*Sorry for any typos and mistakes I may have left in this story, I'm writing rather quickly and some escape my sight. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this!*
Chapter 3- Resolutions of Renewal
The next few days had been rather hectic for all of them. Charlie hadn't forgotten that he was actually there for a professional reason, and so he dived right into his task; dragons were his life after all. Barnaby was a very hard worker, and everything that wasn't ready or up to par, was soon taken care of, with Charlie's instructions. Alazais had plenty of assignments to hand out and correct, as Flitwick wanted the homework of the students to be done before the holidays, so that they wouldn't have any left for them to take home. She was very in favor of his noble cause, despite it meaning that students and alumni had much more work to do. And so, they had all hardly met during these days.
Since it was the holidays, Alazais decided to ignore her tiredness for just one afternoon, and ventured out to Hogsmeade. After a stop at Gladrag's for a new dress, and some other necessary stops for gifts, she met with her old friend Penny Haywood in Honeydukes. Penny, whose once-perfect face was now riddled with black circles, hugged her friend and sat right across Alazais, ready to hear the newest gossip. "Tell me eve-ry-thing. And don't spare any details."
Since Alazais came to Hogwarts, it was like no day had passed from when they graduated. Yes, Penny hadn't seen her friend ever since her wedding, but now Alazais was back and she had been more than thrilled. Penny didn't stay at Hogwarts, like many alumni members, but at Hogsmeade, with her husband and two boys. She was always very typical with her academical duties, but hardly ever stayed after them, since the twins required her attention and her husband, Dominic Maestro the II, a magical orchestra conductor and the heir of Dominic Maestro's music shop, needed to either perform or mind the store. As such, her free moments were scarce, but she always managed to steal some time and meet with Alazais. Their meetings were almost always in Honeydukes, where Penny ate loads of sweets; she didn't eat at home at all, since she wanted to be a good example for the kids, and she kept no secret sweet stash anymore, after an incident where the boys found it and went on a sugar rash rampage.
"And so this is pretty much what happened…" Alazais said, blushing.
Penny almost squealed. "I am thrilled! This is such a cute love story; two teenagers in love, reuniting after many years, and the flame is once again alit!"
"Okay, let's tone it down a bit, alright? It was just a kiss. Yes, we did have a crush on each other when we were kids but this is very different now. Besides, he is going to leave after the dragon reserve is complete and then we'll once again go our separate ways. I think the best is for us to have some…lighthearted fun and leave it at that. I don't know, I am a bit confused."
"Honey, you have your whole life ahead of you. You deserve to love and be loved, and have all the fun in the world."
"Penny, I was loved, and I loved, and I lost. You know well enough how horrible the last two years have been."
"And that's enough misery, don't you think? And I know that Murphy would never want for you to sulk over him, or anyone, and be sad for the rest of your days."
"I'm sure... It's just that…it hurts. Murphy will always hurt. But Charlie has also always hurt, you know? Ever since we met and became friends, Charlie has indirectly hurt my feelings in some way; either by declining any prospect of dating, or by wanting to leave Hogwarts, or by never, ever admitting anything and just kissing me and then disappearing. I don't want that anymore."
"I see what you mean, I know how that must have felt. But he has changed now."
"Has he? I'm not so certain. Charlie Weasley has always been wild, and impulsive, and selfish, in one way or the other. I believe what he said and that he does have feelings for me, but I don't think this will get us anywhere. He got it off his chest, I also got some things off my chest, and now we're okay. We can go on with our lives like we did before. That's why I don't need it to be anything more than just a short reunion with a fling."
"I trust you, Alazais. And, it's true. If Charlie wants to leave, then it'd be best if you weren't left with any hurt feelings again, you don't need that, you carry a lot of that luggage anyway. But don't suppress your desires, you know?"
"I don't plan to, but it's not like I'm going to lose my head over him. I know better, we're no longer seventeen."
"You can say that again, I think I have gathered enough exhaustion to last me till I'm eighty. But say, are you getting him anything for Christmas?"
Alazais furrowed her eyebrows. "Should I? It's…very personal, to give someone a gift, especially with our history."
"So what? If you feel like giving him a gift, then go ahead. If not, tough luck, Santa didn't come for him."
Alazais laughed. "You're right. So, what about you? How are the boys?"
A little while later, Alazais kissed her friend goodbye, and the two of them left Honeydukes a bit cheerier than when they came; the effects of sugar and friends. As Alazais walked, a shiny new quill model in the window of Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop caught her fancy and she entered the shop, followed by the 'ding' of the bell on its door.
