Author's Note:
This is one of my shorter chapters and serves as a halfway chapter of sorts. Anyways . . .enjoy!
The following morning, Nova woke up with a large grin upon her face. This was perhaps the first time she had smiled since Umbridge's arrival. Dressed in the normal school uniform, or at least Nova's version of it, she nearly skipped down to the Common Room.
The Golden Quartet sat in the library upon Hermione's request. Nova wasn't opposed, she was doing more research on werewolves and the laws that affect them. Harry and Ron were a bit hesitant but gave in.
Harry's green eyes were intensely starring at Nova as if wondering if last night actually happened.
Harry noted she still rebelled against the dress code but in a more subtle way today. She wore the white button-up blouse and black pleated skirt, but she neglected the cardigan she was supposed to wear over the white shirt. She wore knee-high dark grey socks and her black high top converses. Her Gryffindor tie hung loosely around her neck, and her cloak was unfastened.
In one swift movement, Nova had gracefully moved her caramel hair to on side of her head, causing her right side part to change to a left one. In the process, she moved all her hair off her shoulder, exposing her collar bone and jaw.
Harry's breath hitched and he forced himself to look away.
"Yeah! You better look away!" Regulus yelled.
Dorcus threw a pillow at him.
Nova found herself sneaking glances at Harry as her eyes scanned the page. Every time her eye drifted towards him, she forced herself to look away.
A couple times, she would catch Harry's eye before smirking to herself and looking down.
"Honestly, Ronald!" Hermione groaned as she turned back to her work after he bugged her about Victor.
The two were too caught up in their own tension to notice Harry and Nova's.
Harry discretely slide Nova a paper.
Can we talk?- Har
Yeah. When? -Nox
Now. -Har
And how do you plan on escaping the bloodhounds? -Nox
I was hoping you had an idea. -Har
A small grin appeared on Nova's face as she rolled her eyes.
"Harry, we need to discuss our plans for tonight's meeting," Nova whispered loud enough for Hermione and Ron to hear.
"Why can't you discuss it here?" Ron asked loudly.
"Because you're loud and we can't have you two knowing all of our plans for the D.A. meeting," Nova informed. "It takes part of the fun out of everything."
"Makes sense," Ron nodded.
Hermione was too focused on her work to notice.
The moment Harry and Nova left, he pulled her through the secret passageways to a room they discovered last year as they ran from Filch. They never told Ron and Hermione about it, they didn't want to. This was their place.
The walls were the same white-grey they were when the duo found the room. Nova turned the old mattress in the corner into something new (with the help of Transfiguration and a lot of research). Instead of a lumpy mattress, a black futon stretch across one wall of the small room. Three red bean bags were in various corners of the room. A single black wooden coffee table stood proudly in the middle of the room. Pictures of Harry, Nova, and their friends decorated the walls.
"What did you want to talk about?" Nova asked as she leaned against the wall.
"It may have come to my attention that I never formally asked you to be my girlfriend," Harry began shyly.
"Harry, you know we don't-" Nova began but Harry's nervous ramble sounded over her.
"Will you like to be my girlfriend?" Harry asked quickly. "I know I should've asked last night. I just got a little bit sidetracked. It doesn't help that your hair and lips are extremely soft. But-um-er-I was hoping you would be open to dating me. You don't have to of course, but it'd be really nice. It's up to you of course! If you don't wanna be my girlfriend-"
Harry's nervous rambling was cut off by a quick peck on the lips from Nova, who had to go on her tippy toes.
"Was that a yes or a no?" Harry asked jokingly.
"I'd have thought that made it obvious," Nova raised her eyebrow at him jokingly.
"Well maybe . . ." Harry began cheekily. "If you did it again, I might get the message."
"Hmmmm," Nova hummed in response. "I'll consider it."
"I think you should."
"I'm considering it."
"You really should."
"I've decided."
That was the only warning Harry got before Nova pulled his tie, bring his face to hers. Their breaths mingled as she teasingly brushed her lips against his. Nova will admit, with great satisfaction, that she heard Harry's breath hitch. A smirk grew upon her face.
