This will be the final chapter for Year 3. After this we'll be doing a time jump to start of Year 4. Let's get to it!
Chapter XI: A Blossoming Affair
Compared to the excitement of their first two years, the Third Years found their second term to be rather dull. The months passed and the students settled into the regimented educational mold that many thought Hogwarts would enforce when they first arrived. Classes proceeded normally and without much drama, perhaps sadly so. The only sources of school gossip were Quidditch, the Buckbeak Incident, and Sirius Black.
The Azkaban escapee had snuck back into the school and even made it into the Gryffindor common room in February. Professor McGonnell had been furious and Dumbledore had even placed security trolls in front of the Gryffindor Common Room for added security. It was a move that some non-Gryffindor students, namely Slytherins, took issue with.
"I guess the rest of us can just bugger off, huh?" Some Slytherin's complained loudly in the Common Room. "A murderer on the loose in Hogwarts but only the lions get protection!"
"Be grateful it's not you Black's hunting. I heard he killed thirty muggles!"
"Only thirty? Doesn't sound that dangerous." Another sneered. "It's just muggles."
Since then, things had been quiet on the Black front. The other news around school was the Buckbeak Trial. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, set to meet in April, had moved up the hearing to February and found Buckbeak too dangerous to live. The only people happy about this seemed to be Draco Malfoy and his cronies.
"Father got them to move the date up, of course. It doesn't do anyone any good to delay things and let that beast stay on the grounds, chained up or not." Draco relayed to a group of fellow Slytherins. "Father set them straight about things and made them see the beast couldn't be left to live. That fool Hagrid tried his best to fool the Committee. He even cried! Crocodile tears, of course, and my father showed them that and they convicted in record time! The beast is going to have its head lopped off in June!"
It was a fact that Draco was so proud of that months later he was still bragging about it. That bragging eventually went too far when Hermione Granger, known usually for a calm demeanor, snapped and punched Malfoy in the face. Not a single one of them would admit it about a Gryffindor, but many of the older Slytherins were rather impressed with Granger. While the younger Slytherins didn't mind him, Draco had no friends among the older students in the House.
But those two incidents paled in comparison to the awaited Slytherin versus Gryffindor Match for the Inter-House Quidditch Cup. Slytherin was determined to hold its title and Gryffindor, having not won the House cup since the early 1980s, was eager for a win. Tensions were high and tempers were flaring every day. Fights between the houses broke out in the hallways, and even the Bloody Baron and Nearly Headless Nick were getting into the fray.
Vaughn had been subject to too many jeers from Gryffindors to count. Elsewhere, Giuliana had a nasty run in with a Seventh Year Gryffindor who shouted awful things about her and Slytherin before threatening to hex her.
"They're just so awful!" Giuliana had cried to Vaughn, who held her glasses while she wiped away tears.
"They're just bullies, the lot of them." Vaughn tried to comfort.
"All its doing is making me care about the bloody match! If Slytherin loses, do you have any idea how bad it'll get? How bad they'll be!?"
Teddy was sympathetic. The friendship between the three of them had grown over the months and he hated the way they felt alienated from the school. Both Slytherins found it a bit bizarre that a muggle born wizard worried about them being alienated, but it was nice to see a friend who cared. Even Megan had become somewhat of a friend and would spend an afternoon with them every now and then.
Beyond just the growth of their friendship, the P.A.C. was flourishing as well. The Calming Draught was a success, all thanks to Teddy. He was one of those people Vaughn was jealous of: Easily able to make friends and find ways to connect with others, a skill that always escaped Vaughn. With that natural gift, Teddy was bringing in money from eager Seventh Years looking to escape some of the stress of the upcoming N.E.W.T.s.
Demand for the Concentration Potion's was nowhere near as high as the Calming Draughts. While it helped people focus and complete work, it didn't drastically improve people's ability to retain information. Nor would it be effective during the upcoming Finals, O.W.L.s, and N.E.W.T.s, which always had anti-cheating charms in place. The potion still had a dedicated group of users and had expanded to include Sixth and Fifth Years now, but it was also used heavily by the P.A.C. members to assist with their own work.
"If we could just get our hands on some dragon claw powder or dragon blood, maybe we could tinker with the potion and help with retaining information." Vaughn said. "Probably help with getting around the anti-cheating charms."
"Why? I thought these potions were supposed to be a way to help and relax, not to cheat." Teddy had asked, looking up from his book. The two of them had taken to spending time together without the girls. With spring in bloom, they usually spent their time out near the Lake as did many other students.
