A Touch Too Far PV Finished

@Howard White

It wasn't hard to describe their relationship as being the power couple of Hogwarts. On one hand, there was Howard. An incredibly strong Damphir who is a star champion for the Hexwizard tournament and plays on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. On the other hand, there was Bloom. An asset to the Ravenclaw Broom Racing team and has become a name that many know. Both were inseparable this summer and into the school year.

Bloom felt comfortable in the routine that they created for themselves. They would have breakfast with each other, go to classes, and end the day with dinner before heading off to bed. Some of the time, they would need to go practice for their respective games, but it was more-or-less the same. She felt content and quite frankly, it felt like a real relationship where one could always feel supported and have that person to come back to.

It wasn't until Howard had hinted on meeting him at the Quidditch Practice Pitch. "Why?" Bloom would ask him, but he often changed the subject to something else. Her smile would only match his in excitement. She had no idea what kind of night they were going to have, but she was excited to be spending a special moment with him.

Time felt like it was going slowly. During class, she would stare at the old style clocks, hoping for the allotted time would be up and the next class would begin.

Finally, it was time to meet him there. She felt like she had no time to get ready, so she was in her Ravenclaw uniform. She walked over to the Quidditch practice pitch where she saw Howard waiting for her. When she got closer, he had kissed her cheek. She allowed it, and smiled. His touch made her body warm.

She looked at the broom that he was holding. She had never seen it before. But it was definitely long enough to hold the two of them together. With both of them as flyers, this was a date that she would have never expected. Bloom couldn't hold her excitement in. "Yes!" she exclaimed, giving Howard a hug, if he would accept. "But there's a problem...," she said, her body against his, "I don't think you can handle my speed," she joked.

@@Bloom Silverton

Howard accepted Bloom's hug with his free arm and squeezed her tightly. Her excitement was infectious and he couldn't stop the laugh of joy that escaped his lips. It was tempting to just spend the evening wrapped in her embrace, but they were flyers through and through, not even a lovers embrace could keep them from the skies. "Oh!" Howard called out as Bloom dared to challenge his skill on a broom. Her jest was met with a playful pinch on the arm before he let some space between them. "You broom racers are soo full of yourselves." Howard quipped back. Nothing like a bit of rivalry between sports to keep thing interesting.

Tempting as it may be to continue this dance, Howard itched to be in the air with the girl he loved. With a bit of coolness he let the broom drop to the ground before quickly calling out "up" to have the broom levitate just below his hand. "Madam." He spoke with a silly posh tone as he gestured towards the second seat. Bloom was just a good of a rider as he, but Howard wished for the first go. Unless she protested he would let her mount the broom first before taking his seat as well. Like a couple sharing a motorbike he would sit back on his portion of the broom, hoping she would lean forward and wrap her arms around his chest before they departed. "Let's go!" Howard called out regardless of how she chose to ride and with a gentle kick he would push them up into the air.

It might have taken a few moment for the two of them to get accustomed to rising a broom with two, but their skill would soon take over and have them quite comfortable. The next moment was one that Howard had played out in his head when he envisioned the date. The time of day was perfect as he directed them towards the Great Lake. He started slowly at first, just a gentle glide over the water so they could take in the scene. The waning sun gave the lake an almost mirror like effect as it began to dip below the surrounding mountains of the Scottish Highlands. The air was crisp, but not uncomfortable as it whipped through their hair and the various sounds of wildlife emanating from the forest sang a sweet lullaby to the setting sun. Soon enough Howard would increase their speed, confident that they would both be comfortable on a speeding broom. As they zoomed through the air he would lean to the side and let his long index finger skim the very top of the water as he brought them as close as he could to the surface of the lake. His finale would be a quick one eighty to bring them back to the shoreline before stopping in style. "Fast enough for you?" Howard joked as he looked over his shoulder at Bloom. If she wanted, they could switch positions and she could take the reigns.

