He was very selfish, just taking what he wanted though it wasn't everything he wanted... but it was a start. Just feeling her warmth and her hands on his chest again were enough to make him almost forget theirher drama, but some of the feelings still lingered. Seriously, had he done something wrong? The fact that she wasn't making HIM apologise meant that he couldn't really be at fault, if at all, then just a little. At least, that's what he hoped.

Feeling her pull away - even if only slightly, Zeke's arms tensed around Maggie. He wasn't ready to let go, but as she didn't fight it and so he relaxed again.

...

What Paige said... yes Maggie, yes! What about what Paige said?!

Zeke nodded slowly, encouraging her to form the words he wanted to hear. In truth though, he wasn't confident that it was something he would enjoy hearing, but it was preferred that over his current state of confusion.

What she'd said about them... was...???

Zeke held his breath, his gaze on her lips as she formed the word 'serious'. Too serious? Wait. Was that... it? The fifth year blinked a little, recalling Paige asking if they were getting married. Marriage was the furthest thing from his mind and he didn't intend for that to change any time soon. But was that it? That was what has upset her so much? "It was too serious," he agreed, actually forming a smile now - but that wasn't the extent of it. His smile quickly grew into a grin and before he could stop himself a small chuckle left his lips. "I'm... I'm sorry," he said as he regained his composure. He wasn't laughing AT her, he was laughing WITH her, mmhhmm. "But we are only fifteen." Those were her own words, did she remember?

He didn't understand.

That much was obvious by the fact that he SMILED after her words. And then that chuckle that followed definitely made her face fall slightly. Maggie frowned, then looked plain sad for a second. Seriously, he didn't get it. And it would be SO SO easy to just go with it. To just say that she'd overreacted or something. Agree that her reaction had been ridiculous and then they could go back inside (or wherever) and go back to being them.

..........she wanted him to get it though.

"Zeke." The fact that he was laughing was seriously not helping but she was trying her best to ignore it so she could get this over with. She'd had some time to really think about it and now she thought she'd pinpointed just exactly what it was that had been bothering her about Paige's words. "I..." She swallowed. Last chance to just drop it? "I want that...what Paige said. The light, the...I don't know, the idea of marriage, of like, staying together forever, you know." Yes? Was he following? "I don't think her mentioning it would have bothered me so much if I'd, you know, ever thought about that kind of thing before." She bit her lip and gave him a long look.

"I don't...see that." Did he get what she was saying?

Also crying would be very bad timing right now, right? Mhm.

It was EASY if that was the problem, like, she didn't need to listen to ANYTHING Paige said about their relationship. It was thier relationship, they set the terms, not anyone else. Unfortunately, it seemed that Maggie didn't agree.

....

.......

.....

Whiplash. He had whiplash.

His smile began to falter as SHE began to look utterly miserable. What even? And now he was just all confused again. Happy, confused, anxious, worried, relieved, confused, frustrated, happy, confused. That was him. His day in a nutshell. "Maggie?" he questioned after she said his name, which sounded almost as if he was being berated. The only way it could have hurt more is if she had used his full name, like the way his mum did when she was 'disappointed'. Feeling like a scolded puppy, he curled his fingers into her robes, concern already evident on his brows.

It wasn't all bad?

She wanted those things? THAT WORKED! THAT WAS OKAY! Again, he felt the slightest bit more relieved - but not entriely, he could work with this though!!!!

"Hey hey heeyyyyyy," he attempted to soothe, tugging her a little closer by the robes. "That's the thing though, it's not something we need to think about yet, but... we can, I want that." He was never against the idea, just, didn't see the point in going there NOW. But why she still looked upset by it all was beyond him.

...

And then she said that.

She. Didn't. See. That.

No matter which way he put those four words in his head, it all resulted in the same interpretation, and it reminded him of the tone she had used in the carriage. Dropping his hands from her side, Zeke took a step backward, hoping that the distance would give him a different perspective of the whole situation. But it didn't. What was worse was the fact that he loved her, he had the eye sparkle, he wanted more... but then, all he could think was, she didn't.

Zeke was speechless, a lump had formed in his throat. After all the times that they had joked about his persuasiveness, he wished he had it now. Was she... not happy? Did she not enjoy their time together like he did? Was it ...

