The Kiss
Narcissa's cheerfulness remained as the second half of the school year rolled around. She was bouncing excitedly as they exited the train back to Hogwarts.
"Come on, Eryn!"
"Could you calm down? It's too early for this".
She didn't calm down.
Narcissa went down to her dorm, but Eryn stayed behind in the common room. They had spotted Pandora, Evan, and, shockingly, Regulus Black sitting around the fire. Eryn plopped down next to Pandora. The two of them chatted about their holidays until Barty appeared. Him and Evan cut the conversation and got into a thorough physical greeting. Pandora looked to Eryn uncomfortably, clearly annoyed by her brother's behavior. Regulus looked down and picked at his nails. Eryn felt a discomfort around the boy, but it was similar to what they'd sensed a lot at the Christmas party. Regulus had to be here. Whatever the reason was, he felt like he had to stay in this spot no matter what.
"Do you two mind? There are people around", Pandora snapped suddenly.
Barty and Evan separated.
"Eh. let 'em look", Barty said after looking around the room, pulling Evan back onto him.
"I was talking about us".
Barty shot Pandora a look.
"What do you mean by that, Rosier?"
Pandora rolled her eyes.
"You think anyone sitting here likes watching you two grope each other all the time?"
Eryn held their breath. They could already feel Barty's anger rising.
"Didn't know you felt that way, Rosier", he said sharply. "You got a problem with me loving' your brother?"
"Oh please. Don't throw that 'love' bullshit around like you won't ditch him in a month for whatever bloke looks at you next".
"You calling me a whore?"
"I'm not calling you a whore, I'm calling you an arsehole who can't ever fucking control himself!"
Barty was breathing heavily. Pandora was standing still. Both had the same angered looks across their faces, and Eryn could feel their loathing for each other. It was like Evan, Eryn, and Regulus weren't there. No one else was in the Slytherin common room except for Pandora and Barty, battling with their words.
"I'm sick of this", Pandora groaned. She left for the girls' dormitory. Barty sighed angrily, ignoring the rest of the group, even Evan.
Eryn had never seen this side of Pandora before. They knew she didn't like Barty, but they had no idea it ran this deep. Was there something Eryn didn't know about? Pandora was normally so calm and understanding.
What had pushed her over the edge?
***
"...and then she just stormed off".
It was a moderately sunny day. The cold was still prevalent, but accompanied by the warmth from the sun it was quite pleasant out. Eryn and Lucius had found a nice clearing in the forest. They were discussing the events that had only occurred the previous day in the Slytherin common room.
"I was wondering why Crouch was so angry last night".
"Yeah. He's not going to shut up about it next time I talk to him".
Eryn leaned back on the tree and rested their head on Lucius's shoulder. "Anyways, what's going on in your world?"
"Well, Crouch was talking a lot last night", said Lucius. "And that pissed off Flint, he's never liked Crouch".
"Hm. Wonder why".
"It definitely started because Crouch's gay, but I think now it's just normal hatred".
"'normal hatred'?"
"You know. Unrelated to prior factors".
"Huh. wasn't aware there were different kinds of hatred".
"Well, if there are so many ways to love someone, why not hate too?"
"Poetic, aren't you, Lucius?" Eryn said, looking up at him.
"Only for you", Lucius smiled, putting his arm around Eryn's waist.
"Oh yeah? What's so special about me?"
"Oh, I don't know. Something about sitting in the woods while holding a pretty girl makes me want to sing".
Eryn felt their stomach flutter, followed by that sinking feeling of doubt they got every time Lucius complimented them.
"Do you really mean that?" they asked, looking back up at him. Their faces were close really close to each other. Eryn could almost...
"The singing, no", said Lucius. "But I do think you're pretty".
"Yeah, well, you also think I look like my twelve-year-old cousin. Not very reassuring".
"For the record, I don't think Sirius is pretty", Lucius said laughing. "You're different from him".
"Tell me how. Tell me all about how I'm prettier than my cousin".
Lucius laughed again. "Well, for starters, you're funny, charming, witty. You're pleasant to be around".
"Ah. So, if Sirius was sarcastic and easy he'd be here instead of me?"
"Definitely not. It's just...different with you. You're special".
Lucius looked deep into Eryn's eyes.
"You're amazing".
And then he kissed them.
Once he stopped, Eryn grabbed his tie and pulled him closer.
"Do that again", they whispered.
And Lucius did. It could have been hours, minutes, seconds. Eryn didn't care. They could stay like this forever. There was no one else in the world, no forest, no Hogwarts, no stressful parties with looming engagements, no common room with Pandora and Evan fighting. No. There was only Eryn and Lucius. Nothing could reach them here.
Afterwards the two of them laid on the forest floor. They talked more, laughed more, and maybe kissed some more.