The sun started setting over the Hogwarts grounds, casting a warm golden glow on everything it touched. Harry and Charlie strolled along the grassy path towards the Black Lake, a picnic basket in hand, laughter filling the air between them.
They had planned this afternoon for a while, both eager for some quiet time away from the bustling castle.
By the lake's edge, they found the perfect spot under a tall tree whose branches swayed gently in the breeze. The water shimmered with the fading light, and the distant sounds of the giant squid splashing about made it all the more magical.
"Here's good, I think," Harry said, setting down the basket. He spread out a soft blanket while Charlie sat down, tucking her knees up to her chest and watching him with a soft smile.
"I've been looking forward to this," Charlie said, her voice warm. "It's peaceful here."
Harry sat beside her, reaching into the basket and pulling out an assortment of snacks. "I thought you might like these," he said with a grin, revealing a small tray of chocolate-covered strawberries. Her eyes lit up immediately.
"I love those!" she exclaimed, leaning closer.
He plucked one from the tray and, without a word, held it up to her lips. Her cheeks flushed as she smiled, leaning forward to take a bite, savoring the taste.
"Mmm, perfect," she said, her eyes meeting his as he leaned in, brushing a thumb across her lips to wipe away a bit of chocolate. The moment lingered between them; the air filled with unspoken emotions.
Harry's hand remained on her cheek; his gaze locked with hers. "Charlie," he whispered, his voice soft, full of affection. Slowly, he leaned in, their lips meeting in a gentle, tender kiss.
The world around them seemed to melt away as the kiss deepened, a quiet affirmation of everything they felt for each other. When they finally pulled away, breathless and smiling, the lake seemed to glow even brighter, as if it was reflecting the warmth between them.
Charlie rested her head on his shoulder, her hand slipping into his. "I don't want this day to end."
Harry kissed the top of her head, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. "Neither do I."
As the stars began to dot the sky, they packed up their picnic and made their way back to the castle, their hands still intertwined.
Everything felt perfect, as if the world was right where it should be.
When they returned to the Gryffindor common room, the warmth of the space embraced them like a soft blanket. The room glowed with the golden light of the flickering fire, casting long shadows that danced across the stone walls.
The hearth crackled and popped, sending gentle sparks into the air. The large, scarlet-draped windows were dim with the night sky, the occasional flicker of moonlight peeking through.
Charlie and Harry slipped through the portrait hole hand-in-hand, their cheeks flushed from the cool night air, and their hearts still warm from the magic of their picnic. The familiar scent of burning wood mixed with the faint smell of old parchment and the fresh, cozy linen of the plush couches that lined the room.
They found a spot near the fire, one of the oversized couches that felt more like a bed than a seat. The cushions were deep and inviting, covered in a soft, velvety fabric in Gryffindor's signature crimson. Harry sat down first, pulling Charlie down with him. She nestled into his side without hesitation, curling her legs up and resting her head on his chest.
The firelight bathed them in a soft glow as Harry draped an arm around her shoulders, his fingers gently brushing her arm.
He sighed contentedly, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breath as she relaxed into him. The soft hum of the castle at night, the occasional crackle of the fire, and the distant ticking of a clock filled the comfortable silence.
Charlie shifted slightly, adjusting so that her head fit perfectly in the crook of Harry's shoulder, her hand resting against his chest. His heartbeat was steady and calming, a rhythmic reminder of the quiet connection they shared.
She could feel the warmth of his body radiating through his sweater, mingling with the heat from the fire. It was as if the world outside had paused, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble of peace.
Harry leaned his head back against the couch, his fingers absentmindedly tracing small patterns on Charlie's arm. "I wish every night could be like this," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper, almost as if he were afraid to disturb the perfect tranquility of the moment.
Charlie smiled against his chest, her eyes fluttering closed. "Me too," she whispered, her voice gentle, filled with contentment.
The room grew quieter as the fire burned lower, the flames still casting a warm glow, but dimming just enough to lull them into a drowsy haze. The sound of the fire crackling was hypnotic, the perfect soundtrack to their slow descent into sleep.
As Charlie's breathing deepened, Harry kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering for a moment.
He closed his eyes, letting the warmth and the closeness of the moment wash over him. Within minutes, both of them were asleep, wrapped up in each other, the soft glow of the fire their only witness as the night stretched on.
In the stillness of the common room, surrounded by the comfort of familiar surroundings and the unspoken affection between them, it felt like they had found a small pocket of eternity, where nothing could interrupt the peace, they had created together.
YOU ARE READING
𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 (𝘏. 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳)
Fanfiction"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬," "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘫𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴," "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘵?" In which Charlie Prescott gets dumped by Ron Weasley and wants sweet revenge. The best way to get it is to fak...
