Contemplation {Lizzie}

[Lizzie Weasley]

Elizabeth began to wonder just how many students stayed behind. Sadly, she thought of student who might not have parents, or living relatives. Being pretty much alone for weeks seemed sad. She shook that away as Blair mentioned what he did. A couple weeks of no classes and free time, without family, sounded intriguing. Although Lizzie couldn't imagine a holiday without her family, there was always room to try something new.

It was all just a matter of getting her parents permission. Her father, Percy, was strict when it came to family gatherings. They all had to be there for Christmas. Lizzie knew she was smart. If she thought out a logical sounding excuse, he might just let her stay. Only, that would require lying to her father. That sounded obscure in her head. She'd never lied to either of her parents since she was five. The thought of doing it now seemed almost like treason. However, teenagers usually lied to their parents. If anything, her parents might make Cooper stay behind with her, to "watch her" since Professors apparently couldn't. Lizzie hoped that wouldn't be the case. Otherwise her time with Blair might be cut down. That was something Lizzie found herself wishing wouldn't happened. She smiled, finally deciding that she would stay at Hogwarts for the holidays. Elizabeth wouldn't' say anything to Blair until she got the green light from her parents first. She did not want to hurt his feelings at all. That would only ruin her holidays, which were looking pretty bright at the moment.

She felt, however, that her heart wouldn't be able to hold in the happiness of the idea of staying at Hogwarts. "If my parents will allow me to, I think I will stay here for the holidays," she said quietly. She hadn't meant to but, was unable to not say anything. Lizzie looked at Blair and smiled shyly.

Lizzie mind began to wonder what they would do once alone together. She briefly remembered the kiss she imagined before. Quickly, she shook that thought away. Maybe they would just plainly sit in a quiet room, talk, or read together. Lizzie was sure their relationship would flourish with that time alone. That thought only caused the young Ravenclaw to blush slightly, and advert her eyes to the ground. The promise she made to herself - the one about no more boyfriends - seemed like a distant memory. Lizzie had intended on seeing that promise through for the next three years but, Blair had changed that within one evening.

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[Blair Snape]

A very slight rustling sound off in the distance caught Blair's attention momentarily. Had his thoughts been any more adamant, the observant boy would have missed the barely audible signal that something was stirring in one of the distant trees. While some might have thought it to be the leaves quivering ever so slightly because of a gentle breeze, Snape knew better. There wasn't enough air flow to force those tree leaves to make that much noise. Rather, he guessed it was some bird or small creature which had been aroused by either the sound of their voices or else some other creature disturbing its resting space. Letting his dark eyes scan the few trees which bordered the school boundaries, the Gryffindor noted how silent things had become and simply dismissed the sounds. Now, however, he was sure that he'd be more vigilant. If the creature stirred again, he would hopefully catch sight of where it was located. After all, just because something is small and seemed harmless didn't mean it actually is harmless...and he wouldn't allow any harm to come to Elizabeth Weasley.

As the Ravenclaw girl entered his mind again, the dark haired boy couldn't keep from feeling slightly more nervous. It was not that he didn't feel comfortable around her. In fact, he hadn't found himself so drawn to another living being quite the way he had toward Lizzie. Even his bond with Chiron and Thetis could not compare to what he felt whenever he was around the Weasley girl. The problem was more that he had a need to ensure that nothing happened to her. His own well-being was something he rarely thought about. Blair could wander in the forbidden forest in the dark of night without a second thought about what deadly beings were lurking in the shadows just beyond the light of his wand or about what said creatures would do to him in less than a heartbeat. With Lilith, his darling younger sister, he felt a need to protect her but this felt different. Blair was sure that he could give his life in order to protect Lilith or Ellis. He was even more positive that he would gladly sacrifice his own life to protect Elizabeth...even if she didn't want him to. It was an odd thing to consider after only knowing her for such a short time but it further enforced the fact that he was completely enthralled with the beautiful, clever Ravenclaw.

Her soft, heavenly voice broke him from his careful contemplations and brought Snape back to his senses once more. Glancing sideways at her delicately featured face, he let his dark eyes take in each contour and intricate detail. She seemed...happy? As he looked back to the pathway in front of them, Blair let her words register in his mind. Never in his entire life had he wanted to shout with glee or do any of those other silly things that boys did when they were filled with a sense of excitement, joy or victory. He had never even let his elation show save for a small smile whenever he felt it was necessary. The revelation that Elizabeth Weasley, his Lizzie, wanted to and would possibly be staying at Hogwarts over holiday forced a big, silly smile to form on his lips. Even as he continued to walk slowly and stare down at his black shoes, the Snape boy couldn't hide how overjoyed he was at just knowing she might be there while most of the students were away.

