The Morning After Fil

[OSUSprinks]

Title: The Morning After Fil
Rating: I think this could potentially be my first lemony story, so I will just update this as it goes. We'll see. Right now, it is probably at 13+
Summary: After a long night of punch and dancing, Pomona and Fil deal with the consequences. I hate summaries. lol


Chapter One

Long before she was fully awake, Pomona Sprout was aware of an intense throbbing within her skull. With a silent groan, she rolled onto her side, thankful it was Sunday and she could spend a little while longer in her warm, comfortable bed.

It had been years since she had woken with a hangover of this magnitude, but then she should have known this was coming. The night before had been the Ministry’s Annual Valentine’s Day Ball and at Albus Dumbledore’s request, she and Filius Flitwick had attended as Hogwarts’ representatives.

Filius Flitwick was known for many things: his even temper, teaching prowess, and world-renowned dueling skills among them. What was lesser known was his inability to say no to a glass of punch, his distaste for drinking alone, and the fact that he could probably charm the hair off a unicorn, especially if that unicorn had the sensibilities of Pomona Sprout.

When Albus had first asked the two senior heads of house to attend the ball, Pomona had worried about finding a date. The rest of the staff would be needed to chaperone Hogwarts’ own Valentine’s Day activities, not that she really wanted to ask any of her remaining colleagues. She had thought of asking one of the wizards she had met through her herbology contacts, but was wary of doing so. There was something uncomfortable about attending such a romantic event, on the day for lovers no less, with a man she barely liked. When Filius had suggested they be each other’s date for the evening, Pomona had been at once relieved and made more uneasy. Relieved to have such a charming, handsome, fun date for the evening and uneasy that the wizard was Filius, the only man in the entire United Kingdom who had caught her interest in more years than she would care to admit.

Pomona snuggled deeper into the sheets as she thought over their night. Filius had insisted on picking her up at the door and walking to the Apparation point just past the main gates together. She not been surprised at how handsome he looked in his traditional Ravenclaw blue robes. She had been surprised, however, that he had thought to bring her flowers and astounded to realize that they were not from her greenhouses. He must have gone into Hogsmeade for them.

The thought of him making the trip, even if it was only a short walk there and back, was sweet. He was so thoughtful. She wondered if he knew the meaning of the yellow tulips he had chosen. The red variety that had been used to accent the bouquet had made her smile. Hopelessly in love with a small declaration of love? She wished.

Deciding she would brave the bright sunshine that was pouring in through the windows in order to take another look at the beautiful, thoughtful gift, Pomona dared to open one eye, only to blink and open both wide with surprise. They were gone. She was sure she had placed the flowers on her nightstand after she had put them in one of the many vases she had received as gifts over the years, but they were no where to be seen.

Looking closely at the bedside table, Pomona realized that though it held the same picture of her and Filius laughing and dancing at a Yule Ball a few years back that it always did, the frame was different and the pale yellow table runner it usually rested on was gone.

Pomona was now wide awake enough to realize that something was wrong. She was not in her rooms, and if the Ravenclaw blue walls and Flitwick family tree hanging opposite the bed were any indication, she was in Filius’ chambers.

Trying not to panic, Pomona closed her eyes while she desperately thought over the previous night. How had she wound up here? Had she been too out of it to get into her own rooms? She remembered that they had danced late into the night. Filius had continued filling her punch cup each time he filled his own, though he said it was the last each time. She remembered making him promise at one point that they would lay off the punch, but that was the very last thing she remembered.

Just as she was about to get up and find Filius, she felt a strong arm snake around her waist and lips press against her spine. Pomona froze, until the lips began to move down her spine. She then did the only thing that comes natural to a woman who wakes in an unfamiliar bed, with an unknown individual, and then discovers she is nude.

She screeched like a banshee.

[laundrybasket]

Oh my. . . suspense! lol. Poor Mona, she doesn't even remember what happened, though I'm sure that will come later . I really cannot wait for the next update. Wonderful story!