Penny, having gone the other direction, tried acting inconspicuously until she had lost Alazais from her sight. Making sure once more, that her friend was not near for some reason, she slipped into the Three Broomsticks pub, and sat at the booth in the innermost corner, next to the red-haired wizard.
"Charlie Weasley. You need to get your shit together." Penny said, grabbing her butterbeer glass, and Charlie raised his eyebrows.
"What did I do now?!"
"It's what you will do that matters. Listen to me carefully."
"Alright…"
"You are lucky that I have been rooting for you and Alazais ever since we were kids, otherwise I wouldn't be helping you right now."
"And I told you I was grateful…"
"This is not the point. The point is, that I do think you two are a good match, but! If you don't intend to make her as happy as Murphy did, then don't bother. Honestly."
"I'm not Murphy."
"No, of course you're not. I'm just saying; she has had a lot thrown her way, and if you plan on just having your fun and then leaving like nothing happened because you 'got some things off your chest', then just leave already. Don't hurt her again."
"I don't plan to."
"Oh yes? And what do you plan, exactly?"
"…I don't know."
"See? You have no idea what you're doing! You don't know what you want. And Alazais knows that."
"What?"
"She told me that she is going to see this as nothing more than just some 'lighthearted fun', because she knows you're impulsive and selfish."
"Selfish!?"
"Well, yes! You rarely think of what others feel, or the consequences of your actions; you just do what you want. And I tried to tell her that you've changed, but she is not sure. And to be honest, neither am I."
"I'm sorry…I guess I should have expected this."
Penny sighed. "Don't get me wrong, you are a great guy, but that doesn't always mean that you're going to be good in a relationship. Some people are very nice to be around, but very hard to always be around them, if you know what I mean."
"I get it. I'm a great friend, but not exactly the best boyfriend material."
"That's one way to put it. I know that for you to contact me and ask me to help, this must mean a lot to you."
"It does."
"But you need to make your intentions clear, Charlie. We know that she has feelings for you, but that doesn't mean she'll act on them if it's only for her to be sad in the end."
"Yes, of course."
"If you plan on leaving after you're done with your dragon things, then please don't drag her into more of this complicated situation. Or at least be honest with her, so you can both have your fun, but she'll know not to expect anything from you. Which she already doesn't, but…you know."
"But… I don't want it to be just this. I've waited for so many years…"
"You waited for many years, doing nothing. If you do want more from her and for her, then you have to fight for it. Prove you're worth it, show your intentions, and win her."
"Right."
"But, you do need to make up your mind; say she wants you too. What are you going to do? Are you going to leave Romania, or do you think she's going to leave Hogwarts and all she has built for herself?"
"You're right… I didn't put much thought to it, I… I don't like to think about that subject."
"Making compromises is never a pleasant dilemma, but you have to face it. See what you want in your life, and decide. Then you may also be honest with her. Otherwise, just let it end now that you've both said what you wanted to say."
Charlie sighed. "I need to get some things right this time."
"Well, your ways have been quite unorthodox. That's not necessarily bad, but some 'classics' are classics because they work."
"You mean like…dates and flowers and all that?"
"Don't say it like it's a chore. Dates are great! You go out in a mutually agreed non-friendly way, and you get to know each other, and have fun, and enjoy a special night. They're wonderful. And it's not the…flowers that hold the meaning, but the act of giving something to the other."
"I have brought her a gift, you know. I just don't know if it's appropriate to give her one now."
"Of course it's appropriate! You're in love with her and it's Christmas, you buffoon."
"You're being unnecessarily scolding today."
"Unnecessarily?"
"…Probably not. I don't know, Penny. You've given me a lot to think about. And, really, thank you for agreeing to help me."
"I'm not only doing it for you, and, no offence, you need the help. But you're welcome."
Charlie laughed, raising his glass. "Cheers."
"Cheers."
As the butterbeer glass kept emptying, Charlie thought that he needed to see his family, now more than ever before.
OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO
"Are you sure you don't want to stay for the night, darling?" Molly Weasley asked, hugging the shoulders of her second son.
"No, mom, thanks. I just wanted to see you for a bit."
"And are you sure you don't want to cut that ponytail of yours?"
"No." Charlie replied sharply. "You can stop asking."
"I won't argue with you today, fine. Fleur told me you dropped by them too, this morning."
"Yes, I hadn't seen them all in quite a while. And boy, Victoire is a little human now! They grow so fast…"
"Tell me about it!" Molly said, giving him a sweet look, and serving them both some freshly brewed tea. "Now, why don't you tell me why you're really here?"
