The Hogwarts Express rolled into King's Cross station. It was June 17th, and Hunter Longbottom had just finished his seventh and final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was one of the happiest days of his life. He was free from school and would soon be starting an internship for the Holyhead Harpies to be an announcer. More than anything, Hunter was excited to see Hallie.
Two summers previous Hunter met a Muggle girl named Hallie. They became very close friends and even shared romantic feelings toward one another. Hunter had told her about being a wizard. They decided it was best to just stay friends until they could really be together. Hunter hoped that in two weeks, when Hallie returned from vacation in Italy, that they could finally be together. He felt different about Hallie. He had never felt that was about a girl before. They had their ups and downs but always worked through it.
For the last time ever, Hunter stepped off the train. He felt a mix of emotions. For the last seven years Hogwarts had been his home. He would miss the school, but he knew that the life that was ahead of him would be even better. The school was the only thing that kept him from the girl he loved more than anything in the world. It was time to start a new life.
Hunter searched Platform 9 ¾ for his parents. He spotted them several yards away talking with the parents of his best friend, James. His mother met him with a hug, and his father with a pat on the back. "Should we apparate home then?" Hunter asked.
"No, we're walking over to your grandparents' for dinner. They really want to see you," his mother replied.
"Great!" Hunter exclaimed. They left the platform and headed off towards Hunter's grandparents' house. Hunter glanced to his right and saw a girl with shoulder length, curly, brown hair and brown eyes smiling at him. His heart skipped a beat. "Hey, I forgot to give something to James. I'll meet you guys at Grandma and Grandpa's house," he told his parents.
"All right, honey. Just hurry," his mother replied skeptically.
Hunter waited a few moments for them to disappear in the crowd and ran over to the girl and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Hallie! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Italy." He smiled down at her; amazed that she was really standing in front of him.
"I thought I would come and surprise you. Your grandpa told me when you would arriving and where to meet you. I missed you!" Hallie said.
"You really are amazing. I suppose the whole trip to Italy was a lie. Don't you remember what we've always said about lying?" he teased back.
"Well, I thought this would be an appropriate occasion for a little white lie." Hunter leaned in to kiss her, but she pulled back. "You can't kiss me. We're not dating. What would people think of me if they saw me kissing a guy I wasn't dating?" It was her turn to tease.
"I guess we'll have to change that."
"Yes we will. And you better do it quick before I find some other guy."
"Good luck finding one around here," Hunter said as he laughed. The station was filled mostly with families and elderly couples. "That gentleman over there looks like he would be nice." He pointed at an elderly man with a cane walking away from them.
"You're so funny," she replied in a sarcastic tone. "How about you hurry so you can kiss me? You don't have to make everything extra special."
"Hallie, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"
"I would love to, Hunter," she said, smiling. He leaned over and kissed her for what seemed like forever. They only stopped when Hunter felt a tap on his shoulder.
"So, should I tell your grandmother to keep dinner for a while?" Hunter spun around to see his grandfather leaning up against the wall.
"Grandpa… what… what are you doing here?" Hunter stammered.
"Your mother was beginning to wonder where you went off to so I came to look for you. It seems that you're doing more than fine to me. Hello, Hallie," Neville said with a chuckle and a wave.
"Hi, Mr. Longbottom," Hallie said, blushing. She was clearly embarrassed by the whole situation.
"I'll tell your mother I sent you after milk. That should give you a half hour or so. You two seem to be in good hands." With that, he turned on the spot and disappeared. Hunter looked around to see if anyone had noticed. It seemed that no one had."
"I love your grandpa," Hallie said.
"He is pretty awesome." Hunter intertwined his fingers with Hallie's, and they set off down the road. They talked about everything that happened since their last letter. Hallie was very interested in what happened in the magic world. Hunter liked talking about Hallie much more. "You have no idea how happy I am that you're my girlfriend now. I've dreamt about this day for a long time."
"Don't act like you're the only one that had to wait, Mister."
"You are so adorable, baby." His smile widened at this last word. He loved that he could now call her all the cliché pet names he wanted without feeling weird. He was happier than he had ever been. They approached Hallie's house, and they were both sad that they had to part ways.
"Well, I guess I'll see you later, boyfriend." She put a lot of emphasis on the last word.
"You sure will, girlfriend. How about tomorrow?"
"What? Really?" she asked.
"Yeah, now that we're dating I can come see you every day if you want me to. But if you don't want me to I understand." He smiled slyly at her.
"Of course I want you to come see me, sweetie." She reached up and kissed him. "That way we can go get your birthday present."
"How many times do I have to tell you not to get me anything?"
"How many times do I have to tell you 'too bad'?" They kissed one more time and said their good-byes. Hunter walked down the stairs.
"Hallie, wait!" he shouted back at her. She turned and looked back at him. "Sorry, but what was I supposed to get for Grandpa?"
"Milk," she said as she laughed.
"Thanks, Hal. You're the best." He walked down to the supermarket and bought some milk like he was instructed. Milk. Just like the color of Hallie's pale skin. Hunter had forgotten how much he loved milk, or maybe it just reminded him of his girlfriend. Girlfriend. He would have to get used to saying this as well. It was a great change in a brand new life.