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@Linda Ramirez

Quentin knew he was interrupting a conversation Linda was having, and it made him feel uncomfortable to pull her away so suddenly. But he wasn't sure how else to approach the problem. Luckily, she agreed to come with him.

"Let's go to the gardens."

He was sure that Linda had already seen the gardens upon her arrival, but he also knew that they were terribly more ostentatious than the Hogwarts grounds. He hoped they would add a peaceful backdrop to their conversation. He followed a quiet path between manicured hedges that he knew well. He did a lot of his morning exercises in the gardens.

Once they were far enough away from the noise of the dining hall, Quentin stopped and turned to face Linda. "Um, Happy Valentine's Day. And welcome to France. Have you been before? I hope our school is to your liking."

He was worried that maybe he had forgotten if she had been to France before. Had she told him that? The past year had him so fuzzy and mixed up. And he was relying on small talk. What did he want to say? Did he want to apologize? Hold her hand? Ask her to be his girlfriend? Tell her long distance wasn't going to work? Tell her they should write more letters? They clearly liked one another, but it seemed the trajectory from last spring to this winter was fractured by the explosion in the fall.

Gardens? This seemed to be like a good idea. Linda nodded in agreement and followed him all the way till the place he was leading her to. Gardens here were taking much more space and overall looked more magnificent than Hogwarts had. If she was honest, she liked it here a lot.

Happy Valentine's Day. I really like it here, especially gardens. Although I must admit, I still didn't see much of it. As for France, it's my first time in this country. It's interesting to know more about the place where you are studying. She smiled enthusiastically in the beginning of her speech, but by the end of it, she became more shy. After all things were not clear between them now.

That misunderstanding wasn't resolved, resulting in them having no letters for each other. Meeting at fall was full of worry, but they were holding hands. Did it mean he liked her too?

Um... How have you been? Is there something you would like to talk about? She asked with a care. She still cared about him. Linda didn't know where this conversation will lead, but one thing she knew for sure. Please, don't let me lose you. A quiet whisper that was uncertain whether he heard her or not.

If he heard, she supposed it could be good. At least he would know how she felt about him. Otherwise it was also alright. It won't make him feel like he has to answer to it.

For a moment she reached out to touch his hand. To hold it if he didn't mind. Was it a good idea to do it? She would have to see.
@Quentin Gagné

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@Linda Ramirez

Linda looked happy to be in the gardens at least. Seeing her, in his home, among the flowers—she looked so pretty. Her hair was brighter than any rose, her eyes more encapsulating than any lily. Encapsulating?! He really should be saying this stuff out loud.

He suddenly remembered that silly mistletoe game last summer, where he kissed her and ran away. He should have stayed and said more, but maybe also kissed more. He supposed that when you kissed once, there should always be a second time and perhaps a third time.

She asked how he was feeling and what he wanted to talk about. What did Quentin want to say? I'm glad you didn't die? I'm glad we're both not dead? Why were school and the world continuing like normal?

Linda whispered softly—so softly he almost didn't catch it—that she didn't want to lose him. That could mean a million things; she was glad he wasn't dead, too. She was glad he was here, talking to her. Or she wanted to be something more.

She gently took his hand. His hand in hers. It was familiar, it felt safe, nice, exciting. So many emotions.

"Linda, I wanted to tell you that I'm glad you weren't hurt—we should probably talk more about—I want to let you know that I care—erm, I'm glad you are here—I could show you more of the—But I want you to know that—Putain, les mots, c’est dur—" [Fuck, words are hard]

He stopped, looking down. He took a breath and looked back at her, direct eye contact.

And the moment ceased him. Quentin squeezed Linda's hand back. "Moi non plus, j’voudrais pas te perdre." [I don't want to lose you either.] His father's Cajun accent more heavily influencing his voice; this often happened when he was feeling more emotional.

And he leaned in for that second kiss.

She remained silent, waiting and watching for his reaction. At last he started to talk. To let me know what? She desperately wanted to know about it. Other words she thought she could understand. He was glad she wasn't hurt in Pyre, probably talk more about what happened? About them? About something else? He probably was going to say he cared about her. He was happy she came. She didn't know what he said in French, but it sounded like he tried to say a lot of things, not finding the right words to express everything.

