#Potter Lake

[booksbydlwhite]

#SampleSunday - Leslie's Curl & Dye: "She doesn't hate me."

Pssst! This book is $.99 in ebook for a limited time!

Leslie Baker, owner of Potter Lake's original beauty shop has a muscular, handsome, 6'4" problem. Her college sweetheart, former NBA star Kade "KC" Cavanaugh as moved back to town. His shiny salon- part of the Mayor's plan to gentrify Potter Lake- is killing her business and threatens to bring down both sides of this idyllic Georgia town.

Leslie's Curl & Dye at BooksbyDLWhite.com/curldye

“What did Leslie have to say about the Mayor? Did she defend him?"

"The opposite. She's not a fan. I haven't heard from her but I think I've got her on my side."

"Surprising, considering she hates you."

I waived Kendrick off as if the very thought was ridiculous. "She doesn't hate me. She's just..."

"Still mad?"

"I don't think she's been mad all these years. I think she's mad again now that we've seen each other. Had some words—”

"And now that your shop being open means hers is in trouble."

"And... yeah, there's that."

[kathrahender]

I need more fics where the villains see how much heroes are suffering and they're like "I wanted to see you hurt. I wanted to defeat you. I wanted you to surrender to me- but this- this is not what I wanted. I did not want to see you shattered"

And after that they're like "Nonononono why do you do this to me? Why are you making me feel emotions? Why are you making me feel compassion for you? I'm not supposed to have mercy on you"

[accio-sriracha]

The Water Is Fine

A Jegulus Oneshot

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

"Come in, the water is fine!" James called to Regulus, his eyes holding a challenge.

Regulus watched him with amusement from the shade of a nearby tree. He didn't swim, this was a fact they all knew well. James, however, didn't seem to care, inviting him for the third time that evening to join them in the lake.

Regulus watched his brother's concerned expression as he swam over to James,

"Mate, you know he doesn't get in the water." He said, "What's the point in trying?"

James brushed him off, his eyes never leaving the boy resting beneath the tree,

"Sure he does." He said it loud enough for Regulus to hear, "He'll get in eventually."

"You're really going to do this right now?" Regulus called back.

He had to admit, he was a little impressed by James' persistence. James shrugged,

"It's as good a time as ever, isn't it?"

Regulus knew the words had double meaning for them, but pretended not to notice as he sighed and stood up, marking his place in his book.

The rest of their groups were there as well. Mary, Lily, Marlene, and Dorcas were having a chicken fight off to the left. Alice, Frank, and Pandora were diving to collect things on the lake's floor. Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus had previosuly been playing catch with a quaffle, before James turned his attention to Regulus instead.

Barty and Evan were... well, we probably should focus too much on them.

They all turned in suprise as Regulus stepped out of his shoes, resignation written on his face, and walked towards the water's edge.

"There he is!" James called grandly, holding his arms out, "The man of the hour! Come join us, the water's nice and warm!"

If they hadn't been shocked before, they definitley were now as Regulus actually stepped into lake.

"Will you shut up already?" Regulus hissed at him, "It's fucking cold, you liar!"

He continued to mutter under his breath as he made his way to James, "Always fucking pissing me off- Never have one good day with my books, can I-"

James waved him off, "Stop whining, you'll get used to it."

"Regulus what are you doing?" Sirius was openly staring at him in shock. Regulus didn't spare him a glance, too focused on where to place his feet,

"Coming over to kill your best friend, that's what I'm doing." He gasped when a place in the water was particularly freezing.

He didn't like the feeling of everyone's eyes on him, since they suddenly decided he was more exciting than whatever it was they were doing before.

He rolled his eyes. He was in the water, so what? Just because none of them had ever seen him step foot in the lake before doesn't mean it was that big of a deal.

"I thought you didn't swim-" Sirius started again, dumbstruck.

"He doesn't." James' smile was bright, the kind of all-consuming smile that made you forget the rest of the world existed.

As Regulus got to waist high waters the familiar trickles of fear started to kick in.

Sirius had a right to be surprised, nothing scared Regulus more than this feeling.

He was toeing the ridge he had been looking for, where safe standing water met the expansive depths underneath. A drop off so sudden he was surprised nobody had died in it yet.

But as he looked up, his heart slowed. He trusted James. James would make sure he was okay.

He watched as James nodded reassuringly, his breathtaking smile easing Regulus' nerves. Regulus nodded back, reminding himself again that James would keep him safe.

