Dragons and Flowers
Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter characters or anything related to the books and movies J.K. Rowling does.
Authors note I am sorry I haven't updated in a bit. There is no valid excuse for it. Between managing my mental health, graduating, and looking for a job, I've been stressed. I already have the ideas for each of the chapters that are left. I am planning on writing 11 more chapters. I hope you enjoy tonight's chapter.
Chapter 15
Dahlia's 6th year at Hogwarts finally arrived. She was nervous to see the boys. She had changed quite a bit over the summer, not only physically but personality-wise too. She was more sure of herself and confident. Her time with Aunt Matilde and Leon helped her a lot. She was early to the train and took one of the best compartments. Dahlia decided to read a book while waiting for the boys to arrive.
The book she was reading was a book Leon gave her as a good-bye gift. It was one of his favorite romance novels. He was sure she was going to enjoy it, and he was right. The story was the most captivating book she has ever read. Dahlia was so focused on the book; she did not notice a certain tall Gryffindor entering the compartment.
"Dahlia?" Paul asked with a confused and amused face.
Dahlia jumped in fright when he took her out of the fictional world where she was.
"Oh, Paul! You frightened me!" Dahlia exclaimed while holding her chest.
"What happened to you! Are you certain you are our Dahlia?" Paul jokingly asked while funnily inspecting her hair and making her twirl. This action made Dahlia laughed. She missed her friends.
"Wait until Charlie sees you, mate!" Paul exclaimed, looking like a child in a candy store. He was enjoying this way too much. Dahlia blushed a little but smiled. She also wanted to see Charlie's reaction. Dahlia wasn't ready to confess her crush, but she was more confident about being around him and flirting a little to see where things would go.
Jackson, Mike, and Charlie finally arrived at the same time. Mike and Jackson hugged Dahlia and complimented her on her new look.
"Bloody hell, woman! France suited you well! Give my thanks to your aunt!" Jackson said while giving Dahlia a bear hug.
"You look lovely, Dahlia, it makes you look more confident," Mike complimented her.
Charlie was the last to see her. Mike and Jackson were in the way. He was impatient; why were they making such a commotion? Then Charlie saw her. He fell in love right there. Dahlia looked radiant; her confidence was prominent. Her smile light up the room, and her laugh made him feel happy. Charlie was in trouble. This time he couldn't deny his feelings. The new Dahlia came to steal his heart.
"Charlie! Long time no see!" Dahlia exclaimed happily and hugged him. A slight blush on her cheeks, but she was determined to act natural around him.
Charlie stayed stilled and hugged her back. He didn't know what to respond.
"It's good to see you too, love," Charlie said in her ear with a raspy voice, making her shiver in his embrace.
Dahlia was not the only one who changed over the summer. Puberty hit Charlie full force over the summer too. He was taller and more muscular. His jawline was more defined, and his voice deeper. Dahlia mentally melted into a puddle. How was she supposed to keep her cool when Charlie looked like this, and his voice!
"Mates, you've got company! The sexual tension can be felt to the end of the train," Paul jokingly told them while whistling, making the blush and awkwardly pull away.
The rest of the train ride was filled with laughter and jokes. Dahlia told them about her adventures with Aunt Matilde and even shared a little bit of her time with Leon.
"Dahlia, do tell us about this, Leon bloke!" Mike encouraged.
Dahlia grew timid but decided that she could talk about Leon with her best friends.
"Oh, Leon was the sweetest. It was a shame our time was so short. The woman who ends up with him will be a lucky girl," Dahlia smiled while remembering her time with Leon.
Charlie grew silent, and his face stoic. Jealousy crept his way to his heart. Who was this Leon bloke, and why was Dahlia suddenly so flushed?
After a while, the guys continue talking about their summers. Dahlia threw Charlie a worried glance. Charlie tried to ignore her gaze but found it quite tricky. Dahlia offered him a smile, and Charlie couldn't help but return it. All jealousy and annoyance evaporated. Charlie thought that after all, that boy was in France, and Dahlia was here with him.
During Charms class, Dahlia felt eyes on her, but every time she would look up, everyone was focused on their assignment. She felt as if she was crazy. Dahlia was sure someone was looking at her. Little did she know that she was right, and the pair of eyes that were so fixated on her belonged to a handsome red-haired boy.
Charlie was not the only one stealing glances at someone. Dahlia secretly tried looking at him once or twice. He looked so different if Dahlia thought he was handsome before, nothing compared to what he looked now. Looking at him brought new feelings inside of her. She felt flushed and warm all over. This new Charlie was starting to look like a man.
After the train ride, they didn't have much time to talk alone. The boys were always there with them. Even if they weren't, Charlie and Dahlia didn't know what to talk to one another.
Dahlia continued her mission to find out who kept gazing at her. Finally, she noticed. She unexpectedly rose her head and finally found the eyes that were so focused on her the entire class. It took Charlie by surprise. He tried looking down quickly, but it was too late. Dahlia had caught him. They kept each other gaze for a few minutes, a silent conversation happening between the two. In both their eyes, an intense feeling could be seen. An emotion so strong it made them blush, and timidly they look down. The rest of the class, Dahlia and Charlie, focused on their books. Suddenly they felt shy after their little gaze conversation.