15. WITHOUT A DOUBT

"I'm listening."

"I love you Elara Black."

"I love you too."

"No, Lara, you don't get it. I'm in love with you."

"I know. I love you too Theodore Nott. I'm in love with you." She brought her hand up to run her fingers across his jawline before she cupped his cheek.

"But- why?" Theodore couldn't believe it. it was too good to be true.

"Because, you're amazing, and you're brilliant. And you've always been there for me, and helped me through everything. You protected me when I couldn't protect myself, and you've been there by my side every single fucking step of the way. And I couldn't be happier with you by my side, with you in my life. So, believe it Theo, I love you, with all my heart. And just as you promised to always be there for me, and protect me and never let anything hurt me. I promise to be there for you, and protect you and never let anything hurt you. Ever."

Theodore dropped his head leaned his forehead against Elara's. "You have no idea how much better my life is with you in it."

"I think I have some idea." She smiles softly.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Theodore dipped his head lower and brought his lips to hers, and they shared a kiss. Theodore pulled away and dropped his head back onto her stomach, holding one of her hands and letting the other go back to where it was in his hair.

"Hey Lara?"

"Yes, Theo?"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Without a doubt."

When morning came, and Theodore awoke, he believed the night before to be a dream, and he had to find out the truth. He could see Elara still asleep, and so he lifted his head then poked her. "Lara."

"What is it, Theo?"

"Wake up."

"Why?"

"It's morning."

"Nope." She refused, and kept her eyes closed. When Theodore poked her again, she reached out and grabbed the front of his shirt before dragging him down on top of her. He had his face in her neck as he laughed.

"As my boyfriend, you should let me sleep." When she said that, he grinned. So it was true, it wasn't a dream. She really was his girlfriend.

"As much as I would love that, Lara, we have class." He rolled them over so she was on top of his chest.

"So? Let's skip, I haven't had a decent night's sleep in so long." Elara's head was still on his chest as she spoke.

"Ditto. But we have class."

"Nope."

"If you get up, I'll give you a piggyback ride to breakfast."

"Deal." She pulled herself up and leaned against the headboard of the bed. She looked over at the boy that laid down beside her. Theodore looked up and saw her smiling at him.

"What's up?"

"I just love you."

"I love you too." He replied, before standing up and making his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth. "Get up, Lara!"

"Fine." Came the reluctant response as Elara pulled herself off the comfortable bed and stood, looking around the room until her eyes landed on the closet. She walked towards it and swung the door open, seeing her uniform hung up beside Theodore's. She pulled it out and tossed it onto the bed before making her way to the bathroom just as Theodore made his way out.

She flashed a smile in his direction before heading to the sink and grabbing her toothbrush to brush her teeth. She washed her face and walked out to see Theodore with his tie loosely draped around his neck, untied. "Help?"

"Let me get changed then I'll come find you in the common room. Alright?" Elara walked towards the bed, picked up her clothes and kissed her boyfriend's cheek before heading to the bathroom.

"Alright." He called back. Elara shut the bathroom door and got dressed in her black uniform skirt, button down shirt and tied her emerald and silver tie around her neck, leaving it loose. Then, she threw her robes on overtop, leaving them open and ran a brush through her hair. She grabbed her red lipstick and tucked it into a pocket so she could apply it after breakfast.

Then, fully dressed, walked back into the dorm and pulled on her black ankle boots, grabbed her satchel and walked down the corridor to the common room where Theodore was sat on an armchair waiting for her.

As soon as he saw her, he stood and held out the tie. She rolled her eyes teasingly and grabbed it, wrapping it around his neck and tying it gently. "All done." Then, she twirled her finger, motioning for him to turn around so she could get on his back.

He turned and bent his knees. Elara grinned and got on his back, wrapping her legs around his waist. He brought his hands to her thighs and held them so she didn't fall, as she wrapped her arms loosely around his neck.

He began walking down halls to the Great Hall. They arrived at the Great Hall, and Theodore let her down when they got to the Slytherin table. People made their way towards Elara and asked her if she was alright after last night.

She responded with smiles and thanks for their concern. The last person had walked away when she turned to Theodore with wide eyes and a smile. "Wow, I love our house."

"Seems they love you too."

"Isn't that nice?" Elara grinned, before she was attacked in a hug by someone with long brown hair. Bianca.

"El! Are you alright?"

Elara hugged her friend back before she pulled away. "I'll be alright, Bia. Theodore helped me." At the suggestive look on the Zabini girls face, Elara scowled. "Not in that way you pervert, we're not at that point yet."

"Not at tha- wait! Does that mean you're at a point?" Bianca looked back and forth between the pair. Theodore scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, and Elara looked around, whistling. "OH MY GOD YOU ARE!" Bianca let out an inhumane screech that drew the attention of everyone in the hall.

"Oh bloody hell." Elara dropped her head onto the table with a loud thump that caused Theodore to wince.

"Lara, sweetheart, maybe don't go hitting your head on the solid wood tables."

"Let me die in peace, Theodore."

Theodore turned to Bianca, an accusing look present on his face, causing her to smile guiltily. "Heh, sorry? I'll be off now. Bye!" Bianca left the pair and headed off to speak with her brother.

"Yeah, you better run." Came Elara's bitter response as she grabbed a pastry and bit into it angrily.

"El, we should maybe tell Sirius."

"Yeah, he'll be fine with it. I'll just send him an owl later. I need some caffeine."

"And food."

"And food."

And so the pair dug in, Elara going for the pastries and then grabbing a little something sweet for later as she sipped on her coffee. Theodore had his stack of pancakes drenched in maple syrup, and a mug of tea beside him. When he finished, Elara noticed his ships glimmering from the syrup, so she leaned in and kissed them.

Pulling away, she let her tongue flick out and lick her lips. "Sweet." She winked as he looked at her, mouth open slightly in shock. Shocked that she kissed him so easily in public, in front of everyone, but then again, Elara wasn't as closed off and insecure about what people thought of them as he was.

Once they were done with breakfast, they headed for the Gryffindor table.