Disclaimer... I do not own Harry Potter... but I wish I did! ;)
This is one of my favorite chapters... so I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Fifty-two
Fairytales
"Okay Taylor. Open your eyes." The tall wizard said softly.
Slowly Taylor opened her eyes and they grew round as she looked around. She knew right off that they were in the Hufflepuff study room, but it had been transformed. Instead of study tables and chairs, the room was bare except a single table and two chairs sitting in front of the fire in the fireplace. There were candles hanging in the air giving off a faint glow that made the room look romantic against the dark windows that showed a sky turning indigo as a few stars winked into sight.
"Miss Porter, if you would do me the honor," Greg said cordially as he bowed to her and gestured toward the table for two.
Suddenly unsure of herself again, Taylor nodded and allowed the handsome Hufflepuff to guide her to a chair. Pulling it out for her, he sat her down, like Taylor had seen men do for ladies on television when she was a little girl.
"I do have to apologize, I'm afraid all I could filcher from the kitchens tonight on such short notice was a plate of sandwiches and some pumpkin juice."
Taylor smiled. This was like a scene from one of her books as a child, The Beauty and the Beast. It was one of the few books she'd had and it was her favorite. "I think it is perfect."
"Milady is too kind. But I am glad that this is okay." The Head Boy said with a warm smile, before he handed her the plate of sandwiches and then poured her some pumpkin juice before filling his glass.
"And you Sir are incredible. Did you really do all this that fast?" Taylor asked as butterflies fluttered around in her stomach.
Greg laughed and shook his head. He'd been worried that the witch would think this was silly. It wasn't all that much, just a table and a few candles, however he didn't doubt the sincerity in his witch's voice or the appreciation shining in her eyes.
They talked as they ate about small things. The wizard often telling a funny story that made the witch laugh. When they were finished eating, the Hufflepuff vanished the table and chairs with a swish of his wand and conjured a small comfy sofa in front of the fire.
Again the butterflies returned, as again she was on unfamiliar ground. She'd never been alone with a boy, not like this. Following the Hufflepuff's offer, she sat down and he joined her on the sofa, and as seemed to be his gift, he sensed her unease.
"I'm not going to bite you Taylor. I'd never do anything you don't want to. I am happy to just have you to myself for a change. No friends butting in, no books claiming your attention, just you and me."
"Sorry. I guess I'm not very good at this dating thing." Taylor said as she started to chew on her bottom lip again.
Reaching over he put his thumb on the lip that she was trying to mangle with her teeth to stop her. "You're going to have that poor lip chewed off if you don't stop. Now tell me what has you so nervous? Is it the dim lighting?" Taylor shook her head. "Am I sitting too close?" Again Taylor shook her head. "I'm afraid you are going to have to tell me then." At her expression he said softly "I won't laugh, I promise."
"I guess, well, I don't know what to do. The only things I know about this," and she waved her hand around the room,"are from fairytales from when I was a little girl, or some of the talk I've overheard from the other girls" Taylor could feel her face burning, but he had asked.
Greg sat there for a minute thinking before he said with a bit of a smile. "So which do you think this is like? Your fairytales or the girls' stories?"
Taylor grinned as some of her old bravo seemed to come back. "Oh most definitely the fairytales! Though I think you look more like a handsome prince than the beast, but I'm no beauty, nor a princess."
Greg's blue eyes wandered over her face and down her body slowly, making Taylor's heart start to race. "Oh I have to disagree with you there. You are very beautiful. The most beautiful witch I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know." Reaching up he ran his fingers through her short deep red hair. "You have beautiful hair. I've never understood why you keep it cut so short."
Taylor looked down at the sofa for a long moment trying to figure out a way of answering that would be as close to the truth as possible. "When I was a little girl, I lived on a farm with my uncle. My aunt died when I was only three leaving only my great uncle to look after me. It was too difficult for him to try to braid my hair or look after it, so he kept it cut short. When I got a little older, it was easier for me too. After I came to Hogwarts… I … it was still easier. I didn't care about what guys thought so… I kept it short." She wished she could have told him that short it looked less like her mother's hair, but she couldn't.
"And what about Potter and Weasley? Did you ever think of growing it long for them?"
Taylor thought for a moment about her brother. He'd never ever mentioned her hair, except that it was the same shade of red as their mothers. She doubted that Ron ever took enough notice of her to even know it was red, let alone short. "No never. I doubt the two of them would notice if my hair was green!"
