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 sits at the Gryffindor table, her lunch mostly untouched. It's the next day, and the previous night with the girls was surprisingly... fun. She didn't expect to enjoy herself, but she did. Still, the looming conversation with Barty hangs over her like a dark cloud.
Thankfully, he hasn't approached her yet, and she intends to avoid it for as long as possible.
After lunch, she'll have a short break before her dreaded career meeting with Slughorn. She's not looking forward to that either.
What will she even tell him? That she has aspirations of becoming a Healer? She doesn't. Not really. Dreams are for people with futures they can shape. For her, there's nothing—nothing to look forward to, nothing—
"Alina?" Peter's nervous voice interrupts her spiraling thoughts. She glances up from her plate, noticing the absence of James and Sirius. They're likely off causing trouble somewhere, pranking another unfortunate hallway.
"Yes?" she responds, her tone detached, raising a brow at the boy who shifts anxiously before her.
"Could you, um, help me with the Potions homework?" Peter asks, wringing his hands. "I—I don't get it."
Her tense shoulders ease slightly. "Sure. We can head to the library now if you want."
Peter's face lights up in surprise. "Really? You're sure?" His wide, hopeful eyes meet hers.
Alina simply nods.
Peter beams, immediately grabbing a pastry from the table and stuffing it into his bag. Alina follows suit, collecting her things as they leave the Great Hall together.
"Thanks," Peter mumbles, casting a glance at her from under his lashes as they walk. His brown eyes are filled with both gratitude and nerves.
Alina doesn't reply, just gives a small nod. Silence settles between them, though she can sense Peter's discomfort as they make their way to the library.
When they arrive, Alina leads them to an empty table, sitting down before Peter follows, already pulling out his notes with jittery hands.
She watches him fumble with the papers, amused by how anxious he always seems, yet he had the courage to ask her for help. It's... endearing, in a way.
As Peter spreads his notes across the table, Alina quickly realizes the homework isn't nearly as difficult as he made it out to be. Over the next hour, they work through the potion theory together. Peter scribbles down notes while she explains the concepts step by step. Her voice, usually sharp and cutting, softens into patient instruction.
Peter soaks in her words, nodding as he listens carefully. Surprisingly, once she breaks things down for him, he grasps the material quickly. It makes her wonder if he underestimates his own intelligence—or perhaps, downplays it to fit in with his friends.
