The brunette girl zoomed through the gardens of the beautiful French magic school, trusting that her friend and colleague would be following close behind her. Night had fallen, and the pair were definitely reckless to be breaking the rules while the professors were patrolling the school, but this was something that was a while in the making. Matilda needed a night out, and Ackerley Blackburn had been more than willing to come along. 

 Her hair was tucked behind her ears, but a few strands still rebelled and fell in front of her face. Luckily, it was all long enough to stay behind her. If hair started falling in front of her, she would most likely get too annoyed to jog any further. Once she neared a fountain, she slowed down, panting slightly as she placed her hands on her hips. Athletics weren't her forte in the first place, and the blue blazer and skirt were rather constricting against most of those movements. 

 She plopped herself down on the edge of the fountain, crossing one of her legs over the other as she tugged the blazer off, wearing it at her elbows. Her eyes trailed to her Potions partner, and a childish grin came across her face. She had only just started to realize her own obvious attraction to Ackerley, but she was still aware enough to keep it on the down-low. She let out a final heavy breath of air before speaking, "Je déteste courir!" A groan passed quickly afterward, but she made sure to keep her volume low, not wanting to draw any attention towards them. 

 She tore her gaze away from the brown-haired male with her then, and looked around them. "Crois-tu que quelqu'un nous a vu?" She muttered once Ackerley was close enough to hear, looking back to him for some kind of reassurance. The last thing she needed was to get caught - detention wasn't exactly what she was looking for. It was ironic, considering here she was, looking for trouble. But somehow, she didn't quite mind it. The moment just kind of felt right. 

 The girl's eyes wandered up to the sky then, and she let out a small sigh of amazement. The stars were always something she admired, and they were definitely why Astronomy was one of her favourite classes. She could point out a few basic constellations, but nothing too spectacular. Orion, the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper.. and that was about it. Sticking to Ministry work, or Divination seemed like the best route for her right now. She still wasn't sure what she wanted to do with her life - her family expected her to go on to the French Ministry of Magic, but her heart urged on to a more particular practice. Hopefully, in the remainder of the year, she would be able to figure it out.

Again and again, Ackerley has been included in another of Matilda Barrows small excursion way past the curfew. In that sense, when the young girl has come to find him in the library early the same day, she has been excited about her new expedition and Ackerley has not been able to refuse. He loved to see her cheerful. It was something that always made him smiled. He was normally a calm individual and liked to read about his charms discovery, but also about curses which were his favorite subject. However, he would always accept the offer from Matilda. He liked her a lot after all. It was why each time she came toward him, he would smile at her and confirm that he would be there, as always. However, that didn't stop him from telling her ''I told you so, Matty'' Each time they got into trouble. It was their small routine. Something they were used too now. They night hang out felt like home. A home that he never really had. 

It all explaining why he was currently running after the brown haired girl, while trying to remember why they were out way past the curfew, in the ground of the school. They had been avoiding any main corridors so that they would not meet with some professors. They were, after all, wandering in them helplessly to find any kind of disturbance that could be dangerous. However, in Ackerley's sense, they were only scared, but it was not something he would start debating on right now. It was the night and he would be passing it with Matilda, around the castle. 

They had now arrived close to a fountain in the ground of the school. The night was young without any visual or light pollution, the sky was bright with stars. It was a beautiful scenery. Ackerley panting, returned his attention toward Matilda, she was sitting down on the edge of the fountain and was looking at him with one of her grins. Somehow, she looked stupid, but also really beautiful. The man has been feeling some strange emotion for a while. It has started for now specific reason, but he each time he was seeing her, he felt something hot in his chest. It felt like his normal anxiety, but with a small something more. He was nervous around her, more than the usual. At least, enough for him to see there was a difference. 

He slowly sat down beside her and sighed, but then smiled at her comment.

- Je vois bien cela! 

Ackerley was slowly getting back into an ease feeling. It was only Matilda after all, not a stranger. He liked her for so many reasons. She was his potion partner and they did everything together. She understood how he worked and he understood how she worked. While she asked him another question about being seen, the young man looked at her face. She was pretty. The stars light were making her eyes glow. 

