Paranoia (Alastor Moody)

Chapter 13

Once word got out that Natalie Taylor-- THE Natalie Taylor-- was dating Alastor Moody, it was all anybody could talk about.

It's not to say that it wasn't expected that at some point the two would get together, but it just seemed so unfair. Natalie was a very pretty girl. She had a lot of boys and girls who secretly fawned after her-- a lot of whom thought themselves to be far superior to the likes of beady-eyed crazy old Al.

They just didn't understand how someone like Alastor could be so lucky. 

Sure, everyone knew how close the two were, but really. She could do better (so they thought). Al was just so... intense. He took things far too seriously. Not only that, but he was just very awkward. He didn't speak much to anyone, preferring to keep to himself most of the time. This was very different to how Natalie portrayed herself-- she was very kind to everyone and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Natalie and Al didn't take any stock in what people had to say about them though. They spent the rest of their seventh year attached at the hip-- laughing down the corridors of the castle, not a care in the world. 

The two of them were very much in love. In fact, after they graduated Hogwarts Al and Natalie moved in together in a small one bedroom cottage.

Almost at once, Alastor and Natalie started to train to become Aurors-- both found their jobs to be a perfect fit. Their knowledge of Defense Against the Dark Arts was quite helpful in their field and both excelled.d

December, 1969

Natalie apparated into the living room of her shared cottage after a long shift overnight at the Ministry. She spent all night filling out forms and sending and receiving owls full of information having to do with a small group of witches and wizards causing disturbances in muggle neighborhoods.

She was absolutely exhausted.

She slowly kicked off her shoes and removed her cloak, levitating it to a hook in the coat closet across the room. She then shuffled her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face, careful so as to not wake up Alastor. Once she had finished up her nightly routine, she tiptoed to her room. 

Natalie stopped before turning the handle. A light was flickering from inside as if someone had lit a fire. She placed the back of her hand on the knob to check that the heat from the fire wasn't hot enough to burn her. It wasn't. 

Quickly, Natalie burst through the door and shouted "Aguamenti!" Water came pouring out of the tip of Natalie's wand, extinguishing any trace of fire within the room.

"Augck!" came a voice. 

Natalie stopped to find Alastor on the floor, soaking wet. Natalie quickly looked around the room and spotted... "Candles?" 

Candles weren't the only thing filling the room. Damp rose petals scattered the floor and bed. A wave of realization hit Natalie as she took in her surroundings. Her eyes grew wide as she turned her gaze back on Alastor. "Al..." she said quietly.

"The idea was to surprise you with a huge romantic gesture, but I guess this works too," Al said with a chuckle.

Natalie let out a nervous laugh. "I'm so sorry!"

Al stood up and gave Natalie a gentle--albeit wet-- kiss. They broke away after a moment and stared into each other's eyes.

All of a sudden, the two broke into a full on guffaw, falling to the floor. They stayed like this for what seemed like forever.

Al crawled his way over to Natalie, bringing her into another sweet kiss.

When they broke away Al smiled. "Nat," he said softly. "Will you marry me?"