In Her Touch
Perception After The Fact
Six letters changed my life. Actually it was only four letters as two of them were repeated but I suppose that is neither here nor there now. Six letters…the sum of two words in the English language, irrevocably rocked my world to its core. What pray tell were the two words you ask…say yes. Three months ago at the bar of the Leaky Cauldron after explaining to me that Harry'd had a bit of a shock and that he needed a moment to settle his nerves, Ron leaned down and whispered those two words in my ear… say yes. I had no idea what Ron was on about, and before I had the chance to ask he was nodding at his recently vacated bar stool and strolling out the door.
I guessed from his words and his quick exit that Harry had something to ask me. I must say that Ron telling me to say yes to Harry irked me more than a little. I mean honestly when have I ever really said no to Harry. We've had our disagreements and there has been the odd moment when we've had a row but on most every occasion that Harry has ever asked for my help and assistance (and even when he hasn't) I've given it freely. And though I have always been vocal in my opinions I have never nor would I ever turn my back on Harry if he needed me, which looked to be the case that night.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I sat down but I certainly wasn't expecting what transpired. We sat there in silence for about ten minutes before Harry suddenly turned to me and asked me out…on a date no less! To say I was thunderstruck would have been an understatement. Before I had a chance to respond Harry started babbling. He started in on his date with Charlotte Griffiths and how it was because of Ron saying he needed to get on with things that he'd even asked her out in the first place. But he'd apparently gotten things all wrong as Ron hadn't meant for him to ask Charlotte out at all. Ron had in fact meant for him to ask me out on account of his (Harry) needing someone in his life who wasn't shallow and looking for a persona; but someone who he (Harry) could build a life with, someone loving and caring and understanding and that Ron could see even if he couldn't that that person was me because he (Ron) had seen the way I touched him (Harry).
After that rather convoluted explanation of things I stood to my feet dragged Harry up from his seat and marched him straight out the door. I apparated us both back to my flat and sitting Harry down on my couch went to the kitchen and made a very strong pot of coffee. I then laced it with the strongest reversal of drunkenness potion that I had to hand. Ron and Harry have been known to overindulge on occasion so I make sure that I always keep an appropriate remedy on hand. I insisted on his having two cups before I allowed him to speak again.
My shock was palpable when Harry reiterated his earlier request. I sat there on my couch staring at him eyes wide, jaw dropped and barely breathing. He smiled at that. Seems he thought it was cute. He took his finger and after reassociating my lower jaw with my upper jaw he explained his conversation with Ron to me. He told me about the kind of woman he wanted and the fact that he thought such a woman didn't exist. He then told me how Ron had pointed me out to him, telling him that I was that woman. That explained Ron saying he'd just had a shock. And it also explained why Ron had told me to say yes to Harry. I suppose he was anticipating that Harry would make a move. But why would Harry make a move because of something Ron was guessing at?
When I posed that question Harry uttered the most beautiful words I'd ever heard. He told me what Ron had said about seeing the way I touched him. Which he admittedly thought was bordering on insane until I sat beside him at the bar and touched ran my fingers through his hair. He told me that in that moment all the anxiety he was feeling over what Ron had implied vanished. He instantly knew that everything would be alright now that I was there. And that was when he knew. Knew that Ron had been right and that he had been an idiot. He said that in that one instant he understood how very much he needed me…how very much he loved me. He was about to elaborate but he never got the chance. I'm not sure whether it was my grabbing him or my kissing him that stunned him the most. Needless to say when we finally composed ourselves I did indeed say yes.
Since then Harry and I have become we, I am very pleased to report. Looking back it's hard to imagine that we didn't see how perfectly we suited each other, especially considering how drawn we have always been to one another. But I suppose that is the way such things are when you've been as close as we have for so long. We assigned the name friendship to our feelings for one another and just assumed that that was all it was or ever would be. Funny that Ron had the right end of things all along. Who would have ever guessed he was so very perceptive.
Harry's behind me. I know it without having to turn and look. For some inexplicable reason I can sense when he's near. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close. He pulls my hair away from my neck and drops a kiss in the hollow beneath my ear. I close my eyes as I reach up and around burying my fingers in his hair. His contented sigh in my ear and the slight tightening of his arms about my waist speaks volumes. I relax into his arms completely at peace with the rightness of the world.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing. Until next time…Happy Reading.
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