A/N: Right, sorry for the insanely long wait. I still have finals this next
week but for the most part I can settle back and get to writing more of
this. YAY! Again, I suggest you all read my friend Liz's (Scarlet Rurouni)
spin-off fic because you'll still see me and Gilderoy there too. Once
again, it is called "The Student, The Typhoon, and the Closet"
Acknowledgments:
Scarlet Rurouni: Oy! Just wanted to acknowledge the wonderful Liz-dono who keeps me from tearing Lockhart apart! LOL!
crystalunicorn14: *Huggies* Thanks for following the story as you have, hunnie-bunches-of-oats!
FluffysBijin05: *sly grin* Well, if you likes Lupin ... wait 'til I get to the sequel ... *wink wink ... nudge nudge* ...
ChocolateCoveredChaos: Thanks for your warm review! Keep checking back for more original goodness!
DarkShadowsfan: OY! *insert glompage moment* I read your fic and loves it! I know I already reviewed it but still ... KUDOS to ye!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*
*Finally! A safe place! Sanctuary! Sanctuary I say!*
I sighed with the utmost relief when Gilderoy and I stepped onto my porch. I reached for my keys and opened the door and quite literally fell face forward onto the floor.
"Stephie!" Gilderoy gasped and made to help me up, but I waved him away. He however, was very insistent. He got me into a sitting position, leaning me back against the wall. "What in the name of Merlin was that about?" He asked, both confused and just barely amused.
I closed my eyes and just leaned against the wall for a moment. It had been a LONG day after all. Sighing inaudibly I opened my eyes and looked at him seriously.
"I'm fine. I'm just very exhausted." I said and made to rise, shifting the bags onto the couch a little ways away from me as I did so. I didn't want to deal with anything at the moment. I just wanted to go and lay down and not wake up for a LONG while. However, that wasn't exactly a luxury I had. I glanced down at my watch.
*Five o'clock ... nearly a whole ruddy day spent at ... the mall ... pheh ... so much to do and so little time ... *
"Gilderoy, I know we had a nice fancy dinner last night, but would you mind terribly if I didn't make that a repeat performance? I have no energy and there's not much in the stores anyway. I doubt you would know what Spaghetti-O's are ... but would you like to try some?" I asked him, stretching my arms and my limbs.
*That fall really did hurt y'know?*
He looked at me a little out of the loop for a moment, but seemed to realize he'd better not try any stunts with me. He nodded. "I would not mind at all, and you're right, I don't know what this ... er ... thing is ... but I wouldn't mind trying some." He responded.
"Lovely. Well, I'll go get it ready then. You can sift through the bags and take some of the hangers from here," I opened up the hallway coat closet and pulled a few hangers and handed them to him, "and hang up the shirts and the pants in that closet. I'll clear this lot of my family's sweaters and put it in their room." I told him and did exactly that. I did cringe a little when it came to grabbing my step-father's jacket but I tossed it away immediately onto their bed and promptly washed my hands in the bathroom before moving back into the living room.
*Yes, I know I am a bit ... er ... obsessive compulsive ... I'll get professional help soon, really.*
I entered back into the living room to find Gilderoy promptly hanging up the clothes with care. I smiled a little and made my way to the kitchen to make a quick supper for the two of us. Opening the pantry door I took the last two cans of Spaghetti-O's and set it on the counter.
*Wonder if I have the money in the bank to spare to replenish my Spaghetti- O's stores ... oh well ... I'll do without. Hopefully we have some frozen pizza's still in the freezer.*
Grabbing the can-opener I set to work getting the contents into two of my mother's blue and white bowls and into the microwave. I set the time for two minutes and stepped away to get two cups and in one I poured some soda for Gilderoy and for myself I filled my cup with milk. I then set those cups on the dining room table.
"Anything I can help with?" Gilderoy asked coming up to me from the living room.
"Nah, I am fine. Just another 0.5 seconds until dinner is served." I told him and waited half a second more to here the beep of the microwave.
*You really are geeky, if you have that timing down to an art. You're scary, Stephie. Get help.*
Smiling a small smile I got the two bowls from the microwave and grabbed two spoons and halfway to the table I stopped. I glanced across to living room window and outside to the porch.
"Gilderoy, what do you say to having dinner out on the porch? It's a nice night and fresh air would do some good." I suggested, glancing to him.
He nodded and smiled roguishly. "That would be nice." He said and made to follow me. I rolled my eyes.
*Is it just me or is he using that smile a little too much for my own comfort?*
I opened the door and walked carefully outside, having my bowl and cup of milk in my hands, as I made to the far end to sit on the porch swing. I placed my cup of milk and bowl on the wooden railing for a moment and flicked on the little switch on the side of the wall. Instantly our Christmas lights lit up.
