Two Sisters, Two Loves

Neville Makes His Move

*Krista’s Point of View*
  It’s Tuesday evening. I sat at one of the study tables in the Hufflepuff common room, working on an essay on the properties of snake fang in certain brews for potions class. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about actually completing it. It’s really difficult for me to focus right now. Neville hasn’t spoken to me since Saturday and I haven’t really seen him around either. I’ve never felt so disheartened before and I’m considering backing out of this. I sighed, stuffing my quill and parchment into my bag then taking it upstairs and throwing it on my bed.
  “You need some air,” I told myself.
  I headed back downstairs and exited through the portrait hole.
  “Krista!”
  I looked up to see Neville standing in wait against the wall. Dressed nicely and clearly waiting outside the portrait. I was debating with myself if I was excited or mad.
  “Yes, Neville?” I asked, a bit annoyed.
  My voice came out a bit harsher than I expected. He stared at me in surprise, almost unable to speak.
  “About Saturday,” he started, then sighed, ”Well, first off, I’m sorry about what happened.”
  I waved it off, “It’s all right. It wasn’t your fault.”
  “Well, I wanted to make it up to you. Would you like to take a walk with me down to Black Lake?”
  Every trace of annoyance at his silence evaporated and was replaced with an overwhelming joy, “Sure, Neville. I would love to!”
  Happiness lit up his expression. A small tint of shock gleamed in his eyes. I began to giggle as he smiled with his face becoming flushed with pink. I skipped up to him and we made our way downstairs and to the main entrance. Neville walked up to the door, unlatching the large metal lock and he held the door open, gesturing for me to go ahead. A shiver ran through me as I stepped into the cool night. I breathed in the fresh air, soaking in the view being illuminated by the dim moonlight. My smile broadened as Neville grabbed my hand and we started running down to the shoreline of the lake. He seems different, but in a good way. He’s a bit more confident than from the last time and truthfully, it made me even more attracted to him. We reached the water in a few minutes time, laughing as we spent the next few moments catching our breath.
  “Having fun?” he asked.
  I nodded as I took in a few more breaths, “Yes. However, something tells me this is just the start.”
  A smile spread across his face, “Then you’d be right. Follow me.”
  I followed him along the shore until we came across a large rock that’s able to hold both of us.
  “Please, sit.”
  I did as I was told, sitting on the mini bench and waiting to see what Neville had in mind. I watched him as he walked over to a nearby tree, reaching his hand into a small crevice that was burrowed into the trunk. The crisp sound of crunching plastic reached my ears, making me more alert to what he was doing.
  The anticipation is killing me, “Neville? What are you doing?”
  A small, hopeful smile was on his face, but he did not respond. I just waited anxiously as he turned and started walking towards me with his hand behind his back.
  “I’m not doing anything, but I would like to know something. Are you hungry?” he grinned nervously.
  I shrugged in confusion, “No, not really. Why?”
  Neville sat beside me without turning to the side and he pulled out a large bag of sour patch watermelons, “Thought you would like some candy.”
  My jaw dropped to the ground. How did he know that was one of my favorites? I reached for the bag with trembling fingers, taking a piece and popped it into my mouth.
  “Thank you, Neville,” I told him, a bit awed, “How did you know?”
  He smiled, “Just a little insight.”
  I knew right away he meant Kenzie, but that didn’t matter right now. For about half an hour, Neville and I just sat talking and snacked on the bag of candy. My emotions started to overflow inside of me. Neville is just so sweet and seemed to always know what to say. My feelings for him grew deeper each minute we sat there. Everything seemed to align into its perfect place and I was ready to take on what’s ahead. Even talking about how horrible Umbridge is seemed like a step into where we were going.
  “Next thing we know, she’ll be calling all our habits abnormal and try to change our way of thinking,” he laughed, “She’ll end up telling us that it’s not easy to become sane.”
  I stared at him, mouth agape, “You did not. Yes, that may be true that she would, but really?”
  He looked at me quizzically, “Really, what?”
  I shook my head, “Nothing.”
  I stared at the ground, memories flooding back. It was silent between us for a few minutes. Nothing but the sound of the lapping lake water on the shore broke the quiet. I started thinking about something else to talk about when I felt him put his hand over mine. I felt his warm breath on my neck as he came closer.
  “Hey, Krista?”
