Ten Ways To Say I Love You

Stereotypes (Part 3)

Stereotypes lose their power when the world is found to be more complex than the stereotype would suggest. When we learn that individuals do not fit the group stereotype, then it begins to fall apart.~ Ed Koch

Annabeth

ONE YEAR LATER

Of course, being in love with a Gryffindor was harder than one would even begin to think. Everyday, it was me and him, stolen moments amongst the tapestries, times when we would cross each other in the hallways and I would struggle with trying not to blush, to cave into the desire to pull him in and kiss him again.

Being 6th years, everyone was suddenly realizing that they were people they could kiss at Hogwarts, be it of the same or opposite sex.

Constantly, you would find couple making out in the hallways, some from the same houses, some from very different ones. The struggle was finding another Slytherin and Gryffindor combo.

Wherever you looked, it was Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. But not a single Gryffindor and Slytherin.

Over the summer, it was easier for Percy and I. I realized how close we really lived to one another, simple a town over, and we often made time to sneak out and see each other, going to Honeydukes and Zonko's, taking advantage. We would always be careful with this, be careful of looking for any fellow students. And even then, we made sure to never wear our house colors.

One of my favorite moments had been at the crux of summer, when the sun was beating down on us. Percy had shown up at my house unexpectedly, and I, with wide eyes, had rushed him out, for all my family member were Slytherins, and therefore not the most accommodating of Gryffindors.

"What?" I hissed, carefully looking around. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Thankfully, it was early morning and no one saw us, so we were safe. I pulled him behind the house into the woods, making sure to not step on any thorns.

He grinned rakishly. "Is that how one should expect a greeting from their girlfriend?" He said cheekily, his grin increasing with every word.

I rolled my eyes, but was smiling, and lifted myself up onto tiptoes and pressed my lips against his. He responded instantly, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me enthusiastically. Every time he did this, it knocked the breath out of my lungs so thoroughly I wasn't able to process information properly, and I was left winded and astonished.

He pulled away, a sad look in his eyes. "I wish we could tell people. I just want the whole world to know someone like you is my girlfriend, and that I love you."

I froze. Although we had kissed frequently, and were dating, he had never said those words to me. And he knew they held a lot of meaning to me.

His face transformed once he realized what he had said. "Oh my gods- I mean- I didn't- I hope that you're ok-"

I cut him off by pressing my lips to his once again, so quickly he didn't have time to kiss me back.

"Same." I said softly. "Same."

I sighed, reaching up to thread my hand through his unruly locks. "I want to shout it, I want the world to know, but I'd settle for having all of my friends be ok with it." I said, leaning into him. "I just hate how we're supposed to hate each other."

"What are you talking about Chase?" he said, his eyebrows rising. "Of course I hate you."

I laughed gently and smacked his arm. "You're horrible." I said, making a face at him. He simply grinned and tugged me closer, as the first beams of sunlight broke through the leaves.