Post Ball walk Open Finished

Rosie smiled as Howie talked about his family. They really did seem like the perfect family. Just to hear Howie talk about his family, she could tell how much they all loved and cared about each other. She was sure Howie missed them.

She could see Howie's reluctance to finish his statement and she smiled as she squeezed his hand. "Its alright, Howie. It isn't all bad." She smiled and met his eyes, losing her train of thought for a moment. He was so kind and compassionate. She sighed before continuing on. "The city was nice. Always something to do. I think I told you that dad teaches history at the University of London and Mum stays home." With her free hand, she pushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. "Mum is very religious. I don't know if you picked up on that." She laughed. "My mum has a good heart. She just has a lot of fear. I went to a private school and I wasn't very popular because she was afraid of public school. Currently, she fears my soul. The only reason I was able to go to Hogwarts was because Dad didn't give her much of a choice. He may have used her belief in the Bible and all that subservient wife business to his advantage." She laughed at the memory before her mood sobered a bit and her voice quieted. "I have a little sister. Her name is Amanda. She's eight." Rosie wasn't sure if she could continue talking about her sister, but it felt good to finally talk about it. "I'm afraid my mother will convince my sister that I'm evil," her voice broke slightly with that, but she cleared her throat and recomposed herself. "I guess I should know something soon. The letters, if they're coming, should be here any day." She sighed, relieved. "It actually feels good to talk about it, but I'll understand if you want to run away now." She smiled, again trying to play off her words as a joke. "But I kind of hope you don't."

Howie was relieved that he hadn’t ruined thier night together. The last thing that he had wanted to do was bring up anything that caused Rosie pain. To turn her beautiful smile into a frown. 

He listened closely as she told him about growing up in London, becoming a little envious. So many times he had wished that there was more to do in his small village. He very much loved his home, but the town could be quite dull sometimes. Most of the children just hung around the park playing pickup football. He enjoyed athletics from time to time, but was more interested in the arts, a trait which often caused him not to fit in well, and something the village lacked greatly.

Rosie reminded him of her father’s occupation at the University of London, and her mother’s devout faith. It seemed unfathomable that anyone could fear for Rosie’s soul. It was quite perfect in his eyes. 

Howie rolled over on to his side, still keeping his hand in hers, as she spoke of her sister, noticing a slight break in her voice. “Don’t give up hope yet Rosie, if your sister knows you like I do, she’ll see that there is absolutely nothing to fear. I bet your mum comes around too, you’re too special to throw away.” He laughed softly at her last statement, she was trying to mask her concerns as a joke. “I’m not going anywhere Rosie. No place I’d rather be than here with you.”

Rosie didn't move from her back as Howie spoke, though she did turn her head to meet his eyes. The emotion in his eyes made a lump form in her throat, and for a moment, she couldn't speak, nor could she break their eye contact. Her emotions were momentarily running wild. Clearing her throat, she found her voice. "You're so... good, Howie." She smiled. "Thank you." She honestly didn't know what else to say or do. She was often shy, but she usually had something to say, even if just in her head. But now, she was in such unfamiliar territory. Her parents had never had a conversation with her about boys or about how to behave. She was currently just trying to not sound silly. "You make me feel like everything is going to be okay." This wasn't an easy task, and she hoped he knew that.

Feeling brave right now, she reached over with her free hand and pushed a rebellious lock of hair out of Howie's face before she laid her hand on his cheek. "Your parents are proud of you, I bet." She grinned before bringing the hand that had rested on his cheek up to her mouth to stifle a yawn.

Howie gave her a soft smile, noticing the emotion in her eyes, her voice breaking. He waited patiently, allowing her a moment to regain her voice. It was no bother to him, any excuse to stare into those green orbs was just fine. 

