Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Dorado

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

February, 1978.

On Friday afternoon, I get very lucky.

That's when I find Evan in the library. Though, to my immense displeasure, he's seated with Alecto.

No matter;

I'll take what I can get, and hope an opportune moment presents itself.

Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I spend a moment walking back and forth, debating internally as to the best course of action. Finally, selecting the most strategic spot I can find, I slide into a seat at a table at the opposite end of the library from him.

One in his direct line of sight -

One with Alecto's back to me.

And then, having stacked the odds in my favour the best that I can, I force myself to wait patiently in the hope of a window of opportunity.

Even though I don't see him look over at me, I know Evan has registered my presence. Straightening up in his seat, his cheeks flush a deep shade of pink as he stares down at the book in front of him. After a moment or two, he finally dares a glance in my direction. And I, perhaps a bit recklessly, indulge my overpowering desire to stare back at him. For a few precious seconds, everything else is irrelevant; forgotten, inconsequential.

Just the sight of you so close, after being apart ...

... Like being granted a sip of water when dying of thirst ...

I hate it, and I know it's not enough, but I'm so desperate I'll take it.

It takes a tremendous force of will to finally look away. But look away I do, if for no other reason than for fear of calling Alecto's attention. Pretending to read the notes I've set down in front of me, I wait.

Wait, and wait, and wait.

... So long as Alecto's sat with him, there's no possibility of approaching.

And perhaps it's all for nothing, then.

But I have to keep waiting, hoping for a chance.

After nearly half an hour, a potential opportunity finally presents itself. My eyes darting upwards, I register Alecto rising up from her seat. With my eyes darting between her and my notes, I watch as she turns and begins walking towards me.

Towards me, and - Merlin willing - right past me, presumably on her way to the girls' lavatory.

My heart nearly stops as she passes by, both because I know what I have to do next and because I fear she'll stop and say something nasty to me. But mercifully she passes without incident.

Today must be one of those days where she feels she's too above me to even acknowledge my existence -

Insulting as that is, I'll take it.

Counting to five slowly in my head, I turn and see exactly what I'm hoping for: Alecto pushing open the door to the library and slipping out into the hall.

The time is now - the time is now -

Now, or never.

Evan, now completely alone, sat with his eyes fixed on me as I rise up from my seat. Reaching into my bag, I pluck out the note I'd written.

The note I've been so desperately waiting to give either him or Reggie, whoever I happened across first.

My eyes locking on his, I take a deep breath and begin walking towards him as quickly as possible, the folded parchment tight in my palm at my side.