The Wrong Evans

IV: The Advice

Ravenclaws have always been known for living in a world of their creation; their ability to both ignore the reality around them and hyper-focus on a task is the one thing that gave them the reputation of being so successful and eccentric—no matter what it was, if it held their interest they would become absolutely obvious to the reality around them.

That's why it was no surprise to find Charlie wondering the dimly lighted hallways of Hogwarts with a book in her hands—the young Evans was just like any other Ravenclaw; if she had to multitask to keep her attention where she really wanted it- in this case, New Theory of Numerology​- then she would do so. However, no matter how deserted the corridors were, the results of walking without looking would inevitably be bad.

And just like anyone would've predicted, when she finally made it to the first floor, her body crashed into another one. The redhead muttered an apology as she side-stepped the person to get to her destination but a warm familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Oh, hey Charlie" James Potter's voice was dangerous, it had the ability to make her smile with three simple words, nonetheless, Charlotte turned back to him and nodded her head back- "Hey James," thinking that this was going to end up like all their short encounters the Ravenclaw was already making her way towards her destination when she felt another set of footsteps alongside hers.

"Where are we going?" Charlie was surprised to find a smirking James walking beside her, his hazel eyes shining with mischief and amusement at her confusion. As if the two were in complete synchronicity with one another, they both stopped at the same time, turning to study one another in the middle of the deserted hallway. James surprised her by not being out of his uniform yet, although it could barely pass as presentable— between his wrinkled shirt, his undone tie, opened school robes, and the mess he called hair it was hard to remember he was Head Boy, thankfully the golden insignia managed to shine even in such dim light.

"I'm going to the library,"- she waved the book in her hand hoping it would be enough to fool the reformed prankster- "Where are you going?" she asked with a raised eyebrow; he looked ready to pass out at any moment which told her he was probably on his way to his dorm, but instead of answering James narrowed his eyes at her.

"It's close to curfew," he stated while giving her a scrutinizing look; they stood there for a few silent moments, James looking like he was thinking hard about something while Charlie was trying to look as innocent as possible, but she knew she was busted when he said- "And the library is the other way" the Gryffindor was far too amused by her guilty smile to remember that he was supposed to send her to her common room.

Charlie shrugged and decided to drop the act- "Well Mr. Head Boy, I promise I'll be back to my common room on time,"- although James knew that was also a lie, he decided to let it go wanting to see if she would actually come clean- "And I'm going to the kitchens, I missed dinner again and I'm starving- See you around, yeah?" as fast as their conversation had started it was ending, this time with Charlotte walking away while James was left trying to process the last seconds of their interaction.

A small voice inside her mind was scolding her, why even after having cleaning the air between the two, she felt like she had to escape him? How could it be possible that she both craved interactions with him and at the same time she dreaded them? And for Merlin's sake, why was she running away from him!?

Before the young Ravenclaw could continue to scold herself she heard footsteps jogging up to her- "Wait! I'll walk you—that way neither of us will get in trouble," this time they didn't stop, both knowing where they were going, instead, Charlie threw him a confused look but decided to refrain from commenting on it—at least that was what she planned, but around James, her brain and her body didn't seem to be properly connected so it didn't surprise her all that much when she heard her own voice speaking up.