𝑪𝑰𝑮𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑻𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑴|| 𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑

"lookin' for the answers in the pourin' rain,"

It was finally December and there had been a drastic change in the weather. The winds blew bitterly, the frost bit at your nose and the snow covered the ground like a sheet.

Estella sat in the Great Hall, her eyes constantly rolling at the school choir who loudly sang Christmas carols. Estella hated the Christmas season, almost as much as she hated James Potter.

Marlene would always come back telling the stories of her brother and her having snowball fights and Lily would show off a mug warmer her and her mother knitted. Estella's Christmas was never like that.

The Ministry only gave her father the weeks around Christmas all year, and even-though he was on a break, he was more exhausting as ever.

Estella's Christmas was filled with shouts from her father, cries from her mother and the screams from Remus during the full moon. This year is was set to be Christmas Eve and neither Lupin was looking forward to it.

The chestnut haired girl could notice her brother looking down at her from a few seats away but she did not glance in his direction. She pretended like she didn't see him, because that was what helped her.

Estella was still frustrated at her brother and his friends over the animagus thing but that was because she had no one to tell about it, meaning she was forced to keep her anger bottled up inside. But this wasn't difficult for her. It was what she always did since she could remember and it was going to stay that way..

The Potions classrooms were mostly dark and melancholy- it stank of smoke and damp. And you would expect the Professor to be the same however he was a complete juxtaposition.

Slughorn was lively, outgoing and pleasant. His lessons were never boring, unless you hated Potions with a passion, like Estella.

And the lessons would only get worse with her being sat beside James Potter. The desk was located at the back beside the shelves of ingredients and engraved on it were names and doodles which past students carved.

Estella sat beside the boy in silence, twirling her quill between her fingers to entertain her. "Why are you even so bothered?" The Gryffindor asked with a whisper.

Estella, knowing what he was on about, rolled her eyes. "Why should I tell you? Not like you even care." Estella hissed back. Remus, who sat a few seats in front, couldn't help but overhear them so he looked over at them.

"Maybe if you were nice to us you would if crossed our minds." James replied back. "You mean if I was nice to you. I actually like Sirius and Peter because they aren't pricks like you."

"Ouch Lupin. My feelings." James sarcastically said which made Estella roll her eyes. The messy haired boy then glanced over to see Remus looking at him and shaking his head. He then gave James a look which he understood, so he sighed and turned back to face Estella.

"I'm sorry." James sighed which made Estella freeze for a moment before looking up at him with confusion. "What was that?" She asked him. "Oh you heard what I said!" James exclaimed which Slughorn stare at him.

"Yes Mr Potter, when we shout we do hear you." The Professor said before turning around to draw on the whiteboard. Estella snickered which made James glare at her, which only amused her more.

-☾~☽-

Estella was back in the Great Hall for her dinner, trying to block out the carols which the choir continued to sing. The marauders walked into the hall late which made the girls look up.

"Ah, Evans. Looking beautiful as always." James complimented the red head but she rolled her eyes. "Thought about that date I offered?" He then asked as he leaned on the table. "I did." A look of hopeful grew on his face.

"No, I'm fine." Lily replied which made him let out a sigh and slump in his chair beside Peter. Estella snickered which earned her a glare from the Gryffindor boy. "Can that boy not take the hint?" Dorcas asked quietly.

"He's naive Lily. But it's obvious why he's obsessed with you." Marlene winked at Lily which made her shake her head and roll her eyes.
Estella, from the corner of her eye, noticed James looking down the table.

"How about we go on a date Evans?" The girl asked the red head. "Hey! Calling her Evans is my thing!" James exclaimed loudly, hitting his hand on the table which brought attention to himself.

"But she actually enjoys it when I call her it." Estella smirked back with a wink, making James scowl at her and huff. "You two are children." Lily sighed as moved her red head behind her shoulders.

-☾~☽-

Estella and Marlene sat alone in the Gryffindor common room, the warm light from the fire illuminating their faces.

In Marlene's hand was a black bass guitar which she was slowly strumming whilst Estella looked forward to the facing fire and her feet up on the coffee table.

Both the girls' head turned to see the portrait swing open and the marauders walk in. Marlene continued to push her finger along the strings of the bass but Estella looked down at the floor.

She let out a small sigh as they began to sit down, Remus taking a seat on the couch beside her. James had jumped onto the armchair and had swung his legs over to the arm.

"Hasn't been a prank in a while. Given up Lupin?" James asked with a mischievous smirk. "And lose to you Potter? No way." Estella shot back quickly. Remus suddenly let out a small sigh beside her.

"Estella, I-" She cut him off. "Remus don't worry about it." He looked at her. "Really?" His eyebrows furrowed with confusion. "Yeah, I can just use it to guilt trip you into cleaning my room." She laughed as Remus rolled his eyes.

Suddenly, Peter jumped up and pushed his face against the cold glass of the window. "It's snowing!" He shouted loudly, his cheeks red and his grin wide.