(Lake) Strange how hard it rains now

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia's anger faded a few moments after Dan had spoken. She almost didn't believe what she was hearing. She frowned, blinking water out of her eye lashes. She brushed her heavy fringe out of her face but it flopped back limply. She didn't move it again. She was too busy being astounded at Dan. She lifted her hand and loosely shook it as though she was trying to say something that she couldn't quite figure out.

His arm was around her and he kissed her lightly on the head. Still she had no words to describe her wonder. So I didn't hint loud enough, Dia thought, staring at the ground for a moment. I'll remember to just come out and ask next time. Save me the heartache and him the confusion. She swallowed hard, licked her lips while still frowning and met Dan's eyes as she stood in front of him again. "So ... you didn't get the hint then, did you?" she said slowly, voicing some thoughts.

Dia's frown washed away like the rain that dripped off her hair and it was replaced by a smile. That smile turned into a laugh. Dia began to laugh. She threw back her head and laughed so hard that tears filled her eyes though they could hardly be seen through the soaking rain. "You didn't think I was being too pushy," she laughed with such joyful mirth that she could not resist putting her arms around Dan's neck and hugging him.

She let him go and stood back. Her laughter had calmed but the laugh in her eyes shone like stars. She met Dan's eyes again and said softly, "so you'll come with me? To Egypt, for the holiday?" She thought of saying please and begging a little but her self control and pride would not let her do any groveling. If he didn't want to come with her it was a reflection on him, not her. She couldn't deny, on the other hand, that she wanted him to go with her. Having someone with her, someone she cared for deeply, would be more spectacular then seeing all the stars at once. She smiled sweetly at him, awaiting his answer.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dia’s laughter was like warm summer rays shinning down upon him, making him forget about the rain and the cold wind that accompanied it. Everything seemed perfect for once, the pain had gone from his wound and also his love struck heart. A wide smile filled his face and Dan could not help but laugh along, Dia just made him feel normal once again.
Every time she hugged him Dan would respond back, clinging onto her as if his life depended on it, he just did not want to let go he did not want to lose the moment. Even after her string of questions all Dan could do was laugh, his answer through would have been the same though. ‘No, you are perfect.’, well that is all but one question. Dia’s final and most important question was the one that Dan had decided he best answer.

As soon as Dia asked Dan to accompany her on her trip Dan was lost for words. It felt like someone had punched him in the chest, the wind was taken out of him, he had forgotten what it was like to feel this happy. With a shaking hand Dan raised it to Dia’s cheek and rubbed it gently, unable to take off the wide grin that was now filling his features.

“Yes. A million times yes. I would not miss it for the world even with…” Dan paused for a moment and glanced down at his stick. “Even if I am not full functional, I would love to see Egypt with you. I will love just to be with you, no matter where no matter how.”

Lowering his hand from his face Dan reached out for Dia’s lose hanging one and grasped hold of it, not wanting to let go. It reminded him of all the nights they sat in the hospital wing together, Dia just sitting there watching over him, his guardian angel. Without her he would not be standing here now, she saved his life and won his heart, accompanying her on holiday was nothing compared to that.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dan laughed with her and Dia laughed a little harder. It warmed her that she could make him smile, and this hearty laughter was so much she felt like she was on fire. He held her tight and she didn't want him to let go but life had to move on and Dia knew this well. Regrettably she stood back. His hand on her warm check made her close her eyes and lean into the touch. Simple yet powerful.

When he answered her question, the happiness inside her felt like it was going to burst out of her chest, there was so much. She was at a lost for words. There was nothing else she could say. So she stood, Dan's hand in hers and smiled at him. She wanted to tell him that this was what her heart had desired for the longest time but fear and doubt still clung to the tiny threads it could reach. It didn't seem really, seem possible that he had agreed to go with her.