So, much to the panic of everyone else, he turned around, leaned back... and fell.

Right off of the ledge and into the drop off. Water splashed up around him. He sunk five- ten feet and falling fast.

Above the waves there were shouts, his friends pushing through the water to save him because, obviously, Regulus couldn't swim.

James, Sirius, Barty, and Mary were the stronger swimmers of the group, the latter three racing against the current to get to him.

But Regulus wasn't waiting for any of them.

In seconds there was a body pressed against his own. Warm hands against smooth skin, the zooming rush of water around them.

Yes, there he was.

James held him against his chest, using magic to propell them quickly through the water. Regulus could never get enough of this feeling, like he was flying.

As they burst up to the surface of the water again he could just barely make out the gasps from their friends.

They flew through the waves, Regulus' hands looked pale against James' tanned back from where he clutched James close.

And they were quite a sight to see, bright smiles and Regulus' shrieks of laughter, James weaved them this way and that, sometimes twirling them up into the air before dropping them back down.

It was a bit of water bending magic James had learned to keep Regulus safe when he was trying to teach him how to swim a few months ago, a deal they'd made in private to save Regulus the embarrassment.

Eventually, when Regulus' fears had proven too great, they'd given up on learning and starting using magic to push them across the waves instead. He and James had come here all the time since then, getting faster and faster at it, James continuing to try out new tricks.

James kept his hands wrapped tightly around Regulus' waist, his own laugh was wild and free.

Regulus leaned happily into James, he could feel James' heart thump rhythmically against his chest.

James rolled them over so Regulus was on his back when he stopped the spell. Regulus gripped James' shoulders tightly, as he always did when James swam them back to the safety of the shore.

This was where James had developed the habit of calling Regulus his starfish, because he held fast onto him when James was swimming; like a starfish to a rock.

Regulus remembered the first time he'd said it, when he'd lectured James for making fun of someone with such a large fear. It turned out to grow on Regulus, and now he could only find the name endearing.

"Show off." Regulus called over the sound of the water, leaning back so he could feel the breeze on his face.

James looked back at him, eyes shining, "Only for you." He smiled.

They made it back to a level Regulus could stand in and James carefully dropped him off, holding him steady until he was sure Regulus was okay.

Sirius stormed over to them, hitting James' arm repeatedly,

"Never. Scare. Me. Like. That. Again." He said, each word punctuated by a punch, "You could have hurt him! What if he'd drowned, Prongs? What then?"

James threw back his head in a laugh, moving to hide behind Regulus,

"I didn't do anything!" He protested. Dodging his next few attempts to attack.

Barty made it to them next, glaring at Regulus,

"I thought you were fucking dying you arsehole!" He shouted, "I had to leave Evan to save you! Do you know how hard that is?"

"Oh the horror. You had to stop making out for three whole seconds." Regulus teased.

"What the hell was that?" Evan demanded as well, looking between James and Regulus as he trudged through the water to the four of them, "I've never seen anything like that before."

James and Regulus shared a look. James cleared his throat,

"We've had some practice." He started slowly, "It's a thing we've been working on-"

"Wait, you've gotten in the water before?" Marlene asked, amazed, as the rest of the group appeared.

"Just a few times." Regulus told them.

"More like every weekend." James snorted, as always beginning to speak before he could think, "You practically begged me last time-"

Regulus cut him off with a threatening look.

Sirius was staring like he was seeing a ghost. Regulus could imagine why, he probably wasn't used to seeing Regulus like this, usually so cut throat and intense, suddenly laughing and beaming and clinging to Sirius' best friend of all people.

"I didn't even know you guys were close." Lily frowned, confused.

Regulus bit back a smile, glancing at James as also he tried and failed to control his expression. The light reflecting off the water made him look even more beautiful.

James wrapped an arm around Regulus' shoulders, "You could say that."

Regulus rolled his eyes again, "Prick." He hissed under his breath. James shot him a flashy grin.

Finally, it seemed to click.

"Holy shit." Barty took a step back, "Evan, they're-"

"I know, B."

"They're-"

"You don't have to say it, B."

"Evan, they're fucking each other!"

Evan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "I thought I just told you not to say it?"

"You're together?" Peter called incredolously. James smiled, turning Regulus to face him fully. Regulus knew what was happening even before Jamesx eyes dropped to his lips,

"Jamie, no-" Regulus started, even though he was already melting against his touch.

