Before I begin, I need to point out that the general idea of this story is not intended for the little witches and wizards out there. Go ahead and give them a blood pop, a licorice wand, or a pumpkin pasty and send them on their merry way. Thank you, and enjoy!
LEFT TO DO
#12 – name a baby dragon *Swedish short snout, "Pokey"*
#27 – ride a quidditch broom *Nimbus 2001*
#31 – get a love note from an admirer *that guy in the pub with the curly brown hair… yum*
#56 – Lose y…
I stared down at #56. Why did I even write this? Is this what was deemed "crazy" when I was twelve? Now it seems like something I could have done a long time ago without even thinking about it.
But there it was, sitting, permanently etched onto the parchment, taunting me.
"Hello, Rose, m'dear." My friend Ellen popped into the Ravenclaw girls' dorm. "What you looking at?"
"My Hogwart's Bucket List."
"Get any crossed off while you were in Romania over break?" she jumped onto my bed next to me.
"12, 27, and 31." I handed the piece of parchment to her.
"So that leave just #73, 'get a teacher to tell you a really personal secret', and #56, 'lose your... virginity'? Rose, I thought you were going to take this one off!" Ellen set the list down and gave me "the eye".
"I was," I picked it up and tucked it back into my trunk, "but I got to thinking, what kind of person crosses stuff off a Bucket List? A quitter, Ell. That's who. I've just got to complete the list as written."
She shook her head, realizing that she could not win a fight with me. "Whatever you say. So, any ideas on who you can use?"
"I was thinking I could probably get Professor Lupin-"
"WHAT? A TEACHER?" Ellen shouted.
"Shut it, you tosser! I wasn't referring to #56! I was referring to #73! Jeez, have a bloody cow, why don't you?"
She looked relieved. Then we both burst into hysterical laughter.
"Hello," Cho Chang came into the room and sat on her bed. "What're you laughing about?"
"Oh, just Ellen's lust for a certain teacher." I smirked.
The shock on Cho's face was clear as day.
"That was a joke, Cho." I shook my head. "Lighten up." I grabbed my copy of Standard Book of Spells, Year Six and made my way out of the tower.
Settled in class ten minutes later, I saw Cedric Diggory walk in.
"This seat taken?" he smiled down at me.
"Nope, go for it." My smile was automatic. He tossed his books onto the desk and sat down.
"You're… Rosaline, right?"
"I go by Rose, but yes, that's me." I pulled out parchment and a quill.
He held out his hand. "Cedric. Pleasure to finally meet you."
"You, too. It's nice to have a friend in Hufflepuff." I shook his firm hand.
"I've always liked Ravenclaw girls. No drama, just the way it is." He got himself ready for the start of class.
He could be a candidate for #56… SHUT UP, ROSE.
"Today, we will be studying the hair-growth and hair-removal spells…" Professor Flitwick began.
An hour later, my mind was in a whirl. Cedric and I had been writing notes during the entire class, and he was wonderful.
HEY ROSE- FLITWICK IS A FASHION NIGHTMARE. AM I RIGHT?
Hahaha you're right. You know, I think those pantaloons are circa 1790…
: ) YOU'RE FUNNY.
Surprised the smart girl has a sense of humor?
NO, AMAZED IS MORE LIKE IT.
Why amazed?
I HAVE NEVER MET ANYONE LIKE YOU. BRAINS, BEAUTY, AND HUMOR? TRIPLE THREAT!
: ) Did I mention I also single-handedly saved a group of first-years from a burning building? All while juggling three baby acromantulas and a pigmy puff?
HAR HAR. : )
Excuse me while I fix ol' Flitwick. His lesson is putting ME to sleep…
"Sir?"
"Yes, Miss Marvolio?"
"These hair removal charms, are they merely for use on humans, or could you, by chance, use it on an animal?" I questioned.
"An animal?"
"Yes. Take dogs for example. Human hair follicles are immensely different than dog fur. Will the spell still work?"
Flitwick looked stumped. "Uh, well, I don't know. I suppose we could try…"
For the rest of the class period we used the spell on animals. Cedric and I took turns removing the fur from a cat. He started getting fancy, taking off fur in patterns. He even spelled my name- that got me laughing.
After class was over, I gathered my belongings and headed for the door.
"Hey, Rose!"
I turned around and saw Cedric. "What's up?"
"Here, let me take your bag." He took my satchel and walked with me. "Class was great."
"Yeah, it was." I laughed as we moved outside into the courtyard. "I cannot wait to get out of this cold and sit next to the fireplace with a good book." I shivered, pulling my cape a little tighter.
