When Harry Met Susan

(And Peter and Edmund and Lucy and Mr. Tumnus and so on and so forth, you know the rest…)

Summery: Peter and Harry discover one another. Aslant makes his sacrifice.


Chapter Four – Deep Magic

"Harry, is everything alright?" Peter looked down at me in concern.

"I'm fine." What could I say, really? He sighed and sat down on the edge of my bed.

"Are you upset with me?" I looked up in surprise. Upset with him? How could I be upset with him?

"No, of course not."

"Is it because of Pansy?" I got up from the bed and started to pace the tent. Of course it was because of her, but probably not the way you're thinking.

"She just throws herself at you like that. She does this to everyone, you should be careful of her." I said bitterly,

"Are you jealous of me, do you want her for yourself?" I stopped my pacing and glared at him; he wasn't looking at me and was shuffling his feet uneasily. Oh, Merlin, he's probably one of those guys who would back down on a girl if they thought someone else has a legitimate claim on her. Stupid and noble, a true Gryffindor. Not to mention the fact that the whole idea of me wanting Parkinson was absolutely preposterous. What came out of my mouth however was,

"I'm not jealous of you, I'm jealous of her." His head shot up in surprise and I tried to smile at him but felt my cheeks turn red and all I wanted was to bolt out of the tent and hit my head repeatedly against the nearest tree for being such a babbling idiot. I was half way to the tent entrance when Peter stood up and blocked my way. He looked at me with a strange expression on his face and I bit my lip and tried to think of a way out of this embarrassing situation. Something other than launch at his lips that is.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled and walked around him and left the tent. The cold night air seemed to cool the boiling of my blood and I took a deep breath. I started to walk; I wasn't sure where I was going. The camp was full of life, as everyone gathered around bonfires to chat, sing and drink. I needed a quiet place to think, to figure out what exactly happened right now and why am I doing this to myself.

"Harry, wait!" I heard him running behind me but I didn't stop until he caught my arm and forced me to turn and face him. We stood in a shaded corner on the edge of the camp and the noises of the singing and talking were faint and insignificant.

"Peter, please. This is embarrassing enough as it is. Just go away!" I pleaded; he took his hand off my arm and lowered his head,

"Do you really want me to leave?"

"I don't care. Do whatever you want." He lifted his gorgeous eyes at me and I gulped. There was a strange look in them.

"What I really want?" I tried to shrug,

"I don't..." I managed to chock out before his lips touched mine. Without thinking my hands flew around his body pulling him closer as I strived to deepen our kiss. I've been snogging Hannah for about three months now, but it never felt quite like this. So pure, so intense, and so amazing. Peter buried his fingers in my hair and our tongues met, wet and hot sliding over one another. We finally pulled apart when our lungs threatened to explode and stood there, still holding each other panting and blushing and smiling shyly at each other.

"Wow." He whispered and my smile grew wider. I reached again for his soft lips and he complied at once.

"Peter, Harry, where are you?" came the voice of Lucy and we hastily sprang apart our faces flushing when she spotted us.

"Lu, what are you doing here, you should be in bed." Peter chocked out a little harsher than he meant.

"Susan and Pansy are making too much noise." She complained and we smiled. "What are you doing here?" she asked curiously and I felt myself going ever redder than before. I ran my hand through my hair, smiling slightly when I remembered the feeling of Peter's fingers entwined in it.

"Talking." Said Peter hurriedly and smiled down at Lucy who pouted,

"That's what the girls are doing." She complained and we started to laugh. "Come back with me." She pleaded, "We could go and see what the bonfires are like." She added excitedly.

"No! You are going straight to bed and I'm going to make sure the girls are quiet." Said Peter firmly, exercising his authority as the older brother. Lucy pouted again but didn't argue when he took her hand and led her back towards the camp. I trailed behind watching them; it was obvious Lucy held her brother's opinion in high regard. She was completely in awe with him.