@Howard White

It was true that the both of them enjoyed being up in the sky and had their own skills of how they fly, but it was of course, that these two competitive sports would talk game to one another as a flirtatious mechanism. Bloom couldn't help but to smirk at the Damphir about his comment on broom racers. In a way, he was right. They had one goal and had to do everything in their power to get from point A to point B. Sure, there were some bouts of teamwork between players, but it was all-in-all very individualized in terms of getting to the finish line with one's own strength and stamina.

Bloom watched as Howard took command of the broom. He rode in the front and was urging Bloom to sit behind him. Bloom did just that. She carefully lifted her leg and mounted the broom, holding on to his waist like a tight hug, her head against his back, waiting for the lift. For a hot second, she felt like she was going to fall, but she squeezed Howard tighter, finding her balance. When they had found their footing, Howard led them around the campus.

Flying slowly, Bloom eased her grip on Howard's waist and moved her head back from against his back. She looked around and saw the beautiful sunset. They were sharing this moment together. Was all of this real? She felt like Princess Jasmine in the muggle movie, Aladdin-- except for magic carpet rides, they were on a broom exploring the world (or at least what Hogwarts had to offer). Bloom's heart began to pound uncontrollably. But why? They had been together nearly all the time since they started dating. Why now would her nerves push through?

It was that night in the Room of Requirement that they shared their feelings for one another. Their words were, 'I'm falling in love with you.' Perhaps, months later, it was finally happening. Bloom wasn't falling in love with Howard... She now loved Howard. They both had yet to share those special words with each other. How he treats her... Even her older sister who Bloom confided in said it sounded like a fairytale.

I love you, she thought. But alas, Bloom wasn't going to be the one to share these words first, she couldn't. What if he wasn't ready and was still feeling for their relationship?

Bloom snapped into reality when she felt drops of water on her arm, now seeing Howard touch the surface of the water with his index finger. She had wanted to try as well, but worried that the balance of the broom would not be in their favor if she had also leaned over. Bloom smiled instead, holding Howard tight.

When they got back to the shoreline, Bloom finally saw Howard's red eyes looking back at her. He still had a moment to tease her and she couldn't help but to laugh. "It was perfect," she whispered, although she wanted to tease back, her heart was still thudding away, as if trying to break through her rib cage.

Of course, Bloom had an urge to try and lead a double-seated broomstick herself. "Okay, move over. My turn!" she playfully said, getting off the back of the broom. Switching positions, Bloom now took the reigns of the book and held onto the shaft of the broom tightly. Slowly, she lifted off the ground, shaking ever so slightly until she found her footing. She then began to fly.

She flew around the grounds, getting a feel of the broom and its weight and turning radius. This was definitely not a broom of speed, and Bloom was not going to treat it as one. Instead, she had a fun idea that they could do. It was dangerous, but could be romantic. Bloom led the broom to the Hogwarts rooftop, finding a flatter surface to land. When she found an area, she slowly landed there, and slowly got off the broom. Their view was of the lake, the forbidden forest and the slow ending of the sunset.

Bloom sat on the roof and watched the sunset for a few minutes before looking back at Howard. I love you. She yearned to say, but couldn't find the courage to do so. Bloom patted the area next to her, urging Howard to come join her, if he was so inclined.

"This definitely beats studying Charms," she said, thinking about all the homework she had to do for the class. Then again, this year, especially, she needed to study the hardest if they were going to win the Hexwizard Tournament. But now that came up to mind. "It's a month away, you know... The tournament," she said, sharing her surfaced thoughts. Was their team ready for the big day? Was Bloom ready? Luckily, she kicked ass during the Triathlon during the summer, but she had a feeling it was going to be more than swimming, running, climbing and other physical abilities.

@Bloom Silverton

Howard couldn't keep the smile from his face as the couple stared into each others eyes. Bloom's statement that it was perfect rang true in both mind and heart. Speaking of which his beat with a fastness fueled by adrenaline and emotion as he looked upon the girl he loved. Perhaps this night would bring the realization to them both that the "falling" part of their relationship had ended in quite the splat. Howard couldn't stop the emotion that gripped his heart if he tried. There was no denying that he was very much in love with Bloom.

