Poppy spent the next two days in a blissful routine. Charlie worked (his time off over Christmas meant that he needed to pull a six-day work week, but luckily they'd all been day shifts. He usually worked overnights as well) while Poppy had a lie in each day. Then she hung out with his friends and him over lunch, and visited Dragan the Elder in the afternoons to help him to sort through more files.

In the late afternoons Charlie came to find her and they went for a walk to check on the Fireball and her egg and then they went home. But the short commute became a long one, taking up about an hour so that Poppy could practise her flying. They then spent time cooking dinner together, and then curled up on the sofa to chat and read.

Poppy had thought Charlie was reading his own book, but he asked her to wait while he finished the page in her book she was about to turn, and she realised they were reading together.

But, even though something seemed to have shifted in their relationship, they didn't discuss what had occurred during and after their night at the pub.

While she was disappointed by this, Poppy didn't want to bring it up in case Charlie was embarrassed or had simply drunk too much, and she was back to not wanting to admit her feelings in case he rejected her or, more likely, their friendship soured because of it.

On the 23rd, her interview with Rahul and Dragan the Elder was simple. "You're my replacement if you want the job," Dragan had declared, and so she'd come out feeling elated, but conscious that she still didn't know if she could even take the job. She was lucky that Dragan and Rahul seemed to understand that. They even said that they could wait for her answer until after she'd tried out for the Auror programme.

"What about the other applicants?" she'd asked, but Dragan had simply laughed.

"Why d'you think I've spent years looking for my successor?" he asked. "I'm not going to leave this place to just anyone. You trust me that I think you're a good fit, and you let me know if you can do it. The job will wait for you."

"Charles," Poppy asked, walking out of the kitchen holding two mugs of hot chocolate later that evening.

He put down his paper and frowned. "Please tell me that's not going to stick… I keep thinking I'm in trouble…"

"It is, so get used to it. Quentin called me Pops again today," she explained, putting the mugs down on the coffee table. She sat on the sofa and tucked one leg underneath herself so that she could face him. "I just... I just wanted to say thank you. Not just for all this; for the job and for letting me stay with you, but…" She tucked some hair behind her ear. "For my birthday gift, and for writing to me... I guess it just makes me feel like you care, and... that means a lot to me, and I know you don't feel- I- I just- you- Charlie, you mean a lot... to me."

Charlie laughed and Poppy ducked her head, feeling pinpricks rush up her spine and chest. Her face felt hot and her first reaction was to run to her bed in the study. But then he reached over to place a hand on her shoulder.

His words surprised her even though they shouldn't have. "You mean a lot to me too. I laughed because I've been gearing myself up to say it too. Come here."

Poppy moved forwards, crawling over to snuggle into his side.

"What're you reading?" she asked, tucking her legs up and changing the subject. While she was elated at his words, she was keenly aware that this was their last night together.

He paused, his arm tightening around her shoulder. She felt him kiss the top of her head, and then he said, "It's just Quidditch."

"That's perfect," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder.

They sat like that for a while until Poppy yawned and Charlie sent her to bed. She heard him go upstairs when she began to change into her nightdress and then she stood, staring at her bed. After a minute she left her room and headed upstairs for the loo. But, once she'd brushed her teeth and gone onto the landing, she turned left and not right, knocking lightly on his bedroom door.

"Come in," Charlie called, and she stuck her head around his door. "You alright?" he asked.

Poppy tried not to blush at the fact that he was sitting up, his pillows propped behind him. His pyjama-clad legs were stretched out over the covers, and he was topless. She tried to not stare… too much.

"I... I don't really know why I..." She was trying to think of an excuse as to why she was there, without saying, 'I don't want to leave tomorrow, I don't want to sleep on my own tonight, I'm going to miss you, I want to be in your arms.'

She settled on, "Do you know where I left Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? I'm just packing and can't find it."

He held up the book which was in his hands and clicked his tongue. "Sorry, thought you'd be taking it with you so I've been reading ahead. Alright if I borrow it for tonight?"

"Of course," she said, smiling. She made to leave, but before she closed the door, she ducked her head round again. "Which bit are you up to?"

"Violet's chewing some gum..." he said, frowning down at the page. "I know something's going to go wrong but I just keep imagining Drooble's so it can't be that bad, right...?"

Poppy grinned. "Can I wait and see what you think?" she asked, without thinking. "Oh... or is that weird?"

