A Bitter-Sweet Goodbye (Harry Potter)
Harry and Jess sat in a secluded compartment in the Hogwarts Express, it was summer and they were heading back to London.
The shining sun streamed in through the window and into the compartment, the window held a perfectly scenic view of Scottish forests and fields, they had opened to little windows to combat the heat but it was little help. The smell of chocolate and sweets hung heavy in the air, thanks to the Trolley Lady, and added to the overall sense of ease and nostalgia. Nostalgia towards the conversation Jess and Harry were currently having, the same one they had had every summer for the past two years, there was something different about this year, of course, Jess could finally call Harry her own, her boyfriend- it made her giddy to think about but this happiness was squashed by the weight of their discussion.
“Jess, please, don’t make this any harder,” Harry placed his new chocolate frog card on the seat beside him and took both of her hands in his own, even at thirteen, his hands were bigger than hers. There were a lot of funny things like that around Harry, he was generally more mature than most people Jess knew- she knew that was a product of his upbringing, still, he made her feel childish sometimes for feeling emotional about things he considered inconsequential and normal.
Jess laughed dryly, “So, what? I’m supposed to let you go back to those damn Dursleys and act glad about it? Do you know how much it hurts knowing you're just a few doors down, suffering, and I can't do anything about it?”
Harry took off his glasses and rubbed his exhausted eyes, he had been losing sleep over the daunting thought of returning back to his selfish relatives. “No, but listen,” he gently put his hand on her jaw, “it’s only for two weeks. Then, we can meet at the Weasley’s- I’ll manage.”
"I could visit you."
"I'd prefer it if you just stayed away from me."
Jess sucked in a breath through her teeth, her brows furrowed as she sat back, moving out of his touch, those words stung.
"No- I, I didn't mean it like that," He reached for her hands, "The Dursleys would probably punish me for talking to you."
She sighed, understanding, “You know, I’m fully capable of murder-”
“Watch it, they’re the only relatives I have left. I’m running low on family as it is,” Harry chuckled, removing his hand and leaning back.
Jess stared at him with a grieving look, it was obvious he was disturbed by the idea of him returning to his horrid family but he didn’t want it to show. Harry gazed at the window, watching as the scenery flew past, he wanted to occupy his mind.
“HIDE ME!” A voice startled the two lovebirds from their thoughts.
Alisa ran inside their compartment and chucked herself behind Harry, she was obviously out of breath. Jess glanced at the other girl with a look of confusion but the unsaid question was answered when Katia entered the compartment.
“Have you guys seen Alisa? She stole the candy that my бабушка gave me,” Katia spoke.
“Alisa? Nope, haven’t seen her,” Harry answered first, a look of innocence playing on his face.
Charlie smiled sympathetically, “No clue, sorry, Katia.”
Katia frowned and sighed heavily, she shut the door behind her when leaving. Alisa sighed out of relief and removed herself from behind Harry.
“I owe you guys so-”
Katia burst through the door, “I KNEW IT!"
"SHIT!"