Thanks to the 2 kind reviewers! Oh, and Elektra, if you're still reading this, I didn't put the word flashback this time. ^_^

Caution to readers: This part is rather fluffy, the next part is where all the angst happen… and where I reveal who were the characters and such.

Have fun and remember to R&R!

Crush is a fairytale

Touching (2/3)

            The first few weeks were spent in awkwardness. It was understandable, as we hardly knew each other. By and by, we slowly warmed up to the other's presence. It had been difficult, mind you, since we were in different Houses and could not afford to be seen intimately together. It was a time when the House rivalry had been at its peak. So, there were not many opportunities where we could meet alone.

            But I loved every minute of it, the secrecy of the affair excited me, just like the sight of him before me. Knowing that when he was with me, the smile on his face was genuine, unlike my other friends. We had so much to tell each other then. How funny it seems that strangers felt it easier to bare their souls than with trusted friends.

*************

            "Hi, sorry I'm late. One of the professors kept me back." He said when the door opened. The room used to be a storeroom, now only we use it. He claimed to have found it when he was exploring the castle. He and his friends were always sneaking around, trying to find secret passages to who-knows-where.

            "Knowing you, it's probably that you had played a prank on someone again." I shook my head. "I don't get it. How can you score so well for exams when you keep goofing around in class?"

            He laughed, "Well, that's for me to know and for you to find out."

            I smiled, the feeling of that single muscle stretching my mouth felt more familiar as I spent more time with him. He was so cheerful all the time. Almost nothing could take that smile away from him. It was so infectious, the way his eyes lit up; it would make you to smile too.

            "Don't just stand there. Come here and sit besides me." I petted the soft cushion we had sneaked up from our common rooms. Our little haven was quite bare when we first used it, now cushions, blankets and even a little stash of Butterbeer littered the place. Whenever I felt a little down, I would come here to vent my feelings.

            He went to his usual seat and accepted the Butterbeer I held in my other hand. For a while, there was nothing but the sound of swallowing liquid. When he was done, he leaned back with a moan.

            "That feels good."

            I agreed with him, leaning backwards to the wall behind us. "Butterbeer can do that with anyone. You know…"

            "Yes?" He turned his head slightly to watch me.

            "Being here with you makes me feel safe." I bit my lips as soon as the words came out of my mouth. There, I had said it. The feeling I had when we first gotten together as friends. What would he do now? Not laugh at such a corny statement, I hope. As the seconds passed, I began to curse myself. Why did I have to go and say something so stupid? Now, he would probably excuse himself, like the polite boy he was, and put as much distance as he could between him and me.

            I was about to blame the Butterbeer for encouraging me when I felt him lifted my head up to meet his eyes. I must have lowered my eyes in fear of what I would have seen in them. But there was nothing except warmth. Our smiles grew as both of us found what we were searching for in the other's eyes. Windows to the souls, they really show what could not be said with words. It seemed so natural that I would lean against him that moment and he to stroke my hair.

            I closed my eyes, savouring the happiness that was beginning to fill up every part of me. We had abandoned the previous rung to climb up the next unknown step of the ladder.

*************

            Something had changed between us that day. We still behaved the same around each other, but there would be a feeling of more. Something else we could have done when we were together. Dancing around each other, always waiting for the other party to make the first move that signals the start of something new. It was a new prospect where we were not certain of its outcome.

            I guessed that we were tired of waiting for something to happen. One Hogsmead weekend, we arranged to meet in our room. To talk. Of course, we went straight to the physical part of it.

            No words could express this feeling; mere actions were enough. How true. Being unexperienced, we discovered things together, fumble and soar together. First time became second, third, fourth and so on. Like any other couples, we could not get enough of each other. The room became our sanctuary for almost every night since then. Bliss, I dreamily thought when we were at the height of our relationship.

*************

            We were snuggled up to each other, covered by the warm blankets. I let out a happy sigh, my head resting on his shoulder. We had gone out for almost three months now.

            "How I wish that we could just stay here and never leave." I muttered to the ceiling.

            "Silly, you know that it can't happen. People will come looking for us." He said back to the ceiling as if it had said the words.

            "I know that, unfortunately. That's why I said 'I wish'."

            "You and your wishes." He was smiling. "Come on, it's getting late. Let's get back before anyone misses us."

            "You mean, before anyone misses you. I don't exactly have friends who would risk their lives to look for me." I replied while putting on my clothes.

            "I'd die for you. See you tomorrow, here?"

            "Fine with me." I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. We checked if there was anyone outside the door. No one was. So, we opened the door and went our separate ways.

            "'Night."

            "Sweet dreams."

            I was right; everyone was sleeping and snoring away when I reached the dorm. I undressed and crawled under the covers.

            "Love you." I whispered as if he was right beside me in our room and surrendered myself to the Sand Man.