Read my heart, not my mind

29. Will You Be Mine?

It was evening before Hobi and I found a moment to get away from Namjoon, or any of the others, that stayed at Hogwarts over the Christmas holiday. He asked me to meet him in front of the House Hourglasses and I waited a little nervously for him to show up. I was wearing a black dress that shimmered and sparkled with gold whenever I moved in honor of the New Year. But that was hidden under the thick coat, handmade mittens and hat, and fluffy Ravenclaw scarf that kept me warm even in the drafty Entrance Hall.

I held my little bag with Hobi's special present in front of me, my fingers gripping the handle convulsively as I tried to fight against my nerves. I was elated when I realized he really did love the new cauldron, scales and tools I'd gotten him for Christmas, as well as the ingredients, but this present felt... different. It was much more personal and therefore made me even more afraid of what I would do if he laughed at it or rejected it. I knew he wouldn't but that didn't stop the fear from settling firmly in my mind.

I sighed in relief when I finally heard his footsteps approaching and turned toward them, stopping short as my breath caught in my throat. His bright red hair was styled in messy waves on his head, brushed slightly to the side to reveal a portion of his forehead. Which until that moment I didn't know I needed in my life. He dressed well for the New Year, not in wizard robes like I half expected, but in fancy muggle clothes. The jacket and pants hugged his lean body enough to make me blush and drool. While the white shirt he wore was unbuttoned near the top, revealing a small black leather choker and his beautiful collarbones.

I finally managed to tear my gaze away from him, confused and elated. Elated because he just kissed me hours before and then came at me looking like that. Confused because I didn't know when I'd gotten so lucky.

"You should warn a girl," I said shyly as he stepped closer and my senses were overwhelmed by the scent of citrus and jasmine.

He chuckled and hugged me, I could feel the impression of a small box in his jacket pocket. "Why would I do that? I love the face you make when you fall even more in love with me." He said with a confident giggle. I opened my mouth to respond, even though I am pretty sure nothing coherent would emerge, but he continued before I could. "Come on, I want to show you something."

He grabbed my hand and led me out of the doors and onto the castle grounds. I breathed in the harsh, exhilarating winter air that I loved so much as we wound down an unfamiliar path from the castle toward the Black Lake. The snow was a little deep but Hoseok used his wand to clear it before either of us got our shoes wet. There weren't many lights on this side of the castle, making the twinkling stars seems even brighter by comparison.

I let my gaze wander as we walked, taken in by the warm glow of the castle windows as they were surrounded by snow resting carefully on the sills. I loved the enchanted feel of it, taking myself away from the fact that I was a witch in a magical world. I felt like someone who stumbled into their favorite book at their favorite moment as I followed my hero further into the darkness.

I smirked to myself as I watched the gently falling snow settle onto his shoulders and in his hair. He wasn't wearing anything extra over his clothes and I could see the puffs of air as they left his mouth. He breathed in deeply as a smile broke over his face, and I was struck with a sudden thought. The freedom, and the longing for freedom, that the winter meant to me... he gave me that. Without thinking or asking for anything in return, his efforts freed me from myself.

I hiccupped my heart into my throat and threw myself into his back, wrapping my arms around him and burying my head in his shoulder. "I love you." I said desperately. It was strange, since I knew it wasn't the first time we'd said these words to each other, but they felt different this time. Deeper somehow, more meaningful.