Chapter Thirteen.

Coffee Meetings, Pygmy Puffs And Late Night Kissing.

A/N Sorry for lack of updates, life has been so, so busy.

Heads up halfway through it switches to Albus' POV and then at the end it goes back to Alyssa.

Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot and OC's are mine.

It's been a month since I messed up big time and in that time I've seen a lot more of Casey Kansworth than I ever wanted to, as she is now 'dating' Albus. Although I use that word loosely, hooking up would probably describe what they currently have better.

"Morning," Albus greeted as I crossed the flat and went in the kitchen.

Yeah we're on speaking terms now. And have been for the past two days. Yes, you heard that right we haven't spoken in a month and when you're living together it's bloody hard. Though I suppose it isn't a patch on the eight years we spent ignoring one another.

"Morning," I replied, even though I know it's nearing twelve o'clock.

Since I wasn't working last night and Casey Kansworth wasn't over either, I had the luxury of a nice sleep and a lie in. It was pure bliss. In fact I haven't seen her since last Thursday, in a way it's a good thing as it means I no longer have to put up with any nightly activities. Actually because of that I've made sure I've been working practically every night this past month, headphones and music can only block out so much.

Helping myself to toast and orange juice I sat at the table. Ayli had dropped off the latest issue of Witch Weekly for me yesterday when she stopped by, so it became my morning reading. There plastered on the front was a picture of Albus nearly as big as the cover, in two smaller pictures there was one of myself and one of Casey Kansworth.

"See pages six to eight on the middle Potter child and his love life," I muttered as my eyes scanned the headlines on the cover, stopping at the picture of myself and Albus from last month when we moved in.

"Don't read it, Lyss," a voice above me said as I looked to see Albus standing there watching me.

"Why? What's so bad about it that I shouldn't read it? Is it because my name is mentioned as one of your fancy girls?" I blurted out, paying no attention to him as I turned to the correct pages and started reading.

Sure enough it was about how we were seen together and are said to be living together, I mean it isn't as if the flat has two bedrooms. But nope they don't seem to care about that. Most of the pictures seem to be of Albus and Casey Kansworth at bars or out and about in general. It's not even that bad, at least not to me. I don't really care what they say about me.

"It's not true," Albus says to me as I use my wand to make the dishes was themselves.

"What is?" I ask as I walk to my room, hovering in the doorway.

He sighed before saying, "Me and Casey. We're not together, or dating. I mean, well we were but we're not now." Albus blushed furiously as I shrugged.

"That's nice."

With that I shut my bedroom door and proceeded to get changed, almost sighing in relief. No more having to put up with her walking around the flat in one of Albus' t-shirts or her hogging the bathroom in the morning. Thank Merlin they are no more. Switching my Wiz-radio on, I couldn't help but turn it up and do a little dance as I got ready. The butterflies in my stomach were doing flips of happiness no doubt.

(*)

"A'tie Lyss!" a small voice called from where he sat on my sister's lap.

Ayli and Ade were both here already, along with Hayden who was grinning at me, showing off all his teeth. The rest of the coffee shop was pretty busy but the pair of them had snagged the comfy leather sofa's near the door.

"Hey, sis," Ade called to me.

I smiled as I walked up to their table. "Do you want drinks?"

Ayli laughed. "Only if you're paying."

I rolled my eyes at her. "Sure." Having given me their orders I joined the queue. As I waited I wondered how I could word things. Would it be so bad if I said I was actually glad he had dumped if, if that's what even happened between them? I mean he said they weren't dating, so if that's the case he can't have dumped her? Fretting about stupid things I relaid the order to the boy behind the counter.

Carrying the tray back to them was harder than I thoughts as I had to dodge mums with their pushchairs as well as a couple of elderly ladies who were using walking sticks as they talked about 'this generation', their words not mine.

Hayden was happily colouring when I finally sat down and he smiled happily having seen I bought him a large chocolate cookie.

"Tanks," he said as Ade handed him his little carton of apple juice.

I blew on my coffee since it was rather hot as Ayli happily tucked into her own cookie. "He's not seeing her any more," I told them instantly.

Ade smiled at me. "See I knew you liked him more than you let on. Honestly, Alyssa, why didn't you realise this last month. He was right I guess when he said you were lying to yourself."

Nodding shyly I agreed. Albus had been right, I guess I just didn't want to admit it because I was scared. Our dates had been the best in my history of dating. It was totally different to all the creeps and idiots mum was normally setting me up with. In fact ever since I've moved in with Albus she hasn't suggested that I go on any dates or even hinted that I need a boyfriend. I don't know if that's a good thing or if I should worry that something is up, as it's so unlike mum.

Though, a voice in my head countered, if she's seen Witch Weekly she might have other ideas. Surely she wouldn't think that would she? I asked myself.

Shaking my head I zoned back into what Ayli and Ade were talking about.