[Smaug]

Lol! Aww poor Mona. Oh dear I feel like I'm talking to you Sprinkles :S That's weird. Poor Pomona Well not really, but I hope her hangover wears off and she remembers, this is going to be very interesting And funny. I like it a lot.

[MMADfan]

Oh, no! Poor Filius! A screaming Pomona, just when he must believe all his dreams have come true! This has great potential to be funny and romantic!

[littlemorgsi]

I must have been really into this story. I actually jumped when Mona 'screamed'.

Can't wait to see what happens.

[jayejaye]

*winks* great title...

I really felt for Pomona when she realised she was in a strange bed...lol. I can't wait for the next installment.

[OSUSprinks]

I moved this because the pressure to be funny (something that does not come naturally to me) was hurting my writing. I already feel better and the second chapter should be up soon. Hopefully it will still make you laugh though.

[MMADfan]

I'm really looking forward to reading more of this! (That's a broad hint, without resorting to begging! LOL!)

[OSUSprinks]

go ahead and beg. lol I will try to get it up tomorrow. RL has been crazy with my lil bro being in state. He went home today so hopefully I will get back to organized...well as organized as I ever was. lol

[Smaug]

*Begs*

[Ashlynn Minerva Rose]

*begs*

LMAO!!! Wow. I feel bad for Filius. Pomona, screaming like a banshee??? That can be pretty loud! lol Amazing start! I can't wait until the next chapter!

*again begs*

[OSUSprinks]

Chapter Two: Entertaining The Grey Moth

A/N: Honestly the chapter title doesn't make much sense, but I like the way it sounds. lol Enjoy.

---

Filius smiled as he felt the mattress move and a slight tug on the blankets. The scent of her perfume filled his lungs as he took a deep breath. This was his favorite dream. He turned his head, enjoying the view he knew he would find.

Pomona lay next to him on her side. Her beautiful, wavy, brown hair was mussed and the thought of running his hands through it gave him other ideas about what they could be doing in bed besides sleeping.

He was about to reach out to his favorite dream-nymph when he saw the tattoo.

Well, that’s new, he thought.

The large, grey moth spread its wings gracefully across her lower back. It seemed to glisten as it flapped its wings occasionally, appearing slightly purple and then yellow at times. As he watched, Filius realized that he could not and would not have imagined such a tattoo would be on Pomona’s back. It was lovely and strangely perfect for her really, but he would have never pictured it.

At that moment, Pomona snuggled deeper into the covers, sighing contentedly and Filius knew.

This was no dream.

He beamed at his lover’s back once more, slowly moving closer.

He had been so nervous last night. His first stop of the day had been to the flower shop in Diagon Alley. He had thought of getting her flowers, but didn’t want to raid her own greenhouses for them. Then he had remembered her mentioning the quality work her friend was doing in her new little shop. The flower stand in Hogsmeade would have been easier, but he wanted the best for Pomona. He had been grateful to find Miriam’s store empty and after looking around for quite a while, he had finally gone to the shopkeeper herself for help.

He didn’t want to tell Miriam who he was shopping for so instead he described her likes and dislikes. He realized, as he caught the woman’s knowing smile, that he had probably been caught in his own game and was revealing much more of his feelings for his dear friend than he had intended, but he found himself unable to care. It was amazing how good it felt to talk to someone, anyone, of his feelings for Pomona.

The bouquet she had created after their discussion had been perfect. She explained the meaning of the flowers as she put the finishing touches on the arrangement, pretending not to notice his blush. Filius smiled now, knowing Pomona must have realized the coded message and wondering if she had known he meant it, she surely did now.

When she opened the door to him, he had to work to keep his jaw from dropping. She was beautiful everyday, but the extra effort she had put in for their evening out had certainly had its effect on him. Pale, buttercup robes set off her sun-kissed complexion perfectly. She had left her shoulder length, thick hair down for the night, allowing it to curl slightly. The smile he had received upon offering her flowers had only made her image that much lovelier and Filius more nervous.

