✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
twenty: farewells
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:

When the day of the trip came around Dawn was already pissed off.

Starting off, she was made change into her uniform by Sprout, this would have been fine if she didn't spend so long on finding an outfit in the first place. It had taken her almost an hour in finding a pair of shoes that actually fit her feet - her mother always claimed her had feet the size of air balloons. Secondly, on the way up to the castle she got a bad migraine, but didn't have time to go to the Hospital Wing. Then lastly, she forgot her bag.

That's why this morning at half nine she found herself scowling in the Train Station in Hogsmeade.

Her eyes, however, had been on the bus opposite to her. She'd always heard of the under-night Bus that travelled anywhere in the world within a few hours. The Bus could take you from England to Africa within an hour, or from Australia to anywhere in merely a few hours. It was created by a man named Orchird Bloom - one of the most famous Wizards who was known for being able to invent exceptional means of transport.

However as she stood there, staring at the destination only one person came to mind. Fletcher, it had been three entire weeks since he left. Out of all the places it could have been, it had to be the place he was from.

New York.

She thought of his accent and found herself wanting to burst into tears. Promising herself she wouldn't do that over a boy she forced herself to turn away. Since he left, Dawn had a few realisations: her love for strawberries had become a problem, she had really needed to get braces because her teeth were crooked, and lastly she was pathetic because she was too embarrassed to sent Fletcher a letter - and explain she had lost his.

And lastly, was completely head over heels for Fletcher.

The last one came as quite of a shock for her. It happened a few days after he left, a boy went to sit in his usual seat in detention and Dawn just found she got so angry, and accidentally let out, " That's where my Fletcher sits," to say the least it was very awkward for both people.

" Merlin, it's fucking freezing out here-"

" It's not that cold, Drew-"

" It's near the end of the school year. It should be hot out, right now."

" Yet, you're wearing a hat and scarf?"

" It's a fashion statement."

Dawn intercepts. " Your right we are near the end of the school year. This year went fast, don't you think?"

Come to think of it, she enjoyed her school year. Her name was put in the goblet allowing her to make friends with the Potters and their friends. She developed other small friendships with other people, such as, Granger and Diggory. This year might be considered the best year.

Colleen links her arms with Dawn, who was still looking at the bus across from her, that now people were boarding. " Exactly. And next year will be the best year. We will all come back super hot, this year I'm going to go to the gym and make myself a million times hotter."

Drew tells her. You don't need to go to the gym. You're perfect the way you are."

Dawn glances up at Drew then over at Colleen who was turning redder than her scarf. God Colleen don't leave him hanging. Dawn nudges her.

" Oh thanks." Colleen says awkwardly.

" Er no problem."

Dawn had been looking over at the train thinking of Fletcher, her lips curled into a pout as she look away. When she turns back to her friends she realized they were both nodding at one another.

" Come on." Colleen tugs her arm harshly over to the opposite line of people. " Dawn, come on, let's go."

Her eyes widened, mostly because they were loosing their spot in the line. " What are you doing?"

" Let's face it, Dawn," Drew steps up onto the new bus, " You have been absolutely miserable since Fletcher's left. You've been eating yourself up over not meeting him that day, and now you have your chance to say goodbye. Besides, before he left he gave me his address just incase. We can go there, say goodbye then return back to Hogwarts before anyone notices."

Dawn was quick to let out, " Thats not true-"

" We're going to London to see Fletcher." Colleen cheers. " And there's nothing you can do about it. Keep you head low Hagrid is taking a headcount right now. This is going to be so cute to watch."

She protests. " But you guys planned the trip to the Zoo. You were excited-"

" We care more about seeing you happy than a trip, Dawn."

" Besides, it's cosmetic fate!"

Dawn didn't know what to say, she shrugs. The idea had been adorable but frankly Dawn didn't fancy getting in any more trouble, also she didn't fancy having to see Fletcher and look like a creepy stalker.

What would she say (??): " Hi Fletcher I'm here to say goodbye because I was sleeping when you left."

" I don't think it's a good idea-"

" Merlin, Dawn. If this was a book there would be a hundred readers waiting to see you and Fletcher reunite and be all soppy with one another."

Dawn goes to speak only for the chilling voice of Professor Hagrid to cut across:

" Er the headcount is fine! Bring everyone onto the bus."

Dawn, Colleen and Drew lay low as the head count was done and the students from their year started getting on the bus.

Colleen and Dawn stepped up onto the opposite bus.

" Now or never, Dawn."

Dawn turns back. " Fuck it."

▪▪▪▪▪

" This is so fucking stupid-"

" Dawn, language."

In the streets of London, Dawn, Colleen and Drew had just stepped off the bus. They took the bus to train station, then the train took them to London and then from there they took a bus to a specific area.

Whilst this was happening, she had a whole three hours to think and she came to the resolution that this was stupid. Incredibly stupid. She thought, at first, she would just go home but the issue was that she didn't to. She wanted to see him, so badly.