- Non, je ne crois pas que personne ne nous ait vue! Ne t'inquiète pas! 

Once he said that, Ackerley slowly breath out and relaxed. After a while, his hand wandered close to Matilda one just enough so their finger would touch, but he waited for her to make a move. He knew she didn't felt indifferent toward her, but he was insecure. It was new for him and he did not know how to act around this. 

Translation:

 Even one look from one of her dearest friends set Matilda into a blush. Her grin disappeared, and she was glad that her eyes were trained on the sky then. Because she knew that if she were looking at the boy with brown hair next to her that she would probably be in some sort of trance. And really, that wasn't a good thing, because most people would get weirded out by someone staring at them. So, she kept her eyes on the stars and listened to the boy talk.

 Pursing her lips, she nodded her head a few times, "Bien," she replied, her voice breathy. It was a little chilly outside that night, but with a tug at her cloak with her hand, she was able to warm up at least a little bit. She pressed her lips together then, her eyebrows raising a bit when she felt Ackerley's hand near her own. She could feel her cheeks warming up as she moved her hand further towards his until a few of her fingers rested on top of his own.

 She looked away from him, rather gazing towards the other multiple fountains in the courtyard. It was a beautiful school, and the grounds were what really tied it together. Matilda found the fountains to be a sort of art, and she loved them. She would sit out here during most of the time when she wasn't focusing on schoolwork, and always with a good book. If she didn't have a good book, she had Ackerley, like now. 

 "Comment ça va?" She asked, finally drawing her eyes back to her friend. She smiled, which eventually turned into another one of her grins. She couldn't help it around him - he made her want to smile. Whether they were out bending the rules, or stuck in Potions class to listen to another one of Madame Bernard's lessons, he never failed. It was one of the many qualities that the Bellefeuille boy acquired that Matilda found herself being more and more interested as time went on. 

Matilda was looking at the stars. Those beautiful lights were making her eyes glow in a mysterious way. The young man could not prevent himself from smiling fondly. She was like a star herself and he could not explain how lucky he felt to have met someone like her. However, as of right now, she was still out of his reach. He was also afraid. Ackerley knew that he would not be staying here forever. He would have to leave her and he could not even tell how long it would be before both of them could finally see each other again. It was hard and he could not help thinking that perhaps, he should not be staying this close to her or close to anyone as he would always lose them. He could not prevent it. His parent would eventually move again and bring him far, far away from here. It was sad, but it was not something he could avoid.

The young man sighed. He could not let his emotion destroy this moment. He had to be strong and let life decide what is the best for them. When he reported his attention to her, he saw that she was cold. Most of the time, Matilda was like an open book to him. He could see each detail of her and comprehend them. Right now, she was shivering, which was obvious to him. In that sense, he took off his scarf without removing his hand from where it was, close to Matilda, and gave it to her. 

- Tiens, il fait très froid ce soir et je ne voudrais pas que tu attrape froid! 

He smiled at her. Her face was somehow red. Ackerley wondered if it was because of the cold or because of something else. It was at that moment that he felt her finger on his hand. Ackerley was surprised, but he tried to not let it show and fully took her hand in his. It was embarrassing, but he would deal with it. He loved her wanted his love to be known. Even if it meant that it would be complicated at some point. He had to try. He never felt so close to an individual before. Matilda Barrows was his anchor to the world. He could not lose her because of his fears. He decided to answer her simple question.

- Je vais bien. Je dois dire que je suis stressé pour la dissertation sur les loups-garoux pour le cours de Défense contre les forces du mals... Et toi, matilda. Comment vas-tu?

He could not prevent himself from smiling back to her. He had made up his mind, he would tell her tonight. He would tell her before it was too late. Before destiny took him away from here. Before it could be over without even starting... Ackerley looked into her eyes. 

- Matilda... Je crois que... 

He got lost in her beautiful figure again. He could not mess this up. You can do it! He told himself.  At that moment, Ackerley moved closer and bring his free hand to her face. Under the beautiful star, while the wind blew, Ackerley kissed her. It felt right. The young man could not express how great he felt in that single moment, with the love of his life. 

