For the Acrostic Challenge- O, Orla Quirke
Orla has always hated fear. Such a silly emotion.
Just a body's response to a perceived theat, a change in the brain's chemistry. And so often, the threat is imaginary.
Silly emotion.
But now, it's not so silly. Her heart is pounding, body trembling. This is not some imaginary threat- no invisible monsters under her bed, no creaking floorboards in the middle of the night. This is a true threat, life or death.
"What are we supposed to do?" a Slytherin boy asks, scowling.
Aberforth scrubs his hands over his face. "We stay here unless they bring the fight to us," he says. "I've placed enchantments around us. We should be safe."
Dennis slips in beside Orla as the Hog's Head bursts into noisy chatter and heated argument. "Death Eaters," he says quietly, his voice trembling. "Death Eaters outside. We might have been safer in the castle."
Orla shakes her head. "Nowhere is safe during war," she reasons. "Or any other time, really. Death, injury... It can occur even in the most-"
"You're not very comforting," Dennis interrupts with a small laugh.
Orla blushes. "Sorry. I'm just nervous."
Dennis takes her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Do you think they can get in?"
"Honest answer or reassuring one?"
"Honest."
Orla considers for a moment, pushing her free hand through her dark hair, eyes closing in thought. "Protective Charms aren't permanent. And they can be taken down. One wizard's enchantments against who knows how many others' trying to take them down. Best case scenario, the enchantments are strong enough to hold until they grow tired and decide we aren't worth it."
Dennis squeezes her hand. "Worst case?" he asks.
Orla opens her eyes, frowning. She knows that Dennis doesn't really want to hear it. Perhaps it would be kinder to lie, make up a bad scenario that doesn't come close to the truth. But she can't bring herself to lie. "We would have about five minutes before the first enchantment fell. After that, the rest would hold for maybe twenty minutes," she says, offering him an apologetic smile. "And they appeared at the door minutes ago, so it's only a matter of-"
"Dammit!" Aberforth growls, confirming Orla's fears.
"So, about twenty minutes," Dennis says quietly.
"Right."
He swallows dryly. "We could die."
Orla nods.
"So, now would be a good time to..."
"To?" she prompts, tipping her head to the side and studying him curiously.
Dennis swears under his breath before reaching out and pulling her close, kissing her firmly on the lips. Orla finds herself thinking that this is the most inappropriate moment for such an act, but she also finds that she doesn't care. Her heart has a new reason to pound painfully in her chest.
"For crying out loud!" Stewart groans behind them. "Get a room!"
Dennis pulls back sheepishly, his cheeks burning pink. "Been wanting to do that for a while now."
Orla smiles, touching her fingertip to her lips. "If we live, you can do it again," she says.
"Really?"
She nods. "As much as you'd like."