The Sparrow Suite


A/N: Hello everyone! Here is Chapter 2 of my story. Much like Chapter 1, elements of this chapter are the same as they were when this story was initially uploaded yet I did add, delete, and change things here and there. Also, thanks for the review, favorites, and follows! I hope you enjoy this installment!


Chapter 2: An Offer from Hogwarts

It certainly is hot outside today, Charlie thought to himself, wiping away a bead of sweat with his wrist. I'll definitely take a dip in the lake when I get back home.

Charlie was making his way down Diagon Alley, the shops flanking his sides alive and bursting with business. It certainly was a hot day but busy as well. Witches and wizards, young and old, were about, conversing with one another and traveling from store to store with their many purchases weighing them down.

At least this morning is turning out better than yesterday, Charlie mentally conveyed. At least she isn't here to break my nose or spill hot tea down my front again. Charlie smiled as he nodded at two pretty witches who were giving him an eye-full. Wouldn't mind taking either of them to bed.

But no, not yet, for he had a destination in mind: Flourish and Blotts. The young bird at the counter, the one who was the main attraction of his nocturnal emission some nights ago, was a true sight to behold and looked intelligent enough for Charlie to carve time out of his busy day to ask on a date. Also, his mum wanted a copy of a new cookbook titled Hearty Meats and Rosy Sweets after seeing an advertisement for it in the Daily Prophet. (I just have to have it! she exclaimed.) Charlie happily obliged to make the trip for her, anything to get away from where Hermione would possibly be.

As the sun continued to scorch London that slept underneath it, Charlie thankfully turned into the bookstore, a single bell chiming on his entry. He first looked over at the front checkout counter and smiled as he set his sights on the witch.

Merlin, isn't she beautiful, he thought nearly drooling. Her long, brown hair stretched down to her waist while her full lips were ruby red. She had piercing green eyes that exemplified her full, voluptuous figure. He then shook his head slightly, thinking he would chat with her after he found his mum's recipe book.

He began to walk down a row of books as the front bell dinged again. Charlie paid this no mind for he was scratching the left side of his head as he titled it sideways, squinting down at the spines of numerous books he passed, reading their titles soundlessly. He stepped around a middle-aged witch who was leaning against one shelf, a skinny book opened in her palms.

Charlie turned into the next row, repeating his actions from before. He grew slightly irritated that he was unable to locate what his mum wanted (for he was wasting precious flirting time).

Suddenly, the voice of the witch at the front carried over to him. It was followed by a giggle. However, what troubled Charlie was the accompanying voice of a man. Like a panther lurking amongst the shadows, Charlie stood on his tiptoes and peered between two shelves towards the front desk, agitated to see the bird he had planned to ask out philandering away with some random bloke…one who hadn't even made a purchase!

What's the point of coming into Flourish and Blotts then, he asked himself crossly.

He had half a mind to march to the front of the store and settle this matter wizard-to-wizard, wands or fists he didn't care. He stopped when a familiar voice from behind him said, "Excuse me but could I reach around you? You're blocking a book I need."

He planted his shoes back on the ground and spun around. He let out an aggravated sigh to see that it was Hermione who addressed him. For her part, she made a point to roll her eyes making his annoyance spike precipitously.

"What are you doing here," they questioned the other at the same time. Both of their tones were accusatory.

"I'm picking up a cookbook for mum," Charlie answered first, folding his arms across his chest.

"Yes, I can see that," Hermione began. "Snooping behind a bookshelf certainly constitutes picking up a book, doesn't it?"

"I wasn't snooping," he defended though the tips of his ears burned a nasty shade of red.

"Don't like that word? Okay, how about prying? That sounds a bit better, don't you think?"

He scoffed. "And why are you here? Taking refuge with these books as no one back home wanted to be bored by your presence?" When she didn't respond, he went on, "I mean, that's a good call on your part. At least you can boss them around without any back talk."

"For your information, I'm meeting Ginny to grab lunch! That's more I could say of you, sneaking around and dreaming of witches far out of your league!"

Charlie felt his face flush a deep crimson as he stared vehemently down at Hermione. She didn't seem fazed as she glared right back at him.

"You know, last night you called me vile and cruel. I think it's safe to say that those two words apply to you more than me," he snarled.

