"I don't want to hurt him," I admitted, my wand pointed straight at Kent's chest.
"He volunteered," Kaylie shrugged from her perch against a tree. "Plus I cushion charmed him. It's not going to hurt."
"I did not volunteer. You told me Louis was playing dummy today," Kent groaned, shooting his twin the dirtiest of looks.
"Which is why I asked you to come. She would never stun Louis. Plus—their outing is tonight. He shouldn't have to see her till then," Kaylie grinned happily.
"Oh you think you're so smart," Kent grumbled, holding his arms out. "Just get it over with."
"I can't. I don't want to hurt you," I repeated.
"Shall I have him chase you?" Kaylie questioned innocently. I gave her a flat look. As much as I liked her she had a way of getting on my nerves with her spunk sometimes. Reminded me a lot of Miranda. Only nicer.
"It works pretty well when you're in trouble. The adrenalin helps the spell. I could chase you," Kent added. "Once I was so high on adrenalin in Kaylie and I's training that I stunned someone so hard it took three people to ennervate them."
"That really makes me want to try it on you! We only have Kaylie," I sighed.
"Stuff it, Kent. You're scaring her. Look, Elena, it's really not going to hurt him. I put this charm on him so when he lands it'll be like he's landing on a pillow. Defensive spells are a really important part of your curriculum. It's going to be on the test," Kaylie sighed, standing up and pointing her want at her brother. "Stupefy."
Kent went down like a ton of bricks. His eyes still glazed over and open. Kaylie picked her way over the twigs and pointed her wand at his chest again.
"Ennervate."
Kent came too, blinking rapidly at the sky.
"Felt nothing but pillows, baby," he declared, sitting up and grinning at me. "But I do feel like I should be upset with how easy it was for you to do that to me, Kaylie-Kat."
"All for name of learning, Kenny-Boy," came her automatic response, offering him her hand. "Just give it a try. Remember, slash of a wand and picture them falling."
"Right, slash and image," I muttered, centering myself on the ground and holding my wand to Kent. He grinned at me, throwing a thumbs-up.
"Stupefy!"
And to my surprise—down he went.
"I did it!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down slightly. I only wish Louis was here to see it. His proud smile was one of the better smiles he gives me. Right behind the half quirk of his lips. Waiting through three training sessions for our date has been absolute torture. I wanted to jump him but I knew that it would probably scare him to death. When we're around others he's not as affectionate. To be polite, he told me. Well bugger me, I've landed a proper on.
"That was great!" Kaylie crowed, going over and letting him up. "Shall we try binding him this time? He'll be able to hear and see everything but his body will be locked up not allowing him to move or speak. It's the secondary method of protection because if they had their wand they could easily reverse it with non-verbal spell work."
"Sure, why not?" I giggled, jumping up and down on the balls of my feet. Kaylie patiently walked me through the steps and the spell, demonstrating it once before turning Kent back over to me.
"Just like before. Just remember that stunning is far more difficult," she declared, stepping back a few feet. I steadied my wand and prepared to jerk it upwards with force. Shouting out the spell Kent's arms and legs snapped to his torso, sending him toppling over onto his face.
"Okay—that one is going to hurt a bit more," Kaylie laughed, quickly reversing it. "But again, really, really good job. It's remarkable—you get everything almost on the first try."
"I don't know what it is," I shrugged with a huge grin. "It just flows so easily."
"You're a natural. We're going to get to second year far ahead of schedule," she grinned. "You can go Kent. We're going to study Herbology for a bit."
"Thank Merlin," Kent groaned, spitting leaves out of his face. "See you later, Lena. Have fun tonight."
And with that he was gone.
"So about tonight," Kaylie started, flouncing over to me and handing me the text. "You excited?"
"Beyond," I confirmed. Tracing the pictures of certain plants with my finger tip. "It's been torture training but not having done anything yet. He won't really touch me in presence of others. At least not like when we babysat."
"That's just Lou. It takes a while to get him comfortable in a relationship. He criticizes and over-analyzes himself so much. It's the bloody pure Ravenclaw in him—he's literally the poster child for a bronze eagle. His Patronus is even a bloody eagle," Kaylie snorted, pausing for a second to explain what we will be traveling to the school for in a few days time. There were some things they couldn't just get their hands on. "Know what you're going to wear yet?"
"My dance friends are coming over after we're done here. They won't let me leave without a stamp of approval," I groaned. "You could join us if you want? I mean you know what he'd like to see."
"Really? You want to hang with me outside of learning?" Kaylie questioned quietly.
