Disclaimer: I do not own, HP; though that would be rad if i did. J.K Rowling is the author!
Viewer Discretion: Just because i feel it should be here.
Chapter 14: I love you
Snow had taken over the grounds of Hogwarts, laying a firm sheet of sparkling white around the castle. The wind was bitter and strong, and the windows were left with an icy opaque fog screen. It was hard for Victoria to wake up, it was dark in her dormitory even when the curtains were drawn. Everybody was excited for the Holiday vacation, and normally she would leave to go see Elise but she had to stay for the D.A meeting. Not like she had wanted to see Elise necessarily right now anyways… she'd gotten much worse and Victoria didn't know how to handle that.
Victoria walked into the Great Hall; not many students filling up the tables since most have left for vacation to go back home to their families… so the tables were narrowed down to only two. The teachers were still lined up on the staff tables, except for Dumbledore… like usual. Lavender was sitting beside Ron, who was of course sitting beside Harry and Hermione. Victoria hadn't spoken to Harry since the day she'd gotten detention with Umbridge; though that didn't mean they didn't try to steal a glance at each other every once and a while, and boy did she take those opportunities.
Cormac sat at the far end of the table, eating with Seamus and Ginny Weasely. Cormac and her barely spoke since the kiss either, though she tried to remain friendly…
Victoria sat a few seats away from Lavender, accompanying Luna at the table as they ate their lunch.
"Afternoon, V. How is your day going so far?" Luna said, smiling with closed lips and her dangling earrings brushing against her shoulders.
"It's alright. I've finished my potions project on time, just submitted it this morning." Victoria said rubbing her eyes.
"Had you gotten any sleep? You look tired."
"I slept a few hours… Due tomorrow, do tomorrow." Victoria said, mustering up a half grin.
"Hey Vicki!" Lavender said, moving a few seats down to sit beside her.
"Hey Lav."
"Want to come with me and Ron to Hogsmeade? We're going to the meeting right after."
Victoria shrugged, looking down the table at Ron leaning over his plate, laughing at something Harry said. Harry had such a cute smile.
"Vicki?" Lavender said moving her head in Victoria's line of vision.
"Huh? Oh… er I don't know…" She went back to cutting up her eggs.
"Come on, you need to get out. You've barely done anything outside the grounds but smoke… Besides it'll give you a chance to write back to Elise."
"I really don't want to."
"Why not? You haven't written back to her in weeks." Lavender leaned in, lowering her voice. "Imagine where she's at right now, Victoria. She needs you, you're like a daughter to her."
"Okay, Lav. I know. Just…" Victoria dropped her head into her hands momentarily trying to block out everything around her. "Okay, I'll go."
"And you'll write?"
"And I'll write."
XX
Victoria stood in front of the body view mirror on the floor, pulling at the neck of her maroon turtleneck sweater. She hates the way it felt to wear these things, it felt so constricting around her neck. She pulled her high waisted jean skirt down a bit, and slipped on her leather jacket. She turned her neck slightly upon placing the jacket around her body; she lifted her arm smelling the shoulder of her jacket and finding that subtle sent of alpine suede. She dropped her arm, taking a deep breath and began to slip on her shoes. She wasn't going to think of Harry today… or at least, for a record breaker of a few hours.
Victoria walked down the dormitory steps, fixing the underwire in her bra. "Vicki!" Lavender yelled from the couch. She looked up, Lavender was sitting beside Ron who… once again… with sitting beside Harry.
"Hey, ready?"
"To rock n' roll?" Lavender said pulling Ron up from his seat.
Victoria grinned, "You're such a goof."
"You were the one who started it when we were kids. Come on, Ron! You can talk to Harry later at the meeting."
"Oi, I'm coming!" Ron said, shifting out of the couch. "See you later, mate."
"Right, have a good time then." Harry said nodding him off.
Victoria glanced over at Harry, immediately looking away once his eyes met her.
"You coming Vic?" Ron yelled from the portrait hole.
"Uhm, yea!" Victoria gave a short-lived grin to Harry as she left him in the common room alone.
The three walked out of the castle, hurrying over the icy grounds as they reached a Thestral pulling carriage. They hurried inside, Victoria sitting across from Lavender and Ron as they cuddled each-other to keep warm; or rather, Lavender doing most of the cuddling. She went to shut the carriage door when someone's hand stopped her from doing so.
"Wait for me." Ernest said as he climbed the carriage and joined the three.
"Ernest? What are you doing here?" Victoria asked, moving over for him to sit.
Ernest comfortably sat beside Victoria, shutting the carriage door and the Thestrals began moving.
"I noticed you guys were going to Hogsmeade, and I had to deliver a letter anyways."
"You couldn't do that at the owlery at Hogwarts?" Lavender asked, holding Ron's arm around her neck.
"Definitely not. The steps are a fucking death trap." He said referring to the ice.
"You going anywhere for Christmas Ron?" Victoria asked.
"Nah, don't think so. I normally stay with Harry at Hogwarts during Holidays." Ron said casually.
"Yea? I always see Harry at Hogwarts, since like year one during the holidays." Ernest said leaning over so his elbows were on his knees. Victoria nudged him in his side, for him to stop talking about it. She figured Harry always stayed during the holidays because he didn't want to go back to his aunt's house… and she knew how his aunt could be by the stories he'd shared.
"Did you guys finish your potions project?" Ron asked.
"Yea, handed it in this morning, you?" Victoria said.
"Eh…" Ron rubbed the back of his red hair, "I'll turn it in later…"
"Ron! You don't fail potions on me now, or you'll have remedial potions like Harry!" Lavender said, lightly pushing on his chest.
"Remedial potions? Harry's not in remedial potions." Ron said holding the left side of his chest that Lavender was pushing on.
"Oh? Vicki said…"
"I guess I only thought…" Victoria turned her head, narrowing her eyes as she watched the village draw closer. She knew she didn't hear him wrong, he did say he was in remedial potions. Well, there goes not thinking about Harry for a few hours.
"Alright," Ernest said, jumping off the carriage and holding a hand out for Victoria. "Careful it's a bit slippery."
Victoria grabbed onto his hand, carefully planting her feet on the icy ground.
"So, where were you guys planning on going first?" Victoria said as her opaque foggy breath plumed from her lips.
"First… you go write to Elise." Lavender said, making it out of the carriage. "Then you can meet us at The Three Broomsticks, yea?"
"Ugh, now?" Victoria pouted.
"Now." Lavender said raising an eyebrow.
"I'll accompany you, I've got to head over there anyways." Ernest said smiling down at her.
"Great. See you in a bit!" Lavender said, hurrying off for the Three Broomsticks.
Victoria and Ernest began their walk to the owlery in the village. Hogsmeade was covered in snow as well, yet not as much as Hogwarts; it looked like the roads had been cleared for shoppers walking along the street.
