A/N.: Hi guys! Yes, I haven't abandoned this story. I owe you an apology for spending so much time without na update. I'm sorry. All I can say is the truth, it was due to a lack of time and inspiration. Still, now I'm on summer vacation from college and I believe I'll be posting a lot sooner than this time. I only ask you to, please, not give up on Albus and Emma. After this one, it's only two or three chapters left. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please leave your opinions and thoughts to me, even if it is to complain about the delay hahahaha. And Happy New Year!
p.s.: The amazing banner from this story is by my incredible best friend. You know who you are. :)
Song for this chapter: Strawberries And Cigarette – by Troye Sivan
The days passed quickly as our N. E.W.T.s came closer. The professors were stressing the importance of them as much as possible, which, in turn, made us feel even more anxious. The common room was constantly full until the late hours of the night with students leaning over books and parchment. My friends and I made some studying sessions together, sharing notes, and having Anna drilling us about the different subjects we had to cover. Other times, we studied alone in almost every free time we could find.
I had tried studying with Albus once, as he was the best Defense student in his year. After the first studying session I quickly gave up the pretense of doing any learning with him.
- Al! – I said between kisses.
- Humm? – he didn't stop.
- I...have...to study. – I get out.
He takes his lips away from me.
- It's not my fault you are so seductive. – he says indignantly.
- I was just reading about Protego charms.
- Still beautiful, though. – he grins.
Adding to our tests, the Quidditch final was mere days away, and after an uneventful game against Hufflepuff, we managed to win with a comfortable advantage. That made Gryffindor and Ravenclaw the finalists, after the eagles bet Slytherin in their last match. The school was positively boiling with Quidditch rivalry and James was coming up with specific drills to fix all our possible flaws on the pitch. My final month at school was definitely starting as a busy one.
Thursday evening had me in my dormitory with my two female friends going over my application to two prospective jobs.
- I liked it even better now. You put a new exciting touch to it. – Anna decides.
- Great! – I say, relieved. After much thought, I had made an application to one Wizarding magazine and to a section in the Daily Prophet. Anna was going through my history piece to the Prophet and Zoe was helping me with a piece I wrote to Quidditch Weekly. I had to give the employers a sample of my writing. The versions the girls were reading had already passed through Albus' hands. His mom was a Quidditch writer, so he was an expert in the subject. But also...I really cared about his opinion.
- This is really good, Em. I feel like I'm reading the magazine itself. You almost convinced me the Magpies are gonna win their next game. – Zoe exclaims.
I laugh.
- Thanks girls. – I take the parchments from them. – So, that means I only have to seal the letters and send it. – I hold the letters to my chest and say it nervously.
- You should definitely do it. – Anna says.
- You can borrow my owl! – Zoe offers.
I fold the envelopes carefully and seal them. I then hold the letters to my chest again and attach them to Zoe's owl. The girls stand with me on the window as I watch the letters fly away.
The next day, I sit by the breakfast table with my friends before another full day of classes. Anna already has a book open on her lap and Zoe is sitting holding hands with Oliver, her new boyfriend. Even I am surprised to see Zoe doing such a romantic gesture. They seem infatuated with each other.
- Argh. – Jake, who is seated by their side, scrunches up his face when Zoe leans her head on Ollie's shoulder.
- So, Oliver – James clears his throat. – What did you think about the Tornadoes' win against the Harpies?
- Oh, I was pretty happy about it. – he says. - I'm a Tornadoes fan myself.
- Argh!! – the boys exclaim together.
- Such a disappointment. – Freddie complains.
Ever since Zoe started to date Oliver at mine and James' birthday party, the boys in our group seem to be doing their best efforts to make him feel unwelcome. They also don't want to see Zoe doing any public displays of affection with him.
Zoe makes an offensive gesture as she pulls him into a kiss.
- Anna, love, maybe you should take a break. – I tell my friend. Her mashed eggs are precariously hanging from her fork while her head is facing her book.
- I have to finish this chapter now to keep up with my schedule! – she responds. With her movements, her eggs fall over the book.