"Of course. You're kinda hilarious. And I like your attitude. I mean I haven't known your brother or boyfriend very long but you must be some sort of saint to know how to put up with them," I giggled. Kaylie merely shrugged and flipped some hair over her shoulder.
"I've been dragged and punished along with them long enough to get used to it. Plus—I love them," she laughed.
"I can see why—they're pretty great. I mean if it wasn't for James I wouldn't have this date, would I?"
"No—you would not. Because Louis is an idiot who almost waited too long," Kaylie snorted, checking her watch. "C'mon, we're pretty much done anyways."
"How long have you been dating James?" I questioned suddenly. Kaylie looked surprised at my sudden line of questioning but cocked her head to the side. "Little over a year. But we were best friends for five before either of us realized that we even had feelings for each other."
"So you've been to his family lunches and stuff?"
"Yeah—I've been going pretty much every Sunday during the holiday since I was thirteen. Why?"
"Do you think I would fit in?" I finally found myself asking. "I mean I'm not necessarily normal am I? And I've caused James' dad a lot of work."
"The Weasley and Potter clan are good with not normal. They're often not normal themselves," she declared. "And don't worry about fitting in. Louis' sister is dating a Muggle and we all absolutely despised Fred's girlfriend until we learned about why she was the way she was. As for causing Mr. Potter a lot of work, don't even sweat it. Adder, Fred's girlfriend, had him build an all out manhunt and he caught the man that murdered my father and tried to kill me and my brother. We're used to weird shit around here—so you, my dear, are absolutely normal in comparison."
"Woah, Kay, that's really heavy," I breathed, pausing at the gate leading to my backyard. "Why're you sharing this with me?"
"For a few reasons," Kaylie shrugged, leaning against the picket fence. "One, because you're my student and you trust me. I figured you might want something behind that. Show you that I'm here for more than just teaching you. Two, because I remember the first time I saw my name in Walworth's smarmy articles. It's not fun. I just wanted to let you know that you have someone on your side in our world besides Lou."
"Well that's really nice of you," I smiled, motioning for her to go first. "I'm sorry you almost got killed."
"Eh—it was almost two years ago. I deal," she laughed, as I opened the backdoor. "Don't worry about it too much."
"Mum! Are Miri, Tati or Warren here yet?" I shouted, opening the icebox and offering Kaylie a bottle of water.
"Do you have to shout dear? Oh, hullo," Mum exclaimed, waddling into the room and brightening at the sight of Kaylie.
"Mum, this is Kaylie—she's my other tutor," I explained, taking a big bite of an apple. "Kaylie, this is my Mum."
"You didn't tell me you were expecting a new brother or sister!" she squealed, holding out her hand for mum.
"What're you talking about?" Mum questioned harshly. Kaylie recoiled, snatching back her hand and gaping between me and mum.
"Seriously, Mum. You pull that one?" I groaned. "Yes—we're waiting for a new brother to pop out."
"Oh Merlin, you just scared the pants off of me, Mrs. Miller," Kaylie snorted, placing a hand over her heart.
"That was her idea, don't encourage it," I snorted. "C'mon, let's go to my room."
"Nice meeting you, Mrs. Miller!" Kaylie shouted as I dragged her away. She looked at my face and giggled. "C'mon! It was funny."
"Not the second time around. She pulled that with Missy and Nessie," I replied, opening my door. "Speak of the devil. Melissa—what the hell are you doing in here?"
"Kaylie!" Melissa exclaimed, popping out of my closet with one of my lace skirts clutched in her hand. "What're you doing here?"
"Helping your sister get ready for tonight," Kaylie stated, eyeing me apprehensively.
"Whatcha doin' with that?" I questioned sweetly.
"This? Oh—I was returning it. From the laundry room." Missy replied, rocking back on her heals. Kaylie stifled a giggle.
"SHOWDOWN, SHOWDOWN, SHOWDOWN. RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE. In this corner we have Missy Miller at four eleven and in the other Lena Miller at five foot five. Who will win this round folks?!"
"Please don't encourage her, Miri!" I declared, going over and snatching the skirt out of Melissa's hand and pushing her into our attached bathroom before shutting the door.
"You ruin all my fun," Miranda pouted, flouncing into the room and going straight to the closet. "You haven't even left us choices? Warren isn't going to be happy. Hullo, girl I don't know, I'm Miranda."
"Kaylie—I apologize on behalf of her lack of choices. We just got done tutoring," she giggled, going over and peering in besides Miri.