Blair was suddenly struck with the urge to ask Lizzie whether she would see him again if, of course, she did get permission to stay. A hot, tingling feeling raced down his throat and nearly caused him to choke on the invisible words which hadn't even entered his mouth. Bringing his free hand up to his lips, Snape coughed very lightly into it to relieve the uncomfortable sensation. As he swallowed rather hard, the Gryffindor let his hand fall loosely at his side once more and he blinked his eyes. "I - if you..." started Blair nervously but words seemed to fail him as his hazy, dark orbs fell upon her angelic face once more. Oh how he wanted to tell her that he hoped to see her again, to spend time with her, if she did stay! Still, the simple task of speaking evaded him.

It made no sense whatsoever to the Gryffindor why he'd become so quiet and unnerved. Elizabeth had, quite clearly, stated that she returned his affections, had she not? She was still there; walking beside him with her hand upon his arm. He could not fathom how this one girl could make him feel completely comfortable and yet so incredibly nervous at the same time. Blinking his eyes, Snape inhaled slowly and deeply. The cool evening air filled his lungs and the dark of his eyelids helped relax the nervous wreck which was Blair Snape. As his eyes opened once more, he let out his breath and carefully said, in just over a whisper, "If you are permitted to stay, do you think it might be plausible for us to see each other again?" For as confident as the sentence had flowed from his mouth, he felt the complete opposite on the inside. It wasn't as though this had been a date nor their next meeting would be but something within him had brought the idea to the front of his mind and made him incredibly tense.

[Lizzie Weasley]

Elizabeth watched Blair curiously. It was obvious that he was nervous - indicated by his trouble speaking. It made Lizzie smile. It made her hear stop for a brief second. Liz looked away from him, as he appeared to be regaining his composure. She tried in vain to think of what he might ask. Would he want to be with her if she stay at Hogwarts for the Holidays?

Of course, after thinking that - a million different other questions came to mind. What would they do? What would they talk about? Oh, his silence was getting to be most unbearable for Lizzie. She looked at him again with big bright eyes. Part of her told her was rejecting her but, that was quickly put out. Lizzie knew that it just wasn't possible. He was the one that said he liked her, and he was the one sort of asking if she could stay at Hogwarts. There was no reason to even think for the smallest second that there would be any sort of rejection. The only reason she had thought of it was because she was growing nervous, and knew her fragile heart couldn't handle any sort of rejection.

Lizzie smiled and nodded with Blair finally got the question out. If felt like it took him hours to stay it. Almost immediately, without thinking Lizzie said, "Of course it would, you would be the whole reason why I stay." After her brain caught up with her mouth, Lizzie froze. She couldn't believe she had just said the latter part of her sentence out loud. She had only meant to think it, not say. She slightly frowned, and mentally cursed herself. Lizzie was one to always think before she spoke. She couldn't understand why she didn't think about it this time. She felt like a complete idiot just spilling out her words.

Lizzie softly bite her lip, blushed, and looked to the ground. She began to panic. What would her companion think of her now? It wasn't a horrible thing to say but, maybe too much? How would he react? Lizzie closed her eyes whispered more to herself then Blair, "I can't believe I just said that out loud." Curse emotions and the actions humans do when they feel them! Lizzie nervously pushed hair behind her ear with her free hand, waiting in dread for Blair's response.

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[Blair Snape]

A smile and nod to the affirmative were nothing compared to the very unexpected words which left the sweet lips of his lovely Ravenclaw. Blair could almost swear that his heart was going to beat out of his chest as an overwhelming sense of joy flooded his entire being. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could have made him more happy than hearing Elizabeth Weasley admit that he was her reason for staying at Hogwarts over winter holiday. The words played over in his mind and only made the cheesy grin on his thin lips spread even further across his face. Never once in Blair's life had he shown so much of the emotion which he was feeling. Always, he kept things restricted and invisible to the rest of the world. Even his own siblings hardly knew the extent of what Blair was feeling or what he was feeling at all. Lizzie was different. She constantly stirred some sensation deep within him that made the Gryffindor yearn to bear his very soul to her.