There was an eye-catching Christmas tree in the middle of the village, by the Three Broomsticks, that was lit up in festive colours with a star on top. A large group of carolers stood in front of the tree, singing some wizarding Christmas songs and receiving coins for the donation of their church. Ernest dropped a few coins as they passed, before walking into the owlery across from them.
Victoria stomped her shoes off of snow once she stepped inside the owlery, Ernest following closely behind. It was a pretty good sized owlery, smaller than the one at Hogwarts but it was still a comfortable space for owls to settle down into. Only a few people were in the owlery today, so the writing station was clear. Victoria walked over, a piece of parchment laid flat on the table with an ink and quill sitting beside it.
"I'll be over here, sending my letter." Ernest said, pointing over to the group of owls in the next room.
"Alright." Victoria looked down at the parchment… what was she going write? 'Hope you're feeling better.' Even though she knew Elise wouldn't be. 'How was your latest exam?' Probably awful. She groaned, tapping the quill along the parchment creating thin ink splatters.
Victoria slipped her hand into her jacket pocket, taking out a piece of crumpled up parchment and began to flatten it against the table.
'Hello Dear,
I am just letting you know how everything is so far, and the current situation we are in. I went with Mrs. Brown today to the bank to sign some important papers regarding the house and its belongings. I know this is something you probably don't want to read, but I ask you to take the time to sit down and think about this. I realize you are probably scared, and I can understand that. Though, I need you to be strong right now, and know you won't be left with nothing. I will make sure you have a roof over your head, and food on your plate…'
"Fucking…" Victoria whispered through clenched teeth as she cleared a tear that escaped past her eyes. This was why she hated reading Elise's letter. They were always full of bad news Victoria couldn't find in herself to read.
'…I was hoping you could come down for Christmas, and visit me back in Buckinghamshire. I hope to hear back from you soon.
Elise'
Victoria crumpled up the paper once again, stuffing it back in her pocket. She placed the quill reluctantly on the parchment.
'Elise,
Sorry I haven't written back, it's been a while and I apologize. I've been up to my neck in school work, I also think the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has found an interesting quality in me. I'll be there for Christmas.
Victoria'
She knew it wasn't much… and most of letter consisted of lies, but she folded the parchment anyways and headed off for the owl room. Ernest was petting Belle softly on the head when she arrived beside him.
"Hey, took you long enough. Wrote yourself an essay aye?" Ernest said, moving over as Victoria tied the envelope to Belle's foot.
"Something like that…" Victoria rubbed Belle underneath her beak. "Be safe out there." Belle hooted loudly and flapped her wings outside the owlery.
"Well, we should get going…" Victoria suggested.
The two walked over to the Three Broomsticks across from the owlery, moving past a large group of people standing around by the bar to look for Lavender and Ron.
"Do you see them?" Victoria said, craning her neck over the people standing about.
"Erm… nope." Ernest said doing the same thing.
"Unbelievable…" The two sat down in an empty table by the window. The table was recently used for it had a few Firewhisky glasses nearly empty and liquor spilled on the table top.
"Do you think they slipped out to shag?" Ernest said, grabbing one of the cups and drinking it.
"I don't think so… Ernie! The fuck are you doing?" Victoria yelled out at him, shocked.
"What? It's already here, might as well. Want some?" Ernest said, holding out the drink to Victoria.
"No Ernest. That's gross."
Ernest shrugged his shoulder and continued to drink anyways. "Getting smashed for free."
"Yea? Then you'll be 'smashed' for the meeting later."
"You're right, help me finish these so I don't drink it all." She rolled her eyes.
Victoria stared out the window, resting her chin on her knuckles as she watched the caroler's sing and by-passers drop coins into their bucket. Everybody seemed to be in such a Christmas mood, she wishes she could be the same way… instead now she'd have to see Elise…
"It's funny…"
"What?" Victoria said, turning lazily to Ernest.
"Never thought we'd be sitting in the Three Broomsticks together drinking Firewhisky."
"You're drinking Firewhisky, and we should've been here with two others but apparently they've ditched." Victoria huffed, she didn't really want to come in the first place.
"Yea, but it's still a good time right? I'm here." Victoria looked back at him, catching that annoying wink he always did causing her to look immediately away. Ernest put his hand on her arm gently. "Hey, I know I'm not Harry. I know you wish I was Harry, or rather, that you were with him in general right now… but let me try to be a friend to you?"
Victoria leaned back in her chair crossing her arms. "Alright. What've you got?" She said fully considering it.
XX
"Okay, this time on the count of three." Ernest said, yelling from across the forest.
"Yea, yea." Victoria yelled back from behind a rock. She cleared her skirt of snow and picked some up from the ground, forming it into a sphere.
"One… Two…" Victoria extended her arm and with all her strength she threw a massive snow ball that directly hit him in the shoulder.
"Hey! I didn't say three, McKinnon!"
"Not quick enough, MacMillan!" She said throwing another snow ball that hit him square in the chest.
She ducked down, grabbing a bunch of snow and packing it into another snow ball; she waited a moment then looked up from the rock and received a snowball in the arm.
"Gotcha!" Ernest said, running from tree to tree.
"Watch yourself, MacMillan." She said running from the rock to a nearby tree, throwing a snow ball but hitting the tree he hid behind.
"So close!"
Victoria peaked from the tree and looked back at Ernie, a snow ball plummeting towards her. She ducked as it nearly skinned the top of her black wavy hair. "You aim like a first year!"
She laughed, as she formed a perfect snow ball, spinning abruptly and throwing it directly in his face. "Oh shit!"
He cleared the snow off his nose and eyes, charging for her. "You've done it now, McKinnon." He yelled as he charged through the snow trying to grab onto her jacket.
"No!" She said, trying to run away, but he had already caught onto her, gripping her arm. The icy sheet underneath her shoes caused her to slide and slip onto a pile of snow.
Ernest held his chest from laughing at her fall, "Fuck, are you okay?" he said, reaching a hand to her. Victoria couldn't help the smile that played across her face.
"I'm fine." She said, getting up from her fallen spot.
"Clumsy, McKinnon. Nothing new from when we were twelve I suppose." He said laughing.
"Fuck off." She grinned.
"Hold up, You're bleeding a bit." He said, looking at her scraped palm.
"It's nothing."
"Nah, here." Ernest held out his wand, and a bright green light emitted from it, completely healing the skin around her scrapes.
"Wow, thanks. Where'd you learn healing magic?" Victoria said, looking at her hand where the scrapes once were.
"I'm pretty good at charms." He said, stuffing his wand back in his jacket. "We should head back, the D.A meeting should be starting soon."
