Seers Secret ✧ James Potter

~Chapter 69~

James Potter POV.

James shoots another concerned glance at Remus, lying pale and fragile on the bed. He looks awful, but that's to be expected. It's always like this around the full moon.

Yet, no matter how many times they go through this, James never gets used to it.

Sirius kneels by Remus' side, murmuring something softly, his hand resting gently on Remus' arm. There's an unspoken understanding between them that James can't quite intrude upon, and he finds himself fidgeting with his nails, picking at them absently.

He turns to Peter, needing a distraction. "How about we go get some breakfast, Wormy?"

Peter hesitates, glancing over at Sirius and Remus before nodding. "Yeah, alright."

They slip on their shoes, already dressed for the day, and quietly leave the dorm. The walk down to the Great Hall is silent, both of them weighed down by their worry for Remus. James' thoughts linger on his friend, but as they near the hall, his mind inevitably shifts to Alina.

Sitting at the Slytherin table, she looks just as she always does—gorgeous, unattainable. Her light hair is pulled back with a green headband, her expression calm and distant as she eats. James' heart clenches at the sight.

Merlin, she's beautiful.

He can't help but remember the kiss they shared. Her lips had been cool, soft—such a contrast to his own warmth. He would've gladly spent the rest of his life in that moment, their lips connected, the world falling away.

But it wasn't meant to be.

James and Peter sit at the Gryffindor table, filling their plates half-heartedly. James' eyes flicker back to Alina again, unable to stop himself. He knows the truth: there's no chance. She's a Slytherin. And him? A Gryffindor. The divide between them is impossible, even if he would do anything for just one chance with her.

That's why he keeps his feelings to himself. Why he hasn't said anything. Not that it's love. Not yet, at least.

James isn't sure he even knows what love is. His parents love each other, Sirius and Remus seem to love each other, but...did he love Lily? Probably not. Not really.

Maybe love doesn't have a single definition. Maybe it's just what you make of it.

"Prongs?"

Peter's voice snaps him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah?" James asks, forcing a smile.

Peter narrows his eyes, his voice low with concern. "You alright?"

"'Course," James replies, quickly looking away from the girl with the moonlit hair and skin that always seems to haunt his thoughts.

Peter doesn't look convinced, but he drops it, turning back to his plate.

James grabs another plate, absentmindedly piling food onto it. His thoughts keep drifting back to Alina—he can't help it.

"Are Remus and Sirius alright?" Lily's voice breaks through his haze.

His head snaps up, startled, to find her standing with Mary beside her, their hands intertwined. They look at him expectantly.

Oddly, he feels nothing as he stares at them.

"Yeah, just a bit under the weather," James forces a smile. "We're bringing them some breakfast."

Lily nods, a soft smile touching her lips, though James can't quite figure out why. "Tell them I hope they feel better soon."

"We will," Peter says, his voice a little nervous. Lily and Mary drift back to their spot, whispering between themselves, and James allows himself to relax.

But then he hears footsteps approaching the table.

His head jerks up again, messy hair falling into his eyes. Alina stands at the end of the Gryffindor table, arms crossed, her cool gaze assessing him.

"Sunshine," James greets her, grinning brightly despite the heat rising in his face. His hands fidget beneath the table, betraying his nervousness.

"James," Alina says with a nod, then turns to Peter briefly. "Peter." Her eyes scan the plates before returning to him. "I can take notes for Remus and Sirius today if you want."

James blinks, surprised. "Really?"

Alina raises an eyebrow, her lips curling ever so slightly. "They are sick, aren't they?" she asks, tilting her head. Her blonde hair shifts slightly with the motion, and James feels his stomach flip.

She's so pretty.

"Yeah!" James blurts, sitting up a little straighter. "Really sick. Very sick."

That smirk tugs at the corner of her lips again, teasing him. He wonders if he'll ever see her really smile.

Alina hums thoughtfully. "It's a full moon tonight. Make sure they don't go out," she says, giving Peter a knowing glance. "Wouldn't want them to get hurt."

The words hang in the air, settling in his mind a second too late.

Full moon. Hurt.

His brows furrow. No way she knows... right?

She can't.

"Yeah... right," James nods absentmindedly, but all confusion vanishes as his gaze finds her face again.

"Goodbye, James," Alina says, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Bye, Alina," he murmurs, waving slightly as she turns and walks out of the Great Hall.

James stares after her for a moment before snapping back to reality. He still needs to grab food for Sirius and Remus.

With a sigh, he resumes filling the plates, though his mind remains far from the table.