[Huff C. Room] Snuggling

[Henry Boggleworth]

Boggleworth couldn't sleep, try as he might it just strangely wasn't coming to him. Perhaps it was Dax's low irregular snores, whatever it was, he left the comfort of their dorm to seek the warmth of the great roaring fire and to stare into its entrancing flames. Eyes fixated in a trancelike state Boggleworth gazed into the fire.

At this hour he would usually be drifting around in a dreamworld, which was both wild and fantastic, weird and wonderful, most of his dreams were random and followed no particular pattern that he could fathom out. But every so often he had a particularly vivid dream, sometimes they were nightmares from whcih he awoke tossing and turning, often thrashing about madly with Dax having to give him an almighty prod or kick to stop him. Other times they were incredibly pleasant, ones that he didn't wish to wake from, particularly those of a happy future with Grace, he often strangely imagined their having children together, as if they really were meant to be together forever, at least he presumed they were thier children, he could never quite see their faces in any great detail, whether something was in the way, or his minds eye looked away at the wrong moment, he just saw them with their blond bouncing locks and he instinctively knew they were his offspring.

Boggleworth had sunk into a deep sleep now curled up on the hard stone floor but he was at complete peace; as if they harkened to his wishes, his children came. They walked confidently sharing his strolling gait and chattered gaily having his natural wish to speak constantly but their Mother's sparkling eyes and gorgeous smile; seemingly the best of both of them; so clearly more of Grace.

Boggleworth called to them happily and they came rushing to his open arms, he hugged them tight; never wishing to let them go and planted a light kiss upon each of their brows in turn. He did love them so and really felt at that moment that this was his true existance, that life at school was in his past, some time ago now; was this the future? He dearly hoped so when awake, but asleep he actually lived this potential future, and it was a recurring dream.

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace had awakened from another of her nightmares with a start, swallowing a scream and her heart. She was covered in a cold sweat and she almost wept at the memory of it. But before she let herself fall apart she jumped out of bed, grabbed her book and ran down the stares to the common room.

She came into the room and was pleased to see that their house elf had stoked it and kept it going. She walked towards the fireplace, towards her favourite chair. She curled up in the chair and opened to book and only then noticed Bog curled up on the floor in front of the fire place. She cocked her head and smiled at him.

Grace got to her feet, leaving her book on the seat, and walked over to Bog. He was fast asleep and looked so peaceful. Her nightmare still with her, she lay down in front of Bog and wrapped his arm around her. This was what she needed, a loving embrace to let her know it was all going to be alright. There she lay, staring into the fire.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Boggleworth became aware of Grace's presence through the dream world itself, he wasn't yet ready to come awake, the smile he wore displaying his love of this possible future. Still asleep Boggleworth drew Grace further into the embrace looping his arms around her slight waist and unwittingly planting a small kiss upon her blonde locks of hair.

He dreamed that Grace now came to him, greeting their children with a mother's adoring unswerving affection and love, her smile was priceless and never left her, even when their youngest threw angry and sulky. Rustling the hair of their eldest Boggleworth chuckled and remarked to Grace
"she's your natural talent on a broom, but I do fear for her safety on it, I can't hold a net beneath her all the time," he joked, but Boggleworth never knew what words his dearly beloved would utter in response as the dream world slowly slipped away.
"Not yet," he murmered softly aloud, but too late strangely he had awoken, perhaps feeling Grace's presence more acutely somehow.

"Ah, what a lovely dream," he exclaimed expecting Dax to make some sort of crude joke as to what he had been dreaming of. Only then when opening his eyes did he see Grace before him. Yet somehow he wasn't surprised, their embrace seemed completely natural, he'd much rather awaken to her smiles than Dax's snores.

"Grace," he muttered "I had such an amazing dream, you'd love it to." Squeezing her hand lightly he proceeded to run a hand through her hair that he loved so. "What brings you into my arms then?" He asked amused and at peace.

