BOOK 4 OUT OF 12 OF MY HP SERIES
▪︎ Synopsis ▪︎
James shares many traits with his Grandfather, including his mischievous and prankster nature. However, one aspect that sets James apart is his inability to commit to a single woman, unlike his Grandfa...
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Albus cautiously stepped into the compartment and halted as his gaze fell upon Elodie's face. A subtle sense of unease crept over him as he observed the expression. He glanced across the compartment, spotting Fred sitting across from Elodie, humming obnoxiously loud.
Albus asked cautiously, "What happened?"
Elodie swiftly turned her head towards him, causing Albus to flinch. "For starters, this infuriating bloody tosser dragged me onto the train," she elaborated, her frustration palpable.
Fred attempted to ease the tension, quipping, "Come on, Elle, it's not that serious. I wasn't about to leave you at Hogwarts over the holidays."
He knocked his foot against Elodie's leg, prompting her to swat it away while muttering unpleasant curses.
Albus moved further into the compartment, taking a seat next to Fred and chimed in.
"Were you really going to stay?" Albus inquired, directing his question towards Elodie.
Elodie confirmed Albus's query by nodding, "Yes, my mother is still in America for work, so visiting home wouldn't be worth the hassle."
Fred, being aware of Elodie's dislike for this topic, got up to grab some snacks from the trolley. He offered, "Licorice wands as usual for you, right?"
She nodded appreciatively, "You know it," she replied confidently.
Albus sensing the tension had decided to accompany Fred to the trolley, "Alright, I'll help you. You still need to get treats for the rest of the family, and I'm sure they'll join us."
Fred departed from the compartment, followed by Albus. Once the door slid shut behind them, Elodie sighed in relief, which was short-lived as the door reopened upon their absence after only a few minutes.
"Oi Fr—"
"Oh..." Elodie couldn't help but freeze at the sound of James's voice. As she looked up, she saw him standing there, awkwardly scratching his head.
"I didn't mean to startle you," he apologized, offering an awkward laugh.
She then pointed out, "Well, Fred and Albus are out getting snacks from the trolley. They should be back in a few minutes. Go ahead and take a seat. I won't bite," she joked.
James hesitantly chuckled and reluctantly took a seat beside her.
She chuckled, her words laced with playful sarcasm. "I'm flattered that you chose to sit here instead of the two empty seats in front of you. Truly, a sign of a true gentleman."
As James was about to move, Elodie swiftly grabbed the back of his clothes, preventing him from standing up. She added with a hint of humour, "I was just kidding, James."
"Oh- yeah, I got that," he responded, his voice a tad hesitant.
"Do I make you nervous?" she asked, with a smirk on her face.
James tried to brush it off, defending himself a little too quickly. "No, you don't," he replied.
She chuckled, finding his denial amusing. "You know, when you deny it so quickly, it only makes you seem more nervous," she teased.
He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "I'm not nervous," he insisted, knowing full well that his quick response had just proven her point.
She continued to chuckle, enjoying his uncomfortable expression. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?" she said with a playful smirk.
He knew that he wasn't as convincing as he had hoped. "I'm not lying," he maintained, though his stammering gave him away.
She couldn't help but find his stubborn resistance endearing. "You know, it's okay to admit you get a little nervous around me," she teased.
He grew slightly red, feeling caught in the act of his own nerves. "I'm not nervous," he insisted, though his flushed cheeks hinted otherwise.
She chuckled, enjoying his flustered state. "You sure about that? Your reddening cheeks say otherwise."
He was embarrassed at being called out. "I'm...I'm just hot, that's all," he fumbled, trying to come up with an excuse.
She raised an eyebrow, amused by his weak excuse. "Oh, really? Is that why you can't look me in the eyes?"
Elodie leaned in closer, her proximity causing him to retreat until his back bumped into the window. His heart skipped a beat as she closed the distance between them, his back hitting the hard, cold surface of the window.
He swallowed hard, his body rigid as she inched closer. Their faces were only a few inches apart now.
He struggled to find the right words, his voice catching in his throat. "Elodie...are you, er..."
She sat close, a sly smile on her lips, before she abruptly scooted away, bursting into laughter.
He was left feeling slightly flustered, his heart racing in his chest. "You're teasing me, aren't you?" he finally managed to ask, his voice a tad shaky.
She simply chuckled, enjoying the effect she had on him. "Maybe a little," she confessed with a playful smile.
His heart continued to hammer against his ribs as she admitted to teasing him. "You're evil, you know that?" he teased back, half-joking and half-serious.
She feigned innocence, batting her eyelashes. "Me? Evil? I don't know what you mean."
He huffed in mock annoyance. "Oh, don't give me that innocent act now," he quipped.
She couldn't help but laugh at his feigned irritation. "What, I can't act innocent?" she played along.
He rolled his eyes playfully. "Please, I can see right through you."
"Since I'm already stuck spending the holidays with your family, mainly because of Fred, I hope you're prepared for much more of this," she gestured to herself with a mock, seductive wink.
He stared at her in disbelief, his voice rising with surprise. "Wait, what?!"
She laughed heartily, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "That's right," she repeated, a hint of playfulness in her voice, "more of me, whether you like it or not."
He could only stare at her, completely flabbergasted. "You're actually serious," he whispered, trying to process this revelation.
She nodded, a gleeful smile on her face. "Oh, completely serious," she confirmed, fully enjoying his shocked reaction.
His mind was still reeling from her words. "Why though?" he asked, bewildered.
She shrugged nonchalantly, her smile growing wider. "Why not? I bring a little excitement, don't I?"
He scratched his chin, mulling over her statement. "Excitement, huh?"
She smirked, nodding sagely. "You could say that."
"And just how excited am I going to be, exactly?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Her grin only widened. "You'll see. I can be quite...entertaining."
As he was about to respond, the moment was cut short by the arrival of his family. He was left speechless, unable to find the right words to say.
"Well, that was convenient," he muttered under his breath, his thoughts still lingering on the conversation they had been having before they were interrupted.
As Fred and Albus entered the compartment with a mountain of snacks in tow, they effectively cut off the previous conversation between Elodie and James, leaving James momentarily tongue-tied.