  I gulped, “Yes, Neville?”
  I looked up, finding his face mere inches from my own. I swallowed a nervous lump in my throat as my heart rate increased rapidly. His eyes shining with the gleam of longing. He said nothing, as though he was waiting. His expression seemed to beg for permission. I bit my lip as I glanced at his, giving a slight nod. I lost my breath as Neville closed the distance between us. Every nerve sparked with feeling. Neville kissed cautiously and gently. Most likely still as nervous as I am. This is what I have been looking forward to for several years and it finally happened. The whole thing felt so right and perfect that my mind became fogged and I had forgotten where we were. The dream-like trance he put me through began fading as he pulled away. My entire body felt as though it was glowing from the charge that had run through my veins. Neville’s face had been brushed pink and he looked at me. Both of us didn’t know what to say. Our words were lost in the lingering feelings from us. Instead of speaking, we began to laugh. Laugh with nervousness, with our shyness and above all, with happiness. It was getting late, so Neville shyly took my hand in his and we headed back to the castle. Everything had fallen together and I couldn’t be any happier…
*Kenzie’s Point of View*
  “Don’t worry, it will go perfectly,” I assured to Neville.
  “Are you sure?” he asked nervously.
  I smiled, “Of course. Just remember to not let your nervousness or shyness get the best of you. She should leave her common room soon. Go wait for her.”
  He nodded and I watched him head off to search for the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room. It’s about time the two got together and I’m just counting the minutes until Krista comes running up to me to tell me what happened. I took a deep breath as I sat there in the windowsill of one of the corridors, thinking everything over. I had gone back to my normal self with a rare occasion of still hiding in the library on my own. Most people had gone up to bed already since it’s close to curfew and so I took the opportunity to have a bit of me time that, in all honesty, I didn’t want. I didn’t want ME time, I crave US time. I haven’t talked to Draco since Saturday and I miss him. Sure, I see him around and share classes with him, but it’s not the same as his warm hugs or feeling his gentle kiss. We don’t have the luxury of announcing it to the whole world how we feel about each other. Not without consequences and risks. Whenever we cross paths, either his, my or both of our friends are with us. Since everyone tears at each other’s’ throats, we find ourselves doing the same. I can see the anger welling inside of him; not from the vulgar things my friends say to him, but to the horrible things his friends say about us, especially me. The memories made my body shake with chills as though I was a drug addict going into withdrawals. I hungered for his presence and thirsted for his affection. I was just about to head up to the common room, when someone cleared their throat behind me. I sensed him approach and press his lips to my ear.
  “I’ve missed you these past few days,” he purred.
  “I missed you, too,” I sighed, super happy that he was here.
  Draco sat beside me and pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me. For a while we didn’t speak, but cuddled close and just enjoyed each other’s company. Draco had his arms wrapped around my torso, while mine were around his shoulders and he placed light kisses along my neck, making me squirm with delight. I would have to say there’s an upside to our secret and forbidden love. Everything just seems better. Since we can’t be together all the time, it makes for fireworks when we do.
  Draco pulled me into him, pressing against me as he continued trailing kisses.
  “Draco…” I gasped.
  “Shhhh,” he whispered.
  I felt helpless, but I didn’t mind. Every nerve in my body jumped with each kiss, making me hold on to him tighter. I could feel him smirk every time my grip tightened and he made his way up to my lips. His hands grasped onto my waist as I entwined my fingers in his hair. Nothing seemed to exist, but a boy and a girl tangled in one another’s arms. I didn’t want the magic to end, but our secret depended on it.
  I broke the kiss, our foreheads touching,  “We should probably be getting to bed soon.”
  Draco raised an eyebrow and gave me gave me a mischievous grin, “Oh, really now?”
  I rolled my eyes, “Not like that. I mean, I don’t want to get caught. Teacher or student.”
  He frowned, “but, that’s no fun.”
  “Draco!”
  He laughed, “I know, love. I’m just kidding around.”
  I smiled and pecked his lips, trying to get off his lap, but he wouldn’t let go.
  “Draco, we need to hurry and not get caught.”
  He didn’t answer me. I waited patiently as he held me, stroking my face and just smiled before crashing his lips to mine in a passionate kiss, leaving me breathless and tingly everywhere.
  “Goodnight, love,” he murmured, making me shudder.
  “Goodnight.”
  *****