Characters: Wendy Roper and Harry Potter. Setting: Mostly at Harry's house. Date: Mostly on 18 March. Content/Rating: Low. Summary: Harry and Wendy abandon the pub crawl early, and go to Harry's for the night. Status: Logged. Complete.
The evening spent pub crawling in Dublin had been nice, enjoyable even; it was good to see everyone again at the same time. It was even nicer to have Wendy with him and not be on his own like it would’ve been on any other St Patrick’s day pub crawl. It was just before midnight and Harry’d had really enough of being social for one night. Or at least enough of being social with a large group of people; being social with just one was something else entirely. With everyone starting to get their things together to move on to the next pub on the list, he leaned into Wendy, arm slipping around her waist. “D’you want to go with them or stay here and finish your drink?” he asked, mouth close to her ear.
Wendy had had an enjoyable evening; meeting Ron had gone well. They had both come away with a favourable impression of the other. And then the crawl had begun, with everyone meeting at the Leaky Cauldron and taking a portkey, secured for the occasion, to Dublin. She had spent a good portion of the night at Harry’s side, although Mandy Brocklehurst had talked her into dancing at one of the pubs, and she’d managed to gab with Meg throughout the whole night. All in all, it had been thoroughly enjoyable. Wendy had stood with everyone else, reaching for her jacket while taking a final sip of her wine.
She smiled when Harry slipped his arm around, tilting her head to listen, then turning it to look at him. “I can do either, really,” she said, resting her palm on his chest briefly. He was looking a bit tired, and had become a little quiet. She was starting to understand him, and thought that this withdrawal meant he was probably ready to go home. “Which would you rather do, sweetheart?”
“Stay for a bit,” he said honestly, “and then go home. I’m thinking I’ve had enough pub crawling for one night.” He smiled, giving her a small squeeze. “And I’m selfish and want to have you to myself for a bit.”
Wendy nodded. “All right,” she said. “We’ll stay for a bit, then.” She stepped away to catch Meg’s attention and explain that they were stopping here. Ron slipped between a few chairs and stopped at Harry’s side.
“Where’s your jacket, Harry? Did you lose it?” he asked, adjusting the cuffs of his own.
“OK.” Smiling, he watched as she stepped away to talk to Megan. “Hmm? What?” he said, turning to look at Ron when he spoke. “No, it’s here somewhere.” He gestured over his shoulder. “We’re going to stay. Enjoy the rest of the night.”
Ron looked at him, then looked to where Wendy was talking to Megan, both of them smiling. He nodded. “All right. You too, mate.” He clapped Harry on the shoulder and joined the crowd leaving.
Wendy gave Megan a hug, and stepped back to Harry, wrapping her arm around his waist and leaning against him. They resumed their seats and she picked up her wineglass. “So, is home tonight your house or mine?”
“I will, thanks.” Harry waited for Wendy, stepping back to their table and sitting down again. “I don’t know,” he said, having a sip of his whiskey. “Mine? Or if we don’t I’ll need to go back there in any case, to take the dogs out and make sure they’ve got food and water.”
“Yours,” she agreed. “Mirabel will be all right.” Something settled, deep in her stomach, at the subtle intimations; this wouldn’t end like every other date had. She could feel it in her toes. She finished her wine and sat back, crossing her legs and letting the tip of her shoe brush against his calf. “This was fun. I can’t remember the last time I was on a pub crawl.”
“OK,” he smiled. An harassed-looking waitress stopped by their table, wanting to know if they wanted anything more. His glass hardly touched, Harry shook his head, looking at Wendy to see if she wanted to have another glass of wine. With the waitress gone again, he said, “I’m glad you came with us.”
Wendy shook her head; if she had anymore, she would move from pleasantly tipsy into drunk, and she didn’t want that. “Me, too,” she said, slipping her hand into his and sitting them on the space between them in the booth. “We can go whenever you want, Harry. I’m not used to being out this late.”
The crowd of people around them was growing louder and louder by the minute, and it didn’t help the niggling headache that had started right behind his eyes. He nodded and moved to get up. “Let’s go, then.” He stood, helping her into her jacket, before pulling his own on.
It took several minutes to wend their way through the crowd, most all of them loud and drunk and very, very Irish this night. Wendy stayed close to Harry, hand wrapped tightly around his, until they were outside, and even then she stuck close to him as they pushed through the crowd that had gone outside to smoke and be generally raucous outside. Finally they made it to an isolated spot; Harry Apparated them to his house and it wasn’t long before they were settling into the quiet of the living room after letting the dogs out and shedding jackets and shoes.
Sighing in contentment, he sank down onto the sofa. “God, this is nice,” he said, then laughed. “Apparently I’ve really had enough of people for one night.” Lizzie came in from outside, sniffing at him and just hanging around for a good scratch behind her ears before running out again.
