cigarette daydream || james potter

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

The morning broke grey and overcast, a thin veil of cloud stretching across the Scottish sky and muting the early sunlight that usually poured through the high windows of Gryffindor Tower. The castle seemed to carry an air of quiet apprehension, as though even its ancient stones understood the significance of the day. Gone were the carefree conversations that usually drifted through the corridors before breakfast. Instead, seventh-years moved through the castle with textbooks clutched tightly against their chests, lips silently mouthing incantations or historical dates, every face marked by the same mixture of exhaustion and determination.

Estella barely noticed any of it.

She had slept poorly, her dreams interrupted by fragments of unfinished examination questions and half-remembered passages from thick textbooks. Every time she'd drifted off, her mind had found another reason to wake her. By the time dawn finally arrived, she felt as though she hadn't rested at all.

She stood in front of the small mirror beside her bed, mechanically fastening the buttons of her robes. Dark circles lingered beneath her eyes, her freckles seemed dulled by fatigue, and despite brushing her hair twice, several stubborn strands still refused to lie flat.

Oliver sat upon the windowsill, washing one paw with complete indifference to the human panic surrounding him.

"Lucky you," Estella muttered, adjusting her tie for what felt like the tenth time. "Your biggest worry today is deciding where to nap."

The cat blinked lazily before returning to his grooming.

With a sigh, she slung her satchel over one shoulder and made her way downstairs.

The common room was unusually subdued. Even Sirius Black, whose voice normally carried across the entire tower before breakfast, was sitting quietly in an armchair with a piece of toast balanced forgotten in one hand. Several seventh-years had transformed every available table into makeshift revision stations, books spread open beside untouched bowls of porridge and rapidly cooling cups of tea.

Remus looked up from a thick Defence Against the Dark Arts textbook as Estella approached.

"You look dreadful."

She dropped heavily into the armchair opposite him.

"Morning to you too."

"I meant tired."

"I know what you meant."

He smiled sympathetically before sliding a mug of coffee across the table towards her.

"I made this before Sirius could steal it."

"I would've shared," Sirius protested.

"You would've inhaled it."

"That's sharing."

Estella wrapped both hands around the warm mug, allowing the heat to seep into her cold fingers.

"I've got two exams today."

"I know."

"I'd rather wrestle a Hungarian Horntail."

Sirius looked up immediately.

"Can I watch?"

"You'd probably encourage the dragon."