kiss, a smile, and a shared moment that changes everything.
And as they joined in the laughter, the rest of the school began to whisper of the legendary duo, the friendship that blossomed into love, and the unforgettable goodbye kisses that started it all.
---
**End**