"Lets see what you got Silverton." Her playful command had brought him out of the clouds as he responded. As she got a feel for the broom, which functioned more as a flying sofa than the racing brooms they were used to, Howard would wrap his long arms around her torso and rest his chin on her shoulder as they took to the air. Bloom could have flown around in circles for all he cared as their time together continued to fill him with a comforting joy. For so long he had felt out of place as he had was forced to abandon his Muggle life. Even Hogwarts felt cold at times for he knew that there may always be some that would not accept his presence there, but with Bloom everything just felt right. She made him feel safe, she made him feel accepted, she felt like home. It's where the heart is as they say and in this moment those cheesy words were as true as ever.

Again Howard's mind would snap back to the present as he began to realize they were swiftly rising. His chin left her shoulder as he looked to see where they were going and was quite thrilled when Bloom navigated them towards a flat spot atop Hogwarts castle. Howard would depart the broom after touchdown and take in the sights around them. He had forgotten just how stunning the view was from this high up. After dropping Astronomy he rarely had any reason to climb to the tops of the school, but this evening would remind him to do so more often. Especially if he could steal Bloom away for more romantic evenings. After a few moments passed she would invite him to come sit next to her.

Howard would sit close, their sides pressed against each other as he found his spot next to her. His arm would find its way back around her as they both looked around at their surroundings. Her scent that he had come to cherish filled his nostrils as his love for her filled his heart. The words were pressing against his lips as they yearned to to be voiced, but there was a fear that kept them locked away. As much as Howard felt for Bloom he was afraid that she may not feel the same. He knew that she liked him and cared for him deeply, but would she say the words, "I love you too." Could he dare risk it all to fulfill his desire to tell his truth? Fortunately she would spare him as Bloom began to speak.

"Anything beats Charms." Howard joked as it was an ongoing gag between them that they were garbage with a wand. However, her next statement brought forth a seriousness. The tournament seemed so exciting when it was announced and when he was chosen as a champion, yet as it grew closer the nerves began to set in. This was getting very real, very quickly. "We got this." Howard said with a reassuring squeeze. It was to comfort himself as much as it was to comfort her. "We have a good mix of talent on our team. We'll just let the others do all the spell casting." He said with a chuckle. "But, yeah, its kinda crazy isn't it? I'm a bit nervous, but once we get started we'll see it through. Just like a Quidditch or Racing match. What do you think?" Howard hoped he was not alone in his nervousness.

Howard would listen to her thoughts, but would try to approach another subject as well. The forest that surrounded their view had become a point of interest for the Dhampir. "Beautiful isn't it?" His long fingers would gesture towards the trees. "I hope we go on field trips in Care of Magical Creatures." A class that Howard had become quite fond of and hoped to pursue to NEWT levels. The talk of classes made him realize he had not checked in with Bloom's studies since school started. "Are your classes going well?"

@Howard White

She could feel the warmth of his body against hers when he sat down next to her. His arm wrapped around Bloom's waist made Bloom shiver ever so slightly. She wasn't cold at all, but rather so many emotions and hormones were rushing through her body. This was a romantic moment for them. They were on a rooftop of Hogwarts watching the sunset alone. No one was there to bother them about anything. Rather, they could now spend time getting to know each other more without interruptions. But the thought of being alone with him made her hormones rise rapidly. Luckily, their serious conversation helped calm her down.

"I'm nervous, too," she said, leaning her head against the side of his chest. "I just don't want to mess up in front of so many people... In front of you," she said, looking up at her Damphir. "Maybe you're right. Once we start and feel the game, we will be fine... But you never know," she said, shrugging. She did not mean to have pessimistic thoughts. She just wanted to look perfect in front of Howard. Bloom felt it was a fluke that she went through the summer's Triathlon so smoothly. What if it wasn't so during the tournament?

Howard had successfully changed the subject watching the sunset. Slowly, but surely, the Forbidden Forest trees began to look like silhouettes. They were black as shadows and the orange hue of the sunset was slowly saying its goodbye. Bloom could feel her heart racing and her hormones rushing.

