Seers Secret ✧ James Potter

~Chapter 78~

Make sure you're on the right chapter!! Wattpad is glitching so idk if these will post the notifications in the right order!!

Alina narrows her eyes, watching the wolfsbane potion simmer gently before scooping a ladleful into a glass vial. The potion is ready at last. Its color is perfect, gleaming in the candlelight flickering around her bathroom.

Once the vial is filled, she swiftly corks it and tucks it into her robe pocket, rising from the floor. Cleaning up the potion supplies can wait—breakfast is starting soon, and she needs to find Remus.

Two days ago, James apologized to her. And now, it's the full moon.

The apology was different this time. James has said sorry before, but always for trivial things or with half-hearted sincerity. This time, he seemed genuine. Not that it matters much to her—they aren't friends, despite his constant insistence otherwise.

Alina crosses into her dorm, grabbing her bag and giving her uniform one last check in the mirror. Satisfied, she slips out quietly. The common room is empty, the fire low, making her exit unnoticed and easy.

Her footsteps echo in the cold stone corridors as she makes her way toward the Great Hall, her shoes tapping lightly on the floor in the quiet of the early morning.

As she nears the hall, the soft hum of student chatter drifts through the open doors. She hesitates for a moment, her hand slipping into her pocket to touch the cool glass of the vial. She squeezes it once, before stepping inside.

Her eyes immediately find the Gryffindor table. James Potter, of course, is the first thing she notices. He looks tired, though a crooked smile is still plastered on his face, his messy hair somehow managing to look even more unruly than usual. His uniform, for once, appears neat—except for his glasses, which sit askew on his face. Merlin, why can he never wear them properly? It drives her mad.

The rest of his friends are there too. Peter, beside James, looks exhausted, dark circles under his eyes. Sirius sits across from James, though his gaze is focused entirely on Remus, who looks pale and worn out, his usual liveliness drained away. There's a spot open next to him, with Lily on his other side.

Good.

Alina weaves her way through the tables, slipping between the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors until she reaches her destination. She stops next to Remus and Lily, her hand still wrapped tightly around the vial in her pocket.

"Can I sit here?" Her voice, catches James's attention immediately. His eyes light up, that infuriatingly bright smile growing wider.

"Of course!" Lily replies warmly, already shifting to make more room. Remus gives a weak wave, clearly too tired to offer much more.

Alina sits down quickly, her eyes darting to Remus's goblet of juice. She'll give him the potion as discreetly as possible. Across the table, James beams at her, his eyes gleaming with some untold joke.

"Sunshine," he greets brightly. Peter offers a small wave as well, though his usual energy is clearly lacking.

Alina can't help but glance at James. "James," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

His smile brightens instantly, his cheeks tinged with a slight flush.

Alina gives a quick wave to Peter, then shoots a glare at Sirius, who only grins mischievously and leans back on the bench, entirely unbothered.

Remus, meanwhile, seems drained. His eyes are heavy, his movements sluggish, though he keeps sipping his juice, unaware of what's about to happen.

Alina waits. She makes sure to wait until no one is paying attention. The chatter around the table becomes background noise as she scans their faces. When she's certain all eyes are elsewhere, she discreetly pulls the vial from her robe. With swift, practiced hands, she uncorks it and pours the potion into Remus's goblet in one smooth motion.

No one sees. She makes sure of that.

Her muscles remain tense, her posture rigid as she watches Remus lift the cup to his lips. Her heart beats faster, her fingers still clenched around the empty vial in her pocket. She doesn't relax until she sees him take several sips, oblivious to the change.

She lets out a quiet breath, her shoulders loosening as she finally shifts her focus to her plate, scooping some food onto it.

Remus continues to drink, none the wiser. The potion works as planned—no difference in taste, no suspicion from him or the others. Minutes later, his goblet is empty, and Alina finishes her breakfast, satisfied.

"Do you want to walk to class together?" James's voice breaks through her thoughts, leaning across the table with that familiar, hopeful grin.

"Sure," she mutters, her gaze flicking to Remus's empty cup one last time before rising from her seat. James quickly follows, standing and mirroring her movements.

As they weave through the tables, Alina hears James fall into step beside her, moving to her left. The two of them walk in silence toward their first class. James seems lighter than he had been a few days ago. His smile isn't forced, and the awkward tension that had been between them seems to have lifted slightly.

But he still seems... anxious? She isn't sure if that's the right word, but something is off.

He keeps fiddling with his nails as they walk, his fingers tapping restlessly against his palm. It's starting to grate on her nerves, though she doesn't say anything. Whatever is bothering him, it's not her problem.

James is probably fine.

~~~

The next morning after the full moon, Alina quietly approaches the hospital wing. She hesitates at the door, her hand resting lightly on the handle before gently pushing it open just enough to peek inside.

Her eyes immediately land on Remus. He's asleep on a cot, his face relaxed beneath the blanket draped over him. There are no new bandages, no fresh scars—at least none visible. Relief washes over her.

Next, her gaze shifts to Sirius and Peter, both sitting nearby. They seem tired but otherwise unharmed, their usual mischief replaced with quiet concern.

Finally, her eyes find James.

He's slouched in a chair beside Remus, his head tilted awkwardly as he sleeps. Despite the uncomfortable position, he looks peaceful, his glasses askew.

A faint, almost invisible smile touches Alina's lips as she softly pulls the door shut, careful not to make a sound. She slips away before anyone can notice her presence.

Tonight, she'll begin brewing the next batch of Wolfsbane.