Nova let go of Harry's tied and flopped onto the futon. Harry, shell-shocked, didn't move.
"I'm cold," Nova stated with a pouty face.
Harry had joined Nova on the futon with his arms wrapped around her waist and his face pressed into her stomach.
"That was very mean," Harry groaned into her stomach.
"But ya still came, darlin," Nova teased with a laugh.
Harry mumbled something incoherent as he shut his eyes, taking a deep breath. He inhaled a scent that was strictly Nova.
He could smell her perfume; roses with a very faint hint of lavender. Her perfume mingled perfectly with her vanilla mocha lotion. He knew if he was close enough, he would be able to smell her shampoo; raspberry and roses.
"Ya looking a bit comfortable there, bud," Regulus said skeptically as they watched Nova begin to play with Harry's hair, lost in thought.
Harry propped his head up to study Nova's face.
Her brows were furrowed in concentration. Her honey eyes seemed far off. Her right hand continued to play with Harry's surprisingly soft hair.
"Whatcha thinking about, love?" Harry asked.
"Oi! Watch it with the nicknames!" Regulus warned.
"Reg! He's been calling her that for years!" James protested.
"I don't like it."
"Admit it," Marlene teased. "You think they're adorable."
"Adorable?" Regulus scoffed, obviously lying. "Noooo. I don't like than together."
"I dunno what you're talking 'bout, Reggie, but they are my OTP," Lily stated.
Nova's honey eyes met Harry's green ones.
"I'm thinking about how to tell my dads, and my boys, and the others," Nova answered.
"Should I be scared?" Harry asked.
"Yes!" Regulus yelled.
"No," Nova smiled. "It's not like you're a complete stranger. My dads actually like you, so I think you're good. My boys, Blaise and Theo, might glare at you, but you should be fine. And the others will be civilized. I think Gin might threaten to cut your bits off."
"Right . . ." Harry said sarcastically. "I shouldn't be scared of two protective fathers, a fiery redhead, two fiercely protective Slytherins, you're killer house-elf or the angry mob that'll chase me?"
"That would be correct." Nova grinned. "And Kreacher is an ice house-elf. He's not a killer."
"Love, he has threatened to beat us to death with his pans."
"He cares about me," Nova objected. "Also, Shadow is going to be upset about having to share Cuddle Time."
"Your cat hates me," Harry stated bluntly. "She always has."
"She doesn't hate you. . ."
"Love, she has literally attacked me from across the room."
"They're love taps."
"She bit me when I sat too close."
"She loves you."
"Yeah okay," Harry rolled his eyes fondly.
***
"Okay," Harry said at the D.A. meeting that night. "I thought this evening we should just go over the things we've done so far because it's the last meeting before the holidays and there's no point starting anything new right before a three-week break —"
"We're not doing anything new?" said Zacharias Smith, in a disgruntled whisper loud enough to carry through the room. "If I'd known that, I wouldn't have come. . . ."
"We're all really sorry Harry didn't tell you, then," said Fred loudly.
Many laughed, including Nova, but she turned to address Zacharias.
"Maybe if you spent more time focusing on your spells rather than flirting with the uninterested females, you could master a simple spell," Nova sassed, glaring at him.
"What? Are you bothered by it? Are you jealous?" Smith teased before winking.
Nova blinked at him.
She blinked again.
Harry's hatred for the boy grew.
"You wish I were jealous," Nova replied cooly.
"Maybe I do," Zacharias winked.
Nova made a disgusted face.
"That's unfortunate for you. Someone already set my standards too high," Nova sassed, pleased with herself. "You have met none of them. Hell, you aren't even close."
Harry's heart felt like it was going to burst of joy.
***
Nova and Hermione woke up the following morning, hoping to meet with the Weasleys and Harry.
It wasn't until Nova saw one of Harry's jumpers with a letter resting on it did she realize he wasn't there.
Love,
Mr.Weasley was attacked. I had a dream about it. Weasleys and I got to leave early. I'll see you for Christmas.
See you soon,
Har