- No! What will I do now! – she shrieks.
- Anna, use your wand. – Zoe says while I roll my eyes.
- Oh, yeah. – Anna sighs, relieved, and cleans the book with a simple charm. Her appearance perfectly demonstrates how frazzled she is. Her hair is all over the place and there are dark smudges under her eyes. Honestly, I think none of us are that hot at the moment. The N.E.W.T.s' pressure is even messing with the boys, who have been much more quiet lately, with all the studying going on. The reality of leaving Hogwarts and facing the real world is ever closer.
- Emma! Don't forget! Last Quidditch practice before the match today! – James shouts from down the table, Quidditch playbook opened in his lap in a similar fashion as Anna's book was. – Zoe! You too! If you can detach yourself from Oliver's mouth, that is.
Zoe glares at James.
- Oh! We should go! – Anna exclaims, checking her wristwatch. – We have Potions first thing.
We all get up with a collective groan. All of us took this class.
- And Emma, don't forget our essay for Ancient Runes. We need to turn it in today in third period.
The mention of Ancient Runes lifts my mood immediately. I forgot I had it today! Which meant, a whole class seating next to my favorite Slytherin.
The Potions class goes fast, with a lot of stress to make the right potion in one hour. We leave the class sweaty and tired. Then comes Transfiguration, which Zoe and Fred weren't taking. It's basically all theory. The written part of the exam we will take, is one of the longest and more detailed.
By the time it's over, I practically skip to the Ancient Runes classroom, only managing a little to control my excitement. I throw myself into the chair next to Al, where he's seating, going over a book.
He looks over at me and gives me a brilliant smile. His familiar scent of parchment and cologne calms me.
- Hi! – he says quietly.
- Hey! – I whisper.
Professor Carter enters the class with a resounding "good morning" and I don't have the time to say anything else.
A few minutes later, though, while we are copying information from the black board, a note is pushed to my table.
How r u?
I read Al's classy handwriting and reply in the same way.
Good. A bit tired. You?
Great! Studying a lot for the exams. I imagine how tired you must be.
I look at him and nod. A thought comes to my mind.
I sent my applications yesterday!
He reads and smiles.
Amazing! Can't believe you'll be soon working as a writer. I'll be reading your published articles.
They've not even accepted it yet! You're too confident, Al.
I still smile adoringly at him as I pass him the note. He looks at me and shrugs.
I'm not normally like that. With me or anyone. There's just something about you. Something that makes me wear Gryffindor scarfs and plan cheesy dates.
I read that and a warm feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. I look at him and am pretty sure my eyes must look exceedingly bright.
I feel something on the table and look down. Our desks are attached to each other, me on the left, him on the right. My right hand is resting near his table. His left hand is closer now, next to mine, palms facing down. His pinky finger wraps itself in mine.
We stay like that until the professor stops writing. I can't take note of anything with my right hand otherwise occupied. Doesn't matter, anyway. I can just copy Al's notes later.
- So, Emma...You seemed pretty excited to get to Ancient Runes before. – Anna nudges me as we are both leaving the aforementioned class.
- You think? – I try to play it cool. But there's still a huge smile that seems to keep making an appearance on my face, which kind of ruins the effect.
- And I'm pretty sure it wasn't because of the subject we are seeing. – she ignores me and goes on.
I can feel my cheeks burning red. Anna breaks into a bright smile and gives a little jump. We slow down on our way to the next class while we talk.
- So, you and Albus still got it going?
I push her slightly:
- Anna! Don't say it so loud!
She rolls her eyes at me, but then continues with the same excited voice:
- Tell me! What's gotten that huge smile on your face?
- We were just holding hands during class, is all. – I shrug, embarassedly.
Anna nods at me, knowing there's more to it. I love that she always knows when I need some time to say something and if there's more on my mind. It's why I wouldn't have been able to hide this relationship from her all these months, too.
- It's like, everything is always so exciting with him. – I go on. – I still get butterflies from the smallest gestures, he always knows the right thing to say. And he not only makes me feel comfortable around him, but still shows me there's more to things if I just step out of my comfort zone.
