Follow My Footsteps? ((Rex))

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony chuckled softly to herself after several continuous twirls across the room, causing her vision to spin and halting her in her tracks. It had been quite a while since she had practised her ballet toes, though thankfully her feet hadn't begun to hurt. Then again, she hadn't trained extensively, so the ache hadn't had time to settle in. Her smile turning wry as they glanced down at her worn out ballet shoes, she sat herself down and proceeded to unlace them. Slipping them off her feet and placing them into her duffel bag, she took out her normal dancing shoes instead, which could be used for anything that didn't require specific footwear. Putting them on, she made sure they were comfortable and secure before pressing the Play switch on her CD player again, and walking into the centre of the room. Lifting her arms in the starting position, it took a few seconds for the music to play, and Harmony began her routine. It was one she knew well and practised often, since it was also a favourite of hers. She had learnt it years ago, and it always brought nostalgic memories back to her when she heard the song and felt her feet's desire to move to the music. Smiling in genuine happiness, Harmony closed her eyes and let her body sway and turn to the tune automatically, barely registering anything else about her surroundings in her mind. Right now, her conscious was focused on only herself and her inner thoughts, and no one could disturb or penetrate this invisible bubble layer that kept her out of reach, and pulled her into a world only she knew so well.

The song ended a long ten minutes later, though it had felt like only seconds for Harmony. Her dance, too, came to a smooth stop, her body back in the centre of the room despite having moved across it throughout the piece. Smiling in satisfaction and pride, Harmony's eyes re-opened, and she wandered back to her CD player to pause the music. Her fingers skimmed the muggle mechanic buttons thoughtfully, her mind still occupied in the clouds. Over the last few weeks, there had only been one thing... or rather, one person, in her thoughts. Harmony wasn't one to obsess or over-think - not at all! But Rex Carter was a different issue altogether. There was something about the Gryffindor fellow fourth year that intrigued Harmony; something about the wild danger and mystery that surrounded him that drew her like a moth to a flame. Harmony was all too aware that if she, the moth, flew too close to Rex, the flame, she would very likely be burnt; it was only a matter of when and how badly. She was usually so good at controlling her urges, but Rex opened up a part of herself she had never been familiar with. The spunk, the attitude, the defiance. Harmony would never have used such words to describe herself, yet her recent behaviour was all that and more. Not that she had changed from a goody-goody to a dare-devil; she still retained an air of calm and innocence about her. But something... something had certainly shifted. Even Harmony couldn't put her finger on it.

Harmony hadn't spoken to Rex for a few days, but they saw each other now and again in classes and in corridors. However, she hadn't had the chance to have a conversation properly since the 'JJ incident', besides the one time their Charms lesson had turned into a spell game of accio and depulso, flinging objects at each other in a friendly, daring way. Harmony longed for some conversation, she had to admit. She wasn't desperate... but it would be nice to have a talk with Rex, see how he was doing. That day, when he had saved her from JJ, Harmony had seen a new side to Rex she had never seen before, and she was mystified and intrigued. She wanted to learn more, wanted to know more. Sighing softly, Harmony sunk into one of the chairs in her hideout of a dance practice room and smiled sadly. On the other hand, Rex wasn't the only person on her mind. Both Aurora and epsecially Ari had been confusing her recently. Her older Hufflepuff cousin seemed distracted of late, but at least she made time to speak to her still. Ari, in comparison, had turned into a complete recluse - a recluse that could never be found. She wasn't as moody as before, but she was distant and secretive, something Ari never was. It worried Harmony, but she couldn't dig into her sister's affairs. Ari could for Harmony, but it would never happen the other way round; such was their relationship.

