Glory |A. Potter|

Nine

There was some kind of beauty in nature, especially when one got to spend time around it away from noise and obligations that only existed to tie a person to a certain way of life. In nature, Ramona felt as if there was nothing holding her back, the struggles of everyday life fading away in the background as she focused on the soothing song of the birds and the sound of nature, the wind in particular as it rustled through the leaves. She allowed a smile to form on her lips, unaware of the way her companion's eyes seemed to follow the movement.

Louis was convinced if Ramona were any prettier it would have been a crime. He had veela genes himself and at this point, he was convinced she did as well, it was simply impossible for her to be so beautiful otherwise. There was no other explanation.

Her skin could have been made of copper, her face could have been stolen from one of the sculptures in one of those ancient civilisations one saw and couldn't help but admire and someone had surely stolen the colour of the leaves and had kept it away in her eyes. She was absolutely breathtaking and even though Louis knew she was aware of her beauty, he doubted she had realised just what he really thought of her.

Ramona was a gift, not just because of the way she looked. He had found soon enough she was rather bright, cared for her friends, she was probably the most perspective person he knew. She had a love for the simple things in life, she had told him, and if he were to judge by how content she seemed sitting on the grass beside the Black Lake, he thought she had been telling the truth. Louis knew getting to know her and being her friend was something he would love to happen, even though that wasn't the best outcome he could have out of this whole ordeal. He didn't want to be just friends with Ramona. He suspected she knew that too but didn't comment on it, expecting to see how it would all play out. He was willing to wait for a while. After all, attempting to be something more than her friend at this point would only make him seem dishonest about his earlier claim and like she couldn't trust him. That was the least he wanted.

"You've been rather quiet today."

He blinked as Ramona's voice shook him out of his thoughts. He looked away from her, focused on the lake as he answered. "It's nothing important. It's just that my cousin Lily has her birthday in a while and I'm still trying to think of something to get her."

He didn't lie, at least, not completely, and Ramona nodded, although he didn't fool himself by thinking she was completely convinced. "Albus mentioned it."

"I'm surprised he remembers," Louis smiled, "he usually is terrible at remembering dates."

"Lily's his sister," Ramona pointed out, "I don't find it unusual he would remember. I find it more surprising that you remember her birthday. She's just your cousin and quite younger than you."

"I actually remember dates rather easily," he sent her a charming smile, "when's your birthday?"

Ramona's lips formed a smirk. "That's some very important information, Louis. If you want to know my birthday, you'll have to work for it."

A startled laugh escaped his lips. "That important?"

"Everything about me is important when I'm already on my way on becoming a model and most of the wizarding world already knows me from my mother," she pointed out with a shrug, her eyes glued on the lake. "It's a privilege, being in the same space as I am."

He laughed, "I should feel flattered you graced me with your presence, then."

"I see you catch on quickly."

Louis laughed some more at her reply. His laughter died out after a while and comfortable silence settled between them. Soon enough, though, she broke it.