Anna keeps nodding along with my excited chatter.
- Uhum... - she says – This is beautiful, Em, it is. But I think you left out an important part. Is he as good a kisser as he seems to be?
- Oh, yes! – I sigh. We both crack up.
- But really, Emma. It's so important that you like each other's company so much. And that he adds positively to your personality. I'm glad to see you so happy. And I wouldn't have taken Albus for the talking, sentimental guy.
- Me neither. But he is! He's amazing, Anna.
Anna laughs:
- You're so in love! – she gives me a side hug. – I didn't know it was that serious. Have you given any thought about next year? He has another year in school, right?
Next year...I hadn't given any thought about next year. I mean, of course, I had, but not in relation to Albus. Could we make a long-distance relationship work? Would he even want to try? He would be in this castle, filled with girls falling over themselves to be with him.
No! Stop that! I'm not giving myself enough credit. He's with me, even though there's a castle filled with girls.
- Oh, love. I'm sorry! – Anna smiles apologetically and takes me out of my thoughts. – I didn't mean to make you worried. You seem troubled.
- No, Anna. It's fine. – I squeeze her hand.
- Just talk to him. – she suggests. – You will find a way. He seems worth it, Emma. Gorgeous, intelligent and can put that smile on my friends' face? I like him already and I haven't yet talked to the guy.
I hug her as we wait for the stairs to change directions.
Later that day, when the sun is beginning to set down in the magnificent mountains that surround Hogwarts, I head down to the pitch with Zoe, James and Jake. It's officially our last Quidditch practice at Hogwarts. There was already a feeling of melancholy in the air, at least as far as I was concerned, and the beautiful scenery seemed fitting.
We arrived fifteen minutes before our assigned practice schedule, as James was the captain and couldn't be late. Victor, the beater, was already waiting for us, though.
- Hi man. – James greets him. – Ready for a grueling practice session?
- That depends. – Victor answers. – If that's gonna get us that shiny cup tomorrow.
- That I cant be 100 percent sure. But I do know that if we don't train today, the Ravenclaws will already have an advantage on us.
- Then, I'm ready! – the chaser says, confidently.
- Me too! – I say.
- Me three! – says Jake.
We all turn to each other and share a look, one filled with determination, but also excitement and passion for this sport.
The other two member of our team, Riley and Mike, soon joined us and we took to the air.
None of James' practices could ever be called "light". Throughout the year he drilled us with physical preparation, laps around the field, push-ups, passing drills, work with the Bludgers and team formations. Tonight, the practice was different. It wasn't that he took it easy with us. But James was an amazing captain. He did his research and assured us that it wouldn't do us any good if we decided to go all out today, exhausting ourselves.
That being said, James skipped the heavy physical training on the ground today and worked with us in the air. We did some basic repetitive exercises for each positions, ones we've been doing all year, and then specific drills to work on our weaknesses. The rest of practice was spent talking strategy and rehearsing plays for the game.
Three hours later, we left the now dark sky and walked to the changing rooms. As the girls and I started to gather our stuff to go back to the castle, James came from the boy's lockers and called:
- Hey, could we regroup in the captain's' facilities before we go back?
- Sure! – I say.
The three of us join the boys in the closed space.
- So, - James clears his throat. – I wanted to say that now, because I believe tomorrow we're gonna be too busy doing last-minute pep talks before the game.
He sighs and looks at each of us.
- It was an honor being the captain of such a great group this year. I may be biased, but on the six years I've been on the team and the other one as a spectator, I don't think Gryffindor has had such a good team. And I don't mean it only because of your skill, but also for the way we all worked together. On previous years, there's been always reason for disagreements on the team...
Jake, Zoe and I shared an amused look, because it was true. Many fights have broken out on these changing rooms.
- You all work together brilliantly and that's why I believe we will win that cup tomorrow. The Ravenclaws may be a skilled group but they are not as in sync as we are. Emma and Mike, the three of us can play in all chaser formations easily, and Jake knows our defensive plays by heart. Victor and Zoe, you communicate so well on the pitch, it's like there's two barriers preventing the Bludgers' passage. And Riley...
