Work Text:
April 18, 2018
James’ mailbox was staring him down. Well, James was staring his mailbox down. For good reason, of course.
Every day for the past two months, without fail, James had observed whenever something was placed in his mailbox. He had watched the old piece of metal like a hawk, spending what little free time he had between working at Chiela’s Palace, a popular pizza restaurant that was constantly too busy and was always understaffed, helping his parents move into their new house in Godric’s Hollow, and stressing over the fact that his letter hasn’t arrived yet.
Almost two months ago, James had sent in his application for Hogwarts University, an incredibly successful and stupidly difficult college to get into, and he still hasn’t gotten a reply, which was not helpful to James’ already inflated stress levels.
James’ life revolved around getting accepted into Hogwarts. Sure, he had other schools lined up, but none of them were as good as Hogwarts. The university had an incredible Criminal Justice major and James wanted in.
So, you can see why James is now having a staring contest with his mailbox after the mailman’s truck disappeared from sight.
James wasn’t even fazed when his mother, Euphemia Potter, shuts the door behind her loudly and somehow immediately appears behind James.
Her mother powers are evolving.
His mom sighed, and James could practically see her hands on her hips despite him not looking her way, “Dear,” she starts softly, touching his shoulders gently, “you’re going to drown yourself in your stress at this point. Why not just open it?”
“ Mom. I don’t know if you realize the severity of the situation here.” James shakes his head, fully serious.
His mother chuckles, her voice amused. “Oh, I do believe I understand, honey. I was in your position ages ago. Just open the mailbox, I promise it’ll make you feel better.”
“But what if I didn’t get accepted? What if there isn’t even a letter there? I bet they don’t think I’m even good enough to be given an answer. What if they are so angry at me and try to destroy my life ?” These are valid concerns in James’ opinion. Remus would tell him he was overreacting, but James knows his friend and he knows that Remus would be obsessively watching his mailbox perhaps even more than James himself.
Euphemia sighs again. “James, if you don’t open the mailbox right this instant, then I will do it for you and then your special moment won’t be so special anymore, now would it?.”
James wretches himself from his staring contest (he won, duh), horrified at the thought. “No!” He exclaims, absolutely appalled. “Why would you even think of doing that?”
James was right, his mother’s hands were on her hips, and she gave James the stern LookTM “Well,” she tells him, “then you’d better open it.”
James looks at his mailbox, yes, the same mailbox he had a staring contest with, with obvious hesitation. His mother, probably rolling her eyes, huffs and mercilessly pushes him forward. “Honestly, with the amount of apprehension you’re feeling right now, one would think that you were opening up some kind of Pandora’s box.”
James shoots his mother a mild glare before turning back to the mailbox. He takes a deep breath, bracing himself, and opens the box.
Inside the metal box was a plain white envelope. James scrambled to grab it, hands slightly shaking as he tears open the letter.
April 15, 2018
James F. Potter
Godric’s Hollow
Dear Mr. James Potter,
Congratulations! On behalf of the Hogwarts University of Scotland, I am pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to the Criminal Justice Program for the 2018 fall semester. Our university accepts only the best, and our advisors believe you fit that role.
The school term starts on September 1. We await your reply no later than July 31. For more information, our website can be found at https://www.hogwartsuniversity.org/staff.
Enclosed is a list of rules, requirements, and supply lists. Please contact [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
We look forward to working with you in the near future. Once again, congratulations on your admission.
With very best wishes,
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva M. McGonagall
Director of Admissions
Psychology Professor
Group name: The Marauders
Prongs: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Padfoot: stfu it’s like 11
Moony: are you still asleep
Padfoot:...not anymore. thanks for that btw
Wormtail: Is everything okay, James?
Prongs: MY TIME HAS COME
Moony: why did you have to ask Pete
Prongs: MY LIFE HAS CHANGED…
Wormtail: I’m sorry, I forgot he gets like this
Prongs: ...FOR BETTER? OR FOR WORSE?
