𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒, james potter

27. clandestine meetings and stolen stares

November 29, 1975

NESRIN AND JAMES were together every second they could be.

They would come up with excuses for their friends and then sneak away to meet up with each other. At their secret spot. At the Astronomy Tower. In empty classrooms. In old, storage closets.

When they sat together in Transfiguration, James would move his hand towards her, intertwining his fingers with hers underneath the desks. She'd squeeze, and he'd squeeze back.

Whenever they passed each other in the hallways, they would walk just close enough so that their fingers could touch and their shoulders could brush against each other.

Any chance they got with no one around or looking at them, they would steal a kiss or a longing touch.

In the Great Hall, in class, in the hallways, their eyes would latch onto each other's like sharks finding their prey. Their gazes would linger for longer than considered normal. These were the moments that were theirs.

Just theirs.

It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

And neither of them had ever felt more alive.

✧ ✦ ✧

NESRIN WAS READING an old, worn copy of Anna Karenina underneath a tall tree.

A heartbreaking story of a married woman falling in love with another man thus beginning their illicit affair.

It was a captivating novel, one of Nesrin's most beloved books.

As she turned the page, she heard the rustle of the grass beside her before a figure sat down. Immediately, a warmth rushed through her, settling deep in her veins.

She withheld a smile, not turning to look at him.

He cleared his throat. She didn't move. He sighed, exasperated, before he grabbed the book from her hands.

"Hey!" she screamed, scowling at him.

He grinned. "That's what you get for ignoring me."

"Give it back, James."

"No."

"Give it back!"

He held it out of reach, so she couldn't grab it.

Glaring at him, she said, "I hate you."

He leaned down, his breath falling on her face. "Do you really?" he whispered.

Her breath hitched. It was a little pathetic how easily he affected her.

"I—"

He closed the distance between them, their mouths molding into each other. With his free hand, he grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him.

She sighed into the kiss, placing her hands on his cheeks and kissing him back without hesitation. When she knew his guard was down, she pulled away and grabbed her book from him.

He scoffed, narrowing his eyes at her despite the smile on his face. She smiled triumphantly.

"You are insufferable," he told her.

Her smile didn't waver. "I know."

He snorted lightly, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. Was it possible to melt every time someone touched you?

He moved his body so that his head could rest on her lap.

She smiled, one of her arms going over his chest so that she could hold the book out in front of her. Her other hand moved to his head so she could run her fingers through his hair.

"Read to me," James murmured, closing his eyes. "I like listening to your voice."

Her heart swelled. James was already hers, but she wanted him more and more every day.

So, she read to him.

The part of the book where Vronsky finally knew for a fact that Anna wanted him.

"'Do this for me: never say such words to me, and let us be good friends.' Those were her words, but her eyes said something different.'"

Love was a funny thing, wasn't it? It happened at the most unexpected time, with the most unexpected person.

𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 !

see what i did there with the anna karenina illicit affair thing?