The rain beat down on them as fast as her heart was beating but she didn't care. It didn't matter. It didn't matter that her and his cloths were stuck to their bodies, that hair obstructed vision sometimes, that her shoes were caked with mud, or that her umbrella was rolling around in the mug catching rain water. What mattered was Dan, his smile, his hand in hers, and the steady beating of her heart, telling her she was awake and not dreaming.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

The silence between them was perfect, no words needed to be said everything was just right. So that is how Dan remind, holding tightly onto Dia’s hand grinning stupidly at her unable to find any other expression. This was the first time anyone had actually asked him to go anywhere with them, he had always done the asking, he had always done the chasing to get the one thing. But he did not want to treat Dia in that way, she was ten times the women any of Dan’s other flings had been.
Not that he saw this as a fling, Dan was slightly confused about his feeling towards Dia, they were so strong that it actually scared him. He had not felt this way since Offley all those years ago back when they were young and naïve, not he had life experience it made things even harder as he was so use to having an explanation for everything.

Dan knew the pain of someone admitting to love another only for them to reject the love, he had seen that hurt enough times in the eyes of his many girls and he did not want to feel it or see that hurt in Dia’s eyes. So he bit his tongue and held back saying the three words that seemed to common, so plain. If Dan was going to show Dia his love for her he would have to do it his own way, at his own pace just to make sure that he was not acting too irrationally.

The rain continued to fall from the sky, yet the clouds seemed to be breaking up and shafts of sunlight broke through and shone onto the lake and castle grounds. From one natural beauty to another Dan looked at Dia one last time, taking in every bit. Her red cheeks and cool blue eyes set off the rest of her features, even when wet her hair was the most handsome thing he had ever seen. To put it simply Dan was enwrapped with every single thing about this women, through his love struck eyes he could see no fault.

“I should return to the castle. I have some unexpected packing to do.”

Taking a steady step forward Dan raised the hand he was clinging onto and kissed it gently. It reminded him of how they had said goodbye all those weeks ago in the kitchen when his first attraction to Dia had arisen. Lowering the hand for his lips Dan straighten his back and gave a small regretful smile. For his own health Dan needed to get inside and sit down in front of a warm fire, but for his pinning heart he wanted to stay in the rain with Dia,no matter the consequence.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia’s cheeks would not drain of their flushed colour as her heart was still beating so fast. Her happiness was breath-taking and she could not voice how she felt, she wasn't one hundred percent sure how she felt. She knew she had deep feelings for this man, this warm and caring man who held her hand so tightly. How deep these feelings were and how much he reciprocated them were topics of much questioning in Dia’s mind. However, at that moment she didn’t want to think on such things. She was with him, with Dan in the pouring rain and it meant everything to her.

Dan lifted her hands and kissed it tenderly. She blushed a little more, being reminded of a happier time when all she had to worry about was not standing on Dan’s toes while they danced. It had been a good night, she thought, and after she had been very productive with her work, even with Dan running circles in her head. He had been ever present in her mind from that day, and she had been happier then she could remember. Now, that happiness felt as though it could burst from her, hot and elated. She smiled at him as he dropped her hand.

"I will go with you," she said, linking her arm with his on his good side. "I want to make sure you get dry and healthy before I do the same." She smiled at Dan now, and began to walk towards the castle. The rain that had soaked them both seemed to be thinning in areas where sunshine broke through. She smiled wider at the sight of the sunshine dancing on the cool waters of the lake. "It’s beautiful," Dia said after a moment. As they walked to the castle and past her umbrella, Dia picked up the handle, tipped out the water in a waterfall and put it over her shoulder, sheltering them both but still the got wet from the drops dripping from the umbrella. She laughed at it.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan had just about managed to tame his heart beat after the kiss, he had told himself that they would be apart for now but soon eh would be spending as much time as possible together. He was ready to walk away but it seemed, much to his secret delight Dia was not. As soon as they touched Dan felt a surge of energy flood through him yet again, it was like a small electric impulse had run throughout him, his hair stood on end but he was not cold, it warmed him. However it was what she said next that put a stopper on things in his mind.
The prospect of going to Egypt together, getting to know each other as friends and Dan admiring from afar became a distance memory. The old Dan Hubbles was creeping in slowly.

His ear pricked up at the idea of Dia coming with him to his office to make sure he was well and got dried off. His eyesbrows raised at as thoughts past through his mind, thoughts that had not really been present since they were kissing in the kitchens. Licking his rain covered lips Dan tried to keep himself focused on walking first of all before his mind wandered off into other areas. Although he was soon brought back into reality when Dia muttered about how the castle grounds were beautiful and no matter how cheesy it sounded Dan had to say it, it was almost impulse but he could not understand which Dan it was that was saying it.

