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Today was the day, after seven years full of rumours, cursed vaults, gaining and losing friends and allies, being betrayed and being reunited; it was finally time for you to graduate from Hogwarts. You wore the uniform of your house Slytherin proudly along with the many others in your house, graduating or not; the other years came to the graduates off and when you looked at the first years, you couldn’t help but be brought back to when you first came to Hogwarts.
The school years had been difficult as people already knew who you were and often referred to you as “Jacob’s Sibling” given how he ruined not only Slytherin’s reputation but also Hogwarts; so many gave you the cold shoulder, started rumours and talked about you behind your back. It was hard to deal with all of that while searching for Jacob through the Cursed Vaults, but luckily you made friends, very close and trustworthy friends who were always there to support you; whether with the vaults or life, you couldn’t have been more grateful to have them by your side.
And now your graduating alongside them, Rowan stood next to you, excited to start their new journey into the wizarding world but also sad to leave Hogwarts behind; you understood their feelings and felt the same. Barnaby, who stood near you was also sad to leave; no one has ever seen a Slytherin crying as they were being graduated, at least Baramaby had that to brag about, right?
Merula stood to your left, despite the two of you in the same house you never got along at first; with her claiming herself as the most powerful witch at Hogwarts, talking down on Jacob and your friends and almost harming all of you. Slowly but surely you two started to spend more time together and got onto common ground. Now you stood beside her feeling happy that she was here, strange you thought, how it all worked out .
The other graduates from other houses surrounded the Dining Hall, you could see Ben, Jae and Charlie with the Gryffindor's, Tulip, Andre Badeea and Talbott with the Ravenclaws and Penny, Tonks, Diego and Chiara with the Hufflepuff's.
We’re all here. You thought happily, after the mess with ‘R’ you were scared for your friends, but everyone made it out safe.
“Did you know that Felix is coming today?”
You whipped your head to Rowan who smirked at your reaction. “What?” You squeaked.
“Felix is coming to see us off, he was our Prefect when we first came here so it’s only right that he does so.” They explained. “The others are coming too, Chester, Angelica and...what was her name again? Janet?”
“Jane.” You corrected.
“That was it, Jane! I wonder why I didn’t remember?”
As Rowan kept babbling about the previous Hufflepuff Prefect, your mind went to Felix. Ever since you arrived at Hogwarts he always had your attention, and that wasn't because he was your Prefect. Despite his usual scolding towards you he helped you greatly in learning new spells that you’ve used to help find your brother, the more time you spend with him the more you fell for him.
It started as a crush and evolved into love.
But it was too late.
He had graduated and left after leaving a short goodbye, the only time you saw him then was when Bill gathered him and the rest of the previous Prefects up to help you become one. When you saw him you immediately noticed how different he was then before, he had gotten taller, his hair a bit longer and his muscles grew; but one main difference you saw was that he smiled more, nothing like he was in Hogwarts, he seemed to be enjoying himself and you couldn’t be happier for him.
Ever since then you’ve regretted not telling him how you feel towards him, he was always on your mind and all you wanted was to see him again and confess that you’re in love with him.
A sudden realisation came to you, Rowan said he could come to see them off, so maybe - just maybe, if you can get some time alone with him , you can tell him how you feel.
Your cheeks felt warmer and you were sure they were red now, your heart beating faster and faster as you thought - you then decide what you were going to do.
I’m gonna tell him. I’m going to Felix that I’m in love with him.
LINE
Dumbledore had given his speech and you were sure it was his longest one yet, he talked and talked so much you almost zoned out five times, Rowan had to keep nuding you to pay attention and focus but it didn’t have much of an effect, but the clapping and cheering to the end of his speech did.
“That was so boring.” You groaned, Rowan chuckled beside you as everyone walked away.
“I could see that.” The two of you continued to talk as you all made your way to the docks just outside of Hogwarts, when you arrived you heard Penny yell in excitement.
“Jane!”
You looked to see her launch herself onto Jane Court, a Hufflepuff who was the Prefect in your first year. You didn’t know Jane that well but you heard from others that she was scary which you thought was hilarious, she’s a Hufflepuff, no way would they be anything near scary.
But then one day you saw her scolding some first years who wanted to prank a teacher, her voice drumming ears and a glare so cold it could have matched Professor Snapes, you immediately took back what you said about Hufflepuff's, they can be scary when they want to.
But the Hufflepuff's seemed happy to see an old Prefect, perhaps under their complaining they really did miss her; and it looked like she did as well as she greeted everyone with smiles.
“Hey look, it's Chester!”
“Angelica! Your here!”
The previous Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Prefects turned up as well, much to their houses' joy. Tulip has jumped on Chester, almost knocking him backwards with Talbott telling her off. Jae and Charlie gave Angelica gave fist bump while Ben gave her a hug.
Wait does that mean -
“It’s Felix!”
