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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Hogsmeade weekend buzzes with excitement. It's the day everyone will pick out their dresses or robes for the dance, and anticipation hangs in the air.
Alina knows her mother will be sending a gown—something extravagant, no doubt—but she still plans to get one from Hogsmeade, just in case. Though she'd never admit it, her mother does have good taste sometimes.
"Alina!" A familiar voice calls out, pulling her from her thoughts.
She turns to see Lily Evans approaching with Mary Macdonald and Marlene McKinnon. Mary waves enthusiastically, while Marlene greets her with a smirk.
"Want to come shopping with us?" Mary asks, smiling brightly.
"Sure," Alina agrees, and Marlene shoots her a cheeky grin as the four girls start walking toward the village. Alina's mind drifts to her to-do list. First, she needs a dress. But more importantly, she's on the hunt for some rare herbs. She's found a potion in one of her books that intrigues her, but the main ingredient is hard to find, growing only in the wild and rarely sold in shops.
"Has anyone asked you out yet?" Marlene's voice interrupts her thoughts.
"What?" Alina blinks, straightening her shoulders and instinctively scanning the crowd for a certain Gryffindor boy she hasn't seen yet.
"For the dance," Lily clarifies. "Has anyone asked you?"
"Thank Merlin, no," Alina replies flatly, earning a laugh from Marlene.
"I'm thinking of asking Dorcas... or some other girl just to make her jealous," Marlene says with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Of course you are," Mary says, rolling her eyes playfully.
Alina turns to Lily and Mary, treading carefully through the light dusting of snow. "Are you two going together?"
Both girls fumble over their words, Lily's face matching her fiery hair as Mary's eyes widen.
Alina stares blankly at the two, while Marlene cackles beside her.
"I—I mean, no," Lily stammers, forcing a nervous laugh. "No one's asked me."
Alina hums, looking away, her expression as unreadable as ever. Marlene's laughter simmers down, though her cheeks are still flushed.
"I needed that," Marlene whispers, grinning. "They've got to get together soon."
"They will—at the dance," Alina says confidently.
"Wanna bet?" Marlene challenges, raising an eyebrow.
"Five Galleons?"
"You're on."
Alina rolls her eyes in amusement. The girls soon arrive at the village, wasting no time finding the dress shop, bustling with students and gleaming with bright lights.