Charlie sighed. "I told you, I just needed to see you."
"That's weird for you, all of the sudden… And to be back to Hogwarts too."
"They are putting up a dragon reserve, I was called to assist."
"They are also putting up a new teaching system, some of your old friends were called to assist too, I read."
Charlie chuckled at his mom cutting straight to the chase. "Yes, they were…"
"And? Have you seen them?"
"Yes, I have."
"Aaand?"
"And what, mom?"
"How are they? How is Alazais, mm?"
"She is fine…"
"I've always liked that girl, very bright witch and a sweetheart. And I wasn't the only one that liked her, of course…"
"Yes, you weren't…"
"My love. Why don't you just tell me what's on your mind? You seem very troubled, I can tell. You boys always think you can get away with everything, but I know exactly what you think and what you've done the moment you all step foot inside the house. So, tell me if I'm wrong, but you didn't come all the way here only for the dragons."
Charlie exhaled in defeat. There was no point in hiding from Molly Weasley. "You're not wrong, mom. I also came here because of her. I've always liked her, you know."
"I know. I've known ever since I saw you two eating together when you brought her and that other girl home for Christmas. I've never seen you so chirpy before. And reckless; I know you took the car, and it wasn't because you missed Bill. And when I came to Romania to see you, and you introduced me to that new girlfriend of yours, which of course I knew wouldn't last, my only thought was, 'oh Lord, she looks just like Alazais'."
Charlie blushed. "Mom you don't have to drag me like that. I have been a fool, what can I say? I never had the guts to tell her anything when we were kids, and I wanted to speak with her at Bill's wedding, but she didn't come."
"Yes, I remember Bill searching for her. Do you know why? I've always wondered."
"As a matter of fact, I do. She…had a miscarriage that day."
Molly gasped and brought her hands to her mouth. "Oh, the poor thing! And to think that her man also died so young, she has been through so much. Poor, poor girl. How is she now? Really?"
"She's coping, and starting anew at Hogwarts. She is strong, she can get through anything."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean she has to."
"What do you mean, mom?"
"I mean that she has had a lot of heartache, I hope you don't cause her more."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence…Why does everyone think I will hurt her?!"
"Because, my boy, you have always been a free spirit. We could never tame you, you always defied everyone. And I just learnt to accept it as you grew older. But the fact remains, that the life you live, will probably not be the kind of life that Alazais wants to live. I suppose that's your big issue, isn't it?"
Charlie left his chair and stood by the door that led to the garden, taking a deep breath. "I just want to be happy, mom. I thought studying dragons would make me. And don't get me wrong, I love it! But there's always something missing, and I'm wondering if I lost myself somewhere along the way, or if I made a mistake, or…"
"Baby, what you want in life, changes. You are not the same person you were when you were sixteen. And don't think that because your desires change, you've 'lost yourself'; you're just growing and evolving. Do you know what I wanted to do when I graduated?"
"No, what did you want?"
"I wanted to be an Auror."
"An Auror?!"
"Yes. I was the best dueler in my house."
"Bellatrix LeStrange can testify for that. Oh wait…"
Molly gave him a light smack across the arm, laughing. "Anyway, my point is, that what I wanted to do, eventually had nothing to do with what I ended up doing. And I completely, and willingly, gave up those aspirations to start our family and raise you all. I didn't feel like I was betraying myself; it was my life and my decisions to make."
"And are you happy? Truly happy?"
"Yes. And my definition of happiness changed countless of times during the years. Life is hard, so you take what she gives you, and you adapt. Life took some things away from us, but brought many more back. You, my love, you just need to follow your heart."
"Cheesy."
"It's true. If you do feel like dragons are your life, like you used to say, then go back to Romania and keep doing what you do best. But if you want something more, you need to find a way to make it all work."
"Ugh, this is hard, mom."
"It is. But to bring us back to our original subject, do you think being with Alazais will make you happy?"
"I've wanted it, but I don't know how to make it work, or what to do. But I really want to make her happy, if I can."
"Have you asked her?"
"Ask her what?"
"What she wants to do? Because we've been talking about you and what you want, but it is a matter of two people. Maybe she doesn't want to be involved with you."
Charlie half-smiled. "That kiss we shared the other day told me otherwise."
"Oh! Well I suppose that's a good sign! But still, there are many things you need to consider, and talk with her. A kiss is nothing compared to life decisions and compatibility. Maybe she wants kids, and maybe you don't. Maybe she wants a lush living, and maybe you don't. I've known plenty of couples that were very much in love, but differences like these were what separated them in the end. So…tread lightly. I don't want you to hurt her, and I don't want you to be hurt either. But if you feel like it's worth it and you truly want it, go for it. We only have one life!"
