Final Days (Layla)

Ethan was not in his normal end of the year mood. He was in the astronomy tower so he could be up high, like a broom. But he was too exhausted to fly, the NEWTs were really weighing down on him. Of course he was glad that he wasn't taking one right now, but he wished he something of the sorts to distract him. He was dressed quite comfortably in his jeans and loose button up shirt. He was bent over slightly so that his elbows could rest on the wall, as his hands held his head up. He was thinking about how little time he had left here at the castle and with Layla before the summer break had started.

Ethan wasn't sure what he would do after he went back home to break the news to his family that he wasn't going to carry the family purity and was disowned. Sure, he had saved enough money for his own flat and everything. And he could always snag a job in Hogsmeade in case another attack happened, he would be close to Layla. He could be an Auror, but he didn't have the motivation to go to university or to learn and get the grades for it. He was lost in thought still thinking that he didn't notice the door being opened.

Layla was in the worst mood she had ever been in. She had never felt so sad before but now she was because she knew her days of having Ethan as a student with her at Hogwarts were dwindling down and coming to an end. He'd be graduating here at the end of this term and she'd be left alone for another few years. She didn't know what to do, but she knew she didn't want to be left alone. Adaline would be leaving as well and Layla really knew no one else. Layla knew her summer would be busy and the chances of seeing him during summer would be low, especially since her parents didn't know she was dating yet. However, she was considering asking him to be one of her security guards since one had just quit and if he accepted, he'd be with her everywhere. Of course their relationship would have to stay quiet a bit longer until she was ready to tell her parents but it'd still be great!

Layla shoved her hands in her pockets. She was used to wearing skirts because it was one of the bottoms that was Hogwarts appropriate, however today was a bit chillier or at least to a native Australian it was so she stuck with pants. She was melancholy and she moped around the entire day, not giving it her all in classes and not even practicing for her upcoming summer tour. He hair was worn down and a tad messy and it would be even more so by the time she finished crossing the grounds from Herbology. The wind loved running it's fingers through her brown locks. She didn't have a destination in mind, especially since Ethan had been busy with NEWTs but she figured she'd climb someplace high, someplace she could think as she viewed whatever scenery the planet graced her with.

At some point, Layla had begun crying and she only knew so because of the dampness on her cheeks. The wind was something harsh to them but as she entered the hot castle, her cheeks defrosted and the wetness prevailed. It was April, but for April it was still pretty chilly which for one, was odd. It was probably why it took her a longer amount of time to realise that the year was nearly over. Her footsteps echoed off the stone walls as Layla began the long climb to the top of the Astronomy tower. There was no way she could see Ethan right now, not without being even more upset at the fact he'd be leaving soon. As the thought of Ethan graduating again, Layla's steps slowed and her head hung. The walk to the top of the Astronomy tower now getting longer, farther away.

Eventually, she'd made it up and pushed the door open right as a gust of wind hit causing the door to fling open with a mighty force. Layla shrieked a soft shriek before looking to the figure in front of her. She wanted so badly to run up and jump into his arms, to share their first kiss but she couldn't because he was leaving. He was starting a life and this would be the end. She should have known this when they'd gotten into the relationship but she was far too happy, far too excited to worry about such a major detail. Her blue eyes gave him a sad look and her shoulders slumped even more as she thought about how she wished he didn't have to see her like this.

Ethan hadn't been paying much attention to his surroundings, and why he thought that he would be alone he didn't know. Of course there was going to be students milling around the castle. Some were still afraid after the attack in February. Still thinking about his future, he jumped slightly at the quiet sound of someone behind him. Turning he drew his wand, but immediately put it away as he saw who it was. He could tell she was upset, and it hurt him to see her so upset. He crossed to get to her and gave her a hug.

"Don't be upset, i can visit you in Hogsmeade, write letters. i can come to your events this summer too. I'll get a flat near Hogsmeade. It won't be bad." He reassured her. It didn't have to end. Sure he was leaving, but that shouldn't mean anything right? He let go of her and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked at the dampness of her cheeks and wiped some of it away and smiled at her. He had to put her in a good mood. Sure he felt pretty out of it himself but that didn't mean he couldn't smile. "It doesn't end here, if you don't want it to."