"Mum wants me to start coming up with Christmas designs. Will you help please, Lyss? I know how much you love helping too. Pretty please?" Ayli asked as she batted her eyelashes.

I nodded. "Sure thing, what sort of things are you thinking?"

Ayli smiled. "Well, I was thinking reds and greens as well as blues and silvers. Sparkles of course, everything has to have a bit of sparkle. Tutu's are very in right now so I think that would be cool," she babbled on.

Time seemed to pass quickly and I was no closer to a decision about Albus. A screaming toddler over the opposite side of the coffee shop was making me feel like I had a hammer hitting me repeatedly on the head.

Hayden was still colouring in-between playing games on Ade's Wiz-phone. He was humming away happily to some made up tune.

"Guys, what do I do about Albus? I mean do I go for it? Do I tell him that we're not 'just friends' that he means something more to me? Help," I pleaded.

"Make him jealous, I bet that's what he was doing with that Casey Kansworth," Ayli muttered as she looked up from the page of Hayden's colouring book that she was 'helping' him with. "Pretend you're dating Caleb?" she suggested.

I just looked at her. "Really? I'm pretty sure Albus knows Caleb is gay. That would just be stupid."

Ade sighed as she put down her coffee. "Lyss, just go for it. You've known each other since you were nappies, sure you grew apart for a while but you're friends again."

"Tell him how you feel," Ayli added without even looking up from the parrot she was colouring.

I felt bad because I honestly don't feel like that's useful advice. And I still don't have a clue as to what to do.

"I'm scared though. What if he doesn't feel the same as me?"

"Alyssa, really?" Ade questioned. "Get it into your head, he likes you."

Making my mind up once and for all, I drank what was left of my second coffee and put the cup down. "I'm going to do," I announced.

"Do it," Hayden mumbled making me laugh. I kissed him on the forehead as he said, "Byeee."

As I pulled my coat back on, Ade put her hand on my arm. "Let me know how it goes."
I nodded, leaving the coffee shop in a rush finding a quiet spot just down the road out of sight of Muggles as I turned on the spot and apparated back to the flat. As I came out in the cobbled street, I stumbled slightly having lost my balance. Pulling my keys out of my pocket I let myself into the flat and ran upstairs calling his name.

"Albus, are you here?"

Throwing my bag onto the sofa I walked over to his door and knocked. There was no answer so I opened the door to find he wasn't there. Thinking it was funny that he wasn't around, I wandered to the kitchen and pulled open the fridge.

As I did something slipped off the front of it, bending I picked it up and read:

Lyss,

Uncle George needed me so I'm working late. Don't bother cooking for us both, I'll eat here.

Al.

"Dammit," I cursed as I dropped the note, putting my hands over my face and yelling into them. Grabbing a large packet of crisps I went over to the sofa and curled up in the corner. Picking up the remote off the table I turned the Wiz-TV hoping to find a movie I could watch to pass the time.

Why couldn't things be simple?

(*)

Albus' Point of View.

I was leaning my head on my shoulders as I sat at the counter in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Uncle George needed me to stay on until ten as he and auntie Angelina were going out for a meal with a bunch of her ex-team mates. James; my older brother was here with me and was supposed to be sorting things out in the stock room.

"What's up, little brother?" James questioned as he popped up out of no where wearing a bright orange wizards hat with three purple W's down the front of it along with coloured sparks flying from each one.

"Nothing," I muttered wondering as the bell above the door made a laughing sound as two boys probably around my age walked in. James instantly went off to help them as I sat up straighter on the chair, wondering what Alyssa was doing tonight.

Using one of the quills I started doodling on a spare bit of parchment until James and the boys came back. The variety of things they had was quite surprising.

"It's for his girlfriend," James told me as he pointed a thumb at the blonde boy. With that he held up a small cage containing a pink pygmy puff. "Cute and cuddly, the perfect gift," he told him as I ran the items through the till. Along with the squeaking ball of fluff there were things from the Muggle Magic range and a couple of decoy detonators.

"That'll be ten galleons and six sickles, please," I informed him.

"Have a good night," James called as I shut the till once again. Now they were gone he turned his attention back to me. "So what's up and don't say nothing. I thought you were shagging that blonde girl?"

"Which one?" I muttered thinking about that night at mine with Alyssa.

"You sly dog," James said grinning at me.

I shook my head as I groaned wishing I hadn't said that. "That isn't what I meant. I broke up with Casey the other day. Actually I'm not even sure you can call it breaking up since we weren't actually dating it was just..." I trailed off feeling awkward.

"Sex." James filled in.

"Well yeah."

He laughed. "You sure do pick them, have you not heard of her reputation? Even I wouldn't go there and that is saying something my dear brother."

"Oh shut up. It sounds stupid but I was trying to get over Lyssa and possibly make her jealous at the same time," I admitted feeling like a complete idiot.

