Title: For the First Time
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Hermione, Charlie
Warnings: mentioned canonical character death
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 471
Summary: Hermione takes care of Charlie first and foremost.
Notes:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Astronomy - For this task I would like you to write about how someone's death affects another person.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Hopscotch - Prompts Used - Cooking (action), exasperated (word), Charlie Weasley (character)

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Chocolate Frog - Bathilda Bagshot - Bronze - Prompts Used - Saint, Poor, Battle, Heroine

If You Date Challenge: Prompt Used - Trench Coat

Ultimate Battle Competition 2: single accessory


Hermione stirred the soup and set it to a boil. The heroine wasn't the best cook, but she could make simple things like soup.

She set the timer and left the kitchen, hoping to find Charlie. Ever since the final battle, he had been desolate, and she did her best to not get exasperated by it.

She knew he was mourning his brother, just like she was mourning her boyfriend. At the same time, she wasn't any saint. Between helping him and his poor mother and father, Hermione hadn't had much time for herself.

Maybe it was for the best, though. If she kept busy, she wouldn't think about everything she lost. Everything Harry lost. Everything the Weasleys lost.

It was easier to not think. Less painful.

Hermione walked into the bedroom and there he was. He laid in his bed, listlessly staring at the ceiling.

Ever since she met him, Charlie had always been active. It was like he had to be constantly moving to be happy, and it was unnerving to see him so still. Still, she did what she could for him.

First, she picked up the trench coat that laid carelessly on the floor, and then she knelt on the bed and rested a hand on chest. "I put the soup on."

No answer.

"Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich."

No answer.

"Do you want to talk?"

No answer.

She sighed. "I miss him too."

Finally, Charlie looked at her, and even with his unfocused gaze, she read the pain behind his eyes. She was sure it matched her own.

He reached up and gently brushed some of her loose hanging hair away from her eyes. "Do you think he's watching us?"

Hermione quirked her lips in a lousy imitation of a smile. "Knowing Fred, he's planning all of the pranks he's going to play on us from up there."

"It's been two months, but it still feels like it was just yesterday that he was alive."

"I know." She relaxed her arms and laid down, allowing her head to rest on his chest so he could hear the comforting beat of his heart.

"I might not have said it, but thank you. I know you've done a lot for me."

"Of course I did. You're my friend. You're Fred's brother. Where else would I be?"

And for the first time since Fred's funeral, tears ran down her cheeks. For the first time, she allowed someone else to comfort her. As her body shook with the force of her sobs, Charlie held her in a tight embrace.

He didn't say everything would be okay, something she was grateful for. He simply held her, allowing her to soak up his presence.

And when she tumbled into sleep, she was glad to know she wasn't alone.