"So that's the other tutor?! Gosh—is everyone at your school gorgeous," Tati exclaimed, dragging Warren into the room and cramming onto my bed.
"Oh—well, thank you?" Kaylie laughed, taking out a dress and holding it up to Miranda who gave a sharp shake of head.
"You don't even know what Louis looks like," I huffed.
"Oh—they're correct. He's gorgeous. All the males in his family are. Nobody gets how they got such a dashing gene pool and the rest of us are left to claw our way to beauty. What about this one? It'll bring out your eyes? He kinda loves your eyes."
"He does? They're gray…"
"They're not gray! They're—well they're gray but they're pretty!" Tati argued. "I'm Tatiana by the way and this is Warren. We apologize on behalf of his manners…apparently there is a new guy so he can't be bothered to speak with us as of this moment."
"He talks non-stop about them. It's rather annoying but also pathetically adorable," Kaylie shrugged, fingering the fabric of the shirt that Miranda was holding up.
"Sorry—back on this planet. God, Chord is so dreamy. Anyways—nice to meet you Kaylie and that shirt will not do tonight. This is a date—not bowling."
"Isn't bowling a date?" Tati questioned hesitantly.
"Not if he wants to get any," Warren exclaimed, jumping off and shoving the girls aside. "This is what you're going to wear. It matches your eyes and it'll show off your kickin' dance bod. Trust me—he'll pant."
"Isn't it a little risqué?" Tati worried. Kaylie took it from his hands and stalked over to me, holding it to my chest.
"I kinda like it. I mean he has seen her in jeans and a top plenty of times. Though hate to break it to you but Lou does not sleep on the first date. Or the second for that matter."
"I second this dress and question that statement," Miranda chirped.
"Oi! I wasn't planning on doing that!" I exclaimed, taking the chance to examine the dress to cover my blushing face.
"He's the epitome of a gentleman. He would never," Kaylie explained, perching on the edge of the bed next to Tati. "Ever."
"That's a shame," Warren sighed, going behind and hefting my hair on top of my head.
"Not all of us are slags, War," I pointed out.
"I take offense to that. What'd you think ladies? Up?"
"You know she won't do that, why even ask?" Miri sighed, checking a text on her phone.
"I'll wear this if you guys stop picking at me," I declared, holding it against my frame. The dress was tight and rather short with sheer lace long sleeves and lace lined body in a heather gray and a deep v-neck for the top. Maybe a bit over the top for a first date but I wasn't ready to argue with four people.
"Make her wear her over the knee boots. They're the same color and have that sorta medium height heel that'll make her a bit taller and her legs look absolutely endless," Tati ordered-pointing towards the closet. Warren bent down and began throwing shoes out at random intervals.
"These?"
"Yes, perfect," Miri exclaimed, going over to my jewelry and picking through.
"The turquoise chandeliers," I ordered. They all stared at me. "What I don't get to decide on bits of this outfit? And I'm wearing the jean jacket to dress it down."
"We will allot that," Kaylie nodded, gathering her bag that she set on top of my chair. "Now I must be going. I'll tell Lou that he better be prepared because you're going to look great."
"I liked her," Tati stated once she was gone.
"Yeah—she's really nice. They all are. Her brother, her boyfriend. They're all connected to each other and I'm just some outsider popping into the picture," I sighed.
"That's so not true! He likes your eyes! What guy would mention that if they didn't already really fancy you," Tati exclaimed, rushing over and pulling me into her five foot frame for a hug.
"Thanks Tati—it's not so much him as the group as a whole," I laughed, going into my bathroom and starting up the shower.
"Can I see your laptop?!" Warren shouted as I started up the water.
"Not if you're going to go on those stupid gay love websites! The last one gave me a huge virus," I stated, popping my head back into the room.
"Facebook then?" Warren pouted.
"Yeah sure," I shrugged, stripping down and hopping into the shower.
"Hey! Devin just messaged me!" Warren shouted through the door.
"Don't tell him that!"
"Tell him what?!" I shouted back, popping my head around the curtain and trying to keep the shampoo out of my eyes. "What'd you tell him?!"
"See now you've got him going!" Miri snapped.
"If someone doesn't start talking I'm going to come out there!"
"Just finish your shower! We've got it under control," Tati declared, popping her head into the bathroom.
"What needs to be controlled?" I gaped.
"Just shower," she sighed, retreating back in the room. I rushed through the rest, only nicking myself twice in the process of shaving my legs, and threw on a robe.
