Chapter 12
'I can't believe it's the night before the last task!' Hermione exclaims from her spot next to me
'I know!' I remark as we were writing essays
'Don't remind me.' Harry groans from his spot next to me, and Ron murmurs in agreement.
'Do you feel prepared? I know you are probably sick of people asking you that.' I ask glancing sideways at him
'I guess. I hardly know what to prepare for.' Harry states in frustration
'You've done all you can Harry and that's good enough.' Hermione pipes in.
I nod in agreement before focusing back on my paper. We were all trying our best to finish and to help Harry get through it in the hopes he'd be able to sleep better tonight. I couldn't believe that the end of the school year was already here.
I feels that it was just yesterday I was getting sorted into my house. Nervous and excited to meet new people and figure out my place in the school.
We continued to complain about the last of our homework and worrying over how the last task would go. Everyone seemed torn on who they wanted to win, especially if they were a Hogwarts student. Cedric was still the favorite because people were still skeptical about Harry.
'Well that's as good as it's going to get.' I state dropping my quill and glancing at an already finished Hermione and the boys looking more nervous that they still hadn't finished.
'How is it that the two of you are always finished first!' Ron moaned glancing at his half-finished essay
'Honestly Ronald!' Hermione huffed in annoyance
'Please 'Mione.' Ron states trying to give Hermione puppy eyes 'Just let me copy one more time.'
'Oh! For heaven's sake! You've been telling me that all year!' Hermione states but shoving her essay over watching as Ron and Harry grin and start skimming through it.
'Boys.' I state shaking my head
'What about us?'
A voice calls out, causing me to turn around and smile. 'Hello Dean!'
'Hi Eva. So, what were you saying about boys?' He remarks with a grin
'That you would be hopeless without us.' I tease back
'I could say it's the other way around.' Dean remarks before continuing, 'If your free, do you want to go on a walk?'
'Sure. Let me just put my things away.' I reply packing up my school work and glancing at the Trio, 'I'll catch up with you latter?'
Nodding in agreement I run up to the dorm to drop my stuff off before I follow Dean out the portraits door.
'So, any place in particular?' I ask glancing up at him
'Just around the castle. It's nice out and I'm sick of looking at homework.' Dean states with a shrug
'Sounds good to me.'
Heading down the staircase and out the front door we squinted as our eyes adjusted to the sun. It was beautiful out, no clouds in the sky and a slight breeze coming from the lake. It was a good day for a walk.
'Wow! Great idea taking a walk, it's gorgeous out!' I exclaim smiling up at him
'I'm glad you're happy.' Dean states as we take up a path, passing up students lounging in the grass 'I'm glad to hear you'll be coming back and that you'll be in London over the summer.'
'Me too. I can't wait to explore both parts of London. What about you? Any plans for the summer?' I ask him
'Not sure yet. Once I get home I'm sure I'll find out.' Dean states glancing at me for a moment before continuing, 'I did want to ask… since you'll be in the area during the summer. Would you- er would you like to hang out some time?'
'Of course!' I state happily, butterflies flying in my stomach watching the huge grin that graced his face
'Great!'
'We'll be in muggle London at the first half of summer and then we'll be at the Leaky Cauldron for the rest. So just owl me that way I can tell you where I'm at.' I reply as we bumped shoulders on a narrow path that went by Quidditch field.
'That's fine. I'm glad you're okay with hanging out.' Dean remarks before continuing 'I know we- haven't spent a ton of time together this year.'
'Of course, I would be and that's okay, it's been a crazy year.'
We continued on the path glancing at the hedge maze and the stands that we'll be all sitting at anxiously awaiting the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
'I wonder what it'll be like tomorrow.' I state
'Not sure. How is Harry feeling about it?' Dean remarks as our back turns on the maze
'Nervous, I think. I mean they didn't give much of a hint on what to prepare for.' I reply, shivering slightly. Every time I would walk by the maze it brought shivers down my spine.
We fell into silence as we continued our walk and ended up by the Black Lake. Little ripples on the surface teased at the hint that there were things lurking in the water. Now all that it reminded me was the second task.
'Do you want to sit for a bit?' Dean remarks ushering to the bench
'Sure. I've got no problem with it.' I follow him and take a seat next to him
Pulling my legs up underneath me I leaned up against Dean, who casually wrapped an arm around me. I smile up at him and he does the same showing off his dimples.
'Do you think Professor Moody will stay on for another year? He's a bit out there but I like him.' I remark
'Not sure. DADA is been cursed since our first year. Whoever is the Professor never makes it more than a year. The joke is that Snape cursed the position because every year he asks to be the instructor and every year Dumbledore turns him down.' Dean states
'Hm. Fascinating. I wonder why he wants DADA so bad and why Dumbledore doesn't want him to teach it.' I remark
'Not sure.' Dean states
We continue to chat about the school year and what classes we liked best. It was always so easy talking to him and there was never any pressure for it to be more serious. I had a feeling that if I had pursued him more it would be different but, no matter.
Draco and I had basically stopped our interactions since the Astronomy Tower night. I think at this point I was tired of putting work into a friendship where the other person didn't want it anymore nor could have been open to everyone about it. Since then I focused time on becoming a better friend and allowing whatever was meant to be with Dean and I happen.
'Eva.'
'Hm.' I respond glancing up at him
The moment I turned to look up at him he leaned in and gently kissed me. When we broke apart I glanced at him with a smile before leaning forward and returning the kiss. I was still a bit hesitant. Unsure and nervous; exploring this new side to relationships.
We broke apart I looked up at his huge grin and smiled softly allowing him to pull me closer to him as he went on about Quidditch. I was hoping that the second time we kissed would spark. But no. His kiss didn't affect me the same as Malfoys. No rush of desire or wanting more. Ugh! Why couldn't he just leave my head already.
Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on the present. Dean was great and maybe sparks don't always happen at the first… or second kiss. Right?