Be Brave
Elia didn't feel like a Gryffindor at all. It didn't count how many duels he fought, how many times he had to defend Martino, how many trouble he had been for saving his friends... He thought the hat had failed with him, several times in the past 6 years that thought passed by and didn't really go away.
He wasn't brave like Giovanni, who fought bravery against that Troll in the fourth year or Martino, who come out kissing Nico in the hallways, risking of being expelled when the principal was a homophobe shit. Even Luca was braver than him, defending Silvia and the girls from Incanti's brothers that night at the black lake.
But more of them all, Elia was not brave like Filippo, who had been always proudly himself, laughing at everyone who trying said something cruel at him. He would like to be brave like Filippo, like Martino, Giovanni, Luca, Niccolò. Even Sana, a Syltherin, was more brave than him.
One day, when he had a lot of Butterbear he said to Filippo that he didn't feel brave enough.
He didn't see Filippo angry like that day, who scoled him immediatly.
— Don't you dare same some stupid shit like that again, Santini. You are a true Gryffindor, kind, smart, brave, loyal. Bravery comes in different forms, you understimated yourself a lot—
Elia heart pounded and he smiled.
— Thank you Filo— he said but he would said to him "I loved you in forever and I can't even said out loud".
He said that to Giovanni, a few days later.
— Zì, I knew you love Filo. And I think he loves you to. You should tell him—
Elia shooked his head. It wasn't possibile.
— If you don't try, You would never know if I'm right. And I'm a certificate love wizard, so I'm always right —
— Making a decent Amortentia doesn't make you a love wizard — Elia said, laughing— and Marti and Nico doesn't count as a prove. They are two destined polipetti, it was fate—
Giovanni smiled.
— Do you think love is only fate? — Gio asked him
— No, it's also bravery —
— And knowing when surrender and stop fight. It's trust, patience, perseverance. It's not only bravery, that you had Santini I know how you fight for us, its more —
— It's different with him, he so corageous. He is too much for more –
— You have to make up you mind and I'm sure you will. Take time but don't wasted it—
He took his time. He talked again with Gio, and then with Marti, Nico, Luca and Sana. He learned and understand the way his friends saw him and the way they saw him and Filo. He still didn't think he was enough for the blonde boy, but at least he wanted to try. They had one last year togheter: if their friends were right, it will be the best year of his hogwart's life and if he was right, it was only a year of misery.
The last quidditch match of the year had just finished, Gryffindor had won thanks to Filippo and Federica and they were going in the common room to celebrate. Filippo was walking alone in the hallways and Elia had just finished talking to Sana about their last exam. Sana looked at Elia and Elia nods: he had to took his chance.
— Filo, I have to tell you something — he said, voice firm.
— Elì, hi! Do you want to congratulate for the winning? You could it even with Sana there, even Slytherin has to learn how to lose —
— No, I mean yes, congratulations for the victory but it's not the only think I have to tell you - Filippo looked confused.
— Then tell me, you are scaring me. Are you all right? Has something happens with the boys—
— No Filo, just let me talk. — Elia breathed heavely — I love you. I always will but I'm not brave and —
And Filippo kissed him, with Elia heart's melting in the first floor hallway.
— I told you, Santini. Don't you ever dare say again that you are not brave — he stroked his cheeks with his fingers, brushing their lips togheter in a soft kiss — I didn't tell you that I loved you since forever because I'm a stupid Gryffindor who is afraid of real emotions. -
— Who told you that?—
— Ele, two years ago. – Filo smiled — I love you Elia and I'm happy we have take the corauge to do this —
— Me too—
They started kissed again, and again, for all the summer and the year later, and the years later that. All Hogwarts remember them kissing: the Gryffindor team searched for his captain everywhere that years, when they didn't see him at the common room for the celebration, finding him in a room with Elia on his lap.
If missing the cup celebrations to kiss his boyfriend wasn't brave, what was then?
