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 blinks her eyes open, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling. Right—she's in Lily's dorm. Relief floods her as she realizes she hasn't had a vision, hasn't screamed, hasn't shattered the fragile connection she has with the Gryffindor girls.
Is it even a friendship?
She isn't sure, but she knows she likes Lily's presence. It's comforting in a way that doesn't make sense to her.
Alina inhales deeply, pushing herself up as her hair brushes against her shoulders. Across the room, Lily is already awake, sitting up and rubbing her face. Her red hair is a messy halo of frizz, yet she still looks beautiful in the soft morning light filtering through the windows.
"Good morning," Lily greets, her smile sleepy and her voice raspy.
"Morning." Alina isn't used to so much conversation this early. She rolls her neck, feeling the tension ease slightly, and swings her legs over the edge of the bed, her feet meeting the cold floor. "I'm going to head back to my common room, try to get there before the other Slytherins wake up."
"Alright," Lily yawns, stretching her arms above her head. "You can always come back if you need to." She gives a gentle smile, her expression sincere. "I'll see you later?"
"Yeah." Alina stands, hesitating briefly before turning to make the bed.
"Don't worry about it," Lily says lightly, waving it off.
Alina casts a quick glance at her, appreciating the casual kindness, before grabbing her school uniform from the bench at the foot of the bed. She slips quietly out of the dormitory, the hallway still empty and silent.
As she descends the girls' dormitory stairs, the Gryffindor common room is blessedly deserted. Alina clutches her clothes tighter, feeling the fabric crumple under her grip as she makes her way toward the exit.
The portrait door creaks open just as she reaches it, and she finds herself face-to-face with James Potter. His brown hair is damp, sticking to his forehead, and he's wearing a white tank top, sweat glistening on his skin—he must have been running.
"Sunshine?" James' eyes widen behind his glasses as he takes her in, surprise clear on his face. His gaze flicks down to her outfit, taking in the tank top and loose pants Lily lent her. It's a revealing choice compared to Alina's usual wardrobe—more skin than she's used to showing.
So many scars.
Alina is painfully aware of the marks littering her skin, each one a testament to her parents' cruelty. But James isn't staring at those.
"James," Alina greets coldly, forcing her thoughts into a tight grip, locking away anything that might show.
James's eyes snap up to meet hers, startled. He clears his throat, his face tinged with the faint pink of embarrassment. "Why are you in the Gryffindor common room?"
