𝗯𝗿𝗶

She continues when everybody quiets down a fair bit, “We can all end this election as peacefully and as fairly as we all want as soon as we all come to an agreement. Okay?”

There’s mixed murmurs from everyone in the classroom. James murmurs alright himself, but he really couldn’t care less who’s going up as a class officer. He always ends up leading the class at some point, anyway. 

At the moment, there’s a list of the officially elected class officers written in chalk, neat and organized:

President: 

Candidates: James Potter, Lily Evans, Sirius Black

Vice President:

Candidates: Remus Lupin, Lily Evans, Sirius Black

Secretary: Y/N Y/L/N

Candidates: Lily Evans, Mary MacDonald, Y/N Y/L/N

Treasurer: Remus Lupin 

Candidates: Remus Lupin, James Potter

P.I.O.: Marlene McKinnon

Candidates: Marlene McKinnon, James Potter, Lily Evans

Peace Officers: Peter Pettigrew and Mary MacDonald 

Candidates: Mary MacDonald, Peter Pettigrew, Dorcas Meadowes

*NOT OFFICERS. JUST TO PREPARE FOR SPORTSFEST

Muse: Lily Evans

Candidates: Lily Evans, Marlene McKinnon, Mary MacDonald, Y/N Y/L/N

Escort: Sirius Black

Candidates: Sirius Black, James Potter, Remus Lupin

Half of the nominated candidates were a mix of those nominated rightfully, and those nominated just for the knick of it. A little while ago, when James was still running on the sugary orange juice from the cafeteria, he had nominated Sirius Black for President (just for fun), Lily for Vice President (because he personally thinks she’d do her job well), and you for Secretary and Muse (because you’re good at what you do—being responsible, smart, and pretty).

Presently, you’re standing beside Lily in front of the blackboard, already taking post as Class Secretary. It looks like you’re zoning out while you’re rolling a piece of chalk between your fingers. James can’t help but sigh because he can relate. Under different circumstances, he’d have walked up beside you and whispered a joke into your ear just to make you laugh. That would have woken him up instantly.

But alas… his eyelids feel like they weigh a ton, and his whole body is paralyzed by sleep-deprivation.

—

James doesn’t know how long he slept for, but it was definitely not enough for him.

Sirius Black has just been ruled out as candidate for Class President, and now most of the class is following his lead—campaigning for James to be President instead. But the rest of the class is adamant on voting for Lily, as she’s already shown more than enough examples of good leadership and such. 

So, one can only imagine the absolute chaos that the classroom has once again found itself in.

“Potter for President! It only makes sense—they both start with a P!”

“Oh, I know what else starts with a P. Must be what you’re thinking with, you know? Your pe—”

“We all know Evans is the only capable one from the candidates! What’s not to see, guys? She’s smart, willing to lead, and kind!”

“Yeah, but she’s also got a lot on her plate already! She’s got like— what, that journalist thing? Not to mention, she’s already part of the Student Council!”

Oddly enough, it feels like the perfect chance for James to make himself known again by shutting everyone up once and for all. The boy just wants to sleep, for Pete’s sake. Was that not a luxury he could afford anymore?

The noise gets louder and he sees all the appointed officers in front— you, Lily, Remus, Marlene, Peter, and Mary (Sirius was still busy debating with someone about why James makes a fine leader). You’re all cooped up in a circle, probably discussing how to handle the mess, and James can’t help but wish that you’d hurry it up a bit. His patience is dangerously close to diminishing altogether.

“PRESIDENT POTTER! PRESIDENT POTTER!”

“No, it’s Lily! Has to be Lily—”

Three loud bangs on the blackboard disrupts the discord in the classroom. It startles James, alongside everyone else in the room, and all eyes are on Marlene Mckinnon in front, arms crossed and stance menacing. James doesn’t think he’s ever seen her that pissed before.

“Thank you, Marlene,” Lily breaks the silence, sending the blonde a wary glance. Marlene acknowledges her thanks with a nod, then shakes her head disapprovingly at her classmates. 

“Now, if everyone is quite done arguing—” The redhead continues. “We've decided to do a raise of hands to settle the votes for President and Vice.”

“But we’ve already done that,” someone brings up, voice raised in a tone that rubs James off the wrong way. “What makes it any different this time around?”

Lily furrows her brows at the tone, but doesn’t comment on it. “This time around, you’ll only get to vote for one person.”

Once again, there’s mixed murmurs from the class. Most have significantly quieted down, unable to deny the logic behind only voting for one person. Meanwhile, some are still stubborn, letting whoever’s close enough to know that they think the system’s rigged. Regardless of this, Lily announces that the candidate with the highest number of votes will be deemed Class President, while the one with the second-most highest number will be deemed Vice. 

“Right then. Let’s start,” She says, a heavy exhale slipping past her lips. “Raise your hand if you want James Potter to be President.”

With his name being mentioned, James feels inclined to actually be interested in how the votes will turn out. So, he rests his chin on the palm of his hand as his gaze leaves Evans, and drags over to the rest of his classmates. Most of them have their hands raised without any hesitation—Sirius Black included, of course—while others raise their hands by influence of the majority. 

James sighs, already dreading the impending weight of responsibility on his shoulders. But he doesn’t complain about it. If anything, he should be used to it; being elected as class president consistently throughout his entire high school life should set some expectations for yourself. 

Welp. Suck it up or fuck it up, bruv. 

With that in mind, James turns to face the front again and— oh.

You have your hand raised as you’re helping Lily count the votes for his candidacy. And for some reason, it makes his heart skip a beat.

It also makes his mouth hang slightly open, eyes wide with imaginary sparkles, and cheeks feeling just the right amount of flushed. 

“Psst, Potter,” James hears Sirius’ familiar whisper from behind him.

“Huh?” The man in question whips his head around to face him, gulping nervously. Though, James isn’t sure why he was feeling nervous all of a sudden. Why was it also hot in the classroom right now? He hopes the air conditioner didn’t randomly give out.

Sirius gives him a curious look, smirking, “Why’re you sweating so much?”

“S-Sweating?” James lifts a hand and wipes at his hairline. His hand comes back in his line of vision completely dry. He gives his best mate a deadpan stare.

“Ha-ha. Very funny, Pads,” He rolls his eyes.

Pads snickers, nudging James’ shoulder playfully, “Chill out, bruv. S’just Class President, yeah? You’ve been there, done that and— all that.”

Just the Class President? 

So not you, then? 

“Just—yeah!” James nods vigorously, brows knotted in fierce determination. “Yeah, you’re right, I’ve done this before. Totally have.”

“Okay. That’s exactly what I just told you,” Sirius chuckles, amused by his friend’s sudden show of energy. 

In hindsight, Sirius wasn’t totally wrong about what he told James. He has been there, and done that. But what Pads doesn’t know is that his friend was thinking of an entirely different thing—or person, rather. 

James hasn’t felt this shy and perplexed in a while, and he personally thinks he hasn’t done anything worth his blushing or heart-skipping before.

He finds it hard to put the blame on you, though.