Heaven is a place on Earth

from Edward's POV ...

I had been dreading this moment since I had met her last term. My parents had been talking about moving to the United States but I had hoped they had changed their minds. Apparently, they had not. And now I faced the tough job of letting the girl I loved know that I was no longer going to be at Hogwarts. But it would be cowardly to let her know by owl post. I had to do it in person and time was running out.

She had agreed to meet me in the Room of Requirement after dinner. I was pacing back and forth when I heard her enter the room. She looked as lovely as ever even though her hair was a different color than it used to be due to an accident in Potions class.

"Andromeda, I am so glad that you are here." Wrapping my arms around her, I picked up her scent that always reminded me of lavenders.

"Are you okay Edward? Is something wrong?"

"Maybe we should sit down." I lead her over to a cushioned sofa. "That's usually not a good sign," she replied looking a little nervous.

"Do you remember when I told you last term that I have family in the United States?"

"Yes...are you trying to tell me something?"

"I'll just get right to the point. I know how you hate it when people dance around the subject. My parents are moving us to Forks, Washington. It's outside of Seattle where it rains practically non-stop."

"I'll never see you again, will I?" There were tears starting to form in her eyes and I could see that she was trying her best not to cry. "Most likely not. But I wanted to give you something to remember me."

I showed her the delicate bracelet before placing it on her left wrist. "It's just a little something that I made in the common room one evening."

"It's beautiful. Thank you." She sighed before looking back at me. "Now what do we do?"

"Can you do me one last favor?" I knew I wasn't in any position to ask anything from her but I thought I would at least try.

"Of course. Anything."

"When I leave Hogwarts, don't hole yourself up in your common room crying over me. Don't change who you are. Keep the sarcasm up. It's what makes you different from the rest of the giggly girls in this school. I'll be surprised if someone doesn't try to snag you up once I am not here anymore."

She tried to suppress a smile. "Okay. Some of the Slytherin girls were talking about hitting the Hog's Head this weekend."

"Sounds like fun. May I have one last dance?" Leading her to the an empty space in the room, all I could do was hold her in my arms and hope that she survives this. I just wished things were different. Maybe one day...but I didn't want to get her hopes up and I didn't want her to put her life on hold waiting for something that may not happen.

But right now at this moment, with her in my arms, it was easy to forget what was going to happen. She was my heaven on earth and nothing would change that.

Back at school

from Edward's POV...

I knew the moment I saw her this morning that she should have gone straight to the infirmary. But, she didn't listen to me and insisted that she was just fine. She was always the stubborn type. That was part of her charm.

I remembered how pale she looked this morning. Paler than usual. That was at breakfast and now I just sat here at the Ravenclaw table picking at my dinner and trying to keep an eye on her at the same time. Her sister kept looking at me with a worried expression on her face.

"How is she doing?" whispered Avada.

"She looks the same as she did earlier. Very pale... and she is just picking at her food. I should have just carried her to the infirmary."

Avada just grinned at that statement. "That would have been interesting to see."

I had to admit to myself that it would have been pretty funny. Then I gave a quick glance over to the Slytherin table and that is when I noticed she was gone.

I looked around the Great Hall frantically trying to find her. And then I spotted her walking slowly towards the entrance. She looked a little wobbly on her feet. Then it all happened so quickly. But it was like watching her in slow motion. She had paused for one brief second and the next second she was on the floor.

Damn it!!! I should have just taken her to the infirmary. By the time I got to her, I could hear the school nurse rushing towards us. Andromeda was unconscious and she looked even worse than she did this morning. Silly girl, she should have just listened to me.

That's when Madam Pomfrey arrived and touched Andromeda's forehead. "She's burning up. Why didn't she come see me earlier?"

"I tried to get her to go this morning but she wouldn't listen to me."

"Stupid, stupid girl. Edward, pick her up and come with me to the infirmary before she gets worse."

I quickly picked her up and followed Madam Pomfrey out of the Great Hall giving Avada one last look before leaving. The poor girl sat frozen in her seat and I could see tears starting to well up in her eyes. Thankfully, she was quickly surrounded by the other Ravenclaw girls who were trying to comfort her. I made a mental note to keep her updated on her sister's condition and then followed the school nurse to the infirmary.

