(A/N This story is a companion piece to Love Smells Like Strawberries. It tells the story of Charlie and Rachael through Rachael's point of view. There are a lot of missing scenes and a lot of ambiguous information that has only revealed itself to me quite recently. Haha I just sort of took a shower one day and the idea to write this came to me. We get to see how Rachael interprets the events. Also this story doesn't jump ten years ahead…it does jump but the time isn't as much. We get to see a lot more of Rachael's relationship with Bill and you hopefully get to understand where she's coming from.)
Rachael Serino looked directly into Charlie Weasley's eyes and she knew she would never love anyone as much as she loved the boy next to her. She smiled as he leaned over to kiss her before they fell asleep. It was their last night at Hogwarts and Rachael had elected to sneak into the Gryffindor boy's dorm just to show him how much she loved him and would miss him when he left her. Charlie was going to Romania for a six week training program and would return after two months, or so he said. In the seven years that she's known him Rachael learned that Charlie loved adventure as much as the next Gryffindor and Romania was the adventure of a lifetime to him. She would be lucky if he remembered to write, let alone come back home. Rachael could still remember the first time she'd seen him…
It was the first day of school and she had already managed to get lost on her way to Charms class. She walked slowly through the corridors with absolutely no idea as to where she was. She mentally cursed the founders of the school for its many enchantments that would make the creation of a map nearly impossible.
Rachael concentrated her gaze on the steps below her feet. One of the prefects had mentioned to watch out for the trick step and she did not want to spend her first class of the day stuck in a staircase. Without realizing it Rachael walked smack into something solid. She lost her footing and nearly fell down the stairs. A hand came out of nowhere and grabbed her arm steadying Rachael. She looked up to see two boys with vivid ginger hair.
"Er thanks," Rachael muttered her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"No problem," the taller of the two boys said flashing a confident smile. "I'm Bill and this is my brother Charlie."
"Oh I'm Rachael," she told them feeling more foolish by the second. "I'll just be um going then." Rachael made to continue down the stairs but stopped when the boy called out to her again.
"Do you know where you're going?" he asked, not to make fun of her but rather to help her out.
"Charms," Rachael replied hoping she was going in the right direction.
"You might want to go back up the stairs and take a left," the boy called Bill told her.
"Oh," Rachael said sure that by now her face was a deep scarlet. "Thank you," with a last glance at the two boys she sprinted back up the stairs.
The first impression she had made on Charlie Weasley was that she was a very confused little girl. However, Rachael soon got to know Charlie and made it known to him that she was anything but confused; in fact, she was quite the opposite. Rachael found that she was often helping Charlie out in class. She didn't mind helping out her friends in class.
Rachael was not an overly social girl; none of the Ravenclaws were. She was on friendly terms with her roommates but she never found herself just hanging out with them and having fun. Their shared classes in first year had made Charlie and Rachael acquaintances. However, they didn't have potions together second year so when Charlie was struggling with his homework he sought out his old partner.
Rachael remembered the first time he had come to her for help very vividly. She was sitting in the library finishing up a Transfiguration essay. She could have done the homework without the aid of the library but she wanted to add in an extra bit about Switching Spells that she knew was far above her knowledge level so Rachael was checking some of her facts. A very confused and lost looking Charlie came up to her at first not saying anything just taking in the large stacks of books.
"I think it's safe to say you don't come here often," Rachael said judging by the awed look on his face.
"The teachers always mention something about a library I just never thought to find it," he shrugged his shoulders. Rachael shook her head good humouredly. "I have a big favor to ask." He told her looking apprehensive.
"Ok go ahead," she said leaning back in chair finally having finished the essay.
"Well without you as my partner Potions is kicking my ass this year. I was sort of wondering if you could er, help me out?" Charlie finished. His ears were red with embarrassment but he looked hopeful.
"Yeah sure of course," Rachael agreed. She was happy that he had bothered to seek her out. Rachael had enjoyed working with someone who wasn't obsessed with grades or correctness.
"Thanks you're a life saver," he thanked her looking immensely relieved.
"I know…you wouldn't have done half as well in Defense Against the Dark Arts if you didn't sit next to me," she laughed.
"I guess you'll just have to get used to having me around," he joked.
"I think I can mange that," Rachael grinned.
