✓ |SPITE, james sirius potter

chapter five

With a newfound sense of excitement, James glanced at his surroundings, reflecting on how different his day with Elodie had been. He realized that, in spite of his reputation and all the experiences he'd had thanks to his surname, he couldn't recall a single day as eventful as this one he was currently experiencing with her.

He took a moment to appreciate the unexpected joy and enjoyment he was feeling. This day with Elodie was certainly turning out to be one of the most memorable since he stepped onto the halls of Hogwarts.

As their so-called date drew to a close, James couldn't help but ponder the possibility of having another similar experience. However, when he brought it up and Elodie firmly rejected the notion, his hopes seemed to shatter. He was certain that she had enjoyed it as much as he had, yet her sudden departure without a second thought left him feeling uneasy. He longed for some clarification on her thoughts and feelings, but all he was left with was the emptiness of her absence.

The rejection did not bother him the most. Rather, his unease stemmed from the possibility that she might not have enjoyed his company as much as he had with her.

He tried to push the thoughts aside, telling himself that he was overthinking it, but the seed of doubt had been planted in his mind.

Elodie, on the other hand, was confident in her actions, having carefully orchestrated the situation. She knew that the date hadn't been anything less than entertaining, but she also recognized the effect he had on her. There was an unmistakable charm to his presence that left her both amused and slightly frustrated. But her pride had taken over, and she decided to engage in a little game of cat and mouse by prolonging the ambiguity.

She enjoyed his company during the date, yet her ego made her want to keep him guessing. Elodie was determined to toy with his emotions for her own satisfaction, even though a part of her genuinely wanted to see him again.

Days had passed, and Elodie had resolved to stay secluded within her common room, carefully avoiding any potential distractions that could exacerbate her already growing overthinking. She hoped that by isolating herself, she would be able to find some respite and clear her mind a bit.

She looked up from her book, greeting Albus with a smile as he approached. "Hello Albus," she acknowledged his presence.

Albus had come to her with a question about James's recent behaviour. "Why is my brother acting like a bloody git and asking everyone for you?" he asked.

She couldn't help a small smile on her lips, knowing the reason herself. "Well my second favourite Potter," she began, "it's a little secret."

"Please tell me you're not one of his fans," Albus said, scrunching his nose in distaste. Then he added, "And what do you mean by 'second favourite?'"

Elodie chuckled, closing her book and leaning back in her armchair, "Oh, Albus, of course. You know Lily is always at the top of that list." She smirked.

Albus reassured her, "Then as long as it's not James, I don't mind."

She quickly added, "Oh, I'm no fan of your brother, that's for sure. And speaking of attraction, I have to say I don't find him that charming at all. It's quite baffling how most girls seem to fawn over him."

Albus then inquired, "So this date was just a recreational activity for you, then?"

She placed her book on the table and explained, "Well, to put it simply, you could call it a social experiment. It wasn't done for pleasure, but rather to gain some insights."

Albus sighed and sat down on the couch. He asked, "I see. Is this somehow related to the whole debacle about Fred and James?"

"In a way," Elodie admitted, "but mainly because I want to prevent any girl from falling into any messy situations."

"Fred didn't actually expect James to accept it," she added, "he thought it was likely to be rejected altogether."

He tilted his head and leaned back on the couch, pondering. "Why do you feel it's your responsibility to intervene in this situation?"

Elodie then posed the hypothetical scenario to Albus, "Now let's say the girl was Nova."

"I would be furious, of course—ah, yes, I understand your perspective." Albus acknowledged. "But have you thought about the potential scenario where you end up having feelings for my brother?"

Elodie raised her voice in annoyance, "You and Fred act as if this could potentially happen."

Albus responded, "Possibilities are unpredictable, and we shouldn't ignore them. My brother has a reputation for seemingly being heartless, but even I know that someone as compassionate as you wouldn't be easy to break."

"I'm not fragile," Elodie argued, "I can handle myself just fine."

"It's a fair warning coming from me," Albus emphasized, rising from the couch, "I want you to consider this matter seriously. For everyone's sake, not just your own," he continued.

"I'm sharing this with you now," he warned, "the outcome of this situation is almost certainly going to be detrimental."

Albus's warning hung in the air, and Elodie, though somewhat taken aback, tried to mask her uneasiness.

There was a moment of hesitation as she considered his words. While she was confident in her ability to handle things, the thought of potential repercussions made her pause.

However, Elodie took a moment to process his warning, her expression revealing a hint of unease.

"I hear you, Albus," she responded, "but I'm pretty confident in my own abilities."

Albus nodded, acknowledging her response. "Fair enough," he responded with a slight smile. "But it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for any unexpected outcomes, right?"

"You're right about that," she conceded, returning his smile. "I'll definitely keep it in mind." She appreciated his reminder to be prepared.

"Smart move," he agreed with a small nudge. "It's better to be cautious and expect the unexpected."

"I'll make sure to keep an open mind," she assured him with a grateful nod. "Thanks for the advice, Albus."

"No problem," he replied, returning her nod. "Just take care of yourself, alright?"

"I will," she assured him with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me."

She gazed after Albus for a moment, then sighed and sank onto the couch. Tilting her head back, she gazed through the window that provided a view of the Black Lake below. The tranquillity of the scene briefly distracted her from her thoughts.

The peaceful view of the lake offered a momentary respite from her concerns. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to clear her thoughts.