CHAPTER SEVEN

During the holiday period, James found that he had very limited opportunities to speak with Elodie, as she seemed to be constantly surrounded by his family. This was particularly frustrating for James, though he was unaware of his own jealousy towards her closeness with Fred.

At every gathering, every conversation, it seemed that James was constantly pushed out, left to stand on the sidelines while Fred and Elodie interacted in carefree laughter and easy familiarity.

Upon their return to Hogwarts, James seized the chance to finally speak with Elodie without being interrupted by Fred or anyone else. With his family likely occupied with school-related matters, this seemed like the perfect chance to grab a few moments alone with her.

Despite his efforts to find her, it seemed that Elodie was making it her personal mission to avoid meeting him on countless occasions.

He would seek her out in the library, only to discover her huddled in a secluded corner engrossed in a book. He attempted to chat her up in the courtyard, but she stealthily evaded his approach by quickly ducking into a nearby building. He even tried catching her at lunch, only to have her slip into the Great Hall at the precise moment just before he reached her table.

It was a constant game of avoidance as if she was intentionally giving him the slip every single opportunity she got.

No matter how hard he tried to find her, it seemed that she was always just a step ahead, constantly out of reach like a phantom. He couldn't help but wonder if she was intentionally avoiding him or if it was simply a series of unfortunate coincidences.

Just when he was about to give up and accept the fact that he'd never get a moment alone with her, he caught sight of her alone in the halls. "Elodie!" he called out.

She tried to speed up, attempting to escape, but due to his Quidditch training, she stood no chance of outrunning him.

A firm grip on her wrist held her in place, preventing her from escaping. "Just hold on for a moment," he asserted. "Why have you been avoiding me? And, more importantly, why did you decline my date invitations?"

Elodie snickered at his self-assurance, attempting to pull her wrist free from his hold. "You're a bit conceited, Potter," she quipped. "I'll admit, the date was enjoyable, but why should I accept another one?"

"Isn't that the reason for going on dates? To enjoy yourself?" He let go of her wrist but remained vigilant, ready to catch her if she attempted to escape.

She retorted, a hint of sass in her voice, "Excuse me? Satisfied? So you're really suggesting that I should have another date just because I had a good time? Really, James, you must be bloody joking."

"I don't understand you, Elodie!" James raised his voice, growing frustrated. "First, you ask me out on a date—you seem to enjoy it, and then you reject me. Not to mention how you've been avoiding me. It's like you're playing some kind of game."

Elodie responded, feigning indifference. "That's fine with me, because frankly there's nothing to understand. You asked me out on a date—so what did you expect? To suddenly have feelings for you and want more?"

"Is that all it was? Merely for amusement?"

Elodie released a weary sigh, combing her fingers through her hair. "Is that what you think? That it's because I'm a Slytherin? That I derive enjoyment from other's despair? Can't you simply accept the fact that you've been rejected?"

"It had nothing to do with your being in Slytherin," James countered hastily. "I just can't fathom how you can offer hints of enjoyment with me, only to withdraw completely."

She maintained a stoic expression, slowly clapping her hands before breaking into a bitter chuckle. He gazed at her quizzically, awaiting some form of explanation.

"Now do you understand what all those girls felt like?" she continued. "You toyed with their emotions, led them on, and they left with an emptiness that couldn't be filled. Take a moment to picture the torment they endured and imagine how painful it must have been for them."

He looked at her, dumbfounded, as he retorted, "So asking you out was just to prove a point?"

"Oh, please," Elodie retorted with a hint of sarcasm. "Don't give me that, Potter. You're suggesting I led you on? I assure you, I did nothing of the sort—this was merely a temporary exercise to make you realize the consequences of your actions. You, with your two years' worth of 'school playboy,' reputation, will eventually be biting you in the rear."

He met her gaze silently, trying to absorb the weight of her words. No matter her valid reasoning, Elodie couldn't shake off a pang of guilt at the harshness of her confession. She didn't harbour any animosity towards James; it was merely his casual treatment of girls that rubbed her the wrong way.

"Listen," Elodie interjected, her tone softening a bit. "It's true that I've made it clear about what I think of your past behaviour towards girls, but that doesn't mean I dislike you. In fact, I wouldn't mind occasionally hanging out with you, as long as it's not another date."

"Just as friends?" James eyed her with scepticism.

"I mean, you have to admit, it was enjoyable. You can't deny that," she began bluntly, her expression softening. "Perhaps it's a lot to ask, but you must realize that you're quite the intriguing person—just not in the romantic sense but as a friend."

"But how do I know this isn't just another one of your little games?" he shot back, his suspicion palpable.

"Alright, I'll give you that," Elodie conceded with a soft chuckle, folding her arms. "Although I might have proven my point, I have nothing against you except that whole toying with girls' hearts bit."

James scrutinized her for a moment, a weary sigh escaping him. "Why is it so hard to actually be mad at you?" he mused aloud.

"I don't know," Elodie pondered, a coy smirk playing on her lips. "I suppose it's simply because I'm so damn lovable."

He couldn't help but scoff at her self-assured remark. "Honestly, you think that highly of yourself, don't you?" James remarked dryly.

"Oh, please," Elodie retorted, feigning mock offence. "I just know my worth, Potter."

"Ah, yes, the arrogance is strong in this one," James teased a hint of amusement in his voice.

Elodie playfully rolled her eyes at his comment. "Oh, spare me your sarcasm, Potter," she retorted with a smirk.

James couldn't help but chuckle at her response. "Oh, sure. Like you're not immune to sarcasm," he shot back wryly.

Elodie raised an eyebrow challengingly. "Oh, and who made you the authority on sarcasm, Potter?"

He smirked playfully at her challenging gaze. "Consider me the self-appointed expert in the field, then, Elodie."

She let out an exaggerated scoff. "Oh, so now you're the master of it all, are you?" she teased back.

James gave her a cheeky smile. "That's right. When it comes to sarcasm, I'm the reigning champ," he declared jokingly.

Elodie stared at him incredulously for a beat before breaking into a snort. "Fine, Potter, whatever you say," she retorted with a roll of her eyes.

She then placed her hands on her hips, a sly smile playing on her lips. "So, now that we're friends, I expect you to help me with something."

He raised an eyebrow at her demand. "Oh, so now that we're friends, you think you can command me around?" he asked, feigning indignation.

She grinned and leaned back, crossing her arms behind her head nonchalantly, whistling. "Well, I either need you to run away with me, or you'll be blamed for what you were involved in," she stated smugly. A smirk tugged at the corners of her lips as she continued, "And technically speaking, you're already going to be held responsible since you stopped me in the hall earlier."

James was just about to make a clever retort when he was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the caretaker's approaching footsteps. He quickly looked around, realizing that they were in trouble. His eyes widened in surprise, and a mix of frustration and surprise washed over him as he muttered under his breath, "Damn it, Elodie," before hastily taking off after her.