CHAPTER 166: Laurel Flowers
Both of them were silent for a few moments as Daphne seemed to be thinking deeply about his words, and Blake found himself catching his breath after his mini rant.
"So, you don't think us being together would be a burden?"
"Of course not!"
"So why didn't you say anything before?"
"I thought that you just didn't want to be together," he said, looking down slightly. "I thought I was respecting your wishes."
Another short silence passed.
"I think we need to work on our communication," she said finally, a small smile beginning to form on her face.
Blake couldn't help but grin as he stood up straight, amused.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Were you expecting a speech?" she replied with faux haughtiness, her smile equally as wide now. "Well, peasant, I'm-"
Blake closed the distance between before she could continue, and kissed her. Daphne immediately melted into his embrace and threw her arms around his neck. They stayed like that for a long time, as if they were catching up on everything they'd both missed out on during the last two years.
When they finally broke apart, Blake wasted no time. He reached into a pocket in his robes that had a spare quill, and Transfigured it into a bouquet of white laurel flowers, and held it out to her.
"Daphne, will you be my girlfriend?"
She took the flowers, unable to stop herself grinning and blushing. She looks so happy, Blake thought, feeling like he was dancing on the moon. Like any other school girl when she gets asked out by the person she likes.
"What a stupid question," she said, her pale skin a deep red blush. "Of course I will."
Just as their lips met for the second time, the door to the Room of Requirement burst open, and Charlotte, Tracey and Zabini stampeded in.
"YESSSSSSS!" Tracey screamed.
"Finally," Charlotte said, grinning widely.
"Don't eat each other's faces off," Zabini said, trying his best to look and sound disgusted, but unable to stop himself from smiling just a little bit.
"How did you know?" Blake asked, still pulling Daphne in close to him.
"Awwww," Tracey cooed. "Look at you both!"
"I have no clue how," Zabini explained. "But apparently, Tracey put a spell on both of you, so that when you guys made up, she would be alerted. I have no clue-"
"What?" Daphne asked, shocked, the manners of the pureblood elite out of the window. "Tracey made a spell on her own - and a spell like that?"
"It was very hard," Tracey said triumphantly. "Blake mentioned how to make a spell before - something about intention, wandwork, specific conditions, blah blah blah. I thought I wouldn't be able to do it, but true love always finds a way!"
"But you're not the one in love?" Zabini muttered.
"Oh, shut up, Blaise! Look at them! They're so cute!"
"Where did the flowers come from?" Charlotte asked, grinning.
"Good question," Daphne asked, turning to Blake suspiciously. "Where did they come from? Why'd you have flowers in your robe?"
"Transfigured them," Blake grinned.
"Without your wand? And wordlessly?"
Blake paused.
"I guess I did?"
"Wandless and wordless magic?" Zabini said, impressed. "Fair enough."
"Awwww," Tracey squealed again. "His first time doing wandless, wordless magic was to make you a bouquet of flowers, Daph!"
Daphne blushed again.
"He'd been trying and failing at it for so long too!" Charlotte added.
"Hey!" Blake complained.
"No offence, Blake," Charlotte dismissed him. "But it is really cute!"
"And so what?" Daphne said challengingly to Blake, hand slapping his chest lightly (and staying there). "Are we not a cute couple?"
"No, we're a powerful, dangerous couple!"
"We are a cute couple!" Daphne said, emphasising each word.
"I am not cute!" Blake replied, sounding offended.
"Not you, idiot. Us!"
"You can be cute if you want to be cute," Blake said. "I'm going to stay powerful-"
"Powerful?" Daphne scoffed.
"- and dangerous," he finished.
"Shut up," she told him.
"What about a cute, power couple?" Charlotte suggested.
They both looked at each other for a second.
"Fine," Blake muttered.
"If I have to," Daphne said, grandiose.
"First lover's spat," Tracey cooed.
"For Merlin's sake, give it a rest, Tracey," Daphne snapped, sounding angry, but Blake knew better.
"You like getting teased about us, don't you?" Blake called her out, laughing.
"No I do not!" she said, her voice uncharacteristically high.
"You're losing your touch, Daphne," Zabini tutted. "The Ice Queen's acting like a little schoolgirl."
"I am not-"
"Oh, shut up, Blaise, let the girl live!" Charlotte chided him.
"Ignore my stupid boyfriend, Daph," Tracey assured her.
"It's you I have to ignore!"
Blake laughed, as everyone began to snipe each other. Despite everything else that was happening, finally, things were going well.
AT THE SAME TIME, FAR AWAY
"My loyal supporters," a quiet, terrible voice began from the head of the table. Lord Voldemort was pleased. His return hadn't gone as planned, but finally, he was in a position to make a move.
"I must admit, my initial return was not as smooth as planned, but I have taken the time and precautions needed to finally begin our fight."
There was orchestrated cheering around the table, as the Death Eaters tried to make themselves stand out to their Lord, trying to outcheer the others. Voldemort held out his hand, and they fell silent at once.
"Things have gone well, recently. We are rejoined by my most loyal." He turned to address them directly.
"The Lestranges," they bowed their heads deeply, "Dolohov, Rookwood," they mirrored the Lestranges, "and by those that were captured at my return." Voldemort's tone became mocking at the last few words.
Malfoy Sr flushed red but bowed nonetheless, as did the others.
"Now, onto more pressing matters," he continued.
"There are 5 matters of significance for us to handle."
"Firstly, Harry Potter."
Jeers began to erupt from around the table, but Voldemort silenced them immediately.
"The boy must die. There is a prophecy that pertains to us both, and as some of you may know, I must have it. The boy, and the prophecy, are the first and second matters."
"Thirdly, we have Dumbledore. He too is an obstacle that must be removed, and this time, we will. Dumbledore has grown older, and I, stronger. Eventually, I will dispose of him."
"Next, the Ministry - the appointment of Amelia Bones has proven to be troublesome. She is a powerful witch - stronger than all of you here. I suspect that I will have to deal with her myself. According to our intelligence, she had mechanisms in place to defend herself, should we come for her. But it is nothing I cannot handle."
"But finally, and most insultingly, there is the mudblood. Blake Renshaw."
AN: Vote with Power Stones for the next chapter!