And it was frustrating that she went from hating him and barely being able to acknowledge his presence to where they were now.

The area was nice. It was a small town with a few shops around. It seemed like a nice area, every person they passed had been smiling happily and conversing in conversation with anyone who was beside them.

" We don't even know if he's here." Dawn mentions. It was true, Fletcher might have given Drew his address but that didn't mean it was right or that he was even there. Dawn shrugs. " We should just go home."

Drew rolls his eyes. " Give me one reason why he would lie?"

Dawn glares at him, " I don't know, you tell me one."

Drew places a hand on his chin. " Cant think of one. Come on, let's go. The address-" he glances down at the small parchment in his hand, " is right around the corner."

Colleen grins. " This place is nice."

Dawn sends her a look before rolling her eyes. She felt incredibly anxious and nervous right now, and she didn't know how to stop it. She didn't get anxious about many things.

" He told me that he usually spend his days in the park." Drew explains, he points over towards the green hills in the distance. Dawn looks over wondering if Fletcher was there. " I think one of us should go check the park and then we'll go see if he's home."

" I doubt it though," Colleen says, " It's roasting right now, he'll definitely be in the park, or outside somewhere."

" Yeah the park." Drew hinted.

Dawn rose an eyebrow. " The Park. Once again, so specific." she glances over at the park across from her. Kids were running around whilst chasing balloons, she presumed there was a fun-fair or something on today. As she looked around, she did realize Colleen's statement was true, it was a nice town.

" Alright, Dawn you check the park."

" What? Why do I have to do it? I want to go to his house with you-"

" No we think you should check the park."

She stops. " But I don't wanna confront him alone. It will be more awkward on me. I just wanna be like 'Hi, sorry for not saying goodbye, see you.' and then leave."

Colleen and Drew give her a look that made her want to curl up and die. With a groan suppressing from her lips she walked away from them towards the park.

Dawn hadn't a clue what she was doing but this was no surprise.

As she strolls around, she walks along the hills of the park attempting to avoid the kids running past her. After a solid ten minutes of looking she realizes he was most defiantly not in the park.

Point is, as she stops then turns and is prepared to leave her eyes catch the familiar sight of him.

The sun blazed down across her caused her to wipe her eyes and blinks a few times - ( curse her eyesight, fuck you Merlin ) - she squints her eyes as the dark haired figure laying on a white coated bench reading a book.

She steps a few steps closer and much to her surprise: there he was.

His hair had grown out during his time away from Hogwarts, in a beautiful shag of brown. His eyes were lit with his usual spark of mischief and pureness that made Dawn feel like she was going to puke butterflies.

He held his hands above his head covering his eyes from the sun and also allowing him to read the book in his hands. His eyes were focused in concentration as he mumbles the words under his lips.

Oh my fucking god, murder me dead. Fuck off, leave me alone. I want to curl up in a ball and die. Should I go over? No, no no no-

Although her mind was telling her to run away, and she did want to do that, an even bigger part of her wanted to see him. She wanted to speak to him. She found that she didn't even know if she should move for a few moments, she slowly walks over towards him.

Dawn could tell he was absolutely engaged in the book above him because even when she was a few meters away he still didn't notice her.

" Hey."

He appeared slightly confused for a moment as he slowly put down the book in his hands and his eyes land on her. His confused expression turns into one of slight confusion and happiness. He puts his book away as he sits up quickly in his spot, she attempted to ignore how he brushed his shirt off.

" Yacker," he let out, " Hey."

For the first time she didn't roll her eyes after being addressed by " Yacker," instead she felt the corner of her lips twitching up in a grin. He didn't appear that surprised, she notices, he even looked a little bit happy but she was sure she was just telling herself that.

" Hi."

He grins, " So you came all this way just for me Fletcher Usaf?"

Now she rolls her eyes, the way he was now grinning at her with his usual cocky expression made her shake her head at him. Fletcher just smiles at her.

Dawn was quick to gesture around her as she stumbles out. " I thought I'd - er - check out the scenery."

Fletcher's eyebrows raise. " Is that so, Yacker?"

" I was actually visiting."

" On a school day?"

" Er maybe."

When Dawn built back enough confidence to look him back in the eyes, it had been an expression she never saw him do before. ( Or maybe she never noticed it ). He had his head tilted left ways and he was just looking at her, more like into her soul. He appeared amused, even relived.

Her hear races and she's sure her cheeks are blazing pink. She did an awkward gesture with her hands at him. She managed to say.

" It was nice catching up with you Fletch, but I've got to go-"

" Woah - woah woah wait hold up." he was on his feet quickly than she could expect and immediately was grinning. " You came all this way, besides by the time you get back there the next train will have already gone. Stay around for a while. Please, stay."

Dawn warily looks around. " I don't know why I came. . . Drew and Colleen talked me into it."

