Disclaimer: I do not own 'Take Me To Your Heart' from Michael Learns To Rock.I do not own Harry Potter's characters, some parts of the plot, and anything you find familiar. Don't sue me!!

As Rachel began probing over what life would be in the near future, that is, if their little plan succeeded, her mind drifted off to dreamland.

A warm, sweet smile curled her lips as she dreamed of a certain blonde.

Chapter 16: Love Begins

Drumming his tanned and long fingers on the little table's shiny surface he was currently laying his head on, Charles was waiting impatiently... for a reply to drop onto his laps.

He missed her so much... so much that he would have barge into the heavily-guarded castle to get his love, wandless, if not for her constant reminding of dangers and "I don't want you to hurt yourself! You are such a foolish lover." He only discovered how much he needed her now, 'Can I survive without her?', he questioned himself. Knowing the obvious answer (A/N: the answer is ... drums roll... no), he shook his head lightly and chuckles.

.:: Flashback ::.

Recieving the Sword of Honour, Charles bowed happily to the the King seated on the throne. He was made the youngest Honourable in the whole country! An Honourable was a title given to witches or wizards who did honourable (thus the title) deeds and it was a like a credit from the King. It was usually followed with some rewards.

And if that did not excite people enough, he would be starting work in the castle as a high-ranked guard. Imagine one in handsome robe patrolling in the castle's forbidden grounds. His position in the Royal Court would definitely rise to a significant height! Riches and women would soon pour themselves over him shortly after that.

Still wearing a charming smile on his already handsome face, he turned around to make his speech infront of the all the important officials of the Magical committee when his eyes caught sight of an elegant lady slowing making her way across the hall... He was mesmerized by her beauty, all her features were so... enchanting. Her eyes were...

"Ahem..."

...as sparkling as diamonds placed under intense lights...

"Ahem...!" It grew steadily louder.

Her nose...

"Mr. Gratels, you may begin your speech now." A cold voice rang in Charles ears.

Charles looked at the man prompting him, 'Deofol' he thought, they knew each other.

Quickly signalling his brain to work on his speech, he finally regained he long-lost senses. After opening and closing his mouth a few times, he managed out his apologies and made up what seemed to be logical excuses for his behavior a moment ago. He paused a bit to get the girls's face out of his mind temporarily.

Then, his speech started and it went on...

And on...

And on...

Yawns

And on...

And on...

And o...! Sorry, I mean, he's finally done with it. Much to the audiences' relief, he finally turned 90 degrees and was about to leave the stage when he suddenly spun around...

The audiences gasped!

He was looking around for a certain young lady. Charles could not see her anywhere in the hall, so he decided that what he had just saw was an illusion. For, she was too pretty to be a human. Plus, he had heard of veelas.

Shrugging and finally left the stage, he walked over to a seat saved for him and watched the rest of the ceremony. By the time it had ended, the lady's image was already off his mind as he went with his friends for Firewhiskey.

Where was she? He just saw her in the gardens! It's impossible for her to Disapparate as the castle was full of Anti-Disapparation and Anti-Apparation charms. Now, where could she be?

After searching high and low for a trace of her (he was off-duty then), he felt disappointed and decided to... just give up.

'Jasmines...' Charles sniffed hard. Capturing the scent floating into his nose. Relaxing, he laid on his back on the top of the low wall of the garden.

Hum... Hum... Hum...

"...So many people all around the world... Tell me where do I find, someone like you girl... Take me to your heart, take me to your soul..."

(A/N: The song is from Michael Learns To Rock, 'Take Me To Your Heart'.)

This song sounds so nice in her voice. Charles blinked.

Voice?

He jumped off the wall and found the lady he was desperate for a moment ago right before him.

She had her eyes closed and held her nose high up in the air, as though enjoying the scent of the summer air. As she was approaching, he noticed her delicate fingers shuffling past the wall as she had raised them up to her shoulders' level.

He smiled, she's not a veela. Something deep in his heart tells him so, she had that natural beauty. So very natural...

Gathering courage, he stepped forward.

"Hullo, my Lady."

Opening her eyes quickly, Rachel gasped at the handsome man who was wearing the guards' robes that had the 'Cheif Guard' sewn onto the small front of it and holding the Sword of Honour. She noticed that he had tucked his wand safely in a pocket of his robes.

The man was tall, standing at a height of six feet or maybe more. He had an ear-lengthed, combed-back blond hair and electric-blue smiling eyes. He was quite tanned, maybe the tan was from the patrolling of the castle and it made him looked very strong and tough.

"Who... Who are you?" She was really freaked out. Of course it was not because of the looks of the man, but the way he suddenly appeared infront of her.

"I'm really sorry if I just frightened you." Charles apologised quickly, he could detect traces of frights in her chocolate eyes. "I'm Charles Gratels. Nice to meet you." He gave her a heart-warming smile and thrust out his hand.

"It's alright." She felt assured and took the outstretched hand. "I'm Rachel Jerrein." She reported her name to the handsome young man.

"Pleasure."

She's a princess. He knew it from her last name.

They began short conversation with each other and arranged for meetings at the same place at noon the next day.

The couple enjoyed each other's company and soon, love blossomed.

They still had secret meetings every time they could manage.

Sweet times those were... Sweet, sweet times...

.:: End of Flashback ::.

'Sigh... So much for true love...' Charles got a letter from a normal-looking barn owl as his thoughts were done.

A/N: Ok, if this still sounds irrelevant, just move on and see if you could understand it...

Love,
fionger