Part 8 - Scratching an Itch

The next morning, George still hadn't regained focus. The early hours went by in the same haze as the previous day's afternoon had. All George could think about was that kiss and it was starting to make him a little crazy. It wasn't even a real kiss. That was part of the problem. He couldn't stop imagining what a real kiss with Eve would be like, their lips moving together in sync, her mouth parting just enough so he could slip his ton-

"George!"

The classroom came flooding back into view at the sound of his name. George shook his head, realizing the room was empty. Fred was standing beside the desk, staring at him, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. George frantically grabbed his things and stood up, following Fred out of the room.

As they headed to their next class, Fred asked George at least three different times if he was okay. George kept insisting he was fine, but he wasn't sure Fred really believed him. He was grateful when they finally made it to potions, forcing Fred to drop the matter. At least for now. One issue was temporarily resolved, but there was still another issue with this class and she just walked through the door.

Eve took her seat and George was having a hard time not looking at her as class started. At some point, he gave up completely and allowed himself to stare at her. She didn't seem to be paying attention to Professor Snape, her eyes moving along the lines of the book in her hands. Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, the first time George had seen it up. Even when worn up, it still reached down the length of her back, just above her hips.

Her lips were parted slightly, her breathing slow and steady. Her expression didn't really give anything away. Whatever she was reading, her face would give no hints of it's contents. George was watching her closely when he saw her eyebrows pull together, as if she was confused. She looked up, staring towards the front of a class for a moment, before she suddenly looked over, her gaze meeting George's.

George only saw her eyes for a split second before she quickly turned back to her book. Was she blushing? It was hard to tell, especially when she tilted her head to the side, her ponytail now covering most of her face, but George could have sworn he had seen her cheeks flush a light pink color when she had caught him staring.

The idea of her blushing at his gaze was thrilling. George looked away, staring down at his desk, desperately trying to keep his mind from going wild. That adrenaline rush was back with a vengeance, twisting in the pit of his stomach and catching his breath in his throat. He knew then that he needed to know if that kiss had left her feeling the same way or he was going to lose his mind. He decided right then and there he was going to do something about this, he just hadn't decided what yet.

George didn't even know what they covered in potions that day, he spent the entire time trying to come up with a plan. He didn't get very far, however. He had no idea how to approach this and he hated it. It was like an itch in the middle of your back that you just can't figure out how to reach. By the time Snape dismissed them, he was thoroughly frustrated.

George followed Fred out of the classroom, Lee running to catch up with them. They had started down one corridor with most of the other students, when he glanced back to see Eve turn down another corridor alone. That was it, that was his opening. And he wasn't about to let it pass him by.

"I'm gonna hit the bathrooms," George mumbled out, practically running after Eve.

He vaguely heard Fred calling after him that the bathrooms were the other way, but he ignored it and was out of sight before Fred could question it too much. As he turned the corner, Eve's head whipped around to look at him. He was right, they were alone in the corridor. A quick glimpse of confusion flashed across Eve's face before she composed herself. She turned to face George, her arms holding her book against her chest.

In that moment, George realized just how controlled she was over her expressions. She didn't show anything to anyone that she didn't want them to know, but for some reason, that talent of hers occasionally faltered around him. Maybe he was reading too much into it, but he loved the idea that he could have that kind of an effect on her.

"Can I help you?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

The adrenaline rush was back, and this time George gave into it completely. He stared at Eve for a moment, before taking a step towards her, putting both of his hands on the wall behind her. This forced Eve to take a step back, now completely trapped between George and the wall, his arms on either side of her. Eve's eyes widened slightly and she took a sharp breath in. Yeah, he definitely liked that.

"Just wondering if I'm the only one still thinking about that kiss," George said as he leaned closer, their faces just inches apart, close enough for him to feel her warm breath against his face.

Eve scoffed, rolling her eyes. "That's what this is about? You can hardly call that a kiss, you didn't even do an-"

Before she could finish her thought, George pushed his lips up against hers. For a moment, nothing happened. They just stood, lips pressing against each other. But then he heard her book hit the floor. Eve's hands had found their way to his chest, and her lips parted slightly, moving in a rhythm he quickly matched. It was better than he had imagined it would be, her lips seemed to fit perfectly into his.

George was just thinking that he could do this for forever when Eve suddenly pulled back. Her breathing was heavy and ragged, as was his, and she stared at her hands on his chest, refusing to make eye contact. George couldn't help the smug expression on his face as he watched her trying to catch her breath.

"That's what I thought," he said, smirking down at her.

Eve finally met his gaze. He couldn't read her face, it was composed and blank, but there was something in her eyes. He just couldn't quite lay a finger on what it was. George was about to make another teasing comment when she suddenly pushed against his chest, causing him to stumble back a step. She quickly grabbed her book off the ground and took off running down the hall before he could stop her.

"What're you doing?"

George looked back to find Fred and Lee staring at him like he had lost his marbles. Maybe he had. For a moment, he debated telling them what had happened, but quickly decided against it. Mostly because he wasn't totally sure what had happened. A kiss, obviously. But what did it mean? Would it happen again? George didn't have those answers.

"Could've sworn there was a bathroom here," George said, shrugging. It probably would've helped if he could have said that with a straight face, but he couldn't seem to stop smiling. While Lee seemed to buy his poor excuse, George could tell Fred didn't, but luckily, he didn't say anything.