Together- A Harry Potter Love Story (1- new)

1

July 1991

"Again! Again!"

Lawrence Rivera's eyes were bright as he stared at my mucky hands, attention fixed solely on our stimuli despite the soil slipping over my fingers. I couldn't fight the smile that gripped my cheeks, shuffling forward in the grass to allow us to sit directly opposite each other.

"You have to be quiet!" I whispered, though the tone of my words was playful. Lawrence nodded absentmindedly, obeying my command by placing an index finger to his lips.

It wasn't the first time I had managed to produce a flower from the centre of my palm, and yet Lawrence watched me unfold my fist with wide, emerald eyes, mouth parting in pure fascination as I revealed the lily flower rooting into my skin. A soft giggle slipped from my own lips as he broke into an enthusiastic applaud, whilst I held up my hand with a prideful grin.

"I wish I was magic," Lawrence whined, ceasing his clapping and slumping down into the long grass. I rolled my eyes in a fond manner, joining his antics swiftly and laying beside him.

"You are magic," I hummed nonchalantly, gaze still focused on my latest flower. "My magic's just better than yours."

"Cheers, Mill," Lawrence teased, shaking his head at my usual bluntness. "I don't think I am. You've always been special."

I wrinkled my nose at his last statement, fighting to display any of the warmth that had just flooded my heart; it was moments like these I wondered if I was in love with Lawrence.

"You just need to concentrate more," I told him inattentively, turning my head to face the frowning boy. "You get distracted way too easily."

"I'm hopeless," he groaned, covering his freckled face with his palms. I released a soft scoff, straightening back up into a seating position.

"You're dramatic," I retorted, pulling his left hand from his face so that he was forced to look at me. "Here, keep it..."

That brightened him up again; Lawrence sat up without further hesitation, a gentle smile forming on his lips as I allowed him to take the lily flower from my palm.

"I'll treasure it forever!" he announced, saluting in a mocking stature as he placed the subtle plant behind his ear. I grinned, admiring the way his tanned skin was shining in the golden, summer sun.

"The sun's setting, I better get home," I announced, pushing myself up from the ground and straightening my clothes. Lawrence objected profusely, but followed me all the way out of the field, down the skinny pathway, and back out onto the main street we both lived on.

"Same time tomorrow?" Lawrence called out, his playful voice serenading the evening air as I left him at his garden entrance.

"Same time, same place!" I confirmed, shooting my best friend a quick wave before skipping across the street to my own house, feeling as cheerful as I always did after a day spent with Lawrence.

Lawrence Rivera was the epitome of kindness, and everyone that had ever spoken to him would agree. He had a spectacular smile; it creased his whole face and made people like him at once. The young boy carried himself with a charm that was uncharacteristic for his tender age, and was one of those confident people whom treated anyone they met like an old friend.

Despite the two of us being the same age, I had always looked up to him as though he was an older brother. He had that natural, calming aura about him, becoming so protective of me over the years it was only inevitable we saw each other as siblings. It was clear we even looked similar; sharp features, dark hair, jade-green eyes, and freckles that symbolised infinite adventures outside in the warm sun.