Chapter 6

"Potter, a word," I shout above the rustling of bags. He looks at me and says something to his friends. They nod. Weasley claps his shoulder and Granger hugs him.

In two minutes, the room is empty. Potter steps up to the desk. "You wanted to talk, Sir?"

"Yes," I say, clearing my throat of whatever makes my voice feel thick and stuck. "I wanted to ask how your…practice is going."

"Good. I feel loads better than I thought I would."

"Good to know."

I readjust my position, crossing my arms and leaning into the back of my chair, so he wouldn't notice my hands shaking as violently as they are.

"Is that all?"

I fight to gather my composure. Potter blinks at me, tilting his head to the side.

"Yes." I say. "You can go."

Potter blinks again, confused. He leaves.

I relax, closing my eyes.

Tell him. Don't tell him. What is the difference? It won't change anything. He still hates me, even if we are able to be cordial once in a while.

I haven't been able to tease him as I used to. Which is probably a good thing, but…

Fuck.

I put my head in my hands.

What will I do in the hour before my next class?

The door bangs open, startling me. Potter strides inside and kisses me before leaving again, his face burning bright red.

I blink, confused.

That didn't just happen. Did it?

I laugh at myself.

My imagination is starting to get out of control. It seemed so real.

#

I thought—I hoped—that my feelings for you would go away with time. Instead, they keep getting stronger, Professor. Stronger and stronger and I'm getting to the point where I can barely sleep. My heart is broken. I know you don't love me, but I'm going insane. I love you…

I toss the letter in the fire before I read on.

I'm too wrapped up in my own unrequited love to be dealing with a secret admirer I really wish would get their act together and leave me alone, thank you very much.

I return to my desk and focus on grading this paper.

I wonder what Potter does at this point in his day. Homework, most likely. Hopefully.

I can't get that vivid fantasy out of my head. I can feel traces of his rather hot lips on mine, as though it had really happened…which is ridiculous. It couldn't have happened.

As far as I know, if Potter is in love with anyone, it would be the Weasley girl or Granger.

Not me. Why should it be me?

One scroll is done. I set it aside with other completed assignments before moving onto the next one.

Maybe I should consider getting an assistant to do this work for me. I hate it enough as it is.

I pick up the next scroll.

Potter's handwriting stares up at me. It's messy, semi-illegible, but could be worse.

I dip my quill in the inkwell and begin, the quill hovering over the parchment, waiting for me to find a mistake to make note of.

#

I looked at the clock, which tells me that Potter is late.

By a whole hour.

I watch the door. Maybe…

No. He fully intends to skip our session today. I stand and open the door, heading to Gryffindor Tower. My one intent: to wring his neck.

I mutter threats including but not limited to laceration, evisceration, and incineration. I will figure it out. Trust me. I can and I will.

Potter has just stepped out of his house, head downcast.

"Potter!" I shout.

His head snaps up. Potter turns back around to the portrait, but before he can say his password and escape inside, I seize his collar and lift him off the ground, pinning him against the wall.

"Would you like to tell me what you deemed more important than occlumency and forgot to inform me?"

He bowed his head, refusing to look at me, let alone answer.

I set him down. "Why didn't you come?" I ask again in a calmer tone.

He still doesn't answer.

I don't know how much more I can take. I suppose my resolve is just too weak.

I tilt his head up and kiss him.

I wait for him to struggle. I anticipate him to kick, bite, hit, anything.

I did not expect the kiss to be returned. I lift him in my arms and his wrap around my neck. The kiss breaks, but I can't let him go. He hides his face in my shoulder.

"I thought you rejected me, so I didn't want to go. I thought you hated me, so…"

So…two days ago…

I laugh. "I haven't hated you for a long time. I thought you hated me. You even said you did."

His hold around me tightens. "I'm sorry. I was angry that day, so I just said the worst thing that came to my mind. But it hurt to even say it because it's not true. Professor, I love you. I'm in love with you."

Ah. The old fart knew.

"I love you too, Harry."

He brings his head up to look at me. His eyes are wide with shock. "But you're always yelling at me and berating me for something."

I shrugged. "I enjoyed making you angry. I didn't realize why until quite recently. I admit now it was immature of me."

He frowned. "How long?"

"Since your fourth year," I admit. "Last year was particularly fun."

"It was not! You share your head with a sociopathic wizard for a year and tell me how fun it is."

I kiss him again. "I'll pass on that dare. Not because I don't think I could do it but because I'd rather not."

"Coward," he accused.

"Being sensible isn't cowardly," I snap, glaring back. He kisses me. "What are you doing?"

"Whatever I like," he grins. "Besides, you kissed me too."

I can't exactly refute that.

I set him down and he releases me. I'm cold without his touch.

What now?

"Can—may I come down to your office?" He asks.

"You may."

I turn on my heel and he walks beside me.

I don't know what's going to happen next. I don't know if this relationship is going to survive, but I do know that right now, there isn't anyone else I'd rather be with.

FIN