The Morning After

Spock awoke to a weight on his shoulder and something tickling his face. He opened his eyes and saw... red. He blinked until his disorientation faded and he remembered the previous evening and whose head was resting against him.

He smiled slightly. He made an effort to resist the temptation to nuzzle into Lydia's curls. Her hair smelled foreign, but very pleasant. He mentally reprimanded himself. She was his friend.

Apparently they had fallen asleep in the same bed. Spock found himself reminded of the night after the Halloween party where she had crawled into his bed after a nightmare. Another memory of the nights in the McGills' suite on Vulcan resurfaced. It seemed to never have bothered Lydia's father that they had shared the bed. His proximity seemed to calm her.

He bent his head and reluctantly whispered: "Lydia? It is time to wake up."

She stirred and groaned. Her eyes opened and she lifted her head. Her mind cleared and she looked up at him sheepishly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to end up on top of you."

He let the corner of his mouth twitch slightly. "You were hardly on top of me." Not that he would have minded.

She sat up. "Still. Nor should I have gripped your hand yesterday."

Spock also rose into a sitting position. "It is of no consequence. If anything, it seems it was rather beneficial for all involved."

She sighed and looked down. "I probably couldn't have done it without your encouragement."

He tilted her head back with a finger under her chin. "I am pleased that I could be of assistance."

She sighed heavily again and still refused to meet his eyes. "I hope this stays between us. The media gossips enough as it is."

Spock raised both eyebrows in surprise. "About us? Why would they?"

She blushed and opened her mouth to respond when a knock on the door interrupted them. "Come in," she called out.

Kirk and McCoy entered. If they were surprised about Spock sitting on Lydia's bed, they didn't show it. "Doctor, Captain. Did you sleep alright?"

Kirk smiled. "Deep and dreamless, like you said. Thank you."

She smiled back rather timidly. "Don't mention it."

"Out of curiosity, what was in that vial?"

"It's called Sleeping Draught. A potion made of lavender and Valerian springs among other things. It serves as a common sleep medication."

"Is it difficult to make?" McCoy inquired.

Lydia considered. "I think it's among the more advanced concoctions, but I wouldn't consider it that difficult. But I'm a potioneer, so that doesn't really mean much, I suppose. I've brewed more difficult things."

Lydia did not seem comfortable sharing more information, so Spock asked: "What is the plan? When do we leave for Godric's Hollow?"

Lydia breathed in deeply. "After we have dressed and packed. We'll eat breakfast at my house. Our way of transport isn't kind on the stomach."

"How will we get there?" asked Kirk.

"Apparition. Teleportation, if you will. We only need to wait for Toodey."

McCoy frowned. "Why, can you people not do that by yourself?"

She fidgeted. "We can, to a degree. But our premises are under a jinx that makes apparition impossible for wizards and witches. It's a security measure. It doesn't affect house elves, however. People just have a tendency to look down on them and forget that little detail."

"Is that what Minister Donnahey meant about them having abilities humans don't have?" Kirk inquired.

"Among other things. I honestly have no idea what Toodey can or can't do. I haven't asked him."

"Why not?"

She side-glanced at Spock. "House elves do as they are ordered by their families. Some use that power to limit the elves in the use of their abilities. All trust aside, I just feel that the question would make him uncomfortable. We don't go into his room for the same reason."

She cleared her throat. "I'd like to change now please."

The two left, only Spock remained. Lydia stood and walked towards the chair her clothes were draped over. She inspected them, finding most were inside out. With a sigh she went through her robes and pulled her wand from them.

"Where do wizards keep their wands when not wearing robes?"

"Somewhere else in their clothes. Even though an auror once advised against storing it pointing at body parts. I personally haven't heard about any accidents due to this, but that's probably Erin's territory."

She rubbed the bridge of her nose before waving her wand and her clothes were now right side out.

Spock tilted his head. "What did you do?"

"Turn them and remove any sweat and dirt." She started changing, then turned back to him. "Should I do yours too?"

"Perhaps later. I will dress in civilian clothing rather than my uniform from yesterday."

She nodded absentmindedly. He frowned. "Is there something wrong, Lydia?"

She plopped back down next to him, wearing only her underwear and camisole. "I just never thought we would discuss wand storage and cleaning spells. I feel somewhat awkward still."

He put his hand on her shoulder. She radiated worry and discomfort. "My view of you has not changed, my friend."

She failed to stifle a sob. He pulled her into an embrace, mumbling reassurances into her ear until her mind calmed and they could dress and leave to meet the others.

Hey. Sorry for the wait. I fell into quite a hole figuratively speaking and have started a new job. I wish it was longer, but my hands just don't want to obey me. Typing has become a bit difficult.