A Night Into Town
Persephone didn’t see much of Malfoy after that night. Many of her days were spent with Harry and Mors, today was a bit different. Harry had left early in the morning to handle some affairs in Diagon Alley. Leaving Persephone to spend the day in her classroom, these past couple weeks have been spent lesson planning and creating a list of all of the items she would require for her classes.
By mid-afternoon she could feel the lull and loss of motivation. Raising her hands over her head she stretched her back staring up at the ceiling. She lowered her arms as she stared for a few moments longer. It felt empty. She remembered her classes in muggle school and even at Hogwarts that the professors hung decor from the vast ceilings. She pondered what she could hang up to make it feel more personal. She sighed as she stood from her desk, a problem for another time. She wandered through the empty halls lazily as her steps echoed around her. She looked at the paintings, each a little world with so much history. Some she recognized from her time here she smiled politely and waved as she passed. It wasn't long before she was pushing open the door to her shared living space.
Almost as if she had seen a ghost, Persephone startled at the sight of Malfoy leaning over the counter with his lunch. He glanced at her before returning to his meal.
“I didn't know you'd be in today,” she said, closing the door behind her, walking into the kitchen.
He only shrugged in response, refusing to look at her. The silence passed between them as Persephone moved around the kitchen making herself food.
“How's your lesson planning going?” Malfoy asked.
She thought for a moment before responding, “I'm about halfway through at the moment. I'm going to have to make a trip to London soon to get some school supplies.”
“London? What do you need from there?”
Persephone snorted at Malfoy’s furrowed brow, “I need books and course material. I am the Muggle Studies professor. So my course material can only be found in the muggle world.”
“I've never been. Only heard about it in classes and from passing conversations from muggle born.” He was picking at the last remnants of food on his plate.
She set her plate down next to him pulling up a stool, “Well when I have to go to London, why don't you come with me? I can show you my favorite spots and I can even visit my mum.”
“Just find me on the day you want to go,” his voice was quiet. Persephone slowly raised her eyes to meet his.
The tension in the room began to feel thick. They hadn’t spoken in two weeks, yet now here he was, suddenly agreeing to spend time with her. Persephone gave a small smile as he rose from the stool and placed his dish in the sink.
“I’ll see you around Persephone.”
“See ya, Malfoy.”
The door shut as he disappeared once more. She let out a heavy sigh. Had Malfoy always been this enigma? Persephone tried to push away any more thoughts about Malfoy as she picked at her food. She would deal with her thoughts of the indifferent man another time.
The sun had begun to touch the tree line as Persephone sat in front of the fireplace. Her nose was buried in a book as she absentmindedly stroked Mors, who purred happily. As she flipped her page Harry suddenly apparated in the living area.
Without missing a beat Persephone greeted him, “Welcome back.”
Harry let out a sigh as he plopped down on a chair nearby, “thanks. That took so much longer than I had expected.”
“Must have been important if you were gone from sun up to sun down.”
“The Ministry had some menial tasks they wanted help with,” he waved his hand in the air as if trying to push away the dull memories.
Persephone chuckled as she closed her book, “I’m sure they were thrilled to be in the presence of the Harry Potter,” she teased.
A loud chuckle burst from his lips. Persephone watched as he threw his head back, his laugh filled the room with light almost. She watched the curve of his neck and how his Adam’s apple bobbed with each laugh that escaped his lips. Lips she had been familiar with since her teenage years.
As his laugh slowed he looked at her with bright eyes, “why don’t we get out of here for the night?”
She blinked at him confused, “where?”
“Why Hogsmeade of course!”
Setting her book on the table she smiled at him, “that sounds like a lot of fun. I’ll get changed then we can head out. I haven’t eaten yet so we can grab some dinner.”
“Sounds wonderful Pers, I’ll get cleaned up and we can meet outside when we’re ready.”
“A perfect plan indeed.”
Harry jauntily strode into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Once she heard the click of the door she looked over at Malfoy’s door, quiet and unmoving. She thought about their conversation earlier and if he had meant it. Would the pureblood prince really want to spend a day in the world he hated so much. In the world she was from. She shook her head as she walked into her own room trying to push away thoughts of Malfoy. She changed quickly and headed to the set destination to meet. It had been ages since she’s been to town. Happy memories passed before her mind as many a free day was spent chatting with a warm mug of hot chocolate. Many a memory with Harry.
