I Feel You

Author: Astrea Severin Orion Black

Fandom: Harry Potter

Claim: Dominique Weasley

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October

She could never understand what made him start looking. Without conscious thought, her eyes would stray to him, as if feeling his hard, dark grey stare at her back. Their eyes would meet and a surge would flow through her entire body.

He was looking at her. Why? She couldn't be too sure. Had he always been looking in her direction, his eyes unashamed when she caught him, his eyes ne'er wavering? She'd turn away, a blush creeping up her rosy, freckled face.

It was 2019, Gryffindors and Slytherins got along better. But, a Slytherin never looked at a Weasley the way Miles Pucey gazed upon Dominique. It was…unheard of. A myth of an idea by the standards of Hogwarts; yet, there he was, standing near the front of the library, staring at her.

Dominique ran a hand through her short silvery-blonde hair and tried with all her might to pay attention to her homework. A moment passed and there was a dull thud as books fell onto a table and a soft swish of clothe. She raised her eyes slowly.

He stood there, just across the table, watching her quietly. "May I?" he said in his smooth, strangely formal speech.

There were plenty of places to sit. A group of Slytherin girls had even opened up a space and were glaring daggers at Dominique. Even so, Dominique nodded and Miles pulled out a chair. He sat and without further ado, began his work.

She could not help but take him in. By sitting at her table, he was only asking for it. Was that the idea? If so, it was working immensely. Her gaze swept over him, hungrily taking in his handsome features: his soft-looking black hair, the sharp contours of his face, his broad chest and shoulders that fit so perfectly into his robes.

Their eyes met- narrow, shrewd dark grey to wide sky blue. She glanced quickly back at the formulas and charts scribbled onto her paper and clenched her hands together under the table. She had the urge to shiver.

Picking up her quill, Dominique again tried to do what she had come here to do. All the time, she could feel his stare. His right hand turned the pages of his book and his left scribbled scratchy words onto his parchment, but those eyes bored into Dominique.

November

"He's flirting with you." Emily Tatting, Dominique's best friend, licked a lollipop as she and Dominique made their way back to Hogwarts from Hogsmeade. Emily ran a hand expertly over her auburn tresses, an old habit.

"Weird way to flirt with someone," said Dominique. A chill wind whipped her hair about like threads of yarn. The day was a dreary winter grey and the sky resembled…Dominique shook herself and her face became warm despite the below freezing temperatures.

"I think it's sweet," prattled Emily. "I mean, he's not like other guys. Other guys would use cheap one-liners and act like dogs. They can never be that subtle. It's all about the action. Pucey really knows how to work it cool, like he's on the prowl." She growled lowly and giggled. "And, come on, how many boyfriends have you had, Domie? We're sixth-years, girly! Let loose and give him a chance. He's a seventh-year and there won't be any 'after summers' for him."

"I know," said Dominique.

Emily snorted. "Yeah, okay. Have you been talking to him?"

"A little bit," murmured Dominique. Emily turned an inquisitive eye toward her. "It's just about schoolwork, nothing serious."

"Domie's taking it slow," giggled Emily.

"Taking what slow? There's nothing to take slow." Dominique drew her cloak around her more tightly and kept walking.

"Oh, don't be like that," said Emily, looking upset. "I was just joking. And, anyway, you know as well as I do, you are so attracted to him."

She was attracted to him. So much so that it bothered her a little. No one had ever made her feel the way he was making her feel. Just thinking about him made Dominique shiver in delight. She couldn't stop her mind from reintroducing the way she felt when his alluring eyes looked at her, unwavering even under her scrutiny.

"Do I have something on my face?" Dominique asked.

"Not at all," tittered Miles quietly, his thin lips curving upward in a smirk.

***

A dense swarm of Ravenclaws rushed from the stadium, screeching in euphoria. They'd won the first Quidditch match of the year, beating Slytherin by ten points. It was only ten points, but after being brutally throttled the entire game by the merciless snakes, it felt like a million.

Dominique watched from the stands, not willing to try and make it in and out of that crowd alive. The Slytherin team was slinking back to the dressing room, trying to ignore the angry hisses they received from their housemates. She saw him detach himself from the others and trudge across the pitch, toward the lake.

Miles was the Captain. It was only common sense that the Captain would be upset. Dominique frowned. She'd been rooting for Ravenclaw, but…from here, she could see the defeated, saddened expression on his face. She got up and left the stands, trying not to crash into any of the ecstatic partygoers making their way to the castle.