However, in their third year Rachael found that their roles seemed to reverse. Rachael and Charlie were in the same Care of Magical Creatures class and she just couldn't grasp the concept that this class could not be taught solely from books. Charlie had a gift with animals. They responded to him better than any of their other classmates. Rachael made sure that they were partners at every opportunity and she did her best to learn from him. However, a natural talent is not something that can be taught. By the end of their third year Rachael and Charlie made a habit of meeting up in the library at least once a week. Sometimes they were joined by Charlie's older brothers Bill and Percy. Rachael was not surprised to see that she had more fun with the Weasleys than she ever had with her roommates in Ravenclaw. It was safe to say that by the end of their third year Rachael and Charlie were pretty good friends.
However, Rachael did feel slightly guilty about giving him a concussion in their fourth year. It was the most important match of the season. The results of the game would determine who won the House Cup. Ravenclaw was up but Charlie was the best seeker Gryffindor had ever had. Quidditch was another thing that Charlie was just naturally good at. Kyle Jennings, the Ravenclaw Captain called a time out and told Rachael that she had to hit Weasley and take him out.
This brought up a slight conflict in Rachael's mind. She hesitated. Charlie was one of her best friends and she didn't want to hurt him. But this was the most important match of the year and she couldn't let her team down. Plus she wouldn't hit him to hard, just hard enough to knock him off his broom. Madame Pomfrey was good at fixing injuries she reassured herself. Rachael caught Charlie's eye from across the pitch. He looked scared, and she understood that he knew what was going to happen. She almost felt bad but her competitive side couldn't repress a small smirk.
Rachael enjoyed watching Charlie fly about the pitch in a panicked frenzy. She could tell he was avoiding her rather than looking for the snitch and this was a good thing. Rachael laughed when the Gryffindor Captain Mark something shouted at him. Keeping her gaze on the bludgers Rachael noticed Charlie dive. She panicked and forgot to restrain herself when she sent the bludger his way. The bludger caught him in the stomach when he was about ten feet away from the ground. Rachael watched in horror as he fell sideways off of his broom and crashed to the ground. Naturally the Ravenclaw seeker caught the snitch and ended the game.
She barely noticed the rest of her team celebrating. How could they be celebrating? Charlie was unconscious! Rachael then remembered that the rest of her team was not friends with Charlie Weasley and they probably did not care that much what became of the Gryffindor seeker. She managed to escape the group hug and follow Percy up to the hospital wing. Charlie's team and friends crowded around his bed and Rachael settled herself in a chair in the corner of the room.
Her stomach twisted with guilt as she observed the worried looks in the Gryffindors' faces as Madame Pomfrey healed his injuries and informed them it might be awhile before he wakes up. Rachael groaned to herself hating that she had done this. If she had known that Charlie was going to end up with a concussion she wouldn't have hit him- no she probably would have…just not as hard and earlier on in the game. She felt very much out of place. Occasionally the Gryffindor Quidditch team would shoot her a dirty look but Rachael didn't care. She only wanted to know that Charlie was going to be ok. It then occurred to her that she cared for Charlie Weasley in a way that best friends certainly did not. Well, she thought to herself, this complicates things.
After an hour some of Charlie's visitors left to change their clothes. Rachael stayed put in her metal chair in her mud-soaked Quidditch robes. Another hour went by and even more Gryffindors disappeared. Charlie's brothers remained faithfully by his side. Rachael wanted nothing more than to go up to them and apologize. She couldn't believe that she was responsible for this.
Two hours later Rachael's eyes were drooping. She was surprised Madame Pomfrey hadn't kicked her or any of the visitors that were left, out of the hospital wing yet. Usually the medi-witch was as strict as Professor Snape… and that was saying something.
One hour later Charlie finally woke up. A massive sensation of relief flooded her entire being. Rachael watched from the side as Charlie thanked his friends but sent them away. She figured it was safe to go up to him now that the massive amount of Gryffindors who were probably very angry with her, had finally left. She couldn't think of what to say besides IM SO SO SO SO SO SORRY! And she was pretty positive that's not really what Charlie wanted to hear. If it were any body else that Rachael had hit she wouldn't have cared, it had to be Charlie. She settled for a sarcastic comment, her specialty.
"You've got quite the fan club." Wow, that was stupid she told herself. She hastily added, "I'm sorry about giving you a concussion." Oh and by the way I really like you! She told that part of her brain to stop.
"It's ok. It doesn't hurt that much," Charlie grinned at her. She was almost positive he was putting on a brave act. She wished he wouldn't…it only made her feel much worse.