*Lovely touch, if I do say so myself.*
I then sat back on the swing and waited for him to sit down and make himself comfortable before I reached for my bowl and tasted of the Spaghetti-O goodness that I came to love so much. I glanced over after a few ravenous but yet lady like bites to see if the wizard beside me was all right with the dinner choice for the night.
"Good or no?" I asked him, taking a couple more bites and savoring the warmth and the taste in my mouth.
He took a few bites more, as if making up his mind as he went along. "Good. Amazingly simple and plain, but good nonetheless." He told me honestly.
I laughed at that. "Same thought I had when I first had some, but it grew on me obviously." I grinned and had some more, turning my gaze to the quiet sort of street I lived on. I suppose I never fully appreciated where I lived or my house for that matter. It really was nice now that most of what my step-father had destroyed in an effort to renovate was redone and finished to perfection, it really wasn't half bad. Not that I would have really cared or noticed when my family was home, and me barricaded in my room, but now that I look long at it, it's really nice.
"Galleon for your thoughts?" Gilderoy's voice broke into my reverie.
I blinked and turned to him. "Oro?" I let slip.
"You looked a little pensive. You all right?" He asked a little concerned.
"Oh, I was just thinking about this house. Believe it or not you wouldn't have recognized it if you came here a month ago. It was hideous, really." I told him candidly, taking a few more bites.
"Hideous? You can't be serious. This is a charming little house." He responded with a chuckle.
"Charming now, but then ... " I shuddered, "it was quite hideous. My dear old step-father of mine woke up one day and decided he'd try and up our house's value by renovating and remodeling things inside and out. Started one project, if you could call it that, and moved onto nearly fifteen more and never finished them. So we had a whole lot of dust and rubble and general ickyness here for a long while until he hired people to come clean up the mess." I explained sardonically.
*It really had been a stupid move on his part, and as it is I still have a hole in my ceiling and one un-finished window. Sort of fitting that it would be my room that is still ramshackle and un-finished.*
He just stared at me and then around at the house. "Well, I just can't see it being as bad as you make it out to be, but at least it's nice now." Gilderoy smiled.
I smirked and finished my dinner and set the empty bowl on the little wooden table five feet away. Sighing a little contentedly I closed my eyes and leaned back on the swing, my movements rocking it back and forth a little in a comforting sort of way. I opened my eyes a little, in a sleepy drowsy sort of way and looked at the stars, amazed at the fact that you could actually see a few here and there.
*What do you know, the smog hasn't blocked out everything up there. Wow. Small miracles never cease.*
Closing my eyes again I leaned back my head, resting my neck on the top of the swing. It wasn't the most comfortable of positions really, but I wanted to lean back and rest and let myself be rocked by the swing. A second later though, I heard the clink of a bowl on the wooden table and felt the swing rock a little more. Suddenly I felt myself quite literally moved. I wasn't leaning back against the swing, but suddenly I was leaning against Gilderoy, my head on his shoulder and his arm lingering on mine. My heart stopped and I froze.
*Stephie ... don't move ... don't breathe ... the slightest movement could shatter your world ...*
I must have tensed up CONSIDERABLY because I suddenly felt him pull his arm away quick as lightning. I jumped up and scooped up the dishes and dashed to through the house to the kitchen, without a backward glance. I practically slammed the sliding kitchen door close, moving to the counter to lean forward onto it heavily. Trying to compose myself somewhat, I placed the dishes into the sink, albeit with shaky hands. I turned the water and tried to wash them without clinking them together so, but it wasn't working.
No one has held me like that. Then again, in the relation-date-ship realm I am not exactly all that experienced and the experiences I have had haven't been good. The words "crash and burn" come to mind. Hence, no one of the opposite sex has held me. Maybe the occasional male acquaintance from church will say goodbye and give me those quick "bye and God bless you, but don't prolong this please" kind of hugs, nothing even remotely more personal than that. Certainly none of my female friends have held me. Whether that is a good thing or bad, is yet to be seen. So yes, it's a little like shell shock to me, what just happened. I decided to forget the dishes. They were being mean and not cooperating with me anyway. So I figure an early bed time would be just what the doctor ordered. I slid open the door and made my way to my room, my haven. I was nearly there too before he came back in and stopped me.
"Stephie, I'm sorry about that all ... I-" He really did look sorry too. He would have to wouldn't he?
I took a deep breath and tried to shake it off. I was being really ... freaky about it anyway. "Look, it's fine, but please ... don't do that again." I told him and went away into my room.
As I changed and got into bed, I really had to admit to myself that it wasn't because I'm not a touchy feely person. I am, if anything, a really BIG touchy feely mushy type of person ... that is why I can't let that happen again. Every time I do ... I get hurt. I can't let my guard down.
*Can't. Can't. Can't I tell you!*
I sighed and pressed my eyes tightly shut and turned over on my side and buried my face in the side of my pillow.