"True, then we can yell at Lavender and Ron for ditching us." Victoria said, climbing the hill towards the castle.
"I don't know about you, but I had a fine time without them." He said grinning down at her.
Victoria matched his smile, "Yea, same. Thanks for the support."
"Anytime my dear." Ernest said, wrapping his arm around Victoria.
She shrugged underneath it, "That's still not okay, though." She said quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Once the two entered inside the castle, they began their journey to the seventh floor. The corridors were mostly quiet with the lack of students and teachers roaming about; maybe that was why Hermione decided to have the meeting during the holiday. It was easy, and most likely the patrolling Slytherin's were at home spending their holiday with their families.
"Learn any new songs on that ol' guitar of yours?" Ernest said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I'm learning one, but I haven't been too motivated lately."
"Okay let me guess… it's another Quarrymen song?" He said with a knowing look.
Victoria grinned, "You know me well, huh? But… nope! It isn't."
"Ah, I almost put a bet on it too."
The two turned the corridor to the seventh floor.
"Talk to Hannah lately?"
"Odd question." Ernest said.
"I dunno, starting conversation."
Ernest laughed, "Alright. Well, actually I have."
"Oh?"
"Yep, not in the way you think though. She told me to fuck off."
"What? How does that make any sense? You hadn't even done anything to her."
"Actually," Ernest said scratching the back of his head anxiously. "Hufflepuff sort of won a quidditch game and we threw a small party. Got a bit drunk and I stupidly came on to her."
"Oh, Ern. You just keep getting yourself into trouble."
"You're the only girl who puts up with it really."
"Who says I-"
Victoria stopped abruptly as Lavender and Ron staggered in the middle of the hallway. Lavender's strawberry blonde hair was put up in a bun, and weighing down as it messily loosened itself. Ron's red hair was sticking out on odd ends and both of their cheeks looked flushed.
"Lav?"
Lavender turned around, letting go of Ron's arm. "Oh! Vicki! Hey…" She said nervously.
"Yea? Hey? You fucking ditched us at the Three Broomsticks."
"To shag. I called it!" Ernest shouted.
"Ernie shut up." Victoria said, noticing how embarrassed her best mate looked.
"Are you upset?" Lavender squeaked in a small voice.
Victoria sighed, "No, Lav. We'll talk about it later." She said grinning at her, Lavender smiled excitedly. Victoria hooked her arm with her mates and proceeded to the room of requirement.
Hermione opened the door, letting them inside the room. The room looked the same from last time; large, practice dummies lining the walls, cushions on the floor… and a group of people standing in the middle of the room with Harry sitting on a stool facing them.
"Where've you been Ron?" Hermione asked annoyed. "We've been waiting!"
"We're only like five minutes late." Ron said, fixing his hair.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. Victoria looked at the two oddly, steering Lavender away so she wouldn't notice Hermione's reaction.
"Everybody's here now, Harry. We can start." Hermione said, dragging Ron to the front of the room.
"Great." Harry said, holding his wand with his two hands out in front of him. "I've decided today we can work on the patronus charm."
The group being to whisper in excitement.
"You already know this one, Vicki." Lavender whispered.
Victoria gave a half-grin. She was able to create a corporeal patronus in her third year with Professor Lupin as her teacher. He gave her a few private lessons, but they had to be short and minimal… he claimed he had other students who needed private lessons as well. One day she had finally produced the patronus form, though never told Lupin about it… he wasn't there when she got back. All his things were packed, and the classroom was just empty.
"…You have to think about your happiest memory, and include that into your patronus- only then will it take form." Harry said, looking over the group. "Everybody create space for each-other."
The large group of people began to disperse as they separated to create space for their patronus charms.
"Hold your wand like so." Harry said, demonstrating his stance. "And say, 'expecto-patronum'… go on now. Try it out."
"Could you help me, V?" Lavender said, holding her wand up in the air.
"Er… I suppose I can." Victoria said reluctantly, remember how last time Harry got upset with her teaching Cormac. "Okay, don't hold your wand in the air like that, tilt it… Dementors don't normally come at you from that angle." Victoria fixed Lavender's arm so it tilted a bit lower. "Now think of your happiest memory…"
"Okay…" Lavender stood there for what seemed like minutes.
"Are you going to try it?" Victoria asked, watching her.
"I'm thinking of a memory!" She said, tilting her head in concentration.
"Think about the sex you just had." Victoria said smirking.
"Oh shut it." Lavender got into stance, twirling her wand between her fingers till she was comfortable. "Expecto Patronum!" A bright blue light emitted from her wand, but no patronus was formed. "Fuck. Did I do it wrong?"
"No, you just got to keep practicing."
"How long did it take you?"
"Erm… a few months?"
"Well shit." Lavender said a bit discouraged.
"But you're in fifth year, I was in third. You're more experienced than I was, you know? So maybe it'll come quicker." Victoria said trying to encourage her friend.
"Okay… I'll try again."
Victoria watched Lavender try to produce the patronus charm a few more times, growing a bit weary. She rolled her wand in between her fingers, looking up at the other groups… only a few had their patronus' out… it looked like Luna got to produce a hare patronus, and Hermione an otter… Victoria tried to look past the patronus forms that were jumping around the room, to spot Harry standing beside Neville holding his wand out. She felt like she was a kid again, spying on someone she had feelings for except this was more than 'he is cute' spying. Though he did look cute, his white dress shirt was slipping out of his black pants and his hair was sticking out at odd ends; but what else was new. He never tried to fix his hair, but she sort of liked that. She also loved the small dimples that formed on either side of his smile…
"Vicki." Lavender said shaking Victoria's shoulder.
"Yea Lav?"
"Are you watching?"
"What? OH yea, great job." Victoria said, still watching Harry as he got into stance for Neville.
"I hadn't done anything…" Lavender said raising an eyebrow.
"Ah… sorry Lav." She said turning to her friend and shrugging a shoulder.
"It's fine, how about you show me how you do it?"
"Er, I guess I can…" Victoria got into stance, pointing her wand upwards a bit and began to think about her happiest memory. The day she first went to Hogwarts… the time she received the picture of her mum… the time she finally mastered her guitar… no… none of those. They were happy, but not her happiest. It took her a moment to think about it, but she'd finally thought of one that subconsciously put a smile across her face.
She took a deep breath; it's been a while since she'd done this. "Expecto… Patronum!" A bright blue light emitted from her wand, and with it a silver and blue wisp that formed from the center of the glow, swirling in the air as it formed the shape of her patronus. A pair of legs formed, and with it a pair of ears and a thick tail.
"Wow, Vicki that's beautiful…" Lavender said, looking up at Victoria's patronus.
Everybody began to look up at the few patronus' that were in the sky now. Victoria watched as her dog patronus stood there for a moment, then began to stride over to another patronus form on the other end of the room.