"Jamie, yes." James replied, all smug smiles and firm hands as he pulled Regulus into a kiss, right there in front of everyone.

Regulus broke, leaning his forehead against his chest when they pulled away.

He'd never felt guilt and relief so simultaniously. It was like a weight lifted off his shoulders just to remind him of all he'd done wrong to get it there.

"You're together?" Sirius repeated quietly, still watching them with that same expression. Remus' hand was placed gently on his back, a motion Regulus often did to James to calm him down. He knew it well, Remus thought Sirius was about to explode.

"We were planning on telling you, it's only been two weeks since we actually got together-" James began nervously.

Regulus swallowed hard, Sirius was the person they'd been most anxious to tell, worried about how he'd react.

"This is fucking amazing." Sirius called, pulling them both into a crushing hug, "Merlin, my brothers! I'm so happy for you both!"

Regulus wasn't sure surprised was quite enough to cover what he was experiencing right now. He needed something more intense, somewhere around the intensity of a nuclear bomb might cover it.

"You're okay with it?" James asked skeptically, his hand intertwining with Regulus' seemingly without thought.

Sirius laughed, "Well it sure as hell beats thinking Regulus was going to drown." He replied, "But, honestly, I'm happy for you guys!"

People took their turns congratulating them, eventually, when the excitement had passed and everyone went back to their own activities again, Regulus turned to James,

"Can we go again?" He asked, giving him the look that he knew made James fold every time.

"Yeah, we can do it again." James laughed, pressing a kiss to his forehead, "I love you."

"I love you too." Regulus smiled, taking a deep breath in as he walked over to the ledge. He nodded to James, who was already muttering the spell under his breath.

And off they went once more, flying through the water in their own peaceful little bubble.

Regulus had never been more happy than he was right then, with James holding him close and all of their friends having fun in the distance. No more secrets. No more lies.

He found Sirius' eyes when James swam them back to the safer water, his smile was filled with approval.

Regulus relaxed against his boyfriend, there was no place on earth he would rather be.

[hitmewithsomebooks]

@jegulus-microfic Jan 10 - lake

160 words

~

“James Potter I swear to Merlin, if you don’t stop right now I will drown you in the Black lake.” Regulus threatened, but it didn’t quite have the same effect when his cheeks were flushed a pretty pink.

James grinned at him, all pearly white teeth.

“…and I love your ears, they’re just so cute I don’t know why, I love that freckle right below your bellybutton, the way you play with my fingers when you’re bored, your affinity for flowers, oh, and your voice when you first wake up, and—”

Regulus groaned, dropping to the floor with his face in his hands. James laughed, sitting down next to him and playing with his hair as he continued on.

*

“What’s wrong with my brother?” Sirius asked, concern and confusion coating his voice.

“James is telling him all the things he loves about him.” Remus answered.

“Oh. Sappy prats.” Sirius scoffed, rolling his eyes and setting his head in Moony’s lap.

[lulublack90]

Prompt 24 - The Black Lake

@wolfstarmicrofic November 24, word count 322

The surface of the black lake rippled as Moony lapped the frigid water. He was thirsty after chasing Padfoot for so long through the trees. He’d managed to give his three companions the slip and headed towards the place they never allowed him to go. He stared up at the looming castle and watched as the large wooden entrance door opened. He sniffed the air as someone emerged. His ears pricked forward, and his pupils dilated. He took off at a tremendous speed. His muscles and tendons flexed as he flew across the lawn, building up speed every time his deadly paws slammed into the earth. He was so close, so close, and just as he was about to pounce, something slammed into his side. 

He hurtled sideways, away from his quarry. Padfoot growled at him, low and fierce, as he got back up and tried to get around him. He could smell the thing he was after. It smelt delicious. 

Padfoot growled again as Moony tried to get around him. It was no use. Padfoot kept anticipating what he was going to do. 

Prongs trotted over with Wormtail clinging to his back. The great stag took one look at the situation and charged at the onlooker near the castle door. 

A scream rang out across the grounds and then the door slammed shut, blocking out the screams and the light that had poured from it. 

Back in total darkness, with no chance of getting what he’d been chasing, Moony allowed Padfoot to lead him back to the violent tree and down into the hated place. He could feel the sun coming. Padfoot nudged him towards the bed, and he curled up on the soft mattress. Padfoot came and curled up next to him. They fell asleep and the last thing Moony remembered was Padfoot lazily licking him. So what if he’d lost his quarry? He had his best friend with him. 

