A/N: I meant to have this up yesterday evening, but I had some location issues, but here it is now. I hope it holds it's own against the first.
I sighed as I slowly made my way down the stairs, the patterns of the stars still swimming through my mind. Andromeda seemed unusually bright tonight. I shifted the shoulder my bag rested on as I took off my robe. I draped it over my arm and loosened my tie as I neared the portrait.
I glanced up and there he stood, just below the top of the staircase, looking rather anxious. I'm not used to seeing him like that. He's usually so pensive, always writing. Or those times he's fallen asleep at a table in the common room. What's he waiting for? Once, when he was still awake, I lingered in the stairwell and watched him. He gathered his things quickly and rushed up to the boy's dormitory as soon as I was out of sight. Had he lost track of the hour?
Maybe that's why he's out now. He must've gotten distracted in the library. He does have a book in his hand. He wouldn't have it if he were…with…a girl. It's not like he couldn't have any girl in the school. No. He's not like that. Not like all the guys who exploit all the girls. At least I've never seen him with a girl. And I have caught my fair share of couples snogging in the broom cupboards.
I shook myself from my train of thought as he got closer.
"What are you doing out at this hour?"
He froze, staring down at the floor.
"I asked you a question."
He glanced at his watch and turned to face me.
"Well?"
His mouth moved wordlessly before holding the book out to me. I took it incredulously, reading the title on the front. I couldn't help the smile that broke out as I realized it was my book, and looked up at him.
"Thank you."
Without thinking I flung my arms around his neck. A split second later I realized what I was doing and released him. I turned and ran to the portrait hole, grinning like a Cheshire cat and embarrassed to no end.
I rushed up the steps enough to be out of sight and sat down on the cool stone. I listened to him rush in and up the other set of stairs to the boys dormitory. I sighed wistfully as I held my book to my chest and ran up to bed.
~*~*~
I've been watched all day. And every time I glance back, no one's there. Well… People are there, but they're always occupied with their own things. He's there, too. Always reading or writing or talking to his friends. He's always running his fingers through his hair, pushing it out of his face only for it to fall back down. It's almost as if he's anxious…insecure about something.
There they are again. The eyes on me. Maybe if I just look up slowly…
He's looking at me. And the light behind his eyes. I don't even want to think it. It can't be right. There's no way it's possible. Then why am I smiling like I'm mental? But oh heavens he's smiling back.
~*~*~
Is it wrong that I'm completely terrified? That look was just… I can't stop thinking about it. I can only imagine what kind of git he thinks I am. He'll probably never speak to me now.
But why didn't he speak to my before? I mean he stole my book from Professor Snape's office to return it to me, and yet he couldn't speak to me. And then I had to go and act like a bloody lunatic. And I hugged him! Him! Of all people! I would never do that.
Not that I wouldn't give anything to have him hold me back. And to see that smile from yesterday again. I swear my heart skipped a beat. But beyond that, there's no way he could want me.
~*~*~
There he sits. Again. He's reading the text for transfiguration. And I keep feeling eyes flick to me and then away when I glance up.
Until I leave. The eyes watch my back and even when I'm far from the common room I still feel them. I keep looking back. And he still hasn't left my thoughts.
~*~*~
It's a very lonely walk back from the astronomy tower. It doesn't usually feel like this. And it's not like I'm really alone…
~*~*~
I walked through the portrait hole and my eyes immediately fell on the table. And it was empty.
The heartbreak that crashed over me was so consuming that I gasped and had to grip the back of a chair to keep my wobbling knees from giving out.
"Are you okay?"
I blinked a few times to clear my stinging eyes and turned around. There he was, lounged on the couch with a book, in the exact place I'd vacated. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.
"Yeah. I'm wonderful."
"Okay."
He looked at his watch and sighed. He got up and headed for the stairs.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
I sighed, not wanting him to go, though I had no idea what I'd say to keep him here.
"Chamomile tea," I muttered in a terrible attempt, but he stopped.
"What?" he asked over his shoulder. I smiled.
"Chamomile tea. You're always up so late. It'd help you get to sleep earlier."
He nodded, smiling sweetly. "I'll think about it. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
I watched him until he was gone, mourning my partial failure.
"I love you."