Paranoia (Alastor Moody)

Chapter 4

Natalie mulled over the fact that Al fancied her over the summer between her sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts. She found it all very confusing, and it didn't help that she wasn't able to see him all summer. When she returned to school, however, she had devised a plan.

There was no sense over thinking the whole situation, and it wasn't as if Al would intentionally make her feel uncomfortable. She quite honestly had no idea how she felt about him, and she didn't want to make any quick decisions.

She came up with the idea that she wouldn't date throughout the upcoming year, unless of course, she finally figured out her feelings towards Al.

So, she became observant. She watched Al-- listened to what he was saying, how he was saying it, and how what he was saying related to her opinions and thoughts. She found herself making more physical contact with Al to see what reaction he had as well as what she felt from such interaction.

By November, she knew.

How could she not have seen him in this way before then? He was the right guy for her, so why had it taken so long? And why did her heart have to pound so hard whenever he was nearby?

By December, she was ready to tell him how she felt. She waited until the holidays started, when they would be one of the only ones left in the Hufflepuff common room.

She made her way down the girl's dormitory stairs on the morning of the twentieth. It was time. She knew there was some mistletoe hanging on one of the door frames, and she went to go wait underneath.

She heard voices as she approached the doorway, and stopped.

"... I've been thinking, Alastor," said a girl. " Well, you see, I... Fancy you. A lot. And I was wondering... Will you go to Hogsmeade with me? As a date? "

Natalie hoped he would say no, that he wasn't interested. She hoped--

"Yes."