[versailles-black]

Doubt mermaids find us that interesting…

This was inspired by @paperback-parchment post!

—

This was supposed to be a mini comic but my iPad was ready to commit su*c*de by the second panel, so yeah… have this lonesome scene instead 😮‍💨

Ps, if you zoom in you can see my tears hahaha 🥲

Ps ps, the mermaid is my own design because I didn’t want to show a normal regular mermaid (I just don’t think they fit as Black Lake mermaids) and I did not want to use the mermaids in the HP movies (because they’re too ugly 😭)

[yuripira4e]

I love the trope of “kid without a mother/father figure discovers magical world and gains 4 of them”

[soupyloopyx]

hiking (marauders' version) - part 1

Sirius, looking ahead: this view is beautiful. i think it's the most beautiful thing i've ever seen

Remus, looking at Sirius: no, i'm looking at the most beautiful thing right now

Sirius, blushing: awwwww, remus! you're-

Remus: that lake behind you is MAJESTIC

[logolepsy-babble]

[elilelibeli]

slight nsfw: Reg just has some filthy realizations about James

Sirius nagged and nagged “Regulus you have to hang out with my friends” and “Reggie come out with us” and “go with us to the party” and the answer was always an eye roll and a firm no, until Sirius put his foot down (he literally physically thumped his foot like a toddler) and forced Regulus to go with him to the lake.

This is how Regulus found himself on a big rock, under the sun surrounded by trees on a warm Saturday afternoon. It started with fishing, he obviously did not participate (he would rather die than touch those sluggy bait warms thank you very much) but Sirius and his usually very, very loud friends kept quiet to not scare the fish away so at least that was a nice start of the day.

Fishing lasted all morning until it was unbearable to stay under the sun without evaporating, so James declared that section of the day done and quickly jumped into the lake. Soon enough boys all joined James in the water and the quiet portion of the day was unfortunately done. There was lots of splashing, lots of yelling, jumping and water wrestling after that.

Regulus continued to bask under the sun, switching from listening to music, reading or sketching in his notebook. He only went under water when boys went to try jumping from the further away cliff. The nap after cooling down at the lake was one of the more incredible ones Regulus had taken, so he wasn’t too happy with being woken up.

The boys had returned and brought all the buzzing noise with them, laughing while rustling through the picnic baskets and bags.

When Regulus opened his eyes he saw James with a plate full of fruit between his legs. James was laughing at Peter and Sirius trying to find something in the bag, until he grabbed a peach and took a bite.

Now Regulus had seen art, he had visited world’s best museums, he had been to galleries, exhibitions. He had seen ballets, operas, performances. He had seen them all but what he was seeing now was beyond any artistic ability to express.

Biting of a fruit shouldn’t have been as beautiful, it was something so ordinary something everyone did, however the way James’s fingers curved around that peach or how his lips plumped around the fruit was so far from the ordinary it would be a disrespect to hang it even in the Louvre.

Regulus had also seen porn, he had read it too. Obscene descriptions, filthy scenes. He thought he had encountered the most lustfully attractive moments before, but the way the sweet, sticky drop of the perfectly ripe peach rolled down from James’s lips to his jaw was the most profane and knee buckling thing he had ever seen.

His eyes stuck on that drop, transfixed as he watched it slowly, oh so slowly travel down on James’s neck, slide from his collarbone to his nipple. Oh what wouldn’t Regulus give if he could just follow that drop with his tongue. Now, that was the path he would happily follow everyday. The drop was almost mocking him now, touching James everywhere Regulus realized he wanted to touch, his toned, beautifully, beautifully sun kissed stomach. And when the drop neared the line of James’s hips, at that divine curve Regulus’s stares became so intense James’s probably felt them burn holes through him and looked at Regulus.

“Hey Reggie want some?” He asked waving a peach with a big chunk bitten out of it and smiling that big shiny smile of his.

And Regulus did, oh how he wanted not just some but everything. The droplet of peach now forgotten but forever highlighting the desires of poor, breathtaken Regulus.

[i-only-do-the-finnimum]

"I'm all yours, James. All of me. You could do anything to me."  "Then let me love you," James begs.

Quote from: Best Friend's Brother - Bizarrestars

[booksbydlwhite]

Home for the Holidays is LIVE!

I am thrilled to share that Potter Lake Small Town Romance novella 3.5, Home for the Holidays, is LIVE!