He had thought asking Pomona was nerve-wracking, but the time between his invitation and the actual night had been much worse. He had second-guessed himself and every comment of hers. At times he had been sure she saw him as nothing but a friend and felt pity for him. At others he thought she might be more interested than she let on, but he wasn’t sure how to find out more. Finally he had decided to just see how the night went, but that hadn’t stopped his worrying.

When they entered the Ball, Filius immediately got them both a drink of punch... and then another... and still more before he had the nerve to ask her to dance. By the time she had called a halt to their punch drinking he had consumed much more than intended and both were well past tipsy. He wondered now what sort of impression they had made on the rest of the Ministry’s guests, but at the time he had only had eyes for Pomona. She had seemed to enjoy his attentions, giggling at his jokes, moving closer as they tried to chat over the band, leaning into his embrace as they danced, and most importantly, accepting his invitation for a nightcap in his rooms.

The rest of the night was a bit of a blur at the moment, but Filius was sure that as he woke up he would remember more. He was also sure how he wanted to wake up.

Wrapping an arm around Pomona’s waist, he kissed the back of her neck and, suddenly remembering how sensitive she had been there the night before, began kissing a trail down her spine. He was just thinking of how best to entertain her moth, when Pomona began to scream bloody murder.

Instinctively Filius pulled her closer, protecting his Pomona from whatever had scared her. It took a few moments for him to realize that “whatever” was actually him. Loosening his grip, Filius left his arm around her, not wanting to lose such hard-won contact.

Her cry stopped as he let go of her, but he could still feel the tension in her body. It relaxed some, but only a bit, at his soft, “Pomona?”

He was relieved, confused, and somewhat hurt as she spoke.

“Filius, I... Oh, God.” She turned onto her stomach, burying her face into his pillow.

Filius was beginning to understand that last night may not have been for Pomona what it had been for him. Unsure how to proceed, he got out of bed and began hunting for their robes. He did not know where they would go from here, but he did know one thing.

This was no time for nudity.

[jayejaye]

Pomona has a tattoo?

Oh poor Fil, I feel so bad for him. I love how nervous he was before the ball and the Miriam references...lol. Jaye :-)

[laundrybasket]

Update! *squee* Aw. I like this one, and I feel bad for Fil. I hope he isn't sad Sad is bad. But, I suppose if this is in the romance section, they've gotta have some bad times to have some good, right? Oh, and I liked the title as well. Very interesting

Update soon, please?

[Ashlynn Minerva Rose]

My fave line: "This was no time for nudity." I don't know why, but if just made me crack up! Awesome update Sprinkles!!! Thank you for the much needed fluff and humor! I owe you. lol I can't wait for the next update!

Much Love,
Ashlynn Minerva Rose

[OSUSprinks]

Did the tattoo bother you, Jaye? I just pictured her having one, I don't know why.

[Smaug]

Yay! You updated...! !!!

*Happy Elo*

Aww poor Fil The date was so nice, and aww his flowers and bless him he was so nervous. I loved that, because I really felt for him and probably Pomona was nervous too. Tehe punch. He's so stupid, of course last night was the same for her as for you! I hope :S They are now officially as stupid as Albus and Min over these things. And that's what makes it so sweet.

And the last line is funny Update soon

[jayejaye]

No, it didn't bother me at all Sprinkles. I just hadn't really considered it.

[morethanacrush]

Aw that's adorable. lol. I just read your banner at the bottom, and it made me laugh out loud.
I really agree with you.
As fort he story, I'm excited for the next update. I just got into this ship (thanks to you, actually, I was just reading some of your stories and one happed to be... Two Weeks. Which I also love) and I'm excited.
Love
Cody*
PS: I love the idea of the tattoo.

[MMADfan]

Awwww! Poor Filius! Hopes raised, higher and higher, and then dashed. Poor fellow! But he's dealing well and sensitively (by looking for their robes). He's such a dear sweetie!

