For Hunger Games: Fanfiction Style Competition – Training Round – Write Anything

For Write All the Ships Challenge – Arabella Figg and Ernie Prang

For Hogwarts Fair Challenge – Entry Fee – Write Anything

For One for Every Letter Challenge – K

For Variety of Prompts Challenge – List #4 – Prompt #4 – Squib

Knight Bus Called Love

It crept up, regardless of how you saw it, I knew he crept. He always did when he visited Little Whinging. I could feel the sudden drop in temperature, as if all the heat was sucked out of my lounge and gravitated to the only entity worth being around. The blanket slipped from my lap and instinctively my hands rushed to my head, checking for an out of place hair, as if he would notice.

I took quick even breathes before approaching the window, my legs shaking for this very moment. I let my hand curl around the curtain pushing it slightly aside, the neighbours must not know of my curiosity. Harry was laying half out into the street as a blazing headlight weaved toward him. I couldn't help but let a laugh vibrate its way over my lips.

"It's all about the fun," he said light filling his eyes. "Sometimes I purposely stop at the last minute. Gives them a jolt."

My laugh blew my cover from safely behind the curtain. His eyes locked into mine, even over the headlight. I could feel his mood even from behind the glass, first his big blue eyes were alert but they quickly changed to empathetic and maybe slightly guilty. My breath caught in my throat, as tears pressed to my eyes.

"What do you mean you didn't get your letter? You would make the most amazing witch!"

I let a smile shine through the distress that was clearly plastered on my face. He relaxed and his great blue eyes stared at me, even after thirty years he could still take my breath away. In that moment I did not care what the neighbour thought of me, I would be crazy Arabella if I had to be. Could being crazy be worse than being a Squib while your true love was all powerful? I placed my palm flat against the glass, his eyes grew wide with recognition and he blew me a kiss.

"I won't be around much anymore, but whenever I get the chance I will come and see you."

"Take it away Ern," the shrivelled head screamed. I could feel the tears push against my eyes as the breath in my throat came out ragged and scratchy.

One. The engine roared to life as Ernie reanimated and took the wheel.

"You're getting married? What about us?" he asked as anger filled his eyes.

Two. The headlight filled my vision, I could barely see, but even though it hurt, I was not looking away.

"I can't wait in this limbo forever, hoping that one day you will forget magic and stay with me," I snapped childishly.

Three. The bus whirls past in a deep purple blur and before I can blink it flies around the corner.

"I thought we were something special."

I never did get married, instead I waited. Because even a half-life of waiting on the edge of the unknown with Ernie, was better than anything anyone else could offer me. One day, hopefully he would return again to Little Whinging and I could spend a few more moments getting lost in his eyes.

A/N: In case I did not make it obvious enough… the Italic sentences are memories. Hope it was good, I enjoyed writing this one.