"I love you," he said a little defiantly, stepping toward her again. He had no intention of elaborating on that declaration and she'd heard it before, it was as clear as day. What he did do, was show her what he meant by taking her face in both hands and kissing her firmly.

after a few moment, Raven decided to find a seat from himself in his own tables but yest he still watching Jessie, the girl that capture his attention..

he watched the change in Jessie's expression, somehow when he saw the girl only stared down to her shoes, he felt guilty..

why with the envy? why with the jealously? to think about it, the sixth year is Dot his own dorm prefect, whats wrong with that? maybe Dot only want top cheer Jessie for being nervous, Raven think, he might have to thanked Dot for cheering the girl..

After a while, after seeing the first year getting sorted, he decided to say apologize to Jessie later, he wanted to make the girl to smile again



aaaaaand not to forgetting to thanked Dot.. hopefully Raven didnt forget to do so.. here she is.. getting back to the table.. Seem Raven need to came approach her and said thank you to her..

"hey, Dot" he's smiled, he try hard not to look nervous or weird, he is so often kept wandering around inside his own thought, sometimes made people felt they were being stared.. he will makes sure this time he didn't do that, both to Jessie and Dot.. well.. no one is like to be stared, especially when the one staring has a cold, death glare like him

.... Dear Merlin, wish me luck he try to calm down as he try to thanked Dot for cheering Jessie..

Apparently he STILL didn't get what she was saying. Maggie was trying to think of a way to put it when-

He did get it.

Definitely.

Yes.

And then he was gone. Well, not entirely but there was no physical contact between them anymore. Maggie shivered, suddenly feeling cold. As much as she was trying to prevent it there WERE tears running down her cheeks now. Big time. She somehow managed to cry silently though, biting her lip. Protecting his feelings had kind of been her number one priority during this whole ordeal but it seemed like she wasn't doing a very good job.

Maybe ignorance WAS bliss, even in this case.

It was too late now though. The words were out and Zeke looked as if she'd slapped him. Worse even. Maggie opened her mouth to say something to make the pain go away but there was literally nothing TO say. Right? She'd done the right thing here, right? Like, honesty and all that. Only why did she feel like she'd just made the worst mistake in her entire life?

Maggie hadn't moved, it felt like she was rooted to the spot. Was this it then? Yes, he loved her. That was the problem though right? Only then he......stepped closer again. And her heart – selfishly – skipped a beat when he did. She wanted him to convince her somehow that she was doing the wrong thing here. That selfless acts were for the weak. Or whatever. Her brain wasn't exactly working very well at the moment. She was hoping for him to persuade her to-

.....this was a good start.

Pulling him closer she – SELFISHLY – kissed him back. Hard. The wetness on her cheeks was definitely a new experience (not exactly a good one) but she didn't care at the moment. If they never stopped then they could just stay in this moment forever, yes? Yes, that was a very good plan.

Only breathing was also a thing. And eventually Maggie did pull back a little to look at him. "I-" Words. She needed to use them. "I just don't...plan ahead with you." She'd meant it as an explanation as to why they apparently didn't work. Only now that she'd said it out loud she....wasn't sure anymore? Suddenly, she looked a little confused. "And I think that's not good." She sniffed slightly. "Because like, I plan out everything." She knew what she was going to wear every day for the following two weeks.

Her sorting time has done. He got the red one. Gryffindor.She`s a Lion now. after put the sorting hat on the stool,she joined the crowded in the table which is surrounded with red and gold colors. Not forgetting to flashed a small gratitude smile to the prefect of Slytherin, Dot.

She tried to not made a eye contact with Raven.Jessie take a seat near another first year girl. She smiled to her and suddenly another girl greeted her and gave her hand to shake.She told Jessie as a second year Ava.

Jessie talked with them excitedly about her idol, Oliver Wood, after once again her eyes made an eye contact with Raven, before that boy turned his blue eyes.

Breathed heavily, Jessie looked around her table. Everyone seemed busy with another first year who joined in Gryffindor table. When everyone still busy with the new boy, Jessie sneaked out from her Gryffindor table secretly....

Pulling away from her was probably not his wisest decision, like, ever... but it had to be done. Being close to her was what he wanted, all he wanted but not if she didn't want it too, and right now there were too many unanswered questions. She didn't see a future with him, that much was clear, but it didn't necessarily mean that she didn't care. The tears rolling down her cheeks told him that to some extent, she did. Or maybe it was just the idea of it all that got to her? It was too hard to tell, but he could hope.