Welcome back to Potter Lake

"I need to be clear that I like this. I need this, especially on a day like today, but...”

“That’s all it is, Satisfying a need."

Reid Gallagher hasn't returned to Potter Lake because he misses his family, or because he wonders how his hometown has fared since he left. After many years away, this visit is strictly business....until he meets Sabrina.

Sabrina Ward's crumbling marriage drives her to the peace and solace of her Aunt Cara’s comfortable home in a slow, southern town. Her stay was always going to be temporary, but for Reid, she might consider an extended stay.

As the first snow blankets Potter Lake in a winter wonderland, Sabrina and Reid give in to an inconvenient yet irresistible spark of attraction. With Reid's departure looming, a lucrative opportunity could turn a casual holiday fling into a chance at love.

Come for the festive holiday vibes... stay for a steamy love story and the charm of Potter Lake, where second chances aren’t just possible; they’re inevitable. Home for the Holidays is a heartwarming novella, perfect for fans of seasonal Hallmark movies and the magic of the season.

Content Warnings: Divorce, adult language and sexual content including depictions of sex acts on the page. If any of these are a stop sign for you, I encourage you to engage in self care and choose another title.

This title will be exclusively available at my website store through the end of 2023. An epilogue will follow soon and will be made available to newsletter subscribers. 

[huariqueje]

The Lake Discrict in January - Peter Brook.

British,  1927-2009

Oil on canvas,  27.9 x 35.6 cm.

[juderuo]

This scene is very body horror, this might have helped spur my fear of large bodies of water.

Working on not using color filters and I think I did solid 👌

[littleyellowtangerine]

James F. Potter - Chaser, Lover, Sun

[lulublack90]

Prompt 19 - Island

@jegulus-microfic July 19, Word count 561

In the middle of the black lake, there was a little island. Trees surrounded the little area, but there was enough space to walk between them. Regulus often flew over to the tiny island on his broomstick when he needed some time alone. It was peaceful there. Sometimes the sounds of the castle wafted over, but mostly the only things Regulus could hear were the sounds of rustling leaves and the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. That was until one evening when all he wanted was an hour before curfew to be alone in the quiet and watch the sunset.

He landed as usual on the edge of the island and made his way to the far side where he couldn’t be seen by anyone unless they were coming across the water towards the castle. However, there was already someone kneeling beside the water when he broke through the trees. 

James Potter was carefully placing oddly coloured rocks in the water. Regulus growled internally, he spun on the spot and tried to disappear back into the trees, so Potter wouldn’t see him.

“Regulus? Oh, Shit!” James cried out before the sound of a large splash made Regulus continue spinning until he was facing James again, but he wasn’t there. 

“Potter?” He questioned the air. A spluttering came from the water and Regulus spotted James Potter's bobbing head. His eyes widened in shock, and he rushed forward to help him. 

James was covered in different colours; green, red, orange, pink, purple and everything in between. 

“Thanks,” James gasped as he caught his breath. 

“Why are you multicoloured?” Regulus had to ask. James looked down at himself and started laughing. 

“It’s part of a prank, but I guess it’s on me now,” He chuckled. He picked up his bag and plucked out a perfectly round, flat pink stone. “We’re dying the lake. By the morning the entire lake will look like me,” He grinned proudly. 

“But why?” Regulus had never understood his brother’s obsession with pulling pranks around the school. It was just childish. James shrugged his shoulders. 

“Why not? It’s a beautiful piece of magic, and it’s not damaging unless you swim in it,” He pointed to himself. “It’ll fade after a day or two. It’s just a bit of mostly harmless fun.” He held out his hand to Regulus. Regulus hesitantly took the stone. 

It was very light, lighter than it should be. He flipped it over, studying it. “Throw it in,” James said, gesturing to the water. Regulus walked forward and threw the pink stone. It skipped across the surface and then floated where it landed, pink tendrils reaching out into the grey water. He looked out across the water and spotted the other floating stones, their colours leeching into the surrounding water. 

He sat down beside James after he’d helped throw the rest of the stones into the water around the island and watched the lake slowly change colour. It was peaceful. He never thought he’d find himself enjoying a sunset with James Potter, but he was. They flew back to the castle together and parted in the entrance hall, he down to the dungeons and James up the marble staircase. 

The following morning, he took his breakfast out to the lake and huffed a laugh at the sight. James had been right. It was beautiful.