❝ I desired dragons with a profound desire❞

-C.S. Lewis, Of other Worlds: Essays and other stories

"Hey mum. Hey dad," Ellie said stepping off the train and immediately handing her trunk to her dad. He took it as her mum pulled her towards her.

"Hi sweetie," her mum responded kissing her cheek before holding her at arms length and looking her up and down. She took Ellie's face into her hands and smiled sadly. "Look at you. Gerald look at her. Our baby girl all grown and done with Hogwarts. Oh Merlin."

Her dad smiled and pulled her into a hug. "When do you get your Exam results? Need to get a start on applying for jobs after all."

"Probably next week," she said. They had stepped to the side to wait for Oliver and she was about to tell them how she felt her NEWTs went, when her mum interrupted.

"Charlie!" she said with a large smile. "It's so good to see you."

"Good to see you too Mrs. Wood. You're lookin nice today. Hullo Mr. Wood." Charlie smiled at the both of them as he returned the hug from Ellie's money. "Do you mind if I borrow your daughter for a few minutes?"

"No, go right," her mum said with a giggle while her dad just frowned and looked like he wanted to say the opposite. Ellie wished he would; she didn't particularly want to talk to Charlie today. "Have fun!"

Ellie wanted to frown as well, but she gave a smile instead. "I'll be right back, so don't even think about leaving me."

She followed Charlie far enough away so they were out of sight and hearing of her parents. They stood there, him looking at her and her looking down. Finally she let out a sigh and lifted up her head. His blue eyes pierced into her and she almost dropped her head back down.

"I have something to tell you," she said at the same time he said, "I have some good news."

"You first," Ellie said waving him to go and letting her eyes drift down again until they were settled on her stomach. It was silent until Charlie finally spoke again.

"I'm going to Romania in a few weeks."

Her eyes shot back up. "For what?"

"I received an internship at the Dragon Sanctuary," he said. "They said it could become a permanent position though."

"Oh. I mean, congratulations."

"Thanks." He stared at her studying her face. "They still have another open position. You could apply. It's not too late."

"I can't Charlie."

"Elisha-"

"Charlie."

"It's your dream to work there. It's what we use to talk about all the time. The only thing you ever wanted."

"Dreams change Charlie."

"Ellie." He sighed. "Just apply. We can work together. If you don't like it at the end of the summer then you can leave."

"Look Charlie, I don't think it's gonna work out," she said softly, her hands playing with the largely oversized hoodie. She tugged it down quickly, placing her hands on her stomach before quickly moving them again.

"I know, I know," he said with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. It had gotten long and now fell in his face more easily. Ellie imagined his mum was going to have a fit when she saw it. "It's just-"

"It's not gonna-"

"I know." He let out another sigh. "Sorry. I just-we could work and live together. Build a life together. You'd be doing your dream job!"

"It's not my dream anymore."

"We'd work together Elisha!"

"Charlie Weasley!" she shouted causing several people to stop and stare at them. She quickly lowered her voice. "Stop. It's not gonna work out between us. Dreams change. People change. We are not-we just-I can't anymore. Just please leave me alone, okay?"

He stayed silent. "Okay. Okay, I guess."

"Have fun in Romania Charlie. Have fun and live your life, okay? Tell the dragons I said hi."

"Okay," he said tugging his hair back. "I hope you figure out what your new dream is."

"Bye Charlie. Good luck."

"Bye Elisha."

She turned and walked quickly, stopping just out of his sight. She couldn't go back to her family just yet. She needed to breathe for a few  minutes. Think it out.

Leaning against the wall, she let out a sigh and rested a hand on her stomach. People rushed by, parents collecting their children and children saying goodbye to their friends. She watched one smaller girl, maybe a third or fourth year, say goodbye to two of her friends who then watched with giggles as she shyly hugged the boy next to them. As soon as he had left, the girl swatted at her friends before bursting into giggles. She missed those days; the innocent days.

"You should tell him, ya know," a voice said softly and she turned to see James standing with his sister. Jane nodded in agreement and they came closer.

"I know, I just-" her voice broke and she felt a hand on her other shoulder. Devon and Maggie were standing there.

"Just what?" Maggie encouraged softly as she rubbed Ellie's shoulder.

"He's going to Romania. He's going to have a life. A great life. I can't just-" her voice broke again as she sniffled and tried to start her sentence over again. "I just can't give him news like that and ruin his life all of a sudden. He's got big dreams and places to go."

"So do you," Devon pointed out and Jane said, "It's not going to ruin his life you dumbass."

Ellie shrugged. "Maybe someday."

08.29.2016 OH MY MERLIN THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER OF THIS STORY! (actually jk I wanna do an epilogue eventually (jk that might just become a sequel)) although, when I do edit this story I might add more chapters because there's some stuff I forgot to add and want to add it back in when I edit it, but that won't be for a bit because I got things to do, college classes to take, netflix shows to watch, and people to love. Okay but yeah bye!!!

(Quick! If you could choose only one show to marathon for the rest of the year what would you choose? Comment your answer in the comment section and wish me good luck on love and life!)