Ethan kissed her forehead and grabbed her hand. "Okay?" sure, he was a little nervous and all about confronting his parents and he was probably putting a lot on Kyle once he left and was disowned and everything, but he felt the need to do it, he wasn't going to be a puppet for his family. He just kind of smiled at her for a second. She was so kind to him, and always made him smile even when he was in this crappy mood. He needed to distract her somehow and keep her from thinking that this was the end. He could ask what she was planning to do for the holiday, but that might not work. "What do you plan to do once you leave? Besides your singing?" He asked. It was kind of a redundant question but hadn't really asked her before. You couldn't blame someone for being curious, could you? Ethan led her to the wall where he was standing before. Some students were milling about the grounds, some were walking from place to place. Something you would see on any normal day.He rested their hands on the wall as he watched the kids below them.

The year had gone by so fast and Layla's mind flipped through all of the events and moments that happened in their year of dating. She couldn't believe that she had dated Ethan for nearly a year and that they had never even shared a first kiss yet. The thought of a kiss made her heart flutter and her cheeks blush a vivid red colour. It created anxiety within her, a fear of growing up of becoming a young woman. She could see Ethan jump and draw his wand as she entered but immediately, he put it away. She tried to smile a bit when he crossed over and gave her a hug.

She knew that the frown on her face showed a lot and as his arms wrapped around her, she allowed herself to sink into him. It would likely be the last time she could this, she would take advantage. She would breathe him in and take advantage of their closeness, their relationship. However he began to talk and Layla paused. What did he mean? They would still be able to be together? He'd move near Hogsmeade? "Really? You'd do that," she asked, "for me?" He finally let go of her and wiped the tears from her face. It was a simple gesture but it was the sweetest thing she could ask for and she smiled. "I don't want it to Ethan," she whispered, "I don't ever want it to end."

The kiss on her forehead made her giggle a little bit as it sent a slight tingling feeling down her spine. She nodded, accepting his offer of moving in somewhere near Hogsmeade, near her. She worried about what he would tell his parents, about how they would react. She'd love to be able to meet them, she'd love to be able to meet his brother but not if they were bound to hate her. She couldn't imagine his parents hating her, wanting nothing to do with her due to the fact that she would cause their lineage to be dirty and no longer pure. Layla thought about his question for a few minutes before answering. "I'm not sure, I mean I haven't thought about it." She furrowed her brow. "I enjoy Ancient Runes but I think I'll stick to singing, you know until I can't do it anymore." She was led over to the wall overlooking the grounds, his hands over hers. It was peaceful, bliss and she adored it. "Maybe you can be my security guard, travel around with me after you graduate."

Ethan was very willing to do most anything for Layla. If she told him to jump he would ask how high. He wasn't looking forward to confronting his parents, much less since his plan didn't involve Kyle somehow, but he knew he would be much happier and better off not caring about purity or any of the responsibilities that came with being the eldest male in a pureblooded family. When Layla spoke he paused his thinking. He just smiled at her, "Of course i would do that for you! I would do most anything for you." His smile only grew with her proceeding words as she claimed she didn't want it to end. Ethan felt this small twinge of hope that maybe they could stay together longer if his plan worked out. "I don't want it to either." He said. As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew they were true. There was nothing more than he wanted than to keep he relationship for as long as she would allow them to be together.

Ethan chuckled a little himself as she giggled. It was a sweet little sound that made him want to join in with her. When he saw her head nod slightly in agreement to his
offer, he felt a wave of relief wash over him, because he didn't want to do anything that would make her upset. He nodded his head as if confirming that his search would begin as soon as he graduated, giving that he even passed this year. "Yes, it makes sense now. You do seem to sing very well, and several people seem to enjoy it." He agreed with her. His own question got him thinking about what he was going to do once he did graduate. He could go work at some shop close Hogsmeade, or even in Hogsmeade. However hen Layla made her offer, it clicked. He wasn't good enough to be Auror, but he was good enough to provide one person constant protection. He had heard of muggle security guards, and the thought made him hopeful that maybe there was something useful he could do, even if it was just to protect Layla.