"Okay—someone start talking!" I exclaimed, practically whipping Warren in the face with my sopping wet hair.
"Warren is a big fat idiot," Miri snorted. "He told him you're going on a date tonight and that's why we all can't go out."
"Why is that such a big deal?" I sighed, throwing myself over Tati's lap to plug in my hair dryer. She took it from my hands and began to dry layer by layer for me.
"Because now he's asking all sorts of questions," Miri groaned, grabbing the laptop from War's lap and typing something furiously. "Because she likes him and he likes her that's why people go on dates."
"If that won't tell him, nothing will," Warren stated sarcastically.
"Better then beating around the bush that she'll never be interested in him," Miri snorted.
"He's not interested in me!" I exclaimed, throwing one hand in the air.
"Then why is he giving us the fifth degree?" Miri replied, snapping the computer shut.
"I was going to talk to Chord!" Warren whined.
"Too bad! I'm sick of Devin!"
"Well I'm sick of you!"
Oh this date couldn't start soon enough.
Louis
"VIC!"
I grabbed another two shirts from my closet and threw them on my bed.
"VICTOIRE!"
"What?!" Vic questioned from my doorway with her toothbrush in her mouth. I looked down at my boxer and undershirt clad shelf and at my bed then at her. Is 'what?' seriously a question?
"Help me please?" I relented, motioning towards the mess on my bed.
"I have a date too you know. Saturday is a big night for dates," she commented, wiping some of the toothpaste from around her mouth.
"Vic," I whined. "You could wear a sack and Teddy would still love you. Help. Please."
"I can't believe you're asking for help. You're usually really good at putting yourself together," Dom stated from right behind Vic. "And those are really cute boxers. You planning on letting her see those?"
"Dom dear, if you're not going to play nice don't play at all," Victoire warned as I glanced down at my over comical dragon print boxers.
"No! I'm not that type of guy," I stated anyways. "Just help me."
"Got it," Vic declared, layer some things together. "Black military shirt, under light blue pull over jumper, under the fitted navy corduroy sport coat with your jeans and plain trainers. It's casual and dressy. Perfect for a first date."
"Thank you, oh fashion guru," I breathed, beginning to pull on the articles of clothing.
"Where you taking her anyways?" Vic questioned, sticking her toothbrush back in her mouth.
"Dinner and dancing," I answered, shrugging on the jacket. My sisters gaped at me.
"But, Lou, you have no rhythm whatsoever."Dom stated slowly. "Why in the world would you take her dancing?"
"Because she told me that she dances every day but never really dances. It's all choreography and lessons and no spontaneity. So I figured I'd give her spontaneity dancing," I declared.
"Does she know you can't dance," Victoire laughed through a mouthful of foam. "Or is this going to be one embarrassing surprise for her."
"I can dance," I argued. They blinked at me. "Well I would like to make her happy."
"That should be interesting," Dominique declared. "Let me know if you get a second date."
"Dom," Victoire hissed following after her. "Don't scare him!"
Oh man, maybe this is a very, very bad idea. I could change it now. Do dinner and—something. Dinner and something. But I already looked up everything. It was all planned out. I couldn't just wing it. I mean I already knew I was going to make a fool of myself but at least she would be having fun. But maybe she would be so embarrassed to be around me that she won't want to go out again.
"I was kidding," Dominique stated from the doorway again. "I'm sure she'll find the mere thought of the date endearing."
"But what if I completely turn her off?" I questioned, beginning to hang up the extra clothes lying around. "What then?"
"Merlin, you really like this girl don't you?" Dom gasped, plopping down on the bed. "Kaylie said you didn't even do your ridiculous four step process."
"The four step process isn't ridiculous," I argued back.
"It landed you Amy March, so yes it is," Dom snorted.
"If everyone was so opposed to her, why did you all let me date her for half a year?!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air.
"Because we all have to make our own dating mistakes," Dom shrugged. "But you really fancy this girl?"
"I really do," I answered after letting out a rather large breath.
"You'll be fine. Don't show her the boxers though. Uncle Charlie gave you them as a gag-gift," Dom ordered, brandishing a finger at me and leaving the room again.
"First date!" I called after her. I looked at myself in the mirror one more time, rubbing the back of my hair with my fist. I was as ready as I'll ever be. Stuffing my wand in my jacket pocket a rocketed downstairs and grabbed the bouquet of flowers off the table.
"You might want to transfigure those before apparating. They get all smooshed otherwise," Dad shouted from the living room. I groaned but unearthed my wand and quickly transfigured the bouquet into a rubber duck.
