Montgomery Cornhill

୨୧ ⏔⏔⏔⏔🖤⏔⏔⏔⏔ ୨୧

***

It was closer to midnight. Gideon was creeping awkwardly through the halls, hiding under disillusionment charm. They hurried into the dimly lit music room, undoing the spell and looking around nervously. Took their sweet time to work on their hair. Even though all it took them to change the color is a mere thought and a mirror - they washed it and styled it the old fashioned way, like everyone else… They held a small black box with a pink ribbon around it - close to their chest. Inside - vicious Licorice Snaps. And something else?

Anissa was nowhere to be seen, but…

She was in fact up above, on the balcony railing, looking down at them like a squirrel at a nut. Next to her - a FOUR(!)-tiered cake, absolutely soaking in chocolate. Oh how everyone hated her this morning for cutting the line at Honey Dukes and causing the shortage of said chocolate. But early bird gets the worm. On top of the cake, like a regal crown - glazed dark heart… The one she didn’t put there, but one of her elf friends did, while she wasn’t looking.

Anissa sat there for a few seconds, watching Gideon take a few more steps further. And then jumped off the railing…

- EEK!! - Gideon squealed and dropped the Snaps box, but on a reflex managed to catch Anissa and hold their balance. (Blessed be swimmer’s strength and core)

- … Hello to you too? @_@

They followed the slowly floating down cake with their eyes, while holding another cake in their arms. Their greed sickens me.

- Um… Good evening?.. You look… Wow… - Anissa already put her fingers in their hair, blushing. She gulped, and exhaled -

- I like how you look today… HAVE YOU SEEN THE CAKE I MADE FOR YOU?! AND YOU’RE LATE!!

- Youu… Sure know how to make an entrance… - Gideon mellowed under her fingers immediately, but then perked up squeezing her a little.

- Wait You made it for Meeee??? Why, I couldn’t eat all of it… Ooh! I got something for you too!

Gi let her go, whisked the little box off the floor with magic, being all blushy, and reached it to her. They were wearing lace-up boots with medium heels just to be a little taller as a treat. Anissa sure has a thing for height…

- I don’t usually get gifts in return… - she missed the box and grabbed their wrist. - That’s nice… Thank you, Gideon.

She continued to stroke their wrist, hitting them with a look.

- Nissa, the box… OOP- Did you just spell my name? That’s a new, I must be dreaming hehehe haha- ha…

The wrist stroking could go a little longer, but eventually they rotated their hand to put the box directly in Anissa’s palm and wait for her to open and see what’s inside.

- Yes, yes. The box. Can I open it later? I feel like my hands could be somewhere else right now.. - she took a step aside, placed the sweets on the music stand, and returned to her original position. - I didn’t know I had to wear something nice, so it’s good that you’re dressed up for both of us.. heh.

Couldn’t help it, her eyes lingered around the bosom area. She quickly and accurately placed her grabby hands on their waist.

- Aww but I wanted to see you read the-

Gideon had a fake pout for a moment, but then imagined the embarrassed mess she would be and decided to spare her, smirking instead.

- Ah well. Sure. And I like seeing you anyway, in any garment.

They took the chance to take her by the cheeks and leave a gentle, but pretty sizeable dark lipstick smooch on one of them.

- That will suffice~ Now I’m a tad less overdressed in comparison, heehee.

- Huh? Sho?.. What?.. - Anissa looked confused for a second, but then quickly recovered.

- So why did you choose this place? What if someone comes in?.. Or… - she squinted and leaned dangerously close to their face, doing a little sniffy sniff. - Have you changed your soap? You smell especially good today~

Gideon blushed, turning away ever so slightly, towards the floating elephant in the room.

- Hm? Mayyybe~ Or maybe it’s that perfect… Cake over there…

They turned back to Anissa talking a little quieter -

- I saw Bloody Baron on the way here… But erg- I think he avoids music in general, so…

They glanced at the piano on the second floor, and once again back to her with a cheek-squishing dimple-popping smile.

***

Since there was only one seating and too much ass… They turned the piano bench and were both spooning awkwardly on it, with Gideon in the back, holding in every urge in the book. Who knows what ghost will pop their head in, aside from Bloody Baron…

Anissa pressed her back against their chest nonchalantly, and played the G note. For some reason it awoke an uncontrollable feeling in Gideon… Something chemical, and almost romantic…

-So.. You know how to play piano? - Anissa asked.

