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Despite what his parents say, James Potter is no one special.
At least, that’s not what he thinks. Sure, James might be captain of the quidditch team, and have better than average grades, but what about anything that matters?
James has the best friends in all of Hogwarts, he wouldn’t ask for anything other than the company of the Marauders, but even to them, he still feels second best. Sirius and Remus have each other, and Peter has been going out with Amelia Bones since third year.
All of James’s attempts to woo Lily have also gone by without his desired outcome.
Although, one thing James is good at is being there for his friends. Whenever Sirius would have a particularly nasty fight with his family, James would be there to listen and offer his advice and praise for Sirius. Whenever Remus was feeling moody around the fulls, James was always the one to bring Remus his chocolate and keep Lily and the girls from asking too many questions. Whenever Peter needed some advice or a confidence boost, James was always there to give him some encouraging words.
Don’t get it wrong, James loves his friends more than anything. However, he rarely lets his guard down around them, doesn’t show his insecurities. Who is James if not the one to pick up his friends when they fall?
James also comes from an extremely caring family, and is the only child. Maybe that’s why his parents see so much in him when there’s not much there. James would never admit it to them, but he often feels overshadowed by his parents as well. His father, Fleamont Potter, is the inventor of Sleakeazy’s Hair, gaining a fortune and tons of respect from the Wizarding world. Besides that, James’s father is a kind and loyal man, always there to ask James how his friends are doing, and cracking jokes whenever they’re together. Euphemia Potter, James’s mother, is known for being the most warm and supportive woman, always ready to drop anything and everything for her family and friends. She even took in Sirius and Regulus after the two ran away from home.
In James’s mind, he feels he has to live up to the standard of his parents, successful and kind, always ready to do anything for anyone. Being there for others is hard when it feels like nobody is there for you.
James is often referred to as the sun, but what is he supposed to do when he does not feel like he is enough to shine?