Polishing Old Trophies PV Clifton Troublefield

When the kiss ended, she kept her face close to his, just liking the feeling that the closeness gave her. Her head came down to rest on his shoulder. She didn't know how to say that she thought about him all the time, or that she liked spending as much time with him as possible. She didn't know how to talk to the boy and let him know that she liked moments like this but the fact that he returned the kiss seemed to be enough right now, that maybe he too felt similar.

Taking his hand into hers, she gave it a squeeze just as footsteps from out in the corridor could be heard. Her popped up and she looked to him in surprise but then smiled. Even if they were to get caught, they'd survive. Students must have done far worse than this and not gotten expelled from Hogwarts! It was all part of the adventure.

The footsteps grew louder as the person drew closer and when the door opened more, it was revealed it was one of the older prefects from Gryffindor. "Hello? Someone in here?" her voice echoed into the large room. The girl looked around, first seeming to think everything was fine. Luckily Alina and Clifton were propped up on a table where they were hid by one of the larger trophy cases. The girl's eyes fell across something peculiar, maybe it was the goat trophy or one of the banana ones. Maybe it was the google eyes. She gasped in complete horror before darting out of the room, yelling "Professor!!!!" all down the corridor.

Alina began laughing and hopped off the table. "I think that's our cue to escape before they return, Mr. Troublefield!"

Clifton's laughter joined hers as they slid off the table. This was the real fun to rearranging the trophy room.

"Come on," he grinned, taking her hand and leading her toward the exit. They stopped at the door and Clifton checked to see that the hall was clear. A few giggles escaped Alina, causing Clifton to start in again too.

"Stop," he laughed. "Or we'll never make it out of here."

He could hear the prefect's voice echo down toward them from around the corner.

"You won't believe it! A goat. I don't know who did it. What should we do, professor?"

He decided it was now or never. Gripping her hand, he sprinted out of the trophy room and down the hall in the opposite direction. They came to another hall and Clifton hurriedly pulled Alina around the corner. They pressed themselves up against the wall, this time both of them peeking around the corner. After all, what was all the effort worth if they didn't get to see the reward?

"Up to no good, are we?"

Clifton nearly leapt out of his skin, only to realize it was one of the portraits above them. A man with a fedora and an amused expression.

"Shut it," Clifton whispered, still fighting back laughter.

"Whatever you say, Bonnie and Clyde, but I wouldn't suggest hanging around for long. Another professor's coming the other direction. And it's awfully close to curfew."

Clifton looked back over his shoulder to see that the portrait was right. He and Alina exchanged glances.

Alina glanced one direction down the hall, and then the other way. Neither professor or professor and prefect were to them yet. In fact, only the professor with the prefect would even know anything was going on. "Safest bet is to go that way," she whispered to Clifton, pointing to the direction that the portrait had said. She smiled to the man in the portrait, having no idea of this Bonnie and Clyde business but was thankful for the warning. She blew him a quick kiss for thanking him and grabbed Cliff's hand.

"Slow and quiet, now" she said in a whisper. "If we find another door, we dart into it. If we don't find one, we stay quiet and still and try to blend in with the armor and hope no portraits rat us out. For once these darkened corridors might provide us some refuge," as they could hide in the shadows.

She wasn't afraid though, in fact it was rather exciting not knowing what was going to happen! And if caught, she doubted they'd get expelled. She had seen older students do far worse than replace a few trophies, add a few wiggly eyes, and stack them up. "Oh and remind me...we've got to go to the library to research Bonnie and Clyde." There wasn't one hint of recognition of the names but they sounded like maybe they were some pretty interesting people. Maybe they were once students at Hogwarts.

Clifton smiled. He could've told her who Bonnie and Clyde were, thanks to his dad's impromptu history lessons. But now obviously wasn't the time. And he wasn't going to say no to another trip to the library with her.

They crept along the moonlit corridor, staying close to the wall. They came across one doorknob, but it was locked, so they kept going. The professor was getting closer and Clifton began scanning for hiding spots.

Suddenly, Alina jerked him toward one of the pillars jutting partway out of the wall. It would be a close fit, but if they held still it just might work.