- Unfortunately. You don’t? It was a must in my “Education Program”.

Gideon had their arms go around her, and on the piano keys. They played the highest A they could reach, and then a few testing chords, murmuring behind her ear -

- Can you… Play some of your favorite melodies? Or some songs from your homeland…

- Ugh, no. My papa tried to teach me how to play bandura but I couldn’t sit still for long so I didn’t pick it up. Besides, he wasn’t very good himself. Too many strings to pull..

That could be interpreted in some ways… Gideon immediately imagined her father to be an intimidating authority figure, the likes of her uncle Victor, but more impressive - in a Kazak way. Gulp…

- You could just hum it… - they prepared to figure out the keys on piano.

- Pfffftt. Hum? You can’t just hum these songs. You need to actually sing them. Now listen..

She cleared her throat, closed her eyes, and started singing some slow calm song, with alien sounding words. Which caused Gideon to blush yet again. They hid their nose in her shoulder, making sure not to miss a sound from her. Then slowly tuned in with simple accompaniment, adding rare and shy ooh’s and aah’s. Probably mixing this Slavic genre with their “British” knowledge of music, but harmonious nonetheless.

Anissa threw her head back on their shoulder and continued singing. Her hands slid off the piano to touch Gideon’s thighs, and they squeezed her between them tighter, losing grip on earlier mentioned urges. Something devious might’ve ended up happening that night, but alas…

Suddenly, in the distance… Just like clockwork, a ghost of a woman started chasing another ghost screaming bloody murder, right towards the Music Room.

Anissa and Gideon jolted and exchanged a spooked glance. In a mere second - Gideon grabbed her and took off the bench like a frog. They rushed to the lower floor, trying to find the wand tucked away in their frilly stocking, and then half-assedly cast a disillusionment on themselves. Not that it would help against the ghosts…

Anissa somehow managed to pull out her own wand and grab her little gift from the stand. She was breathing heavily, but not from singing of fright… A secret third thing.

- Well that was fockin’ unexpected. Are you all right? Can you get to your common room on your own?

- … Guh… Yes, of course! I’m so sorry about that, I should’ve known” Ermm…

They were too panicked, but still pulled her close by the hands and gave a proper kiss goodbye, right in the doorway and all while looking like a broken kaleidoscope. Then they adjusted the spell and retreated - together with the flying Cake.

- Byeeeee eee ee…

-……… Good night…………

Obviously Anissa was very flustered. She hid the box under her arm before casting a spell on herself and ran down the hallway in opposite direction.

***

After climbing up what must have been too many steps, Anissa just kicked off her shoes and plopped down on her bed. Now that she was alone with her snoring roommates (or at least most of them, as Timber was once again missing), she began to tear open the black wrapping paper of the box she had been clutching on her way to the dorm room.

“Heh. They got me leeches.. My favourite,” Anissa whispered as she shook the box of Licorice Snap, making the sweets squeal and screech inside, “Huh?”.

And there was the source of the overwhelmingly sweet scent that had been filling her nose since her date with Gideon: a folded piece of paper that now lay in her lap. The girl stared at it for a couple of seconds, blinking, before finally deciding to open it and find out what it contained. A few lines in a neat handwriting (someone had obviously tried to make it look good) surrounded by drawn hearts.

“How original”, she thought and started reading

«Woe is me, for I have fallen

By the feisty, my heart had been stolen.

None, but you fancy a bitter snack —

One that would fight you back.»

For a few seconds, a deafening, high-pitched scream filled the dormitory room (and most likely the entire tower), but no one woke up or made a sound, except perhaps for the owls and hippogriffs far away in the Forbidden Forest. After a moment, the only sounds in the tower were the loud footsteps and the quiet mumbling of Anissa, who was wrapped in a blanket and heading out to the terrace to probably smoke a cigarette or two and calm her racing heart.

“Greasy cheesy little bastard.. 💢”

***

Gideon knew at least Nerida (maybe Grace, at most) would be awake and waiting for them to spill all the tea of their mysterious date… But were not expecting nearly entire house of Slytherin up and about in common room, way past bedtime - ALSO seemingly waiting for them to spill the tea as everyone turned their head to them with a barely audible “Ooooooh~’.

- … Right… Well, I suppose I couldn’t eat this whole cake myself. - they sighed out, still huffy after running through the corridors.

