Read my heart, not my mind

10. A Hideaway of Our Own

"Hey Aislinn," I turned slightly toward the call only to see Hoseok's happy wave as he approached me from across the green houses.

I smiled despite the disappointment that swept over me. The only thing we studied in Transfiguration this morning was reverting transfigurations on things we brought to life, which is something I watched Hoseok accomplish with ease by the end of the hour. Meaning there was very little reason we needed to spend our free hours together.

"Hello Hoseok," I answered when he was finally close enough that I wouldn't have to yell. "Is something the matter?" I asked when he fell into step beside me as I started making my way back toward the castle.

"Well, no." He admitted with a sheepish tone as he pulled his bag up over his shoulder and I swear I heard his stomach rumbling. "I just thought since there was no reason for you to tutor me today that you might not show up."

I giggled a little as a brisk fall breeze chose that moment to blow from the Forbidden Forest and push my hair away from my face. I breathed in the smell, a little surprised it carried Hoseok's cologne with it. "Were you still going to show up?" I wondered, my fingers were a little cold and my chest felt tight but that was no reason to be waiting with baited breath for him to answer.

"Of course, just cause we don't learn something doesn't exactly mean I want to give up my time with you." He said easily, making me blush and pray fervently that he wasn't paying attention to such things. "I thought we could eat lunch together and then go to the classroom, or anywhere since we aren't really going to be doing anything."

"Uh..." I choked on my own tongue, not at all sure what to say or think but my heart was going wild with feelings. I shook my head and pressed my cold fingers into the warmth of my blushing cheek. "I'm not very hungry, to be honest. I was going to skip lunch and maybe hangout in the library. I don't mind waiting in the classroom for you, though." I added a little breathlessly, hoping that he couldn't hear the desperation in my voice.

"That's perfect." He said with such ease that my heart squeezed a little in sadness. He wasn't effected by me even in the slightest but I brushed this feeling of inadequacy away with a little effort. He didn't have to like me back for my heart to already be won. "See you in a bit then." He said in his happy tone when we reached the entrance.

I watched his back as he entered the Great Hall and even smiled to myself when several people called out excitedly to get his attention. I would take the small things and use them to make me happy, I decided as I turned to continue walking up the stairs. The fact that he was everyone's friend or at least knew everyone and still wanted to spend time with me was a small thing that would bring me endless hours of joy.

The empty classroom was draftier today as the fall winds persisted on blowing and robbing everything of even the smallest warmth. I shivered as I secured each window tightly before I sat in one of the extra chairs that occupied the outer wall of the room. Part of me wanted to read my book but I was too distracted keeping an eye on the door to concentrate. So instead I conjured blue flames to play with in my hands.

I pushed the sleeves of my robe up so that it wouldn't singe the material and tossed the flames back and forth until my fingers didn't feel so cold and lifeless. I only smiled in the direction of the door when I heard it open a short time later, satisfied that I was at least able to distract myself enough that missing Hoseok didn't kill me.

"It's freezing in here." He complained almost immediately. "At least now the flames make sense." He giggled as he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around his middle and rubbing to create friction. "We should go somewhere else."

"Like where?" I wondered, extinguishing the flames as I turned toward him.

"Follow me." He said instead of answering, he waited for me to pick up my bag before grabbing my hand and pulling me hurriedly out of the room and through the castle. We were heading toward the basement but in the opposite direction of the potions room. I was a little shocked when the normally damp and cold dungeon started producing heat and bright, happy fires.