She was in love with Howard. But what did that mean exactly? Did it mean that they were to sit alongside each other all night? What about physically? Did love mean that they physically needed to do more than cuddling, holding hands and kissing? Was Bloom ready for all of that? Her body felt ready, but her mind was asking so many questions. Maybe it was like what Howard said about their broom games. Maybe she was nervous before, but if she got into it, she would be fine.

She loved him. Perhaps if she wasn't going to say it, she could show him? Would he be okay with that? Her body ached for his touch... More than his arm wrapped around her waist. Bloom looked back up at her Damphir and raised her left arm to wrap around, touching the nape of his neck. What was she going to tell him? That she wasn't paying attention to her studies as usual and never did her homework? It was a conversation she did not want to get into.

"Let's talk about classes later," she whispered with a smile. If he would accept, Bloom would gently bring his head down for a deep kiss, her nails slightly digging into his neck to show passion.

Was this enough? Was showing love more than this or was this just right? What if he wanted more? Was she ready for more? The questions rattled in her mind. Maybe this was enough for him. They were taking things slow... But by now they were dating for six months. Bloom remembered her older sister saying that the longer you date someone within the year, the more things start to develop. Bloom's heart continued to beat fast in preparation of what may or may not come.

@Bloom Silverton

"Yeah, you never know." Howard agreed. There was no telling with these kinds of things. His experience with Quidditch had taught him at least that much. Some matches seemed like a shoe in and they had gotten wiped, other times he feared they would be pummeled and they ended up with the win. Such was the nature of sports and competition he supposed. You just had to rely on your skill and give it your all. What else could they do? However, her next statement would warrant a shake of his head.

"You don't have to worry about messing up in front of me." Howard offered a reassuring squeeze. He didn't want to make fun of her, but the words almost sounded ridiculous. How on earth could someone so perfect ever mess up in his eyes. She could blow up the damn chess board with a rogue spell of all he cared. As long as she was by his side and looked at him the way she was now, his heart would continue to melt into puddles. "I'm serious though, Bloom." And Howard was. "I don't care if we win this thing." Unusual for someone who was so competitive, but he was starting to feel differently about such things. Once when a Quidditch loss would leave him sour for days to come, he now found a way to enjoy them even if they did lose. Perhaps it was maturity? Perhaps he was finding things more important than sports? Especially the on he now held in his grasp. "I just want to have fun with it. Let's just see what we and the others can do. If we win we win, if not, it'll still be fun, yeah?" Howard did his best to reassure. Just like with team Hufflepuff, they would do better if they remained calm and tried to just have some fun.

As the horizon distracted him from the tournament the conversation would shift, but perhaps this precious alone time could be spent better than discussing classes. Bloom seemed to think so as her fingers found the nape of his neck. The intimate touch sent a slight shiver down his spine as a rush of emotions and hormones filled his chest. She would move his head with ease as their lips found each other. They would lock into a deep and passionate kiss as their love and lust for each other fueled their actions. This was just the right thing for such a romantic evening. If Howard was too scared to voice his feelings for her, she had just invited him to show it in a physical way. Perhaps she too was waiting for this moment to express and show their love for each other! Howard wouldn't hesitate.

With a shift of his torso he would soon face her and his arm would slide down to hold the small of her back. A gentle yet firm pressure would urge her to press closer to him. If she did not hesitate he would continue to kiss her deeply. Howard's heart hammered away as his body and mind became overwhelmed with passion for Bloom. He yearned to touch and ached for hers all the same. Soon enough his free hand would find her leg. His long fingers gripping her leg just above the knee. He was scared, but he was fueled by love and lust. Howard's mind swam in the moment, but his body pressed on. His grip shifted from her knee, slowly moving up towards her thigh as his fingers found the edge of her skirt...