*Merlin ... I have to admit it felt so nice ... but why? WHY??*
~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning when I woke up ... my pillow was damp from the tears ...
Acknowledgments:
Scarlet Rurouni: Oy! Just wanted to acknowledge the wonderful Liz-dono who keeps me from tearing Lockhart apart! LOL!
crystalunicorn14: *Huggies* Thanks for following the story as you have, hunnie-bunches-of-oats!
FluffysBijin05: *sly grin* Well, if you likes Lupin ... wait 'til I get to the sequel ... *wink wink ... nudge nudge* ...
ChocolateCoveredChaos: Thanks for your warm review! Keep checking back for more original goodness!
DarkShadowsfan: OY! *insert glompage moment* I read your fic and loves it! I know I already reviewed it but still ... KUDOS to ye!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*
*Finally! A safe place! Sanctuary! Sanctuary I say!*
I sighed with the utmost relief when Gilderoy and I stepped onto my porch. I reached for my keys and opened the door and quite literally fell face forward onto the floor.
"Stephie!" Gilderoy gasped and made to help me up, but I waved him away. He however, was very insistent. He got me into a sitting position, leaning me back against the wall. "What in the name of Merlin was that about?" He asked, both confused and just barely amused.
I closed my eyes and just leaned against the wall for a moment. It had been a LONG day after all. Sighing inaudibly I opened my eyes and looked at him seriously.
"I'm fine. I'm just very exhausted." I said and made to rise, shifting the bags onto the couch a little ways away from me as I did so. I didn't want to deal with anything at the moment. I just wanted to go and lay down and not wake up for a LONG while. However, that wasn't exactly a luxury I had. I glanced down at my watch.
*Five o'clock ... nearly a whole ruddy day spent at ... the mall ... pheh ... so much to do and so little time ... *
"Gilderoy, I know we had a nice fancy dinner last night, but would you mind terribly if I didn't make that a repeat performance? I have no energy and there's not much in the stores anyway. I doubt you would know what Spaghetti-O's are ... but would you like to try some?" I asked him, stretching my arms and my limbs.
*That fall really did hurt y'know?*
He looked at me a little out of the loop for a moment, but seemed to realize he'd better not try any stunts with me. He nodded. "I would not mind at all, and you're right, I don't know what this ... er ... thing is ... but I wouldn't mind trying some." He responded.
"Lovely. Well, I'll go get it ready then. You can sift through the bags and take some of the hangers from here," I opened up the hallway coat closet and pulled a few hangers and handed them to him, "and hang up the shirts and the pants in that closet. I'll clear this lot of my family's sweaters and put it in their room." I told him and did exactly that. I did cringe a little when it came to grabbing my step-father's jacket but I tossed it away immediately onto their bed and promptly washed my hands in the bathroom before moving back into the living room.
*Yes, I know I am a bit ... er ... obsessive compulsive ... I'll get professional help soon, really.*
I entered back into the living room to find Gilderoy promptly hanging up the clothes with care. I smiled a little and made my way to the kitchen to make a quick supper for the two of us. Opening the pantry door I took the last two cans of Spaghetti-O's and set it on the counter.
*Wonder if I have the money in the bank to spare to replenish my Spaghetti- O's stores ... oh well ... I'll do without. Hopefully we have some frozen pizza's still in the freezer.*
Grabbing the can-opener I set to work getting the contents into two of my mother's blue and white bowls and into the microwave. I set the time for two minutes and stepped away to get two cups and in one I poured some soda for Gilderoy and for myself I filled my cup with milk. I then set those cups on the dining room table.
"Anything I can help with?" Gilderoy asked coming up to me from the living room.
"Nah, I am fine. Just another 0.5 seconds until dinner is served." I told him and waited half a second more to here the beep of the microwave.
*You really are geeky, if you have that timing down to an art. You're scary, Stephie. Get help.*
Smiling a small smile I got the two bowls from the microwave and grabbed two spoons and halfway to the table I stopped. I glanced across to living room window and outside to the porch.
"Gilderoy, what do you say to having dinner out on the porch? It's a nice night and fresh air would do some good." I suggested, glancing to him.
He nodded and smiled roguishly. "That would be nice." He said and made to follow me. I rolled my eyes.
*Is it just me or is he using that smile a little too much for my own comfort?*
I opened the door and walked carefully outside, having my bowl and cup of milk in my hands, as I made to the far end to sit on the porch swing. I placed my cup of milk and bowl on the wooden railing for a moment and flicked on the little switch on the side of the wall. Instantly our Christmas lights lit up.
*Lovely touch, if I do say so myself.*
I then sat back on the swing and waited for him to sit down and make himself comfortable before I reached for my bowl and tasted of the Spaghetti-O goodness that I came to love so much. I glanced over after a few ravenous but yet lady like bites to see if the wizard beside me was all right with the dinner choice for the night.
