Chapter Six

The last time Kayla had been to Al's flat, he'd been living with Rose and Scorpius.

Rose loved to throw parties every now and then. She invited practically everyone she knew from Hogwarts and work, bought endless amounts of booze and turned up the music after casting some silencing charms around the apartment. Her parties were always fun, and Kayla could only vaguely remember those nights.

However, since Rose and Scorpius got engaged, Al had moved out into a one bedroom flat on the far side of Diagon Alley. The area around it was a bit quiet, but the flat itself was quite nice. He had shiny wooden floors, a small balcony and his living room was overflowing with books.

"Sorry," he apologized hastily as she'd stepped inside and realized there was nowhere to sit in his living room. He waved his wand and a bunch of books stacked on his couch moved to the ground beside his bursting bookcase. "I cleaned up, but sometimes I forget that it's not just the floors that need to be cleaned."

He looked so anxious that Kayla had to smile.

"It's nice," she reassured him, sitting down on the now-empty loveseat and looking around. "I like being surrounded by books, so this is actually comforting."

"That's good," he said, chuckling. "Wine?"

"Please."

As he'd busied himself in the kitchen, Kayla looked out his balcony window, which was across the room from of the couch. He had a nice view of muggle London and could see King's Cross Station if she really squinted. She sat back down as he came back with two wine glasses and set them down on the coffee table in front of her.

"I like your view," she said quietly as he sat down beside her. The sun was setting and beaming through the windows.

"Thank you," he replied, handing her the glass. "The food is still cooking, but I have bread if you're hungry?"

"I'm fine." She sat back and tried to relax. "When did you move here?"

"In November," he said, glancing around. "I mean, it's a bit small, but I like it. And I definitely couldn't keep living with Rose and Scorpius."

"I guess thing change after engagement," Kayla said. He nodded.

There was an awkward pause as they sipped their wine, searching for words. Normally, she would talk about Quidditch or something if they were out with friends, but she didn't feel like really bringing that up on a date.

Merlin, maybe it had been way too long.

"Okay," Al said, turning to her in his seat and looking at her properly. "This is a bit weird."

"Yeah," Kayla agreed, chuckling. "Maybe we should do something."

"Sure, but dinner's not ready yet."

"Let's play a game," she said, shifting so she was sitting on one leg and facing him. "We each ask a question, but it has to be one we both can answer."

"Okay," he said, grinning. "Can I go first?"

"Sure."

"When's the last time you've been on a date? Before Kevin."

She narrowed her eyes at him. They were meant to start simply, like favourite colours and their best childhood memory. She felt a bit as though she'd been thrown off the deep end.

"So Kevin was seven months ago," she recounted. "Like four dates then. And then… well…"

"Just spit it out."

"It was in Hogwarts," she admitted, speaking so fast she may have blended the words together. She took a long sip of wine. "Now you answer."

"Oh." She peeked a look at him, and he was visibly shocked. He shook his head and scratched the back of his head. "Right. Erm, it was a few weeks ago. I think I told you about that girl I went on a coffee date with?"

"She asked to be exclusive right after?" Kayla supplied.

"Yeah, that one." He let out a breath, looking bewildered. "Six years? Were you this hesitant with Macmillan, too?"

She raised an eyebrow at him, cheeks reddening. "Don't think you can answer that one," she said, referring to their game.

"Fine, fine." He leant back, tilting his head. "You ask one."

"Okay." Her mind was reeling. If he was ready to get personal, she wanted something good. "What is your deal breaker trait in a significant other?"

He smirked at her and then stared into his glass, swishing his wine around. "Well, she has to be into reading."

"Reading?" she repeated, surprised. "I would have thought Potions?"

"Well, that'd be nice, but it's not a deal breaker," he explained. "She doesn't have to be interested in my work. But I don't think I could date a girl who doesn't understand why I read all the time. Even if we read something else entirely."

She tipped her glass towards him. "Makes sense. I don't think mine would be a trait he has to have."

"Hmm?"

"Yeah. I could probably deal if he doesn't read. Or if he doesn't like Herbology." She paused. "He just can't be mean."

He burst out laughing. "You are such a Hufflepuff."