"What's it doing?" Lavender whispered.
"Erm… I don't know?"
"Are you controlling it?"
"I don't think so?" Victoria said looking up at her patronus confused.
The dog walked across the room, passing by a jumping hare and a flying swan to accompany a tall, bright blue stag patronus, eventually sitting right beside it. The two transparent wispy heads turned and looked at each-other. What an odd sight, Victoria thought. She'd never seen her patronus do that before… though she'd never really been around when other's had produced their patronus' either.
Victoria looked down from her dog patronus, and noticed Harry's emerald green eyes gaping at her. She tensed up, she didn't understand why he was looking at her like that. What was so special about a dog and a stag anyways? Though she couldn't shake the feeling it obviously meant something to him… something he would never tell her anyways, it was probably some sort of secret… Victoria lowered her wand, releasing her eyes from Harry as she rubbed her shoulder shyly. Her patronus withered away, and everybody began whispering again, and to make it more awkward, Cormac was giving her a cold stare from the other end of the room.
"Holy fuck, what was that?" Lavender asked bewildered.
"It was nothing."
"Yea right, you know what they say about patronus charms and when they match other's-"
"Don't be ridiculous, Lav. Ours didn't match, they just… sat together." Victoria said, stuffing her wand back in the waist of her skirt.
"No way, there was something more going on there…"
"Just forget about it, Lav. Really."
"Alright, alright. If you say so. You're sassy today." Lavender said raising her eyebrows.
"Sorry."
"That was brilliant mate!" Fred said loudly to Harry across the room.
"Yea Harry, I actually created a fucking patronus!" Ron said, looking at his wand unbelievably.
Victoria glanced over, Harry was standing there just as stiff as she was.
"Oi, guys! Since this is the last D.A meeting till after the holidays…" Fred announced.
"We've decided to throw another little party just to celebrate how fucking amazing our teacher is and this group!" George continued.
The students around the room cheered in excitement. "Tomorrow guys! Same room, same time as last time!"
"Fuck yes, another party. You comin?" Ernest said wrapping his arm around Victoria and Lavender.
"Duh!" Lavender said smiling, "Vicki?"
Victoria lifted Ernest's arm off her shoulder, "I need a drink anyways."
"Woo! We're getting our party animal back." Ernest said, patting Victoria in the back.
Victoria began to walk out of the room of requirement with the rest of the group when she heard Harry's name.
'don't look… don't turn around…' her inner self was screaming at her, but what did she care; she'd never listened to it. Victoria turned her head to glance over at Harry, who was waving passing students goodbye and talking to Cho Chang. Well, her inner self told her so, and now she just felt disappointed.
"Hey, Cho. Well done today." He said, nodding at her showing a short smile.
"Thanks, Harry. You're a really great teacher. You've made it so easy to learn magic…" Cho grinned, her lips pressed together as she held her hands behind her back, tilting her head as her straight black bangs swept out of her eyes.
"I'm happy you think that, Cho. It's good to see everybody improving."
Ideally, Victoria could imagine herself pushing through whatever was ethical and grabbing Harry by the collar to just plant her lips against his… just so Cho would know he was hers. Though, he wasn't… it's not like he's property of sorts, and Victoria couldn't see herself being that much of an arrogant bitch. She turned on her heel, exiting the room, trying to block out whatever new conversation they were having as she left.
"So, are you going to tell me?" Victoria said, discarding her cigarette out the window.
"Maybeee…" Lavender said giggling.
"C'mon Lav, you know you want to spill." Victoria raised an eyebrow at her mate.
"Okay, yeah you're right I do." Lavender jumped off her bed and crawled onto Victoria's, kneeling down on the bedspread. "We got a hold of some Firewhisky at the pub, courtesy of his older brothers… and we got a bit, oh I don't know…"
"Smashed, as Ernest would call it." Victoria laughed.
"Yea." Lavender bit her lip. "You guys were taking soooo long and we had to be there for the meeting soon anyways, so we left."
"Nice, you just up and left."
"Sorry! Anyways, we were on our way to the seventh floor and I sort of just… jumped on him."
"You jumped on him?"
"Yea, I just… jumped on him." Lavender's cheeks grew rosy. "We sort of knew there was a closet there and well…"
The dormitory door opened up, welcoming Hermione inside. She was dressed in her sleepwear, her frizzy hair puffed out on either side of her shoulders, and her ginger cat curled up in her arms. Lavender's lips shut tightly.
"I'm going to turn this light off." Hermione said, pulling the chain to a lamp in the dormitory, just before getting into her bedspread to sleep.
Victoria laughed silently, holding her lips tightly together; of course Hermione would come in when they were discussing Lavender and Ron…
Lavender lunged into her own bed, jokingly blowing a kiss to Victoria as she threw the covers on herself.
"'Night babe." Lavender said, pulling the chain to her bedside lamp.
Victoria smiled, getting into her own bed and turning off her bedside lamp as well.
XX
Victoria ducked underneath the trophy case, her eyes scanning the dusty floor and catching a spider crawl into its web. Quickly she looked around the opened pillars of the courtyard… then the goblets standing by the archways… the paintings hanging on the walls…
"I don't see it…" Victoria said, opened a door to a closet to take a peek inside and closing it upon not finding what she was looking for.
"It's got to be here somewhere." Her mate said, looking around the ceiling.
Victoria looked up, noticing a dangling strap hanging from a lantern on the ceiling. Victoria slipped her wand out of her thigh-high socks, swishing it in the air till the satchel levitated and dropped into her hold. "Ah-hah! Found it!" Victoria said, holding up the satchel so her friend could see.
Luna popped out of a cabinet in the hallway… for some reason she felt the need to be inside the cabinet to look for her satchel, when it was easy enough to take a look inside.
"You're the best, V!" Luna said, hurrying out of the cabinet and running to grab her satchel. She unbuttoned it, opening it up and began searching inside. "Ah, everything is still here too! Fantastic!"
"Now, who do you think would have taken your satchel?" Victoria said, putting her wand away.
"Isn't it obvious?" Luna said smiling.
"If you say Nar-"
"Nargles."
Victoria thinned her lips. "Right. Now let's just pretend that Nargles didn't do this… who do you think would have?"
Luna looked at her as if she was being silly, "That's a funny question, but I guess if you want to pretend… I'd say… Eddie Carmichael."
"Carmichael huh?" Victoria narrowed her eyes in thought, Eddie… Eddie… ah, it rang a bell to her. That red headed Ravenclaw who was in fourth year… she'd seen him before. "Mental note taken." She said to herself. "Have you lost anything else, or have we found it all?"
"Nope! Everything seems to be in place now! Thanks a lot for your help!" Luna said giving Victoria a light hug.