Whatever it was though, he still felt as confused as he did before, only saddened at the same time.

One thing he didn't regret, was kissing her. Never, would he regret that. Feeling her lips work back against his made him feel hopeful, as if it was enough to make everything right again. So they could head out to the court yard to where it first happened, or squirrel away somewhere else so they could forget the rest of the world existed... like they had before. Their own forever. Wasn't that forward planning enough?

He had no intentions of stopping until he was convinced that he'd made amends, that he made up for whatever it was that was lacking...but then she pulled away.

Zeke could do nothing but watch her as she spoke, each word felt like a stinging hex in the chest. Little pangs of pain that lingered and tingled. Whoever said that words couldn't hurt, was an absolute idiot and deserved to be hexed into whatever sad excuse of an afterlife existed for them. In an effort to keep himself busy, he raised a hand to wipe away some of Maggie's tears with the pad of his thumb. He opened his mouth to speak, but wasn't sure how to reply to her. He had no nuggets of wisdom to share on this occasion. No witty quotes or explanations, no facts, no figures... and for the first time since his Sorting Ceremony he was disappointed he wasn't a Ravenclaw. "Is it too late to start?"

But as much as it hurt him to hear these things it hurt him more to see Maggie hurting, and it was the very thought of ending those tears that made him ask his next, and potentially last question.

"Do you want me to go?" His voice shook a little as he said it, and immediately he wished he could take it back.

Maggie was trying to calm down enough to think straight. Like. What? That was the problem, right? That she hadn't even considered that they could still be together next year. Or the year after. Or after Hogwarts. It hadn't even occurred to her. At least not knowingly. There was nothing about it in her journal. Which should be enough proof that she was doing the right thing here.

Only.....................................why did she feel like her chest was about to implode, then?

When Zeke reached out to touch her cheek, she swallowed and averted her gaze down to his shoes. She was trying to work through everything at once, and while the tears still kept coming, Maggie looked as if she'd zoned out there for a moment. When in fact it was the opposite. This didn't really make any sense. Only a few minutes ago it had. Even earlier it definitely had made sense. The spark, Paige's questions, it had made sense for Maggie to be upset.

Because she hadn't considered it.

It took her a moment to realize that Zeke had said something. Was it too late to start what? Planning? Was he suggesting they start planning their future together? That was ridiculous. Kind of. "I'm not saying we need to have everything planned out to...work out." Actually the problem went way beyond that. "I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you." Which was a somewhat strange way of putting it but Maggie didn't realize it at the time. No, like, she had things to say. "Like, that comes after. We're still in school. Those things don't happen in school. That's why I never thought about it like that. This is different." If Zeke was able to follow that thought process he was a genius.

And....go? "No." Maggie quickly took his hand, ready to stop him if he tried. He wasn't allowed to leave.

Not before they'd talked this through at least.

Tears... they needed to stop... he couldn't handle them. He didn't know what to do. Each time he wiped one away, another appeared and all he wanted to do was hold her so tight that it might stem the flow. He didn't though, because he didn't think it would be conducive to their discussion. They needed to reach some sort of resolution.

For a second he thought he achieved something, that she was getting to that stage where her tears would properly dry up, and though her vacant expression wasn't the one he wanted to see, it was a vast improvement. The pain in his chest continued to throb as she appeared to be processing what he'd said, and her response was eagerly awaited. Naturally, he didn't see the issue with not having planned things, or thought of planning things. He was a Gryffindor and flew by the seat of his pants on most days, but that was how he liked to live. In the moment. He did want to have more moments though, in whatever form they took.

Either way, he nodded his understanding to her initial point. Working out. He didn't think they were not working out, so again, he was going along with things for her benefit.

...

...

But the her words kept coming, and being the firm supporter of semantics as he was one phrase she said stayed with him. She wasn't supposed to fall in love with him.

Whatever came after, whatever about school... nothing else she said mattered, because she'd said the best thing of all.

His expression softened and some colour returned to his cheeks, the pain he felt seemed to ease.. though a swelling sensation replaced it - almost as if he had a balloon locked somewhere between his lungs. And it was growing... and growing... making him feel lighter.

