If I May Be So Bold (A Harry Potter Universe Fanfiction)

35.

February 2035

ELLA

Over the next few weeks, Logan repeatedly told Ella he was working on a masterpiece for her. He really talked himself up, using words like "virtuoso" and "clandestine." He'd still pass notes back and forth with her during choir, but if she was writing and he wasn't singing, he made a big show of scribbling into his notebook so she couldn't see.

"You have to wait for the finished product," he said, shaking his finger at her every time she tried to peek.

The only time he really stopped his joking was when Ella sang next to him. Then he would stop whatever he was doing, really listen to her, and he would always, always smile. It was intimidating, but it made her feel all warm inside, too.

The second week of February, there was no choir on Saturday and Ella was a little sad about it, even though usually a Hogsmeade weekend was reason enough to have to cancel. It was just a few days before Valentine's Day and Kyrie's attempts to befriend and subsequently woo Alec had so far been unsuccessful. In fact, Ella had a suspicion he was at the very least talking to, if not actively flirting with, a girl in his year called Marlena.

She was certain Kyrie had noticed this, but didn't want to say anything just in case. There was no need to be cruel about it.

To make her feel better, Iris had declared an anti-Valentine's girls day, so on Saturday morning, the three of them spent far too much time picking cute and coordinating outfits that they'd just have to cover up with their winter cloaks anyway, stopped by the Great Hall for a quick breakfast, and then headed into the village, heads bowed against the icy wind.

It was absolutely frigid out, not at all a pleasant day to browse the shops. They tried to make the best of it for a while, but only an hour into the day, it had just gotten too cold to even want to brave the cold for as long as it took to go from one shop to the next.

"Let's just go to the Three Broomsticks," Iris said, teeth chattering. "At least it'll be warm."

They all nodded their agreement.

They ducked in through the door, feeling instantly better when it had shut behind them. Unfortunately, just about every other student seemed to have had the same thought. It was positively packed. Not a table in sight.

"Let's just order butterbeer. We can stand somewhere and just keep an eye out for a table. Maybe something will open up while we're ordering," Kyrie said.

Ella secretly thought this was very unlikely to happen, but followed her friends to the counter anyway. A few minutes later, steaming mugs in hand, they turned back towards the seating area, scanning the still completely crowded room.

"I think we're just gonna have to stand—" Iris started to say, but then Ella heard her name and she turned towards it. In all the noise, it was hard to tell exactly where it had come from or if she'd actually heard it at all. She heard it again, and this time, ready for it, it was easier to place. With a little flip in her stomach, she spotted Logan across the room, waving her over. He was with his two friends, Lucas and Will, neither of whom Ella knew particularly well, although they had spoken to her on occasion when Logan had stopped to talk to her.

Iris followed her gaze. "They have room," she said gratefully.

"But it's a girls day," Ella said. "Won't that break the rules?"

"Oh please, you don't have to protect me," said Kyrie. "Come on, let's just go sit with them."

She started to head over and Ella hurried to catch up.