"They're not. This is more about a challenge." Vaughn had replied, scribbling down more thoughts in his now heavily used diary. "Dragon parts have all sorts of use for boosting human capabilities. It'd be fun to see how they work with our potion."
"Well if there's anyone who could pull it off, I know it's you." Teddy had said, before reaching over and grabbing him by the shoulder and offering a supportive shake. It was an intimate touch, not the first time he had done this, and Vaughn blushed in response.
"Intimate" was a good way to describe his and Teddy's growing relationship, though he would never mention it to anyone. The two of them spent almost as much time together as him and Giuliana did. Since Giuliana was now a part of the Frog Choir with Lisa, that left him with more free time for Teddy, who, despite all of his friends, still found time for him. Teddy was happy to do most of the talking between the two of them and was always happy to listen to Vaughn talk about subjects Vaughn assumed he found boring.
"I don't find Arithmancy boring." Teddy had laughed when Vaughn apologized for going on a ten minute rant about the number eight and the power it supposedly held. "I wish I was better at theoretical magic like that."
"I think it's my favorite elective." Vaughn had replied.
"Have you ever considered taking Muggle Studies?" Teddy asked. Vaughn almost laughed until he could tell Teddy was serious.
"I actually hadn't." Vaughn said, trying to sound respectful.
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I just don't think I'll have much interaction with muggles. Doesn't seem like a useful class."
"Hey! I'm a non-magical person and you interact with me, all the time. Do you not want to anymore in the future?"
"What? Of course not! I love…. I mean, I enjoy spending time with you."
Teddy gave him a wink. "Well I love spending time with you. And think about how much more time we could spend together if you took Muggle Studies next year too. Who knows, you might learn a fun thing or two you can shock your Pure-Blood family with."
Vaughn laughed, though it was a weird sound and not at all like how he normally laughed. The use of "love" by Teddy had thrown him off. Face red, Vaughn promised to think about it. After a month of thinking, Vaughn was signed up for Muggle Studies the next year, dropping Care for Magical Creatures. This was met with much shock by his fellow Slytherins, including Giuliana who was also dropping Magical Creatures to take Study of Ancient Runes. She was sticking with Divination though, just like Vaughn would remain with Arithmancy.
"Teddy really got to you, hmm?" She asked him when she learned the news.
"A little. But who knows, I might learn something useful." Vaughn had replied.
"It's Muggle Studies. You'll probably just learn how to live like a savage."
"Oh hardly."
"No, no, wait! You're going to become a revolutionary, aren't you? You'll be screaming for the Statute of Secrecy to be overturned and make us all serve the Muggles!" Giuliana had joked, making both of them laugh in hysterics.
Teddy was overwhelmed with joy though when he found out. He had congratulated Vaughn and embraced him tightly, lifting him up, and spinning him around in the air as others in the Hallway watched on in confusion. Vaughn was a bit embarrassed by the display, but pleased to make Teddy so happy.
Such physical interactions were becoming common place now. Vaughn had no problem with them. He too had returned these touches, albeit with less frequency than Teddy, but enough to show the Hufflepuff he didn't mind. Vaughn had also felt Teddy's eyes on him often, watching him move and interact with others. Vaughn, aware of this, felt himself go hot in the collar and actually enjoy the attention. Feelings, hard to describe and embarrassing to think about, had formed in him for Teddy.
What to do about them was difficult.
Things came to a head the day of the Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch match. Taking place on the Saturday following Easter, the atmosphere was heavily charged and filled with anticipation. Never had Vaughn heard the Great Hall so loud. Quite literally three quarters of the school was against Slytherin. Members of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw houses had adorned themselves in red and yellow colors, eager to see Slytherin lose. Megan was among the crowd, though apologetic about it.
"Sorry, you two." She had apologized to Vaughn and Giuliana, a Gryffindor scarf wrapped around her neck despite the balmy weather outside. "But I've had family who were in Gryffindor and I got to support them."
"Well you can do that, but I'll be with Slytherin today." Teddy said, giving both Giuliana and Vaughn a supportive nod.
"You two do what you need to. I'll be with Lisa today avoiding the match." Giuliana replied.
"Why? Everyone will be there today!" Teddy protested.
"I'm all Quidditch-ed out for this year." Giuliana shrugged, finishing the last bites of her breakfast and rising to leave. "Enjoy the match." She offered before leaving to find Lisa. Vaughn turned to Teddy, eager to move on.
