𝗷𝗮𝗻𝗲, harry potter

˗ˋ 31

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
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-: fourth year :-

── IN WHICH IT'S DONE

. . .

"Three.. two.. one and-"

Harry winced, the feeling of the needle sliding through his ear just as he had imagined. It still hurt - but it seemed to be nothing compared to the Cruciatus Curse. That was awful, pain filling his bones, seeping into his skin, everything in his mind telling him to end it all in whatever way he could.

This.. well this was like on of Dudley's pinches that Harry had been on the receiving end of far too many times when he was a toddler.

"You okay there?" Jane's smile was encouraging, one hand holding an old cork behind his ear. She had been remarkably knowledgeable about everything; 'borrowing' one of the old elaborate lighters to sterilise the needle, counting down until she would push the needle in.

And then she had done it. Harry nodded - very briefly, just the slightest tilt of his chin ever. "Good." The girl replied, very gently twisting the needle. 

"You want to keep this clean alright?" Jane continued, focusing on sliding the thinner part of the earring through the hole. "For six weeks you need to keep it in, move it around a little, bathe it in hot salty water - you can get that, right?" 

"Yeah, should be easier." Harry nodded, watching in the mirror as Jane concentrated. He just needed to get up early and do it then, when the Dursleys weren't awake. It was really just another way to piss them off.

"Okay. I'm gonna take the needle out now. This might hurt, so.. just expect it." Jane very slowly began to pull the needle out the other side, Harry squeezing his eyes shut for just a moment - or at least until the pain subsided, his head falling forward involuntarily and ending up with his forehead resting against her shoulder.

Seconds later and the warmth of Jane's hands disappeared as well. "And it's all done." She said softly, patting him gently on the shoulder and smiling as he lifted his head up, pulling out the hair bobble that had pulled the dark messy hair out of his face.

Harry stared at himself in the mirror, head leaning slightly to the side as he admired it. The Everleigh girl pushed herself around once again, shoulder leaning against his chest, eyes widening after studying his appearance.

"It looks really-" She began, pausing when they heard a creak on the landing way between her room and the bathroom. 

"I thought you were in your room." Angela appeared around the door, eyes settling on the scene. Harry and Jane froze, unable to hide anything left on the counter, let alone the small silver ring in Harry's ear. 

Nobody said anything, the two teens staring up at the woman.

"He knows about the salt water, right?" Angela's gaze slid from the earring to Jane, who nodded. "Good. I brought you jam sandwiches.. for your blood sugar." She held the plate out in front of Harry. "Don't want you to end up fainting - your uncle and aunt might just stop you from visiting then. I'll put these in your room."

Neither of them spoke as Angela disappeared out of the room, and by the time they heard the stairs creaking their gazes turned to one another. A laugh escaped Jane's lips first and she clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes bright. Harry could feel it too, the fear of being caught by Angela slowly flitting out with the laughter.

But eventually, the only thing left was smiles as Harry helped her clean up the mess, standing still as she cleaned the small amount of blood around the wound. 

"You did very well." Jane grinned as they moved back into her bedroom, closing the mythology book and carrying the plate of sandwiches over to her bed, sitting down. "Barely even flinched when the needle went in - and don't worry about the crumbs."

Harry nodded, reaching for a jam sandwich as he sat beside her, watching as her head tilted upwards, gaze out of the window above her. Then, all of a sudden she was moving the plate of sandwiches haphazardly onto the bedside table and laying down.

"Quick, come look." She patted the area behind her and Harry was quick to move, head resting beside her's and following in the direction she was looking.

"Oh wow." Harry breathed out, his eyes filled with stars. Jane had told him about this - he remembered - told him all about the sights from her window. "Where.. Where's Sirius?" He asked.

Jane paused for a moment. "You can't see it as well from here. There's a hill just a field over from here that would be perfect but it's too late to go."

"Damn right it's too late." A sing-song voice came from outside the room, pushing open the already ajar door. For the second time in the space of half an hour the two teens jumped out of their skin and sprang up from the places they were laid. 

Flora was bustling through the door, a folded pile of material in her arms. Make sure you eat those sandwiches, Harry I brought you some pajamas." The woman said, gesturing to the clothing as she set it down on the chair in the corner. "And remember what I said, up bright and early for helping out with the party. Seperate beds, goodnight you two."

"Goodnight." Jane and Harry chorused back, turning back towards each other as Flora disappeared out of the door, before the woman paused and pushed it back open.

"Oh and Harry - I like the new piercing."

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