We all laugh at the fact that the seeker is a player that works alone.
- No, I'm serious. – James grins. – I do have something to say. Riley, as the seeker, is aware of our positions at all times and weaves in and out of us in the search for the Snitch.
Riley receives various pats on the back and hair-ruffling.
- This is my last year as a player at Hogwarts, and so are Zoe's, Emma's and Jacob's. – James looks at us, who nod. My eyes are already burning with tears. I'm very emotional at endings. – And I can say we are leaving Hogwarts proud of the work we did this year. I'm sure they agree.
Us seventh years nod again, though it isn't really necessary.
- Of course we're hoping for a win tomorrow, but either way it will be a last great game at Hogwarts. – James wraps up.
We all cheer and clap, putting our hands together and shouting "Lions!".
After that, the team returns to the castle in little groups. I walk with my classmates, our arms around each other.
- So, that was our last practice at Hogwarts... – Jake says.
- It sure flew by. – Zoe comments.
My eyes are getting misty again. I try not to look at any of them directly. I had been a second year when I got on the team as a reserve chaser, moving to the starting team on the subsequent year. Now, I couldn't imagine my student life without playing Quidditch.
- Jake, Emma and I got on the team our second year. And Zoe, as a third year, right? – James says. – We are basically the foundation of this years' team! Next year, there'll be a lot of spots to fill.
A tear rolls down my cheek. As our last weeks as students at Hogwarts approach, I get more and more emotional. There were a lot of times recently, when study sessions with my friends turned into reminiscing. Now, this exchange on the Quidditch pitch, feels like the end of a chapter, even though our last game isn't until tomorrow.
- Aww! Emma is crying! – Jake exclaims. I groan internally.
- Em! Don't be sad! We're still playing on this pitch tomorrow! – Zoe comes closer.
James laughs and the subject is changed as my friends make fun of me the rest of the way to our Common Room.
The morning of the finals, I'm absolutely freaking out on the inside. On the outside, I try to put on a calm expression and pretend as if I haven't got game day jitters. Our whole group walks down to breakfast early, Freddie and Anna giving us moral support, even though they're not playing. They are both sporting our House's colors right down to their socks.
As we enter the hall, It's like a sea of red and gold, blue and silver. There are students using only one scarf with the colors, or people wearing colored hair and painted faces. Still, as far as I can see, everyone shows support for one of the teams.
When getting to the table, loud applause and whistles erupt from our house. James takes it by stride and bows charmingly at them, greeting some students. I get even more nervous as the pressure to win the cup for them becomes more real.
Another weird effect from my nervousness was my bladder was overly active. This morning I went to the bathroom three times already, and, in the middle of breakfast, I had to go again.
I walked quickly out of the Great Hall and through the corridors in search of the nearest bathroom. The halls were pretty quiet, with a few students going to eat. I'm looking at a couple holding hands when something enters my line of vision. It lands on my hair and I almost shriek, thinking it is some kind of insect. I pat it away, and it falls to the ground. As I look more closely at it, I realize it's not a real animal. It's made of paper.
I grab the paper bird in my hand and unfold it. Written in a familiar handwriting are the words:
Enter through the next door.
I walk three more steps and casually push open the door to the Fifth Year Charms. Albus stands tall on the unused classroom. His emerald eyes shine in the dark room, part of his hair falling over them and on his lips, there's the most adorable crooked smile. Sheepish and happy at the same time. But what takes the most of my attention is the Gryffindor scarf he's wearing, the one I gave him.
- Humm. I think we haven't used this classroom before. – I muse.
He lets escape a burst of laughter and moves swiftly to me, placing both his hands on my waist. Tingles take over my skin.
- Excited for the big game? – he asks.
- I think I'm ready. – I say.
- I know you're ready. You can throw that Quaffle like a pro. I just want to know how you're feeling today.
- Nervous? Excited? Melancholic? – I say, uncertainty.