@Howard White

Howard always knew the right things to say. He was pure and mature, and Bloom recognized that. The fact that their relationship meant more to him than winning had really spoken to Bloom. For a second, she wasn't scared of the tournament at all, but rather excited to be playing the game alongside him and other peers. Bloom was sure to show him her passion and excitement through her kiss as she dug her fingers into the nape of his neck.

Her eyes were closed, but she could feel his body shifting and an arm of his swooping around her waist, allowing her to lean back ever so slightly. Balancing with his arm holding her up and her core strength, Bloom took her hand and wrapped it around his neck as well, inching closer to her Damphir. The side of her body was pressed against the side of his body. In a way, they were one, just sharing in a passionate moment, as if nothing in the world could stop them.

The sun slowly disappeared behind the water's horizon and the sky darkened. It was completely dusk with a hint of faded blue and black in the sky; the stars twinkling about above them. This is perfect, Bloom thought to herself, squishing herself closer to Howard. There was obviously no room left between the two, but it did not stop her from trying her hardest to be even closer.

Her hormones were raging; they were on fire. Here were two teenagers alone, on the roof of their school, under the stars. Could anything get more romantic than this? Bloom had hoped that the amount of passionate kissing had shown him how much she was in love with him. So far, both of them were on the same stage, until...

Howard's hand touched right above Bloom's knee. Bloom slightly opened her eyes and immediately closed them. All was fine. Bloom moved her hands from the nape of his neck to his jaw line and slowly down to his chest where she placed her delicate hands against him to give her more support.

His hand slowly tricked up her leg, to the hem of her skirt. Bloom's heart began to race and her mind began to rattle.

Is he wanting more? I don't know how to do more. I don't think I'm ready to do more... But I really like the feeling. But it's too much. Is it going to feel good? Am I overreacting? No, but I'm not ready...

Bloom moved one of her hands on top of his on her thigh. She tried to slowly budge the hand, but his grip was too strong for her. He was really attached to her leg, and was slowly making its way up into an area she had never shared with anyone.

I can't move his hand. He's too strong. What do I do? Do I just stop? I don't want to. But I'm not ready. I'm scared... No... No... NO...

"NO!" Bloom screamed after releasing her mouth from his, and pushed Howard back as hard as she could. Bloom's heart was racing so fast that her breathing was fast as well. She then realized what she did. Their moment ended. Their perfect night was gone. And it was because of her.

"I-" Bloom didn't have the heart to explain why. How could she tell him that she loves him but still wasn't ready. They've been doing the same thing for months: holding hands and passionately kissing. Just when they had the moment to share more into their relationship, she backtracked. She kept feeling like she made a mistake, but deep down she was extremely scared. What was she to do?

@Bloom Silverton

Howard was in bliss as the passionate moment continued. Not that he knew what he was doing exactly, but he just let himself slip away. His actions were fueled by instinct as his hand fell to Bloom's knee. The way she felt was everything that a young man could dream of and the temptation to explore proved to be irresistible. As one of her hands found his own and the other his chest, Howard took this as encouragement to continue. Her grip against his was strong, but surely this was just the same fervor he felt too.

Darkness had consumed the sky as their special evening turned to night. What more perfect a way for the two the finally express their love for each other and take their relationship to the next step. It was as if every fiber of his being burned for her as his hand inched slightly further up her leg. Yet Howard had made the misstep that many young men do. They mistake their own readiness for that of their partners.

"NO!"

Howard would jolt as Bloom's scream pierced through the night air. His eyes would pop open and for a moment they would bounce around as if looking for some threat that had crept up on them. Surely some wicked beast was ready to pounce, but red eyes would then fall to Bloom's hand on his own. The realization would set in that it was he she had shouted her command to. That her hand was pressuring him to stop and not urging him to continue. Howard's irrational teenage mind would jump to quick conclusions. Surely the love that he felt was not reciprocated! It was all so damn confusing. Hadn't they been falling in love? Wasn't this what lovers were supposed to do? The shock of her scream began to fade and in its place came pain.

