Elektra Black I

Chapter 8 | Newt The Bowtruckle

The rest of the school year passed by, to El, agonisingly slow. She had aced all of her exams with the help of Jada but she was itching to see her father again. All five of them had spent most of their time with each other in the Great Hall, trips to Hogsmeade and often stayed up late playing the muggle game, that Jada had introduced, Truth or Dare. Elektra had snuck some Firewhiskey and Butterbeer that she had nicked from in town a few weekends before, which had caused the game to become even sillier. Hiding the drinks from Percy the Prefect, Ron's brother, was a nightmare and avoiding Hermione's "Tut, tut, tut" as she preferred to read a book instead, was difficult. Every time El or Harry had taken a big swig from the bottle they had shared, she would give them both a look that gave the impression she was horrified. Ron on the other hand loved the game, it took his mind off of the mourning of his pet rat, Scabbers, that had apparently been eaten by Hermione's cat Crookshanks. Jada was on speaking terms with her crush, Joe, again after he had rejected her and finally, Harry and El had become much more close, to Sirius and Remus' delight. But what they didn't see was how much closer they had actually gotten. Especially during a game of truth or dare, to which they hadn't spoken about since.

"I dare Harry to-" Jada paused, putting a finger to her lip, looking around the room. Her eyes had, to El's sadness, landed on her. "To kiss El on the cheek." Ron snorted and rolled his eyes, taking a swig of Butterbeer, "That's pathetic." Jada looked furiously over at Ron, "Shut it, Weasley or I'll make you go kiss Hermione on the lips instead." Hermione's head snapped up as fast as it could as she glared at Ron, "Don't you be coming anywhere near me, Ronald. I am not playing this game." Ron mumbled something under his breath before folding his arms and slumping back down into his seat.

What Ron hadn't known was that El had never actually had her first kiss yet and Jada was being respectful of that. Harry had kissed Cho Chang a month or so back and they only knew that because the whole common room was talking about it since Ron had gossiped. El didn't know if Harry and Cho were together and felt rather awkward about it. "It's just a kiss on the cheek. Would that be okay with you, El?" Harry had softly asked El who was swaying from left to right due to a bit too much Firewhiskey in her system. She was more tipsy than drunk but just enough so that her body felt alight. It wasn't her first time drinking, but it was the first time she'd had more than last time. "What about Cho?" El naively asked Harry who had smiled awkwardly at her comment. They had gotten much more closer on the couch unknowingly and Ron's loud voice had broken the silence "Oh come on! I hear French Muggles kiss people on their cheeks to say hello, there's no harm to it!" Ron on the other hand had had too much Firewhiskey and Butterbeer for the night. "Oh, just do it." El blurted out, trying not to seem too fidgety. Part of her was curious to see what would happen yet it felt weird since her dad was his Godfather. It didn't make them related but it felt... odd. Harry sighed at her bluntness, and quickly (more awkwardly than anything) leaned in and pressed his lips to her rosey red cheek, lingering for a little longer than a friend would. El's stomach was tied in knots and couldn't understand why because she didn't, under any circumstances, like him. El cleared her throat and felt extremely nervous. Her hands were sweating and she felt a bit lightheaded. "Okay, I'm out. I'm going to bed." She quickly got up, leaving Harry half on the seat she had been sat at, as she walked up her dormitory stairs. But before she could reach her floor, she had heard Potter, "I crossed a line, didn't I?" he sadly mumbled to himself, sighing loudly. Ron piped up, "It's El. She's always like this." However Jada was furious, "How dare you! She's never actually been kissed before. I know that was the cheek and it's different but- oh, she's just awkward when it comes to boys, that's all." El had paused on the first floor, still being able to hear the conversation slightly. How embarrassing! She didn't want them knowing that she'd never been kissed! What would they think? "El's not been kissed before?" Harry questioned, his voice rising higher as he did. He seemed to be shocked, if only El could see his face. It was probably bright red just like hers! Luckily no one could see her though.
It went quiet and then Harry continued, "How? El's- El's got some good qualities!" Ron snorted loudly, "Got another crush, Harry? Jesus, better tell Cho quick." Jada and Ron laughed but Harry had become defensive. "No. I- I like Cho but she's in the year above and has that Cedric in their year. I've got no chance. I just meant that El should have someone after her." Jada had produced a low chuckle, "Trust me, I've tried to play matchmaker. She just doesn't want anyone."