Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

In the Library

My morning and afternoon classes are mostly uneventful, though the entire school day seemed to crawl by painfully slowly. Perhaps this is purely because Sirius and I stayed up so late together. All in all, I only managed to get about an hour of sleep, if one could even call it that. More like a fitful nap on the sofa, with Sirius playfully poking me awake just moments before my Herbology class was set to start.

In the end, I make it to the greenhouse only a few minutes late, and am able to successfully go through all the proper motions on the day's lab, a study of Alihotsy leaves. I force myself to pay attention, meticulously recording my observations of the laughter-inducing plant. In the end, concentration wins out over exhaustion, and I'm especially proud of the detailed sketches I make of the green and red speckled leaves.

Yet as soon as I stop a task

- Any task -

My mind's straight to the thought of this evening's meeting with Regulus.

Afternoon's class is Divination, and that's where I completely lose my battle to stay focused. The sleepy, dimly lit classroom, coupled with an incredibly dull lecture on divining by observing the various migration patterns of birds, conspires perfectly against me. Giving up entirely, I tilt my head forward and let my eyes flutter closed, allowing daydreams and idle thoughts to give way to a light nap.

It's only when I hear the rustle and chatter of those around me getting up and collecting their belongings that I snap out of my reverie and rub at my eyes.

Whatever, one missed Divination class - hardly the end of the world.

I promise myself I'll make up for it; copy someone's notes later, or else seek out a chapter on Ornithomancy in the library.

Upon reaching the bottom of the North Tower, I stop short in surprise. There, waiting for me with a patient and handsome grin on his face? James Potter, leaned up against the stone wall, hands shoved in his front pockets.

I approach him with a grin, one eyebrow raising upwards in surprise, "Well now, what's this, then?"

Smirking back at me, he pushes himself off the wall, "What, I need an excuse to come find one of my best friends in the world?"

"Never! Never, ever!"

Laughing, I push at him playfully. Reaching out, he throws his arm around me and gives my shoulders an affectionate squeeze as the two of us begin meandering slowly down the hall together.

After walking together for a bit, James gave my shoulder a light but meaningful tap, "So ... tonight's the night then, huh?"

"Should be. Unless he stands me up or something. Hopefully not though. The sooner we can get moving the better."

As we come to a stop, James pulls his arm away and eyes me with an unusually serious expression, "About this whole ... situation. I had a thought: do you want me to join? Make sure he doesn't cause any trouble or -"

"I appreciate that, Prongs. Really, I do. But no, at least not until I get a sense of how it's going, you know?"

"Fair enough. Just know it's a standing offer."

"Thanks, Prongs."

"Anything for you."

After dinner, I head to the library early and find a quiet corner table. Settled in with my coursework fanned out around me, I quickly lose myself in an Herbology book I've been reading in my spare time to supplement my coursework, 101 Wonderous Herbs of South America.

About an hour passes like this, until finally I hear the soft sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Glancing down at the watch I'd set beside me, I try to ignore a sudden wave of nervousness.