Falling

After Talbott’s sudden compliment it became quite awkward between the two of you. Whenever you run into each other in the corridors he wouldn’t even look at you. Frankly you felt… miserable. Your conversations starts and ends with “Hi.” From time to time it will be extended by “How are you?” and "Good, thanks.” When did talking to him became so hard?

“Miss Y/L?” Professor Flitwick calls your name after your charm lesson ended and it stopped you in your track to give him your full attention.

“Yes, professor?" The little man approached you in small but hurried steps.

“I’ll be hosting a small concert as a thank you to all the professors and the students for their hard work and I’d like to ask you, if you could sing on your own maybe a few songs?” His eyes were full of hope. Even thought you have never sang in front of the whole school alone and was afraid to do so, you didn’t have it in you to turn him down. Not after everything he had already done for you over the years.

“Yes, professor. I’ll be more than happy to do so!” You said, anxiously clenching your fists.

“Great! I was thinking our choir should sing some of our usual songs and than you will be the grand finale with a whole new song!” Flitwick clapped his hands in excitement. His eyes shone with childlike joy and his happiness slowly spread onto you. After all, it could be fun not just another way how to emberass yourself in front of everyone.

“Do you have a specific song in your mind?” You asked curious about what you’ll be singing. “Oh! I actually composed a new song, but the lyrics aren’t quite right…” The tone of his voice dropped with disappointment with each word.

“I never knew you could compose songs!” You exclaimed in surprise, trying to make him feel better. The professor smiled up at you asking if you wanted to hear the music and just like that, both of you spend the rest of the day going over the details and planning the whole thing. It was time for dinner before you went through everything, completing most of the needs for the upcoming event. Then you headed to the Great Hall.

“The melody is really beautiful and gentle! Maybe a more romantic lyrics would fit better.” You suggested still thinking over the catchy melody resonating in your head. It is truly beautiful. “And it would be great if we could have a live music!” You happily skipped in your steps and got ahead of the professor looking at him while walking backwards into the hall.

“That’s a great idea miss Y/L. I’m more than happy to acompany you on piano. But about the love song… Maybe it would be great if someone experiencing youth love would write the lyrics.” The implications behind his words caused you to blush, your mind wandering to the one time you and Talbott went to professor Flitwick asking him to teach you Obliviate and how you confessed your love right there.

“Please professor… Don’t tell him.” You begged berely above a whisper. His eyes softened and all you could see was how much he truly cared for you. “I would never do such a thing. This is something you should tell him personally and all I am seying is that this is a great opportunity to do so.” And with that he left and joined the professors at the head of the hall. When you joined your friends the interrogation started right away.

“So? Why did you came in with professor Flitwick looking so happy?” Penny asked, always for the gossip. I vaguely shrugged my shoulders not wanting to ruin the surprise. “We are just planning something. I’m sure he’ll enounce it soon enough.”

“Is it about the concert?” She chimmed looking so proud at herself when your eyes widened in shock. “HOW? How do you know that!” It’s not possible for her to know everything and yet here we are, her proving you wrong once more.

“So it is!” She smiles broadly revealing her white teeth.

“Are you gonna sing with the choir?” Rowan asks you curiously. “Of course she is! She’s the best singer out there!” Charlie chims in, smiling at you like a proud older brother. His geniuin compliment brings a sheepish smile to your face. “Yeah. Actually I’m gonna sing solo at the end.” The shocked expressions soon dissipated to smiling. All congratulating you like if you won a golden medal.

“What are you gonna sing?” A calm voice asks you right besaide you.

When the hell did he sat next to me?

Your heart jumps in your chest just by hearing his voice. You turn to Talbott who is sitting next to you, drinking a pumpking juice. You watched as his Adam’s apple popped up and down. It’s just so… hypnotizing. You got drunk in him yet again. Only when his eyebrows rise up do you realise he asked you a question.

“Oh… It’s-” Clearing your throath you try to answer once more. “It’s a l-love song.” The sttuter couldn’t be more obvious could be? You could feel the way your cheeks started tu burn under his intens gaze.

“A love song?” He repeated, his brows going up. You nodded in confirmation. “Yeah. It’s… Well, Flitwick composed a new melody and I should write the lyrics.” You explained in a little more detail, even though it wasn’t necessary. You just wanted to prolong your conversation, it seemed like ages since you talked to him.

“Pff, that’s gotta by easy! Just sing about Quidditch!” Skye laughed hitting the table. “I don’t think it’s this kind of love…” Penny grunts disapprovingly. “Then what else does she love than Quiddich?” Skye tilts her head to one side and you just praied to whoever God is listening that none of your friends would say his name. But the gods of all religions probably went on vaccation today, because your worst nightmare came true.

“Talbott of course!” Tonks yelled and tilted her head in a fit of laughter. You angrily kicked her under the table not beying able to look at Talbott at the moment. All you knew was that your face must be as red as the Weasley’s hair. Still, you wanted to know if Talbott felt the same way as you, so you secretly peeked underneath your lashes. He was… He was covering his face with both hands. This sudden attention must be horrible for him. Your embarrassment quickly turned into concern wanting to do anything in your power to make him feel good.

“’Ya okay?” You whispered leaning slightly towards him. When he heard your voice he peeked at you through his fingers. He was blushnig. Hard. His shyness brought back yours, however you remained close to him.

“Y-yeah, its just… Yeah, I’m okay.” He managed to answer, while averting his gaze. The image of him being so flustrated over the fact you might love him… Does he feel the same way as you do? Is it possible for him to like you back?

Just as your mind was conjuring images about your marriage he spoke again. “Is it true?” You looked at him confused. He was still blushnig but in his eyes was pure interest and… Hope?

