Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (challenges & assignments)

Auction: Day 18, Auction 1 - (song) The One - Elton John

W/C: 1,576

Summary: It's coming up to the first year of Astoria's death and Kingsley wants to help with Daphne's pain. It's all he ever wants to do for the rest of his life, to make her smile.

A/N: Apparently I have no patience to check over my work. I beg your forgiveness for mistakes that will be fixed once auction is over.

When stars collide like you and I

Kingsley paused at the entrance of the main office for the Aurors' department, spotting Daphne's familiar dark hair at her desk by a window that looked out to the Atrium. She was hunched over, her shoulders up by her ears, her long, wavy hair hanging over her face; hiding.

"Minister," Harry greeted him with a smile. "I've made sure she finishes her paperwork so she wouldn't be anywhere else today."

Kingsley shared a knowing and grateful smile with Harry. "Thank you, we'll be gone for the weekend, so if you could not contact me unless the world is falling apart, that would be appreciated."

"I'll be sure to go to Hermione if that's the case."

Kingsley laughed, clapping Harry on the shoulder. "Good man."

Daphne didn't look up as he approached her, not even hearing the calls of hello to him when he passed all the other Aurors. He realised the pile of paperwork Harry had given her was not being signed, the parchments remaining in a tall stack in front of her. She was staring at a small photo instead, of her and Astoria playing at beach when they were little girls.

Kingsley slowly knelt by her side, making her jump when he turned her swivel chair a little to face him.

"Hi," she said quietly, a warm smile already appearing at the sight of him. He loved that smile the most.

"I've come to steal you away from work," he whispered. Daphne's eyes immediately searched the room, landing briefly on Harry. "I'm abusing my power, I made Harry put you on desk duty today so I would know where to find when I was done arranging some things."

Daphne's eyes lit up, her beautiful green eyes giving him a moment of happiness he wasn't seeing much of at the moment. And who could blame her. This was her first summer without her sister.

Kingsley stood up, holding his hand out to her. "Come on. There's somewhere I want to take you."

XXXXXX

An hour later and they were on a beach. The same beach Daphne's parents had brought her to with Astoria. It was a little alcove of sand in Cornwall, hidden by tall rocks and cliffs that couldn't be gotten to without a low tide… or a little magic.

The sun was starting to sink, but the warmth of it made the light breeze feel blissful rather than chilly. Kingsley sat on a small rock by the cliff, the waves crashing gently around his feet, causing foam to gather around them. Daphne stood a few metres away, staring at the horizon, the waves moving over her feet, before pulling back. The wind moved with the sea, causing her thin summer dress to dance in a way that it looked like the ocean was trying to draw her in.

A large than expected wave came rushing towards Daphne and she tried to outrun it, but the water splashed up against her legs, soaking half her dress. She shrieked with a laugh he hadn't heard in months; her happy-to-be-alive laugh. The one she saved for when she was enjoying the little things in life. Kingsley's heart practically stopped in his chest with the overwhelming rush of love her felt for Daphne when she met his gaze, still laughing as she ran towards him on her tiptoes. Her footprints were swiftly washed away by the next wave.

When she reached him, Daphne shook her dress, making sure to splash him with the water droplets off it. "Why is it always colder than you expect!" She laughed again, the sound of it bouncing off the rocks around them.

Kingsley was struggling to find words – anything – to say in response. He wanted to look at her, admire her, enjoy her vibrant energy when she was content. She made him feel like a schoolboy having his first crush. Daphne met his eyes when she realised he was still quiet, that warm smile ready once more.

"What is it?"

"I wish I could take away your heartache." He reached over, trailing a fingertip across her forehead to push some hair out of her eyes. "I hate that I can't do that for you."

Daphne leant into his palm when he cupped her cheek. "Without pain, there would be no love in the world. It's the price we pay for it," she said with a haunted look in her eyes. "I wish you could've known her – I wish you could've known me before she was gone."

Kingsley stood up, cupping her face with both hands, gently making her look up to his face. "I already see her, Daphne." He kiss the tip of her nose. "And I love all of who you are."

Daphne tugged at his shirt, pulling him into a kiss. He met her lips willingly, with the same eagerness as their first kiss. Her lips were cool and salty from the ocean spray, but she made him feel like he was on fire. All those years he thought he was happy leading a solitary life, focusing on his career. Now he knew it was because he hadn't found the one that could make him feel things he'd never felt before, to see the beauty in the tiny things of life, like a robin in your back garden, digging for worms. Or to still feel so much love for the world when it had taken so much away.

"Why don't we go to that little restaurant at the top of this cliff and get something to eat while we watch the sunset?" Kingsley suggested.

"Cheesy, but okay," she agreed with a laugh, skipping away when he tried to poke at her waist.

By the time they were settled in the busy restaurant, somehow – magically – getting that one table free by the window, the sky was an ochre colour with a hint of pink when sea met sky.

"That's beautiful," Daphne admitted. "I love when the sky looks like that. It's my favourite colour."

"I know," Kingsley admitted, watching the waiter bring their bowls of spaghetti.

"You do?" she asked with a bemused frown. He nodded, smiling at her suspicious look. "When did you first know?"

"I always knew," he said cryptically. He put a wound up forkful of spaghetti into his mouth, smirking as he did.

"Okay," she said in a tone that meant the investigation was far from over. And he was sure she'd find her ways to get the information out of him. It's what had made an her excellent Auror.

XXXXXX

Walking back to the small hotel they were staying, the sun had long set, and Kingsley held his wand in front of them, using lumos to guide the way. Daphne had her arm linked in his, her head resting on his bicep, and Kingsley realised this was what peace felt like. Peace and happiness with your lot in life.

He looked up at the full moon, his old friend Remus never far from his thoughts, and knew he should not drag his feet like he had with Tonks.

"Daphne," he said quietly, his voice still sounding like a shout in the silent country surroundings.

She lifted her head, her eyes shining in the small amount of light they had from his wand and the moon. He could tell from the shape of them she was smiling. He would never tire of it. He truly wouldn't.

"I know your favourite colour because I had to find the right stone," he told her, bringing them to a stop.

"Stone?" The confusion was clear in her tone.

Kingsley brought his wand towards him and he took the small box out of his trouser pocket. A small noise escaped her when he opened it with the flick of his thumb to reveal a delicate engagement ring with a yellow sapphire. "You're not the only one who knows how to investigate."

"It's..." Her head lifted. "Kingsley," she said solemnly, "if this is what I think it is, you need to ask me something first before I say anything."

A rumble of a laugh escaped him. "Of course." He gently placed his wand in her hand so that he take the ring out of it's box. Even in the light they had, the yellow gem glinted with every movement. "Daphne, all I ever wanted was the one, and I didn't know until I met you and realise that you were everything I needed.

He put the box back into his pocket and got down on one knee. "Daphne, will you marry me?"

"I need you to make sure that absolutely stunning piece of jewelry is secure in your grip," she instructed with a shaking voice.

Kingsley's heart stuttered, but he did as instructed, making sure to keep it tight in his fist. "Why?"

The answer was Daphne launching herself at him, her hands wrapped around his neck, the wand she was holding nearly poking both of them in the eye, and them falling ungracefully onto the grass of the field the path cut through.

"Yes, Kingsley," she whispered into his ear, clinging onto him like her life depended on it. "I don't even want the wedding. I just want you."

Kingsley closed his eyes, sinking his face into her neck, the smell of her shampoo washed over him. And once he was sure that he wouldn't choke on a sob, he whispered, "Can I put the ring on your finger now?"