Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or some quotes similar to those of The Notebook
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Confessions of a Potter Princess IX
June 2
London Fashion Week Fall/Winter
"How do you feel?" asks Horton Sheridan the director of the show for my new spring/summer line.
"I don't think I'll throw up this time"
"You have to walk later right?"
"Actually no, I did Stella McCartney yesterday, but couldn't do Burberry, it's mine and Rainier's first anniversary tomorrow"
"That's pretty awesome, well five minutes till showtime, I'm going to check on the hair and makeup" he walks away and I go to stand over by the runway entrance, ready to check the models. We're a half hour behind schedule, but that's typical. The show is being held in a ballroom at an old mansion ten minutes into the London suburbs. I thought it juxtaposed the luxurious, modern clothes nicely.
The after party is to be held in a chic boutique hotel in London. Fortunately, Lana Taylor, who's become a good friend of mine agreed to open the show for me. This is huge considering all of the covers and ad campaigns she's won lately; it also brought even more spectators. The show had to be moved from an abandoned greenhouse in Westminster Park where it was set to be held initially.
Strutting down the runway in my first look, a white and black striped tunic long sleeve dress over bright purple leggings and white and black peep toe pumps, the makeup is done in a soft smoky eye and hot pink lips, hair in smooth curls that's are just a little bit undone, as if your late for an incredibly important event and dashed out into your car with not a second to spare. My brother Jude's song is blaring over the speakers, a hip indie rock single titled "Tuxedo Heart".
One by one the models march up and down the catwalk in paillette shorn cocktail dresses of black, turquoise, purple, silver and white, the main palette for the show cinched with black or white leather lai belts and classic mary-jane pumps or prim ballet flats. Menswear-inspired pants paired with bold silk halters or jewel-toned empire waist dresses with heavy metal jewelry follow dark customized denim miniskirts over black full-length slips, black tights and bright patent leather shoes. The collection contained 35 looks and the show was twenty minutes long. Jude, Maxim and Delilah, Caliber and Rainier were all there.
At the end of the show, I walk out onto the runway for my final bow with Lana to thunderous applause. Backstage I answer a million questions from the fashion media and finally head to the after-party in black leather pants and bold Versace top.
When I arrive, the party is already in full-swing, and everyone claps upon seeing my entry. I don't really know if I'll ever get used to how special that feels and I'm elated that I was able to have two stellar shows.
It's then that I notice Gates Canning, the one who really helped start all of this standing nearby, looking like he's waiting to talk to me. I finally am able to excuse myself from everyone to talk to him.
"Gates, it's so good to see you, I'm so glad you were able to come to the show!" I say kissing each of his cheeks.
"But of course, you were after all my little protégé, now I have to say I'm most impressed, from British socialite to celebrated couturier in two seasons, who would have thought!"
"Well, I really never would have known how to put on a show without you, I just can't wait to get started on next season"
"That is actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm about to present you with a fabulous opportunity. What do think about Paris?"
"Paris?" I say eagerly, my interest peaked
"Yes, Paris, the home of couture week"
"Couture week" I gasp "You don't mean…"
"That's exactly what I mean; you have your own couture show. And not just couture, but also a place for a resort-wear trunk show as well as a modeling contract with Balenciaga and a spot at every Paris Fashion Week you want" he says promisingly
"This is a joke right" I say unbelievingly "A couture show my second fashion year with resort-wear and a spot at couture week, and a modeling contract with Balenciaga"
"No joke, Balenciaga or well I, feel you have everything it takes to be big in Paris, the place for cutting edge fashion. I know you've scored on the London scene but this isn't nearly the same. Paris is the birth place of couture; we're talking Christian Lacroix, John Galliano, Christian Dior, Chanel, Chloe, Givenchy; the greatest ateliers of fashion ever."
My eyes go wide as I try to comprehend all of this. These were my idols. Not only was I going to get a chance live and work where they were based, but I was going to be showing alongside them. What he said was true, London wasn't exactly the fashion mecca of the world, Paris is where the true artists were, and then New York. This is fucking insane an opportunity unlike any other in the world.
"You don't have to answer right away, since the trip involves a rather significant move to Paris and if you need to discuss it with whomever then…."
"I'll do it! Yes, absolutely, yes! No fucking way in hell is anyone going to stop me!" I say ecstatic, throwing my pale lithe arms around his neck and jumping up squealing with joy. The party was so loud no one really noticed but I wanted to shout it from the rooftops now. For the rest of the night I couldn't stop smiling. I jumped up on top of the bar to try and find Rainier, but didn't see him anywhere. The party-pooper was probably off smoking cigarettes outside as usual.
Early around nine he found me, and asked if we could leave, because he needed to tell me something that couldn't wait. I wasn't really ready but I really wanted to tell him all about the Paris thing as soon as possible too. Gates told me not to say anything to anyone else though until a formal press statement could be announced.
When we arrive home, he tells me that he has an announcement to make and I sit down on the clueless at what his announcement could be and literally bouncing with joy about to burst trying to contain all my excitement at my own announcement. He walks into the kitchen and comes back with a magnum of champagne and two glasses.
"So are you going to tell me what this surprise announcement is, because I really need to tell you something too?" I say smiling using all my self-control to keep in my excitement.
"Okay, well then I'll go first" he says handing me a bubbly glass of champagne "but here isn't right lets go up to the roof" and he grabs my hand and we go out into the hall our glasses of champagne sloshing as we ran up the flight of stairs from our 28th floor penthouse to the roof of the building.
We lay down on the concrete rooftop like we had so many other times before.