Charlie nodded, listening to the pragmatic philosophy of his mom. "It's Alazais. I know we can be compatible. I just need to convince her that I'm worth trusting."
"Sounds to me like you've made up your mind. You know she probably won't want to follow you back to Romania. Will you give that up?"
He sighed deeply. "I don't know what to do…"
Molly laughed at the indecisiveness of her son. "There's always a way. Just find out what you want, and you'll find a way to make it happen. I know my sons, and if it's something they're all good at, it's getting what they want. I mean…have you seen Fleur and Hermione?"
Charlie laughed. "You're merciless."
Molly shrugged. "I'm going to be saying the same for you, if you manage to get a girl like Alazais."
"Woman!"
Molly simply laughed and embraced Charlie. He hugged his mother back, realizing that he had missed them indeed, and had gravely underestimated the importance of the wisdom someone who's had a life like his mom's had to offer. "Thank you, mom."
"For what, darling? You know I'd do everything for my children!" She winked and they shared laugh, just as his father entered the house.
"Charlie? What a pleasant surprise! Did you by any chance figure out the purpose of low-cut jeans?"
Charlie spent the rest of the afternoon going around their childhood bedrooms. Photos, drawings, toys, they all reminded him of something. And he knew that growing them all up was a very hard task for his parents, but it was they wanted. And now that all of their children had left home, they still had each other; as he descended the old, squeaky staircase, he saw his mother covering his dad, now fallen asleep on the armchair, with a plaid blanket, and planting a kiss on his head. And something within him finally clicked.
OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO
It was fairly late when Alazais heard the knock on the door of her chambers. She fastened the belt of her robe and approached. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Charlie!"
She felt her heartbeat quicken, and hesitantly opened the door. Charlie stood there in his coat, suggesting that he had been outside. "Hey. What is it?"
"Can I come inside for a second? I really won't keep you long."
"Sure." She stepped aside and let him inside
"I really like what you've done with your chamber." He said, observing her room. "Very…you."
"Thanks, I guess."
"Now…" Charlie said, pinning his eyes on her face and fighting hard to suppress the urge to kiss her. "I came here, to ask you to the Christmas Ball."
Alazais raised an eyebrow. "You mean the dance I'm already going to, as a professor?"
"Don't ruin this! I'm trying to make amends for our Celestial Ball. Please say yes."
She chuckled. "I like your ingenuity. And I'll say yes, although I really can't promise to be a good date. And you'll need to be very, very discrete."
"Don't worry, Professor DeLeon. I just want to spend some time with you, at a ball, like the old times should have been. Nothing more."
"Alright then, Mr. Weasley. I accept your proposal."
"And since you can't wear a boutonniere, maybe you can wear this." Charlie took out a small velvet box from his pocket. "It was originally meant to be a Christmas present, but this is a more suiting occasion. I hope you like it." He opened it up, revealing a golden bracelet, engraved to resemble a dragon, whose eyes were two small emeralds, biting its tail.
"Ouroboros." They said simultaneously, laughing a bit. "The…circle of life." Alazais mumbled.
"Eternal renewal. Rebirth." Charlie added, taking it out. "Do you like it?"
"I…I love it. Thank you."
Charlie took her hand up, and then put the bracelet on. "It looks great on you, I'm glad you like it."
"You shouldn't have."
"It's not about what I should do, but rather what I want. And that is, to give you this present, and accompany you to the dance. Simple."
"Alright…" Alazais said, slightly squinting her eyes. Something about him felt different today.
"I should get going, I'm also quite tired. I just needed to take this off my chest as well." He brushed her hand with her thumb and headed for the door.
"Thank you. Good night."
"Good night, sweet dreams, Alazais." He said and left as she closed the door behind him. In the end, he was glad he didn't kiss her tonight; he wanted to keep some of the magic and the longing for the night of the dance, as if they were proper teenagers going to the Ball. It was refreshing to feel his heart beat so fast again.
Alazais looked at the delicate bracelet and wondered if Charlie had been following her that day she was out in Hogsmeade. There was no way he could have known, that the dress she had bought was also emerald. But luck liked to play games sometimes. And before making her way to her bed, she congratulated herself for biting her tongue before, and not replying "I'd like to get these clothes off your chest too" to Charlie. It would have ruined the romantic atmosphere.
*Next up…the Ball and many other things, thanks for reading so far!*