Chapter 10
Alec blushed again and watched as a wisp of steam rose from the dark surface of his tea. “Magnus...” he breathed, caught off guard. “I...” His mind refused to form coherent thoughts. How could it? Magnus' skin felt warm and smooth under his rough fingertips.
The soothing scent of sandalwood that always accompanied the Slytherin hung in the air and enveloped Alec's senses. Merlin, Magnus' presence was affecting him in a way that he had never felt before. Alec had always tried to be the perfect son, never stepping out of line, enduring in silence, keeping it to himself. While his siblings challenged their parents' authority, Alec accepted the consequences of their freedom. After all, he was the oldest, bearing the responsibility. Yet his parents' approval was as fleeting, their expectations out of reach. But Magnus made him feel like taking a risk was worth it. A sudden rush of affection and hope took hold of Alexander's heart. Redemption or ruin, whatever it was, the Slytherin would alter the course of his fate.
“Shhh...” a knowing smile stole onto Magnus‘ face as he held Alec's hand. “You don't have to say anything, sweetheart.” Then he slowly withdrew and leaned back into the cushioned chair. “You're pretty, when you are at a loss for words.”
Alec promptly choked as he struggled for air. Wheezing, he took a sip of tea. He just wasn't used to someone flirting with him so shamelessly. “You're out to kill me, aren't you, Bane?” Alec said, pouting. “But at least you've made sure I'm stocked up on scones and sandwiches. I think I'll take that into account when I draw my last breath.”
“Now, now: Don't be so pessimistic, Alexander,” Magnus replied, light-hearted. Alec couldn't help but notice how the golden eyeliner made the deep brown of his eyes stand out. He quickly composed himself, turning his attention back to the conversation. “Despite my reputation, I've never been convicted of a crime. Besides, it would be a shame to waste such a pretty face. After all, I am a gentleman at heart.”
The Hufflepuff let out an amused laugh as he carefully placed another chocolate cream puff onto his plate. He couldn't believe that he, of all people, was sitting in a café with Magnus Bane, devouring mouth-watering pastries. Maybe this whole afternoon had been nothing but a fever dream? An illusion?
“To be honest,” Alexander explained gently, “I don't know how to thank you. I can't remember the last time I... well... had so much fun?”
The Hufflepuff almost expected a charming smile or a sharp-tongued reply, but he received neither. “Alexander.” Magnus said in a calm voice. “Believe me, you don't have to thank me. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be.”
Alec just smiled, not able to form a coherent reply. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. Right from the start, he had known that he would have to mention his encounters with Camille sooner or later. Magnus would know best how to proceed. As Alec recalled her overpowering vanilla perfume, he shuddered and cleared his throat. “Magnus, I don't mean to pry.” Alec started hesitantly. “It's about Camille, Camille Belcourt.”
Magnus' expression darkened instantly. With his eyebrows drawn together, he let out a deep sigh. “If you're referring to the incident in the great hall, then-” A dangerous undertone had mixed into his otherwise velvety voice.
Alec raised his hands in defense. “No... No.” he cut him off quickly. The hostility in Magnus' posture told him that he had struck a nerve. “I'm not trying to insinuate anything.” He took a deep breath before he started to explain. While Alec spoke, doubt blossomed inside of him, spreading venom into his veins. Had he made a mistake? Should he have kept this encounter to himself?
“I'm going to murder her with my bare hands,“ the Slytherin growled angrily. It was as if fiery sparks were shooting out of his dark eyes. “After everything she did to me?” He clenched his hands into fists, struggling to control his temper. “What right does she have to even look at you? Let alone insult you.”
Alec involuntarily flinched. He had never been good at handling conflict. His parents had made sure of that. Although he could empathize with the Slytherin's anger, there was clearly more to the story between them than he knew. He was about to apologize when Madam Puddifoot arrived at their table.
Ignoring the almost tangible tension, she gave them a motherly smile. The creases and wrinkles around her mouth deepened. “I see you enjoyed your food, then.” she stated, pleased. “Is there anything else I can do for you, my dears?”
“Thank you.” As if nothing had happened, a charming smile graced Magnus' lips. The Slytherin slipped on a firm mask behind which he hid his true feelings and thoughts. ”But I think we would like to pay now.”
Alec swallowed hard. Did Magnus want to get rid of him now? Had he upset him so much that he no longer wanted to have anything to do with him? It had to be that. With a heavy heart, he had to admit to himself that he had blown his only chance of a date with Magnus.
“Of course.” Madam Puddifoot nodded, making the dishes disappear with a wave of her wand. From her apron pocket, she pulled out a small leather bag, the contents clinking against each other. ”Two galleons and five sickles, please.”
Alec snapped to action and pulled out his own purse. “My treat.” he said before Magnus could complain, and handed the older witch a generous amount of coins. He took a certain satisfaction in spending his parents' money on Magnus.