"So what's the plan for selling today?" He asked. Megan gave the boys a look.
"Selling?" she asked.
Teddy gave her a sheepish look. "Vaughn and I are going to sell some Calming Draught after the match. Help people relax depending on who wins."
Megan gave Vaughn a look. "And you're going along with this?" she asked.
"W-What's wrong with it?" Vaughn offered weakly.
Giving both of them a stern glare, Megan rose from her seat and left them. "Well, good luck with that. And good luck to you, Teddy."
Teddy shook his head at her before sighing when she was out of earshot. "I should have told her we were planning on doing this." Teddy said, taking a sip of his orange juice.
Confused by what Megan was wishing Teddy luck with, but not wanting to asking, Vaughn attempted to comfort him. "Sorry about outing you like that. I didn't tell Giuliana either."
Teddy, raising an eyebrow, gave him a knowing smile. "Really? Well look us being naughty and not telling the girls."
Vaughn's face reddened. "What they won't know won't hurt them."
"Exactly. They'll thank us when then see the money. And, as another plus, we get to spend some time together."
"What about your friends though? They won't be mad?"
"I told you already. They know I'm in with Slytherin for the match. Only for you though. Otherwise I find myself opposed to your house."
Vaughn was quite touched by that and they finished their meal in silence before heading out to the Quidditch Pitch. The stands were already tightly packed when they got there, the crowd shouting for action. Vaughn had never seen it like this and suddenly felt quite exposed in his Slytherin colors. The crowd was overwhelming against his House, but Teddy's presence was a comfort. No one bothered him with Teddy by his side, though Teddy received a few looks from the nearby Slytherin. Teddy just smiled and waved back to them, which most Slytherin's returned with a confused look.
As they waited for the Match to start, a Gryffindor that Vaughn didn't recognize and Eddie Carmichael from Ravenclaw came up and spoke to Teddy, who took them aside and handed each of them a pack. Vaughn pretended not to be paying attention but knew the two boys were some of Teddy's "helpers" who had helped expand the market of their Calming Draught. Vaughn had asked about them in the past, but Teddy insisted he didn't need to know who they were and the helpers didn't know who Giuliana and him were.
"I can handle things if it goes bad. I don't want anything bad happening to you." He had replied. It was a selfless move that Vaughn wasn't sure how to respond to.
Before long, the Match had started. Robes of red and green whooshed by them in a dizzying display of expertise as both Quidditch teams performed at their best. The match was chaotic and Madam Hooch, usually in command, seemed to be losing control of the situation. Commentators Lee Jordan and Seamus Finnigan were also struggling to report clearly on all the action, but their clear bias towards Gryffindor shined through. The fate of the match seemed to be the farthest thing from Teddy's mind though.
"What do you think of Wood?" he asked Vaughn.
"What?" Vaughn replied, tearing his eyes from the match. The score was neck and neck despite the number of penalties Madam Hooch was handing out.
"Oliver Wood. Gryffindor's captain, what do you think of him?"
Mouth agape, Vaughn struggled to come up with a response to the odd question. "He seems like a good fellow."
"I think he's rather attractive." Teddy replied, looking unsure of himself for the first time Vaughn had known him. "What do you think?"
"Um.. I-I don't know. He's a good looking guy, sure."
"Right? I think guys can respect that, you know? Another bloke looking good and all that. Everyone always says that about him no matter how they feel about him. Guess I was just wondering what you thought."
Vaughn's head was spinning as Gryffindor scored again and cries of anger erupted from the Slytherin section, drowned out by the cheers from everyone else. "I suppose so." Vaughn replied, feeling rather uncomfortable. Not by the line of questioning. Vaughn had actually found Oliver Wood to be attractive, but there were other implications that Teddy was getting at that Vaughn dreaded misinterpreting.
Sensing his discomfort, Teddy backtracked. "Sorry, didn't mean to imply anything."
"No, no, you're ok. I don't mind it at all, really."
"Really?"
"Really." Vaughn confirmed, placing a hand on Teddy's arm. Teddy smiled and Vaughn dropped his hand, both of them watching the match in front of them. But as the opposing Beaters Fred Weasley and Lucian Bole battled it out above them, Vaughn was surprised as he felt Teddy take his hand in his.
The move was unnoticed by anyone around them. Teddy and him were in the thick of everyone and attention was on the match. But the world seemed to melt away from Vaughn at that moment. This was a move that, as simple as it was, took them beyond "friendship." The undercurrent between them had now risen up and Vaughn had confirmation of what he had suspected.
