Advanced Wizardry

Chapter four Confessions

Nita angrily flopped onto her bed. She intended to brood on how enraged she was with Kit for being so protective, however, the more she thought about it she realised that she was more flattered than furious. Is Sapphire right? If she isn't then my friendship with Kit can remain the same as it has always been, but if it's true... Nita's thoughts trailed off. She had never speculated what it would be like to develop a more intimate relationship with Kit, lest it endanger their partnership, or worse, their friendship. Nita absently picked up her manual for the first time since she had come to Hogwarts. She flipped to Kit's name and was surprised that it read On Active Status. She turned to her own name and it proclaimed the same. So we're here for a reason. I wonder if Kit knows.

She was about to send him a message in the manual when there was a knock on the door. Any of her roommates could have simply walked in. Curiously, she opened the door and framed in the doorway was a redhead with clever grey eyes that was holding a laptop with spindly legs: Nita's thirteen-year-old sister, Dairine.

"What in the worlds are you doing here?!" Nita cried in amazement and slight irritation.

"Ponch ran to our house and said that you and Kit did a spell that 'smelled messed up,' so I used a tracking spell to find you," responded Dairine serenely.

"But there's no way to get back home; we've gone back in time!" exclaimed Nita and, against her will, she began to weep. Dairine put Spot, her faithful laptop, down and hugged her sister tightly. "We can't stay here," Nita bleakly continued. "Dad'll be all alone."

Nita's right, but I should just try to lift her spirits and we can talk about the serious stuff later. Once Nita stopped sobbing Dairine said, "Now cheer up because the second hottest guy I have ever seen is downstairs and he wants to speak to you."

Nita smirked. "Who's the first?"

Dairine hesitated. "Raushon is...was..."

Nita patted Dairine's back reassuringly. "He's in Timeheart. He's happy."

"I know, so I'll see him again someday."

"No, you won't."

"What?"

Grinning provocatively, Nita stated, "Timeheart is for good people."

Dairine rolled her eyes. "Just go downstairs."

Nita walked down the girls' staircase and saw Sirius casually leaning against the wall at the bottom. Her mouth went dry. Is he going to ask me out now?

Sirius smiled his heart-melting smile. "Nita, you look more beautiful every time I see you."

She cleared her dry throat. "Er, thank you."

"Anyway, I was wondering if I could have the honour of taking you on a date," he said without any trace of nervousness whatsoever.

Kit would not like it if I went...Wow Sirius is hot! - Focus Nita!..If I reject him I'll probably wonder what would have happened if I accepted. "Sure," replied Nita at last.

Sirius did not seem perturbed by her delayed response. "Good. How about tomorrow after dinner?"

"OK," she agreed.

"See you later then," stated Sirius, and he strode off purposefully.

"He must have been pretty desperate to ask you out," teased Dairine, coming down the steps.

Nita sat down in the nearest vacant seat. She remarked slowly, "It bothers me."

"What? Me insulting you?" asked Dairine. "'Cause that's never gonna change."

She shook her head. "No. It was like Sirius expected me to say 'yes.' As if no girl, including me, could possibly resist him."

Dairine shrugged. "There's nothing wrong with confidence." She thought carefully. "You know, Kit can be overly-confident, and that never bothers you."

"That's different," protested Nita.

Dairine raised an eyebrow. "How?"

The runt makes a good point. How is it different? Nita wondered. Because it's Kit, and he's special to you, answered a small voice in the back of her mind, though she chose to ignore it. "It doesn't matter because I'm going out with Sirius tomorrow anyway."

"Do whatever you want, but you are making a mistake," Dairine warned wisely and went to explore the mysterious castle with Spot tucked underneath her arm, leaving her sister to her thoughts.

Dairine wandered around somewhat aimlessly until she discovered Kit sitting alone in what appeared to be an unused classroom. "Hey, Kit," she greeted, seating herself next to him atop a dusty desk.

"Dairine!" he exclaimed in surprise.

"That's my name. Don't wear it out," Dairine replied, smirking at his shock.

"How'd you know we were here?" inquired Kit.

"Ponch," responded Dairine simply. "But that's unimportant at the moment; Nita is going out with Sirius tomorrow."

"I figured she would," he answered glumly.

"Aren't you gonna stop her?" Dairine impatiently questioned. "I know you care for her more than just a friend."

Kit considered it. "You know what, Dairine? You are absolutely right. I'll be dammed if I lose the girl I love to some self-centered wizard that would be in his thirties in our time."

Dairine smiled approvingly.

***

At the end of dinner the next evening Sirius went up to Nita and offered her his arm. "Shall we?" he smoothly suggested.

Nita looked over at Kit, who was scowling at her and Sirius. She glared back defiantly and accepted Sirius' arm. "Of course," she responded.

They walked out of the Great Hall and onto the grounds where Sirius led Nita to some sort of deserted stadium with three tall hoops at each end.

"I'll be right back," he told her. "I'm going to get us both brooms and teach you how to fly." Nita smiled at the thought and Sirius grinned back as he left.

With nothing else to do, Nita climbed the rows of seats until she reached the top of the stadium and gazed over the edge to watch two figures stroll away from the lake. She was able to discern that the duo was Remus and Sapphire since Sapphire's shiny golden locks were recognisable a mile away. They were walking towards a tree with flailing branches, but they were immersed in conversation and did not realise the hazard.

Suddenly, one of the branches zoomed through the air and would have crashed into Sapphire's skull if Remus had not pulled her swiftly to the ground. They both scrambled to their feet and darted out of the tree's reach. The tree stilled and all was quiet. As a result, Nita heard the next few comments that they said even though they were several yards away,

"Remmy, thank you! I could've gotten a concussion or worse," murmured Sapphire, glancing fearfully at the tree, which now looked docile and innocent.

"I'd never let anyone or anything harm you," Remus sincerely replied, pulling Sapphire close to him.

Sapphire stared into his eyes. "I know you wouldn't." She kissed him tenderly. "I love you."

"And I love you, my precious gem," said Remus softly as he gave her a sweet, gentle kiss in return.

Nita never wanted to be that hopelessly romantic, however, she did wish to fall in love. I could not ever have that type of relationship with Sirius, but Kit...We always protect each other and I could not imagine life without him. It was then that Nita realised the truth.

She ran out of the stadium, across the grounds, and back into the castle. She saw Kit coming toward her.

"I was just going to look for you," Nita and Kit said to one another at the same moment.

"Listen, Kit, I, uh, do not really know how to say this, but, um..." Nita attempted to say; yet the words simply could not come out.

"By the Powers that Be, Neets, what are you trying to say?" asked Kit irritably.

Without warning, Nita shouted, "Dammit, I love you!"

Kit appeared shocked at first, but then he picked her up mirthfully and spun her around while kissing her with passion.

She kissed back relishing the taste of his lips as she heard his thought, I love you, too.

Kit felt his mind merge with Nita's and was unsurprised that it was his favourite colour.

"Ahem," Sirius cleared his throat and Kit and Nita abruptly pulled apart.