I apologize for the long update. This isn't my best chapter, but it will move things along a little.
The next few months progressed with no major changes. Charlie and Zora had decided to wait a before trying any relationship, but they remained close. They spent a lot of time together and talked about everything, spending extra time in the room and Charlie was fascinated by studying Arget.
After two additional weeks of classes, and seeing how her grades were, Zora accepted the position offered by Professor Snape. He told her to come to his office every Tuesday and Friday after dinner to make supplemental potions. In addition there was a sixth year Slytherin, a black haired and blue eyed muscular man, Jayden Ocre and there was also a brunette seventh year Ravenclaw, Cera Corad. Zora was usually put on making more simple-lower level potions in addition to assisting Jayden and Cera with high level potions.
Zora had a lot of pressure on her to join the Quidditch team, but refused tryouts even though she went and watched. The coordinating of the tryouts was impeccable-as one would expect from the students of Ravenclaw. Zora still flew occasionally, when she thought no one was aware. It was freeing and Arget and her chased one another. One day while they were flying, she saw a red blur fly by them and Arget started growling and shot a shower of sparks out. I narrowed my eyes and we chased after him.
As we got closer to the red blur I had Arget circle around him and stop him while I came up next to him. "Charles Weasley! Was that really necessary?" He removed his goggles and smiled at me, showing his straight white teeth.
"My beautiful duo of ladies," he mock bowed to us. "Would you care for a little bit of sport?"
Arget and I looked at each other, her alighting on Charlie's broom to receive a scratch behind her head. "What did you have in mind sir?"
"Little bit of racing around the pitch?" I nodded and we slowly went to the nearby goal posts. "Around the pitch, through the middle hoop and back through this hoop here." He gestured to the one we were by.
"Ready, set, GO!" And we both took off. I had the better broom, but Charlie was more experienced. We were near neck and neck, as they reached the other end of the pitch Zora flew through the goal first by inches. They were racing back to the other side and both were nearly flat against their brooms. Arget was excited flying between them. They tried pushing their brooms faster, but they were maxed out and they went through the hoop at the same time. They both pulled up and slowed, flying close to one another. Occasionally they bumped each other as they lazily flew around the pitch with Arget chirping at them.
"Charlie, what do you think of me now?" It had been several months since the kiss.
"I still like you Zora, you are a great person, you are beautiful and smart. I am willing to wait for you if I am the person you want." He grabbed her hand.
"What about the age difference?" She squeezed his hand.
"That is one of the reason I am so hesitant. In addition to waiting for you."
"Charlie," she smiled and leaned closer to give him a hug. "How about if nothing changes, we start dating next year. The start of the school year in September?"
"I'd like that." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Before the residents of Hogwarts knew it, the Christmas holidays were approaching. Zora had bought items by catalog for everyone, as she would be going home for break, and was surprised to learn that Percy's roommate, Oliver Wood, lived a few miles away from her. Zora delivered everyone's presents the day before the train left, with them all promising to not open them until Christmas Day, her receiving many in return. Zora promised to write to her friends over the month-long break.
As she got off the train, Arget on her head, she was immediately followed by the two younger Weasleys. She looked around for her parents, and upon seeing them waved, which they waved back. "Would you like to meet my parents?" she asked Percy and Charlie. Percy looked at Charlie who nodded and they followed me to my parents.
Zora hugged them both, which caused Arget to fly to Charlie and land on him. Her parents were shocked by it but let their daughter introduce the two boys. "Mom, Dad, these are a couple of my friends. You remember Charlie showing us to Professor Dumbledore that first day, and this is his younger brother Percy."
"Pleasure to meet you both, but shouldn't your parents be looking for you?" her mother asked the pair of redheads.
They nodded and after a few seconds Dad asked, "Do your parents have the same hair as you?" They both agreed and he led the way. As we got there, their mother squeezed them both.
"What were you thinking?! Going off instead of coming straight to us with Bill? You could have been hurt! I'm sorry, I'm Molly Weasley, thank you for escorting my boys to me."
"A pleasure Molly. I am Acacia and this is my husband Simon. Our daughter, Zora, has told us much about your sons."
"Oh my! You are Zora? It is so great to finally meet you dear. My sons have written much about you." Charlie, Percy, Bill and Zora rolled their eyes and walked off to the side to talk amongst themselves.
"So, what did you all have to say about me to your mother?" She asked raising an eyebrow at the three redheads. Bill smiled while the other two blushed. "Well?" she continued after silence.
"I wrote about these two fighting over your affections." Bill piped up. I smiled up at the seventh year Gryffindor. The other two Gryffindors glared at him, turning the same color as their hair. About that time her parents grabbed her shoulder. She nodded and hugged the three boys before leaving with her parents.
As they walked towards the fireplace to Floo home, her mother looked down at Zora, smiling in a knowing way. Her father went first with her bag, then she went after sending Arget home via her ability to transport. After she cleared the fireplace of their three story home, Arget was on her shoulder and her mother followed her.
Zora was followed into her room by her Mother. The door was closed and Zora flopped on her bed knowing what was about to follow.
"So, those are the boys you having been telling us about? I approve. Who are you more attracted too?"
With a blush, Zora responded, "I like Charlie more, and we have kissed-just a peck on the lips. And Arget-my soul bond- like Charlie way more. Percy is a lot closer in age, and more academically minded but he is more uptight. But he is moving out of his shell to be with me. A few weeks ago Charlie and I made a promise to one another. If nothing changes by the beginning of next school year then we will try dating."
Acacia stroked her daughters hair, "That is very mature for the both of you."
"Thank you Mom, I am just so confused."
"That is what happens when your in love. You just need to find out who with."
"You are no help Mother," she replied in sarcasm.
After a few days of break, Paige started getting mail from her friends, although was upset the only Weasley mail she got was from Bill. She responded to everyone, and added extra letters to Charlie and Percy-hoping that Bill's comment didn't upset or embarrass them to the point they wanted to end their friendships with the Ravenclaw.
On Christmas Day Arget pulled her hair until she woke and got out of bed. "I don't know why you are so excited, you know most of your presents already," Zora teased the small dragonoid and got chirped at, but pulled her hair back and put on a robe over her sweatpants and t-shirt before following the fire lizard down to the living room where the Christmas tree was. Arget went and perched on top while Zora sat on the couch next to her parents. Tilly brought in coffee and hot chocolate before she sat to pass out presents.
"Miss Zora, you have many presents from your friends. Would you like them now or later?"
"If you could put them in my room, I will open the later. Thank you Tilly." she nodded and snapped her fingers, taking the presents with her to Zora's room. As they opened presents, there were new clothes all around, a set of broom maintenance for Zora, watch for her father and a beautiful diamond necklace for her mother. Arget received a scale-polish set and a collar. They ate breakfast before Zora went upstairs to open presents from Hogwarts.
She had received books and some figurines from her friends in Ravenclaw, from Percy a set of new quills and ink bottle, and Charlie gave her a bronze charm bracelet with a book, broomstick, and a dragon. Bill gave her an enchanted mug that kept any beverage warm until you were finished with it.
Two days later she received her first letters from Charlie and Percy, apologizing for earlier and thanking her for their gifts. She said she forgave them and said that they could possibly visit over break.
Family dinner was at her aunt's home, going late into the night. They all were wondering how Hogwarts was, as none of the family have attended there before. Zora explained everything to them and told them about her apprenticeship to Professor Snape. It was well into the morning when they got home and went to bed, all sleeping deeply.