"I somehow doubt that. I think they pay more attention to you than you know."
Taylor rolled her eyes. "Oh don't get me wrong, they are constantly sticking their noses where they don't belong. However, they are like my two big brothers, they are like family to me."
They talked for a while about family, or Greg's family, though it was easy talk.
After a while a comfortable silence settled on them and they sat looking at the fire.
A sigh and then Greg broke the silence. "I need to ask you what happened yesterday at the party. Did you petrify someone?"
Taylor stiffened as she continued to stare into the fire. What could she say? She knew the huge Hufflepuff oaf was a friend of Greg's. He'd been drinking sure but what if she told him and he got mad at his friend? What if he didn't get mad?
"I'm sorry Taylor but I need a few answers. Maybe I should have waited until tomorrow or sometime but… I hate putting things off."
Taylor nodded. She'd rather tell the Hufflepuff in here away from prying ears than in the halls. If this was going to lead to a fight then it was better here.
"When I released Derek he said that you froze him and left. Why? Why not just come over and get me?"
"Your friend was drinking." Taylor said quietly as she turned to look at the Hufflepuff.
"Yeah I know. He smuggled some Firewhisky in after Christmas." Greg's eyes searched the witch's but it was as if a shutter had closed. Her normally expressive eyes told him nothing.
"He shouldn't drink, he can't hold his liquor."
"Did he say something? Taylor, did he do something?" Greg's voice turned angry as a muscle twitched in his jaw.
"Let's just say he let his mouth get him petrified." Taylor said in a tight voice.
"What did he say? Did he threaten you? Taylor, please tell me. If he did I will deal with him!"
A small smile pulled at her lips as she reached over and put her hand over Greg's fist. "He was drunk…" Greg interrupted her growling, "That is no excuse!" but she continued on, "you can't protect me from what people say. He is your friend, so I shut him up and left. I knew someone would realize he was frozen after a while, so he'd be fine."
"Is that why you left? Because of him?"
Taylor looked away from the Hufflepuff and back into the fire. It seemed silly now to let some drunk make her leave, but she knew it was as much what Finch-Fletchley said too, that had made her turn tail. Some Gryffindor she was!
"Taylor?" The deep voice prompted full of concern.
"No, not really I just… I needed to get back to the library anyway."
"I've told you before, you are a terrible liar, Gryffindor. Hey look at me." Greg's hand caught her chin and turned her face so that their eyes met. "Did he hurt you?"
Taylor snorted and tried to turn her head but the Head Boy held her chin. "Your eyes tell me a different story witch. You can hide your feelings in them sometimes but not for long. What he said must have been…"
"Vulgar is the word I'd use." Taylor finished for him. "Greg I'm not looking for you to do anything. Give him a detention or take points for him drinking but I can handle myself. If there is any more done about this I will do it."
"Is that what you'd tell Potter?"
Taylor thought for a moment. If her brother ever caught wind of what the Hufflepuff oaf had said to her… or Ron… "I am a big girl Greg. Those two know it. If I can't handle what some drunk seventh year says then I'm in trouble."
She could see the muscle twitching on the Head Boy's jaw for a few minutes but then he asked. "There is no excuse for that kind of behavior. I will have a word with Derek …"
This time Taylor put her fingers over the Hufflepuff's lips. "Greg, it's okay, really. The last thing I want to do is cause a rift between you and your friends."
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath the Head Boy tried to calm his anger. He decided to ask another question that was bothering him. "What are you and the others looking for in the library?"
Taylor sighed, "You know I can't tell you. If I could have I'd have told you a long time ago. It's a moot point now anyway. We finished in the library this afternoon."
"Did you find whatever it is you are looking for?" The Hufflepuff asked as his eyes bore into Taylor's.
Smiling she answered. "Would it put your mind more at ease if we did or if we didn't?" She saw the muscle twitch along the wizard's jaw. "No we didn't find what we were looking for."
"What in Merlin's name, are you looking for that isn't in the library? It must be very dark indeed… It is Dark Magic isn't it?"
"No not Dark Magic, but it is from the Dark Arts." Taylor admitted.
"But why are you looking for something from the Dark Arts? People are starting to talk, and ask questions. The whole school knows that you guys are searching for something. They are starting to get worried."
