Hat-Crossed Lovers

Chapter 7

Before Ivan could absorb Rebecca's revelation, Ivan heard the wall behind him starting to slide open again, probably Euphemia coming out to post her message home. Rebecca looked agitated. "I don't want to be caught here!"

Ivan was puzzled exactly why she looked so frightened. Maybe was just self-conscious about her declaration. But if Rebecca wanted concealment, he would find it for her.

"Come with me."

He dashed forward, and around a corner, with Rebecca following. There was a closet here where the elves kept some kitchen supplies. He opened in and squeezed inside with her, closing the door before the newcomer could round the corner.

There wasn't much room here for two people in addition to all the supplies, and Ivan found himself pressing against her . He couldn't apologize because the passerby might hear them. It was awkward, but at the same time, rather pleasing.

After about a minute, he heard Rebecca whisper "Homenum Revelio!" He didn't know the words, but they were obviously Latin and presumed that it was a charm. She switched to English. "Okay, it's clear."

Ivan groped for the knob and opened the door again; they emerged into the hallway. "What's harmony rebello? I honestly don't know that one."

" 'Reveal a human'. I learnt that from somebody in Ravenclaw. Some people use it when they're up to something at night and don't want to be caught be Filch."

They walked back to the stairwell which led up to the main floor, and started to walk up. "I suppose you think I'm a silly schoolgirl, " said Rebecca.

"Well, you are a schoolgirl, but you're not silly. I wanted to say it too, but I thought you didn't like me. I love you Rebecca."

They stopped at a landing that happened to be out of sight from either floor. Ivan couldn't tell who started the gesture, but suddenly they were embracing.

Ivan couldn't tell how long it lasted. In one sense it seemed to last forever, yet when it was interrupted it seemed to have been all too brief. The interruption took the form of a footfall at the bottom of the stairs. Because of the way the stairwell spiraled, they were currently out of sight, but that wouldn't last.

"Damn!" whispered Rebecca. "I really gotta get out of here—"

"Wait. Greenhouse, tomorrow, same time?"

"Okay."

She dashed upward, and Ivan headed back down. When he reached the newcomer, who turned out to be the popular Cedric Diggory, Ivan was deliberately slow in getting out of the way, hoping to win Rebecca some extra time. Cedric didn't seem suspicious.

"Hullo, Ivan. What are you doing out?"

"I left something in my afternoon classroom, and went back to retrieve it."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Oh, yes, I found it," said Ivan happily.

All that night, Ivan felt pure delight. Rebecca had not only forgiven him, she returned his feelings. From now on, things would be perfect.

The next morning, he wasn't so sure.

At breakfast, he looked over at the Ravenclaw table, where he could see Rebecca sitting with some other girls her age, probably her roommates. She looked up, spotted Ivan, and they looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds. Then Rebecca turned away and started talking to her girl friends. Somehow Ivan could tell that she was NOT talking about being in love. She didn't want her friends to know.

Then Ivan recalled that Rebecca was not in a single one of his classes, even though they were in the same Year. If she was, he would have been aware of her existence from the first day of classes. He would not have a chance to see her until they met at the greenhouse.

The greenhouse was a logical meeting place. It was run by Professor Sprout, who was the faculty advisor for Hufflepuff, and the members of that House sometimes helped her tend the plants there. Now he wasn't so sure that it was a good idea. A carnivorous plant kept hovering around, trying to take a bite of him. When he retreated to the other end of the greenhouse he was aware of an unpleasant stench; Sprout had apparently received a new shipment of dragon dung to be used as fertilizer.

But that was forgotten as his beloved appeared and threw herself in his arms. This time he kissed her, and she returned the kiss with interest.

"What's going on here?" came a shrill voice. Ivan turned around to find himself looking at dismay at Professor Sprout. Apparently she had come to check on some plants.

The advisor looked from Ivan to Rebecca and back, and chuckled. "On second thought, don't answer that. I think I can tell-"

TO BE CONTINUED.