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace heard, felt and breathed in Bog sighing. His contentment calmed her raging heart. She could feel she was still shaking from her wake up call but she tried her best to not let it wake Bog. He pulled her closer, held her tighter, and she loved him for the comfort he brought unwittingly. He always knew exactly what to say and what to do to make her feel better.

She rested her arm on his, held her cold hand on his as she continued to stare intensely into the fire. It's dance was mesmerising, enchanting and beautifully seductive. She could not look away from it and it shared it's warmth with her so freely. Fire, she thought absently, intentionally trying to take her mind off other things, is the most volatile of elements. Beautiful and destructive. Mesmerising and two faced. Beauty at a price.

Bog's whispers echoed through the fiery expanse rushing through her mind. His voice was content, peaceful and Grace didn't want to ruin it by burdening him with her problems. He had already done so much for her in those few minute. "I was cold," she said, "and you looked so warm." This was true in more then just the literal meaning. She did feel cold and she did feel that Bog's warmth would help. She trusted him entirely with that notion.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Boggleworth shared Grace's passion and awe for the fire before them. The soft light was mesmorizing, the flickering flames tantalized and he felt woozy still. Yearning to hold onto the dream and fall into its loving embrace once again, he sadly knew it wouldn't come to him again as yet.
He murmered softly responded to Grace, "yeah, it's so pleasant here, escpecially in your arms." He smiled contentedly, he really could stay there forever, if only he didn't need nourishment, or to sit the looming exams and deal with their stresses. For now he was happy disregarding them, at this hour he couldn't possibly begin work and the loving embrace he held with Grace was far too powerful and alluring.

"I love you Grace," he murmered seriously , then asked with a light hearted chuckle "have I ever told you that?" Lightly stroking Grace's gorgious hair as if it were the most percious of all things known to man, Boggleworth asked curiously "why are you awake now anyway? I was awoken by Dax's snores, what's your excuse for laying by the fire?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace giggled softly, "yes," she said almost sadly, "you have told me." She couldn't bring herself to say the words herself, she feared breaking into tears if she did. A harsh flash of the nightmare broke her vision of the fire and startled her, making her jump back into Bog with fright.

She felt his hand on her hair and it calmed her slightly, though her breathing was slightly jagged and jerky. "I ..." she began, trying to find words that would not make her cry, "I ... I had another ... another nightmare." She gasped in her tears but one ran down her cheek despite her best efforts. It was terrifying and haunting and she couldn't get the horror out of her head.

[Henry Boggleworth]

"Oh good," He replied smoothly with a wry chuckle "I should really say it more often though, every moment of every day like you deserve is a little too much though." He complimented with a brigthening smile, but as Grace gave an involuntary shudder, nigh on leaping back into him, his smile vanished. Wondering what could be the matter, he was about to ask, when Grace managed to get it out. Perhaps he had rather not have known.

For a moment Boggleworth lay silent continually stroking her hair affectionately and comfortingly. "Oh," he breathed quietly. "Would describing it help?" He asked gently not wanting to force her to speak of what she hated so.

Unsure of himself Boggleworth hastily added in his usual philosophical manner. "Nightmares are sent to test us you know, whether by our own mind or by a greater power, who can really know? But I believe we're weakest when asleep, powerless to control our emotions, anyone could easily break into us then. But what happened in it? Was it like the last one?" He prompted drawing her closer still and lightly kissing her lovely hair. "You're safe now." He spoke softly curling a strand of hair gently between his fingers.

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace was indeed comforted by Bog's continues stroking of her hair but she couldn't get passed her nightmare. She shook her head vehemently, I can't! I won't! "You can't make me!" she thought aloud. It was too painful and she didn't want to go through it again. She just wanted Bog to hold her, keep her safe.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Boggleworth chuckled "no I can't make you do anything, especially when your damned nightmares are concerned," he joked. "But don't you think talking about it will help? Get it off your chest, I know how difficult stuff like that is, but in the end it's for the best."