For all his tough exterior, Howard was actually quite the sensitive person and here in this moment his feelings would be hurt. He was so sure that Bloom loved him the way he loved her and to face rejection now was almost enough to bring him to tears. The knee jerk reaction that he had used as a crutch in the past reared its ugly head. To protect the sometimes fragile heart his temper would flare. It wasn't fair that she had strung him along like this. Why wouldn't she just say that she didn't have true feelings for him? Howard's erratic mind got the better of him.

"I-" Bloom began to try and explain her reaction, but he shook his head in confusion. "You...What?" The words were a harsh whisper. Crimson eyes that were locked with hers would again fall to their hands still interlocked on her thigh. His frustration spilled over as he yanked his hand away from hers...Howard knew what had happened as soon as it occurred. For the second time this night his eyes would bulge in shock as realization dawned on him. In the heated moment one of his claws had caught the flesh of her leg as he pulled his hand away from her. Not enough to cut deeply, but damaging all the same.

"Bloom..." The harsh whisper had faded to one of fear and trepidation.

@Howard White

The adrenaline was kicking into Bloom's body. Her screaming and pushing Howard away from her had made her mind, body and soul more aware of her surroundings, but also scared. What has she done? Why couldn't she just let him? She loved him. It's what people in love do. She trusted him, but her pushing him away made it not entirely so. She understood, deep down, that she gave him mixed messages. Bloom just couldn't help herself and needed to do what was best for her: she was not ready.

Howard's next words made Bloom's body shiver. It was so harsh and it lacked empathy. He usually understood her, but right at this moment, she felt like he wasn't anymore. She knew him to be competitive, and when a goal is in place, he'll go for it. Her body, that she opened for him in the beginning of their connection, was a goal, and she stopped him from reaching it. It would make any competitive man-- let alone teenage boy-- angry.

"I-" Bloom didn't know what to say. In fact, she had no idea what to feel. Should she be saddened? Should she be angry? So many emotions were whirling through her mind that her eyes began to water. It was too much to bear. Bloom knew, however, that she felt emotional guilt, regret, and pain for how she acted tonight. But she was trying to decide her reaction to Howard.

Her chocolate eyes looking into his red eyes, Bloom could tell that she caused him pain. It wasn't a secret. They knew each other well over the course of their relationship, and even as friends prior. She was just so confused as to why he couldn't read her. Shouldn't he be okay with the fact that she wasn't ready?

Bloom was unaware that his hand was still placed on her lap until she felt a tight squeeze from him. Instantly, as his hand was leaving her thigh, his claw had gotten stuck in the flesh of her skin and slashed the underside of her thigh. Bloom reacted by making a small sound and moved her leg closer to her to see. It wasn't a deep cut, but it was an open wound that invited blood to seep out of and drip onto her thigh. He whispered her name, but she did not hear. She was stuck in her mind wondering what she she should feel right now. The slash on her leg "woke her up" and she looked back at Howard, her eyes filled with tears, looking angry.

"Take me back down now," she said, not caring how much pain it would bring him. She was pissed and now in physical pain. She knew that fully ending the night would pain him, and for some reason, she wanted him to feel that. Now, she thought, they were even.

Bloom looked back at her leg and poked the wound. It was sensitive by the touch. She then took the palm of her hand and wiped away some of the blood that was trickling down her leg. She wasn't thinking because now her hands were stained with blood. She was a mess. And worse of all, she was a bloody mess in front of a Damphir. What did that mean?

She began to think about the one morning last year when she first met Aurelia... her wound. She said it was from Howard. It wasn't that long ago and yet, here she was, an open wound with blood creating a slow river down her leg. Was he going to attack her? He was still a creature after all.

Tears streamed down her heart-shaped face. Her mind got the best of her. She scooted away from Howard without realizing due to her thoughts of him attacking her. She made sure there was enough space and her breathing quickened as a fight or flight response. What did this mean?

If he were to come and scoot towards her, she would stop him by placing her arm out and showing a stopping hand. "Please don't--" she stopped her words. Please don't what? Hurt me? No... Bite me. Bloom stared into his eyes, her body shaking.