Author Note: It took me fifteen minutes. I hope you enjoy!
Within These Walls
They were here every night, sitting at separate tables, reading separate books. They rarely ever spoke but when they did, it was words of spite. There was an obvious rivalry there, though I could not understand why.
When he wasn't reading or writing he was staring at her from across the room, observing her every move. If she ever noticed, she did not react. She just continued her study quietly, occasionally inspecting whether he was still there.
They had been doing this for months; she would arrive half an hour after her classes had finished for the day and he would arrive precisely half an hour later. They would always leave around the same time; usually right on curfew.
They were the most interesting of my occupants; they were both clearly smart and they both visibly enjoyed being here. I would watch them for hours, taking in their actions, wishing I could interfere and yet knowing that I cannot. It intrigues me when they argue. They do it so passionately and yet I can see that they enjoy themselves when doing it.
Recently, they each spent the entire day here and it was then that I noticed a new tension; it was not a hateful tension, but one where they each seemed uncomfortable with their every action. The girl would busy herself in the shelves, pausing occasionally to check on the boy. I could tell she was uncertain, unsure as to why she was here; she had not brought quills of parchment like she normally did. Her glances at the boy were hesitant and it struck me that perhaps she had finally noticed his content stare, his lack of reading material, and the look of pure uncertainty on his pointed face.
As she made to head back to her usual table, she made a detour and I noted that she was headed in the direction of a table that sat much closer to the boy. He shifted slightly in acknowledgement and sat back in his chair lazily, not taking his eyes from her. She glanced his way for a moment before opening the book she had taken from the shelf.
In the dusty and silent atmosphere I clearly heard his sharp intake of breath and I knew that this was something that I couldn't possibly understand. I could only conclude that something about that book caused that reaction from him.
He then spoke to her and I, sadly, have never learnt they're language. I could only tell that the harshness in his voice was less than what I was used to hearing from him. The girl watched him carefully before replying. Her voice came out shaky and I was then struck with some understanding as to why she might've sat closer to him.
She stood up, looking down at the boy, her voice growing firmer as she continued to speak. I hopelessly wished that I could understand them. The guess-work was growing tedious.
As he responded, he also stood and I held my breath, watching them closely. The boy ran a hand through his hair, looking away awkwardly. He gave a great outburst and I watched the girl jump back in surprise. She did not seem to understand; she looked confused.
It was then that I knew, had I had been capable, that I would have fallen backwards in shock. The boy darted forward and was suddenly standing before her. He spoke a few slow words before he had his lips to hers.
It was hesitant, I could tell, but as the girl responded to him, she raised her hands to his shoulders and his body answered to her wishes. A few moments of my curious watching and the boy pulled away to speak once more but I can only tell you what it sounded like.
"You infuriate me, Granger."
I deeply wish I knew what that meant.
THE END