Always

Always Part 5

Chapter 5:

A new season arrives. Another school year is just around the corner. New plants are blooming, having more beauty to the herbs and plants of the Nightshade greenhouse. Since the encounter with Professor Snape, seven months have already passed, and at this point, Raven doesn't care.

She wakes up this morning with a small smile on her pale face. Usually, when a smile appears on her face in the morning, it means that the day will be perfect. The usual morning routine goes by as Raven lets her medium-length hair dry naturally. Black leggings mold to the shape of her short, curvy legs while a black top with white rose designs does the same thing on her upper body. No makeup on her face today.

Breakfast is simple - oatmeal with some seedless grapes and green tea. Having meals alone has been typical for the young woman ever since she can remember. It still hurts, but she's used to it by now.

Once breakfast finishes, Raven cleans the dishes before heading out to work. Black sandals are on her pale feet at each step she takes towards the building's central part for the shop.

"OPEN Meet me in the greenhouse behind the shop" has been written on a sign when she places it on the door.

Most of the morning, nothing happened, which doesn't surprise Raven because it's the summer holidays. Everyone is either on holiday, at home, or getting ready for their lives ahead of them. A customer did enter through the greenhouse entrance.

"Hello, and welcome to the Nightshade Greenhouse," she calls out from another part of the greenhouse as she carries a pot of a plant towards where the customer is. "Please, feel free to look around," Raven smiles at them as she places down the pot on a table.

"My, you're a young one, aren't you?" the stranger comments in a cold tone.

Raven looks up to see an older gentleman, maybe around her former professor's age or perhaps a little older. His blue eyes meet with her midnight blue eyes. They look deep within each other's soul, a cold kind of stare, and she can feel her ears heating up.

"Wow, he's handsome," she thinks to herself. "Y-Yea, I have had this business for about a year now," she's a shy one.

"A successful business is what I heard," he says, making her happy.

"Would you like to look at the flowers today, sir?" she offers, smiling. "Flowers are nice gifts for a lucky partner."

"Oh, there's no lucky lady in my life," he chuckles a little. "Well, maybe now then," he smiles towards the young woman.

A shy smile appears on Raven's lips while still blushing. "My personal favorites are purple roses," she tells the mysterious stranger.

"Beautiful as you," he winks.

"Th-Thank you. My name is Raven Nightshade," she introduced herself, blushing more and trying not to. "I'm the owner and founder of Nightshade."

"Igor Karkaroff, the Headmaster of Durmstrang."

From that day on, Igor and Raven have been writing each other letters, and he comes over for visits. He's always on her mind whenever he's not around.

Tonks always knew that her best friend would be with an older gentleman because the others around their age didn't really spark her interest. "Raven has a crush!" Tonks jokily grins, singing along. "Raven's in love with Igor Karkaroff!"

"You just really love to get on my nerves when it comes to my love life, huh?" Raven smirks.

The two best friends are out and about at a local restaurant.

"Oh, come on, Raven," she smiles before taking a bite of her food. "You are talking about him in the same way that you did with Professor Snape."

"Must I remind you what happened with my date with Professor Snape last year?" Nightshade asked before taking a sip of her Butterbeer.

"He just missed a good opportunity of having a great life with you," she says.

"I know, I know," the raven-haired girl sighed sadly, eating the last of the food. "I don't want to make the same mistake again when things are going so well between Igor and me."

"Well, if things don't work out, you still got me," the now green-haired girl smirks at me.

Nightshade smirked back, knowing that she has her best friend always.

Later that day, an owl arrived at the small apartment with a letter. Raven's getting ready for bed during this time, but once her midnight blue eyes saw the familiar handwriting of Igor, she excitedly opened the message.

"Raven,

Another school year is fast approaching. I could be very busy writing letters and visiting you as much I used to do during the Summer Holidays.

The decision has been on my mind for a little while now. Could it be possible for you to come and visit me at Durmstrang? Being a Headmaster is very hard and tiring at times.

Your birthday is in a couple of months; maybe you can spend a few days with me at my school? If you're unable to, I understand entirely. We can try for Christmas if that's easier for you.

Igor"

Raven's heart swells with emotion. Sure he has moments like being a rough, ruthless, cold person, but she thinks she's going through his barrier. The young woman picks up a quill and begins to write back.

"Igor,

I would love to go to Drumstrang! My birthday is perfect to go and visit. May I have a request, please? Can I see what Herbology is like there, pretty please?

Raven"

"Please give this to your master," she tells the owl with a gentle smile, giving him the letter.

He takes the message and flies off into the darkness of the night.

The next morning, roses have bloomed into beautiful colours due to her possible feelings towards the Headmaster of Durmstrang. Maybe he could be the one; she's not so sure yet.

A familiar owl comes in flying with a letter from him. The message brings a smile on her face.

"Pack your bags for your special birthday weekend, my little rose."