Looking forward to an update (of course)!

[OSUSprinks]

Chapter Three: The Romantic

A/N: Yet another chapter title that makes little or no sense. I have just been to see "Becoming Jane" and parts of this are a direct reaction to that movie. Forgive me.

---

“Pomona?”

She was relieved to hear Filius’ familiar voice, but only a little. How on earth could she have ended up in bed with him and then not remember anything of it? Her head began to pound even harder as she tried to focus.

“Filius, I…” She didn’t know what she wanted to say. She wanted to know what he was thinking, what this meant, what exactly had happened, and perhaps most importantly, if he had any of Poppy’s hangover remedy at hand. The combination of said hangover and the thought of her friends and having to tell them about the events of the previous evening made her feel a bit sick.

“Oh, God…” She turned on her stomach, trying to calm the rebellious organ, as she breathed in deeply. The scent of Filius’ spicy cologne filled her lungs, reminding her that she probably was not making the best morning-after impression. Turning her head, Pomona found that Filius had left the room.

“Way to go, Mona,” she muttered as she turned her head into the pillow once more. She had been awake less than five minutes and had already run Filius off. It was the story of her life really, the reason she had spent more years than she liked to mention watching her friends fall in and out of love, while she was always the third, fifth or even seventh wheel.

She had never been a so-called girly-girl. As a child, she was always found in the mud and muck with her brothers, never in fancy dresses at the tea parties even Minerva had once admitted to enjoying. She had started working in the garden with her grandfather as soon as she was old enough to hold a trowel. From that time on she was never happy without dirt under her nails and in her hair. She supposed that was why it had been so easy for her to take up herbology. It would mean a lifetime full of dirt smudged cheeks and hems, entire catalogs of plants to grow and nurture, and a chance to make a way for herself in the world.

Romance had never been one of her strong points. At Hogwarts and then at University, she had always been friends with the many boys and men of her acquaintance, but their interest in her had always ended there as in most cases had her interest in them. The few times there had been a spark it had died out as they began to resent that her plants and then her students always came first.

With Filius it had seemed she had a chance, a real chance at happiness. He would understand her call to teaching. He would understand the long hours and the low salary. He had only known her with muddy hands and soiled robes and she had hoped by dressing up in her new fancy dress, and for once, enjoying it, she could… She could what? Be a girly-girl? Find romance? Be happy and satisfied not just in her career and with her friends, but perhaps as a woman who was more of a romantic than she let on?

Pomona sighed into her pillow and turned her head. It was only then, as her cheek touched the pillow that she realized she was crying.

“Pomona?”

His voice startled her almost as much as his touch had earlier. She nearly sat up before remembering herself and wrapping the sheet about her. Her head swam at the sudden movement and she was relieved when Filius pressed a bottle of hangover remedy in her hand without another word. Downing the bottle without question, she handed it back to Filius and wiped her cheek with the back of her hand.

As her headache lessened and her vision cleared, she realized that Filius had put on pajamas and appeared to be carrying a set for her. He must have seen the question on her face as she realized they were actually her pajamas, her favorite pair in fact.

“I asked one of the elves to bring you a pair, since they had already taken our robes for cleaning.” He paused for a moment as he ran his fingertips across the silky fabric. “I always love you in yellow.”

He seemed to be talking to himself, but that had not stopped Pomona from blushing and smiling at his words.

Perhaps this morning wasn’t going as badly as she thought.

“Good morning.”

“Oh…” He seemed to search for words before settling on, “Good morning.”

Why on earth are we both so shy? It’s not as if we didn’t… She blushed then, trailing off her thought as she realized she did not know exactly what they did and did not do the night before.

He laid his bundle down on the bed beside her. “I’ll just go get us some breakfast while you change.”

“You don’t -“

“Oatmeal with brown sugar, black coffee and would you like a peach or a plum this morning?” The words came out fast and sort of tumbled over each other. He had remembered her breakfast order, not that it was hard considering she had been eating the same thing every morning for years.

