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HUGO & MONICA

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6

.:. JUST AN AFTERNOON AT THE PARK .:.

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Hugo rode with all his might; it had been a while since he had last used his bicycle, that had been forgotten for over a year behind the shop in Diagon Alley. He could feel his leg muscles complaining, unused to the exercise. He turned to his left to avoid a car and then went up to the sidewalk, avoiding the pedestrians that went by until he was able to enter the park. He rode his way through the bicycle path until he reached the memorial, then slowing down to observe the area nearby. And there, on the exact spot, was Monica, next to a tree, sitting on a patterned cloth, reading a book. Hugo got out of the bike and walked up to her, taking his time to observe her. She was so into the book that she was startled when Hugo took it out of her hands after waiting by her side for about five minutes.

"Teas and Infusions: The truth behind the old Muggle cure knowledge," he read the title and then continued giving a crooked smile. "Do you really find this interesting?"

"Very," she said, fetching back the book. "It reminds me of when my grandmother would take care of me when I had a flu... Muggles have many interesting beliefs in this area, you know? They believe that plants cure many things." She petted the book cover and then put it away on her bag. "When did you arrive?"

"Not long ago, but it was enough to see that I would need to make a move if I wanted you to notice I was here," Hugo laughed.

Monica couldn't prevent her face from growing red. "I'm sorry... I've been told that I have the habit of entertaining myself too much with my studies and forgetting everything around me." Hugo laughed and Monica became even redder. But then she smiled. "For a moment I thought you wouldn't come."

"And for a moment I really would not..." Hugo said with his head down as he played with the grass.

"May I know why?" she said, turning her face to him.

"Maybe because I made a fool of myself yesterday?" he said with a crooked smile.

"You didn't make a fool of yourself, Hugo," Monica started, but then, as she noticed him rolling his eyes, she laughed. "Okay, okay, you did. But it was not that bad, I really think that your dance was a success yesterday. I'm sure I saw some people trying to do your steps." She started gesturing with her hands in a way that resembled Hugo's choreography from last night.

I know that I was not very clear about the episode back then, but, even though I believe you still remember, I'll refresh your memories: table, old music, monkey impersonation. Remember? Well, she was trying to do this, just that she was sitting down. May I add that some passer-bys started giving sideway glances to them. When Hugo noticed this, he laughed and tried to stop Monica's hands as she waved them in the air and ended up falling on top of her. Monica laughed so hard that was not able to notice how this proximity affected Hugo. He was thankful that she had her eyes closed so that she would not be able to see his akwardness as he noticed how dangerously close he was to her lips. He moved away from her, forced a laugh and ran his hands through his hair as he tried to slow down his heart.

"My dance was not similar to yours then?" said Monica, still lying down, when she was able to control her laugh.

"I didn't say that... It's just that people were looking..." he then forced a smile on his face.

Monica placed her eyes on Hugo and saw that he was embarrassed which she assumed was from the fact that there was people passing by. "You shouldn't worry about that. It's not like we own any of them an explanation or something." She gestured around herself, indicating people that were in the park. Hugo shrugged and laid down on his belly beside Monica. "But tell me," she continued, "it was not just because of last night's performance that you thought of not coming, right?"

Hugo looked at her, pondering if it was worth telling the truth. She smiled and he closed his eyes, immediately regretting his decision. "Truth is I'm grounded for taking the car yesterday... Pathetic, isn't it?" Instead of an answer, Monica laughed and turned herself around, ending up in the same position Hugo was, both of them facing the lake that lied ahead.

"I don't want to get you into more trouble. You just had to say it and we could have met at some other day."

Hugo shrugged, "I know my mom, she was mad just because Dad decided something against what she had said before. Besides, I doubt she will keep me grounded tomorrow."

"She can't hold a punishment for long then?"

"Oh, no. She can. She can be really strict when she wants to. It's just that..." A smile grew on his face and then he turned his head around, facing Monica. "Well, tomorrow is my birthday."

"Nice! Mine is close by as well! Just on the other week, on the twentieth!" she smiled as she bumped her shoulder against his. "Wait a minute. It won't be just an ordinary birthday, right? You will be legally an adult tomorrow!" He shook his head in confirmation, still slightly embarrassed. "You should have told me before. I would have brought you a gift..." She made a face, trying to look like she was mad.

"There is no need for that. But you can come to the party tomorrow if you like." He cursed his ears that stubbornly kept on growing red. It may be just my opinion, but I find this trait quite charming, but all Weasleys that inherited what they call 'flaming ears' or 'anxiety alarm' hate them...

"I'm sorry, but I can't... It's my shift tomorrow..."

"Oh..." said Hugo. Then they stayed in silence for a few moments. "But why did you invite me here?"

Now it was Monica's turn to be shy. "Oh, nothing really... Just to make sure you were okay, that's all..."

"Oh yes, everything is great. Thanks to the potion you left at my room and to my luck to find it before my mother did. She believes that if you don't feel the hangover you will not learn the harms of alcohol..." He turned to Monica and saw that she had her eyebrows raised in a clear sign of disbelief. "From what I heard, the only time she didn't hold back the alcohol was on her wedding."

They stayed like that until the sun was down, talking about many different things, listening to music on a device she had brought, discussing cinema. They only left when their stomachs protested, so they went to a diner nearby. Monica took advantage of a moment when they were alone and transfigured his bicycle and stored the new 'clock' on her bag. At the diner they had their meal in silence, but it was a comfortable silence, if you know what I mean.

Later on they walked by the park until they reached the parking lot where Hugo was surprised to see Monica had come riding a motorcycle. She handed him a helmet after convincing that she would take him home as soon as she left the motorcycle at home. They parked at her garage and Apparated close to his house.

"I see you around then," Hugo said, opening the gate of his house.

"Sure. Now you know where I live." Monica smiled. Before he could say anything else, she closed the distance between them and hugged him as she pecked his cheek. It's funny to be able to know people thoughts at moments like this, for both were thanking the dark for covering their embarrassment. Monica let go of him and ran her hand over his arm, "I know it's not time yet, but happy birthday."

Hugo thanked her and then watched as she went away and Disapparated. He entered his house quietly, going to his bedroom after a strategic stop in the toilet. In his bed there were already a few packages, presents and cards from his friends. He took off his shoes and his clothes, throwing them aside and put on his pajamas. He sat down in his bed and ran his eyes through the senders and one of them caught his attention: it was from Sarah. He laid on his back and, after turning the card between his fingers for a while, he opened and read the formal words printed on the paper with a simple 'congratulations' hand written underneath. "Crap..." he thought, eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Thinking about one of them could at least take the other out of my head, but no... I need to keep them both in here... Letter from one, smell of the other." He smiled as he remembered the day he just spent with Monica, then he took a deep breath and the smile faded. "Another 'friend' to the list probably..." He placed the card on his bedside table and, then, still hunted by these thoughts, drifted into sleep. He hadn't even reached dreaming zone when he felt someone climbing his bed.

"Just don't attack me, little brother." He smiled when he heard his sister's voice. "Happy birthday." Then he felt, and heard, a smacking kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Rose." He yawned. "Do I look older yet?" he asked, making a thoughtful expression as he rubbed his chin.

"Let's see... I think so, I can see some wrinkles already." That was when his parents got in his bedroom, holding a small piece of cake with a single candle on top and singing the birthday tune. Another normal birthday. When he went to sleep again, he couldn't even remember that he was so let down by his love life not even half an hour ago.

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A.N.: So, did you guys like it? I hope so! I also hope you take your time to leave me a review! Hugs! Now beta-ed by or one and only Potterholic! Big thanks!