Moony: someone kill me
Padfoot: kill me too, please
Padfoot: it’d be greatly appreciated
Prongs: THE WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
Moony: Pete
Moony: end our suffering
Padfoot: pls
Prongs: NOT ANYMORE
Wormtail: guys, please
Wormtail: for once, I’d like some peace without my phone beeping every second
Wormtail: is that so much to ask for?
Moony: I apologize
Padfoot: yeah, sorry, Pete
Prongs: leaving now
Unfortunately, the universe decides to ignore James’ excitement at his acceptance into the best college in Britain because the very next day, James has to work. Therefore, he has to deal with difficult customers. Like this particular family.
James sets down the menus, wiping his greasy hands off on his apron before pulling out his notepad. “Hiya, I’m James, do you guys know what you want to eat, drink, or do you need time?”
The, presumed, older son of the family scrunches up his face, looking at the menu in disdain. “What do you recommend?”
Ah. It’s going to be one of those days.
James always hates this question. Do customers think he knows the answer? No, of course, not. He just works here.
James taps his pen on the side of his notepad. “The pineapple pizza is pretty good.”
The father of the supposed family stares at him. “Who puts pineapple on a pizza?’
James resists the urge to sigh, so he shrugs instead. “I dunno? The same reason someone thought it was a good idea to put the garbage bin right next to a public restroom, even though it wasn’t, but they did it anyway.”
Their teenage, probably thirteen. daughter cracks a smile at that. “That was stupid, wasn’t it?”
Her father gives her a stern look. “Clarisse,” he warns. The daughter’s face turns annoyed but she quiets down.
James feels a hint of pity. Rich, traditional families are tough, as his friend Sirius says every time any subject is brought up; James is surprised that this family even came to a pizza restaurant. Maybe James can ask Chiela if he can give the girl a cookie or something. Chiela wouldn’t mind very much; she has a soft spot for children. Well, more of like people younger than her in general, which includes James.
"It's fine," James reassures. "It was stupid. What went through the person who designed its head?"
The girl shrugs. "I don't know. They'd have to be an idiot."
James dramatically brings his hand up to his forehead, acting faint. "Alas, we will never know. it's unfortunate that the idiot race is becoming larger and larger by the day."
The girl nods her head in agreement. "It's terrible."
The girl's father looks pained at the conversation, but the girl's grinning. The mother is smiling slightly but covers it up by coughing. "We'll take the cheese pizza, please. And four glasses of water," the father says stiffly.
The girl shakes her head. "Can I have the...ham and pineapple pizza and Mountain Dew? Large, please." She's not asking her father for permission; she's looking at James, who has to hide a smile at the appalled look on her father's face.
James nods. "Anything else?" He asks cheerfully, writing down the order. The father opens his mouth to speak, but the mother beats him to it.
"That'll be all, thank you," she smiles.
James grins back at her. "No problem!"
James walks away, no longer fighting his pleased smile. He walks towards the counter, intending to go towards the kitchen. Then, because the universe, once again, hates him, he bumps into someone before he can get there and loses his balance.
"O-Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," a woman's voice says quickly, grabbing his arm before he can fall. James looks up and swears he dies.
The woman in front of him is about a head shorter than him with long red hair, about to her middle back. She has the greenest eyes James has ever seen, and he's looked straight into Sirius' black cat's bright eyes before. She's standing with her, presumed, friends, one with red hair, too, but lighter, one with dark brown hair, and the other with black hair and a piercing gaze.
"Are you okay?" The brunette asks, concerned.
It takes James a few moments to get himself together, but he flashes the three of them a quick, reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for asking, and saving me from my inevitable death." He nods towards the pretty redhead, who laughs softly.
"You're welcome." The redhead seems to realize something because her cheeks turn light pink. "Oh-we'll be leaving now. Sorry to distract you!" She grabs both her friends' arms, despite their protests, and drags them away.
James stares at their retreating forms, still comprehending that he met the prettiest girl he's ever seen, and he probably won't see her again. James groans quietly, smacking his forehead before turning to go into the kitchens.