The Letter

Just another day...

I really don't have anything great to say today. Just wanted to put up a picture of the stupid, charming new boy. So, here he is. Oh, and one more thing.

The Gift

...moments later...

Andromeda found herself staring once more into the face that had girls all over Hogwarts swooning at its very sight. There were those beautiful eyes and that charming, boyish grin.

"Edward, I can't stay here all night. I do have to get some sleep."

"Okay. But first, I want to see one thing."

She looked shocked. "I am not that type of girl. That would be the Lovegood sisters."

Edward laughed. "Not that. Well, not that now." He grinned. "I just wanted to see what you looked like with your hair down."

"Oh." She blushed a deep, crimson red before removing the ponytail holder out of her hair. Her long black hair reached down to her small waist.

"Now, give me one good reason why you don't keep it down. It looks beautiful that way."

"Simple," she replied. "It gets in my face."

"Well, this should help then." He showed her a black velvet headband that had a black velvet bow on it before putting it on her head. "Now, I think you should get back before you get in to too much trouble. Take these with you. They should help with that Prefect of yours." Before they parted ways he gave her one last kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Andromeda grinned before turning around and making a bee line back to the common room as quickly and quietly as she could. She was almost to the entrance to the common room when the sound of footprints made her freeze in her tracks. She quickly casted the Disillusionment Charm on herself just in time before Madame Pomfrey went walking past her muttering something about spattergroit. That was way too close for comfort. Andromeda waited quietly until the school nurse was out of her sight and she made a mad dash to the common room.

What she saw when she entered the common room was not anything she was expecting. There were several goblins looking quite miserable covered with spattergroit and the Slytherin prefect was with them looking like she had been quite busy most the evening.

Not knowing quite what to do, she placed the small bag on a table. "I was just hungry and brought back some of Esme's cookies from the kitchens. But I think I am just tired now so I will just leave these here for you if you want them."

She took one last look at the goblins before wishing Arabella a good night. Trying to look as innocent as she could, she headed toward the stairs that led up to the dorm rooms. I just hope she doesn't notice anything wrong. Stupid, charming new boy keeping me out this late at night and giving me cheesecake. Not to mention...well, that was good too.

Heaven

Andromeda looked at the note in her hand one last time. I have to talk to you. It's important. Meet me in the Room of Requirement after supper. - Edward. She wondered what could be so important that it couldn't wait until the morning. She looked around one last time before heading to the room.

She walked in the room and looked around. Oh my goddess! She looked up at the ceiling that had taken on the resemblance of a clear night sky with millions of stars and the full moon. There in the center of a meadow was a picnic setup. It was at that time that Edward had glanced up and smiled.

"I am really glad that you came Andromeda." He took her by the hand and gently guided her. "I was wondering if you were going to come or not."

"Well, you did say it was important and I was kinda curious." She glanced over at the picnic setup. Was that cheesecake? She had always loved cheesecake. There was also a bowl of chocolate covered strawberries and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. She gave him a confused look as she sat down on the large blanket.

She looked at the cheesecake and then looked at him. "But, how did you..."

"Know about your fondness for cheesecake? He grinned. "It was quite easy. A little birdie told me."

"A little birdie, eh?" More like a little eagle by the name of Avada.

"Does it really matter how I found out?" As he handed Andi a small plate with a slice of strawberry cheesecake, Edward looked at her hair with a questioning look. "Do you always keep your hair in a ponytail?"

"Usually. Except for bedtime. Don't tell me that was the something important you wanted to talk me to about."

"No. I was just curious. Actually, to be honest. I just wanted to get you away from the rest of the Slytherin girls."

She sighed. "You know, you are very lucky that this is really good cheesecake. Or else I might have had to put you on the Crucio list."

"The Crucio list? Me" He gave her a wide-eyed innocent look. Leaning closer to her, he whispered in her ear. "Would you really do that to me?"