"Got it! Bye!" I shouted, heading out to the garden. Mum looked up from the veggies and beamed.
"You look nice, mon chérie," she quipped as I reached our apparation point. "Be safe."
"I will Mum. I'll be home late," I replied. She raised her eyebrows at me. "But not too late. I'll send word when I'm on my way."
And with that I turned around my shoulder and into voidless space. I took a great big breath upon landing. Not because I needed it (I did) but because everything just became so much more real. Sure we've seen each other since then and it's been torture to not hold her like I did on that couch but now its happening. It's just going to be me and her and whatever comes from that. I was nervous. Stepping out of the apparation point, I walked down the street to her door. I froze then. Just knock. Knock. I mean you've hung out with her before. Conversation is always really easy. Things flow. And you fancy her. So why can't you knock on the damn door. On three—okay. One, two—
"Oh! Mr. Weasley, right?"
I jumped almost a foot in the air. Her dad had swung open the door just as I was raising a fist. He looked surprised to see me.
"Yes, sir. I'm, erm, here to pick up Elena," I declared, holding out my hand to him. He grasped it and gave it a firm shake, a small smile blooming on his face.
"That's right—you're her date tonight are you not?"
"That's correct, sir," I replied. He stepped aside and allowed me into the entry way.
"I suppose the supermarket can wait then."
"Late for groceries, isn't it?" I questioned hesitantly.
"Not when you have a pregnant wife," he laughed, leading me to the living room.
"Ellie! Your date is here!" he shouted, popping his head into the hallway. There was a slammed door and some running up some steps before Marcus emerged. Oh, just wonderful. He's going to punch me.
"Dad! Don't let Marc at him!" Elena shouted from down the hall, her own shoes clicking as she came running. I almost needed to sit when she emerged herself. "Marc! Don't you dare!"
"I just want to shake his hand," Marc grinned, but his eyes still very wary of me.
"More like you want to break his hand," Elena snipped, coming and threading her arm through mine. "Let's go. Nothing else to do here."
"Wait," I laughed, extracting myself and giving her a small smile before turning to her dad and older brother. "I'll be sure to have her back before midnight. We will be in downtown London—nothing sketchy. Just a nice area with restaurants and such."
"See, Marc, he's a really nice kid," Mr. Miller laughed, giving my hand another shake. Elena groaned softly behind me. Marcus merely grunted before giving me a slight nod. "Have fun you two."
"Gotcha! Bye!" Elena exclaimed, grabbing my hand and dragging me to the front door. "Thank god that went off without a hitch. Marc was spouting nonsense about bringing out a baseball bat."
"Wait—give me a second to catch my breath," I laughed as she practically dragged me down the street. I took a small step back and took one of her hands in mine. She looked beyond amazing. Like I need to think of Grandmum amazing. Her legs looked long and the dress was slightly more low cut than anything I've seen her in. I just wanted to plaster her to me and snog her right there. But I'm a gentleman…of course I have to be. Bloody morals. "You look absolutely amazing."
She looked down at our hands for a second, her cheeks clearly growing redder under the street lamp.
"Well, thank you," she replied finally.
"Before we go I have something for you," I announced, unearthing the duck from my pocket. I handed it to her, causing her to furrow her brow in the cutest way.
"A rubber ducky?" she questioned, holding it on one hand.
"Nope," I answered with a small smirk. She frowned and went to go wave the duck in my face but I had already taken my wand out and transfigured the flowers back to their normal state. Elena gasped and brought the flowers to her face so she could examine them.
"Really?" she laughed, waving the flowers slightly. "A rubber duck?"
"It was the first thing I could think of," I shrugged. "Thought you would like more to go with the one I already gave you."
"They're lovely," she murmured, bringing the tulips up to her nose to smell them. "Shall I run them back to the house?"
"No need," I shrugged, flicking my wand at them again. The flowers were once again a duck with a small pop. She burst out laughing. "They're equally as portable with us."
"You're mad, you know that?" she giggled, handing the duck back to me so I could slip it into my pocket.
"Good mad or bad mad?" I questioned, taking her hand in mine and starting down the street to a point we could apparate at.
"Oh definitely bad mad," she stated sagely. I gave her an alarmed look. "But don't worry. Sanity is overrated."
"Speaking of sanity, would you be okay to apparate?" I questioned hesitantly.
"I guess so—but if I hurl on my dress it's your fault," she shrugged, wrapping her free arm around my arm that was holding her hand.
