(Kitchen) That Hit The Spot

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan actually was worried, it seemed at first that Dia was not going to move there was the look in her eyes again, the far of gaze and even as it was there for a brief moment Dan knew she was thinking of the fastest way to the door. But his doubts where soon overrun by the smile that spread across her face and she got off the bench and towards him. As she placed her arm on his shoulder he returned back her smile and took hold of her free hand and his other hand hovered for a while as Dan wondered where it would be safe to put it. After a few moments of hesitation he decided the safe option would be best and so wrapped it around her waist.

Putting his best foot forward Dan once again began to lead them around the floor of the kitchen with a wide grin on his face. The pace at first was rather quick but he slowed it down after the start, not only because he was slowly getting tired but also because he wanted to savour the moment, to have a reason to be close to Dia and a dam good excuse to gaze into her eyes.

“Well then Dia as long as you do not call me Danny then I am happy. Maybe you should call me Hubbles-bubbles in front of Darrow. Oh how I would love to see his face then.”

Dan gazed happily at Dia thinking about what Darrow would truly do. Most likely he would walk away and laugh at them behind their backs seems like his approach although Dan was pushing the limits and his position was in jeopardy and he did not want to lose this job, he did not want to lose Dia.

Dan had to snap himself out of that thought, Dia was not his to lose they had nothing this was just as simple fling they were having. A harmless bit of fun that will be nothing else as they walked out of the kitchen. Dan slowed the pace down even more till it was almost at a stand still and then he lowered hi head down to be level with Dia’s and kissed her once more.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

At first, the fast-paced dance Dan took Dia on made her laugh and smile at him and at the house elves that were still there and not cleaning the castle. Dan's arm on her waist, hand on her side, was warm and the other reason her heart raced, the other reason she smiled at him. And when the dance slowed, Dia calmed, her heart slowing it's rapid gallop into a cantor. Now she could look at Dan whose gaze was upon her as hot as ever. She quickly looked over his shoulder when she felt her cheeks grow hot and red at his gaze.

Was it possible that she was developing feelings for this man that were more then just colleague to colleague? No, she had gotten mixed up in another man before and it had all but shattered her. She could not afford to do that again. She was a strong woman, this she knew, but going into the fire like that again would all but consume her. She didn't want that kind of hurt again. So this would remain the harmless flirting game it was and by the end of the night and end of that other bottle of wine they would walk out of the kitchen a little happier but nothing more to one another then when they had come in.

"I'll try," Dia said, smiling at Dan's shoulder. "But I think Darrow is more likely to laugh and adopt the name as his own. Can you imagine Darrow calling you Hubble-bub-"

His lips stopped her from saying any more. Her eyes had drifted to his again as they swayed slowly together, pressed against one another, but she had not seen the kiss coming. She had not taken in how close they were till Dan had leaned closer and began kissing her. She kissed back, running her hand from his shoulder, up his neck, and into his hair. Dia couldn't believe what she was doing, after everything she had concluded was she still doing this? Harmless fun, she reminded herself. Harmless fun.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan could feel Dia running her hand up his neck and into his hair. His whole body tingled and all he wanted to do was hold Dia for as long as possible and for this night to never end everything was perfect, too perfect. Slowly pulling his face away from Dia’s Dan rested his head forehead against hers and a wide smile burst out across his face. He had kissed many a person in his time but there was something every time they touches, with every kiss they shared Dan felt something between them, something that resulted in him smiling like a cat who had just got the cream.

She was amazing, the perfect specimen of a women, her temper was just the right length she he could get away with some things but as he had found out already tonight she could be just as dangerous as he could. With a sigh Dan lifted his head away and ran his hand threw her beautiful hair. He has to be careful he was not entering something that could ultimately cause trouble, he would have to reframe from doing much else in fear more then anything.

“Hum…Hubble-bub I like that. Remind me to put that in my next singles add, it would make a good pen name. Hubble-bub looking for bubble-queen to dance the night away with.”

Dan gave a soft laugh as he looked away from Dia. No matter how much he loved looking into her eyes and seeing her amazing smile there was something that made him feel like he had just said to much. Although it was a simple joke he was worried that his true intensions, his confused feeling for Dia might spiral out of control. The best thing was to keep silent, smile and just keep dancing enjoying the time spent with such a person.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

The kiss lasted an eternity, a second; it was passionate, meaningless; it was just what she needed, enough to utterly confuse her. In short, it was complicated but she kept her confusion for the situation out of the kiss and poured her heart and passion into it. She raised herself onto her toes, wrapping the other arm around his neck, and a foot popped into the air from sere bless.

When their mouths separated, resting foreheads together, Dia retracted her arms, running them across his shoulders, down his arms, and stood flat again. A truly amazing thing, kissing Dia thought, as she had her eyes closed, forehead to Daniel's. He seemed skilled in the art of it but that didn't worry Dia. He was the one kissing her and she was the one in his arms. Nothing else mattered much. As he pulled his face away from Dia, she smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling.

She laughed when he spoke. They began dancing again, slow and steady to music no one else could here. She knew she wanted to be that bubble-queen he spoke of but she knew better then to get mixed up with a man so notorious when it came to women ... didn't she? When her smile faded she rested her cheek on his chest, facing outwards. She didn't want to show that she was concerned about this, didn't want him to see that she almost regretted not leaving the many times she had wanted to. After a moment, she said, "I think that would be a good ad. You'll definitely get lots interested with that one."

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan felt in control of the situation, he knew that as long as he did not kiss her again or stroke the side of her face or smell her hair then he would be safe. He will be able to walk away from this rather pleasant meeting with his head held high, a little more passion flowing through his veins and the idea that he would have sufficient time over the summer break to get over this ridiculous child like crush. He was acting more like his sister then a grown man.