No, I’m just imagining that. For sure.

“What is?” You asked confused.

“Are you gonna write a song about me?” He bluntly asks. He was always so straightforward is sometimes scared you. What should you anwer? Should you laught if off, making a joke of it or should you be sincere? You wanted to. You wanted to push your friendship into something more. How could you became his girlfriend if you didn’t even tried?

You were never afraid to enter the Cursed Vaults, the need to find your brother giving you the courage to continue. Over the last year you and Talbott became closer, he even let you go on nigh journeys with him, he let’s you be in his safe place. One time during playing Gobstones he invited you to a butterbeer. Just the two of you.

His calming red eyes gave you the courage you so desperately needed.

“If-if you want to…”

His eyes sparked with joy. A rare, small smile spread across his features. Then he leaned towards you as he had that night in the owlery and put his warm lips to your ear. “I would love to hear it.” He whispered and gently stroked your cheek with his thump.

“Than I will.”

“Can’t wait.”

In the next few days you were focused on writing the correct lyrics without any luck. It just wasn’t right. You really tried, hardly doing anything else. You didn’t paid attention during lesson nor during Quidditch practise. You were becoming fet up with your inability to express your feelings, transforming them into a song.

“Don’t think about it so hard.” Andre’s voice tore you out of your reverie. “What?” You looked at him confused. “You try so hard you can’t think of anything.” He said while adjusting your dress for the upcoming event.

“You are a great help Andre. Thank you. Truly.” You scoffed, focusing again on the plank parchment in front of you.

“What I’m trying to say is…Just think about him. What you like about him, how the two of you met, how good you feel when you are together. You should write about these things.”

“Tried it already. But it doesn’t rhyme.” You admitted, sprawling on the table in front of you. “Can’t Flitwick help with that?” Andre tilted his head in confusion. You were so focused on not being able to think of any rhymes that this never occured to you. He was right. You could go and ask for a help.

“You are a genious!” You smiled broadly and quickly began to gather your things. “I konw, but you can say it again.” Andre laughet and before he could say anything else, your back disappeared outside the classroom door.

With professor Flitwick’s help, everything went smoothly and before you knew it, the time has come. The Great hall was beautifuly illuminated by glowing blue lights, flying around the hall here and there. There were long tables full of snacks along the walls and several round tables for guests in the middle. In the second half of the hall was the dance floor, in front of which stood a stage with a majestic black piano.

You tried to smooth your clothes with nervousness, even though they were absolutely perfect. Andre did an amazing job. The purple fabric embraced your figure perfectly, the tiny gems glistening with each step, and the bottom hem of the dress was enchanted by magic, creating moving ornaments.

You joined the rest of the choir members on the stage and patiently waited for professor’s Flitwick sign to begin. You scanned the croud, noticing your friends imidiately. All of them cheered you on. Then your eyes met him. The one you were looking for.

Talbott was wearing a simple black suit with a purple butterfly. He looked so much older in the black color you never saw on him. It suited him. Talbott must have sensed that someone was looking at him - in the next moment your eyes loked and you could swear that his red orbits widened when he took you in, his cheeks reddening. All of the sudend you felt beautiful. You smiled at him, sending him a little wave.

Eventually, the concert itself began. After a few songs you relaxed, enjoying yourself. As you sang the penultimate song, Flitwick took the floor again.

“Now, it’s time for the last song of the evening - a grand finale, which will be sung to you by our lovely Y/N. Without any further ado, Miss Y/N and her song: Without you.”

A welcome applause accompanied you on your way to the piano. You noticed how your friends looked from each other in confusion. Nobody knew you learned the notes and you would play alone. You adjusted the microphone and looked at Talbott to let him know that this song is for him. At last, you began to play the gentle melody.

There was a storm of applause in the room as you finished singing. Now was the time to face Talbott and hope that his response to your confession would be the same as yours…

You couldn’t find him. He wasn’t standing in the same spot anymore.

I scared him off…

You thought, feelin miserable. Your wolrd crushed down. What should you do now? Can you fix this? To say that the song wasn’t really about him and that you just want to be a friend? At least you want to keep your friendship with Talbott. You cannot imagine loosing him forever…

“You were amazing.” A deep, melodic voice behind you interrupted you from your scattered thoughts. You spun around, facing him. He was holding a single, pink rose, beaming smile on his face.

“H-hi.” You managed to say. He looked at you with appreciation and tenderness in his eyes. “This is for you.” He said, holding the rose in front of you. With a quiet “thank you” you accepted the rose. It was beautiful, the petals glistened slightly in the dim light. “I enchanted the rose to never wither.” A sheepish smile appered on his features and he rubbed the back of his neck - a habit of his when he is nervous.

“Actually… It has a meaning.” He admitted, averting his gaze. “Which is?” You incited him gently.

“A single rose means… L-love at first sight. A “I like you and I’m interested in you…” And the pink colour expresses devotion and praise. And that you are beautiful. Which you truly are. Not just tonight. I mean… You are incredibly beautiful tonight, but in my eyes you are always the most beautiful so…”

You saved him from his rambling with a quick peck to his lips. “Thank you Talbott. I… I don’t even know what to say. This is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me. I can’t thank you enough.” You could feel the tears in your eyes, threatening to run down your cheeks at any moment.

“I would know of one way to thank me enough…” Talbott mumbled, stepping closer to you, gently embracing you in his arms - his left hand on your cheek, the other hand on your waist, by which he brought you closer to his own body.

“Which is?” You teased him, already tilting your head to meet his lips.

“Kiss me again, please. This time longer.” He asked and you were more than happy to oblige.

A perfect day does not consist of things you do, but with whom you do them.