Harry
I met her during a reunion at Hogwarts. She was the new beast professor. She had this crooked smile and confident demeanor. She had mocha colored hair, chopped to a bob. She had freckles under her eyes, wore a red scarf, blue jeans and a dark green jacket. Granted, it was freezing cold outside. We met in the cooridor. She was holding some heavy textbooks. I spent my time holding some textbooks for her as we made our way to her classroom.
We got closer. She was called into consultation with the Ministry. Coincidentally, she had to help out with this homicide investigation, that involved hipogryphs. She was a qualified expert, often pointing out evidence regarding to the case. During the investigation, I got closer to her. We talked constantly. I find myself laughing too much with her. Smiling. Even Ron became interested in my relationship with her.
She told me that her rent was going up each month. So, us being friends already, I decided to invite her to become my roommate. We can both cover our share of the rent. Not commenting on how unconventual it is to have a female roommate, she smiled and accepted it. Shaking my hand, I gave her a copy of the key to the apartment we now shared.
Three months later,
Now, we're on the couch. I was laying my head on her lap while she read an updated guide to urban magical creatures. She was thumbing through the pages. Clearly lost in thought. She licked the bottom of her lip as she scanned the pages for information and facts that can help her teach effectively. I frowned. I wanted her to pay attention to me. Silly girl, Shes always so invested in her books.
"Hey." She was absorbed in her guide. Often turning the pages, she's a fast reader. She rubbed at the edges of the pages.
"Hey." She didn't pay attention to me. I got a little annoyed.
Snatching the book away, I threw it on the coffee table. Annoyed, she flicked my forehead. "Ouch!" I sat up, she pouted. "I was getting into the good part, Har." She usually called me nicknames. I quirked my head to the side. "Can't you just pay attention to me for once? She scoffed. Standing up to brew some coffee. Both of us were morning birds, often waking up at 5 am. The water boiled in an electric kettle as I got up. I trudged into the small kitchen, opening the white cabinet, I took out my red Gryffindor mug and sat it near the kettle. She already had her floral teacup, blue with gold accents. "Why do you drink coffee in a teacup?" I asked her. She shrugged. "Just cause." I hummed in agreement. We looked at the windows, waiting for the sunset to peak through the mountains. I looked at her. She seems so relaxed and stoic. She's twenty-four and is already more well-adjusted than me. She's dealt with me before. My panic attacks, my anger tantrums, my crying spells, she cared for me. Like a mother would. Sometimes when I was drunk as hell, I called her Lilly. In which she responded with a elbow to the ribs.
"I take it that Hogwarts is having an off week?" I asked her. "Uh huh. Yeah, something about memorial for the war." I looked away. Not really liking any reference to the st war. She saw me with a sad expression on my face. The water was done boiling, she poured the water and made the coffee for me. Slipping some sugar cubes and pouring cream. She slid over the cup of hot joe. I took the handle and started sipping at the newly brewed coffee. The scent wafted up into my nose.
"Cheer up. You look pathetic when you're in that big head of yours." I laughed. Instantly feeling better. Sighing, I took another sip of the coffee. She always made it just the way I want it. Two sugar cubes, vanilla cream with a hint of chocolate. She sipped at her coffee, straight black. "Thanks." I shot a grin at her. She responded with a small smile. Despite how extroverted she is, she barely smiles. Often having a neutral expression. She has her shit together, is what I am trying to say. She's no way like me. This is probably the reason why I gravitated towards her in the first place.
"Hey, want to walk around in London? Just to keep your mind off of the fact that you died and came back again." She took another sip as I agreed. "Great, lets do it." She nodded. Going to our shared bedroom to pack her things. I didn't bother to get a new apartment that had two rooms, so we decided to just share a bed. It wasn't bad actually. She was a good cuddler and my nightmares were at bay most of the time.
--
After packing our bags, we made our way to the Train station. Stepping onto the train, I had this red baseball cap on. She scoffed. "Dude, you look ridiculous." I shot her a annoyed look. "I really do not want attention right now." I grumbled. Patting the top of my head, we shared the train compartment with two teenagers.
The ride seemed long. She rested her head on my shoulder. I don't know why, but I was flushed. She's a friend. Well, a friend that made coffee for me every single day. A friend that I share a bed with. A friend that runs her fingers through my hair-.
Wait. I think we may be a bit more than friends. I looked at her. She was staring off to the side. Scanning the train compartment before focusing on the window. She usually does that. She's in her own mind too much. The train compartment was silent. The two teenagers were listening to music on their phones. I snapped my fingers, turning her attention to me. She sat up, stretching her arms. "Are we almost there yet?" I nodded. Looking at my watch, it was 11am. We still had enough time to visit the Buckingham palace.
--
Stepping outside of the platform, I took her hand, and we made our way to the bus. We fortunately took the top level of the bus. She looked so happy, constantly taking pictures of the scenery around her. She pointed out multiple buildings that interested her. Wrapping her arm around mine she giggled. Taking in the sights and sounds. Merlin, if I can see that every single day, then I'll die happy. I smiled. "This is so cool! I should've visited the human world more often." There, that's one of the things I loved about her. She refuses to use words like muggle and mud blood. She looked at me. Taking my hat off and wearing it backwards. Giggling to herself.
