The James Potter Effect
Cameras clicked, and lights flashed in James’ face, everything too bright to allow him to see even ten feet past the wall of photographers standing before him. Why on Earth did I let Marlene drag me into this? He thought.
It was the premiere of Marlene’s new movie, and they were walking down the red carpet before it was time to head into the theater and watch. James wasn’t entirely sure how he had ended up on the red carpet with them, but he had answered a few questions about his photos and such for Marlene. And the fact that Marlene had just genuinely wanted him there.
“Yes, Marls, I’ll go,” he had said. Of course he would. Attending the premiere wasn’t his favorite thing, seeing as they often made him both anxious and claustrophobic, but if James were honest, he would do anything for Marlene if she asked him.
As he walked down the carpet, Marlene never left his side. They would joke around a lot, and James would call her clingy for it, but they both would rather stick together than have either alone in this situation. Looking around, he was in awe of how everyone around him looked. Incredible didn’t even begin to describe them. He wanted to go up to each of them just to make sure they knew how beautiful they were, just incase they didn’t realize it themselves. After a moment, he silently laughed to himself, knowing Marlene always referred to this kind of thing as the James Potter Effect. He turned away from the camera they were standing in front of to continue walking down the carpet as a familiar face came into view. He bumped Marlene’s shoulder with his own, hinting them towards Dorcas Meadows.
“Well, well, well, look who it is,” he said to Marlene with a knowing smile spread across his face.
James burst out laughing as Marlene’s face went red, hearing her mumble, “Shut up before I kill you, James,” under their breath.
Dorcas stood scanning the room around her, and James watched as her face lit up when her eyes landed on Marlene. To James, it was obvious how the two felt about each other, but he would only ever tease Marlene about it, never actually say anything. If he ever mentioned her crush to Dorcas, he didn’t doubt her threat of murdering him.
“God, she looks beautiful,” Marlene said, sounding starstruck. James chuckled in response before leading himself and Marlene over to Dorcas. Once they reached her, James immediately wrapped her in a hug.
“Dorcas! How are you?” he said, releasing her from the hug.
“Hi James, good to see you too,” she laughed as she said it, amused by his greeting. Dorcas then stepped forward to hug Marlene as well. “Marlene,” she said, smiling as she spoke. Their hug was quick and only slightly awkward.
It was a moment before Marlene spoke, clearly flustered. When she did find her voice, however, the smile never left their face. “Dorcas! It’s so good to see you! It’s been too long!” James thought they sounded a bit overly excited, which he would make fun of them for later.
“I know! I miss when we were still filming and I saw you two every day.” Often when Marlene was filming something, James would be on set, working on designs for either Marlene or another client, but he was there nonetheless to support them. Every day though, James thought was a bit of an exaggeration. He wasn’t always just following Marlene around to their events—just most of the time. Dorcas continued, “And those pastries they would always bring. Especially miss those.”
“Oh my god, yes. Could never forget those. I actually hated seeing you guys, and James just came along to help me smuggle croissants out.” James smiled, and Dorcas laughed alongside him. Marlene continued, “We need to hang out soon, though. I don’t want us to lose touch just because filming is over.”
“I mean, I guess I could hang out with you guys. I’m just so busy, but if you’re really that desperate for my company, I suppose I could make room for you in my calendar,” Dorcas responded sarcastically.
All three laughed in unison for a moment before Dorcas made an apologetic goodbye and was dragged further down the red carpet.
“I’ll text you!” Marlene shouted as Dorcas was being rushed away. Once Dorcas was out of sight, James began to laugh, having to put his hand on Marlene’s shoulder in an attempt to balance himself.
“Don’t even say anything.” Marlene threatened.
“You— You—” He couldn’t even get the words out he was laughing too much.
“Alright, you’re finding this a little too funny,” She rolled her eyes at him but then began to laugh.
Once he could finally breathe again, he began to tease them. “You have it bad, Marls.”
“Shut up, I know it’s bad. I’m working on it.”
“You mean working on getting yourself a date—”
“Anyways! We are moving on!” they say, cutting him off while simultaneously changing the subject.
James mostly watches Marlene make small talk with their fellow actors for a minute or two each before continuing down the carpet. Occasionally, he and Marlene will stop and smile for a few photos, and even once, they stop and ask him some questions.