" At least let me show you to my favorite broom store. I might even buy you a snitch to put in that collection you told me about. ."

He remembered. She blinks slightly at the statement, her mind wonders back to Ethan when he explained to her that he didn't understand why anyone liked Quidditch, and she remembered being so confused at that. But here, Fletcher was offering to buy her snitch and remembering about her collection in her room.

And Dawn instead of saying something nice to him, couldn't stop the next words that came out of her mouth followed by a snort:

" Do you say that to all the girls?"

" Only the pretty ones."

She raises an eyebrow, " Careful that almost sounded like a compliment."

" Oi," he says nudging her lightly, " I always compliment you. Just not to your face. Ask Draco."

Dawn ( without even sparing a second ) had reached up and ran a hand through her hair, and she was sure if her mum could see her now that she would burst out laughing. Dawn gives him a confused smile as she awkwardly looks away.

" Come on," he says tugging her arm lightly towards the exit of the park. She attempts to ignore the fact that his hand was resting on her forearm as she follows him. " I know just the place to eat."

Ten minutes later, Fletcher and Dawn had been walking through the streets with two hotdogs in their hands. According to Fletcher, hotdogs were " everything in the world and more."

( Fletcher felt about hotdogs was like how Dawn felt about strawberries )

" I really like this town. I think it's nice," she comments walking beside him, he glances over towards her. " It seems pretty friendly." it had sounded more like a question than a statement.

" Really? I don't mind it, there's not much to do around here. So-" says Fletcher as they walk towards a series of shops in the corner of the town, " How has Hogwarts been without me? Horrible, I presume."

Dawn sighs. " As much as I don't want to admit this, and I'm already regretting saying this but Snape's detentions on Sunday morning have been very boring without you."

Fletcher simply grins.

" As much as I don't wanna admit this, a tiny part of me, alright maybe a bit more than tiny-" Fletcher makes a big gestures with his hands that causes her to raise an eyebrow, " has missed you."

And so in the streets of London the two teenagers both walked there with equally racing hearts and flushed faces as they passed across complements.

It had been nice, and she was actually only starting to admit that the majority of the time she spent with Fletcher was nice. Really nice. She had enjoyed the last few weeks with him before his departure maybe a bit too much.

" So why did you have to leave school?" she asks, " Drew explained it swiftly, and your newly found friendship but I never really understood why."

Fletcher frowns slightly and she could tell he was upset, " My mum doesn't want me attending there anymore. She is complicated. Her new job is happening over in America and she thinks it would be best for us, both if we went there."

She nods numbly, " Suppose you're mum knows what's best for you. Are you going to be there forever?"

He nods and lets out a small sigh, " Yeah."

Dawn just nods at the new information. And instead of prying or asking why, or complaining about his mother.

" Are you alright?"

He pauses and she knew the answer to the question but she still wanted to know.

" I'm alright, Yacker." his expression changes. " I am just a little shocked to hear how much you clearly care about me."

There was the Fletcher she liked.

" I don't care," she declines quickly and shakes her head lightly, she looks at him, " I just thought you were acting a little strange before you left and I didn't wanna end things on a bad note."

Fletcher looked at her and tilts his head in slight confusion, " Did you read the letter?"

Dawn supposes that she might as well just tell the truth because if she didn't she would regret it forever. She felt so guilty that she lost it, she couldn't find it anywhere. She literally searched everywhere. The place she recalled having it was in the greenhouse.

She shakes her head, " I lost it. I'm sorry. I can't find it anywhere."

He appears delighted. " So you didn't read it? That's why you didn't show?"

Dawn was quick to nod as she replies, " I would have, but I didn't even know you were leaving until the following lunch time. Bit of a shock for me when I found out."

" Turns out my dad isn't dead." Fletcher breathes. She pauses with widened eyes at this. He was serious because for once he couldn't look her in the eyes instead he looked out at the light sky that was fading into dark, and shrugs. " I know. Bit of a shock for me when I found out."

Dawn didn't try hide the fact she was ( extremely) shocked. Usually when someone was dead, they stayed dead. You wouldn't expect to hear them magically not he dead.

" I know it's not my business but is he like alright? Where is he?"

" I don't know," Fletcher appeared confused himself as he shrugs, " My mum she is. .difficult. She told me he was dead because she didn't know where he is, or is, I should say. Basically, they slept together and never spoke about it again. Plus, the fact she knew I would try and find him-"

" You would?" she asks.

" I mean. . yeah, I think so." he says seriously, " If I did find him then I would be able to probably go back to Hogwarts instead of having to move halfway around the world."

Dawn almost falls as she practically bellows out, " Well let's find him! Yeah - yeah, you should definitely find him, I think it would be fun. Then, you could come back to Hogwarts."

Fletcher grins and looks away at her words. He turns back and faces her. " Can I ask you something?" she nods, " Do you ever wish you had your dad around? I mean, even if he was around only now then would you?"