“It is not the only thing that is beautiful.”

With a soft glance down at Dia and a small smile playing across his lips Dan was suddenly taken by her beauty again. She was something different, something he would love to have, to hold, to love. A glazed look past over his eyes for a second as his mind wondered yet again. Only a few minutes ago he was telling himself he would not treat Dai like any of his other women and yet now he was thinking of doing the same things to her as them with not even a care in the world about her personality or own emotional wants.
That had to stop now, these thoughts had to end. He slid his arm out of her grasp and dug his walking stick in the ground refusing to go any further. It was the only thing he could do even if it meant showing the real side of him to Dia.

“I can not let you take me back to my office. If you do then it is very likely I will not let you leave.”

As he confessed this Dan could not even look at her, his gaze was fixed on the ground and he kept tapping his stick on the ground and as he finished he clenched his jaw and was already wincing in pain, however not from his wounds but from his own honesty.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia was in a wonder land. She couldn't believe she, shy she, had asked this confident, experienced man to go with her to Egypt. It was not like her to be forceful and upfront but being with Dan seemed to have brought about that change in her. She was no longer afraid to show who she really was, she didn’t need to hide behind tea cups or in her Tower. She could be who she wanted around him and know that he wouldn’t think any less of her for it. That was one of the many things about Dan that attracted her to him but she would not let her want for him over rule her knowing that letting him in too soon, too fast would bring up old scars she never wanted to see again.

When Dan spoke, Dia laughed and threw back her wet mop of hair. She looked at Dan, the laughter still dancing in her eyes, and she noticed something in his face. He was no longer as happy as he had been a moment ago. Her smile lessened slightly and when he suddenly stopped walking, Dia let go of Dan’s arm. She knew something she had said did not sit well with him, she could see that in his face, his eyes. She dropped her umbrella, closed it, and dug the point into the ground, leaning on it. She looked up at Dan, a subdued concern on her face. She smiled again and looked at the ground for a second, thinking.

“If that’s what you want,” she said. She knew his reputation, and she was sure he knew that she did, so if he did not want to take her there she would not object. Avoid temptation, stay on the straight and narrow and you won’t get hurt, she told herself. She was certain that they both wanted it but she didn’t want to be another notch in his belt and by this display of his feelings (if it was that at all) she knew now that he didn’t want that either. So she would help him with that by not going to his office but they were going in the same direction. “But seeing that we are both headed in that direction,” she said, smiling and nodding her head towards the castle, “we may as well walk together. If that’s alright with you?” Accommodating, Dia to a t.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Managing to summon the courage to look up at Dia half expecting to see a frown upon her face and furry in her beautiful eyes. But instead she was taking everything so calmly, he could not believe it. He had to do a double check to make sure he was not hearing or seeing what he wanted to see. Dan would have loved it if she had run up to him , wrapped her arms around him and that was it, he knew deep inside these feelings of want and lust had to be pushed aside. He had six weeks to enjoy in Egypt with her, there was no point ruining it before it even began.
At her new proposition Dan could not help but smile and agree. It just summed up Dia and everything he loved about her. He knew she knew what he wanted, she was not stupid and neither was Dan. He had noticed how she had not wanted to get too close to him she did not trust him, heck Dan did not trust himself.

“Professor Owen that would be very agreeable to walk with you to the entrance.”

With a slightly wider grin Dan took a step forward pulling his stick out of the soft ground and walked over to a very wet Dia. He strangely felt mature about this, it was the first time he had ever admitted to a women about his attentions and the first time someone who knew his reputation had so calmly took control of the situation. Reaching out he took hold of Dia’s and held it tightly as they continued to walk forward at a slower pace then before. Last time Dan was thinking about what may happen after they entered the castle, this time he was more content on enjoying the moment.

