Character - Tracy Davies

Prompt - Magic

Second Best

I'm excited. I got an E on our last Potions essay. It's the best mark I've had in the class so far, and its the class I want to excel in the most. I've dreamed and dreamed of being a Potions Mistress for as long as I can remember. I show her, and she smiles, and I think she's happy for me. Then she shows me her paper.

She got an O.

He smiles at me as we walk through the hallways, and the flutter returns to my stomach in full force. I've had a crush on him for so long, and while she teased me about it, I thought she supported me. I thought she wanted me to be happy. I was glowing when I told her about the smile, I gushed when I asked her if she thought he liked me too.

She smirked at me when I caught them kissing in the library.

She's perfect in everything she does, be it school, fashion, make up, boys, everything. And she's my best friend, but I don't know how much longer I can stay in her shadow, always second best. When people talk about me, it's always 'Daphne's best friend'. They don't remember my name, they barely even know I exist.

xxxxx

The Astronomy tower is my favorite place. The one place I can be me, Tracy, without Daphne. I like to look up at the stars, I've even wished on a few shooting stars over the years, though of course none of the wishes have come true. If only life could be that easy, that simple. He startles me when he arrives.

He looks shocked that there is anyone here, and he turns to leave without a word. I don't know what makes me speak, maybe it was fate, or maybe, maybe I'm just fed up of being alone.

"You don't have to leave. The tower is big enough for both of us."

He pauses in his steps, and turns once more, this time to face me. He studies my face for a moment, I think to gauge if I am serious, before he half shrugs and takes the seat next to me.

"You're Tracy, right?"

I smile to myself. I'm surprised, and actually a little bit impressed, that he knows my name.

"Yes. Nice to meet you," I add, holding out my hand for him to shake.

"I'm Ron," he tells me as he takes my hand, though he needed no introduction.

"I know."

We sit in a comfortable silence for a while, and it makes me happy. Really happy. This is the first time in my memory of feeling completely comfortable in myself around another person.

xxxxx

We met on the astronomy tower at least three times a week. Often we didn't say anything, other times we would talk for hours. He understands me, like no one ever has before. We both love our best friends. We're both in their shadows. We each shine in the others eyes in a way neither of us ever has before.

The first time he held my hand, it felt strange. The first time he kissed me, I almost feinted. The first time we made love under the stars, it felt like real magic.

We didn't discuss the war, or leaving Hogwarts, or our houses, or any of the things that could keep us apart. We enjoyed each other in a way no one would ever, or could ever understand. The astronomy tower was ours, our private haven, away from everything and everyone else.

In the astronomy tower we didn't feel second best to anyone. We were each other's first, each other's only. And that was the way we liked it.

xxxxx

I was waiting for him, and he came as I knew he would. Potter has won, and we were free to live as we wanted, free to do whatever we pleased. He looked at me with so much passion, and I could see the change in his eyes, the maturity that had not been there last time I saw him. He took me in his arms and he kissed me.

"I love you."

The words, the first time he had spoken them aloud to me, scared me, but as he held me in his arms, I knew I felt the same. I was no longer second best. I didn't have to hide in the shadows anymore. Ron gave me my life, and for that, I will love him forever.

"I love you too."

Also written for the Monthly OneShot Competition for prompt #57 Tower

Also written for the Star Challenge for Canopus

Also written for the Number of Your Pen Name Challenge - Tracy/Ron

Also Written for the Cinema Competition for Titanic

Also Written for the Duct Tape Competition for White - Fanon