As soon as his name was said your heart started to beat faster with cheeks growing hot, you didn’t know you would see him so soon and the fact he was waiting for his house. Some of the Slytherins actually ran to him and expressed joy in seeing him again, as you walked closer you could see he was talking to them with a smile on his face.
Like back at the Three Broomsticks. You recognized. If he was like that back then I wonder how he is now.
You continued to watch him interact with the others, a smile made it’s way on your lips.
“If you keep looking at him like he's gonna know you like him.” You jumped as Merula appeared beside you, looking bored as ever.
“I-I wasn’t looking!” You tried to lie, but you knew she wouldn’t fall for it, she was too good at that.
“Come on MC, you were staring like him as a cat does with birds.” She smirked. “So, are you going to tell the great Rosier how you feel? Or are you going to say nothing and live with it for the rest of your life?”
“Why do you care?” You narrowed your eyes at her as you crossed her arms.
She shrugged. “I don’t, just curious”
“MC you like Felix?” You groaned as Barnaby came to be part of the conversation. “Aw no need to feel like that MC, I get it”
“Get what?” Ismelda asked as she slid. Barnaby turned to her.
“That MC likes Felix.” He replied brightly. “He’s got a handsome face especially with those cheekbones, his hair has gotten longer which gives him more charm and it looks like he’s been something to gain muscles, they’re not as good as mine but I bet he could get them to be”
“If I didn’t know any better I’d say you like him as well.” Ismelda said. clearly joking.
“Oh I did have a crush on him but that’s just it.” Barnaby replied, not knowing the girl was joking around; the look on her face made you want to laugh.
As the two started to talk Merula came back to you “Back to my question, are you going to tell him?”
You signed and nodded. “Yeah, I don’t know if I can keep them in any longer. When Rowan told me what he’ll be here today I decided to tell him.”
Merula didn’t look shocked or surprised, just merely nodded “Ok.” and walked to Barnaby and Ismelda.
Before you did anything, a familiar voice came to you.
“Ah, if it isn’t the famous Curse Breaker.”
Your turned to see Felix, the man himself who stole your heart just a few feet away from you, not too far but not too close.
“H-Hi Felix.” Damn MC get it together! “I didn’t know you were coming today.”
“While it isn’t tradition, it’s a good thing for the previous Prefects to see their housemates graduate.” He said. “I have to admit it does feel a bit weird seeing all of you go.”
“I thought Slytherins never admit to anything.” You smirked, Felix following.
“Glad my lessons stuck to you.”
“They always have” You say with your cheeks tingling. “If it wasn’t for you teaching me them that I wouldn’t of found Jacob and saved my friends”
“I’m glad I could be of service.” His voice now with a hint of warmth, it made your heart go crazy. “And I heard about you finding your brother, I saw how much he meant to you and you made it your goal to find him, congratulations”
“T-Thank you” God my cheeks are burning! What if he see’s?! I need to calm down… “S-So how have things been going with you? Any updates on dragons?”
“I was in Romania for a while tracking some down with no luck, I came back here a few months ago to take a break before getting back into action.” He replied and rubbed his chin. “A lot more things happened and I want to tell everyone.”
There was an opening and you jumped on the chance “I have something to tell you too.”
He gave you a curious expression. “What is it?”
Well here it goes. “W-Well the thing is...I-“
“Felix!” You jumped when a girl came to your view, her long brown hair flowed behind her as she jogged to where you were. “You’ll never guess what Penny Haywood told me!”
“It’ll have to wait, MC was just telling me something.” He didn’t look bothered that someone interrupted their conversation, instead a bit amused.
She looked at you and her eyes widened in recognition “Oh MC I remember you! I was in my fifth year when you first came to Hogwarts, you were so small back then but you’ve grown up now! Oh I heard about your brother, I’m happy you found him and brought him back to your family, I’m sure you worked hard.”
You vaguely knew this woman, you had seen her around in Hogwarts in her Hufflepuff robes mainly seen with Jane. But you couldn’t remember her name.
“I’m Belle.” She introduced herself as if she read your mind and you suddenly remembered. How could you forget? Penny had talked about her a lot, often praising her skills and how kind she is, but also determined and would often talk back to anyone, even Snape and Dumbledore.
You also remembered Penny saying she was good friends with Felix, you thought it was strange with a Slytherin and Hufflepuff being friends, but after meeting Penny you knew why; because Hufflepuff’s were so great.
You had seen them together before talking about whatnot, Belle giggling and Felix looking a bit annoyed, for a small while you thought the two were together, but when you asked Felix he gave you a glare.
“Never ask anything like that to me again”
You had never heard his voice so cold so you dropped it but it eased you, if Felix responded like that then there was nothing romantic between them; just friends.
Right, just friends.
“Hi Belle.” You smiled at her, not wanting to be rude in front of Felix “It took a while to find Jacob but yeah, I finally found him in the end, thank you.”