She could feel her heart racing and his warm breathe not only on her ear but on her neck as well. Keep it together, girl. Keep it together. But it was getting harder and harder as he started to plant little soft kisses on her neck. She felt the plate being removed from her hand and she found herself staring into his eyes. And then there was the look, followed by the kiss. And then as far as Andromeda was concerned, this was heaven.

The New Boy

... the continuing saga of the stupid, charming new boy and the delightfully, sarcastic Slytherin girl

Andromeda froze in her tracks, clutching her broomstick with a death grip. It better not be who I think it is, she thought furiously. But she knew exactly who it was without even having to turn around. She took a deep breathe before turning around to face Edward Thomas Pattinson. But she preferred to call him that stupid, charming new boy.

"And what exactly are you doing here?", she said with her voice dripping with venom. Be nice Andi said a voice in her head.

Shut up Avada. No one asked for your bloody opinion.

He really is a nice boy. The least you can do is be polite and give the poor boy a chance.

Fine, she thought. I can do politeness. Putting on her best smile, she looked up at Edward again.

"So, Edward, is there any particular reason you are following me around this late at night? Or are you just out for a stroll in the moonlight?"

"Actually," he replied taking a few steps toward her. " I was hoping that I could talk you into a few study sessions. Every time I approach any other girl, she starts giggling uncontrollably."

"Yes, most girls here have that problem. It can be quite annoying."

"Most girls except you." He replied staring up at the full moon shinning brightly in the night sky.

"I am not like most girls in case you hadn't noticed."

"Yes, I've noticed and it's actually quite refreshing." He grinned at her. "So, about those study sessions."

"You don't beat around the bush, eh?"

"Nope, I see no reason to."

Andromeda walked slowly so she was standing right in front of him and stood on her toes so that she could look at him in the eyes. "I'll have to think about it. But for now, I have to get some sleep." Turning around, she started to head back to the Slytherin common room with a completely smug look on her face.

"Andromeda, wait." She stood for a few minutes to allow Edward to catch up to her. "When will I find out your answer."

She looked up at him with a completely innocent look on her face. "I'll let you know tomorrow. All you have to do is find me. Now, goodnight, Edward." She turned around and continued walking back to the common room knowing the whole time that he was watching her as she walked away.

...to be continued

The Next Evening

Andromeda sat there in the common room in front of the fireplace just staring. Staring at the flames. Staring at her broomstick. It was late at night and she should have been in bed already. But she was restless and couldn't sleep. She had too much on her mind. There was the very strange quidditch match yesterday and the new boy at school kept giving her funny looks every time she saw him. They had Ancient Runes and Arithmacy at the same time. There were quite a few girls charmed by him and she couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Sure, he was cute and all. Okay, so he was more than just cute. But still, he was just another boy.

So not only was that going thru her mind, but she was wondering what all the frustration was about from yesterday's quidditch match. It made no sense. But since when did things make sense in the highly competative arena of quidditch between the four houses.

Andi, it's gonna be all right. Andromeda sighed not even looking up. She knew her twin sister was not in the Slytherin common room but up in Ravenclaw Tower. They had been doing this their whole lives. Talking to each other without speaking out loud. It's just unheard of. She replied to her twin sister Avada. Two quidditch matches within the span of 4 days. And to be honest, I am not sure that it is completely necessary. Yes, I am disappointed that we didn't catch the snitch but it was our own bloody fault for taking too long to start the search.

The decision has already been made. Avada replied. So just deal with it.

Andromeda scowled. She hated it when her sister got all preachy like that. Fine then, I am going out for a ride. Grabbing her broomstick off the floor, she headed toward the exit of the common room.

No Andromeda! You can't. Students aren't allowed out this late at night. You'll get in trouble.
Andromeda rolled her eyes. Her sister was such a stickler for the rules, that it wasn't even funny. I am going anyway and you can't stop me, she replied. Not hearing any more from her twin she left the common room and started heading toward the court yard.

Just as she was climbing onto her Nimbus 2000, she heard a voice that stopped her in her tracks.

"Andromeda, you really don't want to do that.", said a very familiar male voice behind her.

...to be continued