So here is the next chapter of Loving a Muggle, I hope you enjoy it.
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Thank you to: Everyone who reads this story.
The first thing he noticed was her eyes. As bright and as blue as the sky on a clear summer's day and practically sparking with humour. Her face was slightly rounded but still slim, and her nose was covered by a small smattering of brown freckles. The corner of her mouth was quirked up and her delicate eyebrow was raised in amusement. She had straight brown hair that fell a short way down her back, with a side fringe. Casting his eyes down, he took in her slim neck, and creamy shoulders made visible by the pale blue sleeveless button-down blouse she was wearing. The girl's slim legs were encased with tight skinny jeans, and she wore white high top converse on her feet. Perhaps she was not the regular stereotype of beauty, but to Harry he had never seen anyone more perfect. She was perfect.
A loud cough broke him from his thoughts, and he shook his head slightly. A sheepish grin appeared on his face as he looked up at the unknown girl.
"Why are you staring at me?" she asked sceptically, her arms crossing over her stomach self-consciously.
"Umm…. Because you're really pretty," Harry answered nervously. Her eyebrows shot up and her eyes widened slightly.
"That's a bit creepy," the girl muttered before moving to the swing next to him. Harry could have sworn he saw her cheeks flushing slightly as she faced him again.
"Why is that creepy? Girls like being complimented don't they?" Harry asked confused, his forehead scrunching slightly.
"Well, yeah, I guess. But I don't even know you, so it is a bit creepy. But thanks," she smiled.
"Fair point I guess, and you're welcome. And it's Harry. Harry Potter,"
"It's nice to meet you Harry Potter. I'm Katy Barnett." A slightly awkward silence held the air as they sat there, occasionally swinging backwards and forwards slowly.
"So, I've haven't seen you round here before, round the area I mean," Harry said. Katy looked up at him in surprise.
"Are you…. are you trying to start a conversation with me?" she questioned. Harry nodded slowly. "Oh, sorry, it's just not many people do,"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I've recently moved down here from London, and not many of the kids at Stonewall like me, probably because I'm the quiet new kid. They think I'm weird," she smiled a bit at the end, as if the thought of everyone not liking her amused her. "And to answer your question, I live in Privet Drive,"
"Really? So do I," he grinned.
"Oh, that's cool," she said softly, as if unsure about what to say back.
"So, why do the kids at school think you're weird?" Harry probed, trying to continue the conversation, oddly fascinated with this girl.
"I'm not entirely sure; it's probably because I'm really quiet, plus I don't really have any friends here" Katy said, getting a bit quieter at the end.
"Some of the kids at my school think I'm weird as well, well, they probably will when we go back," Harry consoled.
"Why?"
"Because…. Look, some stuff happened at the end of last year, really bad stuff that I can't tell you about because you're a mug…. I just can't tell you about it. But, long story short, everyone thinks I'm a liar." 'And a murderer' Harry added on in his head, but kept quiet, not wanting to scare the girl off.
"Why can't you tell me? I won't judge you on it, I promise," Katy pressed.
"I can't, as much as I want to I can't. It's…. like a secret… just please don't ask about it," he pleaded.
"Ughhhh Fine," she sighed overdramatically and Harry's lips quirked involuntarily upwards. "So where do you go to school? Please tell me you go to Stonewall?"
"No, I go to a boarding school in Scotland, but I was meant to go to your school,"
"God, I wish you did. Actually, no that's horrible. I wouldn't wish that on anyone," she laughed, and Harry joined in. Once the laughter had died down, the two sat in a slightly awkward but not uncomfortable silence, both of them wrapped up in their own thoughts. Harry was amazed. He had barely talked to this girl, but it felt like he had known her for ages. She had made him laugh, something no one had achieved since Cedric's death.
He looked discretely at her. Katy really was very beautiful. Suddenly and without warning she turned and looked at him, before smiling and turning away. Belatedly, he smiled at her profile and turned away. Looking down at his watch, his heart sank as he looked at the time. 4:00pm.
Apparently, over the last year, Dudley had managed to grow a few brain cells, and had realised that if Harry got home after him, Harry would be in lots of trouble, which was something with Dudley enjoyed greatly. So Dudley had surprisingly worked out that if he got home earlier, then Harry would probably be later than home than him, which equalled to Harry being in trouble a lot. 'Quite ingenious for a whale' Harry thought.
Sighing he got up and stretched upwards with his arms linked above his head, aware of Katy watching him closely.
"Hey, I'm really sorry, but I've got to go home," Harry explained to the girl apologetically.
"Why? It's not even late! Please stay" Katy pleaded.
"Sorry but I can't - my aunt and uncle will kill me if I'm home after my cousin Dudley," he smiled sadly.
"Dudley Dursely is your cousin?" Katy asked shocked. Harry nodded. "Really? I never would have guessed. Thank God you didn't inherit whatever genes he's got in him. I've heard about him at school – a right nasty one he is. Anyway, why do you live with your aunt and uncle?"
"They died in a car crash when I was little," Harry lied easily.
"Oh. You probably hear it from everyone, but I'm sorry to hear that Harry," she said with sincerity. Harry almost smiled. It was nice to know that not everyone threw themselves at him with pity glistening in their eyes when he told them about his parents, the censored or the uncensored version.
"Thanks I guess," he shrugged back.
"Why can't you stay?" Katy demanded again, not one to be distracted easily. Harry quickly explained to her about him being in trouble if he was later than Dudley. "Oh, that sounds awful. I'll walk back with you if you want; it looks like it's going to rain soon." Harry looked up. The blue sky and the yellow sun were being swallowed by light grey clouds, and he could feel a wind beginning to pick up.
"Ok, sure. We're both headed to Privet Drive after all," he smiled, which Katy returned before she got up and walked over to his side.
"Are you cold?" Harry asked her, seeing the goose bumps on her arms.
"A little. I'm not really dressed for the weather am I? I thought it was going to be sunny today!" She shivered slightly, and Harry started to remove his jacket.
"Oh no, Harry, you don't have to," she said as she shook her head.
"No, I don't have to. But I want to. It is the gentlemanly thing to do anyway," he grinned and held his jacket out for her. Katy laughed at him, but put her arms into the sleeves anyway and let him zip it up for her. Sharing a smile, they started to walk towards the park gates
"Bloody hell, it is cold isn't it," he yelped as a gust of wind hit them.
"I'm not cold," Katy said, acting smug. Harry rolled his eyes at her.
"There's only one thing for it, or else I'll perish from the bitter cold," Harry wailed. He could see Katy struggling to keep a straight face.
"And what would that be?" she asked with an eyebrow quirked upwards.
"We'll have to share body heat," he gasped dramatically as he swung his arm out around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. Harry had no idea where exactly this new bout of confidence had come from, but he welcomed the feeling. Harry couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this…. happy.
"Get off me!" she laughed, but made no real effort to get away. Harry just laughed back at her. They continued in that position as they walked out of the park and Harry had to make an effort to conceal his triumphant grin as he felt her arm wind round his waist.
So I hope you enjoyed it. Review please?
