"I'm sorry I didn't know I was taking you away from homework Gid. We could have celebrated later." Holly put down the cup, concern touching her eyes.

"If you want we can study tonight for DADA. I've finished my essay on medicinal poisons for Herbology and the vanishing sickness for Madame Pomfry. I should probably review the last few chapters anyway after how fanatical Evercrest is being about his class this year."


Bollocks! He was already making a right ready mess out of things and he'd not even gotten more than a few words out. For that matter he'd not even said Happy Birthday to the one woman he loved beyond all others.

It was shameful is what it was.

"I've gotten nothing but time for you this weekend, Holly. Nothing at all. It's your birthday, and we're gonna celebrate in high style," he said, his stride coming back all at once.

"I don't remember he or Flintwick assigning this much homework for our OWLs, I can barely see straight."

"It's all part of NEWTs. Horrid, isn't ? Now, give me your hand," he said, taking the offered appendage and brushing his lips against the skin. "I want to tell you something. Something really imp-"

And then she was being drug from her chair, Gid's eyes shooting up to find Jerome and he couldn't help but laugh, even if he was a touch annoyed. "

"Gid. Mind if I accost your girl for a moment in celebration?"

"As long as I get her back in one piece," he grinned, watching the interchange between the two.