14. Epilogue

Epilogue

1 Year later

Helene

T heo has been weird the past two weeks. I wish I knew what was going on with him, but whenever I say anything, he deflects the conversation, and we end up talking about other things. I've tried to talk to his friends, but they're avoiding me, too, especially Erik, who has a penchant for gossip. Anyway, today is Sunday, and he told me to be in full Ravenclaw uniform and ready for an adventure.

When it's time, I hear the doorbell and wonder why he didn't just use his key. When I open the door, a driver in full Hogwarts regalia bows to me.

"Miss Hudson, I'll be your chauffeur today. Had to bring the limo. You know, so the muggles don't suspect."

I giggle at that. So we're role-playing. I like that. I follow behind him, and he opens the door for me. Inside is my tricky boyfriend dressed in Slytherin garb. I get in and give him a kiss. He's clean-shaven – I'm going to complain about that later – and smells like spices. He quickly pours me what must be butterbeer, and soon, we're toasting the day.

Turns out, one year ago, was when he took me to the Harry Potter Park at Universal Studios. I love that this man is more sentimental than I am. It's still around three p.m., so I wonder why we're going to the park so late. However, he tells me we're going somewhere else.

"I love surprises. Thank you, Theo."

"I know, and I love that about you. You'll like this one."

We sit holding each other and slurping our delicious drinks when we pull up to Theo's nightclub. Only the entrance has been modified to look like the doors to Hogwarts Castle. I bounce eagerly in my seat and clap my hands. The driver opens the door, and Theo gets out first, then he helps me out. There's a huge man at the door who looks like Hagrid, and he welcomes us to the castle.

The inside of the club has been transformed into the hallways and waiting rooms of Hogwarts, and colorful banners are everywhere. There are also candles in the air like in the movies, and I can't believe this man has done all of this for me. Theo tugs me by the hand, and we walk into an area resembling a throne with Ravenclaw colors mixed in with Slytherin.

I do a whole 360 to see all the decorations, and when I stop, Theo is on one knee with a ring sitting in a velvet box. My hands go to my mouth to hold back everything I'm feeling from bursting out. The stone on the ring is a big freaking diamond.

"Goddess, I found you when I most needed you. Just looking at you captivated me in a way I've never felt before. Getting to know you, piece by piece, was like a puzzle I needed to solve, and when I least expected it, you were here, in my club, ready to meet your match."

I smile at how he glosses over his whole stalking routine. It's better we keep it a secret. To the side, I notice Mags and Tammy are here, and so are his friends. I give my sister a quick wave and concentrate back on this gorgeous man who is probably proposing marriage.

"Helene, I know I don't deserve you, but a life without you seems like a punishment no one should receive. People know how I spend most of my time trying to make you happy and proud to be on my arm, but they don't know how you care for me and love me in a way no one has done before. I'm completely addicted to you, and I no longer want to wake up alone in my lonely apartment. I want to wake up every day with you at my side. I want to build a future and a family with you and have an amazing life together." He clears his throat. "Helene, will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?"

"Yes, put that rock on me, baby, and let's go to Vegas!"

Everyone around us laughs, and Theo puts the ring on my finger. Then he gets up, gathers me in his arms, and kisses me. The room goes wild with applause, and I know I am exactly where I need to be.