Insignificant Wizard

“Perfect.” Winnie grinned brightly at him, leaning into his side as she tried to retrieve a small envelope from her back pocket. “I’ve got something to show you.” She huffed, finally tugging it free and handing it to him. “Go on, read it.”

Cory obeyed without question. His eyes brightened as he read. “I knew it! I told you you’d hear from someone.”

“I mean, probably.” She shrugged, a light laugh falling from her lips. “But I’d much rather be here.” Winnie grinned, holding onto his arm as she let him go. She’d been itching to see him all month, and wanted to keep him as close to her as possible now that they were together again. “You got the afternoon free?”

“I’m mine own boss. I can make myself free. So yes.”

“Right, yeah. Cory.”

“Can I help you with something?”

Winnie was nearly bouncing as she walked, happier than she’d been in ages. School was back, so she was out of her father’s house and back on the pitch, and Cory had a free afternoon. She hadn’t seen him since new years - her dad certainly wasn’t about to let her out of the house again. She couldn’t help the bright smile that took over her features as she caught sight of him, hurrying her steps and reaching to pull him into a hug. “Hey, you.”

@corychesterfield

Cory had been busy, but not so busy that he hadn’t had time to think about Winnie. He slowly began to wonder if her kissing him had just been a dream. He brightened when he caught sight of her. “Hey to you two,” he beamed as his arms reached around her. “Shouldn’t you be at school?”

Her heart swelled as his fingers tightened around hers, and she found herself smiling warmly at him, the simple movement making her heart go wild. She licked her lips, his words bringing an uncharacteristic blush to her cheeks before she closed the distance between them again - giving him another gentle kiss. “Happy new year, Cory.” She whispered.

Cory felt himself smiling in away he never had before when she kissed him again. He could not remember ever being this happy.

She furrowed her brows, not having expected the question. Why him? Like it was that easy to explain - to pinpoint just one thing? “I don’t…. Cory, everything about you is special.” She countered, reaching for his hand hesitantly, still not sure what he was thinking. “You make everything better.”

Cory didn’t know what to say. He looked down at their hands, tightening his grasp on hers. After a moment, he simply nodded. “You make everything better too,” he said softly.

Her hands dropped to her sides slowly as he backed up, not sure what that meant. Had she just ruined the friendship they’d built over the past few years? But even as she thought it, Winnie couldn’t stop the small smile from blossoming across her features, and she shrugged. “Sorry, I just - I’ve wanted to do that for a while.” She admitted, toying with the bottom edge of his jacket. 

Cory blinked. She had? He felt his heart race. “Why me?” he asked, quietly. “I...I mean, you’re...you’re you and I’m...just me. There’s nothing special about me.”

“I’m sure I could sneak you in now and then.” She offered, nudging him playfully. “I know a few ways into the castle. And out of, at that rate.” Winnie giggled, eyeing him as an idea hit her. “Do you wanna - I don’t know, do you wanna do something? I’ve been looking for a reason to skip out on this thing, I’m just not feeling it this year.”

Cory blinked in surprise. “I...I’d like that,” he admitted.

Winnie turned as the fireworks ended, intending on saying something about the show. But as he looked at her, wished her a happy new year - whatever thought she’d had died on her lips. She found herself moving instead, stepping into him, her hands splayed against his chest as she leaned in and kissed him.

Cory’s brain seemed to stop working. For a moment, all he could do was stand there, frozen to the spot, unable to move. Then, he gently pulled away, staring at her in shock. For a few seconds, he struggled to find his tongue. “Why...?” Had she kissed him simply because it was tradition...or...was it something else?

“What was your name again? Larry? Eustace?”

@corychesterfield

“No...it’s Cory.”

“That makes me look better, so I’ll just say thank you and keep going.”

“Yeah, just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Happy New Year, man!” Oliver grinned as he tracked him down, glancing around at all the plants. “Figured I should finally stop by and see the place, pretend I’m a halfway decent friend.”

@corychesterfield

“So what do you think?”

Glancing over at him, she went to say she was okay, the cold didn’t bother her, but she couldn’t find the words as he wrapped her into his jacket. He was right, after all, she was shivering, but it was worth it, to be here. Smiling as she clung to the fabric, she nodded in response to his question. “Much better.” She murmured, taking a deep breath. It smelled like Cory - she never wanted to take it off. “Thank you, Cory.” She just looked at him for a moment, about to say more, when the first firework popped above them and she jumped, before dissolving into laughter.

“Good.” Cory smiled. He turned as the first firework flared into life in the sky above them. The rest of the show passed in companionable silence, watching the beautiful sight above them. As the last firework fizzled out, Cory checked his watch. “Happy New Year, Winnie!” He turned to her, smiling.

“That sounds nice.” She mused quietly. Winnie was almost the opposite - she’d always had a home growing up, but now, recently, it was different. And she simply wanted to be rid of all of it and be on her own. “I mean, you still have all of that even if you’re not here anymore, you know?”

“Perhaps,” Cory mused. “Ilvermorny will just always have a special place in my heart.”