"Luckily, love," I started, unearthing my wand and pulling her into the safe spot. "I'm magic and can fix that."
Elena
"So what now?" I questioned, swinging our arms between us. "Good choice by the way. Thai is actually one of my favorites."
"You said that in letter number seven," Louis pointed out with a small smile. I froze and gave him a bewildered look.
"That's why you picked it? You remembered that?" I questioned incredulously.
"Yeah—I remember everything," Louis sighed, taking his free hand and tapping his skull. "Steel trap."
"Oh-so you won't forget this date," I questioned.
"I don't think I could forget this date if my mind was a sieve," he answered. I felt the warm glow that has been ever present this whole night grow. Taking the hands that we were holding I looped it around my shoulders and leaned into him. Again with the intoxicating smell of wood, the sea, and something that was undesirably him. I could get lost in it. "As for what's next…well you must promise very much not to judge me."
"Why would I ever judge you?" I questioned, my ears perking as the sound of a baseline happened nearby. I suddenly could see another line in a letter I had written him. "No way?! You didn't have to do this!"
"But I wanted to give you some rule free dancing," he laughed, reaching over and clearing some hair out of my face. "But I have a confession."
"What's that?"
"I have no rhythm whatsoever. This is purely for you," he admitted—the tops of his ears bright red. I burst out laughing, leaning into him as he pay the fees at the door.
"I'm sure I've worked with worse," I assured, bouncing on the balls of my feet in pure excitement. When I go out with my dance friends it's never to things like this. They claim they dance themselves out during the week to ever go to a club of any sort. I could feel the music already flowing through me.
"We won't stay for long," I shouted, looking at him over my shoulder. He looked distinctly uncomfortable with the mass of moving people in front of us. "After this we can go to a nice quiet park, my little bookworm."
"No! We'll stay as long as you want. This is my date for you. You're cashing in, aren't you?" he stated—giving me an encouraging smile. I descended the stairs into the sunken dance floor and pulled him to me.
"Do you feel the beat?" I questioned, beginning to move my hips.
"All I hear is noise," he relented, leaning into my ear to inform me of such. I held his hands in mine and began to clap them to the base line.
"You move to that!" I ordered, twitching my hips and placing my hands on the same spot of his body. I began to force him to move to that, which only made him make a funny face at me.
"Let loose!" I declared, taking one arm and using it to spin myself. "You picked it!"
"I don't want to embarrass you!" he shouted back, his hands on my waist.
"You couldn't if you tried," I replied, letting go of him and really letting lose. When I peeked at him next I burst out laughing. He was trying, I'll give him that. But he was right. He had no rhythm at all. So I grabbed his arms and forced him to circle my waist so I could lead him to the music. "Not that hard!"
"Easy for you to say—you do it all so easily. Move," he answered in my ear as I flipped around and forced his body to move with mine.
"See—just follow me," I sighed, guiding us to twist and turn. I could feel his reaction to me on my arse. It somehow left a glowing piece of pride in the pit of my stomach. His breath was on my neck. Suddenly he raised and arm, forced me to twirl and snapped me back to him.
"What was that?!" I questioned. I could feel the huge smile on my face at the mere thought of him doing whatever it was he just did. "That, Weasley, was a total move."
"It was not," he argued, letting me guide him once again. "I was just getting you to face me."
"Well you did it with style!" I laughed as he released me to move on my own again. I could feel the sweat pool at the base of my neck but I didn't want to leave. I never wanted to stop moving. "I could do this forever."
"I could use a drink," he admitted. "But it can wait."
"No! Go!" I exclaimed, giving him a small shooing motion. "I'm thirsty too. I won't move an inch."
He gave me a grateful smile and quickly escaped the dance floor. I continued to shimmy to the music. Feeling the beat run through me to my core. Suddenly there was pressure on my back. Oh lovely—the one bad thing about a club. I stepped forward and turned around. There stood an unassuming dude—taller than me. Dark hair. Dark eyes. Smoothly dressed. One of those guys that go to clubs just to pick up a girl. I gave him a sorry shake of my head but he only reached for my hand again.
"Sorry! With someone!" I shouted over the music. He grabbed for my hand again—not saying anything. "No! Not going to happen!"
"One dance," he shouted.
"I'm with someone!" I replied, taking another step back. "He's coming right back. Went to get water."
"C'mon, honey. One dance."
