Chapter 9
Once again, Alec studied himself in the dormitory's small mirror. The smooth cotton of the navy blue shirt felt strange and unfamiliar on his skin. It had been a gift from Isabelle, of course. For years she had insisted on helping him reorganize his wardrobe and he had dismissed her every time. Admittedly, he didn't have much of an eye for fashion himself. He would have rather worn one of his comfortable sweaters, but that hardly seemed appropriate for a date with Magnus Bane.
“Alec?” Underhill called impatiently and took hold of his arm, now fully healed. ”Are you coming or what? If you keep this up, we'll miss the carriages.”
“All right.” Alec grumbled impatiently and made a last desperate attempt to straighten his unruly waves. To no avail. He snatched his cloak before Andrew dragged him through the bustling common room. The last week had flown by and before Alec knew it, it was time for their outing to Hogsmead. Hogsmead and, of course, the date with Magnus. Once again, it crossed his mind that Magnus might have forgotten about it. Maybe he had only agreed to it to escape that embarrassing situation.
“Stop worrying and hurry up.” Andrew saw right through him, recognizing his fear immediately. At times, Alec found this more than a little alarming, but after years of friendship it was to be expected. “If I didn't know what a complete idiot you are, I'd fall in love with you on the spot. Dark blue suits you. Isabelle has good taste.”
“Well, that's reassuring.” Alec rolled his eyes and couldn't help but grin. “Lorenzo would probably be very disappointed if you decided to ditch him for me.” the Hufflepuff added with a smirk, immediately earning a venomous glare. Ever since he had found out that Lorenzo and Andrew would be spending the day together in Hogsmeade, he couldn't stop teasing his best friend about it.
“You better be careful, Lightwood,” Andrew snapped, his angelic face framed by blonde curls, making it hard to take his frustration seriously. ”Or I'll tell Bane how you woke me up at three in the morning, crying because there was a spider on your bedpost.”
Immediately, Alexander's face turned the color of a ripe tomato. “You- You wouldn't dare.” He spluttered, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Besides, it only happened once.” After all, it wasn't his fault that spiders had too many hairy legs and stared menacingly at him from their shiny eyes. Still, he couldn't bring himself to murder the disgusting creatures either, since they didn't want him any harm. Therefore, he always turned to Andrew, who dutifully released the spiders onto the windowsill.
“Don't tempt me.” Andrew gave him a sweet smile and quickened his pace. Soon they were passing through the arched entrance hall with a small group of other Hufflepuffs. To Alec's dismay, Simon was one of them.
As soon as he spotted them, he engaged Andrew in a lengthy conversation about a ridiculous muggle story in which a man flew through the air in an iron suit. Alec would have found it more interesting to debate which kind of chalk Professor Carstairs used to write on the blackboard. So he silently endured Simon, who gesticulated frantically and almost tripped over his own feet with enthusiasm.
Alec had grown very fond of him, despite his peculiar quirks, though he would never admit it. After Simon's unexpected performance at the tryouts, he and the rest of the team had decided to make him the new chaser. Mind you, he would keep his sister's boyfriend in suspense for a little while before telling him the good news. He deserved this indulgence after Simon's endless lectures on entirely irrelevant topics.
A gentle breeze caressed his hair as soon as he stepped outside. Alec tilted his head back and watched the pale clouds glide across the sky.
Professor Garroway stood in the middle of the paved square, holding a large parchment scroll in his hands. As usual, he was wearing a plaid robe, scanning the names on the list through his round glasses. By now, a line of waiting students had formed, whispering excitedly to one another. Alec tried in vain to find Magnus's sparkling head in the crowd of impatient teenagers. Perhaps he had already gotten into one of the thestral-drawn carriages. Alec wouldn't see him again until they reached Madam Puddifoot's Café, their designated meeting place.
Only now did he realize that his first date with Magnus was approaching fast. He had no idea what Magnus expected of him. He had only been persuaded once before by Jace to go on a double date with Jessica Hawkblue and her best friend. Even then, Alec had known that he would never feel the slightest attraction for Jessica. After a disaster that involved spilled Butterbeer and a string of rude curses, he had sworn off dating for an indefinite time. So his experiences in the dating department were extremely limited.