"Mr. Weasley would you like a pain relieving draft?" offered Madame Pomfrey joining Rachael next to his bed. Rachael looked down at her friend expectantly.
"Merlin yes!" Charlie exclaimed gratefully accepting the potion.
"Doesn't hurt that bad?" asked Rachael laughing. She knew he had been lying before.
"You're still in your uniform," Charlie changed the subject. She smiled inwardly. He always changed the subject when he wanted to avoid his lies. She had seen him do it thousands of times with Bill and Percy.
"Yeah, well you were out for a long time," Rachael informed him. She didn't want to risk saying too much or her newly realized feelings for him might slip out.
"You've been here the entire time?" Charlie asked. She couldn't interpret the look on his face.
"Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I didn't mean to give you a concussion," She lied. Well it wasn't a complete lie. She really didn't mean to give him a concussion. But she could have made sure he was ok by checking in with Bill or Percy later. The truth was, and she was just realizing it now, that she was starting to fall for her best friend.
"It's alright. Honestly until today no one on the Gryffindor team thought you were that strong. But you really showed 'em. Proved that you're not just a pretty face," Charlie admitted.
"What?" asked Rachael unsure whether she had heard that last part correctly. She didn't dare assume that she had. She frowned upon optimism and wishful thinking as it often led to false hope and disappointment.
"Nothing I uh said you showed 'em and then I stopped talking," Charlie insisted…well it wasn't a subject change.
"Clear out Serino. Mr. Weasley needs to relax," Madame Pomfrey instructed. A look of relief came across Charlie's face. Personally, Rachael thought that Madame Pomfrey's timing couldn't have been worse. She wanted to know what he had said. But that would have to wait for another time…
"Bye Charlie," Rachael said. She smirked more to herself than to him. She was now almost positively sure that he had definitely said something he hadn't meant for her to hear. She floated out of the hospital wing feeling much better about well, everything.
And of course, Rachael would never forget the first time they kissed. It was over the winter holidays and she had just spent the entire day with Charlie, Bill, and Percy. She rather enjoyed the time she spent with the Weasley brothers. She got along well with both Bill and Percy but in her eyes they were nothing compared to Charlie. Rachael was sitting with the Weasley brothers on Christmas in the Great Hall. Everyone else had gone up to bed with the exception of the four students. Charlie finally announced that he was going to bed and Rachael offered to go back to the dorms with him.
They had both stood up and were about to leave when Charlie stopped noticing some mistletoe hanging above the exit. He looked up to the ceiling in surprise.
"Oh!" Rachael weighed the options that the pair of them had. Either he kissed her…which was entirely unlikely seeing as Charlie was never very impulsive. Or she kissed him; and as much as she would like to...Or nothing happened and they ignored the stupid plant and Rachael ignored the burning emotion inside of her.
"Smells kind of like oranges," Rachael laughed as she breathed in the scent of the now growing plant. Charlie nodded, apparently rendered speechless. Clearly he wasn't going to do anything so she might as well take a chance. In a moment of confidence Rachael stood on her tip toes and lightly pressed her lips against Charlie's. She was pleasantly surprised when he kissed her back. Rachael heard Bill wolf whistle and she stepped back, blushing. She was immensely relieved to notice that Charlie was blushing but smiling as well. Rachael didn't want to ruin the moment with any unnecessary awkward exchanges so she just said, "Happy Christmas Charlie." And left Charlie standing shocked in the Great Hall.
Another memory that stood out in Rachael's mind was the first time she had actually believed she had a chance with Charlie. She had gotten a nasty concussion from one of the Quidditch games against Slytherin in sixth year. Rachael had awoken several hours after the game was over in the hospital wing. She looked at the clock on the wall and noted that it was midnight. The only person in the room besides herself was Charlie sitting on the chair next to her bed. She couldn't believe that he had bothered to stay with her that long. After fighting with herself Rachael finally gathered up the courage to ask Charlie why he was still there.
"The same reason you were still there," Charlie told her after awhile.
"What?" Rachael asked him. There was no way that was even possible.
"You asked me why I was still here. I'm still here for the same reason you were still there when I was unconscious," Charlie explained. Rachael frowned. He couldn't possibly know that she had stayed with him when he was unconscious because she liked him. And he couldn't possibly like her.
"I highly doubt that," Rachael finally said. Charlie looked at her strangely and began talking again.