- Did you rob Honey Dukes?? - someone exclaimed from the crowd of hungry children.

- Not me, no… But my date probably did. Wait! Why am I telling you all this, it’s none of your business! Neri, did you blabber something??

Gideon floated the cake to rest on one of the tables, and started undoing their corset because it was practically killing them. But they couldn’t hide a thick blush and a dreamy smile from everything else that went down this night.

- Of course I didn’t. Not that I know anything, you’re being weirdly vague and secretive about them. - Nerida rolled her eyes. - Hey, don’t touch the top! It’s for G, can’t you see the heart on it??

She stormed off to fend the special part of the cake for Gideon.

- … There’s a heart on it? I didn’t expect h- Them, to put a heart on it…

Gideon landed on the couch near Grace all giddy and tired, accepting their rightful piece of cake, and taking a moment to ogle at it.

- Put it on? - Grace raised her eyebrow - They made you this cake?

- Mhm…

- I always knew you would find someone twice your age who could afford your wants.

- Sure Grace. You can think that.

Not a care in the world, only spoon in mouth…

“And how am I supposed to compete with that…” - Grace thought to herself, drilling with her eyes - a tall box next to her, that went unnoticed whole day. Not this year either.

୨୧ ⏔⏔⏔⏔🖤⏔⏔⏔⏔ ୨୧

—————————

Then came the books.

On Monday, she’d barely stepped out of the Great Hall, adjusting the strap over her shoulder when Sebastian appeared at her elbow, plucking the heavy bag from her arms as though it were a common occurrence for them. It wasn’t.

“I’m headed that way,” he shrugged casually when she protested.

Reaching History of Magic, Sebastian set her books beside her, bowing deeply with his usual smirk plastered across his face. Once he had made his leave, Ominis turned to her, eyes narrowed, and head tipped to the side.

“Was that Sebastian walking in with you a moment ago?”

“Yes,” Gwyn said, pulling out her textbook.

Ominis’ brow furrowed further. “Why on earth would he do that?”

Gwynevere shrugged. “He was being kind. I think his class is just up the stairs.” 

“No,” Ominis shook his head, turning his full body towards her. “That makes no sense. He has Beasts in the morning.”

Well then…

The tipping point, however, came one frigid Saturday in late January. It was the rival game between the Slytherin and Gryffindor houses. Thin clouds stretched over a pale winter sky, promising another layer of snow to what already coated the grounds.The Quidditch pitch was already roaring with chaos, green and red banners snapped in the wind.

Gwynevere was, of course, bundled up in her usual Slytherin garb, head to toe in the shades of green. Yes, that was not unusual. What was though, was the vivid splash of Gryffindor red around her neck.

She had just been walking with her friends to the Quidditch pitch when her arm was caught by none other than the very person who had been helping her so much during potions.

“Garreth. What are you doing here?” She asked, glancing up at where the other girls had paused to whisper among themselves just up the path. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the game?”

“Yes, well, I was on my way when,” Garreth rubbed the base of his neck where his red and gold scarf hung loose. “You see, it is rather chilly today.”

Gwyn chuckles softly, looking at the light dusting of snow on the path. It had been a light winter, cold and frosty, but hardly any big snowfalls. “Yes, it has been cold.”

“And I just thought that you would like something to keep you warm. With how cold it has been.” With that, Garreth unwrapped the scarf from his own neck and gently secured it around Gwynevere’s, his warm fingers brushing her collarbone ever so fleetingly. The scarf was rather similar in design to her own, which she had neglected to bring with her, simple wool with his house crest and fringed edges. The soft material tickled her nose, filling her senses with the distinctive smell that one could only match to Garreth. Smoky, sharp with a hint of bergamot.

Gwynevere couldn’t deny that she enjoyed the smell, though she wasn’t entirely sure if that was because of the scent itself or the fact that it was Garreth she thought of. Nevertheless, she thanked the boy for the kind gesture and watched as his grin grew ever wider. The corners of his eyes crinkled rather adorably as he took a step back, his other teammates calling out to him.

Before he could fully turn away, Gwynevere grabbed his hand. The boy halted, eyes wide and cheeks flushing to rival the shade of his hair.

“Good luck out there.”

“Yeah,” he swallowed heavily, hand still in hers. “You as well. Well, not you too. You don’t play. Not that that matters! You don’t have to play anything! Oh, Merlin, I should go.”

