It was the night after your astronomy O.W.L.s. Since it was the last exam, the professors agreed to allow the 5th years to stay out until midnight to unwind and relax after.
You sat against a tree looking up at the stars. You heard a sigh next to you. You turned as she unbraided her blonde hair. “My brain feels like mush after all our exams,” Penny said, leaning against your shoulder. You wrapped an arm around her while you both admired the stars.
“I can’t believe we go home tomorrow,” you said gloomily. At Hogwarts, you always had some sort of task to do that got you one step closer to finding out what had happened to Jacob. You were filled with determination, while also advancing in your studies, flying through the sky during quidditch, or making memories with your closest friends. But one of your favorite things was spending time with Penny Haywood.
You had asked her to be your girlfriend at the end of Christmas break the year before, and you had been happily dating for a few months. You were excited to go home with your family, but your heart felt heavy knowing you wouldn’t get to see her smiles until you visited her in the middle of Summer.
“Me neither,” she said, sitting in front of you and leaning back so you could wrap your arms around her. She intertwined her fingers with yours over her stomach. You inhaled the scent of her hibiscus shampoo, a scent that had become what happiness smelled like to you. You would miss it.
The two of you sat there quietly, enjoying each other’s presence and affection. “I wish there was a potion that could bottle the way I feel when I’m with you, so I could always revisit it,” she said. “I know. If anyone could create it, it would be you,” you said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
She smiled and blushed as she always did when you kissed her cheek. “Perhaps one day,” she sighed. “I’m really going to miss you,” she said, her soft voice sounding sad.
“Well, there isn’t a potion, but I do have something for you,” you said. She sat up and moved to sit facing you, excitement on her face. Her giddiness was adorable. You reached into your robes and pulled out the golden snitch with the stilling spell to keep it from flying away.
“This is the golden snitch I caught in my first match as Seeker. I think that match was one of the most special moments I’ve ever lived, do you remember?” you asked. She smiled. “Of course, after the match ended you flew over to me and kissed me for the first time. It was sweet and romantic,” she said.
You smiled as you remembered. “It felt so good to win that match, and to be supported by not just everyone, but you,” you said, looking into her bright and crystalline eyes. “It was a special moment for our house, but also for me.” “Me too,” she said.
“Madam Hooch let me keep the snitch because it was such a memorable day. It’s so special to me,” you said, grabbing her hand and closing it around the small snitch. She gasped. “I want you to have it. Because you’re special to me.” She flung her arms around your neck, hugging you tightly. “I just have one request,” you said after she pulled away, her hands interlocked behind your neck as she looked into your eyes. “Anything,” she said.
“Think of me whenever you look at it. Think of our memories, our laughs, our adventures. Our secret dates,” you smirked as the sound of her beautiful laughter filled the air. “Unfortunately I can’t fulfill your request,” she said. Your heart sank. “Because I’ll already be thinking of you. You never leave my mind, y/n,” she said.
“God, I’m gonna miss you,” you said, leaning your forehead against hers. Her delicate hands moved to cup your face. "I’m gonna miss your smiles, your laugh, your touch. The smell of hibiscus.” She stroked your cheek with her thumb as you let out a shaky sigh.
“I’ll miss you too,” she squeaked. “The adventures you inspired me to go on. Our meals together, our gobstones games. Your lips, the smell of lavender,” she said, referring to the lotion you used every day, which she smelled every time she kissed the back of your hand.
She pulled away sniffling, reaching into her robes and pulling out a handkerchief. She patted at her eyes. “I’ve been carrying this, I’ve cried a few times today,” she said with a small laugh. “Thank you for trusting me with something so important and special,” she said, her glassy blue eyes staring straight into yours.
“You trusted me with your heart. All those others you could have chosen, but you gave it to me. It’s only fair,” you said, remembering the heart shaped flower she gave you in the Herbology classroom after the failed Valentines party with Gilderoy Lockhart.
“I wouldn’t want to give it to anyone but you,” she said wrapping her arms around you again. “Think we can sneak out after everyone goes in for one last courtyard date?” she asked you.
“Of course. Anything for you,” you said to her. She smiled, then settled back between your legs and against you, the two of you cherishing this moment together. Eventually, the professors shoo’d everyone inside, reminding everyone to have their things packed by noon the following day.
You met Penny at the courtyard 30 minutes later. After the two of you enjoyed a butterbeer together, she looked at you with a sadness in her eyes. “Can we go for one more broomstick ride?” she asked. You summoned your broomstick and held out a hand for her to climb on behind you. “Of course,” you said, as she climbed on and wrapped her arms around you.
As you flew high into the sky, she leaned forward and kissed your cheek, then looked into your eyes, lighting up as they did every time they met. Your heart soared as you saw the love in her eyes. You felt such a deep love for this girl.
Before saying goodnight, she stopped you. “You gave me something special, so I wanted to give you something too,” she said, reaching into her pocket.
She handed you a small bottle of hibiscus shampoo. “I have one request though,” she said with a small smirk. “Yes?” you asked, wrapping your arms around her neck. “Think of me anytime you smell it,” she said.
You leaned your head against hers and smiled as your eyes closed. “Deal.”