“So, Ms. McKinnon, you look absolutely gorgeous, and who is this joining you tonight?”
Marlene smiles at the camera, “This man right here is no other than the one and only James Potter,” she says, gesturing to him, “my favorite photographer and best friend.” James smiled proudly with his introduction, waving when she mentioned his name.
The rest of the night sped by until James found himself and Marlene walking home, with her trying to convince him to take a taxi instead because her heels were hurting her. He responded by telling them the walks kept him so fit and incredibly looking all the time, to which they just laughed at him. At some point, after James grew tired of their complaints, they persuaded him into giving them a piggyback ride. He also somehow ended up carrying both her shoes and her purse. James wasn’t entirely convinced that his feet weren’t in as equal pain as hers were, but he didn't put up a fight considering he wasn't the one wearing heels.
They made it back to their shared apartment, and James took Marlene’s bag and their heels as she unlocked the door and headed straight for their room. James knew them well enough to know that events like these were draining for them, and he was used to taking care of them after. He didn’t mind, and he enjoyed taking care of people, a trait that he got, to no one’s surprise, from Effie. He made her a cup of tea and headed towards her room, knocking on the door lightly and waiting till they gave him the okay to come in. An appreciative smile came to her face as he walked in.
“Thanks, James,” she says, taking the mug from him. They both sit on the floor across from each other, legs crossed. By now, Marlene was changed into a simple green crew neck and some pajama shorts, while James, who was yet to change, was still wearing his event outfit. They sit in silence for a few minutes, both drinking their tea. Both were still taking in the crowds and the cameras. It was often like this between them. During the day, James and Marlene were constantly laughing and always amped up, especially around each other. Actually, James thought that they were almost always like that. In their apartment, though, they would often just sit in silence, comfortable, and both just taking time to unpack their day. Their personalities almost fit too perfectly.
After a few minutes, James taps them on the shoulder to get their attention.
“You’re free tomorrow, right?” He asks her, pausing to wait for a response. Marlene stays silent but smiles and nods in response, which James takes as his cue to resume. “Perfect.”
James watches her momentarily as she just looks at him, clearly expecting him to explain himself. He hears her laugh as she says, “What? That's it?"
“Nope, you’ll just have to see in the morning,” he replies, smiling back at them. James leans across and gives them a quick hug from where he’s sitting while Marlene rolls their eyes at him. “Goodnight, Marls,” he says, standing up.
“G’night, James.” Then, before he closes the door, he hears, “Love you.”
“Love you too, Marls.”
---
When Marlene wakes up the next morning, she smells James’ cooking from the kitchen and immediately smiles.
Walking into the room, they look at James, who’s making what Marlene remembers him telling her was called a dosa, with chutney on the side. She also sees veggie bacon and sausage cooking in two different pans, then looks over to see a platter of fruit that he had washed and cut up. Finally, her eyes rested on a tray of pancakes he had already finished. They walk over and begin making tea before spotting the warm cup left there already for them. She smiles, then looks around for where to stand. She settles on leaning against their kitchen island, facing James as he continues to cook.
“Morning, James,” she says, pausing to yawn before finishing, “Did you think we were expecting the entirety of New York City to join us for breakfast this morning?”
“Nope! This is all for us two,” he says without a hint of insincerity on his face. “Oh, and look in this pan. I’ve got one more dish.” They peak into the pan James pointed to, finding even more food, this time french toast covered in powdered sugar and butter. Of course, leave it to James to cook a four-course breakfast before they even got out of bed. They think. “All of this? For just us? James, what in the world?” Marlene gaped at him as he laughed at her.
“Just kidding!” He chirps, “Everyone’s on their way.”
Marlene was the one to answer the door when the bell rang, and found the familiar sight of Lily, Mary, Peter, Remus, and Sirius on the other side. Lily stops to hug her before they follow everyone into the kitchen, where James has just finished cooking. Marlene couldn’t help but smile as they and their friends made their way across the kitchen, serving themselves. Laughter was a constant sound that filled her ears, as well as a mixture of compliments and shock towards James about how he had managed to do all of it. Marlene knew the answer: The James Potter Effect.