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 narrows her eyes at the grass below, the setting sun casting a warm, golden light across the grounds. Her thoughts drift to the upcoming exams she's been preparing for, though she knows she has little to worry about. She's studied more than enough, aware that her grades will be fine.
She is smart, and she knows it. But that knowledge creates a strange contradiction within her. She resents her abilities, even hates herself at times, yet her ego thrives alongside that frustration. Quite a paradox—
"Hey, Lina," calls Lily Evans, breaking Alina's thoughts. Lily kneels nearby; they're both in their last class of the day, Care of Magical Creatures. "Is this the creature?" She lifts her hand, sweeping her hair over her shoulder to reveal a furry little critter that looks vaguely like a squirrel.
Alina takes a few steps closer, then glances down at the book in her hand for confirmation. "Yes," she replies with a nod, even though Lily has her back to her.
"Thank god," Lily sighs, standing up and brushing herself off.
It always amuses Alina to hear Lily's Muggle expressions slip through. She imagines it must be strange for Lily, shifting from "God" to "Merlin" in her daily language.
Lily places the creature in the small box they've set nearby, giving it a gentle pet before closing the lid. Their assignment is to find the creature and write a paper on it, and Lily has offered to do the searching while Alina handles the research.
Rolling her shoulders and stretching, Lily lets out a contented sigh. "Want to head to your common room to start on the paper?" she asks, her red hair glowing in the fading sunlight.
Alina hesitates. "I don't think that's a good idea," she says, picking up the box with the creature inside to take to the professor.
Lily's brows knit together in confusion, so Alina elaborates. "Firstly, I doubt any of them will like you being there. And... secondly, Snape's there."
Lily's expression tightens as she blinks, glancing around as though avoiding Alina's gaze could somehow make the subject of Snape disappear. A pang of guilt pricks at Alina's chest.
She digs her nails into her palm and speaks again. "We could go to Gryffindor Tower instead, if that's alright?"
"Yeah, it's fine," Lily mumbles, forcing a tight-lipped smile.
Alina swallows the flicker of guilt that surfaces, walking over to the professor to hand over the box with the creature before rejoining Lily's side. Lily passes Alina her bag, and they set off toward the castle in silence. Alina tries to focus on anything but the red-haired girl beside her.
It isn't her fault, she reminds herself. Whatever Lily is thinking now is only because she mentioned Snape. She hasn't intended to upset her friend—
Or has she? She knows Lily's feelings about him. She just hasn't realized how deeply it would cut. Why does she feel so guilty? Lily hasn't spoken a word since they left class, and her silence gnaws at Alina as they enter the castle and make their way to Gryffindor Tower.