"Guilty," she said, grinning. She was really starting to feel relaxed, even though he was fully using the game to his advantage. But so could she. "Your turn."

"Good." He was tapping the side of his glass gently. "Have you ever been interested in Hugo?"

"You can't answer that," she accused, laughing.

"I sure can," he said, poking her knee. "I haven't been. Have you?"

"No."

"Really?" he asked, looking at her closely. She could tell he was much more interested in this answer than his first question. "You guys are just…"

She sighed. She'd answered the question more times than she knew and was fully tired of trying to convince people otherwise. "No. Never have. He is like my annoying little brother."

Al looked uneasy.

"Or my older brother, take your pick," she added.

"Okay…" he said slowly. Then he shrugged. "Okay. Got it."

"You believe me?"

"Why would you lie to me?" he asked, his expression softening. "Your question."

"Umm…"

"And while you're thinking, I'm bringing out our food," he said, jumping up from his seat.

"Do you need help?" she called.

"Nope!"

Kayla spent her time thinking as a checker tablecloth, bread rolls, a butter dish, plates, bowls and, dangerously, some utensils floated over to the coffee table in front of her. As a bottle of wine had settled down, Al came in with a pot of steaming stew and set it down manually.

"I did not want that spilling accidentally," he explained, dipping a ladle inside. He began to serve them both, pouring a generous amount of stew into their bowls.

"I thought of my question," she told him as he sat down.

"What is it?"

"Have you ever been in love?"

A smile spread across his features as he began to spread butter on his bread. "Of course."

"Of course?" she repeated, brows furrowed. "Lots of people have never been in love. Hugo, for example. Though I suppose Lily's been in love many times."

"I'm more like my sister, then," he said, shrugging. "I dunno. I've dated some girls I didn't like that much and they didn't last. After a while, I didn't bother."

"Ah." She was realizing she didn't actually know his dating history very well. Was it normal to feel apprehensive about that?

Well hopefully, as he kept asking her about her relationship history as well.

"And you?" he asked.

She hesitated. "Erm. Yes. Sure."

"You don't sound very sure," he teased.

"I suppose I was at the time," she contemplated as she began to butter her own bread roll. "It didn't feel like love, looking back at it now."

Al stayed quiet about the matter, and she was infinitely thankful for that.

"I'm not much of a cook," he said, gesturing to the food. "This is the probably the best thing I can make, besides chopping salad."

"It's honestly wonderful, Al," she said immediately. She hadn't actually tasted anything yet, but she definitely didn't want to seem ungrateful. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." His ears were red again, and he took the lull in their conversation as opportunity to refill their wine glasses. "Do you cook?"

"Is that one of your questions?"

"Sure," he decided.

"Yes," she told him, stirring the stew with her spoon. "But nothing fancy. Mostly fish and chicken and rice. Maybe some pasta or something."

"You mostly bake."

"Yeah." She tasted the stew and it was nothing like her own cooking at all. But it was very good. "I like it."

"Really?" he asked, looking extremely pleased.

Teasing him, she took another spoonful in front of him and pretended to taste again. She moved her head back and forth. "Hmm. Well."

"Shut up," he said, nudging her shoulders with his. "Looks like it's your turn again."

"Yes…" She was thinking as she ate, but it was very difficult; he was much closer now that they were eating, facing the table. His knee was pressed against hers and suddenly it was becoming much more real. She was actually on a date with someone she really fancied. Or at least, she was pretty sure she fancied.

"Have you ever hooked up with someone?" she blurted out. Al was in the middle of chewing and he froze; for the first time, she thought he might lie to her.

But he didn't. He swallowed and ran hand through his hair nervously. "Erm. Yeah, I have. Once or twice."

"Oh."

"Are you…" he asked, struggling for words, "you know. Okay with that?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" she found herself saying. Which was close enough to the truth. The whole truth would be that she was gladly fine with people shagging consensually, as long as they weren't in goddamn relationships with other people.

It was a bit strange to say out loud, though.

"What about you?" he asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"What? Oh, no, I haven't," she said dismissively, digging into her food again. Internally, she wanted to laugh; whenever she was even slightly interested in someone, she needed a little alcohol in her not to clam up entirely in front of him. She supposed Al was different, however, since they'd known each other since they were young.

