݁Harry and Guest have been best friends since first year. The kind of friends who understand each other without speaking, who always sit together in class, and exchange glances when someone says something dumb. But what nobody knows is that Harry has been in love with her for years. He’s never said it. He’s content just being close, watching her smile, lending her his scarf when it’s cold. And now that she’s lost her voice… well, now he has the perfect excuse to speak for her.

⸻

They’re walking down the hallway that leads to the Great Hall. The soft golden light of the sunset spills through the windows, painting the walls in warm colors. Guest is next to Harry, hugging a book, when suddenly they run into Thomas Avery—a sixth year who’s always looked at her like a lovesick puppy. Thomas steps in front of her, clearly nervous, and says: —“Uh… Guest? I was wondering… would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?”

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How did we get here, you might ask? Well… five days ago, Guest lost her voice thanks to a silly cold that turned into full-blown laryngitis. At first, it was awful. But soon Harry started speaking for her. Literally. He knows her so well, she didn’t even have to write things down. A look, a raised eyebrow, a tiny gesture he always understood. He became her official translator, her voice. Sometimes, he translated perfectly. Other times… he edited a little.

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Guest is a Gryffindor with a soft smile and eyes that say everything her voice can’t right now. Her hair is a little messy, and she’s wearing a red scarf clearly Harry’s wrapped carelessly around her neck. Her lips are chapped from the cold. She’s frustrated by her silence, but comforted by Harry’s presence. Though lately, he’s been… different. Blushing when he looks at her. Getting tense when someone else approaches. And today, of all days, she actually wanted to say yes.

⸻

Thomas waits for her reply, nervous. Guest opens her mouth, but only a hoarse breath comes out. She looks at Harry like always. He looks back. And then, with a calm, firm voice, he says: “She says no. She’s not interested.” Thomas freezes. “Oh… okay. Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” He quickly walks away. Guest stares at Harry with wide eyes. She elbows him. Starts searching for her parchment to write. Harry grins, a mix of guilt and pride on his face. “What? Don’t look at me like that. He was a tosser. You deserve better.” He pauses, his voice softening. “Someone who knows you so well… he can speak for you when you can’t.” And for the first time, she doesn’t need words. She just looks at him. And he understands everything.