Arabelle slowly opened her eyes the fire was just a glowing ash now but the room was still warm. She lifted her head slowly stretching her stiff neck. Charlie's arm was still draped over her but he was asleep. Bill's chair was empty, he must have gone up to bed. She considered doing the same herself, her down feather pillow was calling but she couldn't resist spending just a few more hours alone with Charlie next to her. She looped her fingers through his and looked up at him. He looked so peaceful sleeping with a hint of a smile on his face. Sometimes she felt that she liked Charlie more than she should. Even though they were never considered as brother and sister by each other or anyone else, she sometimes felt different feelings towards him. Feelings you shouldn't have for friends. sometimes she felt as if she couldn't live her life without him around.
This feeling scared her some, she didn't like the idea of being so dependant on someone else. But other times she felt that maybe he felt the same way, if only sometimes. Everyone loved Charlie. He was so friendly and kind. Whereas Arabelle was much more harder to approach. She didn't have anyone besides Charlie and Bill she would consider true friends at Hogwarts. She has people she would talk to in class or at meals but not people she would want to spend all day with, like the way she did with Charlie.
She didn't want to wake him, but even though he was right next to her she missed him, maybe it was the warm air in the room making her head go fussy but she wanted to tell him how she felt. She had to know if he felt the same. She rested her head back onto him and squeezed his hand. Slowly his eyes opened and he grinned down at her. "Hey, you okay?" He mumbled softly at her.
She could feel something taking over her senses, her stomach dropped when she looked into his eyes. "Charlie" she mumbled back. Her throat was dry and it was hard to talk. "You know I love you".
"I know" he smiled sheepishly he let go of her hand to pull himself on to his elbows "I love you to".
Her head was spinning, and everything was out of focus like a dream. She knew if she didn't tell him right away she would regret it forever. She pulled herself up until she was almost on top of him. "But I think I mean I really love you" she moved her face towards his. "and sometimes I feel like maybe you feel the same"
A confused look clouded his face as he started into her dark eyes. "Wha..I uhh..are you sure?" He smiled shyly but was looking straight into her eyes as if searching for something.
"I've never wanted anything so much in my life" she whispered. Her face inches from his.
He paused for a moment, having her this close was driving him mad, he knew then he had to kiss her "I think I really love you too" he whispered back as he closed the gap between them. Their lips met and Charlie knew he had been right. This was right. Arabelle felt the same and they were supposed to be together. The kiss was long and perfect, there was a connection between them stronger than ever before.
Arabelle pulled away slightly panting, resting her head against his and smiling she moved closer again as she wrapped her arms around his neck he put his hand on the back of her head pulling her towards him he kissed her again and again and again until he was sure this wasn't a dream. They pulled each other closer as the kissing became more passionate and Charlie didn't think he would ever be able to stop. "I love you Ari so much" he whispered as she kissed his neck and pulled him closer, wrapping her legs around him.
She threw her head back and smiled brightly at him joy dancing in her eyes. "I love you too. It's going to be you and me forever no matter what right?"
"No matter what"
For that one night nothing else mattered but them being together. But with the cold morning light comes reality, and with reality comes the realisation that nothing is ever as easy as it once seemed the night before.