The Paths We Take

Chapter 26- Discoveries

"They say I'm crazy
But the whole world has gone mad
They think I'm dangerous
I might agree with that

When everything I touch will break
Loving you is my escape
So come on give me what I crave
I want it, I want it
Do you want it?"

I Scare Myself- Beth Crowley

Chapter 26- Discoveries

Saturday, May 16th, 1999

Adjusting his collar as he studied the hunter green button-down shirt and dark blue jeans in the long mirror, Harry inhaled a deep breath to try and calm his nerves as he stood in his bedroom. As he exhaled quickly, he froze for a moment with widened eyes before cupping his mouth with his hand and puffed twice to smell his breath. Rushing over to the nightstand, he reached into the single drawer for his mint spray and examined it to make sure it wasn't one from the Weasley's joke shop that turned a person's tongue blue. After spraying two pumps into his mouth and one extra, just in case, he was about to close the drawer before seeing the glass bottle of cologne Hermione had gotten him for Christmas, hidden under the handkerchief Molly had knitted him.

Sighing heavily, he picked the bottle up and frowned as he remembered back to when he had first opened the small neatly wrapped gift box. Hermione had been so excited when he lifted the dark liquid-filled bottle with a gold Stag head lid from the silk encasing, that he couldn't help but to feel elated at her joy. However, looking at it now, made him miss her infectious smile more than anything. Turning the bottle in his hand, he felt ashamed that he had tossed the gift into the drawer and completely forgot about it. It wasn't that he didn't love the present, because he did, he just had nowhere to wear it or anyone to wear it for.

Removing the lid carefully, Harry sniffed the fragrance and smiled while he shook his head. He didn't normally enjoy strong scents, however, it seemed Hermione knew not only exactly what he would like but had also made sure to not pick out an overpowering aroma. The cologne smelled of a woodsy amber with a hint of brandy and shaving soap mixed in, making him understand the reasoning behind the Stag cap. It wasn't just to match his Patronus charm, although he was happy that it did. After spraying a few squirts across his body, he was about to place the bottle back into the drawer when he changed his mind, and instead walked over to his dresser, shifted back the tall colorful pillar candle Luna hand-made him for his birthday, and set in on top so he would never forget it again.

As Harry continued to get ready for his date, across the hall, Pansy was reading the borrowed history book as Luna gleefully styled her hair.

"What potions do you use on your hair?" Luna questioned while tilting her head back and forth, studying the long black locks in her hands. "It's so soft and shiny! I could run my fingers through it all day and never get tired!"

"I don't use potions in my hair anymore..." Pansy replied as she briefly glanced up from the tome on her lap and watched Luna in the long-standing mirror in front of her. "Just normal everyday muggle shampoo and conditioner. They're still expensive products, but I feel the effects last longer, which means I don't have to constantly keep reapplying elixirs when they wear off. I can show you later if you want, and you're more than welcome to use anything of mine" she smiled warmly.

"That is exceedingly kind of you. I may take you up on that offer" Luna grinned before deciding on how she wanted to style the Slytherin's hair. Choosing a simple yet flirty, half-up half-down do, she began to lightly curl and tease Pansy's silky black hair with her wand. When she was about halfway done however, she noticed how quiet the Princess had gotten and tilted her head in confusion. "What's wrong, Pansy?" Leaning over her shoulder, she spotted the book in Pansy's hands, and relaxed her shoulders as she studied the pictures on the pages.