Maggie's 'no' was all he needed, the way she grabbed his hand was just a bonus. He squeezed it gently before interlocking their fingers. He was momentarily lost for words, and all he could do was stare at her face, her eyes, her lips. The tears left a dewiness to her skin that made her glow. "Maggie..." he started but couldn't finish his sentence. What if he was wrong?

.........what?

It was only after she was done talking that her eyes properly focused on Zeke's face again. Up until then they'd been sort of vacant, her brain completely set on getting all the words out. Now that she was finished though she was curious to see his reaction to her words. Would he agree? Disagree? She had changed her mind about her plans (regarding boyfriends and stuff) before so maybe if he said the right thing (like Dima had back then) Maggie would see it his way.

Only it seemed that he wasn't going to say anything.

On top of that he had a very strange look on his face. One that she hadn't expected at all. He was...he looked...relieved? At least he didn't look as upset as he had a moment ago. And the way he'd just laced their fingers together only supported that assumption. What? Maggie glanced down at their hands, then back at his face. What? What had she said?

Her brow furrowed, Maggie considered him, watched him closely, searched his eyes for something that would tell her just what had just happened. When he said her name she mentally willed him to go on, even squeezing his hand lightly. What? And because he apparently wasn't going to finish his sentence she asked the question that was going on round and round in her head out loud.

"What?"

He had her attention.

Zeke smiled, inhaling and exhaling a small breath as he tested out his inflated-lung thing he had going on.

"Maggie... you just said it," he said before he could really think. Like, how was he supposed to broach this? Or would it just freak her out like Paige's marriage question had? Did it matter? He could probably survive another freak out if it meant she'd come to her senses. "You weren't supposed to fall in love with me."

Did she see? Did she hear?

Did it all make sense to her now? Because he LIKED, no no... he LOVED the sense it was making.

"You love me," he clarified, unable to keep himself from grinning smugly. While he was most certainly feeling as if he'd conquered a dragon all on his own and bare-handed, he was still a little nervous and so he tried to swallow the feeling away.

While Raven having a difficulty of hiding his clumsiness in front of his Prefect Dot, he stole a little peek to the new Lion House student, the Gryffindor girl Jessie.. He turned his face as he's noticing the girl also looking at him..

for Raven this is will be a new exciting term for him, he watched the whole Great Hall, he notice Jessie blend very well with the other student in her House..

he look back to Dot just for a moment.. he turn again to see Jessie, she wasn't there.. not on her house table

... where did she went? he tried to look around while still standing in front of Dot, he can see Dot is raising one of her eye brow and looking at him suspiciously.. he smiled to reduced the awkwardness but still it look goofy and silly..

he take another look to find Jessie, until he find a little silhouette approaching his table..

Smiling, he was smiling.

And Maggie was VERY VERY confused. Was this something to be happy about? Really? Had she missed something? Apparently. She blinked, trying to retrace her steps, figuratively speaking. What exactly had she just said? All she'd done was explain how what they were doing, what they had, didn't really work out with her grand scheme of things. With how she had planned that part of her life. With how she had expected things to happen.

They were in SCHOOL. School was mostly about like...preparing for actual adult life.

Her eyes a little wider than usual, Maggie stared at him when he finally formed a coherent sentence. Yes. She'd....said.....that.....wait. HAD she really said that? Yes. Yes she had. And hearing him repeat it back to her...well, that...was....something. "I...did say that." Semantics. Only now that she was actually thinking about what she'd said, she.....realized her actual problem.

Oh.

There. That was the actual issue.

Only, was it an issue really?

Maggie pressed her lips together, trying to process what had just happened. Seriously, how stupid was she? She needed Zeke to tell her. The grin on the Gryffindor's lips made her own twitch slightly. ".....I think I do." And with that she stepped closer and leaned her forehead against his chest. Ugh. That really wasn't supposed to happen. No no no no no no no no.

At the same time Maggie was smiling too though.

Hearing her acknowledge that she realised what she had said was a step in the right direction, there would be no arguing that point. What followed was not the immediate response of OMG I LOVE YOU ZEKE that he had hoped for, but it was just as good. Just as good and maybe even better, because it was in her own weird little way.

His eyes had searched hers between peering at her lips, and then there it was... confirmed.

Magdalena Natalie Traulton was in love with him.

Though really, she didn't need to say the 'I think' bit, it worked without it.

Arms open, he held her close, placing a kiss on the top of her head before resting his cheek there. "It only took you eight months to say it... that's progress." He was being cheeky now, but after climbing Everest and slaying dragons he had every right to savour this victory. It was his best yet.