"Now can you tell me?"
"Ok well, I just landed an endorsement deal with Firebolt brooms." He said taking a sip of champagne
"Are you serious that's great." I said leaning up on my elbow to look at him
"Yeah 17 million galleons" he said with a smile
"That's wow, oh Merlin, that's amazing!" I said in shock at the size of the endorsement deal
"Yeah, so what was your big announcement?" he asked. I told him all about the job in Paris, about the amazing once in a lifetime opportunity.
"That's incredible Charlotte"
" I know can you imagine couture, me, Balenciaga everything it's just so like -Oh my gosh I can't even describe it!" I said kissing him deeply.
"Come on, let's go celebrate. Let's go to Carnivale or Glitereatti or both!" I said grabbing his hand already getting up
"Hey it's only nine thirty, besides this is nice , I don't know I wanted to spend some time together" he said tugging me back to the ground
"Oh come on, besides tonight we like never go out anymore"
"The night is still young" he said laughing
"Ok fine maybe later" I said sighing softly
We were silent for a long time, laying on the warm concrete roof of the London high-rise, the sounds of the bustling streets were so different; barely faint background noise instead of head-pounding. Our hands intertwined, I could tell he was thinking by the way his fingers were clenched tightly around mine.
"You know I love you right" he said breathing slowly
"Yeah of course I love you too" I respond immediately unclear of where this is going
He grabs both my hands and takes them in his looking deep into my emerald eyes, his grey-blue orbs dark and stormy with seriousness and sincerity.
"Well I-I've been thinking and I know your only eighteen and not ready for marriage but can you, can you just think about this. I mean do you think you could promise me forever, because I want that. I need that. I'm in this forever. Can you do that Charlotte-can you promise me forever?" he says his voice aching earnestly
He looks at me for a long time, but I don't say a word. Marriage and forever these words were too much for me. I couldn't get my head around what they mean and I can't stand his gaze boring into mine trying to read me, I can't stand the way he's looking at me, but I can't blame him he wants an answer.
He relinquishes my hands and sips his champagne laying back down again, we're quiet again, a heavy silence hanging in the air full of unanswered question and unspoken feelings.
"So Paris that's great, I mean really that's fantastic"
I get excited at the topic and turn to face him again and start speaking quickly
"I know we'll have to start looking for a flat there right away-"
"Charlotte-"
"or maybe a townhouse"
"Charlotte-"
"Colton said there was something available down the street from his flat and-"
"CHARLOTTE! I can't go with you" he says loudly
"Why-why not?" I say stuttering surprised at this
"I can't just relocate my whole life, especially when it's not going anywhere" he says softly
"I don't understand" I say a little disbelieving
"I know you don't, and that's what I'm saying, you never understood what this is, what I meant when I said forever. I mean that. I meant for the rest of our lives and you, this, us- it can't work. You're going away and I'm so happy for you, I'm so happy that you're doing that"
"So then come with me?" I say trying to just settle this, I don't want a fight and I don't like were this is going at all
"And do what Charlotte, what am I supposed to do in Paris" he says throwing his arms up in the air, standing up turning away from me.
"Be with me" I plead. I stand up and move right behind him a little unsure of what to do. "Please, maybe I can't do this forever thing now, but I'm not ready yet. I've told you. Give me time, just please don't say that, don't say it cause I can't now" my voice is beseeching and tears come to my eyes
"If not now, then never! Don't you get it, you'll never be ready, you'll never be able to do this. Deep down you know it too. Maybe you still love me now, but fuck you'll never love me the way I want you too." His breathing is ragged and my whole body clenches at his words. I don't understand my heart is racing, my head is pounding and I can't stop the tears from burning my eyes, threatening to fall.
"Do you realize that we've been together a year, and you never once have said I love you first. Never, and I don't think you ever will!" he says his voice strained his face wounded and brows furrowed, his words are twisting his mouth in a painful way and I don't know what to do.
"I've gone through this entire year and I've watched you dance on tables and smile at the cameras, become the media darling and your so amazing and so beautiful" he says reaching a hand out to touch me and then thinking better of it, "and I get it your career is taking off and your leaving soon-", he says his voice breaking and I can't stay silent any longer I have to break in.
"So what, it's over now, your going to give all the love and happiness we have now because of a maybe, because I maybe won't love you in the future!" I say frustrated the tears falling freely now
"Look you're not leaving for another couple of weeks and then we'll see how it goes you know-", he responds weakly touching my hair gently in his right hand
"No what the fucks the point of that, if you're going to break up with me then do it" I yell pushing him away"
"Stop-" he yells back
"No dammit do it, come on do it, I hate you! Fuck Rainier just do it" I say punching him on the chest sobbing, losing all control completely
"Charlotte stop just listen to me"
"No do it, might as well get it over with. Fuck I'll do it. IT'S OVER I HATE YOU ITS OVER I LOVE YOU ITS OVER"
"Charlotte please stop", he says grabbing my wrists, but I pull away
"Get away from me!"
"Fine then, this is it then, this is the end, this is over" he says sounding both defeated and exasperated backing away from me
"No, you don't really mean that do you please-" I beg crying, my vision blurred and I feel sick
"I can't, I can't do this anymore Charlotte, I just-"
And he's gone running down the stairs and I collapse onto the concrete floor crying, pulling on my hair, not knowing what the fuck to do. But then again, what is life without the pursuit of a dream?
Special thanks to
Princess gumdrops
Monks
Janepotter22
Catch me if u can
Sameopinkwinx
Rani singala
Queen of my own little world
Dizzy 2831
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