"What you said last night about Ron and I putting on a show for your family was out of line."

"And what you just said to me wasn't?"

She paused for a beat while Charlie continued to look down at her, waiting for a reply.

"I think it's best that we avoid each other from now on."

Charlie snorted, "That's why I came to Diagon Alley today. To keep away from you. Obviously you felt inclined to follow me here and harass me."

"I am not harassing you," she fumed.

"You are too," he traded back, glad to see that he had touched a nerve.

"I already told you that I'm meeting up with Ginny for lunch!"

"Could be a fluke for all I know."

"How dare you! You know, you're worse than Ron. At least he and I are able to act mature enough and apologize to one another after we have a disagreement!"

"I would buy that yet you two are so childlike that your concessions are empty-handed. I mean, minutes later, you guys are having another go at each other. Your apologies mean nothing."

Hermione waited for a moment before she turned around and stalked away from him, disappearing around a corner. For some unknown reason, this didn't satisfy him in the least for he tore off after her, temporarily forgetting about the bird at the front desk. He stepped outside, back into the heat, and scanned passerby.

"What, you can't handle the truth about your relationship with my little brother," he questioned after he spotted her. She was making her way towards the Leaky Cauldron.

"Why are you following me," she accused. "I have nothing more to say to you." She turned around and faced him defensively.

"I think you owe me an apology and counting what happened yesterday, that brings it to three."

"What are you talking about?"

"Let me see: First you broke my nose," he started, holding up one finger, "second when you spilt tea down my front," holding up another finger, "and third for insulting me," finished with a final raised finger.

"Insulting you," she echoed in a confused manner.

"When you said the witch at the front counter was out of my league."

Hermione laughed. "That wasn't an insult! It was the truth!"

Charlie stared coldly at her, his eyes a steely blue.

"You know, Ron and Ginny talked a lot about you in letters they sent me in Romania. They went on and on about how great and how smart you were. And I'll give it to them: You are smart but I'm not sure where the great part came into play."

"The same can be said of you as well. Ginny told me especially that you and Bill are her favorite brothers. She liked the fact that you two actually listened to what she had to say and seemed to care. I agree with her on Bill but not on you."

"Listen-," Charlie initiated but Hermione cut across him.

"I don't know what I ever did or said to you but you've been nothing but rude to me since you came home. I brushed it off and tried not to care but recently, it seems as if you go out of your way to be extremely annoying."

"Well, I can't say that I'm very fond of you."

"And that's why you've been acting like a small child?"

They continued to gaze at one another, the sun continuing its London char.

Hermione commented, "I know you're twenty-seven but you sure don't act like it."

"I don't need you to antagonize me," he remarked. "I get enough of that from my mum. Also, hearing you and Ron bicker all damn day isn't helping either."

"We do not fight all day!"

"Maybe not but it sure seems like it. I can't even tell you how many headaches I've gotten over listening to the two of you. It's maddening! I'm not sure what you both fight so much about."

"For your information, Ron can sometimes speak before he thinks."

"So you're trying to pin your problems on him then and not taking any faults yourself? Is that it? Have you ever wondered that maybe you're the trouble? That Ron is trying his best to please you only that you're too blind to realize it? Relationships are all about compromise which is something you don't seem to understand."

Hermione fell silent at this as her eyes took away from Charlie and instead darted to his side. It was as if she was mulling over his words, wondering if perhaps there was an ounce of truth to them.

When she spoke, she was calm. "You've been in enough relationships to know about them?"

Charlie's face flashed scarlet, his mind working over the fact that he had only been involved in two serious relationships before while the rest were casual flings. He was, of course, trying to settle down, to find that one girl that meant a lot to him yet obstructions always fell in the way whenever he felt like he got near to her.

"You haven't, have you," Hermione gathered. When he didn't respond, she scoffed and said, "Well that's rich, isn't it? Trying to give me relationship advice when you haven't been in enough yourself?"

He glared down at her and said, "No, I've found you and Ron to be quite simplistic. You're the master and Ron's the dog."

"How dare-,"

"You're bossy, probably the most of anyone I ever met, and trust me, that's not a compliment. I also get this sense that you're close-minded. Like I said before, I know you're intelligent but I'd wager that you're only book-smart and refute anything without solid evidence to back it up. How am I doing so far?"