“Peach, I think.” She reached over to him and covered his hand where it still laid on her pajamas. “Thank you.”

“Nothing but the best,” he said. His eyes seemed to darken for a moment and all Pomona could do was hold her breath as he leaned closer. His lips barely grazed her forehead before he smiled against her skin and left.

Pomona lay back down on the bed, sighing a moment before reaching for her pajamas.

No, this morning was not going badly at all.

[Smaug]

Yay!

Fluff! Real heartwarming fluff. He remembered her breakfast order and he's just so nice. They really need to talk Update soon.

[OSUSprinks]

That's coming next.

[MMADfan]

Aw, how utterly wonderful, and sweet 'n' fluffy! Awwwww! Sorry, that's about all I can come up with. But I REALLY enjoyed it and am glad I looked to see if it had been updated! I'm smilin' now -- can ya feel me smilin'?! ;D

I am very much looking forward to the next installment. How utterly wonderful that he remembered her breakfast and could show her that he did! *little happy dance*

Thanks for updating!

[laundrybasket]

Awh, Fil is sooo nice and sweet Pure fluff, lovely, and I can see why "Becoming Jane" would influence you. I can't wait for their talk! ;D

[MMADfan]

Okay, not to be a nudge, but . . . I am dying for an update here! *grin*

[OSUSprinks]

Sorry I am so slow. I really am working on it. I have half of it written, I just need to finish it.

Honestly I'm beginning to feel like Adam and I are the ones with the baby with all the time I have spent with Brooklyn, not to mention trying to get her parents to talk. Last night before we went over her mom was screaming at her dad and throwing things at him, but when I got there she had me help put together their wedding invitations. That is just crazy behavior.

[MMADfan lazy today]

admin said:

Sorry I am so slow. I really am working on it. I have half of it written, I just need to finish it.

Honestly I'm beginning to feel like Adam and I are the ones with the baby with all the time I have spent with Brooklyn, not to mention trying to get her parents to talk. Last night before we went over her mom was screaming at her dad and throwing things at him, but when I got there she had me help put together their wedding invitations. That is just crazy behavior.

That does sound like crazy behavior. And doesn't bode well for the future. But people, unfortunately, continue to do crazy things and make bad choices . . . .

I know what it's like not having time to write. I have the next chapter of RaM about 2/3 done, but haven't had the time or the energy to sit down and finish it, let alone get more done on the next chapter. This is one reason why I like to be at least one full chapter, if not more, ahead of where I'm posting. *sigh*

Take your time! I just wanted to let you know I was enjoying it enough to come and ask about it! *grin* (BTW, I've posted a few more chappies of RaM to CR, and will probably wait until you've caught up to post the next one -- if Elo doesn't kill me, of course, for doing that. The last chapter posted contains a bit of a cliffie! Heehee! Or should that be "Muwahahaha!"?)

[Smaug]

*Faints* Oh the suspense! No, it's fine really, just as long as I don't die of anticipation.

[OSUSprinks]

Chapter Four: The Morning After Fil

Pomona shivered as she left the bedroom, mainly because Filius’ sitting room was not carpeted like his bedroom and the stone floor was cold, but part of her was also very nervous about what was to come. They would talk, they had to, but she was not sure she was ready to hear everything he might have to say. Not to mention, she had no idea how to tell him that she still did not remember a single detail of their night together. She cringed slightly as she thought of how badly this morning could still go.

“Mona?” He sounded hesitant and she realized she had stopped in the doorway and he was probably waiting for her to make some sort of move. She smiled at him and he smiled back. He looked as nervous as she felt and for whatever reason, it made her feel better. Her natural optimistic disposition began to surface for the first time that morning as she smiled even brighter and walked toward him.

There was a small table with two chairs set up by the window seat. She remembered how envious of that seat and its view she had been when he had first invited her to his rooms so long ago. That night they had sat there together, drinking wine and watching stars, long into the night and Pomona had first realized that she liked this man, perhaps too much.