She strode toward the tree-lined path that led to the Black Lake. The naked trees reached their finger-like branches to the monochromatic sky, as though reaching for that grey blanket to cover themselves. All was quiet, as silent as death itself, except Dominique's steady breath. Before she even reached the end of the path, she could see him.

He was crouched beside the lake, his broom at his side. His broad shoulders were slouched and he was shaking. Was he crying? Dominique tiptoed up to him, standing just a foot away. What to say? What could she say to him that would not be awkward or half-hearted? She need not have even worried. Miles suddenly stood and whipped around in a flurry of emerald green robes.

Their eyes met. For a moment, energy coursed through her and then, he looked way. Slowly turning back toward the dead waters, Miles said nothing.

Without even realizing she was even doing it, she stepped forward. A delicate hand reached forward and laid itself upon his shoulder. She barely reached his chin and she felt tiny compared to him. He gazed at her in surprise and she did the same.

"Next time?" she said quietly.

"I cannot wait for next time," he whispered, clasping his hands behind his back. He had a strange fire blazing in his eyes. "This is my last year. I must prove myself."

"It's only the first game," she assured him. Why was she encouraging him? Making him feel better? Gryffindor hadn't lost the Quidditch Cup in twenty-some years. Now, their Chaser was encouraging their greatest rivals Captain.

"No one would be pleased to hear you say that," he chuckled. He turned fully in her direction and she backed away. Their proximity was much too close.

"I should probably go," Dominique said.

Miles nodded and picked up his broom. "Of course, as should I."

"Okay," said Dominique, but she didn't move.

"All right." He didn't move either- only smiled.

Dominique felt a funny feeling forming in her stomach and began her trek back to the castle quickly. As the trees rose over her head, she looked over her shoulder. Miles was stationary, watching her with a most peculiar expression on his face.

December

A whistle rang out, slicing into the day like a shrill bat. Dominique pulled on the end of her broom, coming to a sudden stop. James, who had been chasing her, nearly hit her, but swerved away just in time. They, Abigail, Louis, Fred, and Roxanne turned their attention to Clive, who was drifting over from the goalposts as he let his whistle fall back into place on his chest.

"Good practice team," Clive said. "I think you've earned yourselves the night off."

"After five bloody hours," muttered James angrily under his breath.

"What was that, Potter?" Clive barked.

"Nothing," said James. He descended to the ground quickly and dismounted his Tornado Rush.

"Thought not," said Clive.

The entire team hurried to the changing rooms and before long, were heading to the castle. They climbed the front steps, all looking forward to resting their tired limbs. Louis was the first to make it inside the castle.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he said. Dominique wondered who he was talking to, but soon saw. Albus, a second-year now, was by the marble staircase, bent over in pain. Louis and Dominique rushed over to Albus and Dominique dropped down beside him.

"I think it's his stomach," Albus's friend, Scorpius said.

"Maybe he needs to visit the loo," laughed James snidely as he and the rest of the walked past. Dominique gave him a scathing look as she tried to pick Albus up.

"We should take him to the infirmary," said Louis. "He might've eaten something bad." Dominique agreed and, followed by Louis and Albus's two friend, totted the boy off to the infirmary.

Once in Madam Pomfrey's domain, Dominique deposited her cousin onto a bed. Albus groaned. "Why, if it is not Dominique Weasley," said a voice from the next bed.

Dominique turned. Miles was lying on the bed, still clad in his Quidditch uniform. Slytherin had practiced before Gryffindor that day and the team had seen someone being carried away from the field. Now she knew who it was. His arm lay limply by his side and there was a bottle of Skele-Grow on his bedside table.

"If it isn't Miles Pucey," she said, blushing when he smiled. "What happened to your arm?"

"This?" he asked, gesturing to his damaged arm. "I broke it in Quidditch practice earlier and Nigel tried to fix it. It was not pretty, I will tell you that much."

"Warrington? He couldn't tell the right spell from the nose on his face," laughed Dominque. She realized what she had said and continued quickly, "No offense, of course."

Miles shook his head, amused. "No offense taken. He really is not all that bright, but I have known him since we were in our nappies. What has happened to your cousin, then? Albus, right?"

"Al, yeah," said Dominique, not able to even glance at her cousin. Her stomach was doing flips of its own. "He has a bit of a stomachache. Probably bad food, or so we think."

"Poor lad looks miserable," said Miles. Madam Pomfrey arrived and gave Albus some medicine, but Dominique's eyes were only on Miles.

"You are…flustered," said Miles. "Please, sit." Dominique did so. "You have been practicing, I assume?"

