𝗷𝗮𝗻𝗲, harry potter

˗ˋ 56

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
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-: fourth year :-

── IN WHICH THEY RETURN TO
LITTLE WHINGING

. . .

The sun was still high in the sky when Jane and Harry had to make their way back to the small coastal village. Although both of the teams really wished that they could pretend otherwise, their day together had flown by, and when Jane had even thought to glance at the time on her watch it was past half four - the time that Flora had asked them to return.

And so, Jane and Harry were in a little bit of a hurry. But neither were really bothering about it, walking along the cliff tops at a considerably quicker pace than when they were going towards the cove, but it wasn't too much of a difference.

They didn't really want to leave. Harry had never experienced a better birthday - a better day for that matter - and Jane... well she just was just happy making sure Harry had a good time whilst simultaneously experiencing her first ever day out at a beach.

And quite frankly, after what had happened on the clifftops and that monumentous place they had reached which resulted in bringing their friendship through to a whole new level. And neither of them had ever been happier than they were right there and then.

But as they turned the corner and the car came into sight, they didn't stand so close, although their hands remained connected as a bridge over the gap between them, Flora and Angela looking relieved to see them. 

"Sorry we're late!" Jane grinned as she practically skipped towards the car, Harry in tow. "Did I mention a smugglers' cove? We were down there and I didn't think to look at the time."

"Well I'm glad neither of you managed to kill yourselves in attempt to get down that path." Florence had a smile on her face when she saw the teens, opening the car door. Both Harry and Jane looked confused - she knew about the cove? "Orson and I have been friends a very long time, I used to come and visit him much more often." Flora explained. "Now come on - I'm not sure how late it would be when we get back, and if your aunt and uncle are expecting you then we should be quick."

Harry looked a little more sullen at that, the reminder that unlike Jane he didn't live in the Adley Manor and get to enjoy the bliss of waking up in the attic room under a glowing morning sun, or eat the delicious meals Angela cooked. No, he had to go back to Privet Drive, where he was lucky to get dinner at all and woke up in the dark, ugly room that once served as Dudley's toy room. Hedwig wasn't even there to keep him company; she was out hunting in the summer evening instead of being cooped up in her cage. 

"Or..." Jane began, placing the wicker basket in the boot before nimbly climbing over the side of the car which Angela was stood by and arranging her skirts as she sat. Harry got in on the other side, accepting the blanket that Flora held out to them. "Harry could stay the night? You have the phone number for his relatives, right?" 

Harry caught the tiny smile she threw in his direction as his hand brushed over her knee. He was pulling the blanket over their laps, something to keep them warm whilst Flora drove back with an open roof. 

"I suppose so." Flora slid into the driver's seat. "It is his birthday after all, and although he has gotten some wonderful gifts today, I think he deserves one more."

And with that she pulled the door closed and started the engine, the four waving to Orson Diggle as he stood in the doorway of his house to say his goodbyes. The drive back to Little Whinging seemed so much shorter in comparison to the way there, but that was how it always was.

Or it seemed shorter because Harry's time was taken up with tiny stolen kisses, Jane glancing to the front before leaning up and kissing him, and him returning the favour in a number of places; her hand, her cheek, her forehead, her lips - and each and everyone had made her smile like she never had done before, their hands intertwined over the blanket as they cuddled together like it was the midst of winter and not a warm summer evening.

They were all relatively windswept by the time they drove through the ivy gates of the manor, up the drive until they reached the front door. Flora unlocked it and they were instantly bombarded by Clementine and a sleepy Treacle, Angela already on the way to the kitchen to make them bacon sandwiches and chips, Flora calling Petunia and Vernon to let them know Harry would be staying.

And once the bacon buttys were all made, Jane pulled Harry through to the library, were they ate their meals with the cats hanging around for scraps and the girl letting Harry know all about the history of the cove they had visited.

All up until they had fallen asleep, Clementine and Treacle licking the plates they had discarded on the floor, Harry having a smile on his face even in slumber. 

Jane had given him a number of presents, but the biggest of all was the day in itself. And Harry had never been happier. 

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