Charlie smiled and patted the bed beside him. "I'm fine with it if you are."

Poppy ran over and lifted the bedcover slightly. Charlie nodded and she snuggled into the bed. "Oh my god, I should've taken this bed. Wow..." she moaned, sinking into the firm mattress, surrounded by what felt like a cloud. "Perfect," she whispered.

Charlie chuckled. "It was my first big purchase after I got here. Never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep."

Poppy moaned again and snuggled under the covers more. "Next time, I'm staying right here," she said, closing her eyes and sinking further into the warmth.

Embarrassingly, she then rolled over onto her front and smelt the pillow. She frowned and pushed up onto her forearms. "It doesn't smell like you…"

Charlie shook his head, watching her with a smile on his face. He leant forwards and flicked his wand and the two top pillows swapped themselves. She let her face fall onto his pillow and smiled, closing her eyes. Now this was perfect. "You can sleep downstairs tonight," she said blissfully.

Charlie laughed again and got out of bed. "Just popping to the loo," he said. "Stay here."

She heard the door click shut and sighed deeply. She raised her head and looked around.

It seemed that Charlie really did have a 'side of the bed', since there was a small stack of dragon related books and magazines on the small table on his side. On the bedside table closest to her, there was an alarm clock and various photos.

The walls were rather bare, but there were a few picture frames on top of his dresser, including his framed World Cup ticket. His Ireland rosette had been shrunk and was sat on top of it.

She looked back at the framed photos on his bedside table - there was one of his entire family, one of him and a young looking Ginny in front of a dragon enclosure, one of him and Bill in Diagon Alley smiling and pointing at their badges - head boy for Bill, prefect for Charlie, and one of him, Fred, George and Ron laughing in Egypt (she assumed at least from the pyramid in the background). Tucked behind the frames was a lone unframed photograph and, too curious for her own good, Poppy turned it over carefully.

She grinned. It was of her, in front of the giant winged Beauxbatons horses. Esther had taken it for her to send to Charlie. She'd assumed he'd crop her out but he hadn't.

She heard the door to the bathroom open and she quickly dropped her face back into his pillow, as if that was less embarrassing than her snooping.

He opened and shut a drawer, and then slid back into bed under the covers this time. Poppy opened her eyes again, seeing that he was wearing a plain black t-shirt now in addition to his pyjama trousers. She wanted to ask why he'd covered up – for his benefit or for hers, but she didn't.

Instead, she asked, "Are you sure this is okay? I really can go. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or anything…" She took a deep breath. He was watching her with a funny look on his face. "Well, because… because you're… well, the t-shirt… and, well, if- if me being here makes you feel at all-"

Charlie finally laughed and gently wrapped his hand around her upper arm, tugging her slightly in an invitation to snuggle. She took it immediately and moved quickly to rest her cheek on his shoulder, glad to not be stammering anymore.

"The shirt's for my benefit," he said quietly. "I feel like my mum would kill me if she knew you were in my bed. At least this way we're both… partially dressed," he said, moving his spare hand to her bare thigh. He tugged her leg over his. "Is this okay?"

"Yes," she replied immediately, unabashed. "Definitely. Yes."

Charlie chuckled. "And don't worry about me, I'll take all the cuddles I can while you're still here. I don't know how to explain it, but... It's always been dragons… that's my focus. And I've got so used to being on my own here, but it doesn't feel odd having you around. It feels..." he trailed off.

"Go on?" she asked when he didn't continue. She lightly traced a crease in his top with her fingertips.

"It feels normal. Natural. Like you're not taking anything away, you're just adding… adding to it. I'm sorry, I'm not great at this… in essence, I'm really going to miss you when you go."

Poppy smiled sadly and looked up at him. "Me too," she said. "I think it's going to feel worse than it did when I left you in September. And that sucked."

"Yeah?" he asked, slowly rubbing his hand up and down her arm. "I didn't know."

"Yeah… and November was just cruel."

"Cruel?"

"It wasn't enough… this week's been everything... Hence my intrusion tonight and the snugs."

"I was hoping," he replied. "I didn't want to assume… if I'm being honest, I don't want you to leave…"

"Neither do I. But I have to."

"I know… I know. Right then... Violet..." he said, picking up the book again and turning back to his page.

They stayed like that for a while, but Poppy didn't really take in any of the story. Instead, she listened to the strong thud of Charlie's heart, and continued to trace patterns on his top. At one point he flicked his wand and the book floated in the air above them. He used his now spare hand to copy her patterns, tracing them on her thigh and knee while he read.

