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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The next morning finds Alina in a sour mood, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. Why does guilt cling to her so stubbornly? It's suffocating, consuming her thoughts and refusing to let go.
She shouldn't feel guilty.
She knows that.
James deserves every sharp comment and cutting word she has thrown his way. Yet, no matter how justified she is, guilt always worms its way into her chest, a constant, unwelcome companion over the past few weeks.
Salazar, she hates emotions—hates that she cares, hates that James always looks like a kicked puppy whenever she hurts him.
It's all so bloody annoying.
Her nails dig into her palms as she sits at her desk, trying to refocus on the flickering candle before her. It's the weekend, at least—a small mercy—and October 1st. She has planned to spend the morning poring over her books before heading down to the Quidditch pitch.
Barty and Regulus have roped her into helping strategize for the Slytherin team's first match of the season. Regulus, now the youngest Slytherin captain in years, is determined to make an impression. Barty, naturally, is only involved because it annoys his father.
Alina stifles a groan at the thought of it. Quidditch fanatics are exhausting. Regulus and James are the worst offenders, but even Barty's feigned indifference isn't convincing. She suspects he enjoys it more than he lets on.
Dragging herself from her spiraling thoughts, she opens the book in front of her with more force than necessary. As usual, the text is steeped in dark magic, its pages brimming with potential. The spells are fascinating, if inconvenient—most require live targets to practice on, which is less than ideal. Not that she minds testing them on people who deserve it, but for now, that's not an option.
Her fingers trace the edge of the page as she reads on, jotting down notes on anything particularly intriguing. Then her eyes catch on two words: Death's Link.
She freezes, eyebrows lifting as she scans the passage, the elegant handwriting pulling her in.
The spell is a bond of sorts—one that connects two people through an object. Destroy the object, and the link shatters as well.
Alina leans in closer, her curiosity piqued.
Now this is interesting.
The spell is intriguing. The incantation is straightforward—simple enough to cast as long as you're near the person and holding the chosen object.
Quite interesting indeed. Alina scribbles it down in her notebook, underlining the spell's name with a flourish.
Humming softly, she snaps the book shut, the sound echoing faintly in her dorm. Pushing back her chair, the wood scrapes against the floor as she rises. It's only midday, but unfortunately, Barty insists on her help.