When she looked at him then, he was watching her expectantly. She realized he'd said something while in her thoughts. "Sorry, what was that?"

"Have you… you know." He cleared his throat. "Done it. Went all the way."

"Ohh…" She was suddenly blushing, and he was staring at her. And he was much too close. "Yeah."

"Recently?"

"No…?"

He shrugged, looking back at his food. "It just explains a lot."

"It does?"

"I don't mind going slow with you," he said quietly, taking her hand. "If that's what you want."

Relief was washing over her at his words. Without realizing the weight was there, probably from all the other times she had considered dating, she felt it lifted off her shoulders. There was a certain warmth blooming inside her, and she swore she could feel it down to her toes.

"I'd really like that," she said softly, unable to look at him properly.

He smiled at her, and without warning, he quickly straightened up and brushed his lips gently against her cheek. The spot was burning where he'd kissed her, and she fought the urge to touch it.

"Anyway," he said, probably not realizing how fast her heart was beating, "I have another question."

"You skipped my question," she said, finishing the last of her stew in the bowl.

"I know," he said, grinning at her. "My question is better."

"Is it, now?"

"Yes!" he insisted. She giggled and he nudged her with his shoulder again. "What wouldn't you do for your closest friends?"

Kayla had to pause for that. "What I wouldn't I do?"

"Yeah."

"You mean, besides their laundry?"

Al laughed. "Yeah."

"Hmm." Kayla had to really think through that one. She cared about Lily and Hugo more than anything. "I guess... I wouldn't do things they really needed to do for themselves. Like breaking up with someone, or writing an exam."

He nodded. "That's fair. I think it'd be the same for me."

"Really?"

"I mean, maybe I'd draw the line somewhere if we weren't very close."

"Agreed." Kayla felt very light. Maybe happy. "I think it's my turn?"

"Lay it on me," he said, leaning back in his seat and sipping his wine.

Before they realized it, nearly three hours had passed as they went back and forth, getting to know each other in a way they hadn't ever before. As they traded memories and stories, Kayla was very thankful she decided to go on this date. Perhaps she was just so hesitant because her last attempts at dating had been so abysmal, but taking the leap was very freeing. She could tell she wouldn't regret dating Al, even if she did get hurt.

Eventually they'd decided to go for a walk in Diagon Alley. It was dark, dimly lit by moonlight and shop lights, but a warm night for spring. She felt very content, walking hand-in-hand with Al and just talking to him. They ended up in front of Slug & Jiggers at some point, and Al noticed her lingering stare.

"Do you like working there?" he asked, gesturing to the colourful storefront with a jerk of his head. "It looks a bit cheesy."

"I'm a bit cheesy," she joked, pulling them along their walk.

"Sure," he said, laughing. "But do you like it?"

"Yes…" She took a second to think. "I like going in and sorting through all the ingredients. I get to tend the plants we have, so I like that. A lot of people like that I can answer their questions about magical herbs they buy."

"Mhmm." He seemed to contemplate this. "Sounds like a good job, then."

"It pays the bills."

"Ah ha!" he exclaimed, rounding on her. Kayla stopped in her tracks. "That's what people say when they wish they could quit."

"Oh, Merlin," she groaned, looking at the cobblestone path below her. "Hugo said the same shit earlier. I am not quitting my job, I like it."

"I didn't say you should quit, I said you wish you could quit."

"And do what?"

"Well that's up to you, isn't it?" he said, taking her hand and stepping closer. "You're amazing with Herbology. Is that what you'd like doing?"

"I'm already doing it, Al," she said impatiently. "I'm a Magical Herbs Specialist and I grow plants. I sell them. I add them into potions. I have them on my windowsill."

"You do?"

"I just don't see why I'd have to quit my job to do more Herbology," she muttered. She sidestepped him, trying to continue their walk, but he stepped in front of her again.

"I'm just wondering," he explained, moving a strand of hair behind her ear. "I stand corrected. It seems like you like your job."

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"It's just usually a bad sign, if you do a job to pay your bills."

"Why is that?" she burst out. She took a deep breath and tried to continue calmly. "I would probably just keep expanding my knowledge in Herbology, and I can do that at my job that pays decently. I have time for myself and my friends and family."