It had taken only a moment or two for him to realize that they had, once more, stopped but it had not been by his doing this time. Letting his dark, glittering eyes linger on her face, Snape observed Elizabeth as her perfect lips betrayed her. She had not looked nearly as content as she did the last time his gaze fell upon her flawless features. If it had not been for the uncomfortable feelings which had overtaken the Gryffindor boy at least twice earlier, Blair might have felt his stomach lurch and his heart stop dead in his chest. As it was, he knew what had happened to cause his beauty to freeze on the spot and to appear less than joyous on such a perfect night as this one. He understood and he felt the need to reassure her.

As his companion closed her eyes and whispered something softly to herself, Snape temporarily forgot what he'd previously been thinking. Instead, he was suddenly filled with an almost overwhelming urge. It bit violently against his better judgement and pushed him to think of things which he had refused to consider from the start. Resisting the burning desire, Blair forced himself to reason out the situation and a plausible response. He could tell her that she didn't need to be upset with herself for what she'd said but that hadn't sounded good enough in his mind. What can I possibly say?!

"I hope, more than anything, that you are permitted to stay," said Blair softly, offering a warm and reassuring smile. Even though she had admitted that she'd harboured mutual feelings toward the Gryffindor, Snape still found something more pleasing in knowing the depth of her affection. It gave him an added hint of courage which he had struggled to muster each time he admitted that he fancied her or asked her to see him. He still had the good sense to be a proper gentleman, as she deserved nothing less, but he hadn't hesitated even a second in shifting his cloak to rest over his shoulder so that he could place his free hand atop hers. Just as he'd expected, her hand was so very soft, smooth and warm beneath his thin fingers.

[Lizzie Weasley]

Lizzie's breath became shaky. She tightly pressed her lips together, attempting to gather her usual composure. It wasn't like her to get so nervous, much less blurt out things. Elizabeth breathed deeply, forcing herself to steady her breath. There was no real reason to get so worked up. Lizzie had just spoken from her heart. Her mother always said that was never a bad thing, however, she failed to explain how it would feel. Having calmed herself the best she could, Lizzie forced herself to look up, to meet Blair's eyes once more.

Lizzie studied the young Gryffindor's face for her answer. He was still here, in front of her, looking upon her in such a way no one ever had before. The grin on his face gave it completely away. Lizzie didn't notice that, instead she was studying his eyes. The sudden appearance of great joyed filled his once dark and mysterious orbs. She couldn't explain what she saw in them, but whatever it was it made her feel ten times better in a matter of a few seconds. She no longer regretted her uttered words. It confirmed that there definitely was something between them, and it could no longer be ignored by either of them.

A fleeting smile spread across Elizabeth's soft face at Blair's reassurance. His words made her feel twenty times better. A huge weight was lifted from her chest, and she felt like she could breath again. The thought loomed in the back of her mind just how she would convince her parents to allow her stay. Oh how she hoped, with ever fiber of her being, that her parents would allow her to stay - even it was just once. At this point, she didn't even care if she had to lie to them - though that fact alone bothered her. Lizzie was just going to force her ever present conscience to come to terms with it. Percy and Aubry didn't need to know the real motive behind her wishes, for she was positive they wouldn't approve - at least, not Percy - or Cooper. Still, it didn't matter what they thought anymore. All that mattered was what she thought and what Blair thought. They just have to let me stay, I'd be in desperate anguish if they didn't, she thought.

Lizzie was about to reply when she felt the gentle touch of his head. Her voice caught in the throat, and no sound escaped her lips. She tried her best to prevent any further blushing but, her cheeks defied her. Lizzie felt them steadily grow warmer, which only could mean they were glowing brighter as every second past. Again, her imagination ran from her, and she envisioned the kiss she had thought of earlier. It was no longer a matter of if it would happen but, when. Elizabeth blinked that image away and the mounds of emotion that came with it.

"Have you ever read Shakespeare, Blair?" Lizzie felt that there needed to be some exchange of words. Shakespeare it what came to the young Ravenclaw's mind first. She had read his work a thousand times over. Each time it left her loving it more than the very first time she had ever found and read anything written by the famous muggle writer. His works had such a depth to them that left Lizzie enchanted, and wondering. Many found it too hard to decipher meaning from his choice of words. It took Lizzie about three or four reads of each piece to get everything. Each time she read Hamlet, or Romeo and Juliet, she found more meaning in their tales of life, love, and death.

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