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 slams her trunk shut, locking it with a final click before leaving it at the foot of her bed. Most students pack multiple trunks, which the house-elves will later carry to the train or their dorms, while they only have to bring a small bag for the journey.
It's morning, and they're leaving.
She feels...nothing. No, she feels anger, a simmering rage that burns in her chest. But she refuses to give them the satisfaction of a reaction. A bet. She's been nothing more than a game to them?
Her gaze drifts to her trunk, the bitterness clawing at her. Yes, she's furious, livid, betrayed—but any display of emotion will only feed their twisted amusement, and she can't afford that. Not with two months trapped in her house ahead.
She turns, casting one last glance around her dorm. Her eyes land on the Gaunt necklace resting on her desk. She isn't sure why, but she feels compelled to bring it. Striding over, she picks it up, stuffing it into her pocket.
After grabbing the bag she'll be taking on the train, Alina leaves the dormitory. She's halfway through the common room when she spots Barty lounging on the sofa, with Regulus and Evan seated nearby.
"Lia!" Barty calls, straightening when he sees her.
"Hello, Barty." She doesn't stop, barely glancing at him as she heads for the exit. Behind her, she hears the boys rise to follow.
Barty catches up beside her, his brow furrowed as they walk. "You alright?" he asks quietly.
"I'm fine." She glances at him, masking her expression. "Are you?"
"Yes." He nods, a little too quickly. It's clearly a lie, but she doesn't press him. She's lying, too. And, if she's honest, they likely won't see each other over the summer.
She hates it. She might get to see Regulus, Evan, and Pandora, but not Barty—not the one person she truly wants to see.
They reach the Great Hall, where most of the students are already gathered. Peter is sitting alone, casting them a quick nod as they walk in. Alina returns it with a brief nod before heading to the Slytherin table. Barty slides into the seat across from her, with Regulus beside her and Evan across from him. They're unusually quiet, all four of them. A moment later, Pandora leaves the Ravenclaw table to join them, silently taking a seat beside her twin.
Then, James Potter and his friends stride in. Alina doesn't look up, but she can feel their eyes on her, each stare a heavy, prying presence. She keeps her gaze fixed on her plate, her face impassive. She knows that if she tells Barty what happened, he would have no hesitation about going after Potter and his friends—and the thought brings her a small, bitter sense of comfort.
Then, she notices James starting to walk over.
Alina looks up sharply, her glare ready to cut through James, but before she can say a word, Peter steps in front of him, pressing a hand to James's chest to stop him. James shoots him a confused look, but Peter just shakes his head, pushing him back once more. Alina feels a flicker of surprise. She tolerates Peter more than the others, sure, but she hadn't expected him to do this.