"I –"

"Things are simple, and I like it that way."

"I'm sorry," he said gently, tugging on her hand. "I didn't know it was a sensitive topic. Sometimes I'm bad at knowing when to stop."

Kayla looked down at her shoes. "I'm sorry too. Hugo has been bugging me about this all weekend."

"Why?"

"He thinks I'm unhappy."

"Well, are you?"

"No."

"Good," he said, pulling her hand so they were walking again. "Maybe we subscribe too much to the idea that there's always something better out there."

"That might be true," she admitted. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately. There's a lot of stuff I've put on the back burner, and maybe I could go back to it. But I don't want everything to change."

"Sounds like your problem isn't your job," he said lightly, "just change."

"Maybe…" She trailed off, lost in thought.

Because even while she liked her job and her daily life made her happy, there was definitely a dissatisfaction creeping in somewhere. She found herself wondering whether it would eventually disappear, or even grow into something bigger.

"I have a question," Al said, breaking her out of her thoughts. "For the game," he added, when she gave him a questioning look.

"Okay."

"Why did you break up with the last boyfriend?"

"In Hogwarts, you mean?" she asked, and he nodded. "Erm, he cheated on me."

"He cheated on you," he repeated.

"Yup," she said, popping the 'p'.

"On you."

"It wasn't on the other girl."

"But…" he spluttered in disbelief. "You're so nice! I never heard even heard about it."

"Oh, it was all over school," she confirmed, shrugging. "But it was in my seventh year. You had graduated."

Al was speechless for a moment, and she didn't really know how to respond. She wasn't really sure why he was so surprised. People cheated in relationships all the time, and it wasn't as though he hadn't comforted Lily when she'd been cheated on.

"So how did your last relationship end?" she asked awkwardly. She figured she'd continue the pattern of their game, though.

"Oh," he said, coming out of his thoughts. "Right. We weren't happy for a while, she hated that I'd go off work for long hours and overnight, she didn't like Rose and Scorpius much…" He trailed off, glancing at Kayla. "Ultimately, she wanted to get married immediately. After all the fighting, I wasn't sure I wanted that."

"So she ended up breaking up with you because you didn't want to get married?"

"Yeah." He blew out some air through his lips. "Glad I dodged it, though."

"Looking back."

"Looking back, yeah." He looked to her and squeezed her hand. "We're almost at your place."

"Yeah, I guess I should get to sleep," she said, actually feeling a little sad that their date was coming to an end. "I have work in the morning."

"Me too." He stopped at brick walls near the Leaky Cauldron, close to the door. "One last question?"

"Last one," she echoed, looking up at him. He was waiting expectantly for her, and she finally voiced what she'd wanted to ask all night. "Why did you ask me out?"

"That's obvious," he said, chuckling. "I fancy you."

"Why?" she asked. She was surprised to hear the strength in her voice, as her legs felt a little wobbly.

He folded his arms and leaned against the brick wall, watching her, considering her. "At first it wasn't really obvious. I thought you were pretty." He moved a little closer, speaking a little more quietly. "You've always been pretty."

She swallowed, feeling like her throbbing heart was stuck in her throat. "But?"

"But nothing," he said, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose it was the other night, when you were taking care of Lily. You're always looking out for your friends, even when they're not doing the same for you. Not everyone does that." He leaned and kissed her cheek softly. "You're very sweet."

She hadn't been expecting him to say that. Not at all.

Not for the first time that night, Kayla was absolutely speechless.

"Good night," he said, slowly moving backwards. "I'll see you soon. There's a Quidditch game next weekend, Hugo and I were going to see it at The Black Rose."

She cleared her throat, still feeling as though she'd been knocked over her head. "I haven't answered for you, yet."

"The next date?" he suggested, stuffing his hands in his pockets and smiling at her. She nodded and he nodded back. Then he was off, she was climbing up the stairs to her apartment and their first date was officially over.

She didn't think it was love, not yet – attraction, definitely. She felt respect for him, a lot more than she thought she would. Her cheeks felt warm even as she climbed into bed that night. She thought of him and his wild hair and his sincerity and his smile, and it was awhile before she could fall asleep.

Whatever the feeling was, she hadn't felt in a long time.

But it wasn't half bad.