Patiently Waiting Like a Good Girl. Charlotte was sitting in the gardens enjoying the pleasant autumn weather. She enjoyed this time of year, when the leaves were falling as such, and she could watch her siblings play with the dogs whilst she occupied herself with a new painting or sketch. Today she was sketching Lily and Tod, a pair only separated when Lily had to return to school. The Golden Retriever ran after her as she played a strange sort of game that Charlotte couldn’t quite understand. The witch was almost fifteen and still acted like a child; she had long given up on trying to raise her proper.
A tall young man came into her peripheral, but Charlotte ignored him as best she could. He had floppy, sandy hair and round blue eyes that were currently focused on Lily and Tod. He was dressed in a sharp, black overcoat and had a fashionable scarf wrapped around his neck. She surreptitiously studied him with the end of her pencil resting against her chin, appreciating his sharp features in a way she would never confess to out loud.
Finally, he moved closer to her bench and Charlotte raised her head to acknowledge him.
“Afternoon, Charlotte.”
“Hello Harry.”
He sat down next to her and leant over to take a look at her notebook. “Very nice,” he said, and she smelled the subtle cologne adorning his clothes. Charlotte swallowed. “You always manage to capture the movements in such a way that it looks like Lily and Tod’ll jump right off the page.”
Charlotte smiled gently without looking at him. “Thank you.”
Harry straightened and rested his arm on the seat’s back. “You didn’t reply to my note. The weather was really beautiful a few days ago, would’ve been perfect to paint outdoors together.”
“I don’t think Emrys would appreciate that much, spending so much time alone with you,” replied Charlotte bluntly.
“Come off it, he's having the time of his life over there. I'm sure he wouldn't mind you seeing friends now and again.”
"You've made it rather clear you're interested in something more." She avoided making eye-contact by closing her sketch book. "And anyway, Emrys would never make me question him and I won't do that to him. He'll come back when he's ready to and I mean to wait until then."
“And until then I’m here for you, Charlotte.” He tapped his elegant fingers against the bench. “I know it must be difficult for you, being so far from someone you love, but maybe that’s just what you need to see that there are others; to see me.”
“Harry, stop it.” Charlotte looked away, feeling embarrassed. Lily noticed the two of them then and stood watching as Tod ran around her panting.
“I just want you to know you have options,” said Harry. He straightened again and only then did Charlotte realise he had been leaning close to her. It was dangerous, this, but it was only getting more difficult to push him away. She took a deep breath.
“But regardless of my feelings we’re still friends and I’d like to be your friend,” he continued. “We’ve been friends all these years, and it’s nice to have a like-minded companion."
“Right.” Charlotte smiled at him. “I really appreciate our friendship, Harry.”
Harry sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to do with that until you fall in love with me.” He looked at her and winked. “Will you be sitting out here much longer?”
Charlotte looked out again and made eye-contact with her sister. In a beat Lily ran over, Tod at her heels. “Lottie, I want ice cream. Can we go home? Hi Harry. Lovely weather, isn't it?”
"It's brilliant," said Harry, glancing at Charlotte.
Charlotte stood and brushed some grass off of her sister's coat. "Sure, Lily.” She turned to Harry. “I guess we’re off then.”
“I’ll walk you two back," he said, standing. "It’s not far from here, is it?”
“Of course not,” interrupted Lily. “You know that, you walk with us all the blooming time.”
Harry laughed. “So observant, Lily Spencer."
"Don't patronise me, man."
"Shall we be off then?” Harry offered her his arm, but Lily refused, making him smile at her. “Why don't you tell me more about those lovely lads you were talking about before.”
As the two went on ahead, Charlotte opened the letter she had snuck into her pocket this morning. She hadn’t dared read it before her family lest word got back to Emrys, and she couldn't read it in the park with Lily watching her curiously.
Dearest Charlotte,
I hope you’ve thought properly about my offer. I know it was sudden, but you know me, I like surprises. Your American boy doesn’t have to find out about us if you’re willing to give us a go. I swear on my family’s honour. I’ll see you at Chloe’s party – you’re going, of course?
Yours, Ed
Charlotte paused, then crumpled up the letter and tossed it into the bin. It was getting harder to refuse these proper suitors, harder to say no when there were quite a handful willing to wait, willing to court her properly and willing to give her what she wanted now. She had always been nice and easy to get on with, and without a physical boyfriend to show off it was only obvious that these aggressive pure-bloods wouldn't take him seriously. Where was Emrys?
Harry turned back to look at her, the breeze brushing his thick hair to the side. She smiled and waved, and her two companions paused to let her catch up. When would Emrys come home to her?
OOC: Taking big liberties in assuming Emrys is still abroad, they're still dating and Charlotte is still waiting for him in England at this time.