Taylor looked back into the fire. What the Hufflepuff just said wasn't news to her. "Yeah, it doesn't take much to spook people these days. I guess I can't blame them. But we are trying to help. We are working to try to get rid of the fear. Hopefully someday they can look back and see that we were only trying to help."
The Head Boy stared at the witch beside him for a long time. He had heard that tone of voice from her before, when she had told him her fatalistic view about helping Potter. It hurt to think that she was so willing to put her life on the line. Gently he brushed his fingers over her cheek and was rewarded when his witch tipped her head into his caress. Leaning closer he kissed her forehead and then made his way toward her waiting lips.
"Someday witch I will need answers, but for now it is enough just to have you here with me," he breathed the words before capturing her lips and kissed her like he'd wanted to earlier. His arms went around her body and he lifted her up and sat her in his lap, his hands ran up and down her back and up into her short hair, eliciting a moan from his witch. His kiss turned demanding as the girl in his arms melted against him and her hands started to follow the path his had taken.
It was a long while before anything but ragged breathing could be heard in the room, other than the crackling of the fire.
"What are you doing Harry?" Ginny asked, as her boyfriend led her back to the Gryffindor common room. She'd had a very enjoyable evening so far, the curfew bell had just rung but still that didn't quite explain Harry's hurry to get back to the common room. Harry had taken her to the Room of Requirements and they had a nice supper and some really good quality snogging time. Ginny giggled and blushed a bit at just the thought. Harry had of course been a gentleman, but his kisses had been… her blush deepened.
Harry said the password and led his witch into the Gryffindor common room. Only mostly younger students were in there so far, the older ones all having gone to the Valentine's party, or like him to some private room. His heart thudded heavily and the creature in his chest roared as he thought about his night with Ginny. Maybe it was just those thoughts that had hurried his legs along to get back to the common room to check.
"Hiya Harry! Did you go to the Valentines party?" Dennis Creevey asked excitedly when he spied the older Gryffindor.
"Ah, have you seen Taylor, Dennis?" Harry wasn't about to tell anyone where he took his witch, especially Dennis.
"Nope, not all evening. She's probably out with that Head Boy. They couldn't have been at the party either, right Harry?" The youngest Creevey brother asked, hunting for information.
"Yeah thanks Dennis," Harry said as he turned away from the sometimes annoying Gryffindor. He glanced at Ginny and saw her raised eyebrow. Catching her hand again he pulled her over to an empty corner.
"Why didn't you just say that you were worried about Taylor?" Ginny asked looking into Harry's green eyes to see the worry there.
"I'm not. I mean I am now. It's past curfew and she's not back. Do you think she went to the Valentine's party with Hunter?"
Ginny thought for a moment before shaking her head. "I doubt it. It was a semi formal party, and Taylor wasn't dressed to go to anything like that when she went tearing off earlier. I don't think she has anything like that to wear anyways. Hunter probably took her to a classroom or something. I heard a few different guys talking about doing that."
Harry's frown just grew, if Hunter took his little sister to some room alone… He'd kill the bum! Harry quickly excused himself and raced up to his room throwing open his trunk and grabbing the Marauders Map and spread it out on his bed. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good!" he growled as he pointed his wand at the map. "I'm going to jinx that bloody Hufflepuff, if he…" getting frustrated with searching he pointed his wand at the map again. "Show me Taylor Porter!"
His searching eyes soon found the small red dot labeled Taylor Porter, and merged with her dot was a second labeled Greg Hunter.
"Harry? Did you find her?" Ginny asked as she walked into the seventh year's boys' dorm room. One look at the thunderous look on her boyfriends face told her what she wanted to know. Going over quickly to him she looked down at the map.
"I'm going to jinx that good for nothing Hufflepuff so bad his own mother won't recognize him!" Harry stormed as he came up off his bed.
Ginny put a hand on Harry's chest and looked up into his angry eyes. "What is so different about Taylor and Hunter being alone than Ron and Hermione being off all by themselves? I haven't heard you growling about what they might be up to."
"That's different! Ron would never take… he'd never go too far! He loves Hermione! Besides Taylor is too young for that Hufflepuff! He could take advantage of her!" Harry's eyes seemed to glitter with his anger.
"Oh? Like you took advantage of me tonight?" Ginny asked innocently. "Taylor and I are, after all, the same age."