“You’re welcome Rosie. I try, you always get further by being kind, which is quite easy with you.” He replied with a wink as she regained her voice. “I’m happy that you are feeling more confident, and I do really beleive that everything will be ok, and if it’s not I’ll do everything I can to make it better. We’ll have to rely on each other while we are here...well, and even when we aren’t here really. I’ll have your back, and you’ll have mine, together I don’t think anything can stop us.” And Howie really meant that. He had never had a best friend before, although his feelings for Rosie were much more than friendship, she was indeed his first true friend. 

Howie couldn’t help but laugh a bit as she brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes, her hand resting for a moment on his cheek. It was a nervous laugh, but one of pure pleasure. “I hope they are.”

She moved her hand from his cheek to her mouth as she yawned. He didn’t want this moment to end but he too was feeling a bit sleepy. “You getting sleepy? We can head back up to the castle if you’d like?”

Rosie looked back up to the stars when Howie suggested going back to the castle. She sighed and sat up hesitantly, though still not letting go of Howie's hand. She didn't say anything for a moment as she looked out at the lake. This moment would stay with her always, and she wanted to take one last mental picture to really commit it to memory.

Again, she sighed and turned her head, locking eyes with Howie. A soft laugh escaped her throat. "Honestly, I don't want tonight to end, but I suppose we don't have a choice, do we?" She could actually feel herself getting more tired by the moment. At this moment, what sounded second best, (next to spending more time with Howie), was her pajamas and her bed.

Suddenly, Rosie felt awkward again. How were they going to go back to every day life. How would they act around each other now? Would he still like like her tomorrow? She stood, being sure that he dress stayed down and didn't expose her to the elements. She looked down at him, waiting for him to join her on his feet. "Um... Thanks, Howie. Tonight was really... perfect." She just stayed like that for a moment, waiting for Howie to... she wasn't sure. She couldn't believe what she was about to say, but her curiosity got the better of her. "So.. what now?" Of course, she was referring to their friendship now that they knew they liked each other, but if he interpreted it any other way, she wouldn't correct him. Asking that in the first place had been hard enough, there was no way she was going to elaborate.

Howie mimicked Rosie’s motion, sitting up himself. They looked out into the lake together, taking it all in one last time before their night concluded. A few moments of silence past, and Howie wished he could extend them into eternity. This night had been one he would never forget.

“No, I suppose we don’t. I wish it didn’t have to either, but unless we want to sleep by the lake, I guess we should head back.” His eyes becoming more sleepy as he spoke. Howie stood up with her as she rose from the ground, still covered in his jacket. They stood facing each other, he reached out with his other hand to hold her free one. She gave him a meaningful look, and he explored those green eyes trying to read her thoughts.

“You’re welcome Rosie, and thank you as well. This was the most perfect night.” He said with his usual big smile. 

“So...what now?” She asked him in a somewhat nervous voice. Howie believed he knew what she meant. In the short time they knew each other they had become close friends, and over the past few days it had grown into something much more.  He too was wondering what would become of everything. 

“Well Rosie. I like you very much, and you are my new best friend. I’m not sure what that makes us, but what I do know is that I want you by my side. I want...” he paused for a moment, searching for the right words. He stared into her eyes, getting lost in them, they drew him in like a tractor beam. They were coming closer and closer, so close now that he could see all the different shades of green that swirled together. Before he actually knew what he was doing, he kissed her softly and very quickly. It was like dynamite had just blown up in his face, leaving him with a shocked expression. Shocked that he had done that and shocked by how much he liked it. Howie stared at her with a wide eyes.

Rosie just stood there as Howie spoke, holding both of his hands in hers. They're eyes were locked on each other and for the life of her, she couldn't look away. Rosie was so lost in his eyes and what he was saying, that she didn't notice the fact that they were both getting closer until that kiss. As Howie's lips touched hers, it was like a spark of electric on her lips. It had happened so quickly that when Howie pulled away, Rosie's eyes were still open. She stood there speechless, her face mirroring his, eyes wide, expression surprised. Never in a million years would she have expected a first kiss tonight. She certainly hadn't expected Howie to make that move, but she was glad he had.