The next phrase in French she understood only partially. He didn't want something and it was connected to her. She just started learning French and still had a long way to learn. So, relying on his tone and what followed next she made a guess. Did he hear her? Did he say he didn't want to lose her too?

Her heart started to beat faster. Mind couldn't keep up with what was happening. And she sincerely hoped that their second kiss would bring more clarity than questions. With this she leaned in for the second kiss with him.

Right before leaning in for it, she whispered loud enough for him to hear. I care about you too and I am happy we met. I am glad you don't have physical injuries, and I would love to talk about anything you'd like to.
@Quentin Gagné

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interacting: @Linda Ramirez

“I care about you too and I am happy we met. I am glad you don't have physical injuries, and I would love to talk about anything you'd like to.” Was that an emphasis on the physical part? He didn’t have any physical injuries, but could his behavior and feelings be explained by non-physical injuries? What did those look like? Was that a real thing?

But it was too late to think about that now. Luckily Linda was leaning into the kiss—she was returning the kiss!—one kiss in the UK and now one kiss in France. Maybe more would happen in more places! His heart was beating fast, his stomach tumbling in loopty-dee-loops, his palms were sweaty, the back of his neck felt hot—in any other case he would thought he was dying. But no, he was kissing. And it felt exhilarating.

Quentin moved his hands to cup Linda’s face because that’s what they did in the movies. It felt so forward, it caused him to break the kiss. Was that overboard? If so, he’d gladly jump ship with Linda and remain overboard for the rest of his life.

The only thing he could figure out to say was, “Veux-tu être ma copine ?” Do you want to be my girlfriend?

Emotions were hard thing to understand and sometimes even harder to express with words. She was worried about him as it seemed that something was going on within him ever since Pyre. However, his intention for kissing her made her thoughts stop and change the topic of the worry. She was half afraid of what would happen after kiss. The first one was nice, but right after that he ran away that time. So what will follow this one? However, when they kissed her thoughts stopped distracting her, letting her enjoy the moment. His hands were unexpected and she felt herself blushing. But it felt so good. She suddenly felt more safe with him.

After the kiss was broken, she looked at him. Anticipation was surrounding them for a quick moment before she heard his next words. Did she hear that right? Happiness and surprise were obvious in her eyes while she tried to make sure she didn't imagine it. Was he really asking her to be his girlfriend? Was it happening in reality or was it just some dream and she would wake up soon? After some more seconds that she took to be sure that this wasn't just a dream, she finally was ready to answer him.

Oui. Yes. She smiled happily. Today and now was the best moment of her life. She was his girlfriend. Linda couldn't hide how happy and special it felt. It was enough for her to forget about Pyre and everything bad that happened for a moment. So he is now her boyfriend? She leaned closer to hug him. Whatever future would bring, she was sure they would have each other's back.
@Quentin Gagné

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@Linda Ramirez

“Oui.”

A single word. Spoken in French, too! Yes! She said, yes! Quentin couldn’t help it—he looked at Linda, smiled, did a back flip, and let out a “whoop!” He had a girlfriend! A pretty, foreign, and redheaded girlfriend!

This moment in the garden felt suddenly like a bubble. Nothing from the outside world needed to intrude. The Pyre and its troubles could be forgotten for now. Quentin was suddenly filled with questions for Linda. He realized there was so much he didn’t know about her. And maybe there was some things she didn’t know about him—though, surely he was not that deep, while the depths of Linda’s mind had to be endless.

“Linda, let’s sit.” He took her hands in his, and if she allowed, pulled her to a bench. “Tell me about everything. Your parents, your friends at Hogwarts, your love of music, and you broom race, right? We never talked about that! I play quidditch, as a beater—I have Cleansweep 7. What do you ride?” The questions continued to tumble out of him. "Does everyone in your family have hair like this? It is so beautiful. Do you look like your mother or your father? I thought I looked like my father, but everyone says I look like my mother. She passed at my birth, so I wouldn’t know.” He took a short breath—this is where Linda would be able to finally butt in.