When we reached the camp Peter took Lucy back to the girls' tent while I entered ours. I slumped on the bed and tried to make sense of what just happened. I just kissed him, twice. And each time felt better than the other. That was the bit that bothered me the most. I never felt like that towards another guy (if I was completely honest with myself, I never actually felt like that towards any girl either), I never thought I could feel like that. And yet here it was, ever since I first lay eyes on Peter I wanted him, I now realized with a shudder.

My poor Hannah, she'll be crushed when she learn of this. I couldn't shrug off the feeling of guilt. But not towards Hannah, towards Peter, I should tell him of her.

"Harry, are you still awake?" came the soft voice of Peter from the tent entrance. I lifted myself on my elbows and he walked shyly towards me. I sat up and extended my arm to catch his hand. I pulled him to the bed and we lay there facing each other and smiling.

We didn't say anything; we just reached out for each other and kissed softly again. That night turned out the be the best of my life, Peter and I kissed each other softly, running our hands over each other's faces, and sliding fingers under our shirts occasionally, trailing our lips on every bit of exposed skin we could find. We slowly drifted off to sleep holding each other.

"Peter, Peter, come quick, Ed's back!" Peter and I woke with a start and the first thing we saw was the shocked face of Susan. We looked over at each other and Peter scrambled out of the bed. Susan gave me a venomous glare before storming out of the tent. Peter shot me an apologetic look and went outside. I sighed and fell back against the pillow. Bullocks!

When I went out I saw the Pevensies standing together, hugging Edmund. I couldn't help notice that Susan was keeping her distance from Peter and cringed inwardly.

We sat around the low table for breakfast. Peter sat between his brother and youngest sister. Throughout the meal I caught Susan throwing filthy looks at Peter and me. Peter was doing his best to avoid me altogether and I just felt stupid again. When breakfast was over Susan promptly took Lucy and her bow and arrows. Peter got up and motioned Edmund to follow, Edmund grunted as he sadly departed with his toast but followed his older brother. I have a feeling there was a lot of guilt involved in Edmund's part, because the last time I saw him he couldn't have been more hostile towards Peter.

When the four Pevensies left, Parkinson got to her feet and dusted herself off,

"Well," she said briskly, "If we are going to stay here for the fight, we might as well find some weapon." I nodded and got up to my feet as well and we made our way over to a group of centaurs, which stood around a grindstone.

I was just adjusting the belt of my new sword when a rush of excitement was passing through the camp. Mrs. Beaver was running towards us, as fast as her short legs would carry her.

"Come quick, the White Witch has come to see Aslan." We followed her quickly, when we got to the main tent the four Pevensies were already there. Parkinson and I walked to stand among them. Much to my dismay Susan positioned herself so that I couldn't get too close to Peter. I shot her a narrowed eyes glance of contempt, which she returned, with a little disgusted curl of her upper lip.

We watched as the White Witch approached Aslan sitting in her bier, when she was close enough the Cyclopes carrying her bier lowered it and she stepped out, standing tall and majestic in front of Aslan.

"You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan."

"His offence was not against you." He replied quietly.

"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?" she asked and Aslan gave a short roar, causing Lucy to jump and gasp.

"Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, witch! I was there when it was written!" the White Witch didn't even blink before calmly saying,

"Then you'll remember that every traitor belongs to me, his blood is my property. You know that unless I have blood as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water. This boy," she said and pointed Edmund, who visibly shrunk and tried to hide behind his siblings. "Will die on the stone table… as is tradition. You do not dare refuse me!"

"Enough!" roared Aslan. "We will talk alone."

At that the witch followed him inside his tent. I glanced over at Peter and he bowed his head. I sat heavily on the ground; things weren't going well at all. After what felt like eternity Aslan and the White Witch exited his tent. Aslan looked at Edmund who paled and looked ready to faint.

"She has renounced her claim on the son of Adam's blood." All around us the crowd of Narnians broke in cheers. And Edmund sagged with relief while his sisters hugged him.

The rest of the day passed with everyone making frantic last minute preparations for the war. I didn't see Peter all day, as he was summoned to Aslan's side. I was walking back towards our tent when Susan showed up at my side with grim face.