She wished that she was daring enough to kiss him, but she wasn't. It felt like an unspoken agreement now that they would save that… save it until they knew they wouldn't be separated and unable to see each other for months.

She didn't realise that she'd fallen asleep until she woke, lying on her side with a weight over her waist. She blinked and squinted at Charlie's alarm clock. It was just past two in the morning. She shifted and lifted the heavy duvet cover slightly when what felt like a hand gently flexed against her stomach. Her eyes widened when she realised it was a hand, and it was connected to Charlie's strong arm which was lying over her waist.

She looked over her shoulder and stared at him for a moment – his red hair flopped over his forehead, his eyes closed and his mouth slightly open. He was snoring, but Poppy found that she didn't mind the sound.

She wondered what had woken her up until she recognised a dull pain in her shoulder and pulled a book out from underneath her (his) pillow. She gently reached over to place it onto the bedside table, trying not to wake Charlie. She failed at the last second, and the book fell to the floor with a thump.

"Merlin," Charlie said quietly, startled awake by the sound. His arm tightened around her and he moved, pulling her back flush against his chest. "What was that?" he asked.

"Just a book, it's fine. Sorry," she muttered, keenly aware of how close they were. She pushed her curls up, piling them up onto the pillow so that they didn't tickle his face.

"Oh. Alright," he said, and rather than move away, he rested his head on her pillow and kissed the back of her neck before settling in.

Poppy's breath caught and her eyes darted around. She'd dreamt of him holding her like this, of his strong body wrapped around her, his lips and breath at her neck. She smiled – she didn't want to move a muscle and ruin her dream come true.

"Oh shit," he said suddenly, letting her go, moving back to his side of the bed. "I'm really sorry."

"What?" she asked, frowning, rolling over to see him.

"I was uh... sorry. I think we both fell asleep... I should've gone downstairs. I'm really sorry," he said quickly, sitting up. He ran a hand through his hair.

"Do you want me to go?" she asked quietly, placing a hand on his bicep. "Or do… do you want to go?"

"No. I really don't," he said, slowly, dropping his hand from his face, staring at her longingly.

"Good," she replied in a whisper. She trailed her hand onto his chest and pushed him back to lie down. "Is this okay?" she asked.

Charlie nodded, and she moved her hand to rest over his heart, tucked herself back into his side, and placed her head on his shoulder. His arms tightened around her waist and within a minute she felt her breathing ease and she fell asleep long before his snores began again.

The next morning was a rush of packing and getting to the station, which meant that they missed their chance to chat. They woke late, having accidentally had a lie in, and arrived at the station with only ten minutes to find their seats.

Sitting on the train, she didn't know what to say to him, so she sat in silence, reading. Every so often she thought he was looking at her, but she didn't look up. Even after last night, she knew that her feelings for him were too strong now… she couldn't just leave… but she also couldn't find the words to tell him how she felt… about the intensity of her feelings. Something had changed between them, yes, but she thought it was still fragile - she couldn't see how someone as wonderful as him would love her to the same extent as she loved him, even if she now knew that he at least liked her.

"Are you okay?" he asked about half an hour into the journey.

Instead of using her words, she rested her head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head and went back to his book.

Passing through Vienna, the conductor came to check their tickets.

"Change at Paris," he said slowly, handing Poppy's ticket back to her, annunciating each word as if she was a child. It wasn't as comforting as when Dragan did it.

"Thanks," she said, taking her ticket back. Her journey was once again overnight, but this time she would get back to Hogwarts at around 9 o'clock in the evening on Christmas Day due to the Paris to London service being much later in the day because of the holiday.

"How much is it for the upgrade?" Charlie asked, handing over his ticket.

The conductor checked it and said, "No upgrade. You go straight to London."

"No," Charlie said, shaking his head. "For her ticket. We're travelling together," he explained.

"What currency do you have?"

"Galleons."

"Fourteen galleons," the man replied after checking the conversion chart.

"Fourteen?!" Charlie asked incredulously. "It cost me seven last Christmas…"

"But," Poppy began, but the conductor cut over her and she realised that they were haggling.

"Thirteen," the conductor said.

Charlie shook his head. "Seven."

"Nine galleons, twenty sickles."

"Eight galleons and a box of Paris' finest," Charlie said, whipping out the box of chocolates she'd given him days before.

"I can get those any day of the week," the man replied.

