Ella's last class of the day was transfigurations. She was in class whispering to Marlene, Mary, and Lily.
"So Fabian and I have a date tonight" she told them
Mary gasped and McGonagall looked up from her desk giving the girls a look.
They all looked down at their assignments and got to work writing.
"What about Reg?" Marlene asked quietly
"That's done" she said shaking her head
"Didn't realize what a mistake that could have been"
"Glad you came to your sense" Lily said
"And Sirius will be so happy to hear that" Mary added.
She nodded and all four girls immediately looked back down at their textbooks when Mcgonagall got up from her desk.
The boys glanced at the girls and James asked what they were talking about.
"Nothing that has to do with you" Marlene said
"Always so kind" he teased
"She's not wrong" Mary said
"If we wanted you to know about Ella's date she would have told you"
"Date?!" Sirius asked leaning in closer
"With who?"
McGonagall passed by their desks and they all fell quiet working on their assignments.
When she made it back to her desk all four boys looked at her expectingly
"Fabian" she sighed
"No way" James gasped
"The Prewetts are so cool"
"Relax mate he wants to date Ella not you" Peter teased
They all laughed and Mcgonagall looked up from her desk and hushed them.
"So what are you doing for the big date?" James asked later at practice
"Just doing some class work together" Ella told him
"And no you can't come" she joked
"I wasn't going to ask" James huffed making her laugh.
"Really just studying?" Marlene asked
"Yes just studying"
"Or like.... 'Studying'" Marlene said making air quotes and wiggling her eyebrow
"Ohhh" James said looking back at Ella waiting for an answer
"No Marlene!" She said blushing slightly
"Sure sure" her friend teased
"You guys are the worst"
"Who's the worst?" Fabian asked joining the group
"These two so I am incredibly pleased by your presence" she laughed
"Ouch" James said grasping at his chest
"Ella was just telling us you two were going to be studying tonight?" Marlene said
"That we are" he said smiling down at Ella
"Interesting...."
He shrugged not sure what she was getting at
"Please ignore my friends" Ella said shooting a look at Marlene.
"Alright everyone let's get down and talk before I let you go" Gideon announced
Everyone landed their brooms and gathered around their captain.
"We only have three weeks until our next match and it's crunch time everyone, we will be having some type of practice every day from now until then"
Marlene and Ella shared a look knowing this would be a tiring next few weeks.
"So I will see you all back here tomorrow morning" he said
There were a few grumbles as the team dispersed.
"Bloody hell this is going to be awful" Marlene groaned
"It won't be so bad" James said
"Sure" Ella said rolling her eyes.
"Hey I'm gonna go talk to Gideon want to meet in the common room in an hour?" Fabian asked
"Yeah sounds good"
"Great see you then" Fabian said and ran off
"Is that really what you're wearing?" Mary asked
"Uhm...yeah" Ella said
"What's wrong with it?"
She looked down at her jeans and her hoodie.
"Isn't this a date?" Mary asked
"Oh hush Mary she looks fine" Lily said without looking up from her book.
"We're just studying in the library" she pointed out
Mary sighed loudly and flopped back onto her bed
"Romance is dead" she groaned
"On that note" Ella giggled
"I'll see you girls later"
She grabbed her book bag and hurried down the stairs.
The common room was busy, students studying, socializing or coming from dinner and after class activities.
But when she got down there Fabian was already waiting.
He was sitting on the arm of the couch looking down at his hands.
"Ready?" Ella asked and his head snapped up. He smiled when he saw her and got to his feet
"Ready"
The two walked out of the common room and down the hall.
"So how do you feel about your brothers new quidditch schedule?" She asked
"I mean I get it I do, we need to practice if we're going to win but between us...it's a bit much" he said and she laughed
"I couldn't agree with you more, I'm going to miss my Sunday lay ins"
"You and me both" Fabian huffed and jammed his hands into his front pockets.
When they arrived at the library they found a table towards the back and Fabian pulled Ella's chair out for her.
She took her star chart out and a pile of notes
"Merlin that's a lot" he laughed
"I like to be thorough" she giggled sheepishly looking up at him
"Evidently" he mumbled sifting through the pages.
They spent the next two hours working on her star chart, with frequent breaks.
Fabian had made his way around the table and was now sitting right next to Ella.
His leg was pressed up against hers and every time he moved she felt electricity shoot through her.
"I'm tired" she complained looking up at Fabian batting her eyelashes.
"Let's pack it in then" he said collecting the loose notes all over the table while she rolled up her chart.
"Thanks for all of the help"
"Of course, I didn't mind one bit" he said holding her notes out for her
She stuffed everything into her bag and they got up.
When they left the library Fabian took her hand in his
"Mind if we take the long way back?" He asked
"Not at all" she said unable to hide her smile.
He lead her down the hall passing by the courtyard.
"I had a nice time with you" he said
"Even if it was just doing some astronomy assignment"
"Me too Fabian" Ella said. He stopped walking in the middle of the hall and looked down at her.
She stepped closer and his hand gently wrapped around her cheek holding the back of her neck.
"Can I....."
"Yes" she whispered
He leaned in closing the distance between them and connected their lips.
She immediately wanted more. She wanted this feeling to never end.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her chest against him.
Their lips moved in synch and Ella let out a small moan into his mouth making him smirk.
He backed her up slowly until her back was against the wall, and gently pressed himself into her.
They eventually pulled apart and caught their breath still looking at each other.
She could feel her cheeks turning red and couldn't help but smile.
"I could do that all day" he said making her blush even more, she didn't know what to say, she couldn't make her mind stop racing.
Fabian reached out and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, his hand lingering on her cheek.
They stood together for another moment before he nodded in the direction of their common room and they began walking again.
"Maybe we can do this again" she said her voice coming out a bit quiet
"I'd love to" he said
"But maybe something a bit more fun than studying"
Ella laughed and nodded her head in agreement
"If I never have to do another star chart I will not be upset"
"I'll plan something fun for us" he told her
"Can't wait" she said
They walked back into the Gryffindor common room which wasn't nearly as crowded as when they left.
A few students remained reading or working on their assignments.
They stopped at the bottom of the stairs and Ella couldn't help but just smile at him.
"I really had a good time, probably the best time I've ever had studying" she laughed
"Good" he said leaning down to kiss her again quickly.
They both had goofy smiles on their faces when they pulled apart.
"See you tomorrow" she said quietly her hand slipping from his.
"See you" he echoed
January 31st 1975
The next morning Ella and Marlene were waiting for James before heading to practice.
"Okay this is ridiculous" Marlene said
"Practice on a Friday before breakfast"
"Yeah" Ella mumbled her eyes feeling heavy. When she got back last night she laid awake in bed replaying her date over and over in her mind.
"Morning you lovely ladies!" James's voice boomed through the common room as he jumped down the stairs.
"What the fuck James" Marlene groaned
"What?" He asked
"Let's just go" Ella said shaking her head.
The group headed towards the quidditch pitch as the sun was just rising.
"I still don't understand why you two are so grouchy" James mumbled as they arrived at practice
"Because not everyone has the same sick obsession with quidditch that you do" Marlene snapped
Ella held back her laughter and just shook her head. Marlene has such a way with words...especially this early in the morning.
Gideon eyed her and then looked at James
"Well alright then...let's just get to it I suppose" he said
Marlene mounted her broom and flew away
"Not sure what her problem is" James said
"James.....oh James" Ella sighed
"I love you but you're probably THE most annoying person in the morning" she told him
"What, me, annoying?" He gasped
"Sorry to break it to you" she said before climbing on her broom