Well, he would have, but the universe wants to prolong his suffering, if his boss (and the owner), Chiela, didn't pop up right in front of him with a sly smile. She elbows his side, which hurts more than it should have because this lady also works part-time at a martial arts center. Fun. It's come in handy, though, because she takes it upon herself to teach all her employees how to fight, and James has thanked her more than once which, in his opinion, is one too many times.
Honestly, he doesn't live in an all that dangerous part of town. Sirius had come to the conclusion that whatever ran the universe did not like him, and James couldn't agree more.
Chiela grins at him. "Ohoho, and who was that?" She positively purrs. "I sense an oncoming love story!"
James elbows her back. Chiela is always like this; she adores young love. James doesn't know why. One time he made the mistake of asking, and Chiela had given him the blankest look he'd ever seen, on the woman herself and on anyone else. "What is wrong with you? I just met her. Why are you like this?"
Chiela shrugs. "Juniper says it's a part of my charm." Juniper, a bright and cheerful woman, is Chiela's wife of five years, almost six. Together, they know everything. James is not kidding, Chiela and Juniper seem to know everything before anything even happens. That's part of the reason why Chiela's Palace is so busy; people need information. It's a hot spot for gossip. "Come on, she's pretty, looks about your age, nice; she's perfect for you! You should go talk to her."
Juniper and Chiela have this game of trying to set people up on dates, and James has been the target for years. Ever since he started working here at the end of his freshman year, the two have been relentless in trying to set him up with someone else. Chiela told him he needs 'an interesting life, dear child, you'll understand when you're older.' Chiela is only like, 29 years old. James is 18. Not that big of a difference when you consider the fact that Chiela acts like an 18-year-old ninety percent of the time.
James groans, placing his head in his hands. "Stop, please."
James can't see it, but he is positive that Chiela is grinning as she pats his back. "Never, kiddo." James lifts his face from his hands (Chiela was grinning, James was right). "Now," Chiela starts, clapping her hands together, "get back to work! Rush hour is starting soon."
James groans again as Chiela sashays away, her teasing smile blinding.
Group name: The Marauders
Prongs: okay so
Prongs: I have a problem
Moony: what is it now James
Prongs: thank you for your enthusiasm in my problems
Prongs: I appreciate it
Padfoot: James wut do u need
Padfoot: I'm triredd
Prongs: guys
Prongs: this is important
Wormtail: of course
Wormtail: there was no doubt in my mind that it wasn't
Prongs: thx wormy
Prongs: you were always my favorite
Wormtail: thank you, James
Prongs: anytime
Prongs: now, let's talk about my problems
Moony: joy
Prongs: so, I was working, just minding my own business like usual, y'know
Moony: I highly doubt that
Prongs: and as I was walking to the kitchen
Prongs: I bumped into someone
Prongs: and as luck would have it
Prongs: she was gorgeous
Prongs: I thought I died for a moment
Moony: is that all you were going to say
Moony: just something about a girl
Prongs: yes
Moony has left the chat.
Prongs: rude
BONUS: Phone call between James and Sirius after James texted the 'news' to the group chat.
"James? Why are you calling me at this hour?"
"Sirius! You won't believe what happened!"
"I'm sure I wouldn't believe it if I weren't half-asleep."
"Great, that means you'll believe it."
"...I despise you."
"That's great, Sirius, but guess what happened?"
"You died?"
"How would I be calling you if I died?"
"I dunno. To tell me I'm next?"
"To die?!"
"I'd hope so."
"Sirius, we're getting side-tracked."
"And I'm getting tired."
"Don't hang up!"
"I wasn't planning to."
"Yes, you were."
"Hey-"
"But! I got accepted into Hogwarts University! Isn't that great?"
"James, I would probably be happy for you."
"Thanks, man."
"No problem, but right now, I want to go back to sleep. Good night."
"Wait, but-!"
Call ended.