[6:55pm] the sun is beginning to set in the distance as you stand under one of the trees near the lake. your stance is firm, both feet planted securely in the soil as you direct your wand towards the open water. you call out the spell for what seems like the millionth time today and watch in defeat, as it fails yet again.
you let your hand slump down against your side before groaning loudly, your headache from earlier making its return behind your closed eyes. suddenly, you notice a flash of yellow robes behind you, and before you can even turn around, you feel hufflepuff!mark's arms wrap around your waist.
he kisses your cheek before burying his face in your neck, placing another quick kiss to the area. the action immediately makes you relax against him, letting a relieved breath fall from your lips. "how is it that you always find me when I need you most?" you ask, your previous frown replaced by a growing smile just by your boyfriend's presence.
"guess i have a sixth sense." he says with a giggle and you near snort while shooting him a look over your shoulders. "i saw you from up on the tower." mark admits as one of his hands moves to engulf the hand with which you hold your wand.
you shake your head, trying slightly to wiggle out of his grasp, but he holds you tight, safe in his embrace, as always. "come on, y/n, you can do this. i know you can." mark lifts your hand that's wrapped around your wand, positioning it so it's tip is towards the water.
"mark", you whine, "it's not going to work." mark chuckles slightly at your tone. "yes it will, just have patience." you huff. "that's easy for you to say, you're a hufflepuff."
mark fixes your stance so that your back is straight. "focus" he reprimands, voice still soft as he does so. you roll your eyes but do as he says. mark's hand is steady around your wrist as you twirl your hand, the words of the incantation falling from your lips.
your mouth falls open in shock at the stream of light that leaves the tip of your wand, cascading beautifully across the water. it takes you a few seconds to register what you had done before you squeal out in happiness, turning around in mark's embrace to face him.
he's smiling, eyes crinkling as he looks at you with fondness and pride. there's a million words running through your head as you look at him, but three of them stick out from the mess. you place your hands on either side of his face. "i love you."
you watch as mark's cheeks color the lightest shade of pink, an adorable habit of his whenever you said those words. it takes him a beat to answer, and you can see the way his eyes sparkle even if the light around you had long vanished.
finally, he moves his face closer to yours and presses a chaste kiss to your lips.
"i love you, too"