The question caused her to freeze slightly as they both continue walking. She would be lying if she said that she didn't think about it. Dawn shrugs her shoulder slightly whilst she thinks of a response.

" I think about it sometimes. I wonder what my life would be like if he was in it, would I be different, would I still have so much anger about him leaving as I do now and honestly I don't know the answer. I do know that I'm happy now and if he was to come into my life that would most likely change. Besides, he isn't a good person." Dawn answers truthfully. " I do know that your dad could be a good person and if your not happy in you're life now then maybe you should try and find him."

Fletcher nods and she feels his eyes on her for a long few moments.

" That's why when I saw the briefcase back in the whomping willow I recognized it, I have one back home. Long story short, the night my mum and my dad did whatever. . .he left his briefcase in the house and forgot it, and whoever owned that briefcase in the whomping willow is my dad."

" So both of your parents went to Hogwarts from around nineteen-seventy one to nineteen seventy eight." Dawn thinks for a moment. " When I go back to Hogwarts I can check the year books, see if any people in it look like you."

Fletcher goes to reply only for Dawn to add.

" Won't be difficult, just need to look for a handsome black haired boy with pretty eyes."

Fletcher pauses and lets out a melodic laugh that echoes throughout her ears. She shakes her head whilst looking over at him. He grins.

" It's nice to know that you think I have pretty eyes," he says confidence lacing his tone, " I think you have pretty eyes as well."

" Nice to know."

They spend the next couple hours strolling around the streets. He showed her every single shop in the small town and she was sure that one day she would come back here.

The Quidditch shop had been her favorite, obviously it wasn't for muggles. The only way you could enter was through the password on the wall which was, " Galleon."

( He even bought her a snitch for her collection )

It was pitch dark outside when they left the stores.

" It's pretty dark out," Dawn points out, she waited for a few more moments before she cleared her throat. She should be getting back now, although she didn't want to say this. Dawn glances over at Fletcher who appeared as though he knew what she was about to say. " I think I need to go back to bus stop now. Colleen and Drew are probably waiting for me."

Fletcher was quick to frown as he glances over at her. " It's late out. I'll walk you."

" Oh thanks," she exclaims, then point to over towards the bus station entrance, then turns back to him. " You know when I first came here this morning someone glared at me and I sent them a withering stare and they backed away, I think I'm becoming a proper London person-"

Fletcher stops walking. " That I've got to see."

Dawn waves him off. " I can't. I mean it's more of a one time thing and I don't think you deserve to see it." and with that she flicked her brown locks behind her ears as she continues walking. Fletcher stares at the empty spot for a moment before running after her.

" Come on. Let me see."

Dawn sighs in defeat and sends him a glare.

" Yep," Fletcher sighs deeply, whilst he places his right hand on his left chest. " Dawn Kale you have completely stolen my heart."

Dawn's smile had been plastered on her face as she looks up at him. He grins broadly at her.

They come to a stop once they reach inside the bus station. Dawn tries fo ignore what he said a few moments ago and now was thinking about the awkward goodbye.

" Well-" Dawn says, " This is er me. See you."

" Oh yeah. Bye. Thanks for coming."

Dawn wasn't exactly sure what that was but she found that right before she stumbled up onto the bus, her heart felt as though it was about to jump out of her body and she knew her cheeks were most likely lighting up as if a firework.

" Wait hold on," Dawn feels his hand wrap around her wrist as he softly pulls her back down beside him. She almost trips but thankfully he had been holding her forearm. Dawn gives him a puzzled look. He says. " Can I ask you something?"

" Free country."

" Why did you really come? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see you but I mean you ditched school and everything. It's like you but at the same time it's not like you." Fletcher looks down at her intently whilst she keeps the eye contact.

" Because I didn't get to say goodbye." she tells him, " Everyone else got to say goodbye and I didn't not want to say goodbye-"

There was a pause with the last part of her sentence before she added:

" I wanted you to know, more specifically, that I didn't not want to say goodbye." she clarifies and with the last part she spoke she glances up nervously at him. Her brown eyes landing on the surprised expression on his face. " If I hadn't of lost the letter, I want you to know I would have been there. . maybe I'd of been a little late but I would be there."

Fletcher lips tug into a smile. " That means a lot. I thought you didn't - I just thought you didn't want to come."

She shakes her head. " I wanted to."

Fletcher raises a hand to his chest. She furrowed his eyebrows. He gasps. " I'm feeling pain right now. I think seeing you leaving is sad to me right now."

She gives him a look but turns as Colleen bangs on the window behind her gesturing for her to hurry up.

Neither of them made an attempt to move or even a slight indication that they had to leave. Dawn was about to give him a quick goodbye before he had stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her pulling into his embrace.

After a moment she brings her hands up and wraps them around his torso.