"Yeah, Quidditch," Dominique said breathlessly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear and smiling shyly. She could never talk to him right. Her voice would become soft or high-pitched and squeaky. She couldn't control herself.

He stared at the ceiling and they sat there quietly. Dominique's heart was pounding wildly in her chest. Why did he make her feel this way? She couldn't function right. It was all so strange.

"It's almost winter break," said Dominique shakily "Looking forward to it?"

"Oh, yes," Miles said. "My father has been invited to Germany by a friend and he is taking the entire family. My younger brother, Adrian, is quite looking forward to it. Are you doing anything over the holidays?"

"Nothing particularly interesting," said Dominique. "Just hanging out at the Burrow with the rest of the family; same old, same old."

"Ah," said Miles. They were very close together, so close that Dominique could see the little spot of brown in his left eye. He didn't blink and his eyes burned with…something. She could smell his minty breath and hear his slow, calm inhales and exhales.

They were…someone cleared their throat. Dominique jumped out of her chair and turned to Madam Pomfrey, who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow. Louis snickered beside her as Albus and his friends watched on.

"Sorry," said Dominique. "Having a conversation, very serious stuff…"

"I see," said Madam Pomfrey. "Mister Pucey needs his dose now."

"Yeah, right," said Dominique. She started moving away from the beds. "Well, see you lot later. I've got to go…" She rushed from the room, her entire body burning with embarrassment and a new feeling.

January

Dominique ran down the stairs of the Owlery, holding several packages. It was Rose's birthday today and Dominique had collected the entire family's gifts. Rose was going to get a surprise party.

Dominique's long legs were good for sprinting, but not for stopping. So it just happened that that fact was used against her when she came to the end of the staircase and crashed right into someone. All the packages flew out of her arms and she tumbled backward, falling with a hard, painful thud on the stone floor. The person stumbled, but held their own.

Dominique jumped to her feet. "I'm so sor…" she stopped. Miles smiled at her. Silently, he became picking up her packages. "I can get that," she said, whipping out her wand.

"No need," he said, holding out her things. She slipped her wand back into her pocket and took the packages, smiling sheepishly. They hadn't spoken since before Christmas break. Not as though they spoke much anyway.

"Thank you," she said, shifting self-consciously from one foot to the other. She looked a wreck today. Her robes were all rumpled, she had the beginnings of circles under her eyes, and her hair was all over the place. What with Quidditch, schoolwork, and planning Rose's party, Dominique hadn't gotten much sleep the past few days.

"You are quite welcome," said Miles. "May I ask what you are doing with all those packages?"

"Oh, my cousin's birthday," said Dominique. "Rose, she's turning thirteen today. I'm throwing her a surprise party."

"That is very kind," praised Miles. "I could help you take them to wherever it is you are throwing the party?"

"I…I'd like that," stuttered Dominique.

"Good. Just allow me to mail this letter." Miles hurried past her and up the stairs. She only waited a moment before he was back, taking half the pile. Dominique's arms lightened considerably. Taking the lead, Dominique made her way through the icy cold corridors.

Once they reached the seventh floor, Dominique glanced over her shoulder. Miles was observing the portraits and suits of armour in awe. She thought that was weird, until she realized that he may never have seen particular section of the school. This was Gryffindor territory and he was, after all, a Slytherin.

"Here it is." Dominique positioned the packages she was holding onto her hip as she pushed open the door.

There were two people in the room: Felicity James and Blanche Zephyrine, two Ravenclaws in seventh year and sixth year, respectively. As Dominique and Miles entered, they both looked over, and Felicity raised an eyebrow.

"Well, hello, Miles," said Felicity. She was in the process of hanging up decorations.

"Felicity," nodded Miles.

"I did not know zat you and Dominique were mon amis," said Blanche in her light French accent.

"I wouldn't say…" began Dominique.

"Why, we've been friends for months," said Miles. He set the packages on one of the tables.

"'Ow eenteresting," tweeted Blanche, beaming when Miles' back was turned. Dominique gave her a severe look and addressed Felicity.

"Everything almost ready?" she asked.

"As ready as it'll ever be," said Felicity. "That was the last bit. When's Rose going to be here?"

"Not for a few hours. You two can do whatever until the party starts." Felicity agreed and left the room, casting one last, almost amused, look at Dominique and Miles.

Blanche followed. "Au revoir, Dominique et Miles." She winked at Dominique as she shut the door. Dominique made a face at the door.

"It looks very nice," said Miles.

Dominique turned to him. "The decorations? Yeah, those two worked really hard."

"If that's what you want to think I meant," said Miles. His hands were in his pockets and he was leaning against one of the tables.

