It's been three years since he's seen her and a lot has changed. Her vivid red hair, which seems even more fiery now falls just below her waist in soft curls. Her blue depths light up at the slightest cause. Her plump and oh-so-kissable lips always on the verge of a smile.
She is no longer the awkward teen, but a beautiful woman of 17. He has changed too. He has 6 years on her and has done loads with his time. She hasn't even graduated yet and he is now an auror-in training. He finds himself thinking that she is no longer his girlfriend's sweet little cousin but his girlfriend's beautiful and desirable cousin. He realizes that yes, he desires us, but no, he can't have her.
They'll be staying together for the next three weeks; they were going to Romania to visit her uncle. Torture, really, to be travelling with your supposed true love and the girl you desire.
She doesn't make it easy either. Soon enough he finds himself comparing the two. She always has a reason to smile or laugh, while Victoire rarely ever finds a reason to smile. Usually it's just a smirk or a sardonic smile, which chills to the bone; while Rose's laughs warm you up and give hope.
Victoire always has this icy exterior, which makes you feel ugly and inferior in comparison to her. While Rose's personality brings out the best in people and makes them feel beautiful and important.
And as they dance around in circles, giggling in a silly way, to the odd traditional music at the party with the Dragon keepers (nothing formal mind you), Victoire watches the pair of you with undisguised disdain, and seeing Rose's exhilarated expression, her eyes alight with a fire that never possesses Victoire, and her pirate style dress exposing her tanned shoulders, you realize that you don't care anymore. And so when you seize her hand and pull her away from the crowd towards the back door, you see tears swimming in Victoire's eyes and a hurt expression on her oh-so-pretty face, you ignore it.
You push Rose against the outer wall and stare into her smoldering eyes, alight with the fire of passion, and when you finally kiss her, you wonder what had caused you to stay with Victoire for so long when your true love was right in front of you. And when she mutters about time, against your lips, you smile and realize that it wasn't just desire. Oh no, you were in too deep, it was love.
And you're glad it isn't forbidden. At least you hope so. Right now you're too busy to care. But tomorrow brings trouble…but that is another story.