Surviving Love

Chapter Five

First Kisses and First Fight

Harry just couldn't stop smiling. It had been a month since his first date with Violet and they had already gone on two others. Things were progressing nicely between the two of them. Harry had never been happier. They had yet to kiss but Harry was sure that the perfect moment was just around the corner. Violet had taken to hanging out in the Gryffindor common room after classes and spending most of her free time with Harry. She helped him with his homework and then they would just sit around and talk. She got along great with his friends. Ron and Hermione thought the world of her. Violet had even gotten Draco to stop being such a prat. After that day when she had slapped him, he had come round and given Hermione a very pretty apology. So pretty in fact that she had slightly blushed before calmly accepting and sending him on his way. However, Malfoy seemed to hang around more often. Violet had a way of drawing people in and their group was slowly getting bigger. At that point in time, they were all hanging out by the lake, reading and relaxing. Ron's girlfriend, Lisa from Gryffindor, and he were cuddled up debating the latest Quidditch match, Hermione and Draco were arguing over the Potions essay, Marie, from Ravenclaw, and Blaise were debating over the latest happenings at the Ministry, Grace, from Gryffindor, was searching for four-leaf clovers and Violet was curled into Harry's side quietly reading a book. All in all Harry thought that his life was perfect. He smiled down at Violet when he heard her sniffling.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" She looked up at him and grinned bashfully.

"Nothing...it's just this book. He just confessed his love in the most beautiful way. I always get choked up at those parts."

"And that's important to you? How a man confesses his love, I mean. Does it have to be perfect, then?"

"No, not perfect. But he has to mean it. He could say it randomly out of the blue and it would still be romantic if he's sincere. That's all that really matters."

"Hey guys! I found one!" Grace's voice rang out as she bounded over. She promptly presented Violet with a four-leaf clover. "Here, it's good luck for you guys." Violet and Harry exchanged smiles and Violet took the clover.

"Thank you very much, Grace. I'll treasure it always." She pressed the clover between the pages of the book gently, before she slowly stood. She reached out a hand and Harry rose to clasp it within his own. He marveled at how small her hand was in his and in that moment he knew he would protect that small hand and its owner with everything he had. Emotion rose in him and he quickly suppressed it as to not cause a scene.

"Come on guys it's time for lunch and I for one am starving." At Violet's words, everyone stood and made their way back to the school. Upon entering the Great Hall, they all went to their respective house tables. After lunch Violet and Harry returned to Violet's private quarters. They had been sitting on the couch cuddling and talking for an hour when Harry looked down at Violet with a serious expression.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's just that...whenever I look into your eyes...I get the strangest rush of emotions that I can't even describe. It feels like I'm looking at the future and I can see myself staring into your eyes for the longest time. Does that make sense?"

"Yes. It makes perfect sense, because I feel it too," she whispered. Harry eyes locked with hers and he slowly leaned down. His lips hovered an inch above hers and he paused looking to her for permission. She sighed and closed her eyes, closing the last inch between them. Their lips met, just a brush of his against hers before it settled into something more, a tender kiss, their lips clinging, neither searching for dominance just feeling. Harry felt as if time ceased as he sank into the bliss of Violet's lips. He felt his heart race and could hear his heart beat in overtime and wondered if she could hear it too. After a few minutes she pulled back slowly and they both opened their eyes. She smiled and it went straight to his heart like a pulse of happiness that he had never felt before. He was just leaning in for another kiss when there was banging at the door.

"Come on you two! It's time for dinner!" Ron shouted.

"Coming!" they both replied. Harry grinned down at Violet before rising and taking her hand. Violet got up and they made their way to the portrait. It opened to reveal their group. Ron, grinned madly, his hand clasped in Lisa's.

"About time. We're starved."

"Well we're here now, Ron, so let's go eat." Violet exited the room with Harry close behind and they all went off to dinner.

Two months later as Violet and the Golden Trio were eating dinner; an owl flew in and landed in front of Violet. She took the letter, gave the owl a treat, and sent it on its way. She opened the letter and quickly read its contents. She sucked in a quick breath and set the letter down. Harry looked over and took her hand.

"Everything okay?" he asked concernedly. Violet glanced at him and smiled slightly.

"Yes. I just got a letter from the Ministry. I have to report back soon since everything here is fine. That's all."

"How soon is soon?"

"Tomorrow." Harry was stunned.

"Tomorrow? But that's too soon! We won't get to say goodbye or anything!"

"Harry, I'm sorry but I have to go. It's my job. You know that."

"Yeah but can't you just tell them you want to stay?"

"I can't do that. I have to go back and work. We knew that I couldn't stay here forever. But I'm sure that.."

"So what? You're just going to walk away as if none of this happened?! Was I just some stupid little fling for you? Some poor boy you could sucker into taking you out every now and then? I thought..." His words were cut off sharply by the resounding slap across his face that Violet administered. He stood there shocked into silence. Violet looked at him, a thin sheen of tears covering her eyes. He instantly felt ashamed of his outburst.

"If that's what you think of me then maybe it's best that I'm leaving. But I have to say that I thought we knew each other better. I guess not." She sighed heavily. "Goodbye Harry." And with that she turned and walked out of the door and his life. Harry was too stunned to say anything or go after her, so he slowly sank back down in his seat and watched her leave. He felt a tightening in his chest and realized that it was his heart, already hurting at her loss.