#113

The first sunflower appeared on her pillow.

Y/N noticed it the moment she sat down on her bed, bright gold against the green hangings of the Slytherin dorm, impossibly fresh for February.

She smiled to herself.

By the time she turned around, there were three more hovering awkwardly in the air.

“Tom,” she said, laughing, shaking her head as a sunflower floated gently past her.

He stood just inside the doorway, wand still raised, expression carefully neutral except for the faintest glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

“They keep working,” he said mildly. “I see no reason to stop.”

“You’re overdoing it,” she teased, catching one mid-air and twirling it between her fingers.

“Nonsense,” he replied, calm and composed. “I simply perfected the charm.”

She arched an eyebrow. “How long did it take you to perfect it?”

Tom’s mouth twitched with a sly smirk. “Within that week.”

“Mhm… and when did you learn it?” she pressed, curiosity lacing her tone.

“Second year,” he said simply, letting a small smirk tug at his lips.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait…that day in the hallway, you had a sunflower behind your back?"

He nodded.

He leaned closer, gaze steady, lips curling. “I was about to ask you to be my Valentine…”

“Oh Tom, you learned to charm sunflowers… for me?” she whispered, half laughing, half incredulous.

“I wanted it to be flawless,” he said, his voice calm, controlled, yet impossibly earnest. “You deserved that.”

“aw love…” She softened instantly, stepping closer until she could feel the warmth radiating from him.

She plucked another sunflower floating lazily past and tucked it behind her ear. “You’re ridiculous. And yet… somehow completely perfect.”

“I waited five years,” he replied calmly. “I am making up for lost time.”

With a subtle flick of his wand, another sunflower appeared, hovering just for her.

He offered it with the faintest smirk, utterly confident, utterly devoted.

She arched an eyebrow. “Technically, you’ve had five years and a week to prepare.”

“You're worth it my love,” he murmured, gaze dropping briefly to her lips before flicking back to her eyes.

She laughed softly, pressing her hands to his chest. “You know you don’t have to keep proving anything, right? We’re together. You already won.”

“Yes,” he said, voice low and warm. “But I also promised myself… I’d never stop charming sunflowers for you.”

She tilted her head, smirking. “Then I suppose I’ll just have to keep count.”

Tom’s lips quirked into a satisfied, possessive smile. “Is that a challenge, my love?”

“Why? Are you planning to charm thousands of sunflowers?” she teased.

He nodded, eyes gleaming. “Until you lose track.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”

Another sunflower bloomed between them without him even looking at his wand.

She laughed, reaching up to tuck it in her hair.

“And yet,” he said quietly, stepping closer, lowering his voice, “you chose me.”