I question my type as I suddenly became more attracted at her tomboy look. She wore a graphic t-shirt, tucked into her high waisted jeans. She sported on converse and had a sling bag. She looked so hip and young. "Why are you staring so much?" She asked me. I rubbed the back of my neck. Speaking before I thought, " You just look so nice today." She snapped her head to look me in the eyes. She tried to look for any hint of a joking mood in me. When she didn't she elbowed me in the ribs.
"OWWW!" I exclaimed. Clutching my side, she laughed out loud. "You're such a baby. And you're older than me!" She chuckled. I wrapped my arm around her neck and pulled her head down, taking my right hand, I rubbed the top of her head. "Shut up kid!" We both horsed around on the bus until we arrived at the palace.
--
We were looking at the big entrance of the palace. I was in awe, Sammy was taking a bunch of pictures. She held me close. Taking a selfie with me. I had my hand up in a peace sign and she gave me bunny ears. She had this large smile on her face. She took the picture on her phone. We had to get into a line. While we were waiting, we talked about Hogwarts. The line moved up inch by inch as we talked too much.
"Well, I went to the academy in Korea, so I know nothing." She told me about how much she loved the students and teaching. Usually talking about her banters with Draco. "Sometimes he's more of an idiot than you. I mean, how can you get hurt by the same hippogryph again!" I burst out laughing. I told her about that time when he got turned into a ferret. "If I was there, I'd definitely take a picture." She held my hand as we advanced the line. I focused on the warmth of her hand. How small her fingers were. And how much I wanted to kiss her knuckles.
I started questioning my relationship with her once people mistook us as a couple. Since valentines day was three days away, we took advantage of the couple discount and got into the palace with a fuller wallet. "Man, too many people mistake us." She laughed. I looked at her. She's always so carefree. She led me to the paintings. Often talking about the history behind the painter. She did take art history studies back in her home country. She had a full smile on. Her cheeks we soft and had star like freckles on it. Her blue eyes shone in the sun rays dancing from the big bay windows. She was enjoying herself. She looked back at me. "Seriously, what's with the staring." I laughed awkwardly. "uh. Its just. I kind of doubt our relationship" she stopped. Looking at me, her carefree expression morphed into a stoic one.
"What do you mean?" She asked, carefully. "I think we act like more than friends." Her breath hitched. She mumbled a curse before saying, "So you notice too." My eyes widened. She knew? Knew how close we were. "Hey, I think. I think I-"
"Don't say a word. Potter." I cringed, when she addresses me by my last name its when things are tense. She glared at me. "Why cant we?!" I exclaimed. She hardened her expression. " I just don't want to talk about it." She simply said. Frustrated, I started debating..
"We have to address it-"
"I don't want to." She cut me off.
"Why?" I was so confused on why she decided to shut me out.
"Because I don't want to mess this up." I looked at her with a bewildered expression.
"You could never-"
"Im moving out." I shut my mouth. Trying to process this heavy news. I tried to think of a way out of this. But all I can ask is, "Why?"
She sighed. Running her hands against her arms. She looked tense, stressed even. "I found this cute little house in London. I thought, why can't I just apparate to Hogwarts again?" My eyes widened. She wants to move now? When she's 24. Already?
"Well, when were you going to tell me?" I crossed my arms, in a defensive tone. Was she just going to leave with no explanation? No goodbye?
"I don't know. But I do know that i have an appointment with the real estate agent-
"Is the house next door for sale?" She answered. "Yeah." I nodded. Suddenly wanting to make a bold and probably stupid decision. But hey, you do the things for the people you love and think later.
"Well, guess who's going to be your neighbor." Her breath hitched. "Shut up Harry. You don't know what you're talking about." I brought my hands to my hips. "Well, yes I am." She gritted her teeth. "You're so damn stubborn sometimes. Scoffing, I retorted.
"Yeah, because of you!" She looked at me, completely offended. But I kept talking, never shutting up.
"You know, I fancy you. Ok? Yeah I do. And don't dismiss my feelings! You're always with me, taking care of me. You're too damn strong and passionate with almost everything you do! I fancy you." She groaned. Looking at the ceiling. She took three deep breaths. Preparing herself for another argument with me.
"You're fucking forty Potter." I shrugged. Not caring about the obvious age difference. "So?"
"AGH!" she screamed in frustration. She threw my hat down. "You're too emotionally unstable for a committed relationship. There! There's my reason that I didn't pursue you! You're too damn unstable!" My eyes darkened. She knows nothing. I am stable. If I wasn't, we wouldn't be talking about this now.
You cant just assume that!" I screamed. People were looking at us. But I threw them a warning glare, which caused them to walk past us.
"Yes I can Potter! C'mon! I'm trying to be reasonable here! I can't be good enough for you!" She pleaded with me to drop this conversation but I refused to. It was now or never.