James gave me a knowing look. "Ahh our dear next door neighbour, Alyssa Darcey." As if it clicked in his head his eyes grew wide. "Wait did you think I meant that blonde? Which also means you two got up to no good. HA! I knew it especially when she was at breakfast, remind me to give Lily five galleons," he muttered.

I stared at him in disbelief. "You and Lily made a bet? On what?"

Before James could answer the laughing sound of the door opening went again our cousin; Rose came in smiling at us, hand in hand with Scorpius.

"Hey," she greeted

I waved a hand lazily, turning back to James. "What was the bet on?"

"What bet?" Scorpius asked as Rose went off down the middle aisle, heading straight for the pygmy puff cage.

"Do you mean the one about how long it would take for Albus and Alyssa to get together?" Rose called as she came back to join us. "I want a pygmy puff," she stated casually looking at Scorp.

James vanished quickly to get Rose her squeaking ball of fluff. When he came back she looked delighted at the yellow ball.

"You've all had a bet on me?"

"And Alyssa," Scorpius pointed out as he handed over the money.

Rose was staring at her yellow ball smiling. "I'm going to call you Buttercup," she told it. "But yes, Al, we all have a bet on to see how long it'll take you to get together."

I groaned. "Brilliant," I muttered sarcastically.

"Just go for it. Get out of that friend zone, buddy," Scorpius advised me. "I did."

"Get her a pygmy puff," James suggested as he pointed at Rose who was carefully stoking Buttercup through the bars of the small cage. "Girls love them."

Rose sighed obviously having had enough of my whining. "Albus, for Merlin's sake, you tried to make Alyssa jealous, it worked. She hated seeing you with Casey urgh Kansworth. Just be a man and ask her out, she was lying about the just friends thing okay."

I nodded feeling better than before. "I need to go, Jay, can you lock up."

"Sure."

I checked the time as I went down to the large cage filled with pygmy puffs. Having chosen one I grabbed my things from upstairs, checking the time. It was getting late and in fact it was nearly time for me to leave anyway. Wondering if Lyss would still be awake I waved goodbye to Rose and Scorp as they were still talking to James.

Stopping in The Three Broomsticks I had a Butterbeer as well as three shots of Firewhisky for Dutch courage. I had no idea as to what I was going to say to Alyssa except sorry. I just hoped that maybe we could work things out. Having followed James' advice I now had a purple ball of fluff in a cage and a bag with a book on care and advice, as well as a bed for it too. On leaving the pub I turned my thoughts to Diagon Alley before apparating.

(*)

Alyssa's Point Of View.

It was nearing ten pm when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Having fallen asleep I was all tangled in the blanket I had dragged from my room.

"Lyss?" Albus asked as I sat up.

Rubbing at my eyes I looked over at him and then saw he had a small cage in his right hand and a bag in the other.

"Why are you still up, I thought you had work?"

"Not tonight." I yawned as I stretched out just as Albus sat beside me. "I need to talk to you. What's that?" I added having heard a squeak coming from the little cage.

Albus laughed. "It's a pygmy puff, I saw them in the shop today and well I got him for you." He handed me the cage allowing me to see the small bundle of purple fuzz which was squeaking again.

"For me?"

He nodded. "To say sorry, I've been a bit of an ass lately."

I put the cage on the table feeling nervous about what I was going to do next. "I-I'm sorry too," I started to say. Albus tried to speak to ask why probably, but I stopped him. "For not staying friends throughout Hogwarts. For not saying things when I should of. For calling us 'just friends'. I'm sorry for all of it."

Without waiting for a reply I lent forward, taking hold of his collar and pulling him towards me to close the gap between us. Kissing him made me forget everything else in the world, it brought back memories of Ayli's birthday, the wedding and the night we had our date.

"Lyssa," he muttered pulling away from me. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yes."

It was he who kissed me then and I fell back against the sofa with Albus on top of me. His lips tasted like Butterbeer which made me wonder if he had stopped in the pub before coming home, but really I couldn't have cared any less. Finding the hem of his top I moved my hand under it, feeling his tensed muscles almost relax at my touch. It literally felt as if there should have been fireworks going off somewhere because I was so happy.

Things were looking up.

A/N Tah dah! I felt so mean when writing the last chapter and the start of this, but at least now Albus and Alyssa have kissed and made up, literally! Thoughts?

*I thought I'd add this on here as you said you read this as well, so to the 'Love This' reviewer who recently reviewed my Molly II story, have no fear I haven't abandoned any of my stories. I haven't uploaded the last three chapters of UP as they needed editing (however it's complete on the other site I post on) and as for Molly II that needs editing so, so bad and in fact I only have a couple more chapters to write before it's completed so once it's been edited there should be more updates.

Whereas I was in college before, I now work five/six days a week and as it's early mornings I get tired easily in the afternoons when I would normally write. I have two different weekends off in March coming up so hopefully I'll be able to get around to much needed editing as well as reviewing to some of my favourite stories.