Poppy sank in her seat. She'd thought it was a nice gift...

"Can you? Even on Christmas Day...?"

"Fine," the man said finally.

Charlie took out his money bag and handed over a few gold coins and the box. The conductor took Poppy's ticket back and ripped it up before issuing her a new one. "Straight to London," he said, and then he moved up the carriage.

"Charlie," Poppy whined. "I'll pay you back, I promise."

"No need," he said, smiling. "It's what Nix would do ..." He winked at her as his reference to Taming A Dragon Tamer sank in and she groaned. "Tell me that wasn't romantic," he said, and Poppy shook her head, before she placed her hand on his.

"Incredibly romantic, thank you," she said.

He turned her hand over and held it in his tightly. "Pop, I-" He sighed deeply. "Nothing."

They spent the rest of the trip talking sporadically, mentioning books, quidditch, the scenery and towns moving past them… they kept the conversation light and fell into most uncomfortable silences than they had ever endured - both wanting to say things that couldn't be said.

They reached Kings Cross at around eight o'clock in the morning on Christmas Day.

"Leaky Cauldron?" Charlie asked, tilting his head to the side as they walked along the platform; he was carrying both of their bags. "One last breakfast before we head back to normality?"

Poppy frowned. She wanted to say yes, but she didn't know if she could give him up again if she spent more time with him. "No, uh… You should head back to The Burrow," she said, sighing. She tugged her bag off his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" he asked, stopping to give her bag back. "What did I do? Is this because of last night? Because-"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "No. Charlie. No," she tried to reassure him. "But you're right, normality is calling and I need to get back to Hogwarts."

"That's not what I meant," he said, stepping forwards, placing a hand on her waist.

Her eyes fluttered shut and she took in a deep breath. She covered his hand with hers and looked up at him.

"I know," she replied, smiling sadly. "I know, but you're right anyway."

"Poppy..." he whispered, stepping closer, moving his other hand to her cheek.

"Charlie, make it easy on me, please?" she asked, as a single tear fell down her cheek. He gently wiped it away with his thumb. She wanted to say, 'If we stay together this morning I won't ever want to say goodbye,' but she didn't.

"And if I don't want you to go yet?" he asked, staring down at her. He was only a few inches taller than her, but she felt like Ingrid Bergman's Ilsa in Casablanca, staring up at Rick as they said their goodbyes. People moved around them, but to her, they were the only two people on the platform.

Poppy leant up and placed a long kiss on his cheek. When she pulled away Charlie stopped her, holding her close by wrapping his arms around her middle. He gently nuzzled her cheek.

"I'll write to you?" he whispered. "And I'll try and get off work around Easter to come and visit."

Poppy nodded and buried her face in his coat-clad chest while he held her for a while.

They both knew he wouldn't be able to get enough time off then - spring was the next nesting period for the dragons, and it was too important for him to leave. The next time they'd be together would be the summer at least.

She felt ridiculous for being so emotional about leaving him. It had only been a week at the Sanctuary but it felt as though she'd found her home, and now she was having to say goodbye to it again.

"Right," she said, stepping back, wiping her eyes and plastering a smile on her face. "I'll see you when I see you, Weasley. Have a great Christmas and say hi to your parents for me?"

Charlie's eyes glistened but the side of his mouth twitched up into a half-smile. "I'll let Bill know you don't care about him," he joked, and Poppy's laugh was so loud that it echoed across the near-empty platform. "See you," he said, sighing.

Poppy stared at him, and then turned on the spot, Disapparating with a pop.

Instead of going straight to school, Poppy spent no less than two hours wandering around the lakeside, thankful again that she'd charmed her backpack to feel as light as a feather. She cried and sobbed and eventually, when she'd got her emotions under control at around eleven-thirty, she arrived at her dorm, having picked her way carefully and quietly through the crowd of excited Hufflepuffs in the common room.

There was an added sadness for her and she mulled it over in the shower. Her dream was to become an Auror. Charlie's was to work with dragons. She just couldn't see a future where they might be happy together without one of them having to give up their dream career at some point. And they were both too young to sacrifice such large parts of each other for their combined happinesses. That, she realised, was what had made the goodbye so much harder.

After her shower she dressed in her most Christmassy jumper and a pair of jeans to try and cheer herself up but it didn't work well, and so she made her way to Christmas lunch still feeling dejected and low. Esther and Cass were sitting with Cedric and his friends when she walked into the hall, and she stared for a moment, not sure if she wanted to go in and socialise.

