Preface

Never in all my eighteen years of life have I ever seen a beautiful night like this one. Before me, the half-moon shines brightly and the stars glisten; a long sigh escapes my lips and I lean back against the soft grass. This is my last night as a student at Hogwarts. I sigh once more. Why is it so complicated? I can't lie to myself anymore than I could lie to one of my friends, but months ago, I would have pissed myself with the happiness at the thought of leaving…but, I'm already missing the damn school. Closing my eyes, I'm tempted to pray to whoever'll listen – why can't you just strike Voldemort down? I'm sure he'd just go and leave us alone, but all that has to be done is a simple strike and our world could once again be peaceful. Merlin, it was only yesterday that Liz and I were sitting out here, arguing about who was more attractive: Dumbledore or Filch? Our excuse, of course, is that we were only eleven. Suddenly, I begin laughing so hard that my stomach starts to hurt. Something wet slides down my cheek and only then, do I truly realize that I have been crying the entire time.

Great; here I am, sitting near the Black Lake, in my pajamas, crying. If only Lily could see me: "Addie, you know that's not proper." Ah, but she's probably in a corner, somewhere in the common room, snogging James. Bleh. No, I'm happy for them! Really. They're like a gift from Merlin and no, I'm not at all bitter. I'm just pissed because James chases after this single girl for four bloody years and only now, does she decide to give him a chance. It doesn't make sense to me. Anyway, I'm not going to let Lily goddamn Evans ruin my last night at home. A cool breeze sweeps past me and I shiver.
I sigh a heavy sigh before closing my eyes and drown myself in memory of this past year at Hogwarts.

Gryffindors' winning streak in Quidditch. John breaking my arm in our fourth year by hitting the Quaffle toward me. Sirius and I going to try-outs our first time, together.

Late night visits to the kitchen with Remus.

Liz, signing a contract to open her own business when she leaves school.

Peter bolstering up his courage and asking a girl out.

Sirius, finally getting up the gall to break up with Harper.

"Addie?" A soft voice breaks into my thoughts. No, his voice isn't particularly soft, but it is alluring. I'd know it anywhere. When I didn't say anything, the voice sits down beside me and begins to rub my back. "Addie, love, it's too cold for you out here."

Groaning quietly to myself, I turn to face him, "Happy now?" I know he just wants me to give my attention to him.

He smirks and kisses me quickly on the lips. "Yes. Come here." I try to resist stubbornly, but it only seems like my body won't allow it. Before I know it, I'm wrapped in his protective arms and he kisses my forehead. "Relax," he coaxes and I relax instantly under his gentle touch. "What're you doing out here?"

I bury my head in the crook of his arm. "I just wanted to be alone."

"Oh, so would you rather have me leave?"

He was teasing me just to annoy me. "Yes, please, you ruin the moonlight."

He chuckled. "Nice sarcasm, Addie."

"Even better sarcasm, love."

His eyebrows furrow. "Why won't you say my name?"

"Because, Liz and I made a bet that I wouldn't say it until we leave the school."

"I bet you're thinking my name, though." And when I don't reply, he asks, "Why did the two of you make this bet, anyway?"

I sigh, because I really hate explaining things and I'm sure that he knows this, "Because, I apparently say your name too much."

This seems to amuse him and he puffs his chest out importantly, "Really?"

I roll my eyes and sigh dramatically. "Don't let your head get too big."

"Impossible." He says. "After all, I have you to deflate it for me ever-so-often."

"Yeah, alright…" I avert my gaze from his eyes to the moon. I know I may sound like a sap, but the moon really is beautiful and…mildly romantic.

"The moon makes your eyes look bluer." I look past my shoulder to see him staring intensely at me. It's like he's trying to figure something out something about me. "You're scared." It isn't a question. He leans down and presses his face into my hair. "Don't be afraid, I'm with you." Something inside me clicks. My whole body gets weak and my heart feels like it's splitting in two. How can he be so sure about us? How?

The mere thought of us breaking up and never speaking again scares the hell out of me. "How can you be so sure?" I whisper, as if the world could hear me.

His arms tighten around me. "Addie, stop thinking about the future so much."

"I can't…" My voice cracks slightly and I hold onto him fiercely.

His hand begins stroking my hair. He doesn't say anything but only comforts me. I don't know how the hell he does it, but it's like he can tell my emotions without even talking to me. It's damn annoying, really. I feel him shift and turn to look at him questioningly. "I want to see something." He says quietly and I notice a hint of scarlet on his cheeks. "Turn around." I obey hesitantly and turn to face him; he kisses me lightly on the lips before moving to my back.

"W-What're you doing?" I ask.

His cold and gentle fingers grasp the end of my shirt and pull it up slowly in the back; goosebumps rise up on my skin where his fingers traced along my back. He gasps slightly. "What is it?" I inquire.

His voice comes out in a whisper. "Your tattoo, it looks amazing in the moonlight." His fingers, so light that it feels like he isn't actually touching me, caressing the fierce dragon that covers the majority of my back; it's like he's worshiping me and his hands come to rest on my shoulders. Then, he starts massaging my shoulders and a whimper escapes my lips; my eyes close. The hair falling on my shoulder is pushed away and he begins to kiss me from my shoulder to my neck. Becoming impatient, I turn my head to his and our mouths connect passionately. His hands pull me fiercely close to him and as his arms find their place around my body, my hands tangle themselves in his beautiful hair.