Catching Snitches
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Author's Note: Lol, sorry guys. This is why I shouldn't post things at quarter to midnight. :S
Chapter Ten:
On New Year's Eve, Haden meanders her way into the Great Hall, her arm linked through Hermione's, her thoughts on breakfast. There are tea and crumpets with her name on them, and if Ron has eaten them all, there will be hell to pay.
She is surprised, then, when she catches sight of her godfather at the staff table. She doesn't notice at first, but Hermione does, and she draws Haden's attention to the fact.
His presence is perplexing, to say the least. It's generally understood that, beyond the occasional Hogsmeade visit, parents and guardians are restricted to communication via owl post. It's supposed to inspire a sense of independence from one's elders - cutting the apron strings, as it were.
It does that, though perhaps a little too well.
It's not something Haden dwells on. Her actions in the past - smuggling dragons, traipsing through the Forbidden Forest - they're all in the past, and these days, Haden avoids such mischief as well as possible.
Sirius waves, Haden returns it, and meanders towards the Gryffindor house table. She eats in a thoughtful silence, glances at Sirius between sips of tea, and wonders what business brings him to Hogwarts.
Is it official? Perhaps familial?
Haden doesn't know, and the curiosity will make her barmy.
"Why don't you just go ask him?" Hermione asks.
"Because it's inappropriate to question him, particularly in public," Haden answers. Hermione rolls her eyes, of course, ever long-suffering with regards to the wizard's 'old-fashioned' ideals. It's almost insulting, really, and Haden would normally get defensive, but she's rather distracted by the remaining quandary.
What brings Sirius to Hogwarts?
-!- -#-
Once Sirius has finished his meal, he approaches her house table, taps Haden on the shoulder, and gestures her out of the hall. Haden rises to her feet gracefully, follows him out the doors, and in a meandering walk through the castle.
"I received a letter from Viktor Krum a couple of days ago," Sirius informs her, "I met with him this morning. He wanted my permission to court you."
"And?" Haden doesn't want to get hopeful. She's received a few requests since the start of term, via Sirius, of course, and they've all been refused. She doesn't know why, and netter does she ask, but this one? This actually means something to her.
"I gave it," Sirius answers, a small smile on his face, "On the proviso that he ask you, and you accept, of course."
Haden squeals unabashedly, hugs her godfather for all she is worth, and remains distracted throughout the rest of her visit with Sirius. Eventually, however, he leaves, Haden returns to Gryffindor Tower, and waits.
They are having a party in the common room later, and everyone is invited. This includes the other schools, of course, and thus Haden has planned to meet with Viktor by the portrait hole after supper.
He is there when she exits, dressed in trousers and an oxford shirt, over which he wears a set of woollen robes that shouldn't look as nice as they actually do. He offers her a smile, and a kiss on both cheeks, and Haden can't wipe the smile off her face. She doesn't even try.
"I have a question for you," he says, and his hands are clammy around her own. Viktor his nervous, but aside from his sweating palms, it doesn't show.
Yeah?"
"Would you let me court you?"
"Merlin, yes," Haden beams, throws her arms around him, and laughs. She's ecstatic. "I would be honoured."
Viktor's hands shake when he cups her cheeks, but as her hands cup his, she finds that hers are, too.
"Thank you," he says, and he appears awed, his gaze earnest. He kisses her forehead, releases her cheeks, and withdraws a velvet jewellery box from a pocket of his robes. Haden accepts it carefully, cracks it open, and exhales an awed breath.
On a crimson red cushion, the chain is silver, spun like tiny beams of moonlight on an impossibly thin chain. From it, there hangs a single pendant; a golden snitch with finely accented, silver wings.
"It's beautiful."
"Would you wear it as a token of my affections?"
"I would," she confirmed, "It would be my pleasure. Would you help me put it on?"
Viktor does so, and when the snitch rests in the hollow of her throat, Haden clasps it in one hand, and silently swears she'll never take it off. Then she turns, reaches up on her toes, and presses her lips to Viktor's.
The kiss is sloppy and wet, but as her eyes drift shut of their own accord, she decides it's perfect anyway.
Fin.
Author's Note: Not to be continued. Thanks for all of your support, but the muse for this one is dead. I doubt I'll ever come back to it. -t.