He held out a chair for her and she smiled as she looked closely at his pajamas for the first time.

“We really are stereotypical Heads, aren’t we? You in blue and me in yellow. You’d think there was a morning quidditch match.” She sat down and he moved to sit beside her.

“I always thought it was lucky that blue was my favorite color. I dare say every bit of clothing I have received as a present since I was eleven was blue.”

She giggled lightly as she swallowed her first bite of oatmeal. “Are you telling me those pajamas were a gift?”

“Actually, yes, from Albus. It was when he wanted to try out muggle camping and wanted me to join him. I told him I couldn’t because I slept in the nude so he bought me pajamas.”

“And did you?”

Filius blushed a bit. “You may have noticed this morning.”

There was silence. He looked down at his plate and she looked at him.

“I meant the camping.”

More silence followed, until she started giggling. It was one of those moments when she knew she should not laugh, but just could not help herself, and once started, she could not stop. Filius looked up before starting to laugh along with her. Soon they were both breathless from laughter, with tears running down their flushed cheeks.

He put his hand on top of hers and when she did not move away, started running his fingers across her hand, surprised as always how soft her skin was with all the hard work she did. “I’m glad we can still be us, even if you didn’t mean for last night to happen.”

She looked startled. “Oh, Filius, I-“

“It’s okay, I know.” He had to get this out now, because he knew if she tried to make him feel better about the situation, it would only be worse. “I was just so nervous about last night and so I kept drinking that punch and bringing you more.” She tried to interrupt again, but he kept talking. “But I promise this was not what I had in mind when I asked you for a date.”

“You meant last night as a date? A real date?”

The look on her face made him want to crawl under the table, but he summoned what little courage he had left and went on. “Yes, but I realized this morning that you didn’t.”

“But, I did.” She turned her hand over and took his, squeezing it slightly. She looked down at their hands. “I just didn’t think that you would want me.”

“Not want you?” He was stunned. “Pomona, I have been trying to ask you on a date since you came here.”

“What?”

Filius smiled and took her other hand in his.

“You really are impervious to flirting, aren’t you? I had all but given up.”

“But, you never…” She stopped talking as he raised his eyebrows and she admitted defeat. “I just didn’t want to get my hopes up, I suppose.”

“I know what you mean.”

There was another moment of silence, but this time a comfortable one. He was right, she realized, no matter what, they were still them and that was what mattered.

“I have to tell you something.”

One of his hands had moved beyond her hand to her inner wrist and was tracing patterns there, distracting her from his answering nod.

“I’m a lightweight when it comes to alcohol.”
The light brushes of his fingertips halted at her inner elbow where they had wandered while she spoke.

“I’m sorry about the punch. It was never my intention to-“

“Filius, no, I didn’t think- I’d never think…“ Relief spread across his face. “I just meant that I tend to go straight from tipsy to drunk… and then tend to remember nothing the next day.”

It took a minute, but the Ravenclaw mind she had always admired caught her meaning.

“Nothing?”

His hands moved from her arms to her shoulders as he leaned closer. She had expected him to be surprised or sad, really any reaction but the smile on his face.

“No, nothing. I was so startled this morning.”

It was hard to keep talking as he began running his fingers across the bare skin at her collarbones and up to her neck. She vaguely noticed his smile broadening as his hands slipped behind her neck. Pomona licked her lips instinctively as he pulled her closer.

“Well perhaps I could help jog your memory?”

He paused, so close she was sure he could hear her heart racing. She realized with a smile that he was giving her a chance to back out. Was he still not sure this was what she wanted?

“Really?” She licked her lips again, on purpose this time, slowly, watching him watching her. Her voice sounded husky though she tried to keep it light and innocent. “You think you could help?”

He did not waste any time trying and as they made their way back to where their morning had begun, Pomona reflected that if this was the morning-after Fil, she might always regret that punch the night before. Thankfully, Filius soon removed that, and every other thought from her head.


*wink*