"I want to be with you. Simple as that. Nothing, no even you, will stop me." I grabbed her wrist. She tried to get out of my hold but I only tightened it. I made sure to not bruise it though. She gave me a hard glare. Gritting her teeth, trying to intimidate me. Too bad for her.
"You look hot when you're angry." That shut her up. I pulled her, leading her to the sculptures. She grumbled and pouted.
---
I still held her wrist. It was like we were handcuffed to each other. She picked up a box of tea. Looking at the decorated flowers. I picked up a teddy bear. I remember her saying her old Teddybear was ripped up by a rabid dog. I decided to keep it in the basket for her. She was looking around for anything else that could be of use to her.
We walked to the cashier. We got a tea box, teddy bear, a hat and a keychain. We both fished our wallets out. We looked at each other. Here we go again.
"You paid last time." I rolled my eyes. Scoffing.
"So? I have more money." She tsked. Inwardly groaning to herself.
"Shut it." She shoved her card towards the cashier. The cashier swiped the card and the purchase was promptly approved. I grumbled. Not liking the fact that a younger woman paid for me. She smirked. I pulled her towards the exit of the gift shop.
--
We spend our day walking around and shopping. My hand never left her wrist, she was used to it by now. We stopped in front of the London Disney store. We walked in to be greeted by Mickey and Minnie. There were stairs leading to the second floor. The place was big, it had everything from snow globes to strollers.
We were both shopping in the clothing isle. She held up a shirt. And put it against me. It was a Mickey mouse shirt. It had the mickey mouse clubhouse logo on it. It was red with white stripes on the edges of the sleeves. She tried to compare sizes against my chest. Chuckling, I let go of her wrist and got a blue Cinderella shirt. I also compared her size. She smiled. "I'll wear it out of the shop if you do." I smirked. There she was. All was right for now.
---
We were walking back to the train. It was 4pm and we had to catch up to Draco, Hermoine and Ron for a dinner together. I was holding her hand as we sat in the train compartment. "I'm sorry." I looked at her. She had a forlorn frown. I hated it. We were the only ones in the train compartment. So I didn't have my cap on.
"I'm sorry too. For pressuring you." I don't like fighting with her. I just wanted her to understand me.
"But you're right. I shouldn't assume that of you. I just wanted to protect you. We should talk about it. Maybe we can talk about it when we finally go home." I smiled. She's so heroic. Thinking that I need her help most of the time. Although I started out a complete mess, I knew I can take care of myself.
--
We arrived at the Leaky Caldron. Draco was sitting along with Hermoine and Ron. Draco waved us down as we sat across from them. "Jeez. Where did you go?" He pointed at our t-shirt. I giggled. "We went to London" Draco looked confused.
"Why?"
"I wanted Harry to stop being so emo about the war." I nudged her as she gave me a shit eating grin. Hermoine looked over to Ron. "So, are you guys dating?" She asked for the nth time. "We're working that out." I told her. Sammy gave me a warning look, I ignored it.
"Sammy, stop being so avoidant. Give poor Harry a chance." She sighed. She leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. She went back. "Thats the only thing he'll get from me. I blushed. Merlin, she'll kill me.
--
The dinner went on casually. Draco complained about his wife being too hardworking. "Its like she's married to her job!" I laughed. Him and his wife is going steady. The wife being 3 months pregnant. It was hard for him to stop her from working from home. Sammy sighed. Leaning her head on her hand. I had this stupid thought but hey, I've risked too much today, maybe I should let go for a second. While Draco was rambling about his wife. I took her chin. She looked at me in the eyes, so alarmed and confused. I only shot her a gentle look. Reassuring her.
I brought her chin over and pressed a kiss to her lips. My arms slid over to hold her against my chest. Her arms were flailing, one gripping the edge of the table and the other one clutching the back of my shirt. Draco shut up. Ron's mouth was gaping, and Hermione was grinning like an idiot. Her eyes shut as she slowly and carefully brought her arms around my neck.
After a while, I broke the kiss. She looked at me.
and punched me hard in the gut. I doubled over. Draco erupted in a loud laugh as Hermione and Ron joined in. "Fuck!" I swore. She had a powerful punch. "Thats for not asking me to kiss you. Stupid Potter." She smirked. I glared at her.
"Not necessary" I muttered.
"Totally necessary."
--
We arrived at the apartment and found ourselves sitting on the couch. She sighed. getting ready for the hard conversation that we're about to have.
"We should date." I started. She sighed. Feeling nervous she started rambling about the risks. Trying to de escalate my feelings.
"I can't love you hard enough to help you." She told me. I nodded.
"I'll get therapy." Her eyes widened. For a while, I've been refusing therapy for reasons that are unknown to me. But she was right. I need to work on myself at least. She deserves that. And i do too.
"Age." She went back to the topic. "So? You know what you're getting into, I know what I'm getting into. So what?" She quirked her head. Thinking.
"I really, really fancy you." I took her hands in mine. Holding eye contact. She melted. Starting to put down her walls. "How do we make this work." I smiled.
"By doing this." I leaned in and kissed her.