"You're back!" George said, walking over to her. "Merry Christmas, Pops. Fancy a custard cream?" he asked, holding out a biscuit. Poppy shook her head, bit her lip, and tried to keep her expression neutral. "Merlin," he whispered, pocketing the treat. "It's just a Canary Cream... Won't harm in the long run..."

Poppy let out a small laugh and shook her head. "It's not you," she said, sighing deeply. "Sorry."

"Romania that bad?" Fred asked, walking up to the duo.

Ginny, who was just behind him, whacked him around the head and said, "She's obviously upset to be back."

"Upset? Why?" Fred asked, frowning. "What did you do?" he asked George, who shrugged.

Poppy began to laugh, further confusing the boys.

"You mean what did Charlie do?" Ginny said, her eyes blazing.

Poppy smiled. "Nothing. I'm just having an off day. Travelled a lot. Super tired," she replied, keeping her sentences as short as possible.

"Sit with me and my friends?" Ginny asked. "Our drama will take your mind off it."

"Charlie?" Fred asked. "Will someone tell us what's going on?"

"Yeah, we need to know if there's someone more deserving of ten live dung bombs than Percy," George said.

"He didn't do anything," Poppy repeated. "Ginny only mentioned him because I was in Romania wasn't I? But I had a great time. Really."

"Then why're you upset?" Fred asked.

"Like I said," she said with a yawn now, "I'm just tired. Too tired to raise a smile. I'll be alright after a nap."

"Alright," George said sceptically.

Ginny stepped forwards to save her. "Here, come eat with my friends," she said, walking Poppy over to where her friends sat at the Gryffindor table. "Eleanor's boyfriend asked someone else to the ball," she said, just out of earshot of the fourth years. "She only found out this morning. Means you won't have to think to take part in the conversation."

"Thanks," Poppy said, smiling as broadly as she could. She really was feeling quite tired now.

"Right," Ginny said, "I think you all know Poppy? I said she can join us," she said to one of the girls.

"As I was saying," a girl with long brown hair said, sitting forwards, her arms braced on the table. "Even Father Christmas couldn't work without Mother Christmas," she said, somewhat angrily.

Poppy smirked and rolled her eyes at Ginny, who laughed.

By the time lunch was served, Poppy was content and able to push her feelings back down to the bottom of her heart. So when she greeted her friends after dessert, they had no idea she'd been upset at all.

"We have a surprise for you!" they said, pulling her away from the Great Hall and towards the Hufflepuff Common Room.

"Is it a plant? Because Esther's already taken one of mine under her wing this year, I can barely take care of myself, let alone-"

"Merlin! It's not a plant," Esther said exasperatedly.

"But be prepared anyway, she got three Moly plants for Christmas," Cass said, laughing.

Poppy groaned. "They'll be on my side of the room soon…"

When they reached their dorm, Esther put her hands over Poppy's eyes and said, "We knew you said you might not make it in time for the ball, but we were hoping... so... We told Sprout you'd need your ticket, and we..."

"Bought the dress back!" Cass cried when Esther let Poppy go. Cass standing next to a robe bag which was now hanging from Poppy's curtain rail.

"What? I said I couldn't-" Poppy started, staring.

"We know, we know," Cass replied flippantly. "But we forgot your birthday, so we thought this might make up for it?"

"And we've got you a date. That Beauxbatons boy, Mathieu? He said he'd take you as friends since his girlfriend dumped him for one of the Durmstrang lot. That's why he sat with us that time, d'you remember? He wanted to ask your advice because they were having problems, but then decided against it. Anyway," Esther said, grinning and clapping.

"Yes, anyway, this means you've got a ticket, you've got a dress, and you've got a date!"

"But this is... it's too expensive!" Poppy tried, unzipping the bag and tracing her fingers over fabric.

"Don't worry about it. After you sent it back to Gladrags, I asked Ma to go in on her way through London. They're going to India for Christmas this year. And she said she'd get you something in our price range, and this is what she sent back! They'd put it on the 'can't sell' rack if you can believe it, so Ma bought it for a steal. She said to say hi and to stop being so hard on yourself," Cass said, smiling.

"We really are sorry we didn't get you a present," Esther said, pouting. "In all the excitement of the new schools arriving and so much homework I could cry, we just-"

Rather than answering, Poppy began to cry, and hugged each of her surprised friends in turn.