He was just glad that Isabelle and Jace had decided to stay at Hogwarts today. Alec had had a hard time keeping the date a secret. In any case, he was sure that Isabelle would have bombarded him with questions for hours. He had planned to take it slow with Magnus and didn't want to overstrain the delicate bond of their friendship.
“Alec?” Simon looked at him expectantly with his big brown eyes. Confused, Alec shrugged, sending a silent plea to his best friend. During the last few minutes, he had completely blocked out all the sounds around him. As a result, he hadn't noticed that they were almost at the front of the queue.
“I don't think Alec knows Star Wars,” Andrew answered in his place and patted Simon on the shoulder when he sighed in disappointment. “But he'd still be thrilled if you explained your theories about Jar Jar Binks to him.” As innocent as Underhill looked, deep down he was a cold-blooded sadist.
But before it could come to that, Professor Garroway came to his rescue. “Lewis, Lightwood and Underhill,” he murmured, ticking off their names on his parchment scroll. Satisfied, he gave them a wry smile. “It's good to see that you're doing better, Lightwood. Finally, we have a good chance of winning the Quidditch Cup. If you need any support, I'm just down the hall. I don't intend to lose against Professor Herondale again.”
“We'll do our best, Sir,” Alec replied enthusiastically, earning an approving nod from Andrew. Yet his thoughts kept returning to Magnus, caught in a web of worry and doubt.
Even after they had entered the carriage and settled on the soft leather seats, he felt as if someone had filled his head with cotton. He bit his lower lip in anticipation, twirling his wand between his fingers. Not even Simon's bad jokes or Andrew's gentle words could distract him completely.
When the carriage came to a halt, his hands began to shake so much that he had no choice but to hide them in the pockets of his tailored cloak. Andrew bid him farewell with a hug, and Simon waved at him before disappearing in the direction of Tomes and Scrolls, Alec's favorite bookshop.
Well, he was on his own now. Although he could hardly contain his anxiety, the sight of Hogsmead filled his chest with a pleasant warmth. The rows of small limestone cottages and shops, their pointed slate roofs crowned by smoking chimneys, reminded him of a picturesque painting. Hogsmead was the only village in the United Kingdom inhabited entirely by wizards, thus protecting the inhabitants from the eyes of curious Muggles.
Following the uneven main street, he passed the Three Broomsticks Inn, which had served as a wizards' headquarters during the goblin uprising in the seventeenth century. Wand legislation still forbade magical beings like goblins from owing or carrying wands, archaic laws that Alec parents and many other established wizarding communities campaigned to uphold.
The charm of the narrow side streets, the happy faces and the warm lights enveloped Alec, almost making him wish he could make a detour to Zonko's or the Honey Pot today. The Hufflepuff gave the towers of Fudge a wistful glance, but then tore himself away. After all, he had a date and he certainly didn't want to keep Magnus waiting.
Madam Puddifoot's Café was located in a back alley and was not quite as busy as he had feared. Alec avoided the popular tearoom, since it was particularly popular with couples. Besides, according to Jace, the decor was a nightmare of pink ruffles and bows that would smother any romance outright.
Feeling uncertain, Alec paused in front of the café and realized that even the windowsill was painted a dusky pink. Alec narrowed his eyes, but all he could see were blurred outlines of the people behind the steamed-up windows.
“You can do this,“ the Hufflepuff said to himself, trying to bolster his courage. “What do you have to lose, apart from your dignity and pride?” Alec straightened his shoulders and ran his fingers through his hair. Then he gripped the carved wooden handle and opened the door.
As he entered the small room, he heard a melodic chime. He managed to duck his head at the last moment to avoid bumping into the low door frame. A wave of pleasant warmth and the smell of freshly brewed tea hit him before he even had a chance to take a proper look around.
Jace had certainly not exaggerated his warning. In Madam Puddifoot's Café, the circular tables sat close together, adorned with frilly white tablecloths. Tiny plush cushions, their edges trimmed with pink tassels, had been squeezed into every available crevice. Yet it was clean, and the sight of the strawberry tarts and chocolate truffles in the display case made his mouth water.
Madam Puddifoot, an elderly witch with a warm smile, greeted him eagerly. “Hello dear, please take a seat and I'll be with you in a moment.”