Slowly the walls of the castle got closer and closer Dan was already mentally preparing himself for the goodbye. Trying to decide what would be the best way for it. A hug, a gentle kiss on the cheek or does he let out all the passion that had been suppressed inside him in one long kiss. With a small glance down at Dia and a squeeze on her hand Dan came to the conclusion he would let Dia make the move on saying goodbye, she seemed to have the clearer head and would do the right thing.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia smiled, snorted a laugh. “Then Professor Hubbles,” she replied, cheekily, “let’s go.” Dan took her hand and there was something different in the contact now. It was no longer filled with energy, longing and heat, it was now cool, deep and meaningful. Dia smiled shyly, felt her cheeks go hot at the shameful thoughts she had though Dan was thinking but by his touch she must have been mistaken. She didn’t mind being wrong in this instant, it showed her that people could change and that you should not judge a person on what you have heard about them, as she had just done. She would not do that again and she would, in the future, give Dan the benefit of her doubt.

They walked slower towards the castle then before, quite at their leisure. Neither seemed particularly eager to say goodbye but Dia knew that all good things had to come to an end, as this day did and as the holiday would, just like their night dancing in the kitchen had. It was an odd emotion that filled Dia now, one of regret possibly, that she wasn’t going with Dan and one of something like derision that she could be so self-serving when Dan was working so hard to be a gentleman. She quickly shook those thoughts off and looked at Dan. His hair was dripping, his clothes were soaked and yet he still seemed content to walk in the thinning rain with her. She smiled at him and knew she had done the right thing in asking him to go with her.

No matter how slow they walked, the great walls of the castle kept getting closer and closer and sooner then Dia realised they were ascending the steps to the Entrance Hall. Dia’s heart was racing once again and her throat went dry, despite how wet she was. They were under the shelter of the castle and in the Entrance Hall, out of the rain and still dripping everywhere. When they reached the foot of the marble staircase, Dia stopped and turned to face Dan. She swallowed hard, contemplating how best to say goodbye. She thought of giving him a friendly hand shake but knew that she would laugh if she did that. “Well,” she said and let go of Dan’s hand, “this is it.”

She looked up the marble staircase then back to Dan. “I will see you around,” she said, smiling, “we leave tomorrow as soon as we get to King's Cross.” She smiled, brushed hair out of her face, and swallowed again. She took a deep breath and stood on her toes, pushing herself up to Dan, and she kissed him on her cheek. She was holding his hand again. She stood normally and smiled at Dan. “Goodbye,” she said and before she could stop herself she turned and walked towards the door to the dungeons. There were a few items she needed to get there before she left and she would busy herself with that so she didn’t regret leaving him in the Entrance Hall.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Just feeling her hand in his made Dan’s heart settle, a smile fill is weathered face and his the cold from the rained seem like a small splash of water. It was the happiest he had felt in a long time, everything in the world was perfect as long as he had Dia by his side. The softer side of Dan never wanted it to end, the side of Dan that he had on so many occasions tried to cover up and hide from the world. But when he was with Dia it felt right to let himself be this way, to show the side of him that was willing to do anything for the women that he held dear, the women who had his heart, for the one he loved.

Stepping inside the entrance hall and walking towards the entrance hall he felt Dia trying to slip her hand out of his. Instinctively Dan tightened his grip for a second, wishing he had not said anything before, that he would be able to spend even more time with Dia, but he knew himself better and deep down he knew what he had said, how he had acted was the best thing to do. Letting her hand go Dan turned to look at her, not daring to say a word in fear of ruining the moment or once again confirming his desires.

He listened intently to her beautiful voice, her crisp accent and her sweet laugh as she explained the plans for their, he was going on holiday, on holiday with Dia. It was to much to take in, everything was happening so quickly. Their brief but sweet meeting, the holiday plans, his feeling for her. It was more then Dan’s small tired mind could take in. Wanting it to last longer he reached out and found Dia’s hand again that was strangely close to him, as was she. His heart gave a small twinge and he tried to reframe himself from tasting her sweet lips once again, and so instead he had to satisfy himself with her light kiss on his cheek.

“Goodnight Dia.” Dan answered back to her in a soft voice as he watched her walk away out of the entrance hall and towards the dungeons. His heart sank with the thought of missed opportunities and the lady in his life walking away. The thought he would be seeing her again tomorrow would have been of some comfort to him but tomorrow could not come sooner. Turing away from the empty archway where Dia had walked through Dan turned towards the kitchens and the Hufflepuff common room ready to dry off the old way, in front of the fire talking to those closest to him in hope it may help him take his mind off Dia.