"Nope dude! Gotta go!" I declared, escaping from the dance floor. I could still feel his hand on my wrist. I frowned and gave it a hardy shake. I glanced towards the bar and was relieved to see that Lou was heading back over, sipping out of one of the plastic cups in his hands. He noticed me and gave me a raised eyebrow.
"Let's go!" I shouted, hurrying up to him and taking the extra cup. "Total creep on the dance floor."
"What?! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you," he exclaimed, looking alarmed at the bodies slightly below us.
"No—shush. It's fine. Happens all the time," I argued, taking his free hand and walking towards the door. "It's getting hot anyways. Let's go find that park."
"Are you sure?" he questioned, holding back a bit.
"Positive," I replied, bursting into the street and taking a deep breath. I turned to the bouncer and gave him a large smile. "Know of any good playgrounds around here?"
Louis
"So you really don't have rhythm," Elena laughed, plopping down on the free swing and taking a large sip of the water.
"None," I replied, going behind her and taking hold of the chains. She looked upside down and me and crinkled her nose slightly.
"It was rather adorable watching you try to have some though."
"Oh gee thanks," I snorted.
"No! It was! And you had that move!"
"I still don't think it was a move," I replied with a shrug. She dug her feet into the ground so she could stand on the bed of the swing, putting her above me.
"Oh, bookworm, that was a move to end all moves," she answered with a small smirk before jumping onto the spongy safety ground that was underneath us. This put her just at the right level for me to put one hand in her hair, clearing it from her face. "Tonight's been lots of fun."
"I've had a brilliant time," I admitted. "Even attempting to dance. I'm sorry that guy chased you away and you had to stop."
"Who says we have to stop?" She declared, throwing her arms around my neck. "Go ahead and put your hands on my waist."
"There's no music," I commented, giving her a confused glance. She began to lead me again, slowly side to side and then in a small circle.
"Not aloud," she answered like it was completely obvious. "Just close your eyes."
I listened to her—resting my cheek on the top of her head and just let her guide us, slowly and languidly.
"See—you don't need music to dance. It's in your soul," she whispered into my chest. I felt like everything just belonged so much that I began to ache. I stopped us abruptly causing her to raise her face to mine.
"I don't normally do this on the first date," I started, my breath catching in my chest.
"Do what?" she questioned, pulling herself tighter to me.
"Kiss," I answered, letting go with one hand and clearing one of her stubborn locks.
"Why are you stating that?"
"Because I'm asking you if I can," I managed to get out. "Kiss you, that is?"
"If you asked three days ago I would've said yes," she laughed, standing on her toes and gently grazing her nose with mine. Hesitantly I held one of her cheeks before matching our lips together. She immediately pressed closer to me, her lips parting slightly as she breathed out. I pressed on, grazing lip and lip before pressing a bit harder and holding her firmer to me. She responded immediately, her hands tangling in my hair and her lips parting a bit more and allowing me to slip into her mouth. It lasted a bit longer—a battle of wills before we pulled apart. I smiled lazily at her, grazing her bottom lip with the edge of my thumb.
"I wish I did that three days ago," I managed to get out. She smiled, reaching up and brushing some of my own hair out of my eyes.
"Next time there's no need to ask," she smirked, leaning in and giving me one hard kiss. "You're honestly too polite sometimes. Now come one—there's a twisty slide over there calling our names."
"How do you do that?!" I called out as she ran towards the play set.
"Do what?" she questioned, freezing and waiting until I caught up with her.
"Just make everything seem like it's the best thing in the world?" I laughed, watching her climb the ladder. It was a nice view.
"Practice!" she exclaimed, looking down at me. "Now get up here. I think there's a pirate spy-glass too. And if we get to the roof the stars will be amazing."
"Won't that be hard in those shoes?" I questioned, hesitantly following.
"Nah—there's the barrier to make sure kiddies don't fall. It'll be a fast jump. C'mon you fly seventy feet in the air—no need to be scared about a mere five."
She climbed with ease—like she's been scaling plastic and wooden jungle gyms her whole life. Once on top of the structure I nudged her to sitting position so I could lay my jacket underneath the two of us.
"See—millions and millions of stars," she sighed. I grinned at her picking out some of the stuff you learn you first year.
"Perfect time to continue your lessons then," I declared, pointing directly above us. "Ursa major is a large part of Astrology. It's said to ground our magic. Then you drag it down to ursa minor which pours out all the negative energy in ourselves."
"You know all the constellations?" she questioned with a small smile, her head settling into my shoulder.
"Most," I answered with a laugh. I drew a line downwards and grinned. "Casseiopeia. In Greek mythology she's the beautiful one. That can be your constellation, yeah?"