Pulling her hair back, Wendy wrinkled her nose. It seemed that there had been smokers everywhere... outside, in the pubs, on the streets. “I smell like an ashtray,” she muttered, lifting her arm to sniff her sleeve. “Ugh, everywhere. I smell horrible everywhere.” Plus there was the beer that had been spilt on her at the first pub.
Harry watched her, unable to keep himself from smiling; he probably smelled just as bad. “Why don’t you go and have a shower?” he suggested. “And I’ll get the dogs fed while you’re busy.”
“Do you have anything I could borrow to wear? I know we said that I would bring things here for me and Heidi, but I haven’t done that yet,” she said. And, honestly, she hadn’t planned on doing anything more here than a little snogging before going home. Except, she really didn’t want to go home. Not tonight.
“Of course,” he said, pushing himself to his feet. He came to stand right in front of her, taking her hands. “D’you want something for sleeping or something for going home in?” He hadn’t really thought about it when they’d decided to come here; he’d only really thought as far as wanting her with him and not being surrounded by other people. He found that he didn’t mind the thought of her staying at all.
She squeezed his hands and stood as well, thinking. “What do you want me to do? It is your house, after all,” she reminded him with a smile. Her thumbs brushed over the backs of his hands. “But I do think that in terms of me wearing your clothes, sleeping in them and wearing them to go home is about the same thing.”
“I’d like you to stay.” He smiled, letting go of her hands to curl an arm around her waist. “And I’m not expecting anything,” he said. “I just want you here now and I want you here tomorrow morning.” Somehow the thought of having a bit of Sunday morning together was very appealing to him. He laughed. “That’s true, but I’ll probably be giving you something more comfortable if it’s for sleeping.”
“Then I would like clothes for sleeping then,” she said, a smile spreading across her face. She rested her hands on his sides, sliding them around to meet in the back as she hugged him. “I want to stay. I feel like I’m always leaving something behind every time one of us has to leave.” She stretched up to kiss him. “Please get me some clothes so I can smell better. And then while you are in the shower, I’ll make us a little snack before bed.”
His own smile grew when she said that she wanted to stay. “OK.” He gave her another small kiss, before letting go of her. “You can go up so long,” he said, gesturing in the direction of the stairs. “I’ll be right behind you. I just want to get the dogs in and the doors closed and I’ll be there to give you clothes.” His bedroom and bathroom were the only rooms on the first floor, so there was no need for any more direction than that.
Wendy nodded. “All right.” She went up the stairs, grimacing more as the scent of smoke wafted from her hair to her nose. “Ugh,” she muttered, stripping her clothes off and wrapping herself in a towel until Harry could hand her some clothes. She grinned at him when he appeared at the door, saucily showing a bare leg and turning her foot in a circle towards him.
With Wendy going upstairs, he leaned out of the the doorway, giving a long, low whistle for the dogs to come back in. Lizzie appeared out of the darkness first, followed by Sam only a moment later. He closed and locked the doors, giving them each a treat, before going upstairs. He laughed when he saw Wendy just wrapped in a towel, pulling the door to his closet open. “So, Ms Roper, what would you like to wear? We’ve got pyjama bottoms - long and short - and t-shirts,” he said, opening another door, “and jumpers. Take your pick.”
She leaned against the doorframe, mouth pursed. “A t-shirt and short pyjama bottoms, please, Mr Potter,” she said finally, moving into the room and pointing at a t-shirt that looked especially comfortable and worn-in, and a pair of pyjama bottoms that she fancied. “Those, please, sir.”
She turned to look at him. “Your closet is tidy.”
He pulled the clothes that she’d indicated out, handing them to her with a small flourish. “There you go, m’lady,” he said. Laughing, he looked at her and back to his closet. “You sound surprised.”
“Thank you,” she said, dropping a curtsey as she took the clothes. Her eyebrows shot up as she considered him. “Harry, sweetheart, dear, darling, have you seen your desk downstairs in your office? I peeked in when I went to the loo last time I was here, and just a glance convinced me that to go in there was to be lost forever.”
“But I work there,” he told her, trying his best to look innocent. Then he broke out in another grin. “I’ve got to admit that my closets haven’t always looked like this, though. When I moved in I decided to make an effort to keep it tidy. But for some reason that doesn’t work with my desks - not here or at the office.” Stepping back, he closed the closet doors. “Everything you’ll need is in the bathroom. And more clean towels are here.” He took her to the bathroom, opening the linen closet.
She laughed, tightening the towel around her a bit to prevent it from slipping off. “Well, at least you’re committed to being tidy about something,” she teased, following him to the bathroom. “Thank you. I’ll be out in a little while.” She stepped toward the shower, paused as if to add something, and thought better of it. It really wasn’t the time to ask if he wanted to join her, even if it would be fun.