Dawn doesn't pull away and for some reason she felt this horrible aching feeling take over her body at the thought of not seeing him again, even if it was only temporary. Then she felt her eyes begin to burn and she just hugs him tighter.

She pulls away. " Goodbye Fletcher."

Fletcher looks down at Dawn and swallows feeling the same feeling she felt but for him he knew why and he had known why since the moment he met her. Fletcher had been completely wrapped up with the girl below him ever since he met her.

" Bye Dawn."

Such a simple word, had made her eyes widen slightly. She pauses. Then frowns but changes into a small smile. She waited all year for him to call her Dawn, yet under these circumstances they felt sad.

She was sure he could tell her slight shock at that as his eyes widen.

" Wow I just called you Dawn, Dawn, yeah I think I like it-" her name rolls off his tongue effortlessly, " Wow I just made this incredibly sad by calling you your first name, didn't I? I'm sorry about that one. I tend to ramble when I get nervous-"

Dawn cuts him off. " Fletcher-"

" I mean why wouldn't I get nervous when I'm around you? You're Yacker-"

Dawn places a hand on her hip. " No no no. You can call me Dawn now, not Yacker."

Fletcher goes to speak only for his eyes to widen as he suddenly reaches in his back pocket and pulls out a book. Her eyes widen immediately as she grabs the book out of his hands. It had been her Quidditch book.

" Excuse me?" she exclaims, " That's my book. How did you-when did you?"

He holds his hands up." I wanted to put some notes in the margins for you."

Dawn stops at the set of familiar words as she glances down at the book. Her insides switching between being sad or being slightly happy. She looked into the eyes of Fletcher Usaf for a brief few seconds. One, two, three-

" Once again, that's a felony."

It had been annoying that she had to stand up on her toes, she was sure he had grown an inch or two. She had always noticed the height difference between her and him and she had liked it slightly up until now. Fletcher seemed to be frozen in his spot meaning the task was rested on her shoulders.

She saw his eyes widen and she leaned forward and finally, and after many months, pressed her lips to his. Her hands, which were wrapped around the back of his neck softly pulls him down to her level, so she didn't have to stand in the uncomfortable position. He was still frozen in his spot as she moves her lips against his ones. It had been a few seconds into the kiss when she felt his hands grip onto her waist.

Dawn Kale was kissing him. He was kissing Dawn.

It hadn't been a bad kiss. She didn't know what sparks felt like, so she didn't know if there was any. But what there was, was a joist, it felt like a wave of happiness run through her body, one of his hands move from her waist and up to softly caress her cheek.

And even though it wasn't Dawns first kiss, it felt enchanting. It had felt like the first one, if joists of happiness and confidence meant sparks then Dawn Kale was sure that's what was happening right now.

When their lips disconnected from one another's, they shared an approximate two second glances before moving back in.

Fletcher places a kiss on her lips time, softly and delicately. She could smell the scent of grass and old books fill her nose. Her eyes flutter open a few moments later as his lips part from her own.

" Dawn. . the bus is leaving now." the sound of Colleen brought both of them to pause and glance at each other. Her lips curl into a frown as she glances back at the blonde haired girl girl and nods.

Fletcher was quick to pull her into his chest for one last hug. He squeezes her tightly and she feels the warmth rise back in her. Her arms hold onto his this time. She knew now, this was goodbye.

She pulls away as she hears the bus driver bellow for the last remaining people to, " Get on or get lost!". She glances back at the bus then over at him.

He softly rubs her forearm. " Bye Dawn."

Dawn nods, accepting the reply. She was sure the moment she got on the bus that she would start crying. She studies him one more time before getting onto the door.

Just as the doors were about the close, Dawn quickly says. " I'm glad we kissed, you know?"

Fletcher tilts his head. " And why's that?"

" At least now I know you're not a bad kisser."

The last thing she heard from Fletcher was his melodic laugh.

When the doors shut, she immediately found herself sitting down as quickly as possible as she slid into the middle spot beside Colleen and Drew. Both of them had given her slightly pitiful looks. But thankfully neither of them had questioned her about her feelings currently.

Dawn brings her legs up to her chest as she attempted not to look out the window. She allowed her thoughts and feelings to overrule her mind, for once, her lips stayed in a permanent pout as they pulled out of the stop.

( And although in the moment she didn't want to admit it, Dawn knew this was the last time she would be seeing Fletcher Usaf for quite sometime. )

▪▪▪▪▪

Dawn was in trouble.

It started off when herself, Colleen and Drew realized they weren't getting back to the train station until just past 12pm. Then, when they finally arrived at the train station it had been closed. So now, late in the school night, they stood outside the station.

None of them had a clue what to do.

Colleen exclaims. " What are we going to do? Hogwarts gates are already shut down. And, the train station is closed. We're going to be here all night."

Dawn rubbed her temples, whilst rolling her eye discreetly.