“Goodbye, dearies,” Madam Puddifoot purred, beaming. “I hope you will visit me again soon.” The woman definitely had a sense for business.
As soon as she had turned to the other guests, the Slytherin rose with the lithe elegance of a panther. “Next time, dinner is on me.” Magnus stated, offering Alec his hand to help him up.
“Next...next time?” Alec asked. Confusion spread through him. He didn't understand how Magnus' demeanor had changed in a split second.
“Of course. Well...if you want that too. “ the Slytherin replied, a little embarrassed. ”I'm sorry that I startled you, but I...It's not easy for me to talk about my relationship with Camille when I'm surrounded by frilly blankets and floral wallpaper. And I think I owe you an explanation after Camille...after you met her.”
Alec nodded sympathetically, fiddling with the cuff of his shirt. It was strange to see Magnus so vulnerable and insecure. “I've heard that a walk to the Shrieking Shack should be part of every good date in Hogsmeade.”
“If you've heard that, then it must be true.” Magnus shot him an unreadable look and followed him out of the café onto the cobbled alleyway. ”It's been ages since I went there.“
Per usual, Alec towered over most other wizards as they made their way through the sea of chattering students that crowded the main street. Keeping Magnus in sight proved to be more difficult than he expected. The golden gleam of his shoulder pads served as a guide for the Hufflepuff.
The further they moved away from the village, the fewer people they encountered. Crooked trees cast dark shadows on the narrow path that wound through the adjacent forest. Soon they could make out the outlines of the rickety shack between the gnarled trunks. The heavy smell of damp earth and rotting leaves hung in the afternoon air. Alec appreciated the morbid charm of the boarded-up windows and dusty wood as soon as he laid eyes on the Shrieking Shack.
“The most haunted house in Great Britain,” the Hufflepuff explained and made a dramatic hand gesture. “I hope you're not afraid of ghosts, otherwise it could get a little uncomfortable.”
Magnus turned around, grinning. “Alexander, you know why so many people come here for their dates, right?” he murmured and took a step towards him, making Alec stumble against the tree behind him.
Did people not just go on a nice walk through the woods? At least that is what Alec always suspected. He caught his breath and had to swallow when he realized how close he was to Magnus. A slight movement of his hand would have been enough to touch him. Reaching out, running his thumb along Magnus’ cheek would be so easy. The rough surface of the tree bark brushed his back, even the gentle breeze seared his skin like fire.
“Merlin, how can you be so clueless?” Magnus's lips were slightly parted, so incredibly soft and inviting. “May I?”
Alec stared at him for a moment, unable to articulate himself. He had never kissed anyone before. He didn't trust his voice, so he simply nodded, eyes still fixated on Magnus’ lips.
“Use your words, Alexander.” Magnus purred, clearly teasing him.
“Yes…Please, Magnus.”
Without hesitation, the Slytherin grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him forward. “Since you asked so nicely…..”
A gust of wind stirred the leaves, rustling through the thin branches of the surrounding shrubs. Not wasting a second, Magnus let his fingers caress the nape of Alec's neck. The soft touch made Alec tremble in anticipation. His other hand cupped Alec's chin, gently directing him to join their lips. Alec gasped in surprise, struggling to keep his legs from giving out. He was thankful to the tree, providing him something to lean against. He had no idea what charm Magnus had cast on him, but he knew he would gladly submit to it.
Heat rushed through his veins, clouding his senses. Never before had Alec felt so alive: ready to spread his wings and take to the skies. Magnus' kisses reminded him of warm, carefree summer days, of quiet autumn walks.
He could feel that Magnus was holding himself back for Alec's sake. Making sure not to overwhelm him, to keep the touch of his lips gentle and predictable. But Alec was burning with a desire for something he couldn't quite name. He just knew he wanted more.
Alec wrapped his arms around Magnus' waist and pulled him close. He needed...He didn't know what he needed. He just wanted more of Magnus. His hands sliding under Magnus' dark suit jacket, exploring the tense muscles through the smooth fabric of the blouse.
“Impatient, are we?” the Slytherin whispered, clearly amused. He placed a hand next to Alec's head for support, pressing him flush against the tree. ”And here I was thinking you were shy.”
“Don't underestimate me, Bane,” Alec replied in a rough voice, unable to prevent the bloom of color on his cheeks. He didn't know where this sudden courage came from. Despite his nervousness, Alec felt safe.
“I wouldn't dare.” Sparse sunrays broke through the thick canopy of leaves, glistening on Magnus's sparkling hair like a crown of light. Alec wondered if Magnus would allow him to run his fingers through the thick strands.