"I don't need a constellation," she sighed.
"But you deserve the whole sky," I countered. I could hear a sharp intake of breath.
"That had to be the most corny…the most sappy…the most romantic thing any guy has ever said to me," she laughed, sitting up and hovering over my face. I reached my upper body up so our lips could meet yet again. She immediately rested her upper body onto mine, throwing herself yet again into the kiss. She gets so intimate with even the most simple of kisses. It has to be the sexiest thing I've ever encountered. There were long moments of kissing. Long moments of silence and touch. Long moments of me and her. It was more then I can ask for.
Suddenly I had to pull away. I gently deposited her away and sat up, scanning the area.
"What is it?" she questioned, sitting up and looking into the dark with me.
"I thought I heard," I started. Elena slapped a hand over my mouth.
"Don't say those words. Murder starts with those words," she snapped, looking spastically around. "We're in a neighborhood though. People will hear our screams. So come here."
She tried to pull me back towards her. But I refused, still scanning the edge of the park where it faded away into darkness.
"You're starting to scare me," she whispered as I slowly grabbed my wand from under us. Then it was again. A small crack. I held up a hand.
"Get out your wand," I ordered in a rushed whisper. Elena gave me an alarmed look but listened, pulling her wand out of her boot. "I'm glad you have it with you."
"I feel empty without it," she quietly admitted, shivering slightly.
"Do you remember the light spell?" I questioned under my breath. She nodded. "Cast it?"
"Lumos," she whispered, sending the tip of her wand a glow.
"Stay here," I ordered, sliding towards the edge of the roof.
"Lou," she pleaded.
"It's alright. Probably just a dog. I'm paranoid," I smiled, before sliding off the edge and back onto the main platform. I stopped again and strained my ears against the pressing silence. Every piece of lessons from my family came flooding back at me. Uncle Harry always said that intuition was your best friend. And my intuition was going off like a pack of Wizbang fireworks. That noise wasn't an animal—that noise was someone creeping around. Of course it could just be another couple like us, looking for a place to settle for a bit but my gut was screaming at me to stay at alert. There it was again. A crack, like a twig, to my left. I lit my own wand and cast it in that direction. There was a shadow there. One that I could hardly make out but I saw all I needed to see in a split second.
"Elena—get low!" I shouted, jumping off and casting a gigantic shield in our direction. It was just in time. The mystery guest's first spell hit the shield with a BANG! and causing my it to shatter. I sent an errant stunning spell in its direction but Elena let out a scream above me.
"Ellie! Jump down! Get behind something!" I ordered, backing up so I could get a better vantage point. I heard the thud of something behind me and I prayed that it was Elena coming down to take cover. "I give you full permission to fire anything you can at them, Ellie. Anything."
The next spell came whizzing from behind me and I was just able to twist out of the way. I scaled the ladder again and dove into the castle where Elena was pressed hard against one of the walls. She looked at me with big eyes. I held a finger to my lips. I think there were two of them. One on each side of us. They weren't attacking. Why weren't they attacking?
"When I tell you I need you to try and stun them, okay?" I ordered in a hushed voice, taking her face in my hands. "You hear me? You learned that today, right?"
She nodded.
"Then you just keep shooting. We're going to try to get out of here so we can apparate somewhere safe."
Suddenly the tower to the left of us exploded with the force of a spell. Elena let out a gurgled shriek as I instinctively tucked her under me and put a bubble around us to avoid falling pieces of wood and metal.
"On the count of three we're going to jump down and make a run towards the street. I need you to keep a hold of my hand no matter what, do you hear me?" I questioned. She nodded again. "While we run just keep throwing spells behind you. They're going to try to shoot at us."
"Who are they," she hissed as I rose up on my haunches.
"I don't know and I don't want to stick around to find out," I replied, rocking forward so I could get ready to drag her off this structure with me. Another spell hit close to us making Elena jump again. They're trying to flush us out. There's likely one to our back left and our back right. The best bet would be to go forward.
"Get ready, love. I'm not going to let them touch you. Get ready…one—two—THREE!" And I jumped down, dragging her with me. I misjudged, there was one right in front of us. Before I could even say the spell there was a flash of red over my shoulder and he went down. I kept running. I couldn't stop to congratulate her just yet. I had to make it somewhere we could apparate without splinching. The second one was closing in. I sent a rather livid impedimenta jinx his way, hitting him square in the chest and slowing him down enough to turn over myself and drag Elena and I to safety.