" It's fine," Drew responds, he had been looking around for any sigh of someone and so far no one had been around. " This is horrible, were going to get in so much trouble."

" We're gonna get killed. Professor McGonagall is going to murder us, and you're head of house will too, Drew."

" His name is Professor Flitwick, us Ravenclaws deserve rights as well."

Colleen and Dawn both roll their eyes.

" Dawn! Dawn!"

All three heads snap up to see James Potter running down the railway sideline. Dawn, immediately furrows her eyebrows in confusion as she turns to Colleen and Drew who were give her confused looks.

She stands up and meets him halfway. " What are you-"

" Where have you been?" were the first words he asked her whist examining her face. He appeared ghost like, he was pale in the face whilst his eyes were full of relief. " Are you alright? Did something happen?"

Dawn didn't want to lie. But as Colleen always said, " Your always better off with a really believable lie, which in her case currently seemed true. Dawn glances back over at Drew and Colleen who were now using the telephone booth.

" I was in Hogsmeade." she lies.

She saw his face turn into what appeared to be disappointment. " That's a lie because I've spent the last twelve hours searching Hogsmeade and other places for you,"

( The fact that she had lied straight to his face irked James to say the least )

Dawn glances down but currently she was angry herself, mostly because all she wanted to do was see Fletcher again. And not have the idea of never seeing him again on her mind.

" Fine, I was else where." Dawn replies before adding. " How did you know I wasn't at the trip?"

" Because Professor Dumbledore contacted your mother and told her that you three had gone missing, Dawn! Missing." James threw his hands up, " What were you thinking?"

" I can just get another train," Dawn says swiftly.

" Dawn, you can't get on another train," he casts a look behind her towards Drew and Colleen. " You all got suspended for two days. Dumbledore didn't think it was a good idea for you all to travel all the way back to Hogwarts, so he said you are to go home."

Dawn sends him a look. " Then why are you here?"

" I'm here because your mum was so stressed out of her mind she decided to call me and ask for help." James explains, " She's been looking all morning for you, I only found you here out of luck! Where were you?!"

Dawn glances around then sighs. " We went to London for the day instead of the trip."

" God, Dawn what were you doing for a full in day London?"

" I didn't know we would get caught! In my defense I didn't even think Hagrid would notice." Dawn exclaims, she gestures behind at her two friends. " I think we're all surprised he did."

( Colleen and Drew silently agreed )

" You still didn't answer the question, Dawn. What were you doing for a day in London?" James inquired, his eyes full of confusion.

" I was hanging out with a friend for the day."

James raises an eyebrow. " Was this friend a guy or a girl?"

" A guy. . .?"

" A guy. . ." James repeated. " So you spend the entire day in London with a guy? A guy?"

" What's the big deal?" Dawn questions.

" What's the big deal," James repeated throwing his hands up, " Hm I don't know maybe that you could have been kidnapped or worse died? And this -this guy as you so nicely put it, how do you not know he's a serial killer or worse? Why did you go to London go see him? Did he force you to meet him? That's not even the worse part. You took the train then what a bus and your only coming back now and it's nearly one o clock. Do you know what sort of people are up at this time during the night? Crazy people!"

" Well your up so that makes sense." she retorts.

Now James was starting to see the more rebellious side to her which she clearly inherited from him. She looked at him with the same stern look he was giving her.

When Sarah told her Dawn could be extremely stubborn and act up, James didn't believe her and replied with, " My Dawn? No she's a little princess she is. Temperamental? As if."

James squeezes the bridge of his nose. " Don't take that attitude with me. You were so irresponsible today-"

" Don't tell me what to do, I don't even know you."

James' expression changed for a fraction of a second at her words but he shook his head with his hands still placed on his hips.

" You are grounded."

Dawn had sent him an incredulous look whilst she furrows her eyebrows.

" S-Speaking on the behalf of your mum you are grounded." he adds. " Your mum has been worried sick, she's been stressed out of her mind. We are going back now before she ends up in the hospital from the stress you put everyone through today. I need to call Marlene and Sirius and tell them they can stop looking."

Dawn narrows her eyes at his tone. " I'm not gonna leave Colleen and Drew here-"

" You're friends parents are on there way. They'll be here any minute. Come on." and with that James walked away, Dawn stood there for a moment annoyed by his behavior and she could tell the car ride home would be awkward.

An annoyed groan emitted from her lips.

Drew and Colleen both sent her looks that in simple words said, " Good Luck."

▪▪▪▪▪

The last thing Sarah Kale expected to see was James and Dawn fighting.

" So you don't think what you did was irresponsible?!"

" Isn't that what I just said?"

James stood up from the kitchen counter and he gestures towards Sarah, who sat watching the similarity between the two.

" No, Dawn I couldn't hear you. .over all your irresponsibility."

Dawn stands up from the opposite side of the kitchen counter. " Wow James good one. You can see the physical pain on my face as you throw that shade."