A small grin formed on his face as he bent down to Magnus again. Time seemed to stand still for him, stretching into eternity and then fading away in the blink of an eye. He didn't want to let go of Magnus, but his head was beginning to swim. When they finally parted, Alec was panting, his lips swollen.
A single glance into Magnus' dark irises was enough to take his breath away. “Magnus,” Alec blurted out. “Your eyes are beautiful.” He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of sandalwood and damp moss. “You're beautiful.”
The Slytherin regarded him with a puzzled look, attempting to fix his now tousled hair. “You're one to talk,” Magnus replied out of breath, sinking onto the forest floor with unnerving grace. He then patted the patch of dirt next to him. “You never cease to amaze me, Alexander. But now we should probably do what we came here for. Although I wouldn't mind a second round.”
Alec sat down next to him, stretching out his long legs in front of him. With his head bowed, he watched as a tiny ant scurried across his thigh before disappearing between the gnarled roots of the trees.
Magnus cleared his throat to break the silence and began to speak: “Camille and I, we...we have known each other for years. Since her first ride on the Hogwarts Express, we've been best friends, played pranks on Professor Morgenstern and celebrated our birthdays together. Merlin, she even helped me choose a name for my cat.”
He laughed, the hollow sound echoing off the trees. Slowly, the charming mask he'd been wearing began to crumble. “We both came from difficult circumstances, but together we were invincible, untouchable. I loved her, I really loved her. And I was happy. She meant everything to me. We were inseparable. But everything I thought I knew turned out to be a lie. I was blind, Raphael warned me, but I didn't want to hear it. Camille, she manipulated me, cheated on me... It was right there but I didn't want to see it. So maybe this was punishment for my own ignorance.”
His voice broke and suddenly, Alec felt a surge of loathing for Camille and what she had done. “I'm sorry.” He gently interlaced their fingers, hoping to transfer some of his feelings through the touch. “It's not your fault, Magnus. Camille's actions are not your responsibility. She made her choice and you deserve so much better.”
“I was devastated when I finally found out. She just laughed at me, like it was nothing. She told me I was too sensitive, that I was overreacting. But I didn't forgive her. I still had some self-respect. Of course, Camille couldn't let me make her look bad. I'm sure you remember the incident in the Great Hall. She broke my heart and ruined my favorite shirt with pumpkin juice.”
The Slytherin sighed heavily, appearing to be lost in thought. “I don't know why she still tries to mess with me. As if threatening you would change anything between us. But to be honest, it doesn't surprise me. She has always had a flair for the dramatic. If she loves me as much as she claims, she should have worked that out earlier. It's not that it doesn't still hurt, but I'm done with her.” At that, he abruptly turned his head and eyed Alec warily. A thin line of concern appeared on his forehead. ”I can understand if you don't want to continue this anymore. It's likely that Camille will do everything she can to make your life miserable.
Without hesitation, Alec wrapped his arms around the other man. “Magnus,” he said firmly. “I'm not sure about what this is between us, but I know that I care about you. I know that I don't want to lose you. Camille Belcourt will be the last person to make me give up on this. Let her try to hurt me.” Alec chuckled. “After all, Robert Lightwood is my father and I doubt she could compete with him at all.”
“You may be wrong about that, Alexander.” Magnus buried his head in Alec's neck. “Thank you for giving me a chance. I know I've already apologized but I think I still owe you an explanation.”
Alec drew in a sharp breath as he realized what Magnus was talking about. The night he had spent on the Astronomy Tower still came to him in his dreams sometimes. A bitter taste spread in his mouth. “Are you sure?”
Magnus broke away from him. “I behaved like a proper asshole.” he confessed, embarrassed. “Sebastian Verlac gave me 10 galleons to make you spend the night on the Astronomy Tower, teach you a lesson. I know it was wrong to accept, but I needed the money and the name Lightwood doesn't exactly evoke sympathy in me.“
“Sebastian Verlac?” Alexander raised an eyebrow, bemused. “I remember that guy. Isabelle dumped him two years ago, but he just wouldn't take no for an answer. He followed her everywhere. Eventually, she had enough of his constant advances so she cursed him. Nasty furuncles, I'm telling you. Jace and I lent a hand, too. As you can imagine, he's not too fond of us now. But he was too much of a coward to try anything himself.”
“That explains a lot.” Magnus smiled before folding his arms across his chest. All at once, he was overcome by a deep melancholy. “It's difficult at home. My mother has been at St Mungo's for as long as I can remember. And my father...” He just shook his head, dismissive. “Money is always tight and I've depended on Catarina for far too long. As I said, I'm sorry.”
“Don't worry about it, Magnus,“ Alec replied, his gentle tone matching his words. “You apologized and that's enough. If you want my support, you can always count on me, I promise.”
“You really are something, aren't you?” Magnus leaned forward, uniting their lips once more.