Sugar. (H.S.)

Cold Shoulder

I jump back in surprise and drop Harry's hand. For some reason I feel guilty, like I just got caught stealing. I whirl around to see a man standing in the doorway.

He is middle aged and looks extremely well put together. He is also extremely fit. Muscles cover his body from head to toe, despite his age I'm sure he could take down anyone I've ever come across, single handedly. His expression flickers in confusion as he sees me standing in the kitchen, before it slips back into a professional mask.

"Jackson." Harry says, his voice authoritative. "I'm going to need to the Rover. The sport if it's here. I want it warmed up and waiting out front. We will be down in ten minutes. I'll be driving."

I want to turn around and scold Harry for speaking to this man the way that he is. Jackson simply nods once and turns on his heel. I realize with a start that this man must work for Harry. Or Harry's father at least.

"So are you going to tell me what you were doing falling to pieces in the middle of a busy street?" Harry asks once the door swings shut behind Jackson.

"I already told you. Someone stole my bag. I was being an idiot, its my fault honestly. It had all my money and my phone in it though. I didn't know where I was. Still don't really." I tell him sheepishly, avoiding his gaze. 

Harry tenses for a second and his hands ball into fists like he can hardly control his anger. 

"That's..." He seems unable to finish his thought. I grab the mug off the counter and sip the hot tea to give myself something to do. "I didn't realize it would be so much effort to get you to come with me." He finally says. I bite my lip. 

"Can you blame me?" I mumble and Harry frowns. "The first time I met you, you were irate. Yelling at a professor."

Harry scoffs but a dimple appears in his cheek.

"I wasn't yelling."

"You were."

"I wasn't. And even if I was it wasn't directed at you. You had no reason not to trust me."

"Didn't you sleep with a married teacher." I blurt the words out and regret them immediately. Harry sets his jaw harshly and glares over at me.

"Well it's not like it was against her will." He snaps and I feel guilty for bringing it up at all. But his answer confirms my worst fears. I sip my tea again. Harry senses my judgement and glares at me.

"You sure like jumping to conclusions, don't you?"

"It's not like you've given me much to go off of."

"Do you believe everything you hear then?" Harry's tone has a bite to it that I can't ignore. It makes me angry. What is his problem. He's the one that just admitted that he slept with her.

Why do you even care?  I remind myself. I take a deep breath. This conversation is not going the way I wanted it too. Harry's expression softens minimally.

"Reserving judgement is a matter of hope." He quotes.

"You quoted it wrong." I inform him, shaking my head.

"What is it then."

"It's 'infinite hope.' Reserving judgement is a matter of infinite hope. In which case, I'll be waiting forever then."

"I'll take it." Harry says, and his face twists up into a grin, any anger melting away from his expression.

I can't help but laugh, my annoyance passing.