CLOSE TO YOU • jp + sb [1]

01.02 | BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY

CHAPTER TWO

THE castle was alive with the joyous energy of a new school year. The welcome feast had been an opulent display of Hogwarts' finest fare, and now, the Gryffindor common room was transformed into a lively dance hall, brimming with the exuberance of the sixth and seventh-year students. The Gryffindor annual back-to-school party was a tradition that everyone eagerly anticipated, a chance to shake off the summer blues and revel in the camaraderie of housemates.

Selyna Diggory arrived fashionably late, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She was dressed in a sleek, black dress that hugged her figure in all the right places, its simplicity enhancing her natural beauty. As she entered the common room, her eyes were immediately drawn to the crowd, searching for that familiar mop of dark hair that could only belong to James Potter.

Selyna caught the attention of several students as she wove through the throng, her presence unmistakably elegant. Sirius Black, ever the charmer, noticed her immediately. His gaze lingered appreciatively before he raised his drink in a casual salute. But Selyna's focus was unwavering; she was determined to find James and finally have a much needed conversation. It was their last year and essentially her last chance to get James to reciprocate her feelings and leave Lily in the past.

The common room was buzzing with music and laughter, the atmosphere thick with the intoxicating blend of youthful enthusiasm and alcohol. Selyna spotted James across the room, leaning heavily against a table, a half-empty bottle of butterbeer clutched in his hand. His face was flushed, his movements unsteady. She could tell that he was already quite tipsy.

James was making a valiant, though slurred, attempt to ask Lily Evans out. Lily, who was standing nearby with a disinterested expression, shook her head and took a step back. James' expression fell, a look of dejection overtaking his inebriated features. Selyna's heart ached as she witnessed the scene. She had hoped for a different outcome, but the familiar cycle of James' unrequited affection for Lily Evans was playing out once again.

Feeling a surge of both sympathy and frustration, Selyna approached James, her elegant stride almost lost in the sea of dancing students. She gently touched his shoulder, causing him to turn his bleary eyes toward her.

"James, hey. Can we talk for a minute?" she asked, her voice soft yet firm.

James blinked, seeming to struggle to focus on her. "Selyna? Oh, hey. What's up?"

She led him away from the bustling common room to a quieter corner near the fireplace, where the noise was a dull roar rather than a cacophony. The flickering light cast shadows over their faces, adding a certain melancholy to the moment.

"I just... I know things didn't go well with Lily," Selyna began, searching for the right words. "Maybe she isn't the one for you. Sometimes, the person who's meant for us is closer than we think."

James's brows furrowed, and he shook his head, his expression stubborn. "No, Selyna. It's always been Lily. She's perfect. No one is better than her. It's always going to be Lily for me."

Selyna's heart sank. She had hoped for a different reaction, some sign of doubt or reflection. Instead, James's words felt like a knife twisting in her chest. Anger flared within her, mingling with her hurt.

"Why is it always Lily?" she demanded, her voice rising despite her attempt to remain calm. "What does she have that I don't?"

The words hung in the air, a painful confession of her feelings. The realization of what she had just said hit her like a tidal wave, and she was overwhelmed by a wave of shame and regret. Before James could respond, she turned and fled, slipping away from the quiet corner and losing herself in the crowd.