Love protection (book 1: to be loved)

Girl night

Abby POV: 

Too many choices, she's going to be late with all this, she worried. She still can't believe she's been invited to a girls' night out by Astoria. Astoria, by the way, has just entered and is being greeted by Samuel. Oh no!

— Abby's not ready yet. Samuel said for her.

— No problem.

— You... please be careful tonight. Abby smiled, spying on the conversation.

— Samuel ! I'm the one who picked you up after the parties, not the other way round !

— — I... thank you for the invitation, it means a lot to Abby.

— I'm very fond of Abby. We would be friends, if the opportunity presented itself.

She smiled, choosing the blue dress. Five minutes later, she came out, fairly satisfied.

— Too much? not enough? she queried Astoria, to be sure.

— Perfect !

— Okay, easing up. She looked for Samuel, who must have been in the kitchen. I didn't have these problems before. Astoria looked at her without understanding. My college friends were too far away. I'd have come straight away, but... I'll keep quiet.

— Astoria laughed a little, before adding, you never forget.

She felt Samuel looking at her, speechless.

— Wow. You're... glowing. You light up the whole of London.

— She smiled at the overstatement, now feeling totally ready. I'm ready!

— Here we go, for a time without boys. It's always nice to spend time without them.

— The boy's always there! retorted Samuel.

— I know you are. Abby laughed at this brother and sister interaction.

Samuel kissed her goodbye and complimented her again, as usual. Never fake compliments, always genuine, as if he was blown away by her, every time. She wanted to believe him. They arrive, music already on.

— No boys, Drago's on duty tonight. said Astoria happily. There's wine and food.

— Let the evening begin!

— Pansy immediately put Abby at ease. Abby, it's great that you could come!

They ended up talking about boys. She learned that Pansy had dated Draco a bit at Hogwarts, which was no longer strange.

— Draco in his Quidditch gear is still a very good image, snacking, commented Pansy.

— Oh yes ! Abby forbade herself that image but with Samuel yes. Astoria started to try and get her to visualise it, but cut her off.

— I can imagine, just with Samuel, she laughed, seeing the image again.

— That's still my brother, Astoria laughed, Abby and Pansy joined in helped by the wine.

— Your brother or not, a lot of Slytherin girls have thought about it. added Pansy.

— I know! whispered Astoria. Draco, Samuel, same basket.The Gryffindors had theirs, with their Quidditch team!

— Wood, Potter and the girls, not to be forgotten. Laughed Pansy.

— I'd have liked to have seen that, just one! commented a hilarious Abby.

— You can always go and see the pros, it works really well too! commented Astoria. What was even more legendary were the post— match parties!

— What did he expect when he put teenagers near Hogsmeade in a castle with no heating and candlelight too?

— The teachers partied just as hard as we did when they were pupils!

— It will break their good image to admit it ! Responsible adult," commented Abby.

— School is the same everywhere, then! laughed Astoria.

The evening went on like that, entertaining as can be !

— It's still a little surreal, to be honest. She admits. Sometimes I feel like I'm still getting to know this world you all grew up in. Magic, Hogwarts, Quidditch... it's like a fairy tale, but it's your reality.

— Trust me," Pansy added, We feel the same way about the Muggle world. Some of us, anyway. She raised her glass playfully. To the blending of worlds! May we all find our own balance.

— To balance!" they all echoed, clinking their glasses together.

Abby took a sip and glanced around, feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. It wasn't just the wine talking— there was a genuine warmth here, a sense of belonging she hadn't expected. She thought back to her earlier conversation with Samuel, how nervous she'd been about coming tonight, and how he'd reassured her in that gentle, steady way of his.

Astoria, noticing the thoughtful look on Abby's face, leaned in closer:

— You're thinking about him, aren't you?

— Abby laughed softly, caught in the act. It's hard not to. I never thought I'd be the kind of person who gets swept up like this.

Astoria smiled, her tone more reflective now. "It's nice, though, isn't it? To find someone who makes everything else fall away for a moment. Samuel's a good one, Abby.

Pansy, ever the joker, leaned back in her chair:

— Speaking of being swept up, does anyone else think the Quidditch robes helped? I mean, come on, there's just something about those uniforms. Boy and girl.

Astoria rolled her eyes, laughing:

— Pansy, you're hopeless.

The night continued, filled with more jokes, playful banter, and stories of their past Hogwarts days. As they moved from one topic to the next, Abby realized that she was no longer the outsider looking in. She had become a part of their world in a way that felt natural, as if she'd always belonged.

Later, as the evening drew to a close and the conversation began to wind down, Astoria stood and stretched.

— I think that's enough reminiscing for one night. We should do this more often.

— Agreed, Abby said, feeling lighter. Thank you for inviting me. I had no idea what to expect, but this... this was really fun.

Pansy smiled warmly, a rare, genuine expression from her.

— We're glad you came. And don't worry, next time we'll find even more embarrassing stories to share."

— Astoria added with a wink: And next time, maybe we'll invite the boys— after all, someone has to make the pancakes in the morning.

As they all stood to gather their things, Abby felt a wave of affection for these women. Despite their differences, there was a bond here, one that she hoped would continue to grow.

Before they left, Astoria turned to her and placed a hand on her arm:

— You're one of us now, Abby. And we protect our own."

Abby smiled, feeling the sincerity behind her words:

— Thank you. That means a lot.

They all said their goodbyes and parted ways, Astoria bringing her back. When she finally made it home, Samuel was waiting for her, sitting on the couch with a book in his lap. He looked up as she entered, a soft smile spreading across his face:

— How was it?"

Abby walked over and sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.

— It was perfect. You were right. I worried for nothing. Amazing night.

Samuel closed the book and wrapped his arm around her.

— I told you. You're amazing, too."

— Abby blushed, content I'm starting to believe that.