Heir of Sallow

I'll be at your door tonight if you need help

Fennic Malfoy

Fennic watched Charlotte with an unamused expression as she drank whatever drink Sirona Ryan had given her greedily. He wondered vaguely if it were apple juice, and couldn't quite decipher the glances that the tavern owner was throwing him.

"How is Mr. Hawke? I haven't seen him in a while."

"He's well, I think," Charlotte answered as she set the glass down and pushed some money across the counter to her.

"You think?" Another glance at Fennic, who then sighed, understanding what she was trying to do. Gauge their relationship. Was this going to be the rest of his life? If Charlotte were with him, he supposed he'd just have to start bringing Eliza. Which didn't help him much at the moment, considering he was trying to find the best proposal plan.

"Tell him I said hi, would you?" Ms. Ryan asked.

Charlotte nodded with a large smile before turning and leading them out of the tavern.

"What drink was that?" Fennic asked and was curious to see the blush on her face. Again, he found himself missing her open thoughts.

As if hearing his wish, Charlotte gave him a memory of Sirona explaining that it was a contraceptive potion and Fennic frowned.

At the beginning of his and Eliza's arrangement, he'd ask her if she knew what to do to take measures against pregnancy and she'd told him yes, so he hadn't thought anything of it. It was amazing that she could just drink something and know that it would all be okay. And that he as a man hadn't thought about it again. Not a single worry on his mind.

"So what ideas do you have?" Charlotte asked him, pulling him from his thoughts. They walked down the road, past the shop and towards the floo flame so they could travel back to Feldcroft.

"None. Nothing seems good enough." He told her with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know where, how. Nothing."

"Did you first meet at Hogwarts?" She asked thoughtfully.

"Yes."

"Okay, I doubt you want to do it at the school... When did you realize you loved her?"

Fennic cleared his throat. "Not there either."

"Okay... " She frowned at him but didn't ask, thank Merlin. "In public? Just you two?"

"I'd prefer it be just the two of us. I'm sure she wouldn't mind either way."

"Alright then, where's an important place for both of you?"

Fennic exhaled slowly. "It's not as if we had dates, love."

"She is your best friend, you both didn't just... hang out together? Make memories?"

Another reminder of how he'd failed in being a good friend to her. "Just the school or the shop."

Charlotte shrugged. "So, use the shop."

Fennic snorted. "How romantic. In her own home."

"You're her home, and if you're going to dismiss my suggestions, go find someone else to help. I'm sure Levi would love-"

"I'm sorry," Fennic sighed, irritated that she'd suggest such a thing. "What do you suggest in the shop then?"

"What's her favorite book?"

He had to hold back his snort, least Charlotte take offense. "She doesn't have a favorite book. She has hundreds."

"I can relate. That makes it tougher..." She said as they neared the flame.