"Brilliant, I'm going to have a smoke then. You're going to the party right?"
"I'm not sure… I'm not much into parties. I might just stay in my dorm and fiddle around with my Bubble Blow Booster." She said smiling.
"Alright Luna, whatever suits you. Talk to you later?"
"Okay, bye V."
Victoria waved her off and headed out for the grounds. The cold wind swept through the skin of her thighs that wasn't covered by her stockings, and blowing into her eyes making them a bit watery. She rubbed at her eyes as she walked some ways down the hill, away from the castle. She unfolded her other stocking, taking her pack out and smacking it against the palm of her hand before taking a smoke and lighting it. She hated her bad habits, especially on days like this. Only something as stupid and life threatening as an evening smoke would bring her out to sit in the cold for twenty minutes.
Victoria dug the toes of her shoes into the snow, trying to keep constantly movement to keep her body warm.
She began to wonder if Elise had gotten her letter yet, though it's only been a day- Belle was really good at sending messages right away. Fastest owl she'd ever had…
She started to rub her fingers together and breathe into her hands, for they were turning bright red and becoming numb; she couldn't get herself to stay out any longer, as much as she hated doing it… she threw the unfinished smoke into the snow, stomping on it. As she started to turn around she noticed something catch her eye, something small and fast like a fly. Victoria looked up at the Quidditch stadium and noticed Harry flying about on his firebolt around the field. He was hard to see, but she knew it was him; there was no mistaking those round spectacles for just anyone's.
Victoria looked up, watching him as he flew hastily in circles around the field. She was practically bouncing on her toes as her legs rubbed together for warmth; she shoved her hands in her jacket pocket, her cheeks turning pale for she caught herself standing outside for longer than she had anticipated watching Harry Potter fly in circles. She couldn't tell if she was being pathetic or not, and she'd rather not get the answer to that.
Eventually, Victoria went back inside once it felt as if her toes had nearly fallen off. The first thing she decided to do was go to the common room and defrost by the fire.
Victoria rubbed her hands together, her frigid fingers almost cracking as the fire's heat warmed her body. It almost hurt to be this cold… She grabbed a large golden pillow from the couch and a throw blanket, making camp by the fireplace. She curled up, laying the blanket over her body as she rested her head on the massive pillow. Slowly she began to feel her nose again, then her fingers and toes… She couldn't imagine how the Slytherin's felt having their common room in the cold underground dungeons of Hogwarts.
She shifted the blanket up to her chin, becoming fully relaxed. She watched the fire flames dance around each-other, as the wood slowly burned underneath; it was an odd cherishable moment. She heard the portrait hole open and turned around to see Harry walking inside. He was just as pale as she was standing out in the cold, his hair was stiff and his nose and ears were bright red. Victoria lifted her upper body, letting the blanket fall off her chest as she looked up at him.
"Sorry, I'm sort of hogging it aren't I?" Victoria said, clutching onto the blanket on her lap.
"No, it's fine. I'll just…" Harry said, making his way for the dormitory.
"No, no. Here…" Victoria got up, throwing the pillow and blanket on the couch and stepping out of the way. "You look cold. Actually that's an understatement… sit by the fire, you don't want to get sick."
"Okay. Thanks." Harry made his way to the spot Victoria was just laying at. He took off his spectacles, placing them on the floor beside him as he rubbed his eyes and soaked in the heat from the fire.
Victoria smiled behind him, grabbing the blanket and dangling it beside him. "Here."
Harry slipped his spectacles back on the bridge of his nose, looking up and grabbing the blanket. "Thank you."
"Yea. I'm going to go get ready… for the uh… party." She said giving an awkward grin.
"Okay."
Victoria nodded, walking up the stairs to the girl's dormitory. She closed the door behind her, letting out a deep breath. That was the most she'd said to Harry in a long while…
She plodded over to her closet, opening the two doors and looking around at the clothing she had to offer. She shifted the hangers about in her closet, examining all her tops… skirts… and sweaters. Then she noticed a particular pair of shorts she'd never wore before. She took it out, surveying them. She shrugged; why not? She was going change it up, dress a bit more how Lavender would dress her in.
She slipped on a pair of dark blue shorts with white polka dots and a small bow on the side of the waist, tucking in a light brown sweater, with sheer black tights and black boat shoes. She tied her hair in a messy side braid, letting her bangs fall and frame her face. Slipping her wand in the band of her shorts, she smiled at herself through the full body mirror.
"Holy fuck!" Lavender said, swinging the door open.
"What?" Victoria said looking around as if there was something surprising in the room; though for Lavender there was.
"You look so fucking adorable. I love it!" Victoria figured she would.
"Yea? It's a bit out of my style area, you think it suits me?" Victoria said, looking back at the mirror and turning around to look at her backside.
"Yea it really does! It's still you, too. You love those tights and shoes…" Lavender said, shifting her shirt off her body and switching it with a well-fitting long sleeve top.
"Alright, I guess I'm ready then… is Harry still in the common room?"
"Harry? Hm… nope. Must've left before I got there." Lavender ruffed up her strawberry blonde hair, creating volume through her curls as she smiled at Victoria and opened the dormitory door. "Let's go!" She shrieked excitedly.
Victoria followed her out, and the two set off for the room of requirement. This time they weren't super late, for there were a few students who were on their way to the same party they were heading for. Fred and George stood outside the tapestry this time, letting people inside as they came.
"Lee… Angelina…"
"George." Angelina said, smiling up at him.
"Go on inside." Fred said, opening the door.
Victoria stepped forward as the two walking inside. "Ah, Victoria. Pleasure to see you."
"Pleasure's all mine." Victoria said grinning up at the twins. She'd always liked the Weasely twins, they always put on a happy face and a good mood even during rough times at Hogwarts.
"Come on inside ladies." Fred said opening the door for them.
Victoria stepped inside with Lavender, and wow did this room change its appearance. It was almost odd to remember this room was their D.A meeting room for a while, and now it's back to being a party room for the Weasley's. Though, the room looked different from the party she went to earlier in the year. The room was more relaxed… there was still music playing all around, but there was also couches, chairs… a burning fire for the cold winter, and tables covered in assorted foods and drinks. People were enjoying themselves playing small party games and just conversing rather than dancing and running around playing man-hunt.
"Would you like a drink, Lav?"
"Not right now." She said looking for Ron in the crowd.
"Well I might need one." Victoria said grinning at her friend.
"Of course you will." Lavender patted Victoria's shoulder and jumped on her toes as she noticed Ron across the room. "I see Ron-Ron, meet me over there." Lavender hurried over to the couch he was sitting on.
"Right…just like last time." Victoria walked over to the table that held food and drinks and began to pour herself a large cup of Firewhisky. She took a large gulp out of her drink and walked over to the vacant armchair beside the couch Lavender sat at.