- It can be all of that, Parker. – he says softly, and tucks a dark strand of my hair behind my ear.
I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him, my head resting on his chest, smelling his cologne, and my thoughts abuzz.
- Will we continue to date next year? – I say quietly.
Al pulls his head back to look me in the eyes.
- I hope so. Are you breaking up with me in advance? – he muses.
- No, no! – I shout.
- Good. – he smiles and runs a hand through his hair. – So, what brought this up?
- It's just that next year I won't be here at Hogwarts, we'll have to make it work long-distance. And you've got a school filled with girls...
- Em, wait! – he interrupts me. – I may have a school full of girls, but you'll have a bunch of new possibilities! You'll be working at your dream job, have your own place, maybe share it with a roommate. And as for romance, you'll meet a bunch of new people! From the two of us, it's me who should be worried.
I give a watery laugh. My cheeks are wet again, but now it's more of a happy than melancholic feeling. I was dreaming of all the new things I had to look forward to rather than the ones I was leaving behind. Except I didn't want to leave all of them behind.
- I get I'll have loads of options... – I say mock-snobbishly – But can I stick to this one?
I put my palm flat against his chest. Al's breath catches.
- That's what I was hoping for. – he says. – Because there's no place for other girls this year, and there won't be next year either, as far as I'm concerned.
- Good. – I agree.
I rise on my tiptoes and give him a slow, soft kiss. Al pulls me closer and strokes his tongue in my mouth, giving me the taste of strawberries, which he must have eaten at breakfast.
- Now, don't let that nervousness get the best of you, ok? Give more space to excitement. I'll be cheering from the stands. – he pulls at his scarf. – Scorpius has almost refused to sit by my side for this.
I laugh and give him a grateful smile.
The muffled noise of the crowd reaches our ears where the team is seated in the tiny captain's office, below the Quidditch stands. James has just gone through the plays with us one more time, the board on the wall filled with dots and traces indicating the positions.
Now, all seven of us sat silently, looking at each other. We weren't expecting a speech from James, he already delivered a pretty good one our last practice. There was just pre-game anticipation and even the players from lower years understood what a bittersweet moment it was for me and my friends. Our last game at Hogwarts as Gryffindor players. And I wanted so, so much to win it.
We hear the faint noise of the whistle. All of us stand up and James places his hand in the center of the group. One by one we join him.
- No matter the final score today, I only ask as your Gryffindor captain: play like lions! – James tells us seriously.
- Lions! – Jake yells and we join him.
I grab my broom and wait in line for my turn to take to the sky. Soon after, my ponytail is blowing in the wind and I'm hovering in the middle of the pitch, the noise from the crows is intense.
- Captains, I want a fair game. – Madame Hooch says, and blows her whistle, which marks the beginning of the Quidditch finals.
The game, as usual, was a blur of goals, well-made passes and close escapades from Bludgers. As a Chaser, you have to be aware of the other Chasers' positions all the time, and still, there are so many plays going on in a fast-paced game, I tend to focus on the times the Quaffle actually touches my hands.
I remember a goal I scored on the left hoop, fainting to the right in the first five minutes. Also, another three. Two through the right hoop and one on the center, when the Keeper was out of position, blocking James on the right.
I also made a successful pass to Mike in a rehearsed play, where he came flying fast behind me and grabbed the Quaffle from my hand. And passed the Quaffle twice to James, when he was in a position to score. The rest was a jumble of players and Bludgers on my mind. That is, except for the last play...
James was a genius on our practices, when he made us Chasers train our plays in different positions every time. The Ravenclaw defense, which was really good, got confused when they couldn't find out which one of us was the center, right and left Chasers. This was how we managed to have 120 points against their 80, one and a half hours into the game.
However, it was starting to pour outside, and everyone wanted this game to end fast. This was when the Snitch made an appearance. But it wasn't our seeker, Riley, who saw it. Sophia Lauren, the Ravenclaw seeker, was already chasing the golden ball when Riley flew desperately after it. If Ravenclaw caught the Snitch, we'd lose the Quidditch cup.