It was then the creaking of the opening door alerted Harmony to someone's presence. She shot out of her chair to stand stiffly, hands clasped in front, thinking it was a teacher, maybe Professor Flitwick. But, when her eyes landed on familiar intense orbs, she couldn't help the spread of a delighted smile across her lips. "Rex. Hi." She said, suppressing an amused chuckle. "What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?" She teased as he closed the door behind him. Sitting down again and a little more at ease - because although Rex's presence used to make her panicky, and she had had every reason to feel that way, she found she felt safer than ever with him now - she pulled her hair out of its high ponytail and flashed another friendly smile at him. "I haven't talked to you for a while now... How are you doing?" It had to be said though; even if Harmony didn't feel fearful and panciky, nerves still eroded her mind. Yes... Rex was a guy. Harmony was a girl. Rex was a very sought-after guy too. And Harmony's head just hurt to think about the complications of such a blossoming friendship. It wasn't as if she hadn't noticed Rex being kinder to her with his odd but endearing way of showing affection; it wasn't as though she hadn't been subtly ignoring Anastasia Castlerock's direct glares; or even Billy's wary glances at the three of them. It made Harmony nervous, but when she was with Rex, she also felt happy. And that was all that mattered.

[rex]

Rex tried to pay attention. He really did. No one could tell you differently. But it was so dull. Here was the scene: Billy, Stace, and he were sitting in the student lounge. The three were crowded around a circular table with three chairs. One for each of them. In front of them was a History of Magic textbook. History of Magic was by far the worst subject offered at Hogwarts. History of Magic was also Rex's worst subject at Hogwarts. That really had no influence on Rex's like or dislike of the subject. Or at least, that is what he liked to pretend. The real reason History of Magic was Rex's worst subject was that you never did anything. It was the most static learning of all Hogwarts and therefore Rex found it the least interesting. He liked classes like Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts. In those classes you got to get up and try new things. History of Magic was just sitting and listening to Professor Binns talk and talk and talk. Rex needed something to do with his hands not just twirl his quill. Plus, he didn't have that class with either the Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws so Rex didn't even have Billy or Stace to entertain him. It was probably for the best that Rex didn't have classes with both houses as he wasn't sure how well Billy and Stacey got on. They seemed to tolerate each other for Rex's sake but nothing else besides that. And yet here the three were, studying for exams. Rex could think of a million other things that he would rather be doing right now. He would even rather be doing his detention that he had just finished. A detention that he received because of a certain young lady.

Rex had not seen Harmony since that day. Well, that was an exaggeration. They saw a lot of each other. They were in the same year after all. But he hadn't been able to really talk to her since the whole JJ incident. What was it about Harmony that Rex found so fascinating? She was different than Rex. Rex was loud and obnoxious. Two qualities Rex's professors did not appreciate. Harmony seemed reserved and thoughtful. Except when he caught her dancing. Then she seemed free and uncaring. I wondering what she's doing now... Rex thought to himself. Probably something better than this. Rex looked up from his textbook to find his friends fighting about who was the general that ended some war that Rex could care even less about. "Guys, I be back. I need to... visit the WC." And with that Rex left the Student Lounge. He had no intention of visiting the WC or for that matter going back to the Lounge and studying more History of Magic. Rex wanted to see Harmony. She would make things more interesting. But where to find her? Rex couldn't get into the Hufflepuff common room. If she was in the Great Hall, chances are she would be with her older sister. Rex made a face at the thought of Harmony's older sister Ariane. A real piece of work that one. Maybe, just maybe, Rex would find her in the place where they had met a few months ago. Maybe she was dancing.

Rex neared the classroom door and heard music coming forth. He was fairly certain she was in there. But he didn't want to make a mistake and walking in on Chanting Club. Rex opened the door slightly and saw the dancing form of Harmony. He smiled to himself and closed the door. He didn't want to walk in the middle of her dance. As soon as he heard the song come to a close he entered the classroom. "Stalking? Stalkers are creepy old men. And I don't consider myself old," Rex responded with a smile. "Nor creepy for that matter." He walked over to her and sat down beside her. "I don't know how long I can stay. Billy and Stace think I just stepped out for the WC. We're supposed to be studying for the History of Magic exam. I didn't mean to interrupt you when you were dancing. Please continue."

