WinterWitch: Control

Chapter 22

James POV

"If you want to freeze to death, you're welcome to use the cryostasis chamber," I said, stepping out onto the balcony with my hands behind my back. I was walking back to my room when I noticed Wanda outside. It was 7pm and way too cold for her to be out there in just her shorts and jumper that she still hadn't changed out of.

She looked back at me and shrugged. A small smile showed on her face. "I'll come in soon."

As she turned back to the horizon view, not that there was much to see, I shut the glass door behind me. I didn't want to impose on her space, but Natalia made it quite clear that Wanda was not supposed to be alone, especially not today.

I slowly walked towards her, not wanting to make her feel worried I was spying on her. "Do you want to watch that Harry Potter movie you were talking about?"

She raised an eyebrow at me. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix?"

I nodded, not knowing what on Earth she was talking about or if it was the right movie. It would be interesting to see the reference I had heard so much about - she had mentioned it most times when reviewed my memories. She walked back to the glass door and I took it as a sign to follow her.

We were strolling back to her bedroom when I realised that she might've missed dinner. "Do you want to order a pizza?" I asked casually as we got to her door.

She shrugged and opened the door to her room. "I'm not really that hungry." Was that a sign that she had eaten? Or was she aware I was checking up on her and saying that to put me off? I didn't know what to think, but I wasn't going to push her, not that I ever would.

We settled down on the couch, leaving a metre between us as she snuggled into her corner. I politely sat in the other corner, not really knowing where she wanted me. Usually, we would just sit on the bed.

Wanda told JARVIS to play the movie and the introduction appeared on the screen. "Is this a series of films?" I asked as we watched the beginning. I felt as though I was missing a bit of context.

"Pause the film, J," she told the A.I and turned to face me with her legs tucked up beneath her. "Harry Potter is a wizard who goes to a school called Hogwarts. His parents are dead too," she said, bluntly.

Her eyes immediately widened at what she had just said and I couldn't help but look a little shocked too. "Sorry," she muttered quietly, turning her head back to the screen. I wanted to reach across to put a hand on her shoulder, but I didn't want to invade her personal space.

"No bother." I didn't want her to feel bad, but I certainly didn't expect that from her. I tried to put it to the back of my mind as the movie continued.

It was rather funny. A bird came through Harry's house in the first few minutes and slammed into the wall. I couldn't help but let a laugh slip. I felt a bit bad afterwards.

A few scenes later surprised me. My eyes widened as they started flying through the air on broomsticks. "What the..." I could see her smiling at me, but my eyes were glued to the screen. "How did they film it? Did Stark help?"

She laughed at me and shook her head. "No, they use special effects. I don't understand it that well," she admitted, not that I understood what she was saying. The technology available nowadays was incredible.

We continued to watch. I found the plot quite interesting, even though I hadn't seen the previous few films. The woman in pink irritated me a lot. She was too stuck up and rude. Also, the rose shade of her clothes absolutely revolted me.

About halfway through the film, I could feel her eyes on me. I looked over and surprisingly, she didn't shy away. "What?" I asked quietly, noticing the tears in her eyes.