" You're reason for going, shocks me." James mumbles.

" I'm not talking to you." Dawn mumbles.

" For a guy! She went to London to meet a guy!" James exclaims over towards Sarah. It appeared as though James wanted Sarah to put some sort of a leash on Dawn, that stopped her from going anywhere.

( He was blowing this completely out of portion, Dawn thinks and it was really annoying her. She glared over at him )

" He's not just any guy! He's my friend." Dawn retorts, he looks at her, she narrows her eyes. " You wouldn't know anything about it that, cause you don't have friends."

James scoffs. " I have friends."

Dawn raises an eyebrow. " Yeah? Who-"

" Dawn," Sarah cuts her off, whilst sending the two a look.

" Do you know what could have happened to you? You went to London, alone. You told absolutely no one where you were going." James repeats. " Anything could have happened to you tonight."

Sarah cuts in. " You got on a bus in your uniform and went to London, Dawn to go see Fletcher. James is right, it was irresponsible."

Dawn let out a shocked gasp. " How did you know it was Fletch?"

" I'm your mother, it's my job."

" Where's Dave?" Dawn ponders aloud as she looks around, her eyes skipping past James and onto her mother.

James nose crinkled. He looked between Dawn and Sarah ( who by the way, was sending him a look that told him not to say anything ). He discreetly mumbles, " Davie has nothing to do with this."

Sarah had heard the comment, thankfully Dawn didn't. " He's spending the next couple days with his brother, before his brother goes to Florida."

Dawn nods then looks sneers over at James. " Dave clearly has friends."

" Brothers don't count." James mimicked.

" Maybe we've all just got to go to bed and figure this out tomorrow morning." Sarah suggests. " Getting more angry right now is just stupid."

" I wish Dave was here right now, he's the only one I actually like."

James held his mouth shut, didn't say a word but simply did the most dramatic eye roll.

Dawn sends James a glare. James wasn't fazed.

" I'm going to go to my room and do that dramatic teenager thing people do and slam the door." Dawn stands up and sends James, and her mother one more withering glare.

Sarah nods. " Give it your best shot, kid."

A moment later the sound of the door slamming made the adults jump.

James sighs.

" You need to chill out." Sarah points out.

" But - but she got on a train in the middle of the day, to a whole different place without telling anyone! Something could have happened to her."

" She liked a boy, and now that boy is gone and she has to deal with that. She's fourteen, she's having all these new feelings for this boy and now, he's gone. He's gone. She never got to say goodbye to him and all she wanted to do was say goodbye to him. It was stupid and reckless and we'll make sure she know that but in terms of why she did it, I understand."

" She's just-shes. . . just a child," James mentions, casting a look down. " Anything could have happened to her tonight."

" But it didn't," Sarah responds softly. " I think she's more upset about the boy than anything."

" Well-" James huffs, " Why does she have to like a boy?!"

" Alright," Sarah exclaims as she she's in the door to the kitchen. She pauses, shakes her head and asks. " What is this about? You are clearly provoked. What is actually upsetting you?"

James glances up and after a few moments he decided to speak:

" When Harry was nine he decided he wanted to go swimming, I told him I'd take him the following day, then me and Lily went to bed. Next morning when I went to wake him up to go he was gone. When I saw him gone, I got the biggest fright of my life. I couldn't breath, my head pounded, everything stopped and I thought he had been taken or worse. And I felt that with Dawn today, worse because I know I'm not there for her at the moment. I mean it's not like she knows I'm her dad. It's not like we're under the same roof where I can check on her every night like I usually do with Harry. I only get to see her accidentally or during her tasks. . ."

He pauses.

" Not knowing where she was for the last hours has been one of the most scariest things that's happened to me in a very long time." James let out. " I didn't know whether she had been taken, left on purpose or worse. And I had a whole six hours to think about it. A whole twelve hours of my life to think about what could of happened to her. It was horrible."

Sarah looks at James with sympathy.

" She's not like Harry, she's a girl, she's going to have plenty of heartbreaks and boyfriends and your going to have to accept that if you want to be part of her life." Sarah tells him. " It was a silly move. And Dawn will find out soon about you, once the tasks are over. You, James, know better than anyone what it's like to be that age and in love-"

James glances up at this and silently nods.

" Also by the way, don't tell me that wasn't a total James Potter move she pulled." Sarah mentions.

He raises an eyebrow. " A James Potter move?"

" Getting on a train to see the person she likes. Not exactly caring about the outcome. That's all you, not me." Sarah grins.

James nods numbly, he could somewhat see where she was coming from.

Sarah turns around. " Can I ask you something?"

" Free country."

" James, what happens if she does get a boyfriend and goes start spending more time with him than us?"

" I will be the perfect gentleman and ensure him that he knows that if he does anything to hurt her I'll break a lot more than his nose." James shrugs.

" I hoped you'd say that."