"Why not? We're friends right? Friends support friends-"
"Charlie do I have to spell it out for you?!" Rachael asked in exasperation. Maybe if he just understood everything would be so much simpler. Rachael leapt out of her bed. Standing always gave her a feeling of accomplishment when she felt helpless. When she stood up she felt like she was doing something about the situation…even if she wasn't. She grabbed at the stupid bandage on her head out of sheer frustration.
"Spell what out?" Charlie asked obviously still confused.
"Oh forget it!" Rachael sighed collapsing back down on her bead. Maybe fate didn't want Charlie to know. Maybe it was best if he just stayed ignorant of her true feelings.
The next day in Potions class Charlie and Rachael partnered as usual. They were finishing up the amortentia that the class had been working on for the past week and a half. Rachael finished stirring and then peered into the cauldron. It was exactly the right shade. She smiled feeling very accomplished. She grinned and told Charlie it was ready. They both eagerly leaned forwards towards the potion so that they could smell it. Everyone in class was eager to know their heart's desire.
"What do you smell?" Rachael asked Charlie curiously. His reply was instantaneous.
"My mum's traditional chicken, broomstick polish, and something like strawberries…which is odd I don't even like strawberries. How 'bout you?" he asked her in return. Rachael smelled the potion again just to refresh her memory.
"Bubblegum, new books, and this type of…" Rachael leaned in again hardly daring to believe she was interpreting the scent correctly. And yet, she smelled it again. The scent was a cross between mistletoe and oranges. It reminded her of the way the mistletoe had smelled the first time she kissed Charlie. Rachael couldn't tell Charlie what she really smelled. He would connect the dots and figure it out.
"Nothing else," she decided on saying. However, from the look Charlie gave her Rachael got the feeling he knew she was lying.
As great as all her memories of Hogwarts were Rachael had a clear favorite. It wasn't the moment that she finally got named Head Girl. It wasn't any of the times she had spent with her roommates Elizabeth and Melissa. It wasn't even when Professor Snape was forced to admit she had drafted the Draught of the Living Dead to near perfection. It was the moment that Charlie Weasley had finally kissed her.
He had been awfully quiet all throughout the day. Rachael didn't question him because it was obvious he was deep in thought. Rachael just hoped he would hurry up and come to a conclusion on whatever it was that he was thinking about. As much as she liked his friend Jeremy, Rachael found his company rather boring and much preferred talking to Charlie. Finally Charlie spoke.
"You really like strawberries don't you?" he asked her. It was quite the odd question in Rachael's opinion. She only ate them every single day and she told Charlie exactly that. He was silent again and Rachael gave up on the Gryffindor table for that meal. She got up to go back to her own table but Charlie stood up with her. Without any warning Charlie suddenly turned to face her. With a brilliant grin on his face he wrapped an arm around her waist, leaned down and kissed her. Rachael was so shocked she almost forgot to kiss him back.
Charlie was never one to do impulsive things such as this, and Rachael had to admit she liked this side of him very much. She grinned at the thought that he had kissed her in front of the whole school! It wasn't until Jeremy let out a rather loud catcall that Rachael realized how silent the rest of the Great Hall had gotten. Eventually a couple of people giggled at Jeremy and the chatter picked up again. Rachael had no idea what to say to Charlie but she wasn't going to lose the opportunity to finally start some sort of relationship with him.
"Charlie I-uh," she began without knowing what to say.
"What was that third thing you smelled in potions yesterday?" Charlie asked her breathlessly. She noticed the hint of excitement in his eyes.
"Mistletoe with a hint of oranges." Rachael admitted with an embarrassed grin. Charlie mimicked her smile and kissed her again just because he could.
It was Rachael's fondest memory of Hogwarts and with good reason. That had been the start of their year and a half relationship. Rachael knew that she was in love with him but she never found a way to say it. She much rather preferred to show him with her actions.
She absentmindedly ran her hands over his bare chest. She smiled happily as she thought of her particular favorite memory but this time her reminiscing was tinged with a bitter sadness. Charlie was leaving the next day. He was leaving for two whole months! Rachael couldn't repress the thought that this might be the last time that she was with him ever. Charlie promised he would come back but Rachael knew him better than he knew himself. If Charlie liked this new adventure England wouldn't be seeing much of him for a few years, and consequently Rachael wouldn't either.
As she hugged Charlie goodbye at the train station she couldn't help but let a few tears fall. She never wanted to let go, because when she let go she was going to lose him forever. Rachael eventually had to step back from the platform and she waved goodbye to his train as it sped away carrying Charlie Weasley out of her life not to return for another ten years.