Hermione opened her mouth to retort when a voice suddenly called her name. She and Charlie both looked around and saw Ginny making her way towards them. Upon seeing Charlie, her brows pulled together as a look of confusion swam over her face.

"Charlie? What're you doing here?"

"Oh, I, um," he stammered, casting a quick look in Hermione's direction. She made a point of not looking at him. "I'm just picking up that new cookbook for mum. You remember the one she saw in the Prophet?" He rubbed the back of his neck.

"You haven't got it yet?" When he shook his head, she said, "You've been gone for over an hour now."

"Have I? Didn't think it's been that long."

Ginny looked from him to Hermione and back again.

"You haven't been bothering Hermione, have you?"

Charlie's mouth fell open while Hermione stated softly, "Ginny," and shook her head.

"Well after yesterday, can you blame me for asking," she threw her hands in the air.

"Hang on," Charlie called out. "Are you talking about when Hermione attacked me?"

"Don't be so sour," Ginny reprimanded. "I'm sure Hermione didn't mean to break your nose."

"And what about spilling tea down my front?"

"I'm sure that was an accident too," she waved away.

"No it wasn't."

"Yes it was," Ginny fired right back. "Anyway, Hermione and I due for lunch." She turned to her. "Are you ready to go?"

"More than you know," she answered. "Come on."

The two turned their backs on Charlie as they made their way away from him. He grew irritated as he watched them leave, namely Hermione. What had once been a fine morning had abruptly turned into a farce, courtesy of her. He became confused, however, when his stomach ached uncomfortably. He frowned but he pushed his way back into Flourish and Blotts.

He rolled his eyes when he saw that the pretty bird was still chatting away with the man that had made no purchases. He saw her wind a strand of her hair around one of her fingers, her smile growing even larger.

Charlie then restarted his search for his mum's book, taking to row after row, his eyes scanning each spine quickly as he wanted nothing more than to find what he needed and to get the hell out of the store. He started to feel claustrophobic.

He entered the last row, thinking that it was highly plausible Flourish and Blotts didn't carry the recipe book his mum wanted. When his gaze fell towards the bottom row, he finally spotted it. Letting out a long breath, he tucked down and retrieved it. After looking at its cover, he rifled through its pages, making sure this was the correct volume lest he have to come back and see his bird sucking face with the man that made no purchases.

As he found his way to the front counter, he realized he was too late: In a passionate snog, it was as if Charlie didn't exist. He felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest as he stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. Their tongues danced against the other while they both hummed with pleasure. How he wanted nothing more than to shove the man aside and take the girl with his own lips to show her how it felt like to be kissed by a real man.

However, he resulted in holding himself back as he instead loudly cleared his throat. They sprang apart, each having the decency to blush. Charlie walked up and slammed the book on the counter and took out the necessary monies. After paying, the witch said, "Thank you for shopping at Flourish and Blotts! Please come again soon!"

"Not bloody likely but you'll probably come soon," he grumbled under his breath. He took hold of the bag and stalked out of the store. The chiming bell altered his exit as he stepped back outside. He looked over his shoulder through the front window of the bookstore only to see that the make out session had resumed.

He's going to be a lucky bloke tonight, Charlie thought. She's probably good under the sheets.

He then thought about doubling back down the lane to pick up the two girls he had seen earlier. He wagered they wouldn't mind skinny dipping out by the lake. He remembered one of them had some fine-looking buttocks just begging to be squeezed. He had the hands for that. Yet, something held him back.

Shaking his head at his own misfortunes, Charlie disapparated out of Diagon Alley, leaving it behind.


Charlie arrived back in the kitchen of the Burrow. He called out, "Hey, mum."

She turned from the stove where smoke was billowing in a tall column and said, "Charlie, dear, did you pick up the book?"

In answer, he held up the bag that was emblazoned with the Flourish and Blott's logo.

"Thank you," she smiled. "And before I forget, a letter came in for you. It's on the table," she nodded over to two envelopes that were stationed next to each other.

"Two came in," he asked.

"Yes, the other is for Hermione," she answered without looking at him. His face twisted in vexation at the mere mention of her name.