“I’m glad.” She smiled happily at you. She had the same aura as Penny you felt, so kind and gentle “I’m guessing Felix was talking all about Romania to you before I jumped in?”
You nodded. “Yes, about tracking down a dragon but couldn’t find it, must have been hard.”
“Oh you wouldn’t believe the mood he was in.” Belle waved her hand “He came home all grumpy and would pout almost twenty four seven.”
“There’s no need to reveal that to them.” Felix commented to her, you thought you saw his cheeks a bit red.
“Oh Felix don’t worry about it, it was adorable.” She gushed and Felix signed as he turned to you.
“Sorry about her, she’s mostly like this.”
“Only with you Felix!” She smiled widely and latched onto his arm, your eyes widened at the gesture and waited for Felix to shove her away; but was surprised when instead he pulled her closer.
What is…? Wait!
“Y-You said he came home?” You asked, Felix saw your confused expression and took it upon himself to explain.
“Yes, we live together”
If this was a movie it would have stopped by now.
“W-What?!” You cover your mouth from your loud outburst and repeated it in a quiet tone “Y-You two live together?”
“Yep!” Belle nodded enthusiastically “We decided to move in together last year, and I’m so happy we did.”
“As am I.” Felix agreed and gave her a warm smile.
All of a sudden realisation hits you like a brick.
“A-Are you two together? Like ...Like dating?”
Please say no!
“Correct MC, as expected nothing gets past a Slytherin.”
It’s as if the whole world stopped. All this time, all these years of falling in love with him, thinking of him and wanting to be with him; all taken away by the woman standing before you.
“Well we aren’t hiding it Felix, I think everyone can tell we’re together.”
“If it wasn’t for Penny Haywood I think we could of gone longer.”
Wait, Penny? Did she know they were dating? Since when?!
You glance at the said blonde to see her still with Jane, laughing to what she had said.
I’m going to have a talk with her later. You decided and were pulled out of your thoughts by the call of your name.
“Huh?”
“You zoned out for a bit there, are you alright MC?” Felix asked with a bit of worry in his voice, you didn’t know why but you had the sudden annoyance of hearing him talk like that to you, you replied anyway.
“Y-Yeah I’m good.”
“Maybe it’s nerves.” Belle suggested “Don’t worry sweetie, it feels weird and sad leaving Hogwarts but I promise you it gets better.”
She gave you a comforting smile, you tried to hate it but failed. Stupid Hufflepuff power, making everyone feel good.
“Y-Yeah that might be it.” You lied, not wanting them to know the truth “I think I’ll be alright once I get home.”
Belle nodded in understanding, a sudden loud ring of a bell came followed by a booming voice.
“The Boats are here! Everyone, pile on!”
As the seven years said their goodbyes and walked to the boats, Felix turned back to you.
“You had something you wanted you to say to me? Better say it now before your whisked off.” He smirked, you forced one back.
“Learn from Hufflepuff Felix, patience”
Belle laughed “MC speaks the truth!”
Felix pouted at her but quickly turned back to you, waiting for you to talk. You realised you couldn’t tell him what you really wanted to say and quickly worked on something.
“I...I just wanted to tell you - well, to thank you for being my Prefect. I’ve had another, but to me you’ll always be the best because you really helped me when I needed it, and if it wasn’t for you then I might not be who I am today.”
Nothing you said was a lie, you truly meant every word you said. Felix truly helped you, and you knew that without him, you wouldn’t be standing here, alive and well with your brother back.
“MC…” He looked at you in awe, surprised and just maybe a little bit touched as well, if you pride yourself so much. He smiled and gave a slight nod to you. “Thank you MC, and while you might have been the most troublemaker that I taught, I wouldn’t have changed it if I could go back. I’m proud of you,”
Your chest became warm and your heart fluttered, you know he doesn’t feel the same way about you, but your heart is taking those words that way, and you can’t stop it.
So you smiled at him, and said. “Thank you Felix.”
The bell rang again and you quickly picked yourself up, ignoring the wetness of your eyes and just hoping that they didn't fall in front of Felix, and Bella. “See you guys later! Send me an owl!” You wave behind you, not caring if they're waving back, and when you get on the boat you see that Rowan has saved a seat for you next to them, which you gracefully take.
“So,” Rowan looked at you with a worried face. “How did it go?”
You signed, your shoulders slumped as down as they could go. “I couldn’t. Turns out he has a girlfriend who he moved in with last year.”
“Oh MC, I’m so sorry,” Rowan put an arm around your shoulder for comfort and your grateful for it, it kept you stay up and stable as the boat went with the small waves.
“It’s ok,” You tell them, and it will be, maybe not for a while, but in the end you will be ok, and you can look back at this moment and see how far you have come.
But for now, when you slept in your bed at your parents house that night, you allowed yourself to cry, and when the morning comes, you’ll face the day stronger.