Flower Petals

-3-

It was Alstroemeria's second year. Before Uncle Sirius and Lupin had been revealed and the fear of hers and Harry's relieved. Harry was sitting the in the Hufflepuff common room consoling Alli, but ultimately she was scared. She'd been told by professors she was the spitting image of her mother. Lily, and Harry was the picture of James. But Alstroemeria had her father's eyes. She'd seen his trophies in the hall, and pictures in the paper. A strong, brave man. She felt ashamed that she was nowhere near as brave, but what Alstroemeria had failed to notice was that she was twice as considerate, twice as friendly and open. Being a Huffelpuff she reminded herself, was about hardwork, loyalty, love, friendship. These were the thing most important to Alli, these were the reasons she was a Hufflepuff. She was not brave, but she would stand in front of a lion to protect her brother as he protected her then and always. She'd take any of the unforgivable hexs for Hermoine, who'd been nothing but kind to her, even if it would be easier to get to Ron. For Paula she would climb Everest, three times over again, she didn't think she'd be fit enough for a fourth. Ron could name it, and she would be there, and she often was. These things are why Alstroemeria, who used to be ashamed of being a Hufflpuff was honored to be called a Honey Badger, the animal who isn't scary at first, but protects their own fiercely, and without fail.

"Hello Honey Badger." he hissed

"Malfoy." Alstroemeria was many things, but she was not a coward. Harry had told her many times about Draco Malfoy. Best not to stand down, don't let him win. She did not intend to let him do either. 

"How does it feel to be the least favorite Potter?" he asked. Deflected against Alstroemeria's skin. She'd heard it top many times for it to hurt any further. Harry went in for interviews and was included in scandals and drama. She did wish that Rita Skeeter would at least once write that she was pregnant or a death eater.

"How does it feel to be the least favorite child with NO siblings." Fred and George heard from the hallway and popped their heads in just to say

"BURN!" "epic burn Alli! Right George?" "Absoloutely Right Fred!" which sent Malfoy to cling to his desk where he should've been in the first place. Ron smiled from his desk. He was leaning up against it,  his robe was on his chair, his shirt was half tucked in, and his hair was discheveled. He ushered Alli towards him with two fingers together in the 'come here' motion. Lavender was not present. Each step closer towards him was a step her heart felt as it sank lower, and drummed harder. 

"Flower" he smiled. That big beautiful smile. And she was through with. Silently she looked at her feet, but Ron used her chin and tilted her head up towards him to meet her eyes. His thumb resting under her jaw.

"Flower?" Alstroemeria's face, she hoped, was blank. But in all reality it held the heartbreak of a thousand heart breaks. His finger lingered on her chin, she felt the effect of his touch all through her body and down her legs. Her brain ran wild, she thought, so suddenly about the yule ball, his hands on her back, his lips on her ear. Ron was questioning and worried, but Alstroemeria was silent. Gaurded. He grazed her bottom lip with his index finger, mindlessly. Ron often found that he couldn't get too close to her, or linger too long, though he didn't know why.

He should know though. He should know that the way he feels about Alstroemeria is not the same as how he feels about Ginny, but Ron had never thought to make the comparison. He'd never given a second though to the idea that he craved Alli. He wanted to watch her every move and often did. In her absence he felt empty, he felt dark. But then again men are stupid, not only in love but in all matters of life. Especially Ronald Weasley. 

Lavender burst through the door just as Flitwick commanded for everyone to take their seats. Even as the rest of the class steadied and sat, Alstroemeria and Ron stood, frozen with her head in his hands. That is until Lavender came about, breaking through the bond for which Ron had mistakenly labeled. 

Potions went quickly, and boringly. Alli stared at the back of Ron's head, willing him to choose her, to pick her. However Draco Malfoy stared at Alstroemeria. She was beautiful, dark red hair, like a wine that Draco found himself drunk in, and tan skin which Draco deemed was to soft to touch. Draco was to rough for something so delicate, but it did not stop him from imagining scenarios all of potions. How wonderful it would be to devalue Potter's precious treasure. He thought it would bring him pleasure and validation. This was not what Draco needed.

Draco did in fact need something that Alstroemeria could supply however it was not sex. Love is what Draco Malfoy needed. He needed acceptance. He needed friendship. But just as Alstroemeria does not read into her dreams, and Ron did not follow his lingering clues, Draco Malfoy felt that his life was perfectly acceptable. Perfectly lovely even as the Dark Lord haunted him. He dreamed of his face morphing into his. He saw Voldemort in the mirror and death in his shadows. But still, his life was perfectly acceptable and lovely. 

Class ended and Alstroemeria ran to the greenhouse, She felt safe there and the Earth, whether the liked to admit it or not, smelled like him. She had a bow entangled in her braid, yellow. It was her favorite. She loved the sun, daisies, she loved lemon cookies and finches with autumn bellies. But Paula liked cohesive outfits, which was in fact, the actual reason the ribbon was there. 

The greenhouse was empty and that was a blessing. However it wasn't empty for long. Alli was talking to the plants, she knew they'd grow bigger and stronger for it. Unfortunately Alstroemeria would not grow stronger from the words of Draco Malfoy, especially since most of them were harsh and cruel.

But he insisted on talking.