“Thank you,“ Alec replied hesitantly, scanning the room in search of Magnus. The pit in his stomach swelled. He was about to bolt in panic when a warm hand settled on his arm.
“Alexander.” Magnus's deep voice sent shivers down his spine. “Navy really is your color.”
Alec jumped in surprise, spun around and almost snagged on one of the hideous frilly tablecloths if Magnus hadn't seized him by the shoulder in time. “I’ve got you, darling. While I'm flattered, there is no need to fall for me this fast.”
Alec would have liked to object. “Merlin,” the Hufflepuff murmured breathlessly when he had finally regained his balance. He was still so startled that his heart felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. “You really seem to have a habit of appearing out of nowhere, Bane.”
“I am a man of many secrets.” Magnus winked sympathetically and steered Alec towards a table in a more secluded corner of the cramped tea room. ”After you.”
He still didn't quite know what was happening to him when he sat down on one of the plush chairs. Finally, Alec had a chance to get a proper look at his date.
Magnus Bane lounged on a floral monstrosity like a monarch, legs casually crossed, and studied him with dark brown eyes. The golden shoulder pads of the fitted suit jacket seemed to compete with the glittering strands of his meticulously styled hair. He was wearing the same red blouse and tight leather pants Alec had seen in the hospital wing. The soft glow of the carefully chosen necklaces and earrings on his tanned skin nearly drove Alec mad.
Trying to hide the blush on his cheeks, Alec studied the folded cloth napkins. Once again, he had no idea how to behave in this situation. He was inexperienced when it came to dating or maybe social interactions in general. He was also aware that he would have to bring up the incident with Camille at some point. But that seemed highly inappropriate at the moment.
“Um...” Alec raised his head tentatively. Magnus's charming smile took his breath away. “Thank you for coming to my rescue. I would probably have ended up with a few furry pillows on my conscience if you hadn't intervened.”
Before he could embarrass himself further, Madam Puddifoot appeared at their table. The older witch, who wore her dark hair tied in a tight knot at the back of her head, wiped her hands on an embroidered apron. “Dearies, may I take your order already?” she cooed, her friendly smile never faltering for a second.
Alec looked to Magnus for help, hoping that the Slytherin would sense his uncertainty.
Fortunately, Magnus took the lead and put on a flirtatious grin. “Cream Tea for both of us, please.” Of course, he had charmed Madam Puddifoot immediately.
“I'll be right back.” Madam Puddifoot nodded enthusiastically. Soon she had made her way through the maze of tables and disappeared behind a pink door.
“I hope you don't mind what I chose?”, Magnus asked, slightly concerned.
Alec just nodded, not trusting his voice.
“I know the place is a little…” Magnus chuckled softly and shook his head in amusement. ”Well, how should I put it? Out there... maybe? I think that about sums it up.” Then he leaned forward a little and clasped the edge of the table with his ringed hands. “But I can promise you that I would kill for the scones they serve here.”
“That almost sounds like a threat.” Alec raised a dark eyebrow in question. Slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased, breathing becoming easier “Should I be worried, Magnus? I don't know if my life should end because of a scone.”
“I can assure you that dying for these scones would be an honor. Definitely a worthy departure, darling." the Slytherin confirmed in a serious tone. The aroma of freshly brewed Earl Grey tea wafted their way, making Alec's mouth water. What would happen if he were to reach out and touch Magnus' hand? How would it feel to brush over Magnus' smooth skin?
With an effort, Alec stopped himself from dwelling on his thoughts. He really had to learn to get a grip. “Thank you for coming today.”
“The pleasure is all mine. No need to thank me, Alexander.” Magnus replied without missing a beat.
Alec cleared his throat and thought back to their first meeting in the Hogwarts Express. Suddenly, he remembered Magnus' last words to him: If you'll excuse me, I have to feed my cat. “This might be a bit of a weird question, but do you really have a cat or did you just want to get rid of me?”
The Slytherin watched him in surprise and Alec thought he saw a hint of interest flash in his eyes. “I didn't think you'd remember, Alexander,” he said softly. “His name is Chairman Meow and he's scared of pretty much everything. He's a bit of a diva... I think I spoiled him.”
