(A/N): Hey Guys! So, this is the last of the pre-written chapters, so it'll be a little bit longer before the next one.

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.

Elaine

After a quick pit stop at the Gryffindor boys dormitory to retrieve his broom, Leo and I headed out to the Quidditch pitch. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering as the freezing cold wind blew past me, but Leo made no move to do anything about it, which was unusual for him. Usually by this point, he would've offered me his jumper or scarf if he was wearing one- or not even offered, and just rugged me up against my will. "I thought I already knew how to fly?" I asked, and Leo rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, you do... but now you need to learn how to fly well." I narrowed my eyes at him, but he simply lifted me onto the broom in front of him, and I wished I could say I wasn't enjoying the contact, even though I was still quite cross with him.

"Shouldn't I be alone?" I asked pointedly, but he snorted quietly.

"It's like, two degrees out here. Do you really think I'm going to let you freeze to death?"

I tried to ignore it as he wrapped both arms around my waist, pulling my back flush with his chest. "But I still get to fly?" He rested his chin on my shoulder, so I had no trouble feeling him nod. I glanced around, trying to delay it for a few seconds, but he saw right through me.

"The longer you stay out here, the longer you have to put up with this," He teased, drumming his fingers against my sides.

"Shut up," I muttered before kicking off, and I felt him shift slightly behind me as if automatically using his weight to balance the broom better than it had been originally.

"Careful," He reminded me, and I snorted, still angry with him.

"Why? Scared you'll fall?"

Even without looking at him, I could tell he'd cocked an eyebrow at me. "Even if, miraculously, I wasn't able to hold on, I still doubt the fall would kill me." I furrowed my own eyebrows, and he chuckled quietly. "Are you really that set on hating me?" Although he was still smiling, I knew he was one hundred percent serious, and I sighed.

"I don't hate you, Leo." I still felt his eyes on me as we drifted in a slow circle.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Elaine." I turned my head to reply as he leaned in to press a kiss to my cheek, and his lips brushed mine. "I- Sorry..." He said, pulling away almost instantly. "I... I'll be more careful next time."

I nodded dumbly. "'s okay," I mumbled, my eyes still fixed on his lips, and he shook his head- though whether he was disagreeing with me, or trying to physically shake off the sensation, I couldn't tell.

"Take us down."

I forced myself to pay attention then, landing the broom none too gently. "Why?" I asked as he removed his arms from around me, leaving me completely exposed to the chilly wind. "Leo!" I called as he started to walk away, and he practically froze. "Why?" I asked more gently, and he turned to face me, albeit avoiding my gaze.

"Because I can't pretend that didn't just happen, again." I frowned, the feeling foreign as my lips still tingled with the feel of his against them.

"Then don't."

His eyes finally met mine, and I saw the pain in them. "Damsel, you know I can't." I smiled sadly, nodding.

"Brooke." His brows drew together, and his head jerked to the side as though his clear confusion was having a bodily effect on him.

"No, not Brooke. You."

I took half a step back unconsciously, feeling unshed tears burning behind my eyes. "Me?" I whispered, and he fixed me with that beautifully sorrowful gaze.

"You know the closer I get to someone, the closer they get to having to pick out a burial plot." He paused for a second, stepping closer to take my hand in his- a brief reprieve, of sorts. "I can't lose you Ghislaine. I just can't." He released me, taking a few steps back. "I'm sorry," He said, before disappearing from my sight in the blink of an eye.

(A/N): So, what did you think?

Sometimes, Leo gets very melodramatic. You know... on the days where the earth revolves around the sun.

Please review and/or check out my other stories!

This chapter has had edits made to it on 24/3/24 - formatting, and reconfiguring of sentences so they make more sense. Added Elaine thinking that it was unusual for Leo to let her be uncomfortable from the cold, and that he'd typically give her his jumper or scarf, if not force her to take it (at his detriment). Added Leo using his weight to balance the broom.