Harry opened his mouth and closed it twice before he said stubbornly, "That's different. I'd never do… Guys they don't think like girls they… I don't trust Hunter! He looks at Taylor like…"
"You look at me? Ron looks at Hermione? I think he loves her Harry. He won't do anything Taylor doesn't want…" Ginny saw the blood drain from her boyfriend's face, "You're acting worse then Ron you know that? I thought he was over protective! Taylor will be fine…" Ginny glanced down at the map again and a giggle escaped before she said, "My, they are very close aren't they?"
"Not helping, Ginny!" Harry ground out between clenched teeth.
"I have an idea that might help," Ginny said coyly as she ran her hand slowly up Harry's chest to his neck, eliciting a combination of growl and groan from the wizard. Standing on her tiptoes she wrapped both arms around his neck and pulled his head down to hers. Feathering kisses over his lips until they softened and then she began kissing him in earnest.
"Oi! Potter, get a room!" Called Dean as he came into the boy's dorm room.
"Yeah a room! Just not this one!" Seamus called as he whistled and wagged his eyebrows.
Harry pulled away from Ginny, his heart racing and his breathing slightly labored. Throwing a dirty look over at the two wizards he grabbed the map off his bed, catching Ginny's hand he headed back down to the common room. Which was, thankfully, a lot emptier.
Ron and Hermione were just coming in through the portal, looking slightly flushed.
"Hi Ginny, Harry how was your evening?" Hermione asked with a smile.
Ginny giggled as she met the other witch's gaze. "I'd say about as good as yours by the looks of things!"
Hermione blushed a little. "Yeah it was nice. You guys just getting back also?"
"No, we were just up in Harry's room before Dean and Seamus came in and ruined it!" Ginny said with a mischievous grin.
"Bloody Hell Ginny! It's bad enough that you… but I don't want to hear about it! A bloke doesn't want to know what his sister does with his best mate!" Ron said with a shudder before going over to the sofa and sitting down in front of the fire.
"Well, I wouldn't have had to if Harry wasn't fretting about what Taylor was up to." Ginny answered flippantly as she sat on the other sofa.
"Why's he fretting about Taylor? What's happened?" Hermione asked as she sat down beside Ron, and Harry sat down with Ginny.
"Oh nothing. Just Hunter and she aren't back yet and Harry had to go and see where Taylor was on the map." Ginny said with a grin.
"Harry! You leave poor Taylor alone! She deserves a night out! It's been over a month since she's been anywhere but at the library." Hermione admonished as she glared at her friend.
"Where is she? I suppose she is with Hunter, is she? Its past curfew, she should be back by now!" Ron asked as he glanced at his best mate.
"That was my thought also." Harry said in a tight voice, glad at least someone agreed with him.
Taylor was in heaven as she sat on Greg's lap surrounded by his arms. She felt safe, and her body seemed to hum it was so happy. With a smile she now knew what was meant when someone said they were thoroughly snogged. Her lips were still tingling from the Hufflepuff's last incredible kiss, her toes were still not uncurled!
She loved to listen to his heart beating, just under her ear, the steady rhythm was intoxicating.
They had done more then just snog the whole evening. They had talked about a lot of things and he had asked her more about the Dark Magic she could use. She had told him things she had only ever told her brother, about her own worries about her abilities to use Dark Magic. He had held her tight and told her that he loved her.
They had heard the curfew bell ring a while ago but neither seemed ready to move.
It was with a regretful voice that Greg finally broke the comfortable silence. "I'd better get you back to Gryffindor Tower before Potter or Weasley come looking for you."
Taylor's eyes were closed as she listened to the deep rumble of the Head Boy's voice in his chest, a sound she could listen to all night. With a sigh she finally nodded. "Yeah, I'd hate to have to jinx the both of them." The answering chuckle made her smile.
"We can do this again Taylor, if you want. This doesn't have to be the only time we have together." The Hufflepuff's voice was low but there was a tension in it that Taylor picked up right away.
Smiling she leaned out away from the tall wizard to look up into his face. "I'd like to do this again, soon."
Greg's kiss was tender and lingering, not wanting their time together to end. Finally he broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against his witches. "If only you knew what you do to me… I want to do this again too."
Taylor looked up at the wizard and a blush crept up her face as she whispered, "If it's half of what you make me feel… oh how I wish I had Hermione's old time turner! I'd repeat this night again and again."
A few minutes later the Hufflepuff led the witch out of the study and down the corridor to the Entrance Hall and then up through the castle.
