james potter couldn't be more intrigued by the somewhat mysterious ravenclaw, belle clement. the problem is, he can only find her holed up in the hogwarts kitchen at three am and no one seems to know who she is.
belle clement is content with being u...
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James Potter's eyes snapped open as he shot into an upright position. Breathing heavy, he scanned the room only for his eyes to be met with the image of his sleeping friends and not hungry Acromantulas. He lugged his tired body towards the bathroom, leaning over the sink and splashing cold water onto his tired face.
Drying his face on a nearby towel, he looked up at the mirror and studied the heavy dark circles forming under his eyes.
"I look a right mess." He grumbled to himself.
Splashing his face once more, James headed back out of the bathroom and into the dorm. Growing more awake by the second, he knew that he wouldn't be able to fall back asleep.
Wearing nothing but a pair of plaid pajama pants, James grabbed a crumpled black jumper off the ground and slipped it over his head before slipping his bare feet into a matching pair of plaid slippers. Lastly, he grabbed his glasses off the bedside table and disappeared from the dorm room.
James was shocked how peaceful the halls were as he passed calmly through the corridors. He knew that he had been around at this time before, but whenever he was, he was either sneaking back to the dorm after a full moon or drunkenly wandering.
Before he knew it, he was standing before the out of place painting he stumbled through only a mere twenty-four hours prior. With the thought of a hot cup of tea on his mind, James tickled the painted pear and let the painting gracefully swing open.
Stepping inside, he allowed the sweet smell of breakfast to fill his nose as he closed his eyes with a satisfactory sigh. After breathing in the scent for a few more seconds, he finally slipped inside the warm, bustling kitchen.
A disbelieving chuckle escaped James's lips as he noticed a familiar brunette sitting quietly on a wooden stool, eagerly reading her book.
"So you are real!" James exclaimed, striding towards her at a fast pace.
His mystery girl yelped in surprise, holding her now closed book to her chest as she rapidly turned towards an amused James who was making a note of her perfect Ravenclaw uniform. "Oh, hello."
James was shocked at the elegant French accent that fell from her lips. How did he not notice the obvious French accent last night?
"And you're French!" He excitedly pointed out.
James noticed a subtle smile grow on Belle's lips as she gently nodded, placing her forgotten book on the table.
"I'm surprised to see you here again." He confessed, pulling himself onto the stool next to her.
"I could say the same about you, James Potter." She replied softly, but James didn't miss the teasing grin she tried to hide behind her steaming cup of tea. Memories of his continuous use of her full name flooded his mind.
"Touché, Belle Clement, touché ." He grinned at her. A small laugh escaped her mouth, causing James's grin to widen.
The two fell into a comfortable silence for a few moments, giving James time remember why he came down to the kitchens in the first place. Retrieving a warm cup of tea from one of the house elves, he slipped back onto his stool.
"How come you go to Hogwarts and not Beauxbatons?" He questioned, breaking the silence.
"My mother despised her time at Beauxbatons," Belle explained with a reminiscent smile. "She always said it felt more like an etiquette institution than a school of magic."
"Maybe I should transfer then, I could do with some better manners." James joked.
"Maybe," Belle replied. "I'm sure McGonagall would appreciate the quiet."
James laughed loudly before finally responding, "Nah, Minnie loves me, she would be devastated."
"Whatever you say," Belle sarcastically trailed off with another teasing smile. James was surprised that the seemingly quiet girl had a lot more to say than what she led on. He wasn't used to girls returning his witty banter, Lily always shut him down before he could even finish a sentence.
The two spoke back and forth, not noticing the way time was quickly slipping. Their conversation ceased when James watched as a small house elf scurry over to Belle, whispering something in her ear before scurrying away.
"That is my cue," Belle said as she pulled her satchel up from the ground.
"Thanks for the company, Belle Clement." James asked, a small feeling of disappoint settling in his chest. "See you around?"
"I'm sure you will, James Potter," She smiled, offering him a small wave goodbye before gliding elegantly out of the kitchens, leaving no sign that she was ever there to begin with.
Well, maybe the half full cup of cold tea and the sweet smell of rose perfume would give it away.