A small chuckle bubbles from him but as he thought about it, he realized perhaps he was very harsh. He didn't mean to be. He never wanted to be mean to Dawn. She was his daughter. He never wanted to hurt her. He was just frightened something had happened to her.

" She's not going to forgive me," James mentions after a few moments, " You saw how harsh I was with her. . .oh my god I was bad cop. Lily's usually bad cop with Harry and I'm good cop but today I was definitely bad cop. I was the strict parent!"

" You weren't that harsh."

" I was and even when she was frowning in the car like a sad puppy, I said nothing."

" Which means that now you're going to go in there and make up with her," Sarah explains. " You tell her that you didn't mean to get angry with her, and that you care about her. Simple. Father and daughter duo back at it again."

James couldn't help but snort at the last part as he nods. He leaves the kitchen as he goes down the hallway to the room he saw Dawn slam the door and go into.

He knocked on the door and he heard her vaguely mumble to enter. He planned out what to say in his head - firm and sweet, as his wife always told him whenever they had to say something to Harry.

However, the moment he walked in the door he caved in when he saw her red, puffy eyes. She looked up at him whilst placing down the snitch in her hands.

" I'm so sorry, I'm sorry." James blustered out, " I shouldn't have gotten involved. I shouldn't have been so angry with you. It's none of my business. Dawn. Your a really good kid Dawn and I just wouldn't want to see anything bad happen to you. I know you probably don't want to talk to me right now, but I want you to know I'm sorry for overacting."

" I'm sorry."

Dawn surprised James completely as she leaned over and suddenly wrapped her small figure around him. James shocked and on the verge of having a stroke almost passed out but still hugged her back lightly. He glances down at the sad pout on her face.

As James hugged her lightly, he took a moment to realize how much he utterly adored the girl. He hoped he would never have an argument with her again.

( Dawn had been thinking about the fact that Fletcher didn't have anyone. He didn't have a father-figure in his life, like she felt about Dave and ( although she wouldn't admit it ) James. )

She pulls away. " I'm sorry for being rude."

Now James felt absolutely horrible. He frowns deeply whilst his eyes scan her. " No, no, no, no don't be sad, it's all my fault. You just wanted to see. . your friend and I was just worried something had happened."

She nods.

James scans her face. " Are you alright? Do you. . want to talk about it. . the - er - boy I mean?"

She could see the awkwardness in his tone and she shook her head. " No it's alright. I just wanna sleep it off."

" I'll be going anyway, I have to go," James informs her, he tried to hide his disappointment. He was sure she wanted to sleep and Lily would be wondering where he is now. Dawn watches as he places back down the snitch. He sits down at the end of her bed. He appears serious. " I am sorry for being so overboard tonight. I shouldn't have been."

Dawn had her head rested in her hand whilst she gives him a small nod. " Night James."

" Go to bed," James mentions as he stands up, he gives her a look. Dawn tilts her head whilst looking at him. He flickers off the light. " Or else I'm gonna tell your mom to sell all your Quidditch stuff."

A small laugh emerges from her throat as he leaves. She shakes her head, and softly mumbles.

" Such a bitch."

▪▪▪▪▪

GOD I LOVED THIS CHAPTER SM!!!

IT MAY HAVE TAKEN 20 CHAPTERS BUT AT LEAST WE GOT OUT JAMES & DAWN HUG!! FROM NOW ON THEY WILL BECOME SO CLOSE. ALSO THE WAY JAMES CAVED IN, IT WAS SO FUNNY. ALSO, IT PROVES THAT WHEN SHE GETS TO KNOW ABOUT JAMES, THAT THEY WILL ACTUALLY BE SO CLOSE. HE WAS SO PROTECTIVE OVER HER IN THIS CHAPTER, IT WAS SO CUTE.

FINALLY A DAWN AND FLETCHER KISS. GOD THEM TWO OWN MY HEART. BUT THAT IS THE LAST TIME WE WILL SEE FLETCHER FOR SOME TIME. HE WONT BE RETURNING UNTIL MAYBE TOWARDS THE END OF THE ORDER OF PHOENIX/ HALF BLOOD PRINCE.
* BUT THIS ISN'T SURE * ITS JUST A PLAN.

WHEN YOU REMEMBER DAWN AND FLETCHER ARE 14/15. IMAGINE HOW CUTE THEY'LL BE WHEN THERE 16/17. . .

ALSO JAMES AND DAWN ARE ACTUALLY OWNING ME SO SUCH I LITERALLY LOVE THEM SO MUCH, I THINK JAMES IS SO HAPPY HAVING A DAUGHTER, I THINK THATS ADORABLE.

THIS CHAPTER TOOK SO BLOODY LONG. .LITERALLY THIS TOOK ME 30 HOURS ALL TOGETHER, IF YOU ENJOYED IT REMEMBER TO GIVE IT A VOTE :)