"Use my scarf." He pulled off his Hufflepuff scarf and wrapped it around my neck loosely.
"Thanks." I pulled it tight. We kept talking until we reached the entrance to the Ravenclaw tower.
"I had a great couple of hours. I do hope I'll see you again soon." He said, handing me back my bag.
"Yeah, definitely." I went to take off his scarf.
"Keep it for now," he held up his hand. "I have to stop by your common room tonight anyway to talk to one of your Prefects. I'll pick it up then. That way we have to see each other again." He smiled.
"Oh, okay." I smiled back. "See you later!" I walked up to the door and knocked.
"What breaks but never falls? What falls but never breaks?" The knocker stated.
I thought for a moment. "What falls and breaks…?" I pondered. Then it hit me. "Day and night."
"Correct. You may enter." The door opened and I hopped inside, eager to spill the past few hours to Ellen.
"He gave you his scarf?" Ellen giggled. "He's really fit, Rose. You should go after him."
"Well, for like a second today… I thought he could be my #56."
Her eyes lit up. "Yes! Tonight. Ask him to show you the prefect baths, and go for it!"
My jaw dropped. "So soon? Aren't I supposed to like… get to know him first?"
"Oh, you want a relationship with him?" she leaned back in her chair.
"Well, duh! This list isn't going to be my life. I would still love a boyfriend. You know, to accompany me places and whatnot?" I smiled. "For being so smart, sometimes I wonder how you got into Ravenclaw."
She threw her journal at me. "You're such a minger."
I smirked. "I don't know. Maybe I'll go for it tonight. See how he reacts. That'll give me an idea on what kind of guy he is. If he's not my type, I'll get #56 over with and I can move on with my life."
She sighed and closed her eyes. She rested her head on the back of the chair and licked her lips. "Wish I was you, that's for sure."
I curled up in my chair with my book, A Day in the Life of an Astronomer. Within minutes, I had dozed off.
"Rose, wake up!" I heard Ellen shout. My eyes darted open and I sat upright.
"What? What's wrong?" I shouted.
"Cedric's outside the common room. He asked for you, and I said you wanted to see the Prefect's bathroom. He said he'd take you!" she grinned.
I ran up to my room in a moment and brushed my hair. I had to assume my makeup looked alright, so I rushed back downstairs with his scarf.
He was waiting just outside the door.
"Hello, you." He said with a courageous grin.
"Hi." I blushed. "Here's your scarf."
He took it from my hand and tossed it over his shoulders. "Come with me," he cooed, offering his arm. "Your friend Ellen said you wanted to see some restricted areas?"
I blushed again. "Yeah, that'd be wicked. And I'm really sorry if she came on too strong." I put my arm through his and what felt like an electric current hummed through my fingers and up my arm. We started to walk.
"Not at all. She's delightfully charismatic."
"Are you sure you won't get in trouble for this?"
He shook his head. "I'm a pretty good guy. Most people don't question me. Comes in handy."
A few minutes later we reached a door.
"Pine fresh." He whispered. The door creaked open, and I saw the most beautiful baths I'd ever seen.
"Whoa!" I rushed forward. Thankfully, the room was empty. Not only would it have been embarrassing to see anyone naked in there, but it would have ruined my plan for the potential #56 in progress.
I looked around at the maze of pipes that led to the large pool bath in the center. There were soaps in all colors and fragrances.
"It's a great place to relax." He said. "I like to come here after quidditch matches to cool down."
The idea of him naked in a tub had me going.
"Oh, really?" I moved closer to him, my hands shaking slightly.
"Yeah. It's only nice when Myrtle isn't around."
"Myrtle?" I started looking around for a girl.
He chuckled. "Ghost of a girl. She can be particularly nasty. Thankfully I heard she's been taking up residence in a bathroom on the first floor the past couple of weeks."
"Oh, good." I took the last step toward him until I was inches away. Then I let my hand slowly take his.
He looked down at me and I could see a softness in his eyes I'd never noticed before.
"Your eyes-" I started.
His lips were on mine before I could finish coming on to him. He pulled away a moment later.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered frantically, "I know that was wrong, I shouldn't have-"
It was my turn to cut him off then. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him again. I felt his hands fall in place right above my waist.
We kissed for a couple minutes. But I wanted to get down to business. I pulled away.
"Will we be alone in here for a while?" I asked.
He nodded. "Scheduling is hectic for prefects. No one ever comes in here after dinner."
"Good." I took a small step back and unbuttoned my shirt. "I want you."