𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒, james potter

13. model for a fashion magazine

IT IS PAST midnight again when Nesrin walks to the back of the castle.

She isn't heading to the Astronomy Tower tonight and is instead opting to hide away from her roommates at this small alcove close to the library.

She drops onto the stone ledge and brings her knees to her chest. Her head leans to the side against the window, the glass freezing cold against her head though she can't find it in herself to care.

As she's looking out the window absentmindedly, she spots a figure down on the Quidditch Pitch which is directly in Nesrin's line of sight. At first, she thinks nothing of it. Players sneak out to the pitch all the time to practice after hours or do some stupid shit if they're drunk.

However, when she looks closer, the shape of the body along with the way it is moving around on the broom is unmistakable.

It's James.

She can't see him clearly, but his rigid posture and the aggressive way he extends his arm back to throw the quaffle into the hoop are enough for Nesrin to know that he is irritated. Why, she doesn't know. She's not sure if she even wants to.

She doesn't even know she's holding her breath until his feet land on the ground once again and he's safe. Her eyes drink in his every movement, refusing to blink in the fear of missing even a second of what he's doing.

Eventually, he leaves the pitch and storms off in the direction of the entrance closest to the Gryffindor common room.

She knows it's none of her business, but Nesrin can't stop worrying about what had gotten James so upset.

✧ ✦ ✧

SLUGHORN IS LATE to class, making everyone even more restless than usual once he actually starts the lecture for the day.

Nesrin can't stop the quick glances she shoots James every now and again. Just to be sure he's there. Next to her.

There's this strange sort of comfort that washes over her when she's near him, that has always washed over her even in the past. She can't quite explain it. It's as if her whole life, she has been on edge. Waiting for something terrible to happen as tension seeps from every inch of her body.

When she met James, this tension slowly started slipping away. Little by little as they got closer and closer. And then all of a sudden, James Potter was her best friend and there was nowhere she felt safer than in his arms.

Even now, even when she knows she can't touch him anymore, even when she knows he's not hers anymore, the comfort is familiar. It wraps around her like a warm, soft blanket. A loyal blanket that has been used so many times that its edges are worn and colors faint, but it is still as warm as ever.

She doesn't even notice she's completely zoned out of the lecture until there's a nudge at her outer knee. Abruptly, she stops doodling on her parchment and turns her head.

He doesn't look at her or acknowledge her, he just stares forward at Slughorn. Swallowing, she looks back to the front of the class even though her attention is on everything but the lesson.

Slughorn is smiling when she decides to actually listen to what he's saying.

"...my past student was terrific with these potions. You all may know him. His name is Charlie Bayard."

Nesrin blinks.

Ever so slowly and on its own accord, her head turns to the left at the same time James's head turns to the right. Her dark eyes meet his light ones. They're both silent for a second before they smile and let out quiet snickers.

They stare at each other for a beat too long; James looks away first.

Slughorn continues, "He was a very promising student of mine. Always on time, always completed all of his assignments to the best of his ability. Merlin, the boy even taught me one or two things."

"I bet he's a model for a fashion magazine now," Nesrin mumbles to herself, one hundred percent convinced that this is true.

She hears a snort from her left and her head snaps to the side so she can see the culprit. 

The corners of his mouth tug up a little as he glances at her. She lets out a timid smile in return and a surge of heat rushes through her body.

And then James clears his throat and his smile drops and the moment ends.

Nesrin turns away, but she can't find it in herself to be disappointed.

James Potter smiled at her for the first time in two years.

𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 !

exactly one year ago today, i was screaming all the lyrics to louis tomlinson's songs and listening to him say "fook" in person. i love concert anniversaries <3

also how do we feel about smut in this book.....?

i have a scene planned out but i don't wanna put it in if it makes you guys uncomfortable. if i write it, it won't be for a little bit (cough chapter fifty cough) but i just want to get your opinion to see if you would want that