He sat down at the table and picked up the other addressed to him. Sighing, he opened it and read:

To Mr. Charles Weasley,

As you are well aware, a transfer is being made for a new dragon reserve to be constructed in Northumberland. However, I regret to inform you that this relocation has been met with great legislative resistance from the wizarding community in Great Britain. Therefore, the new dragon encampment will not be ready for the better part of the coming year with the expected opening date currently set for late June of 2000.

Since you have requested additional time off due to family affairs, we are granting you an extended absence from your duty as dragon handler for twelve months as the Romanian reserve has more than enough workers to oversee its current operations. You, of course, will be paid for this duration as your efforts as a hard and committed young man working with these dragons have not gone unnoticed by your reserve director, Welmer Fisicient.

Conversely, I understand that as a young gentleman, taking a year off from working is not ideal. Thus, I have referred you to another position based in Great Britain which I believe will be more than suitable for you until it is time for you to return to your post on the new dragon reserve. Details of this arrangement will follow shortly.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me here at the Ministry of Magic directly or if you wish to know more about the continuing operations of the dragon transfer, Director Fisicient will be more than happy to accommodate your needs.

Sincerely,

Royston Tellwater
Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Ministry of Magic

Charlie stared down at the letter he held in his hands with great curiosity. He remembered how there was some talk on the reserve back in Romania that the dragon relocation was not going to be easy. However, he didn't think it would be so difficult that the opening in Northumberland would be pushed back nearly a year. Twelve months was a long period of unemployment and while he enjoyed being off these past couple of weeks, he was thoroughly looking forward in getting back into his vocation.

On the other hand, Mr. Tellwater did offer a reprieve for Charlie's consideration though he didn't go into detail over what it was. He wondered what it could be and was running over the possibilities in his head before his mother's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What was the letter about, Charlie?"

He looked up as he had forgotten his mum's presence. He replied, "Oh, um, the dragon transfer is taking longer than expected. I've been granted paid leave until it opens next June."

"Oh, how wonderful! It'll be terrific to have you around! I'm sure you remember my thoughts on you going all the way to Romania to work! We never really got to see you all that often. Everyone here missed you."

"Yeah, I know," he mumbled, his eyes peeling back towards the letter. "But Mr. Tellwater says there's an opportunity for employment to hold me over until next year."

"What kind of work is it," Mrs. Weasley questioned, turning around to face her son. The pots behind her emitted a series of hisses and whooshes.

"Dunno," he said back. "But I should be getting another letter soon with an explanation."

"Well, hopefully it has nothing to do with dragons," his mum returned rather sternly. "I think it's far too hazardous."

"Mum, please," Charlie nearly groaned. "It's not half as dangerous as you make it out to be. Don't you remember when you and dad came by some time ago?"

"What I remember," she began in a huff, "is that one of those creatures escaped its pen and went on a rampage when we came for a visit. That little not half as dangerous scenario gave me and your father a great fright!"

"It wasn't that bad," Charlie defended quickly. "Nothing was damaged and more importantly no one was hurt."

"No but there's always the potential for that to happen and I imagine there is that sort of potential everyday you work there."

"We're experts, mum. All of us on the reserve. We know what we're doing."

"I know that," she sighed, turning back to her cooking. "But dragons are so unpredictable, dear. I'm sure they view you more as a light snack than as trainers."

"Some do, some don't," Charlie shrugged haphazardly, as if being part of a dragon's diet didn't bother him. And quite frankly, it didn't. He was fond of the creatures more so than half of the handlers he worked with. He liked the touch of their scales underneath his fingertips, it feeling like smooth, running ice water. He was captivated by the spreading of their wings to its full extent. Their aggressive and territorial nature was a true sight to behold as well – the barring of their jaws, a bout of fire, and a mighty roar thrilled Charlie beyond logical belief.

"Yes, well, think of yourself as if you were in my shoes," his mum went on. "I'm positive that you wouldn't want your own kids working in that type of condition."

Charlie nearly choked on his mother's words as he managed to get out, "I don't have any kids."

"Not yet you don't but I'm sure you will one day," she responded matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, one day next to never," he mumbled lowly.

"What was that?" He looked up to see his mum staring at him over her shoulder.

"What? Oh, it was nothing. I didn't say anything."

