Dimmed Starlight

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Dolan wasn't your standard guy... He was manipulative, cunning, and intimidating when he can be. He didn't "do" dates — at least traditional ones — often, he especially didn't "do" what typical couples did. Harrison, however, was an exception. You see, that Gryffindor was a bundle of joy for Dolan. Harrison was competitive, daring, intelligent and had the cutest smirk. Yet, that impulsive boy secretly was a hopeless romantic and Dolan knew this. Harrison was caught daydreaming in class often, though no one really knew what. Dolan soon found out when a well-kept journal of said Gryffindor's had fallen on an opened page. It seemed like a checklist for... dating? It wasn't just dating, but everything about was just so romantic and described to the last detail. Dolan couldn't even finish one option before Harrison walked in and nearly caught the Slytherin red handed. That day, he left utterly confused and flustered. Harrison wanted a date, that part should have been obvious. The Gryffindor was the first to ask what he and Dolan were, the first to call the other "cute," the first... the first to say those three words people dream to hear their whole lives. He was always the one that engaged what they had, how could Dolan compete with that? He wasn't the romantic type like Harrison, nor was he the type to go out and scream his feelings to the world. Dolan racked at his brain all that day on how he could make it up to his boyfriend. That is until he finally thought of something, something that couldn't be done without a few favors.

In the dining hall, Harrison had noticed that Dolan wasn't eating . In fact, his other half seemed to be out of it lately that whole week. Harrison thought it had to do with the note Dolan had given him earlier. The Gryffindor silently unwrinkled the little paper in his hands, it read "meet me on the East Wing after meal." The only question was: why? Did they need to talk about something? It seemed so secretive, so private. It wasn't like Dolan at all. Oh God! He wasn't think about breaking up with the boy, was he? Harrison began to internally freak out. He stopped even picking at his food as he thought of every scenario that could go down. Why would the Slytherin break up with him? Was he not 'sinister' enough for Dolan? Was he too competitive? Has he become... boring? Harrison began to stress on the thought even after he already walked into his common room. He almost wanted to skip the whole ordeal, just to avoid it. How tempting that sounding, but he knew it would Dolan's left in the cold, all alone, and more likely to get caught outside his dorm after hours. With an irritated groan, Harrison lifted himself off the Gryffindor couch and began to walk out. As quiet as a mouse, the little lion tiptoed through the halls and up the stairs of the Eastern Wing to the tippy top. With a huff, he opened the roof access door and revealed his boyfriend on the other side.

Dolan was nervous, Tressen had noticed earlier that he didn't eat and asked if he was alright. He, of course, answered her vaguely, but he was not alright. What if this plan doesn't work? What if he can't go through with it? He tapped his foot against the stone pavement impatiently. What was taking Harrison so long? Dolan heard muffled echoes of footsteps behind him, he turned around as the lock on the door clicked and came face to face with the most incredible eyes he had ever looked into. "Hi," he said with a smile. "Hey," Harrison uttered back, he sounded almost... defeated? That couldn't be right, Harrison was always so optimistic, kind and sporting a smile. Dolan shook it off, it was something they would definitely talk about later. He reached into his pocket and quickly handed a dark gray blindfold to the red clad, who gave off a very confused pout. "Put it on, I want to take you somewhere," Dolan eyed the quidditch player up and down as said lion hesitantly tied the cloth over his eyes. Dolan quickly grabbed his hand and began to lead him towards a different location.

Harrison allowed Dolan to drag him along this little adventure. The boy really just wanted Dolan to get it over with, if he wanted to break up he should have done it by now. Why let this torment drone on and on longer than it has to? "You want to duck right here?" Dolan's voice cut through the lad's intrusive thoughts and he did as Dolan instructed. The lion felt left in the dark, figuratively and literally. Where was his boyfriend even taking him? It wasn't like Dolan to spring such a surprise on him... actually no, that was a lot like Dolan. Harrison only hoped he wouldn't be flying off the roof somehow, that's just overreacting a breakup. "Stop. We're here," Dolan finally stated. "Great, can I take this stupid blindfold off now?"

