Chapter 5-Take Flight
Christmas morning found Alazais and Charlie cuddling in bed. Hogwarts' seasonal charms created an illusion of snow inside all of the rooms, while ambient Christmas music echoed all around. Garlands, mistletoes, lights and stars had magically decorated the rooms overnight, so that everyone could get 'in spirit', even in their own chambers. The weather had also changed since yesterday, and it was now snowing outside as well.
"Where are you going?" Charlie asked when Alazais got out of bed.
"Wait a moment, I'll be right back."
He watched as she opened a drawer of her desk and took out a gift-wrapped rectangular box. She fluffed the golden ribbon up and brought it to bed.
"Merry Christmas." She said, handing it to him.
"For me?!" He asked, sitting up. "I didn't think you'd get me anything…" He chuckled awkwardly.
"Yeah, I wasn't sure if I was going to get you something either, I bought it before we…you know. It was kind of Penny's idea."
"I think Penny is my fairy godmother."
"Go on, now. Open it!"
Charlie ripped the colorful paper, and revealed a wooden case. Inside the wooden case, he found a velvet pouch. From it, he took at very fancy quill out, and a small card with its features. The quill had a dark green feather, and its point was crafted from a bronze metal. On it, the words 'Charles Weasley, Expert Dragonologist' were engraved. He read the card: 'Scrivenshaft's Custom Fireproof Quill-Limited Edition. Lifetime Guarantee.'
"It's a fireproof quill; no matter what happens with your dragons, this quill will always survive! And, the Limited Edition means that it'll automatically sign all of your notes with what the engraving says."
"It's great!" He gave her a kiss. "You have no idea how many quills I have destroyed through the years, this is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome!"
"I…I haven't gotten you a replacement gift for the bracelet, I'm sorry…"
She laughed. "I don't need a replacement gift; that bracelet was more than enough."
"Say, Alazais…"
"Yes?"
"My mother told me that this year, everyone is coming back to the Burrow for the holidays, and since I happen to be in the country, I thought that I could also go and be with them for some days, like the old times."
"This sounds lovely, you should go!"
"I want you to come as well. Everyone is bringing their 'plus one', or 'plus two' for Bill, I thought that maybe…you could join. What do you say?"
Alazais swallowed dryly and looked at him; his eyes were glistening like a child that waits from its parents to give it chocolate. But she felt like she was choking. "Oh, Charlie, I don't know, I…maybe it's best if you go and see your family alone, they must have missed you a lot."
Charlie's smile left his face as he nodded sadly. "No, yeah, I understand. It's fine that you don't want to come, I don't want to pressure you, really. Maybe some other time, yes?"
"Yes, yes, for sure. Some other time."
He nodded again as Alazais gave him a kiss on his cheek. "You can go if you don't want to miss Christmas lunch. Have fun, enjoy your time, and I'll be here when you come back…next year." She smiled at him.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I'll…get going then. I'll see you soon."
OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO
Alazais' days had gone by really slowly ever since Charlie left. She did have some fun every now and then with her remaining friends, but she couldn't shake that knot in her stomach off, and as the day drew closer, she felt progressively even worse. In a sense, she was glad that Charlie wasn't there, it was better to get through it alone.
The dawn of the 30th of December found Alazais already awake, staring at the ceiling and hugging a pillow. Images of a chapel with very few decorations flashed before her eyes. She remembered the hasty wedding gown shopping, the relief when she received a notice that at least Penny could make it to the event in such short notice, Murphy's worry about the flowers and then the small reception, and she cried her heart out, not having an ounce of strength left to stop or get out of bed.
Her feelings of sadness seemed to stem from every direction. The memories of her previous life and the love she lost, caused her the biggest pain, but somewhere in there, feelings of guilt about Charlie, and the stinging ache that she missed him, emerged too. And a hint of self-pity, as she realized that she was the one that didn't allow herself to enjoy something nice. Above all, she didn't feel free. She felt heavy, tied down by things she partly understood and partly couldn't. And so she cried some more.
When she felt that she had no more tears left, she drowsily walked to her desk, and plunged on the seat. A quick look out of the window let her know that it was already night, and just cloudy, and she sighed. She opened a small drawer of her jewelry box, and took out a blue velvet box, popping it open. Inside, the engagement ring that Murphy had given her, shone in the darkness of her room. She left it open on the desk, and grabbed Murphy's photo.