She arched an eyebrow at him though let him loose. Her gaze fell upon the kitchen window as she stopped and said, "I think this might be for you, Charlie."

He followed her trajectory and saw a handsome brown owl flying towards the Burrow with what looked like an envelope clutched in its talons. He waved his wand and opened the window as the bird swooned inside, deposited the letter in front of him, and took flight, not even bothering to take a rest.

Just as Charlie made to open this new arrival, the kitchen opened to bouts of laughter as Hermione and Ginny walked in, their faces coated with wide smiles and rosy cheeks.

"Ah, there you girls are," Mrs. Weasley greeted with a grin of her own.

"Hey, mum," Ginny waved.

"Hi, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said.

"Oh, a letter came in for you dear," she told Hermione.

"For me?"

"Yes, it's just on the table there."

Hermione and Ginny traded interested looks as the former walked over and grabbed the envelope marked in her name.

Charlie watched her carefully, wondering if she was going to make a snarky remark directed at him. However, she seemed to pretend that he didn't even exist. Her eyes didn't flicker in his direction as she didn't even notice him staring. She and Ginny retreated into the living area.

Charlie shook his head from side to side, bothered and puzzled though he didn't understand why. While he remembered Hermione telling him back in Diagon Alley that they were better off avoiding each other, that didn't mean they were going to ignore the other's presence completely. Did it?

Hang on a second, he mentally thought. Why should I care that Hermione is paying me no attention? Shouldn't that instead call for a celebration?

Try as he did to convince himself that Hermione's new tactic against him was better for the both of them, he couldn't quite bring himself to accept her new standard. It put him on edge.

Suddenly, Hermione and Ginny's voices seeped in from the living area back into the kitchen making Charlie grit his teeth. When Hermione's voice overtook that of his sister's, he thought that he wanted nothing more than to take himself away.

Growling in frustration at himself and Hermione, he stood up from the kitchen table and announced, "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back soon." He held his letter in his hand.

Mrs. Weasley looked over at him in a concerned manner and asked, "Do you feel alright, dear?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You look a bit peaky is all."

"I'm fine. I just need a bit of fresh air."

She nodded at him and said, "I'll have sandwiches ready for you when you get back."

Charlie stepped outside, basking in the sun's warmth, before he started to make his way over to the lake situated some ways behind the Burrow. It was a place he liked to go and cool off, collect his thoughts, or undertake both activities as his family didn't care much for the lagoon. Rightly, that meant he had the entire area under his monopoly.

As he proceeded to make his way over to it, his mind moseyed back over to Hermione. The most frustrating part about her was that he couldn't get her out of his mind no matter how much he wanted to. His thoughts of her were not pleasant as he truly believed that she had made his life worse off by being in it. How much he would give to kick her out – there wasn't enough money in the world. She was beyond insufferable and he wondered how Ron put up with her and her attitude on a daily basis. While he didn't think much of his younger brother, he definitely possessed more patience than Charlie initially assumed of him. Yes, Ron could be a right prat and almost always talked before he thought of the consequences yet he was nowhere near as bad as Hermione. A witch who broke his nose, made him spill hot tea down his front, and threw out insults as if they were medicine.

However, Charlie did take comfort in the fact that Hermione was as bothered by him as he was of her. If she wasn't, why else would she have disregarded his presence back in the kitchen? Ginny, at least, looked in his direction, an act Hermione failed to do. And why would Hermione go into the living area to read her letter? Why not open it right then and there? Yes, he knew for a fact that he was on her mind though just like he thought of her, he guaranteed he was in the negative with her, not that he minded in the slightest.

A neighborhood of clouds passed over the face of the sun. Shadows shaded Charlie temporarily. He breathed in a gorge of fresh air as the lake then came into view. It was birthed around a small cluster of trees while green valleys stretched beyond it. Here, the grass came high, constructing its own city, though Charlie liked the covertness it provided him with.

He wandered around the edge of the water, taking refuge atop a small family of rocks. He took a seat on one of them, ripped open the envelope and read:

Dear Mr. Weasley,

I do hope that this letter finds you well. I have been informed by Mr. Royston Tellwater that a new dragon reserve soon to be located in Northumberland has been delayed through governmental means and that while you will be paid until the new encampment opens, you will be without employment over the course of much of the next year. However, Mr. Tellwater, a former student of mine, did refer you for a recently-opened post that is currently vacated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Care of Magical Creatures position.