 Crimson. Scarlet. Rose. All three words could explain the young brunette woman's complexion at the moment that a light green and silver scarf was passed her way. Had I been that easy to decipher? She wondered to herself, as a shy smile came across her face. She reached for the scarf with the hand furthest from Ackerley, and was quick to drape it around her neck, wrapping it around once before burrowing the tip of her nose into the fabric. It smelled like him - a scent that happened to be all-too-comforting to Matilda. She wished she were able to keep the scarf with her for forever for that sole reason, but at the end of the night she would be forced to return it.

  "Merci,"

 The warmth that overcame her as the young man took her hand into his fully was indescribable. It was like that piece of her had been enveloped by heaven, a little personal heaven that Ackerley had made for her. One that she didn't want to leave. She gripped onto his hand with her own, her fingers lacing through his, a grip that hopefully showed him that she did in fact enjoy this moment. This interaction - one she hadn't ever experienced - was important to her.

 She listened as he spoke of the werewolf assignment in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and pursed her lips slightly. She was probably worse at the subject than Ackerley was, which definitely upset her parents, but she hadn't a care in the world about them right now. "Si tu le souhaitez, je pourrais t'aider..." She trailed off, her head turning away from the stars to look at him then. She didn't know half of what she did when she worked on the class, but somehow she managed to pass with A's. "Je vais bien, bien que mes parents n'arrête pas de m'envoyer des hiboux à répétition" She grumbled, looking away from him to the stars once again. They always seemed to capture her attention.

 Her family was a tough subject, one she often tried to avoid considering it always seemed to bring down the mood of the conversation. Between them trying to choose her life path for her and scrutinizing her for each mistake she makes, she had just about had enough with them. If she spoke about them, she oftentimes did end up upset. And that was not something she wanted to feel with the people - person - she loves.

 "Hm?" She asked as his voice rang out again. She turned to him to find his eyes on her, and she instantly noted that his face had a.. different expression on his features than she had seen before. At least, she thought so. She watched as he moved closer, her dark, angled eyebrows furrowing at his actions. She didn't have the heart to stop him though. Wasn't it all she wanted? For him to be close?

 Naturally, when his hand found her cheek, she leaned her head towards his palm, her eyes closing for a single moment. What she didn't expect in that moment - those few seconds - was for Ackerley's lips to press against her own. At first, her eyes opened with surprise, but just as quickly as they had, they shut back closed again, and she found one of her hands clutching onto the arm that held his hand up to her face, and the other searching for his other hand to grab onto. 

 This felt like total and complete bliss. She wanted to stay in this moment for the rest of eternity. Her heart beating hard against her chest, her face and chest flushed with embarrassment, but as well as excitement. She hoped before they pulled apart that she would have a chance to calm down her skin tone, but at this moment it was helpless - she was lost in everything that was Ackerley Blackburn.

Stars, light of my life, hope in my darkness, sun in my lugubrious world. Ackerley could not believe what was currently happening. Soft lips on his, hands gently caressing her face. Was it just a dream? Was it even real? Could he have taken that move? Did he finally explain her his longing feeling? The young man could not describe how he felt at this moment. It was magic, sweet, but mostly incredible. Even though it was only a kiss, Ackerley knew, deep down, that she would be the most important individual in his life. She was the love of his life, the only one. She gently smiled through the kiss and opened his dark blue eyes that have been closed all of this time. Slowly backing up from her, he looks at her. It was impossible for him to take his eyes away from her sweet face. She was beautiful. He could not prevent his voice from shuttering. His natal language took the advantage of this vulnerable moment to make its apparition. English was slowing flooding on his tongue, making his saying float with troubled water.

- Matilda... I love you from so deep in my heart. You are the light in my darkness, shadows that disappear once you appear. You are like the sun, you make my world shine. You are like those stars, those beautiful stars enlighten the sky. I cannot tell you how much I have feelings for you, Matty. They are so strong that it hurts.

The young man felt sadness at this moment. He loved her so much, his feelings were so strong, but he knew. It was predictable. They would have to separate themselves eventually. Ackerley would have to leave to a foreign country and start over again. Only letters could keep them together. It would hurt, as much as an injury. The young man smiles slowly turning into a twisted one. It was a joyful moment, but also a sad one. He could not keep his tears from falling on his cheeks. 

