Inside My Mind (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter LXXXVII

The Black Osobnyak, Russia, Asia

Thursday the 31st of December 1997

7:00 PM

"Daphne is having a New Year's Eve Party later today. Everyone fifth year and above is invited," Bella said, softly and Tom hummed from his spot on his bed. Bella was sitting cross-legged next to him and she looked around the guest bedroom with a quiet contemplation. She couldn't help the half-smile when she saw Tom's guitar case resting in the corner. She knew that he pretended that he didn't care for it even though she could hear him playing late at night at times.

"Will you be going?"

"I don't know. Tom, it's your birthday and I don't want to…"

"She's your best friend. Anya, I'm not trying to consume your life just as you're not trying to consume my life," Tom said, simply and Bella nodded in agreement. They sat in a comfortable silence for just a few moments before Bella cleared her throat and ran a hand through her hair.

"Did you finish your DADA homework?"

"No. You know, I sometimes forget that you're my professor," Bella said with a slight smile on her face and Tom put down his book and fixed her with an unfathomable stare.

"I can see that."

Bella rolled her eyes at his short and curt words. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was short, sweet, but still very intense. She pulled back with a bright smile and she tilted her head as she examined him.

"Happy seventy-first birthday."

"Simply saying 'happy birthday' would have sufficed. Don't make me sound old. It makes me sound like a creep," Tom said, flatly and Bella laughed as she rolled off his bed. She tossed her hair back behind her ear and tilted her head.

"You are a creep. I'll be back around one in the morning and we'll celebrate the new year together," Bella smiled. Tom shrugged and went back to reading his book, under the pretense that he was very much involved in it. Bella sighed and she turned to walk away and begin to get ready.

"Where is it?"

Bella looked over her shoulder.

"Club Crystal."

"I'll see you off at ten, then," Tom said, softly and Bella's smile grew more pronounced and she nodded in agreement before exiting the room.

"See you then."

Greengrass Manor, Unplottable Location, Wales, Great Britain

Thursday the 31st of December 1997

7:00 PM

"Excuse me?" Astoria whispered and Lady Greengrass only beamed at her youngest daughter with blinding happiness. Lord Greengrass looked rather bored by the whole affair, yet still rather interested.

"Colette Delacour is…is…like you. And she's absolutely beautiful, isn't she?" Lady Greengrass continued on and Astoria coughed, weakly and she shook her head, unable to believe what her mother was trying to do.