"Could I have a word with you?" I sighed and nodded and followed her to a quiet corner under a big oak tree. I sat down not looking at her and she stood on the edge of the tree's shadow, her back turned to me. I waited patiently for her to begin talking. After a while she said without turning to me,

"You have to stop." I looked up curiously,

"Excuse me?" she sighed and turned,

"You cannot do this to Peter. I've seen the way the two of you are looking at each other ever since we met. Peter is fascinated by you, mesmerized. And you are going to leave when the battle is over. You're going to return to your own home, Pansy told me." I looked down at my hands; I couldn't really deny any of her words.

"You're going to leave Peter and break his heart the moment this battle is over." She called hotly, "You don't even care about him!" at that I sprang to my feet.

"That's not true!"

"Is it? Pansy told me you have a girlfriend!" I gasped at her open mouthed and she continued with a quieter voice, "Peter is a sensitive boy; he's very loyal and doesn't betray his friends easily." I lowered my head and muttered,

"I am not going to betray him."

"You're going to leave. You're going to break his heart. Stay away from him!" she threw at me and left with a swirl of her dress, leaving me alone with my dark thoughts.

It was Peter who found me an hour or so later, still sitting under the tree. He carefully sat next to me and I lifted my eyes to his beautiful face. He placed his hand on my cheek and leaned forward to kiss me but I turned my head.

"Harry, what is the matter?" I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my chin on them; I realized I was fighting back tears.

"Peter, please leave."

"Not until you tell me what is wrong, did I do something to offend you?" Susan obviously forgot to add stubborn to Peter's list of qualities.

"No, of course not. You did nothing wrong. It's me." I sighed, "I haven't been completely honest with you." I looked up at him and saw his lovely blue eyes cloud over at my words. It felt like knives driving into my heart to hurt him like that but I had to tell him before Susan did. "I have a girlfriend. Back in my world." Peter turned away from me and pulled his knees to his chest as well. I took a deep breath and continued, "Aslan is going to send us home in the end of the battle." He shook his head slightly still staring into space. "I'm so sorry, Peter. I never meant to hurt you… I never…"

"Shut up!" he cried out cutting me mid sentence. I closed my mouth and tried to reach out for him but he recoiled from my touch. I bit my lip hard as the tears stung my eyes.

"Why did you do it?" he asked quietly, still not looking at me. I could have taken anything from him, but the fact he refused to look at me simply broke my heart.

"I've never felt like this before. Never in my life." I said quietly, almost to myself, my voice sad. Peter jumped to his feet and walked over to stand in the spot Susan stood on earlier, his back turned to me. I rose slowly to my feet and walked over to where he stood.

He turned around to face me, and before I could move he grabbed my face with his hands and his mouth met mine with a crushing, desperate kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes were shining with tears,

"I've never felt like that before either. And now you are going to leave me." He whispered.

"I'm so sorry, Peter." He took a deep breath and released his tight grip of my face,

"You should be." He said and then turned and left.

I sank to my knees and let the bitter tears spill from my eyes. How did everything go so wrong in such a short time? I hit to ground hard and balled myself burying my head in my knees, painful sobs hurting my throat.

Last night everything was perfect, I didn't care about going back home and I didn't care about the war and neither did Peter. There were just us, just us holding each other not because we needed consolation and comforting but because it was something we both wanted. Last night was all about love. And now, not even 24 hours later and I'm here, alone and broken. To use one of Parkinson's favourite lines- it's not fair!

And the worst part is, I can't really go and get him back. I cannot promise him something I know isn't true. I can't hurt him deliberately.

When I lifted my head I saw it was already dark, I have no idea how long I just sat there feeling sorry for myself but it must have been a while because my muscles were aching and my whole body was stiff.

I made my way slowly back to the tent, I had no place else to go and I tried to figure out what I'm going to say to Peter that would sort things out. With a bit of luck he'll be asleep already and I wouldn't have to say anything at all.