"So what's happening over here?" Victoria asked, taking another sip of her drink.
"It's a question game." Seamus said, leaning over with his cup by his lips.
"Question game?"
"Right, we go around asking questions to anybody… and the person responding has to answer fast, no hesitation or they have to drink." Dean Thomas said.
"Ah sounds like a dangerous game to play." Victoria said quirking an eyebrow and taking a sip out of her cup.
"You in?" Ron asked.
"I'm in." Victoria grinned.
"Oi, Harry!" Ron called out, gesturing his mate over to group of people. "Come join us."
Harry walked over to the group, a cup in his hand barely filled with Firewhisky. "Sure, mate." He sat at the end of the couch beside Ron, just feet from Victoria. She tipped her head back, of course. Lavender whispered something to Ron, looking over at Victoria and Harry, him nodding in response. Victoria narrowed her eyes at her, mouthing the words 'What?' though Lavender shrugged it off.
"Brilliant, we've got loads of people… I'll start." Seamus said taking a sip of his drink. "Okay uhm… Katie… did you shag Thomas Paley?"
"Seamus!" Angelina said.
Seamus laughed, "What? Starting it off interesting. Yes or no Katie?"
Katie shrugged a shoulder as if it wasn't that big of a deal to admit, "Yes."
"I knew it!" Dean said turning to Seamus and holding out his hand, "10 knuts my dude."
Victoria raised her eyebrows, laughing… till she noticed the pained look on Cormac's face.
Seamus groaned reaching into his pants pocket and shuffling out 10 knuts to put into Dean's hand. "Katie's turn then." Seamus said.
Katie gave him a nasty look about the exchange of money he just made. "Alright, MacMillan… how's the sex life?"
Ernest raised his eyebrow, "Yes."
"I knew it. Hanna right?" Katie said nodding.
"We ask one question each, Ms. Bell." Ernest pointed out.
Victoria could feel Cormac's eyes on her; he was standing behind the armchair Seamus was sitting in, looking down the length of her legs giving one of those cocky smiles he always had with her. She tried to not pay attention to it, nonchalantly sipping at her drink… She found it bit weird he still looked at her like that when he kissed her the way he did… she scrunched up her face thinking about it.
Ernest cleared his throat, "Okay… Ron, have you ever hexed a teacher?"
"No?" Ron said confused. "Why would I hex a teacher?" He laughed at how ridiculous that sounded. "I think I'd be expelled, mate… alright…" Victoria noticed Ron glance over at Lavender then turn to Harry. "Okay, Harry… Do you have feelings for anybody in particular?"
Victoria lowered the cup from her lips, glancing over at Ron and Harry. Harry raked his fingers through his hair, "Yea. Yes." He said more confidently the second time.
Victoria looked at him, though she could only see the side of his face… and Cormac, he was still looking at her... Why did things have to get awkward. Harry looked up at Cormac, Victoria could see the side of Harry's jaw clench a bit before he spoke.
"McLaggen."
Here we go. Victoria downed her drink and refilled it with the Firewhisky on the table. She knew where this was going, and she was going to prepare for it by the way she planned to… drinking. Lavender looked at her, "Slow down, you'll fucking pass out." She whispered over Harry's voice. Well, technically she was hoping that'd happen.
"Potter." Cormac said, drifting his eyes away from Victoria to meet Harry's.
"Are you trying to get with someone… who is in our D.A group?"
'Just drink…' Victoria thought to herself.
Cormac looked around, "I suppose I am, Potter." He said quite disrespectfully.
Victoria tilted the cup up to her lips, till she felt Lavender's hand on her arm. "Okay, let's break from the game for a moment."
Victoria put down her cup and gave one last glance at Harry who wouldn't release his black gaze at Cormac. Lavender pulled her aside, offering a chair for Victoria to sit in.
"Vicki, what the fuck, are you trying to poison yourself?" Lavender said, bending down to meet Victoria's gray eyes.
"Sorry… I just…"
"Have a drinking problem?" She said raising her eyebrows.
Victoria groaned, "No I'm… completely… utterly… absolutely… fine, Lav."
"You're drunk." Lavender said, placing a hand over her forehead. "Maybe we should get you back…"
"No Lav, seriously. I'm fine. Just loosen up, have a good time. It's the holidays!" Victoria said smiling… though her inner self was still extremely anxious over the entire Harry and Cormac situation. "Let's just get back to the game?"
Lavender paused, looking at her considering all the options. "Fine. Holy fuck, if you pass out… I'm kicking your bony ass when you wake up."
"I'm all good, you know me… I can handle my drinks." Victoria walked casually back to her armchair, lunging down on the cushions. Lavender sat back in her spot next to Ron, eyeing Victoria more attentively.
"Alright! Who's next?" Victoria shouted; Harry glanced over at her, with a concerned look on his face.
"Cool, Lavender… Skinny dipped in the great lake?" Ernest asked, smirking.
"Bugger off, of course not." Lavender said. "Okay, Victoria."
Victoria looked up, smiling dreamily at her friend. She didn't know where her head was, but at least she wasn't as anxious about Harry anymore, now that the alcohol was kicking in. 'Just as planned?'
"Do you have feelings for anybody in particular?" Lavender said, quirking an eyebrow as she looked between Victoria and Ron.
Victoria nodded, of course. She'd only been thinking about Harry Potter for days… weeks… hell even months! Her eyes brightened as her cheeks flushed, more so from the Firewhisky. "Oh yes… strong feelings too. Like I couldn't even describe to you, how strong I feel these feelings." Victoria kept nodding and Lavender smiled giving Ron a look as if she got more than she asked for.
"You are plastered." Seamus said laughing.
"Hey, cheers to that. Merry fucking Christmas." Dean said, raising his cup gaining everybody else's cheers.
Cormac clenched at his cup, his fingers digging into the plastic as he gave her a cold stare. "Victoria."
Victoria thinned out her lips, looking up at Cormac. "Hello."
"Did you kiss more than one guy this semester?"
Victoria stared up at him blankly. Her inner self was crying, she was caught… she couldn't even look Harry in the eye, and there he was… staring right at her waiting for an answer. Victoria grabbed the cup from the table, tipping it to her lips. Technically she didn't kiss him, he kissed her; but for some reason she felt a bit at fault since Harry obviously despised the guy.
Lavender widened her eyes, and Harry's jaw went slack. She didn't even care anymore, she'd drink so much this evening, the Firewhisky was beginning to lose its taste.
"Ah. I see." Cormac said, glaring down at Harry.
Harry stood up, "I swea-"
"Harry!"
Victoria peeked from the top of her cup, noticing Cho Chang walking over to Harry.
