Hold the Fire [Finished]

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan took another sip of his drink feeling rather pleased with himself knowing that he seemed to have won Theodora back. However it was then he heard a rather loud thump and when he turned around to see where his drink partner once sat was now an empty stool. Dan blinked a few times then dropt his gaze down to the floor where he saw Theodora now laying, seemingly unconscious. With a sigh Dan spun around on his stool and bent down next to his ex-pupil. He gently tapped her on the cheek a few times and when he got no response Dan stood back up again and looked for Peter the barman.

After finding out that Theodora was actually staying in the Three broomsticks in room 4 he knew what would be the best thing to do. If it had been anyone else he would have left them lying on the floor and quietly walked away, but she seemed so helpless and he could not help but feel slightly responsible. So carefully bending down and picking her up Dan slowly made his way through the crowds towards the stairs that led to the rooms. In the background he could hear the jeers and shouts from the drunkards in the pub saying things that he would rather not repeat to anyone and was thankful that Theodora could not hear.

Dan slowly made his way up the stairs, groaning slightly as the wait of Theodora slowly began to make his arms hurt. Wining though it he finally reached room number 4 and kicked open the door. Stumbling in Dan paid no attention to the area around him only to drop her onto the bed and give his arms a rest. After he made sure her head was propped up on a pillow Dan sat down on the side of the bed with her and sighed deeply.

“Typical women. Unable to hold her drink.”

[Theodora Holmes]

A small frown graced Theodora's face as she slowly came back into the conscious world. You haven't fainted because of a man in three years. That didn't last night long, did it? A little voice her in head criticised mockingly, and Theodora quickly pushed it from her thoughts to focus on the real world. She hadn't yet opened her eyes - fearing she'd be sick if the room was spinning too fast - but could tell that she was lying down... on something soft.

Slowly opening her eyes and blinking several times, Theodora blushed as she realised Daniel had carried her all the way up to her room above the pub. He was sat next to her on the bed staring off out of the window in silent thought, seemingly unaware that she was now watching him with mirth, a happy smile on her face. Such a gentleman! she mused fondly.

Something pink out of the corner of her vision caught her attention, and looking to see what it was her eyes literally bugled. Dangling off the chest of draws by a thin strap was one of Theodora's most extravagant bras, in plain view of Daniel and just waiting to be spotted. Part of her wanted to simply fall unconscious again and not have to deal with it, but the nauseating roller coaster of her school girl crush came rushing back, a loud voice in the back of her head telling her her life would be over if he saw that under garment...

Quickly grabbing his shoulder - failing to give him any warning that she'd returned from the dead - she pulled herself up and forced him to look at her. 'Sorry about that! Those fireballs just go straight to my head!' she said unevenly, her attempt to look completely rational failing. Whipping her wand out and pointing it at the chest of draws, she hastily tried to cast a mental banishing spell on it.

Of course, being Theodora, it had the opposite effect. The bra suddenly jumped off of it's resting place, zooming straight into the side of Daniel's head. Oh - my - Merlin, Theodora thought, horrified.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was lost in his thought wondering when it would be best to leave and head back to the castle and start to read through the many homework essay’s that were pilling up on his desk. That was until he felt Theodora reach out and take hold of his shoulder, a small smile filled his face and was about to turn around and make sure she was ok when something hit him hard on the side of his face. It was as if someone had slapped him, but no one was in the other room other then Theodora. Lowering his gaze onto the bed sheet Dan saw a bright pink bra which was not there before. He could not help but laugh as he picked up the offending object and looked at it closely. Dan looked from the bra to Theodora and back again with a smug smile on his face.

“If I told the other professors that I was sitting on a bed with a blond haired witch with her bra in my hands they would all laugh at me. But look at me now, however I did not expect you to throw your most raunchiest bra at me. I do hope you do not wish for me to try it on, I fear it is not my cup size.”