Ravenclaw has the Quaffle at that point and I was getting to the defensive position , when James made a signal with his hand, fist closed. It was a strategy he drilled on us since the first practice of the year, one which I thought we'd never use. "If the other seeker is about to catch the Snitch before us, and there's no time for the other team to score 150 points on us, don't let that seeker catch the Snitch!"
James and I, who were nearer Sophia, went for it. I remember closing my eyes as I flew horizontally in front of her, disrupting her path, and thinking we'd surely collide. James was doing the same mere inches away from me in an attempt to block her vision of the Snitch. I honestly wasn't sure he'd do that to his girlfriend, but it seemed I underestimated James' passion for Quidditch.
I only heard Sophia yelling "What?!" and then the whistle. I opened my eyes to cheers of the red and gold fans, Riley had successfully reached the Snitch. And that was how we won the Quidditch Cup with a crazy, but legal, play.
The next hour was a blur of bodies coming towards us, and moments I attempted to save in my memory. The student body part which was cheering for us went completely nuts. I only distinguished my sweaty teammates embracing me, before the people watching from the stands broke out into the field. I got hugs from classmates I'd never spoken to, and members from all of the houses, except Ravenclaw, of course. I remember clearly Anna hugging Zoe and I and yelling happily with us and Freddie abandoning all pretense at being impartial when he tried to lift James up on his shoulders. My dark-haired boyfriend probably didn't try to reach me in the middle of the crowd. We had agreed to meet in the common room doors later, or, hopefully, in the victory party. I know he hadn't come to the pitch. That I would have surely remembered.
The trophy was passed on to all of the players' hands, after being raised by James, and surely at least fifty pictures were taken of that moment, considering the flashes.
After the crazy crowd moved to the Gryffindor common room, the team headed to the locker rooms, where our own celebration would take place.
I'm in a cramped space, with my arms around Zoe and Victor, when James stands in the chair of the Captain's desk.
- I'm quite proud of how we played today, team. Not only did we win this cup, we also did it in a legendary way
All of us cheer loudly. I am so hyped up.
- Actually, this is very fitting. With you all, I shouldn't have expected anything less. Thank you for a Final that will be talked about in years and years to come. – he goes on.
More cheers from us. My eyes were filled with tears of joy.
- Now. – James opens the drawer from his desk, and comes out with a bottle I recognize from home. Muggle champagne. – I heard there's no better drink to celebrate a victory.
Jake conjures glasses all around while we eagerly wait to be served. Mike admits to never having tried it, as does Victor. I'm a bit worried about giving alcoholic beverage to Riley, but I notice from her expression she'll probably just take a sip. Oh, fuck it, we won!
- A toast! – James announces as we raise our glasses. – To the best team I've ever played with at Hogwarts.
I clink my glass with all of the others. Champagne falls in my hair, I spill some more on the way down, and I don't even care.
After our private celebration, the team decides to get ready for the bigger party happening in the Common Room. We all head to the showers and change into something more comfortable. The girls take longer, as usual. Our dressing room is filled with brushes and makeup, and while we are changing and taking our time, I hear the boys banging on the door and letting us know they're already headed to the party.
My look wasn't even that sophisticated. I put on a jeans skirt and a sleeveless red top that I liked. Zoe, though, took ages deciding if she was wearing black or a gold top she bought.
After my patience is wearing thin, she declared herself ready and we head to the castle. Honestly, if I wasn't so elated, I may have yelled at her. But as it was, I didn't take much time worrying about it.
- Okay, but we first have to stop at the kitchens. I have a package from the best businessman in Hogwarts waiting for me. – Zoe says as we walk through the ground. We are literally jumping from excitement.
- You mean you got booze from Niall Finnigan? – I narrow my eyes.
She grins cheekily:
- Have you ever tried peach vodka before?
I giggle with her. I'm feeling slightly tipsy from the Champagne, though I'd say it's more from pure joy. The whole way to the castle and in the kitchens, I imagine green eyes shining and black hair, and hot kisses.