"I will definitely consider it, Layla." He said. It looked extra promising since his Quidditch didn't seem to be getting any better and no one had contacted him back after he had reached out to them. A security guard would mean he would be close to Layla, and he would be able to look over her protection, and the way things were run in the muggle world. It was a new and exciting oportunity, and he was very curious. What a better way than to explore it with someone he cared about?

Layla was so thankful to have someone like Ethan and she couldn't possibly imagine her life without him. She knew she was too young to think about marriage and children and a life after Hogwarts but when she did, she thought about it with Ethan. She thought of marrying him, of having little Quidditch and music loving children. If she couldn't have Ethan then she certainly hoped she could have someone just as good as him; though she wasn't sure that was possible. She smiled at his words, a real smile. "You don't have to," she whispered, "but it's very, appreciated." She gave him another smile as she turned to face him, taking one small step forward, her heart beating faster than it ever had before. She thought about what she was bringing herself to do and her heart continued to beat faster, a smile growing big across her face. "Good," she added with another step towards him, her arms going around his waist until she was pressed against him.

Layla was only thirteen and Ethan, seventeen but she was mature and she knew what she was ready for, she knew what she wanted. And tonight, she wanted her first kiss with Ethan. She smiled once more at his words and nodded. Of course she'd never give up her singing career, not unless she lost her voice or something. Sure Ancient Runes were great and fun but her family weren't wizards, she couldn't possible explain the fact of getting a wizarding career to them. Plus, they just wouldn't care. "Several thousand," she smiled with a slight giggle. She knew he was included in that several thousand as well. In fact, she hoped he was her number one fan. She would certainly be his if he ever decided to play for a Quidditch team. She watched his face as he pondered her question and hope to Merlin he'd say yes. She really wanted him to take this job, this position because if not then she wouldn't get to see him until term started again and it would be very sad for her.

When he told her he would consider it, she smiled. "I hope that's the key words for yes." Her hands slid up until they were around his neck, entangling in his hair. She had to stand on her tiptoes but that was perfectly alright. Her blue eyes locked on his brown ones, their faces so close that their noses were almost touching. Before long, Layla's lips were on Ethan's in the most generous, soft and passionate kiss she could possibly muster. However she wanted more, she wanted a kiss that showed how much he adored her, one that was filled with fire and passion and love. Layla's hand pulled against him until she'd pulled him against her and pressed herself against the wall. This was fantastic, perfect.

Ethan was glad he could have Layla with him, for all of his worries just kind of disappeared when she was around him. He had dated other girls before, but none had done this, sure they might not be getting on further than this in life, and who knew where they would go, but who said Ethan couldn't just think about it? He just simply nodded his words. He would move closer for her sake. It was far enough away from his parent's house that he didn't mind moving for her. He could always move again if he needed to.

He didn't notice her hands go around his waist until they were already there. He glanced down at her for a second with a bit of hesitation. He could feel his heart skipping a beat with her so close. He chuckled at her comment and agreed. "For the record, I am the biggest fan you will ever have. Just know that." He encouraged. He placed his arm around her tiny waist keeping her close to him. It seemed like the thing to do, and he didn't want her to think that he was pushing her away.

"Of course it is." He laughed. He was excited. Maybe he could take some small job for during the school year while she was at Hogwarts. It wouldn't be too bad after all. He felt her hands entangle themselves in his hair and he automatically turned to face her directly, his other arm going around her waist as well. She was on her tiptoes, and was now eye-level with him. He watched her eyes, and for a second, was about to ask what she was doing. Their faces were so close to each other. Before he knew it, his lips met hers, and it registered in his brain that she was kissing him. He kissed her back softly, with as much passion as he had when he was trying to find her during the attack, and as much love as he could. It was perfect to him.

He broke off the kiss after a second to chuckle. "You are crazy." was all he said before kissing her gently again. It was bliss, and he forgot everything he was thinking about before.