Ghostly (Narry)

Chapter Thirty One: A Breath of Life

Harry stands at the kitchen counter, looking down at the two beers in front of him.

He's been there contemplating on what to do for so long that the beers sweat condensation, pooling up where the base meets the counter. He's surprised none of the boys had come to check in on him yet, but he knows they're in the middle of a game of Fifa, Niall and Zayn kicking Louis and Liam's asses by the sounds of it.

He'd been trying to figure out the best way to get the potion Margery had given him into Niall. He didn't know if he should come out and tell the blond that he's found a way to make him human once more, but he was worried about how it'd feel if it didn't work.

He examines the vile and he's debating pouring the shimmering liquid into Niall's drink.

It'd be easy, all he had to do was take a few sips from Niall's beer and pour the liquid in so it didn't overflow. It's not like Niall would be able to taste the difference, he thinks, although a part of him thinks Niall'd be able to taste if he'd tampered with his favorite beer.

Someone calls his name loudly from the living room and he nearly drops the small bottle. His heart starts hammering in his chest as he bobbles it between both hands before finally getting a proper grip on it once more. He sighs in relief, shoving it into his pocket quickly before he grabs the drinks and joins the other boys.

He settles into the couch next to Niall, thighs touching and he watches as Niall's player steals the ball from Louis' player – he was not happy, letting out a sharp yell and cursing Niall – and scores another point for his and Zayn's team.

Niall beams at Harry and Harry's heart flutters at the sight. Niall takes the drink he's offering, "Thanks H."

"You're welcome love," Harry responds and goes to lean in for a quick kiss to Niall's lips but Zayn's calling out for his help now that the games reset and Niall turns his head, Harry catching his cheek instead.

"Sorry Hazza," Niall chirps, his eyes staying glued to the screen, "Can't let Lou win."

Harry rolls his eyes fondly and sets his free hand on Niall's leg, above his knee, "No worries," he shrugs. Knowing Louis, he'd probably forced all of them into some stupid bet with him.

Harry lets his mind wander back to what he should do. He'd really wanted to ask the boys their opinion, but by the time he'd made it back to the apartment after having been sent to pick up the take out and beer, all of the boys had arrived and Niall was as alive as he could be.

He's scared from his thoughts when the match ends and Louis starts complaining loudly and accusing Niall of cheating. Niall taunts him further and it gets to the point where Louis leaps over Zayn and Liam and onto Niall. The blond shrieks and leans back, somehow the both of them ending up on Harry's lap, Louis pinning his boyfriend down.

"Get off me you oaf! You weigh a ton!"

Louis' mouth drops open in shock and Harry has to stifle a laugh.

"I do not," he protests.

"Yeah, you do!"

Louis glares down at Niall, "Zayn doesn't complain about it when I–"

"Okay," Zayn cuts in, dragging Louis off of Niall by the collar of his shirt and slapping a hand over the brunts mouth, "Enough." His cheeks are bright red and this time Harry can't help but laugh.

Zayn glares at him but he's laughing too hard and then Niall joins him, laughing hysterically in his lap. Louis' shaking with laughter too, Zayn's hand still clamped over his mouth, and even Liam joins in.

"I hate you all," Zayn mutters, downing the rest of his drink.

***

It's nearing midnight when Niall calls him out for being distracted. Louis declared a midnight snack and dragged Liam and Zayn off towards the kitchen, shouting something about a cheese toasty.