- Are you sure you only had a glass of Champagne? – Zoe says, while we are leaving the lower parts of the castle, her holding a brown package. – You literally can't keep your face straight for a second.
- We just won a Quidditch cup. Shouldn't I keep smiling like an idiot? – I say giddily. " And I'm about to snog my gorgeous boyfriend like crazy."
In a few minutes, we are at the Fat Lady's portrait. Zoe and I each have a box full of the drink Zoe chose for the party.
- Firewhiskey – Zoe speaks the password. Honestly, even the Prefects were in agreement to this party.
The place is buzzing with people from all four houses. I kid you not, even some Ravenclaws decided to come celebrate with us, though I'd wager the only reason they were there was because of free booze.
The center of our common room has been transformed into a big dance floor yet again and about 70% of the party was congregated there in close proximity. There was a huge banner above it congratulating the Gryffindors and Freddie and Jake were spreading confetti with their wands even as we walked in. Near the entrance, stood the traditional counter with all kinds of drinks, a Sixth year Hufflepuff caring for it. The couches and armchairs had all been moved to one corner of the room.
My first instinct is to look for a black-haired familiar head but the place is too crowded and I am too short to see anything.
Zoe grabs my arm:
- Let's deliver these bottles to the bar-man. But not without first securing one or two just for us. – Zoe says mischievously.
She hands the boxes to the Hufflepuff, who looks a bit unsure of what to do with them, to be honest, and promptly grabs two glasses and fills them with vodka and ice.
- A toast. – she says. – For playing in the best damn team this school has.
- Cheers. – I smile and we clink our glasses.
At first, I almost spit the drink out. I'm not one to drink a lot and pure vodka is a bit much to me. But then, I few a warmth go straight to my stomach and the taste of the peach stays deliciously on my mouth.
- Good, right? – Zoe says and takes my glass to fill it again. At that moment, Anna appears from the crowd and hugs us.
- How are my Quidditch Champions? – she yells.
- Drinking to our victory. – Zoe conjures another glass already, to our friend.
- I still can't believe it. – I say, dreamily.
- I can imagine. I wasn't the one on the pitch and feel pretty excited as it is. – Anna says.
- I see that. – Zoe tells her. – And that is strictly to Quidditch, then?
Anna's cheeks go tomato red:
- I may have snogged one or two guys already.
I release a surprised laugh and clap a hand over my mouth.
- Well, then. – Zoe raises her glass. – This deserves another toast.
- I'll drink to that. – I say.
And we did...I had no idea how much time we spent laughing and talking and drinking, but surely a whole bottle of vodka vanished between us. For someone who had already consumed some Champagne and wasn't used to drinking, I was more than a little tipsy. And feeling very hot, all of a sudden. So I remembered someone who I'd been wanting to meet for some time now.
- I'll be right back, girls. – I tell them, and start my quest.
The dance floor was not an easy place to find someone and after only a minute I gave up on that location, especially because it would be laughable to find a reserved guy like Albus there.
He wasn't on the couches either, where I only saw couples attached to each other.
I walk, a bit dizzily if I say so myself, around the dance floor, trying to find him by the sidelines.
The people around me seem to shift and swim in front of me and I happen to find this funny. I hear Jake and Freddie's voice calling for me from a distance.
Moving my head to my right, I spot two people on the stairs to the boys' dormitories. One of them is Rose Granger-Weasley. The other is just the person I've been looking for the last few hours. He's there, wearing one of those button down shirts, a blue one. His back is to me and he's talking to his cousin, black disheveled hair and all.
My brain assimilates the logic that he's taking to his one cousin that knows already about our relationship and that they are standing in a somewhat secluded place, with my feelings of euphoria and hormones and love, completely ignoring the fact that anyone can walk in on us or see that scene from afar at any moment.
And I run towards him, into his arms, turn him around in one fluid moment and kiss him brazenly on the lips.
- Emma? – A voice I know so well speaks. Not from in front of me, as I expected.
Standing outside the door of the seventh year's dorm is an incredulous and hurt Albus Potter, confusion shining in his green eyes.
In front of me is a flushed, wide-eyed James.