With a small laugh Dan threw the bra straight at Theodora and stood up making his way towards the door. However before he reached it he turned around and looked back at the witch who was on the bed. She was looking rather embarrassed by her mistake and Dan hoped that is light-hearted attitude had made it easier for her.

“I think it would be best if I leave you now Miss Holmes. Do you need anything else before I go?”

[Theodora Holmes]

Theodora felt like burying her face in her hands as Daniel laughed heartily, looking at it with a smirk. Charming! she thought disbelievingly as he joked crudely, but could not help but bite her lip in an unavoidable smile.

Daniel playfully tossed her bra into her lap as he stood up. An immense flood of relief filled her that he was not in the least bit embarrassed, and she quickly shoved the item in question down the side of the bed to avoid any further humiliations. It was then that he suggested he make his retreat. Oh well done, Holmes! The first good thing to happen to you in months - aside from being considered for auror training, of course - and you have to go and bloody ruin it. You only found him again five minutes ago and you've already fainted and shoved your bra in his face!

'Wait, don't leave!' she said sorrowfully as he went to open the door. She climbed off the bed and walked up to him, holding his arm. 'I know this has all been a bit awkward and funny and whatnot - and, and I'm terribly sorry I've been a bit unbearable! I just...' She frowned anxiously, annoyed she couldn't find the right words fast enough. 'I would like to see you again, if it isn't too much trouble?' she said shyly.

For a moment the two of them were silent, staring at one another tensely. 'Oh, sod it!' she finally said, standing up on tiptoe and kissing him on the lips - hard.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was ready to turn and leave when Theodora finally found her voice and asked him to say. Dan let out a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you’ he muttered to himself before turning around to face the approaching Theodora. As she took hold of his arms he gave a little raise of his eyebrows and waited for her to continue. However she reminded silent and so did he. Dan always hated making the first move, that meant he could never get the blame and his pride could stay intact and once again luck seemed to be shinning on his side as she kissed him. However maybe not as gracefully as he would have liked but still it was something. As they broke away Dan gave her a small smile before kissing her lightly on the forehead and broke out of her embrace.

“Yeah. Seeing you again would be nice. Maybe I will send you an owl, or you can drop by my office sometime. But I would love to met up with you again.”

And with that Dan gave a gentle kiss on the lips before turning away and walking out of the room closing the door behind him. With a small nod of the head he knew it was the right thing to do, he had only really just met the girl and he was her teacher. He walked down the corridor a bit more and approached the old staircase, as he slowly descended the creaky steps it gave him more time to think about what had happened, maybe this was a missed opportunity, had he walked away from a girl who truly did like him.

Before Dan knew it he found himself standing outside the door of room four once again knocking shyly on the door. He saw his distorted reflection in the brass number and made sure his hair was looking neat and his shirt was straight as he waited for the door to open once again.

[Theodora Holmes]

Theodora blushed, biting the inside of her cheek as she realised how ungraceful her first kiss with Daniel Hubbles had been. She had been waiting for it for so long, dreaming endlessly of what it would be like to touch him, to taste him. She had been so caught up in disbelief she had barely registered any of it, and a terrible regret slowly filled her tight chest, making her want to cry. Daniel seemed just as unmoved by the whole experience, and Theodora nodded slowly as he suggested some rather unenthusiastic meeting places. 'Alright... bye.' she said, unable to keep the sadness out of her voice.

The door closed and she dropped down onto the bed, putting her head in her hands. 'Idiot.' She sighed, resting her elbows on her knees. 'You always do this.'

Knock, knock, knock.

Theodora's head snapped up, staring wide eyed at the door in surprise. Without a moments hesitation she rushed forward, opening it to find Daniel back once more, a small, suggestive smile on his handsome face. 'Hello again,' she gave a wry grin, crossing her arms in mock rejection as she looked him up and down. Leaning forward, she placed her arms around his neck and hugged him, delivering a much gentler kiss. 'That was better.' she said quietly, smiling into his mouth.

Stepping aside, she let him in, the door closing soundlessly behind them...