Lemon Grass and Sleep

THE START OF A PROBLEM

"So?" Fred asked quietly from my right. My eyes were closed and I let my arms lay limply over the bedspread.

"It was nice," I answered simply, my voice sounding hoarse.

"Nice?" He laughed softly, and I felt his arm lay across my waist as he got closer. "Care to elaborate?"

"No, I don't think I do," I retorted playfully, opening my eyes slowly.

"Nice enough to do it again?" He asked softly, leaving a persuasive kiss on my neck.

"Mm, I suppose so," I agreed, turning my head to kiss him on the lips.

"You're being a bit bold tonight, it's catching me off guard," he mumbled.

"Is it bad?"

"I'd never say that."

We idly laid in the bed, sometimes rolling over or readjusting. It was nice to have these little moments where nothing outside of this room felt real. The TriWizard tournament, sixth year classes, Glinda and George, everything seemed so far away.

"The second task is happening soon," I commented, pressing my forehead against Fred's chest.

"Yeah, I don't know if Harry has managed to figure out that egg or not yet. Did Cedric's make the same horrid noise?"

"Oh, he didn't open it in front of us. Something about it being dangerous."

"Harry opened the bad boy right up and shattered our ear drums," Fred said flatly. I laughed a bit at the scene in my head, and how they all must've immediately regretted it.

"Sounds like something he'd do," I murmured.

"It sure does," he replied.

The next task was in February, so we had a bit of time before there was any more worry. Thankfully, there wasn't too much debris left from the fight and we all four went back to normal. Well, mostly normal.

"I don't know, it just feels weird to talk to him after all that," Glinda bit her lip nervously.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, he still has no idea."

"That doesn't make me feel better," she sighed.

"What'll make you feel better?" I closed my book, no longer committed to studying.

"That's the problem, Soot, I don't have the slightest idea."

"What if he showed interest? Is that what you think you want?"

"Maybe," she mumbled, her eyes glazing over with deep thought.

"If you act weird, he might catch on in the wrong way, you know."

"I know, I know. Merlin, why is this so difficult?"

"Don't ask me for any advice," I looked off to the side.

"You're the last person I'd ask," she muttered. Then, her eyes slowly began to widen, and a mischevious smile broke out across her face. "You know who I might, though?"

"Who?" I replied, a bit anxious.

"Fred."

"Merlin's beard," I sighed, "I better not be near when you do, you understand?"

"Can't say I do."

The four of us were set to meet in the room after the last class of the day, but Glinda persuaded us into skipping in order to meet there earlier.

"Now, what is so important that I need to miss charms class?" Fred asked, leaving his satchel by the couch. I was relieved when I glanced over and the bed had mysteriously vanished. Glinda had laughed until there were tears in her eyes the first time she had walked in and saw it.