AN: I can explain for my absence. High Holidays. School. Makeup work. Fantasy homework. And on a tangent: that awkward moment when you realise that you know people IRL that read this.

(God, the previous chapter…)

I'll be keeping the poll up until next week. I also still take prompts. And thanks to those who left reviews, added to favs and alerts. This is past 12K hits already!
To answer a question: I assumed that Quidditch jerseys are unisex, and that Ginny in any form would be a fan of the Harpies.

Disclaimer: Last time I checked I've never had any connections to JK Rowling besides a love for books.

Title: Carry Your Heart

Word Count: 1K


i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

― ee Cummings


"It's Valentine's Day," Hector grumbled as he checked his homework planner. He shook his head, grimacing. "I wonder how many detentions I will have to pass out?"

It was still strange to be sharing a room with Hector without it being the summer. It took Gabriel a week or so to get used to it. Soon the sight of his friend leaning over a stack of heavy book by his bed was becoming the new normal.

"That's a great thing to first think about in the morning," said Gabriel dryly. He knotted his tie with some difficulty. He was tired from the lack of sleep, and would love nothing more than to sleep his entire weekend away. "When do you think they will be home?"

Rory and Halley were on a mission, and both wizards were getting anxious at the lack of contact. Gabriel found himself to be reverting to an old habit from last year—writing letters to Halley that wouldn't be sent. He was doing it again because he felt almost as worried from before. He just wished that he had some way of contacting her.

"I don't know," Hector said softly. He tried not to betray any negative emotions with his tone. "Come on, why don't we go down for breakfast?"

Walking out of the common room, the two made light conversation on their way to the Great Hall. Gabriel helped himself to a platter of toast to distract him from the pink decorations that graced the room. It was vaguely familiar to the ones from his First Year, but less exaggerated. But the soft rain of glitter above was hard to get out of his jam.

"Why?" he even bothered to ask out loud. He got covered more in the stuff when a peck of owls came. He was forced to use magic to make his breakfast edible again.

"To make us happy." Nellie was sitting across from him, and fondly staring at a single red flower in her hand. She blushed and looked over her shoulder to where the Hufflepuff table was at. "What are you two doing to spend your day?"

"Studying," Hector frowned as he took a spoonful of his cereal. "NEWTS are coming up soon."

The dreaded acronym alone caused a shivered fear at the Gryffindor table. Numerous pairs of eyes turned to glare at the prefect for ruining their morning with that reminder.

"I don't know," said Gabriel. He looked up in vain to see if an owl was flying towards him, but the peck already came and left. He sighed into his toast and wondered if his girlfriend and sister were doing alright.

"Then can you pass the jam?" someone asked next to him.

Automatically, Gabriel passed the jam and almost choked on his toast. Rory was sitting next to him, a new bruise on her jawline, but in one piece. They both had a hand on the jar, waiting for him to let go.

She waved at her dumbstruck boyfriend with the other hand. "So you only wanted to study all day?"

"I believe I can change my plans," Hector smiled. He propped his chin on an upturned hand. "What do you want to do?"

Gabriel had an overwhelming urge to leave. He gave his sister an one-arm hug, the jam, and a peck on the cheek. "What are you doing here?"

"We just came back." She moved to sit next to Hector, her hands reaching his.

"Bloody hell, you would be amazed on how well we survived without you. Missed you loads, though. Thought I'd be going mad without the Smartest Wizard of his Age…"

Hector blushed, but looked touched at her words. "Are you okay?" His eyes swept over her bruise. "No wooden legs, right?"

"Do I look like Mad-Eye?" she scoffed. She caught her brother's nervous expression. "Halley's looking for you in the Common Room."

Not being needed to be told twice, Gabriel bid his goodbyes and ran back up. He breathlessly said the password and stumbled inside the portrait hole. He could feel her before seeing, with calloused hands helping him up and slender arms pulling him into a hug.

"Surprise," Halley said. A fresh cut was above her eyebrow and was staring to heal. The contacts that she was required to wear for work made the green behind them shine. Her mouth curled into a slow smile as she brushed some glitter of his hair. He could only stare at her, enjoying how real she felt in his arms.

Gabriel greeted her with a kiss. "You got me," he murmured. "I'm surprise to see you."

"Being an Auror helps. Stealth and Tracking was a fun class to learn from." Halley's hands knotted behind his back.

He brushed his thumb over her new injury. "Are you okay?"

She shrugged it off. "I'm better now. Honest."

He kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll believe you for now. Do you want to go see everyone else?"

"That'll be really nice," Halley said. She dropped her arms that were around him, and held his hand.

"Walt," Gabriel said as she opened the door. He fished for something in his pocket and handed her a crumpled piece of paper. "It isn't done yet, but I wanted to give it you because it's Valentine's Day, and I love you…"

Halley opened the card and silently read his poem. He crossed his fingers, hoping that his poetry had gotten better in those six years later. She kissed him again, the homemade card brushing at his neck. "Happy Valentine's Day," she said. "I love you, too."