.......what.......even.......?

???

Maggie groaned slightly against his chest. Quietly. To make sure nobody else heard. It wasn't exactly a very lady-like sound to make. But it perfectly summed up the turmoil of emotions currently coursing through her body. How had this happened? Also when? And why? And how had she not realized it? It had completely taken her by surprise just now. Of course she'd known she cared about Zeke – duh! – but apparently not the extent of how MUCH.

Well then.

His words owned him a soft push against his chest with both hands. Not hard enough for him to actually let go of her or anything of course. "Shut up. This is serious." Maggie looked back up then, meeting his gaze. Once again she pressed her lips together but couldn't quite stop the grin from spreading across her lips. So, well, that had happened then.

"Don't look so smug." Only she kind of found it very amusing.

What began as the worst way to start the school year very quickly became the best way, and even Maggie grumbling and groaning into his chest couldn't change that. She could try to fight it if she wanted, but he knew now, that she LOVED him and he would be only too happy to remind her of that fact.

...

The shoving was cute too, was she aware? He was totally digging it. "I know," he replied sincerely, noting the grin she was trying to suppress. It was hard though, wasn't it? When one was so HAPPY and LOVED up. And he could totally vouch for it being serious business, because it was. "I seriously love you." But okay, really, he should quit while he was ahead because as much as he would deny it in conversation, there was an actual limit to his cuteness.

How she could bring herself to ask him to remove his smugness was something else though, because HOW was that possible? Neverthless, he cleared his throat and attempted to fix a casual expression to his face. Very casually smug.

He knew that this was serious. Good because really they-

"Zeke." Maggie ROLLED her eyes at him but also kind of sort of had to laugh too. She couldn't help it. He was being ridiculous and she liked it. Still, that didn't mean he could get away with it. "I'm serious!" Okay, maybe she needed a new word. Yes. Definitely. For now she just lightly slapped his chest, though. Ruuuuuuude boyfriend wasn't taking her seriously.

Ridiculous was most definitely the word she would have used to describe him right now. But he at least tried not to look so smug. Sort of. Probably. Not really. "I don't even know why I like you." Especially not when he was being like this. Gosh. "Love you, I mean." She corrected herself – because she was sure HE would've done so anyway – and tried to appear casual about it.

This was totally cool. Mhm. The light blush on her cheeks was just...the lights. Mhm.

This was much better, even with the eye-rolling.

His grin grew as she laughed a little, even after using his name as a reprimand, she was welcome to it. Repeating that she was serious wasn't going to get her anywhere though. But as he was about to offer up another serious reply, she slapped his chest, and that was all that was needed to silence him for now. Cute, Maggie. Cute.

Zeke couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her remarks - pleased though that she corrected herself. "Not because of my charming personality and good looks?" he questioned as if it were obvious. Of course, there was a lot more to LOVE about him than just that. "You could always write a list, I'd be happy to help," he suggested. See, he was a helpful boyfriend, he was encouraging and supportive. Those were another three qualities she could note down.

Zeke, pls.

The look Maggie gave him clearly said that. PUH-LEASE. He was being ridiculous. Big time. So why were her lips curled into an amused smirk? She didn't know but right now she didn't care either. This was probably the weirdest way to start a school year ever.

And definitely NOT what she'd expected.

"Zeke? Shut up." She leaned up and caught his lips with her own before he had the chance to protest. Or go on about how awesome he was. This was starting to be too much about him somehow. Like, rude. His ego wasn't allowed to be bigger than her own. "Don't make me regret this." Maggie added with a small smirk, speaking against his lips.

Not that she, like, had any say in this really but you know.

No? She wasn't buying it? ... couldn't blame him for trying though, right?

Finding potentially the only serious bone in his body he opened his mouth to apologise when he was met with Maggie's demands to keep quiet. He didn't have any time to protest or make his apology when her lips met his... and he wasn't sorry for it. If she had to shut him up every day, he would be a happy man. Regrets were not a factor in this equation, and he said as much. "Never," he murmured against her lips.

If they were going to stay regret-free though, then this was perhaps not the best location for them and so he started tugging on her as he took a slow step backward, and another before pulling away altogether. As per her request, he was willing to keep quiet and so he gestured up the stairs with nothing more than a nod and a wink.