After a moment, she regained her composure and a slow smile spread across her features. She couldn't have asked for a more perfect first kiss and she felt like she was floating. "That's how I feel, too." She squeezed his hands. Rosie laughed happily. She couldn't help it.

She glanced towards the castle and sighed before turning back to Howie. She reluctantly let go of one of his hands to turn towards the castle. As she started walking, she spoke, voicing her concerns, "Do you think we'll be weird around each other tomorrow?"

Howie and Rosie stood there for a few moments, both looking at each other, shocked by both experiencing thier first kiss. His mind raced as he searched her eyes for a response. Well, she hadn’t smacked him, or run away screaming, so there was at least that. Just as he was about to burst out an apology, her lips parted into a smile. Whew! 

Howie joined her in gleeful, involuntary laughter. His chest filled with elation as she told him the feelings were mutual. He had never planned to kiss her, it had just happened, but it did seem the only proper way to express this new feeling. Howie felt as if he could fly, the tiredness had evaporated, in this moment, he could surely conquer the world if he so pleased. 

He followed her gaze towards the castle. As much as Howie didn’t want the night to end, this surely was the perfect way to do so. Letting loose of one of her hands he followed at her side as they made thier way back to the school. As they walked Rosie asked him a silly question about being weird around each other. 

He looked over to her with a smile. Howie understood where she was coming from, but he did not share her concerns. “No Rosie, I don’t believe that we will. I mean, yeah...I guess it will be a bit different, but like I said, I want you by my side. It will only be weird if we make it that way, but we get along so great. It’ll be just fine.” He did his best to reassure her. They were approaching the entrance to the school.

Rosie watched the ground as they walked, a bad habit she had since she was young. Looking at the ground typically ensured that she didn’t have to make eye contact with people coming the opposite direction. Of course, it also meant that she could walk without tripping over her own feet. Even though she walked with her head down, her hand remained holding Howie’s, her first kiss on loop in her mind’s eye.

She listened to Howie as he assured her and she smiled. She believed him. There wouldn’t be any weirdness. They were best friends. If anything, they would get closer through the years. At least, she hoped. “Good. You’re my best friend, too, Howie. My only real friend actually.” Sure there were acquaintances and people she was friendly with, but no one on the level she was with with Howie. “I’m really glad that I met you.” Had she said that already? She couldn’t remember but regardless, repeating herself didn’t make it any less true.

Before she knew it, they were on the steps of the castle. Her head craned upwards as she looked at the imposing spires. “Why does tonight have to end?” If she didn’t think they would lose points at the very minimum, she would probably suggest that they spend the night at the lake. But there was no doubt in the mind that their presence would be missed. She sighed before walking into the school, matching pace with Howie. At least they shared a house and could walk together to the common room.

Howie reached out with his free hand to push open the great oak doors that guarded the entrance to Hogwarts. Stepping aside he allowed Rosie to enter first, holding firm to her hand. Oh that hand! He dreaded the fact that he would soon have to let it go. The Hufflepuff Common Room was only on the first floor, he was suddenly jealous of the Gryffindors or Ravenclaws who had to climb to the towers. What he wouldn’t give to climb seven floors with her. Howie stifled a yawn. Although, it must be a drag to have to go that far when your tired.

He laughed softly. “I’m really glad I met you too Rosie.” They had indeed already said this before, but he didn’t care, he’d say it a million times. He’d stand on top of the highest tower and shout it to the world. 

They passed the great hall and towards the set of stairs that would lead them up. Howie sniffed curiously at the air. Was that smoke? He pushed the thought from his mind, many fires roared through Hogwarts. Something he was still trying to get used to, turning on the heat with a flick of a switch still seemed like the easier option.

He threw his head back, letting out a small groan. “I know right, I wish this night could go on forever. Thank goodness we are both in Hufflepuff, I couldn’t imagine you being on the other side of the school, or down in the dungeons.” Poor Slytherins, What a crappy place to call home. They soon approached the door to the common room.