𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗|| James Potter

16.

Rhea doesn't know who she's more surprised by James or Sirius.

Both of them have shut up for a whole month, something she didn't even think Sirius was capable of doing for a day, never mind thirty one.

Though she may occasionally complain about his jokes.

Constantly complains about them. They are particularly dreadful.

Rhea finds herself missing him. Even during the years they didn't get along, at least she could argue with him. But no matter what she or anyone else did he didn't speak for a month.

One other thing she had missed in the past month was talking to James Potter, she didn't truly know how that occurred because half a year ago she hated the mere sound of his voice in the distance. However Rhea, who would never admit it to anyone under any circumstances, found herself missing his company.

She dared to attempt to study with Kathleen and Evan but, Salazar, she doesn't think they know the definition of the word study.

Kath complained far too much and Evan had been seconds away from having his hair set on fire multiple times by Kathleen in the space of two hours. By the end Rhea completely forgot about revising instead debated finding new friends.

So when James drops down in the seat next to her a week after he started talking again, she feels rather excited to have her study partner back. Yet that feeling disappears as quickly as it came as she looks at him.

Rhea's eyes widen as she takes him in. Dark purple bags cover under his eyes, a fresh scratch on the side of his cheek leading under his chin and a cut lip. A bruise is starting to form underneath his hair at the very side of his head.

"Merlin, Potter." Rhea hesitantly reaches her hands out to grab his face, he must have seen the hesitation in her face because he nods at her. She lightly places both her hands on him inspecting his face. "What happened to you?"

James leans into her hands, "Nothing."

She glares at him knowing he's lying. She has proof in her hands. "Don't lie to me, Potter."

"It's nothing. I swear." Rhea knows he's lying, not only is very fucking obvious with the scratch's and little bruises on his face but he also refuses to look her in the eyes.

"We're not studying today," Rhea announces, removing her hands from his face and starts packing up her parchment and books that were previously scattered across the table.

"What– Rhea, why are you leaving?" James looks panicked all of a sudden sitting up in his chair. He reaches out his hand to grab her bag. "Rhea what are you doing?"

"We're leaving."

"Sta– wait, we?" He asks, something like relief settling on his face. Rhea nods and grabs his bag from the floor that he dropped when he walked in.

"No offence but you look terrible and tired. I'm not going to make you revise. Besides, I have spent too much time here this week."

James nods, taking his bag off Rhea and leading them both out the library. Rhea doesn't know if he's aware of his hand resting on her lower back or the way his fingers dance with her hair that's loosely falling down her back.

Rhea fights the urge to shiver as his fingers start trailing up and down her spine.

Clearing her throat Rhea moves away from his torturous hand. "So, where are we going?"

James stops and looks around before his eyes land back on her. He presses his lips together before answering. "I actually don't have a clue."

Neither does she. She just knows they aren't going to revise today. Maybe he wants to go back to his common room and sleep. Even if, selfishly, part of her wants him to stay.