A/N: Sometimes writing for side characters inspires more creativity than you'd expect. Written while I was taking a break from work and giddy from a short fic featuring this quite unexpected pairing.
Of all the reasons for him to return to Hogwarts after graduation, Adrian Pucey never thought "fighting to stop You-Know-Who" would be one of them.
Yet, there he was. Broomstick in hand and wand at the ready. Despite his proficiency in dueling, the odds of him coming out alive by the end of this battle were hardly in his favor but he was done keeping quiet. He was tired of pretending he didn't care about what was going on because of his so-called pureblood heritage. He had someone to fight for and he'd be damned if he didn't take the chance to do it now.
"Pucey? What the hell are you doing here?" He heard someone call out.
Looking back at the other end of the hallway, he found Oliver Wood staring back at him incredulously. The former Gryffindor team captain was flanked on both sides by Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson. All three of them looked surprised by the sight of a Slytherin alumnus showing up out of the blue. Adrian held no grudge against the Gryffindors off the pitch and he'd long since left his Quidditch days behind after Flint unceremoniously kicked him off the team.
"I'm not here to cause trouble Wood. Where's Alicia?"
"Spinnet? Why? What's your business with her?" the burly Scot replied defensively. He couldn't recall the two ever being friendly while he was at Hogwarts. Just as Adrian was about to respond, the person in question joined them.
"Oi, Wood! Davies and the other Ravenclaws got access to the school brooms! They're no Firebolts but they should work for what we have planned," Alicia called out as she walked to the trio. She had yet to see Adrian, who was just relieved to find her before the chaos of battle took over.
"Bell. Johnson. Let's go regroup with the others. We'll need to split up into smaller teams for attacks. Spinnet, you've got company. Make it quick," Oliver said, motioning with his head to where Adrian was still standing. He then left without another word, starting in the direction Alicia had come from. Katie and Angelina hesitated for a moment before following in his footsteps.
All the while, Alicia was left speechless at the sight of Adrian. He supposed it was for a good reason. The topic of joining the resistance forces had come up in their conversations long before this day. He'd never been inclined to join the likes of Nott and Warrington by taking the Dark Mark. Neither was he in agreement with any of the actions He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his fanatics had taken against non-purebloods. Historically, the Puceys were a neutral family known for their affinity at navigating complex political situations. That's how they endured the first war without paying much of a price.
It didn't automatically mean he was eager to join up with Potter's gang or the Order of the Phoenix. Not like he was offered the chance anyway, given their natural aversion to Slytherins in general. Alicia had never judged him for his indecision. She'd only asked that he never become an enemy on the battlefield.
"You're here. W-wh-why?" She stammered slightly while asking. Instead of answering right away, he dropped his broom, closed the gap that separated them, and took her in his arms. The scent of lavender and fresh rain invaded his senses as he buried his face in her dark locks. He felt her arms tentatively go around his waist, as if she was unsure that he was actually there with her.
"For you. I'll be by your side. I promise. I won't leave you. Not now when it matters most," he whispered.
"You don't have to put yourself at risk. I told you I respected your choices. Don't do this just on a whim."
He drew back for a moment to press his lips to her forehead before looking directly into her eyes. Alicia's eyes had always been unconsciously expressive. It was the easiest way to understand how she felt about something. In that moment, he saw how her courageous facade was barely masking her fear and anxiety. He could hardly fault her. At barely twenty years of age, they were about to take part in the last stand against one of the most powerful wizards of all time.
"You've given me a reason to fight — a selfish one but a reason all the same. If...No. Not if, but when," he paused to take a deep breath. "When this is all over, I have plans of building a future with you Alicia Spinnet. If I have to team up with old Quidditch rivals and face down a few Death Eaters in the process to make sure it happens, I'll do it."
She looked torn between laughing and sobbing at his explanation so she simply wrapped her arms tighter around him before letting the tears fall. When she left their flat a few hours ago after her DA coin lit up, she thought that might have been the last she'd see of him. They were never more than opponents or classmates while at Hogwarts. But after their paths crossed again at St. Mungo's during her Healer training and the dozens of secret meet-ups in between, it was difficult to picture the rest of her life without Adrian Pucey in it.
"You always were a secret romantic, Pucey."
"Wouldn't really go together with my reputation if the whole world knew about it, love."
"Go on. Grab your broom then. You heard what Wood said. They're waiting for us."
She wiped away her tears while Adrian summoned his fallen broom to him. They laced their fingers together before making their way to the Quidditch pitch. What little comfort Adrian could offer during that silent walk was being channeled to the gold engagement band he was tracing on Alicia's ring finger.