The one thing Dan was sure on this was not one of his one night stands. Those women he hardly felt anything for other then lust and sometimes a tiny bit of pity, but when he was with Dia, when they danced together it was different. Just being with her was enough having her lean her head on his chest as they slowly danced around the flag stoned kitchen floor occasionally passing the odd remark to each other was enough.

“You know what I think so to. I will send it off in the morning and have it published in the singles column in the evening addition of the Prophet. You never know I may find my soul mate by the next day, quit a few crazed witches read those lists.”

Dan gave a soft chuckle but suddenly became aware that Dia was still on his chest and quickly stifled the laughter so that it did not disturb her too much, so instead he wore one of the cheesiest smiles ever to spread across his face and all he could hope was that Dia did not look up otherwise he was convinced she would see the bit of chicken that was stuck in his back teeth from dinner. Tightening his grip around Dia Dan rested his own head on top of hers, getting the strong smell of her fruity flavoured hair as he went. But the only thing that his confused mind knew was that Dia was torturing him with every second they were together.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

It was perfect. This moment was perfect. Dia was in a man's arms, slow dancing to no music, and nothing was expected from her in return. She felt no pressure to do anything, nothing of what she had heard about him. She sighed. She was both relieved at this realisation and happy about being where she was. Slow dancing was one of her favourite pass times and now the time was flying.

She rubbed her cheek against Dan's chest, getting comfortable. "We should probably go," she said slowly. "We both have things to do before our first class this morning." Dia didn't want to leave but her dedication was being fuelled by guilt at the thought of not doing what she should have but instead having wine and dancing the night away. She slowly lifted her head, a lock of hair falling in her face. "I've had a wonderful time, thank you. But all good things must come to an end, as the saying goes."

It was painful to say, that she wanted to leave. The truth was she didn’t want to go however much more of this, the closeness, the intoxicating smell of him on him, and she would end up doing something she regretted. She would rather leave things at the good, high point they were at just then. She looked up at Daniel, her blue eyes sparkling and twinkling. "A truly memorable evening," she commented, smiled. She couldn’t think of anything else to say so pushed herself freer of his grip but not out completely. He warmed her, body and soul, and she liked it.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was slowly woken from his dream as he felt Dia move and then her soft voice floated up towards him. Lowering his gaze to look at her directly in the eyes he realised she was actually being serious, she was actually going to leave and there was nothing Dan could do to stop her, he did not want to stop her. What right did he have to deny her the right to do the job she was paid to do, he had already prevented her from leaving once he could not do it again, and it was not like they were not going to see each other again. They worked in the same school and eventually you bump into the other again.

As Dia pushed herself away Dan gave her a warm smile and had to reframe from stroking the side of her face. They would end the evening in the same manor they had started it, as work colleagues nothing more nothing less, they just had a few extra memories and enjoyed more laughs then before.

“It is sad to admit but you are right. The first years would never forgive me and even with the added read of sweets I still do not think they will be happy to hear I did not mark there exam work.”

With a light laugh and a quick glance around the kitchen to make sure he had not left anything behind Dan walked over towards Dia and reached out taking her hand, and then with a low bow kissed it gently. As he raised his head Dan was finding it hard to hide away a slight blush that as coming over him, Dia’s eyes were glued to him and he felt so exposed. Also he had just broken his own promise of leaving the kitchen just how they started, he had given into temptation once more, she was most defiantly his weakness.

“May I escort you down the corridor Dia. You never know what may be lurking around in the darkness. Although sadly I do not trust myself to take you any further. Not only will it mean I have further to work but also it may make it almost impossible for me to say goodbye to you.”

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia was glad to see Dan smile. Even if it wasn't his charming smile, it was better then a scowl. She smiled back to him and took a step back, out of his arms, out of temptation. She had the overwhelming sensation to kiss him again, another passionate kiss but she resisted. Harmless, she reminded herself, harmless. Her eyes twinkled in the glow of the many lights around the kitchen as she watched him.

She smiled and nodded. "My third years are anxious enough about their essays." She glanced at the floor quickly to calm her giddy heart. He took her hand and kissed it. Her smile became bigger for a moment at how sweet the gesture was. And when he offered to escort her, Dia dropped her gaze again, shaking her head. "No," she said with a soft laugh, "I think I will be alright on my own. I've haven't got far to walk so it's not a problem."

She took a few steps so she was very close to him now. Quickly, she told herself, very quickly. Dia stood on her toes again, put a hand to Dan's cheek and gave him a light kiss. "Good night," she said as she dropped her arm and stood flat again. Even from such a small kiss, Dia could taste him on her lips and she wanted to keep that taste as much as she could. She took a last look at Dan, smiled, and turned, walking towards the door and out.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

When Dia kissed him on the cheek he felt a sudden urge to reach out a refuse to let her go, he wanted to be near her, he had to. But he knew he could not do that now not after all they had just said, all that he had thought. Tonight was a lucky thing that he was not expecting and did not expect anything to come from it. A laugh between two friends, a friend he just happens to find immensely attractive.

“Goodnight.”

He wanted to say more, he knew he should but he could not. Anything else he would have said would have ruined everything that this evening was. A bit of fun, harmless fun that would soon be forgotten and they will be back to their normal conversations about different verities of tea in no time. Tilting his head to one side Dan watched Dia as she walked out of the kitchen with a small grin on his face. Once she had vanished Dan stood up straight and looked around at all the house-elves, they seemed to be keeping their distance and he did not blame them. Walking back to the table where they had been sitting he drained the contents of the goblets and left the kitchen knowing only to well that the papers he was about to mark would strangely have better grades now that his mood was greatly improved.