His Dulcet Daisy - Tom Riddle x OC

Chapter Three

Time-turner. The word pitter pattered in her heart as Cilka sat in Herbology – her fingers tracing the surface of her dragon-hide glove which lay next to her open text-book. They were studying Scurvy grass, and yet despite Cilka's love for the subject, for all things nature and whimsy, her mind had floated elsewhere like a petal on a breeze. Resting her cheek on her open palm, she stared out the glass of the greenhouse, the sweet melody of Professor Sprout's voice a soft hum underneath the rain her ears succumbed to.

She knew little of the subject of time-travel – knew too little of how or even if it was possible to go back so far. She heard rumours, heard sweet little tumbling's that Hermione Granger had one in third year to take more classes, to perhaps even save Sirius from another fate at the time. But just how far back it might let her go if she was able to capture one, she did not know.

When the bell chimed the end of class, Cilka gathered her things and walked nimbly towards her Professor and Head of House.

"Excuse me, Professor," Cilka asked softly, brushing her hair behind her ear as she clumsily balanced all her books and gloves with one arm. "I was wondering if I may borrow you for moment? I'm afraid my dizzy mind needs a little help so if that may be alright?"

"Oh of course my dear, let me just clean up my things and then I'll be right with you." Professor Sprout chimed. "How about you go wait in my office and help yourself to some honey and pumpkin tea. I've just brewed some before class and it should still be warm with the heating charm I've placed on it."

Cilka smiled warmly at her Professor, at her sweet motherly nature and warmth which radiated with a softness so rare. "Thank you, Professor." She said and with a small little bow of her head in politeness, she walked on dainty feet to her Professor's office and slipped in with a soft opening and click closed of the door.

Cilka knew this room like each freckle on her cheeks and each flower she had painted on her dormitory walls. It had been another home to her, a home within a home that was Hogwarts. She had slept on the couch that sat nestled over a bed of flowers and painted the walls as a surprise for all the love and care Professor Sprout had spilled into her heart. She knew each plant and each hidden treasure, each enchanted secret and beauty that blossomed in this sweet oasis and treasure.

Walking over to a dresser, Cilka smiled as she took in the photos that lay there. There was one of each Hufflepuff cohort, one of her and her friends, one of her and her sister - one of Daisy. Cilka's fingers brushed the edge of the frame, traced the pretty white vines which framed her older sister's sweet and angelic face. Picking up the frame, she held it close to her heart, her eyes taking in the moving picture of her. Daisy was seven years older than Cilka – twenty-four years old to her now seventeen. Yet in this photo, Daisy was only 20 – 20 and innocent, 20 with long honey brown hair and eyes so green and gentle, 20 before the war and love broke her to the cruelties of reality and loving the misunderstood.

Her sister had fallen in love with a werewolf, fallen in love with Remus Lupin when he taught Defence Against the Dark Arts and Daisy worked in Professor Sprouts gardens and cared for magical creatures. Cilka was too young to understand such a love at the time, but a moment she should have never seen imprinted upon her heart. It was a moment between Remus and Daisy, a moment so intimate that even the memory of it made her blush and quiver. The way Remus had held her sister's face in his hands, the way he spoke to her and kissed the tip of her nose. It was such an innocent gesture, so gentle and humble and yet – Cilka closed her eyes as she remembered it, as she remembered her 13-year-old self-wandering through Professor Sprouts gardens with flowers in her hair. She was picking flowers for her room and Dittany for Madam Pomfrey when she saw them for the first time together.