- No matter what happens in the future, no matter what kind of distance separate us, I promise I will always search for you. I will always be there, no matter what. I will move seas to find you and to stay close. even though I have to leave in a few months, I will do my best to stay close. I will send you as many owls as possible. I won't forget, Matilda. 

Ackerley took Matilda hands in his and gave her something. It was a beautiful necklace in a seahorse shape. It was her favorite animal, he knew it. Ackerley was extremely observant. Especially when it comes to her. She was, after all, the best individual that he ever met. That necklace would be something she could keep around once they could not see each other for a while. It was not much, but it would be a shared memory. A memory of their first kiss. Of their first real moment. Where everything started and where everything would go on. 

- I am sorry for bringing all of this to you on this beautiful evening. I could not keep it in anymore. It was bothering me that you did not know...

The young man slowly dried his tears and smiled at Matilda. So much had happened during their year together. He could only remember the great times. However, he quickly retired his hands from her when he heard footsteps. Have they been discovered? Would they have to run? He gave a worried face to Matilda.

- I-I think someone is coming our way!

 Coldness was all that swept over Matilda's still-tingling lips once Ackerley had pulled away. She could see that the tip of her nose had joined the rest of her in being red. It wasn't a sharp contrast compared to the tanned skin she had gained from her summers in Éze, but it was enough to be noticeable. Yet she couldn't draw herself away from him. She didn't care if he saw her looking like a tomato - she wanted to be in this moment. With him - the one that had captured her heart and stored it away in his chest. The one who she would long for, for the remainder of her life. She loved him, she ached for him, and he was only centimeters away from her.

 She did not expect for him to break out into English. Honestly, it did take her a little longer to comprehend what he was saying. She wasn't used to hearing people speak the language, and sure, she learned plenty of English while in muggle school, but she found that she was not all-too-refined with the language. He spoke simply enough for her to understand though, and each beat, each breath, her heart fluttered along with his words. It felt as though time slowed down - the world was now revolving around just the two of them. 

 Her jaw moved as she tried to find the right words, to allow her lips to move in the right formations and her voice to work, but the sadness that appeared on his face just then made her want to cry as well. She could not stand the pain that happened to appear there. She reached one of her hands up, her fingers oh-so-lightly wiping away the first tear that fell from his beautiful, dark eyes. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his. She almost wanted to tell him to not be sad, but he spoke again before she had the chance to.

 The feeling of her heart falling out of place from her chest and going through the soles of her feet into the earth was not one she would forget anytime soon. She had forgotten. For this short time, she forgot that Ackerley was potentially moving away. Her eyes watered too then, and she found herself pulling back from him slightly, sniffling a little bit as though it would keep her from overflowing. Hopeful that maybe, just maybe, it would keep the tears within the threshold of her eyes. But it failed. A single tear trailed down her face. Then another one. She did not want to lose him. 

 "J-Je ne veux pas que tu y ailles," She rasped, her eyes drooping to a close. She felt him take both of her hands once more then, and place a type of chain in the crevice of her palm. She enclosed her hands around his, only daring to pull away the one that now held a sort of necklace. She left as though if she let go entirely, he would leave now. She didn't want that.

 Opening her palm in her lap, Matilda inspected the trinket. It was beautiful, and definitely something she hadn't been expecting. A seahorse charm was centered on the chain, and her eyes trailed over the intricacy of it. A smile spread across her face, her features softening from this small action. This was something she fell in love with easily. Just as easily as she had fallen in love with this boy.

 "Pourquoi êtes-tu désolé?" Her quiet voice questioned as she clutched onto his hand tighter. She wanted to keep it like this for the rest of the night - but unfortunately, that was not on their agenda that night. The girl became highly aware of their surroundings as Ackerley warned her that someone was coming, and in a few moments, a flash of light came from the direction they had come in to the fountain garden through.

 "Allez, par ici!" She spoke hurriedly, in a hushed tone as she got up, her hand still holding on tightly to Ackerley's. She tucked the necklace into her pocket - she would admire it more later on, when she was supposed to be sleeping - and booked it in the opposite direction she had seen the flashlight come from, dragging Ackerley along with her.