Harry looked over at her, "Could you show my friend the patronus you summoned? She doesn't believe me, because she wasn't here last meeting."
Harry took a deep breath, "Yea." He said, as if he was glad there was something else to do than to sit there any longer in the presence of Cormac.
"Alright… Angelina how bout you go." Seamus said.
Victoria drowned out the voices of everybody around her, her glazed eyes stayed attached to Harry as he walked over to Marietta Edgecombe. He was swishing his wand till a patronus appeared from the tip; his stag. She smiled, it was so stupid but she smiled. She could feel her stomach coiling; she knew this was her fault. Maybe if she just let Harry have his secrets, none of this would have happened. She'd still be curled up in his arms, feeling the touch his lips as the cold rims of his spectacles danced on her face. Cho sprang up, wrapping her arms around Harry's neck, his hands placed on her cinched waist dress.
Victoria took a deep breath, finalizing the decision to get up, nearly stumbling out of the room as Harry watched her leave. She walked down the hallway and opened the door to the girl's bathroom, making her way to the sink and resting both hands on either side of the round basin. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were slightly red, her cheeks were flushed, but she was able to keep a head on her shoulders. She knew where she was, she understood what was happening… she wasn't a total mess tonight. She turned on the faucet, splashing some cold water in her face before heading out the door.
She wiped a fallen tear from the side of her face with her sweater sleeve before taking off her shoes and leaning against the closet door closing her eyes; probably the same closet she had caught Lavender and Ron at previously. She laughed at the thought. Maybe those two were working out better than she'd thought they would.
"Hey…"
Victoria didn't want to open her eyes, but she did… and the person standing in front of her wasn't someone she wanted to see right now.
"Cormac."
"I just wanted to say… I'm ugh… sorry for what happened." He said rubbing the back of his neck.
Victoria shrugged, "It's whatever. Tonight was pretty hopeless anyways."
"You believe that?"
"Yea. Only reason why I came was because I needed a drink… look at me I've had one too many." She said laughing at herself.
"Still look good though." He said grinning.
"Thanks." She chuckled.
"So… I erm… just wanted to apologize for what happened… with the kiss and all." Cormac said.
"Ah… don't worry about it really… it's not a big deal, not like it matters much anymore anyways."
"Oh, Why's that?" He said gazing at her.
Victoria gave a half grin, her eyes lowering to her black boat shoes in her hands, "Harry and Cho might have a thing… I don't know for certain, but it seems like it."
"I can see that. Harry always had some sort of crush on Cho. Maybe now that you two have broken up, she noticed the door was open." Cormac shrugged his shoulder, stepping forward.
"You think? I suppose that's my fault… I was unreasonable to him…" Victoria's eyes began to tear up again.
Cormac wrapped his fingers around her wrist looking down at her, "No, it wasn't your fault. It's his loss. If he wants Cho, then that's just a step down for him… You can do better than that."
Victoria wiped her sleeve under her eye, grinning up at him. "Thanks…"
"Yea…" He said lightly, brushing his thumb against the surface of her cheek, clearing away a tear. She looked up at him, it was almost the same as looking up into the man she'd bump into earlier in the year. She noticed all the same aspects, someone who was helping her, someone with straight perfect teeth, short blonde hair and green eyes. Cormac leaned in, and she felt the same feeling she had the last time his lips touched hers; except she didn't step back. Her inner self was pleading for her to stop, to let go, to run now but she couldn't. She froze at her spot, kissing Cormac McLaggen back as she tasted the rough bitter taste of alcohol between their lips.
Cormac brushed his hands past her waist to the closer door behind them. To Victoria's surprise, it swung open and she stumbled inside, her back reaching the wall of the closet. She looked up at him, her widened eyes met his lustful ones as he closed the door behind them and pressed himself against her. She leaned against the back wall, her hands gripping onto the shelf behind her as she stood there like a deer in headlights. Everything was happening too fast for her to process, she tried to understand the situation but it was hard with Cormac's body pressed against hers. His fingers trailed the sides of her legs, to the hem of her sweater. She felt the cold tip of his fingers brushed against her stomach and tug at the button of her dark blue shorts. Victoria lifted her hands, placing them on his chest and extending her arms out, releasing his lips from hers.
"What is it?"
"Stop."
"Stop?" He said, looking at her blankly.
"Yea. I don't… I don't think this is right."
"Right? Of course it's right, you're just being silly." He said, tilting his head so his lips pressed against her neck.
Victoria shrugged away, "No. I'm not. I don't want to do this with you, Cormac."
Cormac clenched his jaw, "With me?" He ran his fingers through his blonde wavy hair, his eyes sending a message to Victoria's that caused her heart to kick up speed. "So… you'll let Harry Potter do this to you, but not me?" He said scornfully saying Harry's name.
"What?"
"I finally get something he doesn't, someone he wants, someone he lost and you're still thinking of him?"
Victoria's jaw unhinged, she could feel her insides shaking as he yelled at her.
"Why?"
She looked at him, parting her lips but not daring to speak.
"Why won't you answer!" He yelled.
"Uhm…" She could feel her voice shake, she had no idea what to say, though she thought in her mind how fucking crazy, jealous, and obsessive he was being.
He relaxed his shoulders, taking a step forward; a step too close for her liking. "It's fine. You'll forget about him when you're with me. I promise."
"No… Cormac seriously, let me out." Victoria said, pushing on his chest but he had grabbed her wrists. "Let go of me! Stop touching me." She tried to shift to each corner of the closet but it was no use… she took a deep breath, she had no idea what to do… she instead closed her eyes and just thought of-
"Harry?"
Victoria opened her eyes, and saw that Harry opened the closet door and ripped Cormac away from her. She froze against the wall, as she watched Cormac fall to the ground and Harry jump on top of him. It was like she couldn't breathe, her body refused to move and she just watched at Harry retracted his arm, connecting his fist to Cormac too many times to count. She cupped her hands over her mouth, she was utterly shocked. It wasn't till she noticed Cormac had stopped squirming and the blood that began to pool around the two that she lunged forward grabbing onto Harry's arms.
"Harry! STOP!" She used all her strength to pull him off Cormac; she pleaded for him to stop, and after a while he finally did. Harry stumbled back, looking down at Cormac with an incensed look. His fists were clenched by his side, as he ground up his jaw. Victoria looked down, Cormac was knocked out cold, blood pooling out of his mouth and nose. She began to cry as she looked back at Harry, blood all over his hands and face, she never felt so terrified… so distressed.
She placed her hands on either side of Harry's face, trying to hold back the tears that had already begun streaming down her cheeks. "Holy fuck… Harry…I…"
Harry placed his hand on the side of her face, looking into her gray eyes with his emerald green ones. "I love you, Victoria. I fucked up, this is my fault. All of this is my fault. I'm so sorry…"
Victoria jumped forward, roughly placing her lips on his. It was everything she wanted to hear, and everything she wanted to say. "I love you too, Harry Potter."
