Gabben was now in the Owlary looking out over the forest. Fire was slowly rising about 50 miles away. Why would they be so close and not do anything Gabben thought? We're they planning something...? These thoughts and more went spinning in his mind. He ran a hand threw his hair watching the smoke. It was pitch black, the moon wasn't out and it was cloudy. Gabben guessed having a bit cat in him helped him to see at night. Gabben turned around fast hearing someone coming up the stairs. He moved behind a pillar to see Ashley walk in. With a sigh of relief he was about to walk out from behind the pillar. But before he even moved a foot Ashley started talking aloud to what Gabben thought was another person.
"Hmmm... he's back...hmmm... I really missed him. I hope we don't fight like we used to. Can you take this to Elijah? Hmmm I hope I get the courage to tell him..." An owl hooted softly and then he heard Ashley laugh.
"We will see now wont we? Knowing him he doesn't even know that I... care about him that way...Well get going."
An owl flew out of the window and Gabben heard footsteps going down the stairs. Gabben stepped out from behind the pillar. He could only guess that she meant him. Gabben leaned on the pillar thinking. Ashley Young liked him? He had never really thought about her in that way. Well in the back of his mind he did. She was the only one he really owled. He did like her, he just never thought about it. She meant a lot to him, she was always there, and she did remind him of someone. But he couldn't even do anything about it. As a S.A.M. leader in training he would have no time for his feelings. It felt as though a flood gate had been opened. New feelings washed over Gabben and started to soak into him. Ashley was he's oldest friend next to Doug. Only Gabben felt more open to Ashley. Thoughts that he had pushed away for years started to run past his eyes.
"But I can't!" He yelled out loud making a bunch of the owls fly away. He watched them fly away as the sun started to rise. He must have been there ages thinking. He walked out and down to the great hall. Then he walked out and sat by the lake still thinking. He heard feet walking up behind him. He turned fast pulling his wand out.
"Whoa speedy... just giving you some food." Ashley said putting her hands up to show 2 muffins and a coffee. Gabben put his wand away and smiled. New feelings that were always there went threw him at the sight oh her. Only this time he did not push them away. He had always felt that way, he just pushed the feelings away, no longer would he. She sat down next to him and handed him a muffin. He took it and smiled.
"So...what are you doing out here Ms. Young?" He asked looking at her with a warm smile.
"I saw you run out here with out stopping by for food. You should always eat in the morning. And sleep is good to you ok?" She asked as he started to rub his eyes and yawn.
"I didn't sleep much last night."
"Why not? Couldn't stop cleaning?" She laughed and he smiled a little.
"Ha... no." It's now or never he thought.
"I was up in the owlary." He looked down at his shoes but before he did he saw her face. She looked a little shocked.
"You were in there weren't you? I thought I saw someone move by-" She stopped turning red.
"Yep."
"And...you heard what I said?"
"Yah and I thought about it." He smiled, he was going with what his heart said now. The thought of knowing something, and never saying it even to himself was pulling him apart. But at that moment he couldn't think of the words to say. He didn't think there were any. The next thing he knew he was kissing her. A sharp shock went threw his body and he pulled back. He had only felt that feeling with only one other person. He looked down then back at her confused. She looked just as stund as he did.
"It's you... it was you? The one by the lake, and the dance..." He whispered. She slowly nodded and looked down. He put a hand under her chin and pulled her head back up.
"I'm glad..." He smiled at her and rubbed her cheek. She turn a little red.
For that morning they walked around the lake talking. They had always talked before but their talking now was different. The way two people talk that care deeply about each other and wished time could stand still. They got back up to the great hall at around noon. He remembered what he had to do. With a sad sigh he turned to her. She looked at him and frowned.
"Now you�re going to tell me you�re leaving?"
"Dumbledore has asked me to do something�s for him..." She looked down as did he.
"When will you be back?"
"I'm not sure... soon I hope."
"Then hurry." He nodded and pulled her into a hug.
"I'll come back to you..." He slowly kissed her then let go. He moved to the doors and walked out. She started to cry as she watched him go. She had just gotten him and he had to go. Gabben looked back at her and gave her a warm smile saying.
"I'll be back..." He looked up and saw Dumbledore looking out of his office window. He smiled down at him, Gabben nodded to him and walked into the forest.