A Private Spectacle

"Stop," she exclaims suddenly turning and holding up a hand to his face. He eyes it warily wondering if she's going to slap him. "Please," she adds softly, "Just stop talking." She lowers her hand and starts walking again.

He stares after for her a few seconds before lamely running to catch up. They walk in silence, his feet scuffing the floor. "Really?"

"For a second. I'm thinking."

"Oh. About what?" he adds. He can't help it.

"You."

He bites back a response and carries on walking. He remembers grumbling to Remus that he could do rounds in seconds if he used the map but now, two months later, he finds himself thoroughly combing the castle twice a week and enjoying it. He likes talking to her. No one banters quite like she does.

"I don't get you," she announces suddenly. Her hand lightly brushes his as they walk and he wonders if she wants him to take it.

"I'm sorry?" his eyes snap up from her hand.

"I don't get you," she repeats. "I kissed you, which considering the amount of hand holding that's been going on can't have taken you that much by surprise, and then today you go back to acting like, how was it Sirius put it, a drunken baboon."

"You spoke to Sirius?"

"He felt someone should apologise for your behaviour."

"Oh. I'm sorry," he adds sheepishly.

"Its alright. I mean the flowers were lovely, beautiful really, its just if we're going to go out then I'd rather it not be a daily public spectacle."

"Go out," he repeats, but suddenly his brain catches up. "If?"

"Yes, if."

She stops and this time she grabs his hand. "I like you James Potter, but not," she pauses.

"The drunken baboon," he offers.

She smiles. "Exactly."

"I didn't know what I was expected to do," he admits. "You makes me nervous and when I get nervous I feel the need to show off. I'll work on it," he adds quickly.

"You're fine," she reassures him. She is still holding his hand her thumb softly stroking his palm and so his mind reasons he can't be doing too badly. "You're better than fine, but I like my private business to be, well, private."

"Private business eh?" He wiggles his eyes suggestively.

She finally drops his hand to swat him around the chest "Sod," she mutters.

"I can do private," he promises claiming her hand back. "I can."

"Good." She pauses again and he can't help but stare at her as a soft blush rises to her cheeks making him want to kiss her again. "And James one more thing."

"Anything," he replies, and like the sap he is he means it.

"The polite thing would have been to ask me out."

"Oh I didn't-" he answers slowly.

"What, think?" she interrupts teasingly.

"No," he mumbles. "The flowers," he begins, now he's sure he's the one blushing. "I guess I forgot to attach the note."