"What the fuck!?"
Victoria turned her head and noticed Lavender, Ron, and the Weasely twins standing just before Cormac's knocked out body.
"Someone better fucking explain." Lavender said, stepping around Cormac. "Holy fuck, what happened. Vicki, why are you crying?"
"Lav…" Ron said, nodding down towards Cormac and looking at Harry.
"No." She said disbelievingly. "Fuck, this is my fault. I knew I should've brought you back to the dorms. I knew something would go wrong…"
"It's not your fault, it's mine." Victoria said, wiping the blood Harry smudged on her face with the back of her hand.
"No, McKinnon… it's his." Fred said, looking down at Cormac.
George bent down, analyzing Cormac closely. "Yea, always knew he was out of place."
"Harry always knew." Ron added, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Should've seen the two at the party, going at it during the drinking game."
"Hush Ron! This is serious… he hurt Victoria!" Lavender exasperated.
"No, I'm fine Lav. He didn't… he didn't do anything." Victoria said, self-consciously crossing her arms over her chest.
"He didn't? Thank fucking Merlin…. Still though, he tried… he's getting his ass beat next time he wakes up."
"Wakes up from getting his ass beat?" Fred laughed. "Looks like Harry did a number on him already, Brown."
"Well… I didn't get a turn to swing so that'll be his surprise Christmas present." She said huffing.
"With how much I love this whole image here…" George said, gesturing his hands between Cormac's unconscious body, Harry's superhero looks and Victoria's relieved face. "We should bring him to the hospital wing."
"What the bloody hell happened?" Ernest said running up to the scene.
Victoria slapped a hand to her forehead. Great… more people…
"Holy hell, who beat the sense out of this twat?" Ernest said looking around.
"Harry." Ron said.
"Damn Harry, I know now not to mess with you." Ernest said, his laugh fading as he realized how true that statement was by looking down at Cormac. "Here, I can heal him up a bit."
"Do we have to?" Lavender pouted.
"Yea. Don't want to get in too much trouble…" Ernest said, bending down and waving his wand at Cormac's injuries.
"Trouble? He tried to take advantage of Vicki while she was intoxicated!" Lavender said throwing her arms out.
"Yea, but there is no proof of that… and unfortunately his connections are much more a concern than Victoria's. No offense, Vic… but he has connections with the Ministry and the Minister himself." Ernest said, looking back down as his wand illuminated a green light and repaired his injuries.
"It's fine. Nothing happened, and Harry was there…" She said looking up at him; he couldn't shake off that worried look he had for her.
"Can you clean up the blood?" Fred said, stepping back.
"Yea one moment…" Ernest said as he finished healing the inside of Cormac's mouth. "Can't fix the chipped tooth."
"Good!" George said laughing.
Ernest took a step back, clearing the blood around Cormac till all that was left was an unconscious student who probably passed out from being too drunk for all anybody could tell. "There."
"You two should get cleaned up… and rest." Lavender said before giving Victoria a tight hug around her neck. "Obviously you're in safe hands now… I'll be up in a bit after we do something with Cormac." Lavender said tucking a strand of Victoria's black hair behind her ear.
"Okay. Thanks, Lav. Thanks to you all really…" She said smiling up at the group.
"Hey, we'll always be on your side, McKinnon." Fred said smiling.
XX
Victoria sat at the edge of the tub beside Harry in the Prefects bathroom. Their legs were inside the warm water of the tub as Victoria dipped a cloth inside it, and began to clean the areas of Harry's face that blood splattered on.
"Thanks to Hermione for letting us use the Prefect bathroom, huh?" Victoria said, rubbing the cloth lightly over the side of his jaw.
Harry placed a hand over her wrist, seizing her from movement. "Are you okay?" He asked, looking sincerely into her eyes.
"Yea… I'm fine."
"You always say that. You always say you're fine. I want to know how you really feel. I want to help you. I want to… fix things."
"Harry…"
"Please. I meant it when I told you I love you, and I'm not trying to lose you again…"
Victoria sighed, dropping the wet cloth in her lap. "Okay, I was scared. Terrified. Humiliated. I got so fed up with you keeping things from me. It felt like I wasn't good enough to know parts of your life that mean something to you, because obviously they mean a lot if you're keeping them as secrets. I made a promise to you I'd be by your side, that I'd support you in anything you do… then you just push me away when I finally get to prove that to you. I got so jealous about you and Cho that I just… I don't know… I knew you had a thing for her in the past, and I thought you guys may have tried it out since we broke up. She's always hugging you, and talking to you. Then Cormac came along and he told me you guys were a thing, then we kissed and you already know the rest-"
"Victoria." Victoria stopped her rambling, she was nearly out of breath. "I won't lie to you… I did have a thing for Cho back in the day… but that was before I met you. I don't like Cho now, how can I when I love you? I didn't mean to push you away… I just didn't want to see you get hurt… but it looks like even when I try to prevent that, it happens anyways."
Victoria gave a half-grin and began to clear the blood off his neck. "Victoria…"
"Harry?"
"I'll uhm… I'll try to be more honest."
"Honest?" She said, finishing up on his neck and traveling back to the side of his face.
"Yea. I'll uhm… I'll open up…"
"Is that what you want?"
"It's what I want." Victoria smiled, dropping the cloth in her lap and wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately on the lips. She missed this, she missed him so much.
"Do you mind if I get in?" Victoria said, standing up from her spot. "I want to scrub where he touched me to be honest."
Harry widened his eyes. "No, not like that… just my stomach."
"That didn't make it much better; but better than what I thought I guess." He said raking his fingers through his hair.
Victoria slipped her sweater off and unbuttoned her dark blue shorts that fell around her ankles. She walked into the tub from its stairs in her bra and underwear, allowing the water to reach just at her chest.
"Join me?" She said grinning up at him.
Harry stood up, undressing to his boxers and stepping into the bath tub with her. He walked slowly in the water, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close till she could feel his chest against hers. He kissed the length of her neck softly as she rested her head on his shoulder. She could feel the sharp edge of his spectacles scratched a long her skin as he trailed down her neck, stopping by her shoulders.
"Harry?"
"Yea?"
"Not now… but later… will you uhm… would you mind telling me what happened with our patronus' at the last D.A meeting?"
Harry looked up at her, "Of course."
She smiled, "I love you, Harry."
"I love you too." He said, smiling amiably down at her as he rested his forehead against hers.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoy! Review and let me know your thoughts, I always love reading them!
Thank you so much to all those who Review / Support this story. I very much appreciate every one of you!