Gwyn laughed as the redhead raced off, head shaking in embarrassment as he met up with the rest of his team. She started back up the path, fingers brushing over the soft fabric hanging around her neck. It was rather sweet that he cared for her so.

She could hardly meet her friend's eyes as they giggled about the display Garreth had given, fumbling and nervous. As she climbed into the stands, the ruby red streak against a sea of green, she couldn’t help but feel a little rebellious. It was thrilling.

The whistle blew, and the players shot into the air. Garreth snatched the Quaffle mid-air and dashed away. The cold bit at Gwyn’s cheeks, but she barely felt anything other than excitement as Garreth arched across the field, Quaffle tucked tight under his arm.

“He’s fast,” someone muttered.

He was.

A Slytherin Chaser cut across his path, but Garreth feinted left before twisting to the right at the last moment. He tossed the ball to another chaser before receiving a return pass. A second later, the redhead sent the ball careening into the right-most hoop.

10 points to Gryffindor!

Gwynevere found herself on her feet, cheering before she realized who exactly she was cheering for. She quickly sat back down, scanning the pitch for anyone else to look at. Her eyes landed on a familiar mop of messy brown hair, though far more windswept than usual.

Sebastian’s gaze was already on her. Not at her face, but the red and gold wrapped neatly at her throat. He twisted the bat in his grip before striking a Bludger zooming past. The ball swerved sharply before being intercepted by another Beater.

The game continued on, play after play, points climbing for both teams. Sebastian couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off of Gwyn for long, far too distracted. He nearly missed the Bludger aimed at his ribs.

He twisted at the last second, the ball barely grazing the hem of his sleeve. It was close enough for Imelda to swerve over and cuff him on the ear. Gwyn couldn’t make out what was said, but she knew Imelda had knocked some sense into him, as when the crowd erupted from another score by Garreth, followed by a victory lap ending with a wink directed at Gwynevere, Sebastian seemed to snap.

He swung his bat at a passing Bludger with far more force than necessary. It ricocheted straight for Garreth. The stands held their breath. It just barely clipped his broom, sending him spiraling. He recovered quickly enough, shooting a glare up at where Sebastian was hovering. They held eye contact for half a second.

Then Garreth laughed.

Actually laughed.

“You should aim better, Sallow,” he called out, receiving the Quaffle and tearing off again.

Sebastian was hot on his tail, the match boarding on aggressive now. As Garreth flew towards the Slytherin hoops, Sebastian responded with a targeted aim at his left side. It missed, but forced him to swing wide. The Quaffle slipped from Garreth’s fingers and he fumbled. Imelda caught the ball and was off.

Garreth wheeled around, chest rising and falling hard, chasing after her.

The next ten minutes were relentless. Bludgers thundered back and forth, the Quaffle changed hands quicker than the spectators could keep up with. The other Slytherin Beater was knocked clean of broom and rushed off the field. One of the goal hoops had a chunk of wood shattered, bursting in a glittering cloud of snow and shrapnel.

Garreth scored again.

Sebastian retaliated.

He dove for the Quaffle, confounding the commentator. Sebastian ripped it from the Slytherin Keeper's hands and surged forward, weaving through players like he was on fire. He launched the ball into the center hoop and scored.

10 Points to Slytherin?

The stands exploded once more, Gwynevere among them. She was clapping, bright-eyed, flushed with excitement. Garreth laughed, turning to Gwyn. She laughed too, giving him a little wave. 

Sebastian veered close to the Slytherin stands, close enough that Gwyn could see the flush of his cheeks and the intensity in his eyes. “You’re supporting the wrong team,” he called to her over the roar of the crowd.

She blinked. “I’m wearing green!”

“And red,” he shot back, giving a pointed look to her neck before he spun away.

Her fingers found the soft fringe, suddenly hyperaware of its warmth.

Down on the pitch, Garreth caught the quaffle in a pass between Chasers and shot towards the hoops again. Sbastian cut him off mid-air, their shoulders colliding. Garreth’s grin faltered as they exchanged a brief word, too low for Gwyn to hear.

Madam Kogawa blew her whistle, separating them as the gam continued.

The Snitch flashed, and both Seekers plunged.

When the tiny golden orb was finally captured, announcing victory for Gryffindor, Gwynevere’s heart hammered in her chest, far louder than the crowd. This match had become about far more than just house pride, and she was tangled in the middle of it all.