devils snare [phan]

Chapter 15

After classes that day, I found Dan by the black lake, homework laid around him. The papers were held to the ground by various household object so they wouldn't be stolen by the wind. He was muttering under his breath, white puffs forming from his words in the chilly air. He made short movements with his wand, defused sparks flying from the tip. His hair had returned to its straightened form, which he was constantly readjusting to the perfect shape.

I walked over and slid down next to him. He glanced up at me shortly, looking back at his work before stopping and fully looking at me. His cheeks went to red, a shade darker than the pink that was a result of the chilled air. He placed his wand down on the ground and looked at me.

"Hi," he smiled. My stomach fluttered. "last night was fun."

"Yeah," I sighed. I nodded to him and took a strand of his hair in my hand. "your hair is straight again."

He chuckled. "Yeah, but I'm still not." I laughed again, my hand naturally trailing from his forehead to his cheek. My laughter died down and we stared at each other in silence. "Are you?" Dan asked.

"Am I what?" I held back a stutter.

"Straight?" Dan fiddled with the sleeves of his jumper and I removed my hand from his cheek.

I had told myself I would say something to Dan at the dance, but my courage had dwindled since then. My heart thumped against my ribcage and I took a shaky breath. I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't say the simple, two letter word.

"Yeah." I squeaked.

Dan nodded, his lips pursed together. He ran a hand through his hair and looked back at his homework. His cheeks went from red to pink.

"Well, unless you're gonna help me with my homework, then you're gonna need to shut up." Dan sighed, picking his wand back up.

I promptly closed my mouth and curled into a ball, putting my chin between my knees and wrapping my arms around my legs. I watched Dan intently as he got down to his business. He licked his dry lips and dragged one hand along a line of text while the other held his wand, poised and ready. He leaned away from the writing to grab a small stick and place it in front of him. Dan waved the wand, lips only moving slightly, and the stick turned to dust. He smiled and looked back at the text.

I held back a whimper as I watched Dan, so content with himself. I clutched myself tighter and tried to imagine Dan was in my arms.

Maybe over christmas I would tell him.

❀❁✿◈✿❁❀

Although my parents were sad that I wouldn't be coming back for christmas, they seemed very happy when they heard who I was spending it with.

The night before christmas break, we had by far the best dinner ever. Oven baked turkeys the size of the first years, in beds of stuffing, sat in the center of each house table. The mashed potatoes were the size of mountains, leaking with butter and gravy like molten lava down a volcano. The steamed carrots varied in colors; ranging in oranges, reds, yellows, whites, and purples. The pies gave off strong, delicious aromas that haunted anyone who had their share of the delectable pastries. The entire school left that meal with their stomachs stuffed to the brim.

The next morning, students ran around the castle in search of items that were most likely under their beds. Most left with more then what they came with, leaving some student with sore backs and others in the hospital wing after failed strength potions.

The way to the train was just a sea of bodies pushing through to say goodbye to their friend quickly so they could get their own compartment on the train.

I waded through the sea of classmates in search of my friends, but had no luck. So I made my way to the train to look for a compartment.

I walked down the aisle, my heavy suitcase rolling behind me, when a hand grabbed a fist of my hair and yanked me back. I yelped and stumbled into the compartment before falling onto the ground. I groaned and rubbed my eyes, a pounding sensation resonating from the back of my skull where it had hit the ground.

"Phil you clumsy ass, get up." Bellatrix hissed.

I scrambled to my feet and she shoved something cold into my hands. I looked down at the object in confusion. It was a thin, silver necklace with a smooth emerald pendant. My hair stood on end as I ran my thumb over the stone, a bad feeling settling in my stomach at the contact.

"What's this?" I asked, looking up at Bellatrix.

"A gift for Dan." She said.

"Why can't you just give it to him?" I asked.

"Because I don't know where he is!" she screeched. I jumped back and she took a deep breath. "Besides, you can give it to him, say it's from you."

"But I already have—"

"That stupid plushy?" She rolled her eyes. "Please, how old do you think he is? Four? Give him my gift instead."

"Oh— okay." I nodded.

"Now get out!" she snapped.

I scurried out of her compartment, the doors slamming behind me. I glanced back at the bushy haired silhouette before stuffing the necklace into my luggage and continuing on my search for Dan.

I hadn't even taken ten steps before someone tapped me on the shoulder. I jumped back and yelped, scrambling with my wand.

"Phil, it's Dan!" Dan yelped, holding his hands up in a defensive position. I relaxed and lowered my wand. Dan looked at me warily before placing a tentative hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I sighed. I ran hand through my hair before managing a smile. "How did you find me?"

"You walked right by my compartment," Dan said. He glanced around before taking my hand in his, leading me back down the aisle to his compartment. He pushed the doors open and smiled. "Look who I found!"

Chris, PJ, Louise, and Zoe all perked up at the sight of me. Chris grinned and pulled me into a hug. I let go of Dan's hand and wrapped my arms around Chris, feeling a little more at ease.

"What took you so long?" PJ asked as I sat down next to Louise.

"I couldn't find you guys," I rubbed my face and managed a smile. "and then someone distracted me."

Dan furrowed his eyebrows before squeezing in next to me.

"Well, we don't need to worry about that now. We're on christmas break!" Dan fist pumped the air and smiled at me. I managed a chuckle and I looked at him. His hair was straight but barely staying flat, curling up at the ends with melted snow.

I ran my fingers through his hair and Dan let out an almost purr, his eyes closing and leaning into my touch.

I chuckled and leaned into his ear.

"Good bear." I whispered, continuing to run my fingers through Dan's hair. My voice was gravelly and turned Dan's face red. I laughed at his reaction and wrapped my arm around him, inhaling his toasty honey smell before drifting off to sleep.