Smiling he wanted to turn Grace around to just simply loose himself in her lovely eyes, but he knew she wanted him to comfort her; not just lose himself in her eyes.
"You know you're safe with me Grace, the nightmare is over, completely gone, not real." He murmered soothingly wondering quite what this vivid nightmare had entailed for her. He knew what nightmares were liek ahvign suffered pretty badly from them himself, but Grace's he feared were far more vivid, and replayed terrible events she had witnessed; like the death of her father, he was continually the root of her problems, even though he was now logn dead. Boggleworth resigned himself to the fact that she would be plagued with the vile man her entire life.

"Just stay calm," he soothed, "you're safe," he repeated "completely safe."

[Prof Grace Marks]

For once Grace could not bring herself to reface the fear. She could not get the pictures out of her head and did not want to revisit them so soon. She hugged Bog's arm closer to her, closed her eyes and calmed her breathing. She was safe, here, in Bog's arms, and as long as she didn't go back to the nightmare she could believe it.

She opened her eyes and glanced at the fire. She needed to get away from her own nightmare so she asked Bog, "what were you dreaming about before you woke up?" She wanted to hear his voice, it calmed her as much as his touch did. And she wanted to get the attention off of her because she truely couldn't face those demons just yet.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Boggleworth wondered only for a moment if divulging what his dream had entailed would really be a good idea, but if it made him blissfully happy, it would doubtless do the same for Grace, or so he hoped as she dearly needed cheering with such awful nightmares inflicted upon her nearly nightly.

"Well this may sound a little strange, because I was dreaming about us, not that dreaming about us is strange," He chuckled," because I do that all the time, even in nightmares when I'm, I hope foolishly, scared of loosing you. But this one is recurring, and it's about us in the future, I really do hope that it comes true to be honest, because for me it's heavenly. Basically, it sounds strange, but I dream of...our future happiness."

Something kept him from saying about future children, usually he was direct and to the point, to a certain extent, but now he couldn't quite bring himself to say it; long, loud and clear. As it really was a strange thing to dream of, he'd just have to let it out in one long rush. Taking a deep breath he gabbled "I dre-of-ravin-children." Then realising he had said it far to quickly for human hearing he slowed his tone to normal and translated. "I dream of our having children." He smirked his confidence growing once more and his voice clearly emulating his joy, "yeah I know it's weird, but they're so lovely Grace, you should see them, they have your eyes and dazzling smile that transfixes me so, but they also chatter constantly like me, they're so ultra cute, it's unbelievable; perfect in every way. They adore us and show us so much love and affection, even though they're still young, none of them are at hogwarts yet, except our eldest of course, he claims he's the cleverest but he's dead forgetful like me, he even forgot our anniversary, twice. But he's an aptitude for quidditch of course and has been on the team since he started, course he's in Hufflepuff like us, but he divulged to you, and consequently you told me of course, cause we tell each other everything, that the sorting hat was torn between Gryffindor, can you believe it? Thankfully he's in Hufflepuff though but of course he still gets himself into trouble getting lots of detentions from Fagin in fact, who of course is still there as mean and horrible as ever. Guess what though? Yeah he actually fancies O'Donnell though; he's only a sixth year and yet he's gotten it into his head that he can actually woo her somehow. Crazy, we've had to have words about that countless times, his obsession with slightly older women is pretty strange, but it never comes to anything so we still rest easy. Now our first girl is on tenterhooks waiting for her letter of acceptance from Hogwarts, she's so excited it's unbelievable, runs round the house like, well like an athlete or maybe a monkey, yeah she hangs from the staircase and the ceiling quite often. But the house oh the house, of course you've furnished it out really nice, and its more than big enough to suit our needs, you're still working for the Chudley Cannons of course, though the team was thinking of having you as manager they decided they couldn't live without your wicked saves and..." abruptly Boggleworth cut short, realising he had rambled on about his dreams for far too long.

Strangely when seeing them they seemed so realistic, he could so easily recall every detail, except for one; their children's names. Whenever he was close to finding out the dream would end, so he ahd become contented to not try finding it out, prefering rather to enjoy the dream, and pray it might possibly one day become a reality.

