Alina Nightshade doesn't think much about James Potter. Only that he seems rather keen on being annoying.
James Potter thinks Alina Nightshade is a mystery all wrapped up in a very pretty girl. And he is keen on trying to be her friend.
James Potte...
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Alina looks up at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily across it.
She is currently in Care of Magical Creatures, outside with her classmates, trying to locate some elusive creature. Alina has already managed to find a few and placed them in the designated boxes. Her hands, however, are now grimy, and she despises the sensation of dirt on her skin.
What she hates even more is the fact that James Potter is in the class, standing right beside her.
"Sunshine?" James calls.
"What?" Alina snaps, turning her head sharply to the right to glare at him.
"I think I lost one of the creatures," he admits, a hint of nervousness in his voice, though a grin still plays on his lips.
Alina sighs. "Then look for it."
James frowns but obediently begins scanning the ground for the small furry creature. Around them, other students are scattered across the small clearing on the castle grounds, still searching for critters near the forest's edge.
Alina digs her nails into her palm as she glances down at her shoes, now slightly caked with mud. She hates mud. It is so infuriating.
"Hey, Nightshade!" Alina looks up to see an older group of students a few feet in front of her. This class is mixed with other grades, and the group consists mostly of older Slytherins.
"What?" Alina snaps, her eyes blank and unyielding. James straightens up beside her, tension evident in his posture.
"You should try talking with people sometime!" one of the guys in the group taunts, stepping forward. "Maybe it would make you less weird."
Alina narrows her eyes at the group. Annoyance settles over her like an old friend.
"I'm not sure how you expect anyone to like you, considering you're always off in your own world. No wonder no one's asked you out," the boy spits, a teasing tone lacing his words.
Idiots.
They are just fishing for a reaction, and they will regret it later when she sets their dorm on fire.
"Hey," James suddenly interjects, stepping in front of her. "Leave her alone."
"Potter–" Alina tries to say.
"What's it to you?" the older boy sneers. "You interested in the little weirdo?" He doesn't get to finish his sentence before James punches him. The boy staggers back, clutching his face in pain.
Alina's eyes widen slightly. The surrounding students gasp in shock before the older boy recovers and hits James back just as hard.
James stumbles but quickly regains his footing, punching blindly at the boy since his glasses have been knocked off.
"Stop it!" the professor shouts, casting a small spell to freeze both boys.
Oh, Salazar.
Is James a complete idiot? Well, yes, he is. Alina knows that. But punching someone?
