No Regrets
Challenge Seven: Quidditch Players
Team: Appleby Arrows
Title: No Regrets
Author: seaislewitch
Main wizard: Zacharias Smith
Other characters: Pansy Parkinson
Ratings/Warnings: PG/None
Genres: Romance
Word count: 1083
I've missed gazing into his slate-blue eyes.
Yesterday, I signed the very last book on my Continental tour and then immediately returned to England. During the months away, I was restless and moody, and he was constantly in my thoughts. The way things were left between us made it impossible for me to send an owl. He obviously felt the same way.
I wonder what he will do, if anything, when he sees me again. I've taken a risk coming here this morning, but I just can't stay away any longer. I've played this day over in mind a thousand times, and I've carefully considered each variable, right down to my wardrobe. Since the worst case scenario involves him having plans with someone after the match, I will try to catch him alone, before he goes into the showers.
I still have the Very Important Wizards badge from last season, so I make my way up to the top boxes. Arriving late, I have little choice but to sit in the only available spot -- a seat in the front row.
Perhaps I shouldn't sit here. I don't want to throw off his game with my unexpected presence, but maybe it won't bother him at all. There is only one way to find out.
I sit down and fasten my cloak against the cold wind whipping through the stadium. The announcer has already introduced the visiting team, and now he is presenting my team.
"...and starting Chasers for the Arrows are Birch, Carter and Smith!"
The stadium erupts in the Appleby chant as the Arrows take a lap around the pitch. As they pass, the players nod to the owners in the VIW section. Zach does a double-take when he sees me there, and then he flies off.
The game has started.
~ * ~
She is here.
During the match, I make a point of not looking at her again, but I feel her watching me. I execute every play with precision -- even in this wind. I don't want to appear weak or foolish, and it pays off. We win quickly and decisively, and it is largely due to my excellence today.
When I take a victory lap, I see she is no longer in her seat. I should have expected her to leave. That's what she did three months ago when things became complicated. She was in turmoil, and I didn't help the situation. I demanded she make a decision, but she left the country instead.
I land in the centre of the pitch with my teammates and wave at our fans. After a few minutes of adoration, we escape into the clubhouse, leaving the madness outside. My teammates take off to the locker rooms quickly, knowing the Quidditch tarts are already queuing up in the players' lounge.
Seeing Pansy again makes me realise I no longer want that.
I take my time walking down the long corridor, thinking about what could have been. I'm startled to see her standing just ahead, waiting. As I move closer, I do not see her beautiful smile.
~ * ~
He is exceptionally handsome in his pale blue Quidditch robes, but his face is entirely expressionless. His eyes have no spark, and my hope drops with my heart.
This is a mistake! I should have sent a note instead of surprising him! I take a deep breath, trying to calm down, but now I can't remember what I had planned to say.
We stand in awkward silence.
I must tell him why I came here, or I will always regret it.
"Pansy." He speaks first and so very softly.
His deep voice makes me weak, and I fight the urge to fall against him.
"Zach...may I..." Words fail me. My hands are shaking, and I grasp my cloak tightly, hoping he won't notice.
He gestures to a private office just down the corridor, and I move past him, thinking about what I need to say.
~ * ~
Walking behind her is excruciating. With every graceful step she takes, I feel my resolve breaking. I desperately want to run my hands along the curves of her hips and kiss her slender neck.
She hasn't come here for that.
When we reach the empty office, I hold the door open for her. Her scent is just as I remembered.
She stands uncomfortably, looking around the room. I don't offer her a seat.
She can say what she needs to and be gone. I cross my arms and try not to think about her velvety skin.
~ * ~
"I-I...um..." I begin, but I've lost my nerve.
He must think I'm completely ridiculous, stumbling over my words! Mad at myself, I try again.
"I came back last evening," I manage to say. And I wanted nothing more than to feel your arms around me.
He nods slightly but continues to stare at me with his jaw clenched.
I try not to let that distract me, and I continue.
"I went to see him."
~ * ~
I stare down at my Quidditch boots, not able to meet her gaze while hiding my reaction.
She's come here to tell me in person; it's the proper thing for her to do. I try to convince myself it's better this way, but my physical reaction to her tells me it's not.
She's pacing now; it's something she does when she's upset. Why should this be so difficult for her? It's torture for me!
"Just say what you need to, Pansy," I say curtly, uncrossing my arms and looking up at the beams in the ceiling.
She stops pacing. "I told him he had waited too long to return to me."
What does she mean? I need to study her face, but she has turned away.
~ * ~
He won't even look at me! I am incredibly daft to have come here!
"I'm sorry," I whisper, hurrying to the door before he can see my tears.
No! No regrets!
Abruptly, I turn to face him, and I see a flicker of something in his eyes that gives me the courage to tell him.
I step forward, gently touching his cheek.
"Zach, I'm here because I love only you."
~ * ~
I waste no time pulling her trembling body tightly against me. She's weeping, but I cannot stop myself. My lips find hers.
Time slips by us. We are lost in each other, utterly consumed.
When we eventually stop kissing, she smiles up at me.
How I've missed that beautiful, sexy smile.
I simply take her hand and bring her home.
~ The End~