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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James Potter POV.
James leans against the wall beside the Great Hall doors, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the hall. He's waiting.
Alina has been ignoring him for days. She walked past him as if he didn't exist, not even sparing a glance when she left the Great Hall with Marlene. It's been eating at him since.
So here he is, waiting for her to come to breakfast—if she even shows up.
His mind keeps drifting back to that morning. He was out on a quiet walk, just trying to clear his head when he spotted her. They had almost kissed, and James has been panicking ever since. It's the kind of moment that lingers, refusing to be pushed aside. Not that he's told Sirius, Remus, or Peter. He hasn't dared.
James fiddles with his glasses, adjusting them even though they don't need it, his nerves creeping up. Then he sees her.
Alina makes her way down the corridor, eyes glued to a book in her hands. She glances up briefly, her expression unreadable, before her gaze returns to the page.
"Sunshine!" James calls out, pushing off the wall and stepping into her path.
Alina pauses, her expression blank as she looks up at him. The early morning light streams through the windows, catching her hair and giving it a soft, ethereal glow.
"James," she greets, her voice devoid of warmth.
"Sit with me?" he asks, forcing a smile that feels more desperate than he wants to admit.
Alina opens her mouth, likely to refuse, but James rushes in before she can.
"Please," he says, his tone almost pleading. "You don't even have to talk. You can pretend I'm not there."
Alina's eyes narrow, skepticism evident. "Do you promise that in Potions, you'll actually sit still and not mess with anything?"
"Promise," James replies instantly, almost too eagerly.
She regards him for another moment, her gaze sharp, before she sighs, shutting her book with a soft thud. "Fine," she mutters.
James can't help the grin that spreads across his face. It's not much, but at least she's not ignoring him anymore.
He turns, making his way into the Great Hall and glancing back to ensure Alina is following. They head to the Gryffindor table, where James slides into his usual seat across Sirius, who raises an eyebrow at him. Alina sits beside James, positioning herself at the very end of the table, as far away from the others as she can manage.
Peter is seated across from her, Sirius across from James, and Remus beside Sirius, half-buried in a book.
"Well, hello there, Lina," Sirius smirks, his tone teasing.
