For the Build A House! Challenge on the Ministry of Magic Discord.


When Emily spots Alex by the lake, she has to blink a few times to make sure that she's not imagining things. As much as she would hate to admit it, her crush on Alex has given her unparalleled knowledge of his usual whereabouts. And on a bright morning like this, Alex is usually at the beach with her sister, not fishing by the lake.

"I didn't know you liked to fish, Alex," Emily says, bright-eyed and curious as she approaches him. She peers into the ice box next to him, where three small fish lay. "It looks like you're having a good day."

"Two carp and one perch," Alex responds. He wipes perspiration from his brow. "I'm trying to catch a rainbow trout."

"A rainbow trout! What, has Willy got you helping out with his trout soup?" Emily laughs. "Still, two carp and one perch. That's not a bad effort. I actually think it's quite impressive."

As soon as she says it, she wants to take it back. God, she's always sounds so stupid around him. Quite impressive? No wonder why he's never looked at her twice.

"No, not Willy," Alex answers. "I'm actually…uh, you know the new girl? She was looking for some. I offered to help. Honestly, I didn't think it would be this hard. Willy makes it look so easy."

"You just offered to help? That's…" Emily trails off. "That's very kind of you."

To her horror, Alex's pale cheeks have a pink tinge to them. And with the sun beaming down on them and not a cool breeze in sight, Emily can't attribute it to the weather. Alex is blushing. And it's because of the new girl.

"I'm just trying to help," Alex splutters. "Make her feel welcome. All that stuff."

"Of course," Emily replies, forcing a smile. "Like I said, very kind of you."

Kind of him, to learn a whole new skill for her. Kind of him, to spend his entire morning on her. It's all just so god damn kind of him. And as Alex pulls back to cast another line—another line for the new girl—Emily can feel her heart breaking.