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 didn't sleep a single moment all night. Not because she can't, but because she flat-out refuses to give in to the gnawing urge in her mind to have a vision.
Absolutely not.
Instead of even attempting sleep, she stayed up, occupying herself with brewing a potion for pain relief.
Why?
Because today is the full moon. And, for some infuriating reason, she's decided to make the potion for Remus Lupin. Merlin help her, the thought alone makes her want to bash her head against the wall.
She can rationalize it, though. If Remus is in less pain, maybe—just maybe—the wolf won't hurt James and Peter. That's enough of an excuse to make this whole ridiculous thing seem logical.
Sitting cross-legged on the cold bathroom floor, Alina carefully stirs the cauldron in front of her. Breakfast will start soon, and she's already dressed for the day—minus her rings—but she has to finish this first.
Once the potion is done, she fills a small vial, corks it, and sets it aside for Remus. Then, almost without thinking, she fills two more bottles.
For herself. For later. For whenever she returns after summer break.
She tucks those two away beneath the sink in her potion supply cabinet. The third, meant for Remus, she grabs before getting to her feet. Cleaning the cauldron can wait.
Back in her dorm, Alina sets the vial on her desk while slipping on her rings and adding another book to her bag. She slings the strap over her shoulder, grabs the potion, and heads out.
The common room buzzes with early risers, but she manages to slip past unnoticed. The dungeons are cold as always, though now, with November winding down, the chill feels sharper. Alina climbs the stairs to the first floor, where the air is slightly warmer.
Sunlight pours through the windows, reflecting off the polished floors and casting bright patches on the bustling students heading to breakfast.
Her shoes tap against the stone as she quickens her steps toward the Great Hall.
Inside, the usual chatter fills the air, and the tables are packed with students. Alina's gaze sweeps to the Gryffindor table, quickly finding the four boys she's looking for.
James and Peter sit on one side, while Remus and Sirius are across from them. Unsurprisingly, Remus looks pale and sickly. Sirius, meanwhile, watches him with concern, his usual smirk absent.
The girls are at the table too, heads bent over scattered parchments as they work on assignments.
Alina moves purposefully, not stopping until she slides into the seat directly across from James, beside Remus.
"Alina?" James is the first to notice her, his voice softening the moment he realizes who it is.
"Hello, James," Alina greets casually before turning to the boy beside her. "Here."