Approaching the portrait of the Fat Lady, the Hufflepuff paused and pulled the witch into his arms, "I had a wonderful time tonight."
"Yeah, it was one of the best I've ever had. I'll see you in the morning? I'll sit with you at the Hufflepuff table." Taylor whispered, she was going to make every effort to get to know the Hufflepuff's friends so they wouldn't be so worried about him.
"I'll save you a seat." The deep voice was husky again and Taylor's heart started to pound. She knew he was going to kiss her again.
His lips were gentle on hers as he ran the tip of his tongue along her bottom lip, causing her to shiver in delight. His arms were on her back holding her against his tall frame, as his tongue started its intricate dance with hers.
A noise from behind them froze the pair for a second before they wheeled. The Head Boy instinctively pushing the witch behind him.
"I must admit, Mr. Hunter, I am rather surprised to find you out this late after curfew and with Miss Porter too. I suppose I am going to have to report this and give you both detention, am I?" Lupin asked with a raised eyebrow as Tonks giggled beside him.
Taylor heard Greg swallow and before he could say anything she stepped out around him and glared at Lupin. "I don't think you need to report it at all. Mr. Hunter was just… escorting me back to Gryffindor Tower. He was just saying goodbye when you happened along!" Taylor said in a level voice.
"Is that what they are calling it these days!" Tonks giggled as her eyes danced in mischief.
Lupin sent the auror a look before he said in a firm voice. "Miss Porter I will escort you the rest of the way to Gryffindor Tower. Mr. Hunter you will wait here until I get back and I shall escort you to your common room also."
Taylor glanced up at Greg and saw that he looked a little pale. She wished that she could tell him that it was okay, but she didn't want to push Lupin too far. "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight Hufflepuff."
"Miss Porter?" Lupin motioned for her to follow him.
"G'night Taylor." Greg said quietly.
Taylor turned from the Head Boy and marched down the hall beside Lupin.
"I'm surprised that you would be so careless after all that's happened."
"Oh stow it Lupin!" Taylor snapped in a hushed voice. "I can't believe that you threatened to report me! After all that the Marauders got up to at school? Humph!"
"We live in different times Taylor. Besides if James had just seen what I did…" Taylor looked over and saw the twinkle in his eyes, "Let's just say that Mr. Hunter needs to be reminded of how to be a gentleman."
Taylor could feel her temper rising as she glared up at the last Marauder. "Hunter is a perfect gentleman! Don't you go giving him a hard time, Lupin!"
They had reached the Fat Lady but Taylor stopped to glare up at the wizard.
"I'll do no more or no less then what Prongs would expect. Goodnight Miss Porter." Lupin said in a firm tone, though there was still a distinct twinkle in his eye before he uttered the password for the Fat Lady. "Purple Hearts"
With a huff Taylor crawled in through the portal wondering what Lupin had meant by his last statement. What would her father have done if he had happened along and saw her kissing the Head Boy?
"Taylor! Where the Bloody Hell have you been? Do you know how far past curfew it is? What do you think you were doing? Going off all by yourself with that Hufflepuff?" Harry's angry voice reached her ears and made her smile. Her father would probably yell about like that!
"What are you smiling about? Do you think it's funny?" Her brother continued on his rant.
"We were just going to go out looking for you! I'm going to have a talk with that Hufflepuff!" Ron snarled as he punched his fist into his other hand.
"Oh will you two give it a rest!" Taylor laughed as she walked over and sat down with her brother and friends.
"I take it you had a nice evening then? You sure are in a good mood." Hermione remarked taking in the 'just been snogged' look of her best friend.
Taylor grinned from ear to ear. "Hermione it was the best evening I think I've ever had!"
"I'm going to jinx that Hufflepuff into a puddle!" Harry snarled.
A/N Well there you have it! Taylor's first date! LOL! Hope you liked it as much as I enjoyed writting it! I just couldn't resist putting a little Lupin in there too! I mean as the last Maurader he would be keeping an eye on Taylor and Harry as well! Hope it wasn't too mushy... but after all the drama I thought a little mushyness was in store! Let me know what you think!
Thank you to all of you who left a review! Wow I LOVE reviews! And those who added this story to their Favorites and Alerts! And thank you for just reading! Thank you to the wonderful barbc, my beta who is absolutely amazing! Well until next time, cytpotter.