“That’s something, yeah,” he laughed. “OK. Take your time.” He left her in the bathroom, calling to the dogs to take them downstairs with him. There he played with them for a bit, then filled their food bowls. By the time Wendy came downstairs, he was once again stretched out on the sofa with his eyes closed, his bare feet propped up on the coffee table.
She did, washing her hair twice to rid it of the stink of cigarette smoke. Awhile after she started her shower, she came downstairs, hair wet and hanging over her shoulders and down her back. The t-shirt was just as comfortable as it had looked, and overall she was completely relaxed. Sam padded over to her as she stepped onto the ground floor, following her as she went into the kitchen for a glass of water and then into the living room.
She watched him for a moment, then went to sit on the edge of the couch, brushing back his hair. “Hi.” She leaned down to kiss his forehead. “Let’s go to bed?”
Opening his eyes when she sat down, he reached for her. “Hi,” he said, smiling lazily. “Hm-mm, that sounds good. D’you want anything before we do? Juice or something to eat?” He pushed himself up while he talked, coming to sit on the edge of the sofa with her.
She shook her head, “I just had some water, so I should be okay,” she said, tucking herself under his arm. “Do you want anything?” She sniffed him and wrinkled her nose. “You need a shower, too. You smell. Take a shower, and then I’ll share a bed with you.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m good.” Letting her sniff him, he said, “I do, I know.” He smiled and leaned in for a kiss. “And I can’t argue with that, so I’ll go and have that shower.” Still smiling, he stood and started to go through his usual check every night - making sure that everything was as it should be and that all his wards were in place. With that done, he held out his hand to her, turning off the last downstairs lights as they went upstairs.
“I won’t be long,” he promised, grabbing his pyjama bottoms from under his pillow and disappearing into the bathroom.
Wendy turned down the bed and slipped under the covers, settling herself against the other pillow and waiting for him. She’d never done this before, sleeping over and having it be so purely domestic and about just being with one another. It was novel and absolutely perfect. She turned onto her side, facing the middle of the bed when he came into the room, smiling at him as he joined her. She cupped his face and leaned in to give him a kiss, and then another. “Good night, Harry. Sleep sweet.”
He came padding out of the bathroom a while later, his contacts exchanged for glasses now. Slipping into bed with her, he immediately slid an arm around her. “Good night,” he smiled, giving her another kiss before settling back against his pillows. This really was all sorts of perfect and he couldn’t help but marvel again at how very comfortable he was with her. “Thanks for staying tonight.”
She curled up next to him, drowsy and comfortable with his length and warmth next to her. “You’re welcome,” she murmured, sighing in contentment. Anything she would have said next was lost in sleep.
He left her to sleep, reading for a little while before taking off his glasses and turning off the light on his bedside table. Sleeping with someone was something he wasn’t used to, but he fell asleep surprisingly quickly, one arm draped over her. It was early morning when he woke up again; Wendy was still asleep, so he quietly slipped out of bed, going to the loo and brushing his teeth and then taking the dogs downstairs to take them out.
She woke up slightly when he left the bed, rolling over and falling back into sleep. She woke up an hour later, smelling coffee and hearing the sounds of dogs barking as they ran outdoors. She sighed, stretching. After laying in bed for a few minutes, she got up, using the loo before going downstairs to find Harry. She really needed a toothbrush. And a good-morning kiss.
Harry was working, files spread out on the coffee table and his second mug of coffee for the morning in his hand. “Good morning,” he smiled when she came in. Putting his coffee down, he stood. “Did you sleep OK?”
“Good morning,” she returned, stepping around the coffee table for a hug, lifting her face for a kiss. “I did. Although it got strangely chilly a little bit ago.” She stretched again, twisting her back. “Coffee smells good. Do you have an extra toothbrush?”
“That’s good,” he smiled after giving her a kiss. “I didn’t wake you?” He gave her another kiss, pulling her close for a hug as well. “I do, yeah. What d’you want first? Coffee or that toothbrush?”
She shook her head. “Nope, not a bit. Well, maybe a little, but it doesn’t count.” It was nice just standing there with him, but in the end, morning breath won out. “Toothbrush, please.”
“In the bathroom - cupboard under the sink,” he said. “It should be on the top shelf.” He gave her another squeeze, then let her go. “I’ll have the coffee ready when you’re done.”
“Thank you,” she said, kissing him one more time before going back upstairs. She easily found the extra toothbrush, and after seeing to her teeth and running a brush through her hair, she was downstairs again, taking a steaming mug of coffee from Harry and taking a slow sip. It was good. “This is lovely.”
She sank onto the couch, curling her feet under her. “I am supposed to get Heidi in an hour,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Which means I need to go home soon and put clothes on.”
