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's gaze drops to the breakfast table, her fingers tracing the parchment of her schedule.
Most of her classes for the new term are the same, and unfortunately, the ones she shares with James Potter haven't changed either. Maybe the professors will rearrange the seating this year. She can only hope.
Beside her, Barty is engaged in a quiet conversation with Regulus. Regulus has been unusually silent over the past day, speaking only when necessary and mostly to Barty. Alina doesn't need to ask why.
Sirius had left. Ran away, if the rumors are to be believed. But Alina doubts the Black family has truly disowned him, despite what the papers claim.
There's no way Sirius escaped so easily. The Black family doesn't let go of their own without a fight, none of the pureblood families do.
Finishing her breakfast, Alina pushes her plate away and rises from the table, nodding briefly to Barty before slipping out of the Great Hall. The castle is alive with students shuffling in and out, the first day back always a swirl of chaos and noise.
"Alina!" a familiar voice calls out.
She turns to see Lily Evans, Mary Macdonald, and Marlene McKinnon approaching. Lily's warm smile and flushed cheeks make her seem even more radiant than usual. Mary walks beside her, and Marlene gives Alina a playful smirk.
"Well, if it isn't the prettiest Slytherin," Marlene teases, her smirk widening as they stop in front of her.
"Marlene," Alina greets, a hint of amusement in her tone. She nods politely to Lily and Mary. "How was your break?"
"Amazing," Lily replies, her smile softening. She smells like sugar cookies, and Alina instinctively leans into the scent. "We went ice skating."
"Ice skating?" Alina raises an eyebrow. "Sounds fun."
Marlene nods, signaling for them all to start walking. Thankfully, their path leads in the direction of Alina's first class. Lily and Mary chatter excitedly about their holiday adventures, but Alina's thoughts drift elsewhere.
The Dark Lord. Tom Riddle.
She needs to delve deeper into her research about him. Even though she despises her Seer visions and what they make her, there's always a deeper meaning behind them. A vision of the Dark Lord... that can't be a coincidence.
Her mind lingers on it, the weight of her burden pressing down until Lily's voice cuts through her thoughts.
"How was your break?"
"Fine," Alina answers.
"What's your first class today?" Mary asks with a bright grin, her dark curls bouncing as she turns her gaze to Alina.
For a fleeting moment, Alina realizes she rarely has visions about these girls. They are seldom the focal point of her Seer abilities. She pushes the thought aside.