I entered to the tent to find Peter sitting on his bed looking down at his hands; he looked so miserable I couldn't stop the wave of self-hatred that washed over me. When he heard me coming he looked up and I froze. We stared at each other for what felt eternity, neither of us moving. A soft rustle and sleepy moan came from the third bed in the tent and reminded me that Edmund was also there. The noise seemed to have broken the spell Peter and I were trapped in and he lowered his head again. I started to move towards him, almost reluctantly. I felt like someone is poking me in the back to keep me going, I glanced back and was almost sure I'd see Hermione there, with her eyebrows raised and a silent "Will you go already!" expression on her face. She wasn't there of course but I still felt a little better.

When I reached Peter I stood undeceive for a few seconds before I fell to my knees in front of him. He lifted his head and our eyes met.

"I'm so sorry; I never meant to hurt you, on the contrary. I…"

"Love me?" I bit my lip, his eyes were bright with tears, but there was no anger in them, no hate, just sadness and a tiny ray of hope. A slow smile spread across my lips and I nodded,

"Say it."

I took my time in answering, searching his eyes again. When I saw the love shining in them again, the words left my tongue without a trace of hesitation,

"I love you."

Peter sank to his knees in front of me and hugged my tight. My hands went around him to hold him, my fists clenching over his shirt and my head buried in his shoulder. We stayed like that until our knees started to burn and the pain was a little too much to take. We rose slowly to our feet and started to get ready for sleep. Once we were ready we crept into Peter's bed.

I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling his warmth enveloping me and let myself be swept into the arms of sleep.

"Harry?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why are you really staying here?" I opened my eyes.

"I thought it was obvious." Peter lifted my chin with his finger and made me look at him.

"For the love of battle, then?" I saw his eyes sparkling with mischief and smiled. Instead of answering him I moved up and kissed him. After satisfying his lips I made my way slowly back to his neck, his skin felt so smooth and inviting under my lips I couldn't resist the temptation of slowly running my tongue on its creaminess. I buried my nose in the junction of his shoulder and neck and inhaled deeply. Peter shuddered and let out a small chuckle,

"That tickles," he whispered but I couldn't stop, he was intoxicating.

"You smell so good, like soft leather and Jasmine." He slowly stroke my hair and said in an amused voice,

"Its Lavender, they put it in the washing water."

"Really? Let me smell again." With that I buried my nose in his neck and inhaled again causing him to giggle loudly.

"Peter?" came the sleepy voice of Edmund. In one hurried motion peter rose to sit up and I found myself on the floor with a loud thud. Edmund's head rose blearily from his pillow and he asked in a heavy voice, "What happened?"

"Nothing! Go back to sleep Ed, everything is fine." Said peter in a soothing yet slightly husky voice. Edmund mumbled something and turned back on his pillow. We waited frozen for a few minutes till we heard his breathing becoming deep and regular.

I clambered up and back into the bed. Peter looked at me with an apologetic look on his face. I couldn't really stay mad at him and I was far too tiered to scold him for tossing me out of bed like that.

We settled again comfortably, and very soon sleep engulfed us.

When I opened my eyes I could see the soft grey light of dawn filtering through the tent's wall. I looked down at Peter, his face so beautifully relaxed and a little smile playing at his lips. His arm was thrown over at my chest, his fingers entwined with mine. My first impulse was to snuggle closer to his warm body but I knew that wouldn't be a very good idea, it was almost dawn and Edmund would wake soon. Somehow I had a feeling we would be in a much bigger heap of troubles if Edmund found out about this, Susan might bloody well shut me with her bow.

I sighed deeply and reluctantly moved Peter's hand. I carefully made my way out of the bed and went over to my own, cold and unused one.

I sat on my bed, hugging my knees and looked at Peter sleeping. Before I could get too caught up with his looks there was a rustle around the tent. Peter woke up almost at once, looking a little disoriented and then glanced over to see me sitting looking at him. He gave me a small smile which I returned just as Edmund woke up and the tent flap flew back.

In front of our eyes a dryad slowly materials,

"Fear not, my princes," she said in a voice that sounded like a soft wind throw leaves, "I bring grave news from your sisters."


A/N: Wow, an entire relationship in seven pages… Told you time in Narnia is moving differently.