Kiss Me Freely (Book 2)

Chapter 1 : Newfound Companions and Conspiring Slytherins

Newfound Companions and Conspiring Slytherins

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" - Seneca, 1st century A.D. Roman philosopher

To say that life was perfect was not necessarily speaking the truth. To say that their love was absolute was not false. But to say that it would be accepted by all was something that remained undetermined and in doubt. It was difficult to say anything concrete about their relationship; to some, it was a beautiful, wondrous thing, and to others, it was forbidden and worthy of the most horrendous possible consequences.

To them, it was perfect, it was absolute, and, so long as they had each other, it did not matter what everyone else would think. However, it had to remain as such; to them, for them, and with them. Nobody else could know about their secret life and love, they were Romeo and Juliet, from two different classes, two different social groups, and neither group could be aware of their feelings.

Unless they wanted a war to break out.

It had been a full week, one full week since they had admitted their love and consummated it. One full week where life was pleasant and enjoyable, where they could enjoy each other in the silence of their Tower, in secret on the grounds, and in plain view when nobody was around. They didn't have to worry about being caught; those who knew kept it secret, and those who were curious were doubtful and just that; curious and nothing else.

Nobody questioned them, nobody asked them what they thought, and everybody remained in the dark.

They knew that it couldn't go on like this; that eventually, once the flood of students returned to the school; they would have to confront the situation, to confront their friends and classmates. A war would break out, between those who were unforgiving and those who loved no matter what.

For now, they revelled in the peace and quiet of their world, enjoyed every lasting minute of the silence before the storm.

At least, there used to be silence...

"Do I really have to go?"

"Yes! I told you, we got an invite and it would be rude not to accept!"

"Honestly?"

"Honestly!"

"But I don't want to!"

"Draco Malfoy, you will go to the Gryffindor New Year's Party and you will enjoy yourself!"

"Can Blaise come?"

"Seamus already invited him."

"Maybe."

Hermione Granger ran a hand through her mussed hair, unable to contain her irritation for much longer. She stood in the kitchen, looking more than flustered as her lover, a certain blond-haired git, huffed and puffed by the living room.

"For goodness sake!" she cried, throwing her hands into the air. "You received an invite, an extension of inter-house unity, and you're bitching because it's a Gryffindor party? You've been sitting at the Gryffindor table for the past week! You're an immature git!

"Am not," he whined, pouting as he crossed his arms. "I don't want to go because that Creevey kid will be there taking pictures!"

"So? It's a party! We're supposed to enjoy ourselves! Dennis is allowed to take as many pictures as he wants!"

"Well...I'm still not going," Draco snapped, moving to collapse on the couch, picking up a book and opening it as though he had just spoken the final, concluding words.

Sighing heavily, she grabbed a nearby wooden spoon and made her way over to the couch, ready to use the utensil as a weapon. "In the name of Merlin and every other great wizard in the world, you will go to this party, or so help you God, I will harm you."