"I miss you very much, Murphy. I know you'd smack me if you saw me like this, but I can't help it. Not today at least… Sometimes I wish you were here to give me some advice, you always seemed to know what was right, or what I needed to hear. I hope you're not up there, pulling at your hair in disappointment." She snorted. And then she realized, she was feeling exhausted. Her limbs felt as if they were made out lead as she walked back to bed. She fell clumsily on the mattress and her eyelids were instantly shut, as she drifted into a heavy sleep.
She saw a very weird dream that night. She was sitting on a wheelchair, and someone was pushing it through a forest trail. She wanted to move and to speak, but she couldn't. She barely managed to turn her head around, and see Murphy, standing, pushing her wheelchair and flashing her a big smile. She wanted to jump and hug him, but again, she couldn't. Murphy pointed to somewhere in front, and she turned to look. They were now reaching the edge of a cliff and she panicked. He kept going, and when they were at the edge, he gave her a good push off the chair. As she fell, she saw him waving from the top of the cliff. And right when she thought she was going to crash, she landed on something that was flying fast, and up. She turned around, and found herself riding on the back of a green dragon. The dragon took her up in the sky, flying through the clouds, and the sunlight gave its scales a golden hue. As they flew towards the horizon together, she felt light as a feather.
When she woke up, she felt…strangely relieved. She didn't know for how long she had been sleeping, but she felt ready to take on her day. And she knew exactly what she needed to do and where she needed to be. Making haste, she went to grab her small suitcase. Before she left, she made sure to tell Murphy's photo, that he had made himself very clear.
OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO
The Weasleys had all gathered around the long table, which had required several additions in order to fit them all this year. Molly Weasley had gone into immense trouble to prepare the New Year's Eve meal, in order to have something suited to everyone's taste, and now she watched proudly, as her big family dag into the plates and served themselves. The year would soon be over, and the new year, she was sure, was bound to bring her more surprises and grandchildren; Fleur may have not admitted it, but Molly knew a pregnant woman when she saw one.
An unexpected knock on the door startled them. George quickly counted them all to make sure that no one was missing and shrugged to him mom; they were all here.
"Honey why don't you go see who it is?" She asked Arthur, who wiped his mouth with his napkin, and stood up. They all pinned their eyes on the door, trying to guess the identity of the intruder. Arthur's friendly tone of voice, through the unintelligible words he was exchanging with the visitor, let them know that it was no enemy. When he moved inside, they were all baffled to see a flustered Alazais DeLeon enter the living room.
Alazais laughed, looking at their faces as she left her suitcase on the floor. She saw Charlie, his cheeks almost as red as his hair, stand up in surprise, and then his siblings looking at him in even bigger surprise.
"Hello, darling, I'm sorry to be so, so late!" She said, walking to him and giving him a small peck.
"H-Hi…" He said almost stuttering, and then smiled. "You came."
"Yes, I did."
"Will anybody tell me what the bloody hell is going on?!" Ron exclaimed, getting some agreeing nods from his siblings and the guests.
"Okay, so," Charlie said, trying to compose himself, "I am sure you all know Alazais. Now, prepare to meet her as my girlfriend."
"Charlie and Alazais?" Bill wondered. "Charlie and Alazais!" He then stated, smiling.
"This explains the new job…" George added.
"Well, yes, welcome, my dear!" Molly said, coming to hug her guest. "We are very glad to have you here and that you made it. I'll go grab you a chair, you just wait a second."
"Mom you knew?!" Ginny asked, as Molly made her way to the kitchen.
"Of course I knew!" The Weasley matriarch said, now leaving the noisy room and running to the kitchen. She could hardly contain her excitement, as she grabbed the extra chair and bewitched her knitting needles to start preparing another sweater with an 'A' in the front.
OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO
Charlie whined as he bent over to place a log in the fireplace. He resented old age. He, who was once a free bird, chasing dragons and climbing on mountain tops, could now barely do a simple task without some discomfort.
But…it was the circle of life, he reminded himself, seeing Alazais' ouroboros bracelet. She was already fast asleep on the couch and he laughed a bit to himself. He grabbed the big blanket from the armchair and sat next to her, covering them both up. He got himself comfortable, leaning on her shoulder, and he was soon fast asleep too.
~The End~
*It was in purpose left so vague, you can fantasize everything you wish for their shared life. I didn't want to write something only to confirm or go against the canon story of Charlie. So, I hoped you liked it, thank you for reading and take care!*