Alec's insides melted, turning into a pathetic puddle. Merlin, the thought of Magnus having a cat shouldn't affect him this much. Apart from Merlin the owl, his parents had never allowed him to have any contact with animals. So maybe he was a bit desperate. “Do you suppose I could meet him?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wanted to slap himself. Why did he always feel the urge to ask such stupid questions? How on earth was he ever going to make a good impression if he couldn't be normal for five minutes?
“Of course. I'll make an appointment with his royal highness.” Magnus gave him a wink, absentmindedly playing with the chunky ring on his index finger. ”Besides, I strongly advise you to bring along some salmon as a peace offering. That's his favorite food.”
Right on cue, a heavily burdened Madam Puddifoot appeared beside them. Alec suspected that the three-tiered cake stand she was balancing in her left hand was enchanted, since none of the pastries fell despite the severe swaying. In her right hand, Madam Puddifoot held a tray bearing a large teapot and a pair of delicate porcelain cups. With a piercing clang, she set her cargo down at the center of the round table.
“Enjoy your tea, loves.” she purred. “And if you need anything else, just let me know.”
Alec was in awe at the sight laid out before him. The tray was loaded with delicate cucumber sandwiches, warm scones and all manner of tartlets. As usual, the scones were served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Despite his love for sweets, Alexander rarely had the opportunity to indulge his desires. After all, they weren't exactly nutritious, and therefore seldom found in the Lightwood household. The divine scent of the freshly baked goods, mixed with the smooth aroma of the black tea, made Alec's knees go weak.
“Merlin.” Alexander breathed in awe. “Magnus, I think I have to confess my eternal love for you.” the Hufflepuff joked and promptly burned his tongue on a sip of tea. ”How come I went six years without having the slightest idea of what I was missing?”
“Before we get to love confessions, you'll definitely have to invite me to dinner first.” Magnus gracefully picked up a cucumber sandwich and began to nibble on it. He reminded Alec of a languid cat basking in the last rays of the midday sun. ”Alexander, I believe you owe me some more information about yourself. I still can't believe that I don't have the slightest idea what you're interested in.”
Alec flushed slightly, folding his arms across his chest. He was probably one of the most boring people on the planet. Even most Muggles had a more exciting life than he did. “Well, there's not much to tell.” He cast a shy glance at the Slytherin. "I'm captain of the quidditch team, but you already know that. I like to read and spend time with my siblings. That's about it."
“Quidditch,” Magnus raised a sculpted eyebrow. ”I never quite understood the appeal, to be honest. I mean, your broken shoulder was proof enough that I would never willingly choose to fly on a broom.”
Alec regarded Magnus, thoughtful. “Of course it's dangerous. Still, I've never felt so free and unrestricted. I can't describe it properly, but there isn't much in the world I would give up Quidditch for.” He took a sandwich and devoured it in seconds, letting out a content moan as the flavors of the crunchy cucumbers and the delicate butter mingled in his mouth.
“I've never thought about it that way.” Magnus replied, furrowing his brow. ”I've always had a healthy respect for heights. That probably makes it harder for me to understand what you feel. But maybe I'll overcome my pride and watch you play at the next game.”
“If you want.” A pleasant sensation spread in his chest. Did Magnus genuinely show interest in him? Alec laughed softly. ”We're going to kick Gryffindor's ass this year. I'm not going to lose to Jace in my last year.”
"Are you sure that Hufflepuff is the right house for you? You'd be just as well off in Slytherin.” Magnus commented with amusement. “But I can understand your need to knock Blondie off his high horse.”
Alec grabbed a scone and started generously slathering it with strawberry jam. ”You forget that Hufflepuff also has a strong sense of loyalty. Besides, Jace is my brother, so I see it as my personal duty to put him in his place from time to time.”
“Oh yes, right.” the Slytherin murmured approvingly and took a sip of tea.”Sometimes I forget that Isabelle and Jace are your siblings.”
“I know we don't have much in common. I don't really meet the expectations.” Alec’s voice sounded rough to his own ears. He didn't know why he was confiding in Magnus, but something told him he was safe here. ”But I care about them. More than anything in this world.”
Magnus leaned over the table and squeezed Alec's hand. “Believe me, darling, when I say that you have more than exceeded my expectations.”