Christmas date trip
Harry will spend the rest of the Christmas holiday with Queenie, as his break "just happens" to coincide with the Christmas holiday. Once the holiday is over, he will be going to another route according to the company's arrangements.
Queenie, who had been excited, was a little disappointed. She had thought he would take at least a month off like during summer vacation, and perhaps fulfill his duties as a boyfriend by picking her up from school.
However, this didn't stop Queenie from embarking on her Christmas date trip, with the Maritime Museum as her first stop. The museum is closed for three days during the Christmas season, and this day just happened to be open.
Harry took this very seriously, as it was the first time he had stood Queenie up—though not by his own intention, he felt he had to make amends.
He got up early, spent ten minutes styling his hair, applied skincare products, and put on the matching winter clothes he and Queenie had bought yesterday, from head to toe.
"Dude, you look as refined as Malfoy now."
Harry in the mirror made a vomiting face. "You're praising Malfoy's refinement?"
"...Are you acting like a Malfoy?"
"You'll know when you have a girlfriend—but do you have to bring him up on such a nice day? The most hated one in Slytherin?"
Ron was particularly meticulous about certain things. "The most? If Ivy, Snape, and Malfoy were to rank themselves in this matter, who would be the most disliked?"
“Malfoy,” Harry maintained his original judgment, “because Snape is the most despicable one, and Voldemort is the most deserving of death.”
“You’re right,” Ron couldn’t have agreed more. “But next semester you’ll be taking Snape’s tutoring. Merlin, bless you.”
Harry became a little dejected when this was mentioned. He didn't understand why Dumbledore insisted on having Snape teach him such important magic. Couldn't Professor McGonagall do it?
"...Thanks to Hermione's foresight." If it weren't for Hermione, he would never have learned Occlumency beforehand, hoping that he could meet Snape's requirements as soon as possible and end the unpleasant tutoring—which he believed was unpleasant for both of them.
"I have to go. Remember to cover for me."
"Uh, um, okay... Have fun!"
Ron seemed a little awkward, but Harry didn't notice; he was in a hurry to see Queenie and wanted to arrive early this time.
The weather was nice, though it was really cold, but it was a rare sunny day.
Harry was already quite adept at Apparition. After climbing out of the window of 12 Grimmauld Place, he Apparated directly to the vicinity of the Maritime Museum.
They still agreed to meet at nine o'clock, planning to have breakfast together at a coffee shop first.
As Harry walked, he silently recited the information about the Maritime Museum to himself, which he had reviewed with Hermione's help the previous night.
The National Maritime Museum comprises three interconnected buildings: the Maritime Exposition, the Royal Observatory, and the Queen's House. Originally built in 1807 as a school for sailors' children, it was formally established as the National Maritime Museum in 1937—or something like that—by an act of Parliament…and then—
"Queenie?!" Harry exclaimed in surprise, instantly forgetting the beginning of his review. He quickened his pace and jogged to Queenie's side, the hem of his camel-colored trench coat swaying in a joyful arc at his knees, along with the scarf trailing behind him, all proclaiming his joy.
Queenie wore a brown beret, half her face buried in a cashmere scarf, and a trench coat that matched his, but it was a women's style, one of the matching outfits they bought yesterday.
“I was hoping to get here before you.” Harry scratched his head in frustration and reached out to smooth his messy bangs.
Queenie reached out and helped him straighten his bangs back to their original neat look. "You're punctual and know to come early so your girlfriend won't wait. That's great, Mr. Potter."
"I failed to keep my girlfriend waiting," Harry said honestly.
“I just got here too.” Queenie nudged him. “Come on in, I’m starving.”
Harry immediately took her hand, and the warm, soft touch made him want to squeeze it again and again.
Harry didn't let go of the money until he had ordered and paid. To be honest, you don't really need two hands to pay; you can take the money out of your pocket and put the change back in with one hand.
He continued to lead her to a seat by the window. On the table was a jade vase with a floral relief, filled with snowdrops. Queenie tilted her head. The last time she came, there were hydrangeas here, and the vases were simple rainbow glass.
"It seems we are indeed on the same wavelength."
"Um?"
"The last time I came here to wait for you, I sat in the same spot." Her right hand was still being held, her left hand was supporting her cheek, and the curled ends of her hair laid out in a beautiful arc over her shoulders.
"...!"
Queenie said nonchalantly, "I didn't mean to bring up the past. I was just thinking that I liked you this much back then. Before that, I never imagined I would wait for someone for twelve hours to keep a date—maybe there wasn't another one like that in all of London or even the whole of England—how long had we known each other back then? Five days?"
Harry was shocked. "Twelve hours?!"
Queenie nodded, her golden hair swaying as it fell from her shoulders to her chest. She was incredibly magnanimous. "But you came to me later to explain. It was understandable. After all, I fell in love with you first."
Harry, following Queenie's words, recalled how he had run away from Black's old house to Queenie's house in the middle of the night with his friends, unable to wait for dawn or for the aging potion. He might have already fallen for Queenie back then.
No, that must be it. At least deep down, he didn't want everything to end in such an unclear way.
"I remember you had a girl you liked back then. By the way, does she know you already have a girlfriend?"
"..." Harry, who had been about to take the opportunity to confess his feelings, stopped himself. If he said that he had completely forgotten about Cho's existence at that time...would Queenie think he was too heartless? Like, if you can fall in love with someone else, you can do the same to me someday?
Harry's clever little brain has already mastered the formula for romantic comedies without any instruction.
Queenie didn't necessarily want to get an answer; everyone has a past, after all. She just wanted to see Harry's expressions, which kept changing—they were just too adorable!
The waiter who brought coffee and breakfast eased Harry's embarrassment.
The clerk put their order away and glanced at Queenie again before turning away.
The shop assistant was a man.
Harry asked cautiously, "Excuse me, is there anything else?"
The shop assistant recognized his face and exclaimed, "Ah, you're that handsome 22-year-old man with black hair, green eyes, and glasses?"
Harry was puzzled.
"It was probably around August. I remember this lady waiting for someone in the store for a long time, and she even asked me to keep an eye out for her. I've never seen anyone wait for so long before, so it's a memorable experience." The clerk cleverly ended with a blessing, "Looks like you two are together? I wish you happiness."
As soon as the shop assistant left, the wary kitten turned into a rain-soaked kitten, saying, "I'm sorry..."
"I don't want to hear your apology, and besides, you already apologized for this."
"I like you the most."
"Of course you are, otherwise wouldn't I be at a disadvantage?"
In order not to let Queenie suffer, he had to generate more love for her.
He can do this, sparing no effort.
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