CHAPTER TWELVE

When Louis had unexpectedly shocked them with his insight, Fred and Roxanne couldn't help but silently acknowledge the truth in his words. Even though Fred had pointed out James' actions, even if he had made a deal that seemed trivial, had he truly considered the larger context and consequences behind his behaviour?

Probably not—he's just only walked around the surface.

He likely didn't even scratch the surface.

Although Louis' argument was strong, there was one thing he seemed to miss: James wasn't the perfect Potter society expected him to be because he was insecure.

He was unlike Albus, Lily, Rose, Hugo or even Alice, who seemed to accept their fame and family legacy without struggle. Being the children of war heroes was no easy feat, and James had never felt it as a blessing.

The fame, the expectations, the pre-shaped image—these were all things he despised.

He felt pressure, a constant weight on his shoulders.

He couldn't deny that his actions were influenced by the pressure he felt, but Louis' argument still had merit.

James failed to learn from his actions, and he would continue to do so until he could truly understand and accept the reality that emotions were not toys to be played with, especially when they came from a place of uncertainty.

"Elodie!" Elodie was nearly knocked off balance when Blake slung his arm over her shoulder.

"Blake, Bloody hell is wrong with you?" Elodie exclaimed, turning her head rapidly to glare at him as she quickly scolded him.

"You missed it,"Blake replied, a grin spreading across his face.

"Missed what, exactly?"

"Louis completely lost it on James in the Great Hall," Blake explained with a chuckle.

Elodie was quick to shove his arm away and face him, a scoff escaping her lips. "Weasley?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Not a doubt," Blake grinned, his head shaking. "It was bloody hilarious. He went on about how James never learned from his mistakes, saying a whole lot, and I only caught part of it, but I'm sure that James got chewed out good."

"Blake," Elodie let out a weary sigh, rubbing her hand over her face. "When you tell me something, I prefer hearing the full story, not just bits and pieces."

Blake chuckled, pausing before saying, "Well, I did hear the key part, but I'm not sure if you deserve to hear it since you're being all grumpy."

Elodie rolled her eyes at Blake's comment. "And what makes you think that you can judge who deserves to hear such important information?" she shot back, crossing her arms.

Blake smirked at Elodie's eye-roll, clearly unbothered. "Because I know you well," he replied smugly.

"Oh, and your personal opinion makes it so much better somehow?" Elodie responded, raising an eyebrow at his remark.

Blake chuckled, enjoying the banter. "It has its perks, I can assure you," he quipped, leaning against the wall in a casual manner.

Elodie let out a sigh, shaking her head slightly. "And I find myself questioning every day what I ever saw in you," she retorted a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Blake rolled his eyes at her remark, an exaggerated look of mock offence on his face. "Honey," he began, his tone dripping with self-confidence. "I am utterly amazing, that's why."

"Right, so what's this important part then?" Elodie inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Apparently someone cast a charm on you," Blake revealed, a smirk playing on his lips.

Elodie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Excuse me?" she questioned, confusion evident in her tone.

"Someone used their magic to go 'bibbidi-bobbidi-boo' on your arse," Blake declared with fake drama.

Elodie wrinkled her nose in disbelief. "Please don't tell me you just quoted Cinderella," she retorted, a mix of mild irritation and amusement in her voice.

"I did, and I put the blame on my mother for making me watch it throughout my childhood," Blake admitted a shrug of his shoulders following his words.

"So," he continued, his tone laced with a hint of mischief. "That day you saw James kissing someone, it was just—"

Elodie interjected, her tone laced with scepticism. "A charm" she muttered, clearly doubtful of the explanation.

"Precisely," Blake sang out with an obnoxious melody, causing Elodie to cringe slightly.

She attempted to walk away, a groan escaping her lips, but Blake quickly followed after her.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" he asked, a note of amusement in his voice.

"Away from you," Elodie replied dryly, trying to continue walking.

"Ha ha, very funny, but seriously, where are you going?" Blake inquired, still trailing behind her.

"To talk to James," Elodie stated simply, determination in her eyes.

At his smirk, she huffed, folding her arms.

"No, I just need—" she attempted to clarify, pausing, her voice trailing off.

Blake chuckled at her indecision, patting her on the back. "So, you have no idea what you want to say to him, huh?"

Elodie shot him a glare, then asked, "Can you explain again what exactly Louis lectured James about?"

"He scolded him about not having learned his lesson with playing around with all those girls, just because he had stopped," Blake recounted, a slight tinge of amusement in his voice.

Elodie bowed her head and exhaled a long, dramatic sigh, seemingly disappointed. "Did he?"

Blake rolled his eyes at her dramatic reaction, then responded, "Yeah, he lectured him about it."

Elodie turned to look at him, her curiosity piqued. "No, did James really learn anything, though?"

"I don't know," Blake admitted, a note of uncertainty in his voice. "Maybe Louis did have some point, but did anyone really stop to consider James' point of view?"

Elodie shook her head, a hint of guilt in her gaze. "I guess not," she mumbled. "And—I was one of those people who never even thought to ask him why he did all of that in the first place..."

"Then be the first," Blake encouraged, clapping his hands together.

Elodie met his gaze, a mix of determination and uncertainty etched across her features. "I'll do it," she replied firmly, a hint of bravery in her voice.

"That's the spirit," Blake said with a reassuring grin, nodding approvingly at her resolve.

Elodie returned his smile, a hint of nerves mingled with determination lingering beneath the surface.

In the distance, James observed Elodie and Blake conversing, a mixture of surprise and irritation etched on his face.

He clenched his jaw, his ego already bruised from his confrontation with Louis, and the sight of Elodie's smile made his irritation grow.

James then turned and walked away, distancing himself from the two.

The walk away from the conversation seemed to take longer than usual, the sound of his own footsteps growing louder in his ears.

James' mind was swirling with unspoken thoughts, confusion and frustration tangled together.

He continued walking until he finally reached an empty corridor and leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair.

The moment of solitude provided a brief respite from the whirlwind of emotions that coursed through him.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to steady his racing thoughts.

James remained there, against the wall, his mind struggling to untangle the complexities of his feelings.