Ch 21

                                    

                                          
(So sorry about not updating recently! I've been so busy transferring schools and switching jobs, also I had started working on another story but that won't be released till I have a few more chapters written at least.) 
*****
Daphne was on a high as she levitated her trunk down the stairs and to the entrance hall. She walked with her friends who were all chatting excitedly about their plans for break. Daphne was in her own little world, the only thing on her mind was Regulus. 
"What are you thinking about?" Lily said with a smirk as Daphne sent the girl an eyeroll. 
"Lover boy no doubt." Marlene said with a chuckle. Daphne couldn't help the blush that spread over her cheeks. 
"Shut up." she mumbled with a grin. They all shared a laugh as they walked into the Great Hall to grab breakfast before getting on the train. 
Daphne sat next to Sirius. Remus was across from her with his nose in a book. Marlene sat next to her gossiping with Peter. She quickly filled her plate with fruit, eggs, and bacon. 
"You lot are oddly quiet this morning." Daphne said not looking up from her plate. Remus looked up from his book and gave the girl a sweet smile. 
"Sorry didn't realize you were there." Remus said a slight pink color rising on his cheeks. Sirius for the first time noticed. 
"It's fine, must be a good book if you don't notice the world around you though." Daphne chuckled. Remus nodded as he ate a piece of toast. 
"It is. It's a romance which is a bit cheesy, not usually my type of book, but the characters are so incredible. There's this mate matching program from the government and they send out these tests that every citizen is required to do at a certain age. the government matches people based on the results and then that is who you're supposed to marry." Remus said explaining in full detail the concept of the book so far. 
"That's rather sad though, being forced to be with someone because a paper tells you so." Daphne said giving Remus a sad look. 
"Yes, but that's the best part, the main characters are two complete opposites chosen for other people but they're starting to fall for each other. It's a terrible slow burn but every time something happens, I can't help but feel my heart ache." Remus said with an exaggerated fluttering of his lashes and goofy grin. 
"You're going to have to let me borrow the book when you're done then." Daphne replied with a chuckle. Sirius for the first time was speechless. He never noticed the way Remus became so animated when Daphne was around. He felt stupid. How could he think he was the only one to see the girl so beautifully. Perfectly. Why did it take him so long to realize how he felt. Sirius was spiraling in his thoughts of Daphne. 
"Hey are you okay?" Daphne whispered pulling the boy from his thoughts. He simply hummed in response and finished his breakfast quickly leaving to get on the train. 
****
"I have to go find Regulus. I will be back." Daphne said to the four boys, standing up as she grabbed the small box from her trunk that sat above her. 
"Yea sure you will." James said teasingly. "Tell lover boy I said hello." Peter chimed in with a wink the two of them making kissing sounds to taunt her. 
"Sod off." She said but she could help the smile that broke across her face as she walked out of the compartment. 
She walked down the hallway of the train looking into different compartments. She wasn't sure where Regulus would be, but she was excited to give him the ring she had found. She also couldn't help but worry if he would like it. 
"Hey, looking for someone?" Regulus asked leaning against the frame of the compartment door an amused smirk gracing his lips as he looked at the girl. Daphne whipped around giving the boy a sheepish grin. She hadn't even realized she passed him. Her thoughts of course distracted her. 
"Looks like they found me." She smiled as she walked up to him. He chuckled as he stepped back and sat down. She followed him into the compartment sitting next to him. 
"These are my friends Pandora, Evan, and Barty." He said gesturing between the girl and two boys. She quickly took a seat next to Regulus before introducing herself to the others with a bright smile. They talked for a while getting to know one another. Pandora was excited that there was another girl around now.  
"So, I got your gift." Daphne said excitedly pulling the small box from her coat pocket. 
"I told you, you're more than enough. I don't need a gift." He said giving the girl an adoring look. The comment causing Barty and Evan to fake gag as pandora giggled and playfully hit the two boys shushing them. 
"I don't care. I saw it and thought of you."  She said stubbornly, putting the box into his hands. He sighed and opened the box. He was stunned to say the least. The silver ring was simple, but it had a small raven engraved into it. The inside had his initials engraved. 
"You know my middle name?" He asked slightly stunned but also amused. 
"Had some help from Sirius with that part but the best part is now you have a piece of me wherever you go." She chuckled as he removed the ring from the box slipping it onto his right ring finger. He admired the ring, twisting it a few times before looking up at the girl with stars in his eyes. 
"I absolutely love it, but why a bird?" He asked his brows slightly furrowed in confusion. 
"My Patronus is a raven. That is why it has a bird." She smiled as he looked at her excitedly. "Now, every time you look at it you will think of me." 
"All I do is think of you." He whispered with a dazed look on his face. Daphne couldn't help but blush at his words attempting to hide it with her hair as she looked down at her hands. He brushed the hair from her face and grabbed her chin gently, turning her to look at him. He quickly closed the distance between the two placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Regulus couldn't help but smile as he pulled away. 
"I um... I should head back to the boys." She said blushing deeply. "It was nice to meet you all and I hope we see each other again soon." She said sweetly looking at the three friends as she stood walking out of the compartment. "Have a happy Christmas Reg."