"Good or no?" I asked him, taking a couple more bites and savoring the warmth and the taste in my mouth.
He took a few bites more, as if making up his mind as he went along. "Good. Amazingly simple and plain, but good nonetheless." He told me honestly.
I laughed at that. "Same thought I had when I first had some, but it grew on me obviously." I grinned and had some more, turning my gaze to the quiet sort of street I lived on. I suppose I never fully appreciated where I lived or my house for that matter. It really was nice now that most of what my step-father had destroyed in an effort to renovate was redone and finished to perfection, it really wasn't half bad. Not that I would have really cared or noticed when my family was home, and me barricaded in my room, but now that I look long at it, it's really nice.
"Galleon for your thoughts?" Gilderoy's voice broke into my reverie.
I blinked and turned to him. "Oro?" I let slip.
"You looked a little pensive. You all right?" He asked a little concerned.
"Oh, I was just thinking about this house. Believe it or not you wouldn't have recognized it if you came here a month ago. It was hideous, really." I told him candidly, taking a few more bites.
"Hideous? You can't be serious. This is a charming little house." He responded with a chuckle.
"Charming now, but then ... " I shuddered, "it was quite hideous. My dear old step-father of mine woke up one day and decided he'd try and up our house's value by renovating and remodeling things inside and out. Started one project, if you could call it that, and moved onto nearly fifteen more and never finished them. So we had a whole lot of dust and rubble and general ickyness here for a long while until he hired people to come clean up the mess." I explained sardonically.
*It really had been a stupid move on his part, and as it is I still have a hole in my ceiling and one un-finished window. Sort of fitting that it would be my room that is still ramshackle and un-finished.*
He just stared at me and then around at the house. "Well, I just can't see it being as bad as you make it out to be, but at least it's nice now." Gilderoy smiled.
I smirked and finished my dinner and set the empty bowl on the little wooden table five feet away. Sighing a little contentedly I closed my eyes and leaned back on the swing, my movements rocking it back and forth a little in a comforting sort of way. I opened my eyes a little, in a sleepy drowsy sort of way and looked at the stars, amazed at the fact that you could actually see a few here and there.
*What do you know, the smog hasn't blocked out everything up there. Wow. Small miracles never cease.*
Closing my eyes again I leaned back my head, resting my neck on the top of the swing. It wasn't the most comfortable of positions really, but I wanted to lean back and rest and let myself be rocked by the swing. A second later though, I heard the clink of a bowl on the wooden table and felt the swing rock a little more. Suddenly I felt myself quite literally moved. I wasn't leaning back against the swing, but suddenly I was leaning against Gilderoy, my head on his shoulder and his arm lingering on mine. My heart stopped and I froze.
*Stephie ... don't move ... don't breathe ... the slightest movement could shatter your world ...*
I must have tensed up CONSIDERABLY because I suddenly felt him pull his arm away quick as lightning. I jumped up and scooped up the dishes and dashed to through the house to the kitchen, without a backward glance. I practically slammed the sliding kitchen door close, moving to the counter to lean forward onto it heavily. Trying to compose myself somewhat, I placed the dishes into the sink, albeit with shaky hands. I turned the water and tried to wash them without clinking them together so, but it wasn't working.
No one has held me like that. Then again, in the relation-date-ship realm I am not exactly all that experienced and the experiences I have had haven't been good. The words "crash and burn" come to mind. Hence, no one of the opposite sex has held me. Maybe the occasional male acquaintance from church will say goodbye and give me those quick "bye and God bless you, but don't prolong this please" kind of hugs, nothing even remotely more personal than that. Certainly none of my female friends have held me. Whether that is a good thing or bad, is yet to be seen. So yes, it's a little like shell shock to me, what just happened. I decided to forget the dishes. They were being mean and not cooperating with me anyway. So I figure an early bed time would be just what the doctor ordered. I slid open the door and made my way to my room, my haven. I was nearly there too before he came back in and stopped me.
"Stephie, I'm sorry about that all ... I-" He really did look sorry too. He would have to wouldn't he?
I took a deep breath and tried to shake it off. I was being really ... freaky about it anyway. "Look, it's fine, but please ... don't do that again." I told him and went away into my room.
As I changed and got into bed, I really had to admit to myself that it wasn't because I'm not a touchy feely person. I am, if anything, a really BIG touchy feely mushy type of person ... that is why I can't let that happen again. Every time I do ... I get hurt. I can't let my guard down.
*Can't. Can't. Can't I tell you!*
I sighed and pressed my eyes tightly shut and turned over on my side and buried my face in the side of my pillow.
*Merlin ... I have to admit it felt so nice ... but why? WHY??*
~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning when I woke up ... my pillow was damp from the tears ...