“Hey! Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.” Harry waved at her as he jogged over.
“Just in time,” she smiled at him.
“Well, let’s go!”
Off they went, as Harry chatted about his duties with the Ministry, Persephone listened quietly matching his pace. She gave him a glance over, his hair was still a mess but looked like he had tried to style it somewhat. His old shoes and jeans, his shirt looked newer. She chuckled quietly to herself as it seemed he put in a lot of effort for such a last minute outing.
Taking notice of her laugh Harry looked at her with a playful frown, “I don’t see how paperwork is such a laughing matter, it is quite boring in fact.”
She chuckled again, “no, no. I’m not laughing at your mountainous paperwork. I was just thinking about how nice you look.”
A small flush spread across his face as he looked up at the sky, “why thank you for noticing.”
Small conversation passed before they were heading into the tavern. A small table in the corner waiting for them, the same spot that was their favorite in their youth.
“Guess old habits die hard, huh?”
“Guess so.”
Time passed between the two, it was comfortable, familiar. Old friends able to pick up even years later. It comforted Persephone in a way. Harry hadn’t changed much since she last saw him, and in a way she was grateful. Stuck between warmth and unfamiliar cold.
“Do you remember when we would sneak off here just to have a moment's peace,” he reminisced.
“I remember being dragged from my studies to keep an eye on you,” she joked while taking a sip of her drink.
“You and Hermione always had your noses stuck in those dusty books. But you can’t say you didn’t enjoy the break from it all.”
“It was nice to forget everything for a bit. You were always my favorite escape from it all.”
A pause passed between them. Harry had heard the mentioning's of my trouble being a muggle born in Slytherin but I never let anyone close to me know how bad it was. His hand found hers, giving a small reassuring squeeze.
“You’ll always have me Pers. No matter what.” He looked into her eyes.
She knew he meant it, with all his heart. They had always found a way to drift back to one another. She squeezed his hand back giving a small smile.
“And you’ll always have me.”
After a filling meal and a couple more drinks they were walking back. The moon now fully in the sky lighting the path before them. Summer would be ending in just a few more weeks and the colorful Autumn would be upon them.
“Thank you for joining me tonight, I’m glad I could spend it with you.”
“Always, I needed a break from all the lesson planning.”
As they walked enjoying the weather, Persephone felt Harry’s warm hand in her own. She stopped to look at him.
“Pers.”
“Harry.”
He slowly pulled her closer. The swirling scent of his cologne swirled around her mind, as she looked up at him. How many times had they done this song and dance, and how many more till they stopped.
His hand placed gently on her chin as he lifted it, their eyes meeting. The tension. Thick, heavy, and confusing. Persephone could hear her heart beating in her ears, she wondered if he could hear it too.
“Can I kiss you?” He whispered. His voice was thick with want.
Crack.
The sharp sound startled the both of them as they leapt apart. Just ahead of them, Malfoy. He stared at the two, then his eyes landed solely on Persephone.
“So sorry to crash the party.” He said bitterly.
“Malfoy-” She started.
“Don’t. Just.” For some reason he sounded, hurt?
“Nothing happened Malfoy,” Harry said.
A small pang of hurt radiated in her chest, “No he’s absolutely right. Nothing. Happened.”
Angry began to build in Persephone. Unable to cope with swirling emotions and whatever power struggle going on between these two she stormed off. Leaving behind Harry and shoving past Malfoy.
“Persephone, wait! I didn’t mean it like that!” Harry fumbled, yelling after her.
She didn’t stop her pace as she kept moving faster and faster. When she felt she was far enough away she broke into a sprint. The tears streamed down her face as her legs pushed her forward to some type of safety. Did she mean anything to them? Did she mean anything to anyone? One loathed her and one she couldn’t quite place. Nostalgic hurt welled in her as she slammed her door shut. She leaned against her chair as she covered her mouth quietly sobbing. Her lungs burned, but her heart ached deeply in her chest. As she wiped her eyes she noticed a letter sitting neatly on her desk.
It was from her pen pal. In the same familiar bold black ink, D.L.M. stared up at her.