𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒, james potter

06. charlie bayard

November 16, 1974

FINALLY, A SATURDAY. A trip to Hogsmeade was exactly what Nesrin needed to recharge after the absolutely disastrous week she had had. Not only did she fail her Transfiguration exam and find out that Charlie Bayard now had a girlfriend but she was also disheartened at the letter her parents had sent her.

Barely three months into the year, apparently her grades were not what they should be according to them. How they had received them, Nesrin didn't know. But she did know that she just wanted them to accept her and love her. If that meant spending extra hours in the library, so be it.

Right after a stroll around Hogsmeade and letting go of her thoughts for a while, Nesrin would go back to school with the intention of studying for her next Transfiguration lecture.

Prior to arriving in the small village, Nesrin had decided she was going there alone. Her friends were the last thing she needed on her day of wallowing in her misery. All they would do would be make fun of her for caring about her grades—especially in a "stupid" subject like Transfiguration—and would make her feel bad about herself. Then, they would continuously talk about boys and who was shagging who and gossip about things Nesrin didn't care for.

As she wandered through Zonko's Joke Shop desperately wanting something there to make her laugh, a figure appeared out of nowhere and nearly bumped into her. Already annoyed and frustrated, she scowled at the person but said nothing. The person in question grinned, Nesrin immediately recognizing the mischievous smile as if it were burned into the back of her mind.

"Fadel," he amusedly greeted.

"Potter," she grumbled back.

"You know, you must be the first person I have ever seen in this shop looking as if you want to strangle every single person you see."

"Not every single person I see. Just you."

James pouted affectionately and put his hand to his heart. "Aw, I didn't know you liked me that much." Nesrin rolled her eyes and turned around to quickly walk away, but James caught up to her with no problem. "Anyway, what's got your panties in a twist?"

Glaring at him, Nesrin replied grumpily, "My panties are not in a twist."

James held up his hands. "Hey, you're the one who looks just about ready to chop off the head of the next person you see. Unfortunately for me, that person happens to be me, so let's hear it."

Nesrin stopped walking and stared at James for a second as if trying to determine whether or not he was being serious. There wasn't any joke in his eyes, however, so Nesrin sighed and contemplated just telling him. She really just needed to get it out of her system.

Of course, she would never tell James the real reason behind why she was upset, that being her parents' letter, but she was willing to tell him about her longtime crush.

"Charlie Bayard."

"Huh?" he frowned in confusion.

"Charlie Bayard's got a girlfriend now."

James stared at Nesrin for a long minute with a blank face. She wondered what was going on in his head. Then, he burst out laughing.

"Are you serious?" James got out between laughs.

Nesrin narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?"

Finally ceasing his laughter, James replied with a grin, "You like that seventh-year Hufflepuff?"

Nesrin shrugged. "He's cute and sweet. And he's got dimples."

James leaned forward toward her, his smile unwavering and his eyes teasing. "I've got dimples as well."

She blinked. Then, she took a step back and rolled her eyes. "You're different."

"How?" he asked curiously.

"Did you completely miss the first two things I noted?"

James gaped at her. "Are you saying I'm not attractive? Or sweet? I'm definitely hotter than Charlie Bayard."

Nesrin scoffed, "As if. You're weird and a pain in my ass. Charlie is always nice to me even with all those rumors about me. He's, like, ten times more attractive than you."

James gasped in fake offense and shook his head disappointedly. "I cannot believe you said that. And to think I thought of us as partners in crime. How am I going to show up to class and pretend you never said that?"

Nesrin rolled her eyes at his overdramatic display and let a small smile appear on her lips. "Shut up. You're such an idiot."

"I'm smart enough to know that there's got to be more than just Charlie Bayard being taken that's made you sad."

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked down. "No, there isn't."

"C'mon, Fadel. You being this upset over a boy? That's not like you at all."

Nesrin sighed and looked back up at him. "My grade is suffering in Transfiguration." James frowned as she explained. "I just don't understand what the hell is going on, and how did my—"

She cut herself off quickly, realizing what she was about to say. James furrowed his eyebrows but didn't speak on it. He suddenly beamed at her, and she could visibly see a lightbulb go off in his head.

"That's the only reason? Well, it must be your lucky day because I'm about to offer you a once in a lifetime opportunity." He paused for effect. Nesrin quirked an eyebrow at him. "I'll tutor you."

Nesrin let out a disbelieving sound and stared at him. "You'll tutor me?"

"No need to thank me," he smiled widely. "I'm just doing my duty as a good Hogwarts student."

Scoffing, she spun on her heel and muttered, "I don't need tutoring."

"Really? Seems to me like you do if your complaining from just a moment ago is anything to go off of."

Nesrin groaned and turned to face him again. She crossed her arms as she stared up at him, their eyes almost level. "I don't need tutoring," she repeated aggressively as if that would stop James from talking.

James merely stared at her, a small smile playing on his lips.

And somehow, his silent stare irritated her more than any of his quips or his assumption.

Just for good measure, she repeated, "I don't need to be fucking tutored, Potter."

He raised his hands in defense. "It's your choice to make. Do you wanna pass the class? Do you not wanna pass? Do you want Minnie to hate you? Do you want to be her favorite? It's really all your decision to make. Pretty simple choice, actually, if you want to get a good grade. I mean, the alternative is failing, but you know, do whatever you want—"

"Alright!" She groaned, rubbing her head with a hand. "Fine, I'll get tutored. Just shut up."

James grinned in victory and held out his hand.

"So, partners?" he asked.

Nesrin eyed his hand warily. "Why are you doing this?"

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"We're not friends, Potter. Why are you so willing to help me? What's in it for you?"

The corner of his mouth quirked up. "We could be friends," he said, his hand still outstretched. "I'm not as bad as you think I am. I want to help you because you looked like you were about to cry just a few moments ago, and you look rather ugly when you frown."

Nesrin scowled at him as he grinned in response.

"But, hey. If you want to treat me to a butterbeer on our next trip to Hogsmeade, be my guest."

He gestured down to his hand, and Nesrin hesitated for a second. Sighing in defeat, she raised her own hand to his.

His palm was warm and rough against hers.