He tightened his grip around Teddy's without hesitation. Next to him, Teddy sighed in relief.
The Match progressed with dramatic flair. Madam Hooch was handing out penalties like candy and everyone in the audience was standing, shouting, and reacting to everything. Even the Hogwarts staff, typically more reserved as they sat in their elevated viewing booths, were jumping up and down. Professor McGonnell sounded as though she was on the verge of hexing Madam Hooch when she penalized George Weasley for getting "creative" with a Bludger.
Both Vaughn and Teddy's interest in the Match was gone by that point though. They held hands tightly, standing perfectly still and lost in their own thoughts. When the Match ended in a Gryffindor Victory, Vaughn didn't even feel bad like everyone else around him.
"Let's go." Teddy said, pulling Vaughn along with him out of the stands and through the jeering crowds of Slytherin. Once they were out of them, Teddy let go of Vaughn's hand, much to his displeasure. He followed Teddy out of the Pitch, surprised when Teddy started to lead them back towards the Castle.
"Shouldn't we try to sell?" Vaughn asked, not wanting to do anything of the sort now.
"I have people on that. It'll be fine. We have something else we need to do." He said, leading them farther away from the Quidditch Pitch. Vaughn followed eagerly and as Teddy broke into a run, Vaughn followed suit. Teddy led them back into the Castle and then up the moving staircases. Vaughn, heart racing in anticipation, nearly fell off the edge as it moved beneath him, only to be caught by Teddy who pulled him close to him. They were face to face before they broke apart and kept moving.
Teddy ended up leading them up to the Seventh Floor, stopping in front of where the potion's laboratory was supposed to be. Teddy turned to him, face red from running and nerves.
"I need you to make the door appear." He said.
Without asking why, Vaughn did so and, in doing so, revealed to Teddy how to access the laboratory. Once the doors were fully formed, both boys entered, alone inside and far away from the roaring crowds leaving the Quidditch match. A charged silence enveloped the boys, who stood next to one another. The mirrored walls reflected them, multiplying the pair across the room. Their eyes were only on each other though.
"So…" Teddy began.
"So…" Vaughn replied.
Silence again. It was unbearable and Vaughn, feeling rather brave, opened his mouth to speak.
"I just-"
"So, I wanted-"
Both boys stopped speaking again, laughing between them. "Go ahead." Vaughn said.
"Alright. I wanted to say, I've really liked getting to know you. I… I've noticed you. I've noticed you since First Year when you and Giuliana sat in the front in Charms. And… and... I'm sorry, this is weird."
"No! No not weird at all! I've always noticed you too."
"Oh. That's good." Teddy laughed, looking embarrassed beyond words.
"Of course! And I think you're brilliant!"
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"Well that's good. I think you're brilliant as well." Teddy replied, taking a step closer to him.
"More than brilliant actually. What you can do with potions is bloody amazing!"
"I… thank you. That means a lot coming from you."
Vaughn wanted to lean in and kiss Teddy. No, he didn't "want" too. It wasn't as simple as that. The desire was too strong for a simple word as "want" to describe it. He needed to kiss Teddy. His entire being seemed to scream that he needed to. Giving into that need, Vaughn stepped forward, their bodies almost pressed together.
Teddy had taken the first risk by holding his hand. Vaughn took the next as he leaned in. Teddy did the same.
And then their lips met.
The kiss was warm and their lips met eagerly. It didn't last long and they pulled away after a few seconds, smiles on both of their faces as they did so.
"I wanted to be somewhere more special than the Quidditch pitch or underneath the seats for this." Teddy breathed.
"Good call." Vaughn replied happily. They held each other in an embrace and kissed once more, this one lasting a little longer. As they broke away, Vaughn felt a bit crestfallen.
"What do we do then?" he asked.
"We can keep it between us for now." Teddy said. "Though Megan knows how I feel about you."
"Really?" Vaughn asked.
"She won't say anything. Not till we're ready. Does Giuliana know?"
"No. I haven't figured out how to tell her."
"Well there's no rush. She'll understand when you're ready to."
Both boys smiled and embraced one another. Vaughn held onto Teddy tightly, feeling so many hidden and unrealized fantasy he ever had coming true at that moment. With the end of the school year upon them, Vaughn could look back with pride over how his year had went and the many accomplishments. But the kiss, that felt like the biggest accomplishment of them all.
And like his other accomplishments, it would be a secret.
Alright! Finally some romance. Hope everything enjoyed and please review with your thoughts.
Year 4 coming up.