Grinning at the the adventure of it all, he let her guide him toward it. She pressed herself into the corner between the pillar and the wall and pulled him to close so they could stay in the shadows. Clifton was only glad it was as dark as it was, so she couldn't see him blushing like an idiot again.

The silhouette of the professor entered their line of vision, then stopped. Neither of them breathed. After a long moment of looking around, the teacher finally continued down the hall.

Clifton waited until he was out of sight before blowing out a slow breath of relief. Even if the punishment for rearranging trophies wasn't steep, he was certain that getting caught trying to hide with a girl after curfew might've added a few layers.

Alina smiled up at him, fearless as always, and he smiled back. It was yet another successful adventure.

"Guess I'd better do the gentlemanly thing and get you back," he muttered, gripping her hands, which felt as chill as the night air. "It's late."

Then, because something about being around her always made him want to step it up in class, he lifted one of her hands and briefly pressed it to his lips. "And it's getting cold."

They climbed out of their hiding spot and Clifton was just trying to map out the fastest way back to the first floor when his eyes landed on the stair banisters. A slow smile spread across his face. Might as well, while they were out and breaking rules. He glanced over at her.

"Race you down."

He was the absolute sweetest boy and she smiled to him, liking those small gestures.

And Alina Rosier also liked a competition so when he said race, she was ready to race. "3, 2, 1....GO!" she said and the two began to run like wildfire down the corridor and no longer could they contain their laughter. They surely attracted the attention of at least one of the professors who turned around at the sound and looked down the dark corridor.

Both ran quickly, and they finally reached where the staircase began but it jolted and began shifting places. A moving staircase. That's just what they needed! Some didn't move back for hours! "Hurry on," she said breathlessly to him and the two jumped, making it onto the platform of the steps as it turned towards its new location.

The professor would have no way to catch up with them and get on the staircase as well so they were free! Alina wanted to shout something victorious but also didn't want her voice giving away anything. And just to be sure they were even further out of sight, the two continued their race, hurrying up each stair until they got to the top and had to wait for the castle to lock into its new place.

"I think it was a tie," Clifton smiled, working to catch his breath while they waited. A stair railing to the ribs hadn't exactly helped his oxygen flow. He glanced over at Alina, the distant moonlight catching her disheveled hair and the victory in her eyes. He was so stupid in love with her right now.

Which probably meant he needed to be a good friend and get her back to the dorms so that she could get some sleep. Like he'd said not five minutes ago. But what actually came out of his mouth was:

"Well the common room is on the bottom floor, so we've still got a ways. I guess I could do the second-best gentlemanly thing and take you to the rest of the way to the astronomy tower. I bet the stars look great with it almost being summer."

It was a terrible idea, as far as rules went. He didn't even know if students were allowed up there. Besides, they had class tomorrow and probably two professors after them as he spoke. But he apparently couldn't help himself these days. How else could banana trophies make him want to do foot racing and then make him want to go stargazing? Not even his favorite video games could pull that off.

But he waited for her answer. It was hard to tell how tired she was in the dark and even the best adventures shouldn't be dragged out too far. He realized it was a little like when she'd taught him how to dance. He might have an idea of where to lead, but it wouldn't be worth it unless he knew she wanted to follow.

Alina just stared at him a moment. The astronomy tower. At night. With him. Boy was he something. She really didn't quite know what to make of a boy like him but she was glad that he gave her the time day. "I think going to the Astronomy Tower sounds like one of your brilliant ideas, Mr. Troublefield and I'd be honored to be your guest."

The Astronomy Tower was an amazing sight during the day and she could only imagine what it was like at night. Plus, there was something rather electrifying about this whole being out past curfew business. She smiled to him and came closer to him, softly kissing his cheek. She felt a little short of breath too, but it was no longer due to running down the corridors to escape a professor.

She hoped that she made him feel as special as he made her feel but didn't see how that was possible. She knew it had to be better than her silly little arts and crafts that she had made him for his end of the year present, but right now it was all she had.

The staircase finally clicked into place and the two now exited, she took his hand and together they walked toward the Astronomy Tower, both in no hurry at all.

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