"What did you really mean?" questioned Dominique.

Miles cocked his head and a ghost of a grin flashed across his face. Taking his hands out his pockets, he pushed himself away from the table and walked over to Dominique. She had to lean her head back to see his face.

He brought one hand up slowly and brushed a strand of silvery-blonde out of her face. Her breath caught in her throat. Methodically, almost as if he had done it a million times, Miles ran a finger softly down her face, causing tingles where he touched her.

"Mi…" Before she could finish, he was kissing her. His hand circled to the back of her neck, pressing their lips together more completely.

She froze.

As if sensing something, Miles pulled away. "I am sorry."

"No…no, it's…" stuttered Dominique. She had a wonderful feeling blossoming in her chest, a lightness, but at the same time, she was confused.

She liked him, quite a lot. At the same time, she was torn. She was a Weasley, he was a Slytherin. Dad had always taught her to take people as they were, not care about differences like family or houses. Yet, it was hard to take into account when you had family members like Uncle Ron and Uncle George. They were good people, but they had a lot of prejudice. That was why Fred, Roxanne, and James were the way they were. They hated Slytherins…

She wanted to be happy, though. This was her first year without her sister, Victoire, at school, showing her little sister up. And here was a handsome seventh-year who was interested in Dominique for her and not simply interested because she was Victoire's sister or one-eighth Veela.

"I…I need to think," said Dominique. What was she doing?

Miles nodded understandably and stepped away. "Yes, of course. I will leave you to that." He looked hurt. Dominique wanted to say something, but he nodded at her and left the room before she could untie her tongue.

February

"Domie!" Emily came up and flopped down on the couch beside Dominique. She was wearing her hair in several pony-tails that stuck up every which way today. "Domie, I'm tired of you sitting here. I've been thinking and you've totally been out of it since January. You haven't talked to Miles in over a month and frankly, you're being stupid."

Dominique closed her book and glared at her best friend. "I'm not being stupid."

"Yes," huffed Emily. "Yes, you are. You keep saying you want to think, but a month and a half is just too long. The boy likes you! You like him. Get over all this "I'm a Weasley, he's a Slytherin, it'd never work" junk already and date him. He's so into you, it's not even funny. And you've got to have figured he's a brilliant guy, because he's kept away all this time."

Dominique crossed her arms and didn't say anything.

"Oh, Merlin, you are so stubborn!" Emily threw up her arms. She jumped up from the couch and roughly pulled Dominique to her feet. Keeping a firm grip on Dominique's wrist, Emily began pulling her through the crowd of rowdy Gryffindors.

"Where are you taking me?" said Dominique. She was helpless against her friend, as she could not pull back. Once they made their way through, the other Gryffindors would mash themselves back together and it would be even more difficult getting back to the fireplace.

Emily pushed the portrait open and scrambled out of the hole. "Getting you a hot boyfriend," she said after they were in the empty corridor, the portrait of the Fat Lady closed behind them.

"Em, I told you…"

"I know what you told me," interrupted Emily. "I don't really care, though."

"Say he doesn't even like me anymore," said Dominique. Emily stopped and gave her a fierce look. "I'm just saying, maybe he hasn't talked to me is because I hurt his feeling and he just doesn't fancy me anymore."

"I don't think you'd be into a guy that shallow," said Emily. She grabbed Dominique and continued her pulling.

"I don't know, Em," said Dominique. "I can be pretty stupid."

Emily rolled her eyes. "Shut up, you."

***

Dominique held her breath. She and Emily were approaching the Quidditch pitch, where the Slytherins were supposed to be having practice, when they saw the snakes coming their way. It seemed practice has ended. As they got closer, the girls could see the suspicious looks on the Slytherins' faces, of the team and spectators. Except for Miles, that is.

Emily fell behind Dominique. The Slytherin Captain and the Weasley met in no man's land. His grey eyes were unsure. Dominique tried to say something, but not a word escaped her. They stared at one another a moment.

Dominique looked at the ground, then back at Miles. Finally, she smiled sheepishly. Miles' eyes began to twinkle and his eyes lit up. "Dominique…"

"Yes?" she whispered.

"Will you allow me the honor of taking you on a date to Hogsmeade this weekend?" Miles asked. The six other members of his team gasped in disbelief. Nerissa Selwyn, a girl in Dominique's year, frowned in disgust.

"I'd…like that," said Dominique. Emily squealed loudly behind her.

"Excellent," said Miles. "Oh, and do something for me?"

"What?"

"Don't grow your hair back out."

Dominique laughed. "I wouldn't dream of it."