While she was away he tidied up the coffee table, piling all the files on one heap, before going to the kitchen to get Wendy’s coffee.
Harry nodded, having a sip of coffee and then leaning forward to put his mug down on the table. “I know.” It was much too soon for him to want to let her go yet, even if he’d see her again later for lunch at her mum and stepdad’s with Heidi. “Next weekend you’ll stay longer, yeah?” he said, leaning closer to kiss her.
She nodded, returning the kiss and giving him another. “I will, yes,” she said. “I can stay as long as either of us wants, next weekend.” She could be there from Friday until Monday morning, if they wanted. Strangely, after spending the night with him now, she could think of nothing better than to spend an entire weekend with him.
“OK,” he said with a satisfied smile as he sat back again, “I like the sound of that.” He had a feeling that he was probably going to need a weekend like that with this investigation going like it was. “D’you want something to eat before you leave?”
Wendy shook her head. “No, I think that Heidi and I are going to get a pastry after I get her.” She leaned in to kiss him again. “Do you want to go with us? You could spend the day with us.”
Harry smiled. “Are you sure? I’d love to, but I don’t want to intrude on your time with her.”
“You won’t be intruding,” Wendy said. “We both like having you around.” She grinned, teasing. “It can be useful, sometimes.”
“OK, then. I’ll spend the day with you.” It was much better than what he’d planned for the morning until he was supposed to meet them later. He laughed. “Useful how?”
“Oh, you’re tall,” Wendy listed. “And strong. So you can reach things down for me. And lift things.” She poked her finger into his side, tickling a little. “Also, you’re cute, so it looks good when we walk around together.”
Laughing, he grabbed her hand and pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her. “Cute? Right. I would’ve thought that you’d want me around for my brilliant story telling skills.”
“Those are nice, too,” she laughed, shifting until she was curled up against him. “But yes, cute. Definitely cute. You are definitely cute. Quite handsome. Rather gorgeous, at times.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever called me that,” he said. “Any of that. At least not where I could hear them.” He kissed her again, lingering for a few moments.
“Mm,” she said. “What else can I say that will get me kisses like that?” She kept him close, idly rubbing her thumb over his cheek. “God, I like you so much.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” he smiled, pressing another kiss to her mouth. “Hm-mm, that makes two of us.” He gave her another kiss, then sighed, pulling away. “I should probably get ready if you’re to pick up Heidi in a bit.”
Wendy nodded. “Then we can go to my house so I can get dressed,” she said, letting him go. “And then we’ll go get Miss Heidi.” She reached for her coffee, drinking it while he changed. She fetched her clothes and slipped her feet into her shoes; she looked ridiculous, but that hardly mattered. They would be able to Apparate fairly close to the house.
Soon enough they were in her foyer, with Mirabel mrowring at them and begging for attention from Harry. “I’ll be down in a minute, sweetheart.”
She charged upstairs, taking the time to change and tidy her hair and throw on a bit of makeup before joining him downstairs.
He nodded, hunkering down to stroke Mirabel. “I’ll be here.” By the time Wendy came back downstairs he was sitting on her sofa, Mirabel curled up on his lap. Smiling when she came in, he picked the cat up and moved her so that he could get to his feet. “You look beautiful.”
Wendy paused, looking down. She was normal today, nothing special. But she smiled. “Thank you,” she said, stepping to him for a kiss. “You’ve made a conquest. Mirabel likes you, too.”
She picked up her purse, holding out her hand to him. “Ready?”
“She’s not too bad herself.” Chuckling, he gave Mirabel one last stroke, then turned back to Wendy. “Ready,” he said, taking her hand.
Wendy laughed. “I’m glad she’s not,” she said, stepping closer and lifting her head for a kiss. “Thank you. I feel beautiful, now.”
She tugged him towards the front door and out and down the steps. It was a short walk back to the apparition point, holding his hand. It was but a moment to get them to the apartment that Chris shared with Katy, and after fifteen minutes of conversation, Harry and Wendy were away with Heidi holding onto their hands, chattering excitedly about how she and Katy had made the picture for Mummy the day before.
“You’re welcome,” he smiled, giving her hand a squeeze as he walked out the door with her. Getting Heidi from her dad was over quickly and soon the three of them were stepping out of the building again and onto the pavement.
Smiling at the little girl’s excitement, Harry caught Wendy’s eye. “Which way to those pastries you talked about earlier?” he asked as Heidi paused for a breath.
Wendy indicated the direction. "That way," she said, unable to keep from smiling. After all, she was able to spend the day with two of her most favourite people in the world.
He let her lead the way, listening to Heidi as she prattled on about her weekend so far. It was a beautiful, brisk morning and he couldn’t think of a place where he’d rather be than here, with them.