"Err yeah they're kinda freakily vivid and realistic," he finished with a smile, giving a small laugh he asked genuinely a little concerned, "you don't think I'm a freak do you?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

At first Bog was being odd, dancing around some or other topic that Grace could tell he was dying to spit out. He finally spat it out but a little too fast. She rolled onto her back and looked up at Bog as he said it slowly. Children? Grace thought, surprised that Bog had not simply said it.

She listened to him ramble on about these children in his dream and both the dream and Bog made her smile. She giggled at all the right times and all the while was thinking, this is why I love this man! But he trailed off and Grace frowned. "Of course I don't," Grace said, disbelieving that he would say such a thing.

"Bog," she said softly, laying a regrettably cold hand on his cheek and stroking it gently, "I love you and all that you've described is what I want as much as I can see you want it too. What you are for dreaming that is as in love with me as I am with you." She wished above all else that she too could dream such dreams. She picked up her head slowly and kissed Bog on the cheek. Laying back down she said, "how many children are there?"

[Henry Boggleworth]

Smiling happily at feeling completely at peace as Grace spoke kindly to him, he smirked "I knew you'd think the same, we're so similar you and I. That's why we suit each other so, and our relationship will last forever," he said determidly, with considerable force and self-assurity. Feeling Grace's cool refreshing hand upon his cheek, he shivered slightly taking it lovingly in his own, and stroking them softly whilst answering happily with his added enthusiasm and gusto.

"Well there are five already, though I keep saying that isn't enough, you've told me countless times it's your decision as you do the difficult bit of giving birth," he laughed happily continuing speedily onwards. "Course you're the main breadwinner too, but I tend to look after the kids, it really depends, we share our duties completely and we very rarely argue." He smirked, "yeah I know that doesn't happen now, but maybe I'm mature in the future." Tilting his head to one side and flashing a wide mouthed grin Boggleworth added cheekily, "you never know really, we can hope."

Becoming quietly sincere he murmered, "I really do hope so much that this is our future together, it would be so perfect." Leaning in he kissed Grace tantalizingly upon the lips, a smirk defining his half-handsome features.

[Prof Grace Marks]

They were so similar, but yet so different, Grace thought and had to look away for fear of crying. She did not know why she wanted to cry but she did know that she had cried enough and didn't want to any more. She stared in stead into the fire and listened to Bog talk about his dream, their future in his eyes. Grace smiled as he spoke but couldn't help but wonder how they would get to that point; they hadn't spoken at all about what they were going to do after the graduated and it was beginning to bother Grace that Bog couldn't answer her straight on the subject.

"Five?" she laughed, "that's a lot of mouths to feed." She turned her head to face Bog, the fire light dancing on her happy features. "Perhaps you could carry a few for the first few months," she teased and kissed his chin. She loved being about to do that, kiss Bog whenever she wanted. At first it had been uncomfortable but now it was as natural as breathing. She watched the way his features glowed that had nothing to do with the fire light as he spoke and smiled.

"I hope so too," she said truthfully. At least then they would have gotten past this childish hiding from each other. They hide their feelings, as Grace was doing now, and she didn't like it but she didn't want to fight with Bog, which is what inevitably happened when they spoke of such things. He leaned in and kissed her. Grace put her hands on either side of Bog's head and held him in a long kiss. It was full of desire, a desire to be truthful and open and together as Bog had seen them.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Nodding thoughtfully as Grace spoke he agreed somewhat begrudgingly, "yeah just a few mouths to feed, but we manage, in the dream that is, we'd manage in reality to I'm sure." He said reassuringly in a soothing manner, more to reasurre and set his own fears and speculations of the future aside. Laughing along with Grace he felt peaceful, glad Grace hadn't taken his dreams too seriously, as quite frankly they were dangerous, and could spark conflict between them quite easily.

As he broke away from the kissed he admittdely wished to last forever he saw a slight difference in the beautiful blue eyes of Grace, there were seemingly thoughts unsaid there, so he asked pointedly but softly "is there something you want to say Grace?" He knew himself that he could hide nothing from Grace, and believed wholeheartedly that Grace could and wouldn't hide anything from him, he could always be so very wrong indeed.