The headmaster's niece slowly made her way back to the Ravenclaw common room pondering everything that had transpired that evening and so quickly. Harry looked so afraid, Lockhart bounding after him but not before kissing her! Did he kiss her? Was it just a mistake? Did he move too close or did she? Had the Heir of Slytherin returned? Did he kiss her?
"Jasmine," an apologetic voice met her deep pondering pulling her out of the haze of thoughts plaguing her. Dahlia looked up to see Lockhart in an unusual unconfident posture as he kept his distance.
"Professor?" she asked kindly.
"I must beg your forgiveness," he started just as if not more confused than she was with what had transpired in his classroom.
She looked at him with even more confusion, "Professor?"
He bounded up to her taking her shoulders in his arms and squaring her posture, "I moved too close to you while being distracted with Harry's hasty exit. I never meant to cross…"
Clarity came to the clever Ravenclaw, "You are forgiven Gilderoy," she kindly smiled at him not wanting him to be afraid to talk to her or be embarrassed about a situation that was purely an accident.
He smiled and his confidence had come back with his bright smile, "Thank you dear girl. May I escort you, can't be too careful after tonight's incident?"
"Thank you Professor," she said sweetly and took his arm.
They walked together in silence, which was odd for Lockhart as he loved the sound of his own voice. It was a nice change to put the strange thoughts away for the time being and just be still. More than once she glanced up at the young professor, he held this air about him that almost made her feel safe. They reached the common room but before the password was given he pulled the light eyed assistant in front of him again.
He looked over her lovely features several times as if he was trying to find the right words. Dahlia smiled at him and the sheer loss of confidence he had when trying to hold a conversation with her or even ask her a simple question. It was almost endearing, just as were all the ways of Gilderoy Lockhart, so confusing that he was almost endearing, charming yes, but charm was nothing to be trusted. He caught Dumbledore's niece smiling at him and it seemed to ease his bemusement.
"I was wondering Poppy, if you would escort me to the Quidditch game tomorrow? First match of the season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, should be exciting."
Dahlia smiled in spite of herself, "I would enjoy that very much. Good night Professor."
Lockhart looked overjoyed at her acceptance, "Thank you dear girl," he took her hand raising it to his face before stopping, he looked at her pale blue eyes covered by clear, round glass, deeply and the tone of his voice was thick and his eyes penetrated hers without warning, "May I?"
"You may," she said in a half whisper as he raised her pretty hand to his lips and placed a warm and delicate kiss on her smooth skin.
He bowed to her, not for show but out of respect, "I will see you in the morning, good night."
She watched him turn and leave then quickly saying the password before entering the common room. Her knees buckled once inside and a breath of forced air left her lungs as her chest hurt from the pounding of her heart. Nothing but question marks before her eyes as she tried to figure out what had just transpired as well as trying to find her way upstairs; her feet wouldn't carry her further than the sofa in front of the fireplace where she collapsed into a confused and happy pile on the plush material drifting off to sleep.