The last Hollingworth - a Hogwarts Story

Sweet 16

I panicked.
What was I supposed to do?

Suddenly I could hear someone.
I felt someone shaking me.

I knew this voice.
Tom!

„Please. Love. Look at me."

He sounded so desperate.

„Breathe. Please."

He pulled me to his chest.
Taking deep breaths so I could follow.
And it worked.
I took a deep breath.
And another.
I slowly adapted his breathing.
I slowly stopped shaking.

I wrapped my arms around his waist.
I needed to feel him.
The reality.

„Look at me princess"

he whispered.
I hesitated.
What if I would see those cold dead eyes?

No!
That couldn't be!

After some moments I finally looked up.
I met his warm eyes.
They were so full of worry and fear.
He grabbed my face as if to make sure it was real.

„Tell me you're not afraid of me"

he breathed out.
He was almost pleading.

„Tell me I'm not your fear. I would never hurt you. You know that right?"

„Tom I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid to lose you. To lose everything."

I whispered through my tears.
He sighed deep and pressed me against his chest.
I had never seen him this desperate.

He had seen so many things about this world, so much dark magic, he was so determined that everyone should fear him.
He wanted power.

But his deepest fear was that I would fear him?
This was so stuck in my head.

We didn't went back inside.
He brought me to his dorm.
He skipped the whole day of classes with me.
What was odd.
Tom wouldn't skip classes.

But I wouldn't complain.
I had a hard time getting the image out of my head how the boggart Tom raised his wand at me.
The cold cruel laugh.

We just cuddled the whole day.
He clinged onto me.

„You know that I love you right?"

he asked me all of the sudden.

„I know I don't say it often.
But I got better.
Just for you.
You're my light.
I'm nothing without you"

He brushed his fingers through my hair.

„I know Tom.
I love you too.
And I would never fear you. You're the love of my life. We belong together"

I whispered leaning into his touch.
He almost looked like he was about to cry.
But he just burried his head in my neck.

After that day he included me into more of his activities and studies.
But only if I asked.
I think it was because he was scared that when I wouldn't know or would find out myself I would some kind of fear him.

It actually made our bond even stronger.
It really helped me understand him even more.

On the 5th February I woke up just as normal.
I had almost forgotten that this was now my birthday.

Tom was already up and gone.
I was a bit sad till I looked around and found a big bouquet of white roses and a little note.

*Happy birthday my princess. We will see us later. I still have to get some things done*

I shook my head but smiled.
Typical Tom.
I got dressed and made my way upstairs into the common room to go to breakfast.

As I entered I blinked.
The whole room was filled with balloons and people.

„HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

They screamend together.
I laughed loud.
This was so incredibly sweet.
And it didn't stopped there.
Since it was my 16th birthday they were determined to make the day special.
They made sure every professor knew It was my birthday.

On the corridors almost everyone gratulated me.
It was so weird.

But I felt so special.
After classes I went to hogsmeade with the girls.
We went shopping and got something to eat.
It was just such a nice day.
We came back to the castle pretty late.
And I had thought this was it.
Oh was I wrong.

They had prepared a huge party in the common room.
There were so many people.
I probably should have gotten suspicious when the girls ordered me to wear the new dress I got.

I made my way through the many many people. Everyone wishing me a sweet 16.

As I finally got to the side to take a breath someone grabbed my waist.
I was so ready to slap someone.
As I turned my head I relaxed.
It was Tom.
My smile light up and I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck.

„You look so gorgeous my princess"

he whispered inbetween kisses.

„I missed you so much"

I murmured sweet.

„I missed you too. But I had to prepare some things."

„Prepare?"

I tilted my head slightly.

„Of course. Only the best for my girl"

he smiled.
I grinned and kissed him.

„So it's a surprise?"

„Of course. But you will get it after the party. It can wait till then"

„Oh no I wanna know"

„Nuh uh. You're gonna have fun first. I heard this hufflepuff friend of yours made your favourite cake"

„She did? Oh my god!"

I made happy little jumps and wandered back off into the crowd.
But pulling him after me.
Much to his dismay.

After some time we distributed the cake and I got the experience of the whole common room singing happy birthday for me.
The loudest and crookedest were Blaise and Theo that were already heavily drunk.

It was amazing but I was quickly back in a corner with Tom.

„Don't you wanna party?"

„I am where I want to be"

I smiled sweet.

„I really don't deserve you"

he whispered.
He kissed me deep and long.
We were like glued together.

After like an eternity he broke the kiss and caressed my cheek.

„You wanna see your suprise? I think they're good without you"

he smiled cheeky.

„Of course!"

I jumped and kissed him again.