The Canis Major

C h a p t e r 2 5

James and I avoided each other for the following weeks. It was a bit more of a tragic loss than I expected considering he was the one I talked to the most out of all the boys. Even though I was individually friends with the rest of the boys now, it seemed like they were all too much of a package deal for any of them to talk to me.

I hung around Toby a lot more, which wasn't a bad thing. I could sense both of us becoming more serious in the relationship, and I was happy with it. We sat in a secluded corner in the library. It was near the restricted section where most students weren't allowed to go anyway.

I sat between his legs  while he read Hogwarts: A History around me. I allowed myself to close my eyes and lean back. I took in a deep breath and got a whiff of his scent I had become familiar with.

"Are you tired?" His deep voice asked me. I shook my head and leaned my head at an angle so I could hear his heart beat in his chest. His chest vibrated as he chuckled a bit. "You look like it."

"I always look tired," I pointed at.

"Do you wanna go to your common room?"

"Definitely not," I said sleepily. "Can we sleep in here?"

"You didn't even want to go in here earlier."

"Well now I'm comfortable and with you." He laughed and I shushed him with a giggle since we were in the library.

"You're going to get a kicked out." I felt him pace his lips on my forehead. I kept my eyes closed and snuggled into him further.

"Would you sleep if you were in my dorm?"

"In your bed surrounded by a bunch of other Ravenclaw boys? No thanks."

"You can't stay here forever."

"Watch me," I replied stubbornly and tried to let myself fall asleep. "It's not even that late." I suddenly got the chills. Toby seemed to have noticed and rubbed my arms. I heard a howl outside, but didn't think twice about it.

"That's creepy," Toby muttered. I snorted, but silently agreed. "What was that?"

"A werewolf," I said as the first thing that came to mind. He laughed sarcastically and poked my side. I smiled to myself.

"Funny."

"I think I am." I peeked an eye open for a second. I looked at Toby's wrist and could see it was clear Even though I had trusted Toby, I couldn't help but feel a bit relieved when I didn't see a marking of any kind. James was just being the usual idiot he is. At least now I could tell him that I didn't see the mark and start talking to him again.

"Seriously, you're already more tired than usual. You should get some sleep." I opened my eyes again to see him looking down at me with a concerned expression. I closed them again and sighed. I gave myself a few seconds before sitting up.

"Fine." He helped my stand up and we slowly made our way towards the Hufflepuff common room. I practically walked with my eyes closed. We stopped nearby liked we always did, and he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"G'night," he whispered. I didn't respond before reaching up to connect my lips with his. He kissed me back before wee pulled away and I wished him good night. I was about to walk away, but Toby kept a grip on my arm so I couldn't move. I turned back around to give him a confused expression only to see him holding a gift. My jaw dropped and he laughed at my expression.

"What is that?" I asked and walked closer towards him.

"A gift," he said with an obvious tone in his voice. I rolled my eyes.