"Wait a moment," Dolan requested with his hand pressed against Harrison's cloth. Freeing one of his hands, Dolan whispered a spell as he flicked his wand through the air. All he hoped was for a little spark. "Ok, now... open them."
Harrison ripped off his blinder and quickly adjusted his eyes to the new scene around him. It took his breath away. They were standing in the first place he and Dolan were ever forced to be partners in. The 3rd greenhouse from their school building. Harrison's vision caught sight of a gliding star that lit up lantern to lantern, brightening the room. He turned to see Dolan smiling at him, that damn smile. The Slytherin beckoned to follow, which Harrison obliged to quickly. As they strolled, the Head Boy caught a whiff of heavy perfume. He inspected the house's ceiling to see large umbrella flowers dangling and beginning to close for the night. Harrison became so distracted with the vegetation around him, he nearly crashed into Dolan. The boy with hair like charcoal had stopped and slightly turned, he gestured towards the scene as if he was saying "Ladies first." Harrison walked past him and his faces beamed with surprise. His mouth forever in an "o" shape as he looked from Dolan to the flannel patterned blanket on the ground and the basket right next to it.

In front of the couple was a picnic, filled with Harrison's favorite foods, enough for two. Completed with candlelight and a hearty bouquet as it's centerpiece. The Gryffindor believed he was dreaming, there was no way this was real. He pinched himself once, twice, three times; however, it was real! Dolan took Harrison's hand and gracefully helped his boyfriend sit down. The Quidditch player eyed the delicate mix of roses, valerian, lavender sea statice and silver dollar eucalyptus; it was a simple bouquet that warmed his heart. They both laughed and ate the chocolate covered strawberries and mini Anza quiches together. It wasn't long before they stuffed themselves full.

The world seemed to move by slowly as the lovebirds cuddled under the flower umbrellas and watched the stars. Candles blown out by the wind and lanterns dimmed. Harrison leaned his head onto Dolan's shoulder, who gently brought an arm around the other's shoulders. "Hey, Dolan," Harrison opened and closed his mouth multiple times before continuing. "...thank you. I really needed this." As if their warm hands against the cool night air and starry sky wasn't romantic enough, Dolan slowly caressed Harrison's flushed cheeks and slowly pulled him in. Both parties leaned closer and closer to fix that gap between them. Everything was just... perfect. Just two full bellies, two cheerful smiles, and two warmed hearts.


















"Alright, you two. That's enough of that," Professor Orfae had interjected, making the lanterns much brighter than need be. Both students snapped their heads to look at her in absolute shock. Dolan couldn't believe it, he was positive that he had every hall monitor kept busy. That is what he originally thought until Luke showed up behind her. He held a rather disapproving look, the bastard of a badger. "Should I escort them to their common rooms, Professor?"
"Would you? That would be so helpful." Professor Orfae smiles at the teacher's pet in front of her. "I'll have to stay behind and clean this mess up anyway. Dolan Magee, you of all my students should know how dangerous these plants should be. And Mister Pendrake should understand how dangerous it is to be outside... unsupervised." Orfae held a scornful look on her face, the four-eyed pair nodded slowly in agreement. "Gentlemen, shall we be on our way?" Luke didn't even wait for a response as he spun on his heel and began to head out the door. Dolan's blood boiled with fury. After everything he prepared for that night, it had to be ruined by one single HUFFLEPUFF! The spider felt a hand grab his own and soon, warm and slim fingers interlocked with his. Taking a breath, Harrison squeezed Dolan's hand and the boy squeezed back as they followed the redhead to their separate rooms.

Thank you to Hiddenkids for this lovely request. I had a lot of fun writing it! Professor Orfae belongs to @_.brina._
Luke belongs to @cowardkiwi
Both on TikTok

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