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony smiled amusedly at Rex’s comment, “Stalkers don’t have to be old men. They just have to be lecherous, and are you really going to deny that one?” she joked, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear. “You? Creepy? Never!” Harmony laughed as Rex sat down beside her. At the closed distance between them, she felt just the slightest bit of heat steal onto her cheeks, dusting her visage with a light pink that she hoped wouldn’t be too obvious; if Rex noticed and asked, she would put it down to exertion from the dancing practice; she didn’t like him... well, like him like him anyway. She felt her inward eyes give a wry roll; Harmony Chan crushing on Rex Carter? No. It was just because he was a boy, and she wasn’t used to such close proximities and how intimate they were being. They were just friends, and she was sure Rex viewed her as the same; she wasn’t alike to his usual fangirls, who he could mess around as much as he wanted. Both Rex and Harmony knew that the connection between them was deeper than that, yet more platonic. He knew better than to mess around with her and her emotions, and she knew better than to judge him as the person he portrayed himself to be. He made her more daring and confident, and she made him more peaceful and honest. They were good for each other, Harmony was sure, and a part of her would be devastated if this friendship had to end – if Ari tried to break this up. For once, Harmony was sure – one hundred percent sure – her sister was wrong. Rex was not a bad person.

“So, how was revision coming along before you decided to slip away?” Harmony asked in a teasing tone, shoving her personal thoughts of Rex to the back of her mind. “I’m guessing you did nothing at all but flick pencils at poor Billy,” she predicted with a grin, leaning her chin on her palm, which was bent against her thigh. “History is your worst subject, isn’t it? You can’t fake that from me, Rex. But you know, if you need some help I can help you. I don’t find the lessons too boring... usually...” she giggled as she trailed off, thinking of Professor Binn’s droning voice. “You and Billy spend the lessons sleeping,” she continued to admonish in a fake stern tone, “and you should be ashamed of yourselves. But, Rex, honestly,” Harmony’s expression grew softer and less teasing, “if you need to revise, and if Billy and Anastasia are expecting you to go back, you don’t have to stay here for me. I can practice dancing all on my own, you know,” she added with her usual light smile. “But it’s nice to see you,” she hastened to also say, looking away from him and at her shoes, “I didn’t know when I’d next get to talk to you in person. Since the thing with JJ, we’ve both been busy. End of year exams and that.” Harmony gave a lopsided, wry smile, before standing up, feeling a bit boldened by the fact she knew she would probably not get to talk to Rex again for a while after this. He was always with Billy and Anastasia, and she wasn’t going to ask him to sacrifice his time with them, even if she really wanted him to.

“How about one dance with me before you go?” she smiled softly, stretching out her arms to his sitting form, “You caught me by surprise last time, but this time, I’m offering myself. Count yourself lucky, I don’t just dance with anyone.” Laughing, Harmony took Rex’s unresistingly hands in her own and pulled him up; she noted the several inches he had on her and tried to ignore the fact he was bearing down upon her much smaller figure. Surprisingly, it didn’t unnerve Harmony in the way it unnerved most people – she wasn’t scared by Rex’s advantage of his extra height; rather, she was much too aware of the fact he was standing so close to her, his protective figure wrapping her in a feeling of warmth and security; she could feel his body heat radiating as he stepped closer to hers, and her heart beat just a bit quicker against her chest. “It’s because he’s a boy and I’m a girl,” Harmony explained to herself frantically, as outwardly, with all poise and grace, she let Rex settle his hands on her shoulder and waist without protest. No. Harmony was, in fact, unnerved by the fact she felt protected by Rex, rather than frightened by his tall, athletic figure. “You’re too tall for your age,” Harmony grumbled jokily under her breath as she looked down at their feet to avoid catching Rex’s eyes. The music started when Harmony stretched out a finger to press the button, and their legs began to move. Harmony found herself completely unable to look up though, as one should do when dancing; instead, her eyes stared straight at Rex’s shoulder, her forehead barely pressing against the soft material of his clothes. His hand was tight on her waist, but not painful, and Harmony could feel his breathing against the top of her head. Feeling herself blushing hotter, she avoided all eye contact as she refrained from burying her face in his robes. “What am I doing?”