Our former professor, Rubeus Hagrid, has decided to take time off to travel with his brother, Grawp, mentioning that he hadn't spent much quality time with him as he would have liked. I do believe, along with Mr. Tellwater, that you would be an honorable addition to the teaching staff here at Hogwarts.

Your teaching post will be set for two terms, with classes beginning on the first of September. Please enclose your reply within the coming day so that I can make the necessary arrangements for you to have a complete and smooth transition into becoming a new professor at the school.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,
Headmistress

When he finished reading the letter, he was shocked. He reread it again just to make sure that he understood what it contained. Upon his conclusion the second time around, Charlie felt a frown appear over his features. He wondered why Mr. Tellwater believed he would be a good fit to be a professor. While he did know a fair amount about various magical creatures, he didn't have any teaching experience.

Although, I did get an O.W.L. and a N.E.W.T. in Care of Magical Creatures, he told himself. But does that qualify me to be a professor? How much could I actually teach kids?

A light wind blew over him, making the branches of nearby trees creak. Several leaves departed from its roots and were gone with the wind. He folded the letter back up and stared out at the smooth surface of the lake.

He continued to think over whether or not he should accept the teaching post. On one hand, he did like the fact that he would be working (instead of spending his time at the Burrow with his mum barraging him about settling down and sprouting a family of his own) and the idea of living back inside Hogwarts castle was incredibly tempting. During his own time there, he considered it a second home though that was before he had found the Romanian Dragon Reserve. Yet, he didn't know if he would be up to the task of being a professor. Certainly it was less demanding than that of handling dragons though he liked the nature of his workings with the beasts.

He sighed, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. He then stood up and ripped off his t-shirt. This was followed by his jeans, shoes, and socks before he pulled down his boxer shorts. They pooled his ankles. Charlie then ran forward and dived into the lake. He was surprised by its relative coolness.

He swam around, the sun continuing its onslaught of heat via its rays, while the notion of returning to Hogwarts started to become more of a reality than a fantasy. His mind skimmed over what lessons he would plan, seeing the look of awe pass over the faces of his students when he introduced them to magical creatures they had never properly seen before. He even started the basis of what type of practical examinations he should give them.

Charlie lapped the lake, moving in even strokes, as another wind came to, it rippling the water's surface.

Maybe I can actually do this, he thought to himself. It beats hanging around the Burrow for the next twelve months and I'm positive there are enough witches in Hogsmeade for me to spend several cold nights with.

A smile then worked its way over his face as he now had something to look forward to. After Harry and Ginny's wedding, he initially didn't have any plans. His mum probably would have suggested he take a part-time job in Diagon Alley. He wagered it wouldn't have been too bad considering he'd be working relatively close to the pretty bird from Flourish and Blotts but that was before the early-morning kiss fest she shared with the man who made no purchases. Also, he hated the idea of being holed inside for hours upon end. That was part of the appeal of working with dragons in Romania: He was outside a good part of the day if not the entire time the sun was up. He loved the outdoors and that was something the Care of Magical Creatures position offered.

Charlie ducked under the water letting it blanket him as he had his answer of what he was going to do.


After his afternoon swim, he went back to the Burrow and grabbed a large plate of sandwiches his mum had promised him. He then tucked up to his room where he penned a quick letter of reply back to McGonagall.

When he finished, he went up to Ron's room and asked to borrow Pigwidgeon. Ron cursed when Charlie entered, accusing him of costing him his game of Exploding Snap against Harry.

After sending the letter, Charlie reentered his own room where he messily searched his drawers for a book that was sure to help him with his preparations. He finally found it: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. He stared reading.


Over the next several days, Charlie spent all of his time alone, pouring over all of the magical creatures listed in the book. He took small notes that were scattered over several pieces of parchment. Sometimes he read by the lake, being at peace with nature around him. Other times, he took away to the Weasley orchard though he was disturbed by Ron's constant nagging of a Quidditch scrimmage.

He received a letter back from McGonagall fairly quickly. She told him that she was pleased with his acceptance and reminded him to arrive at Hogwarts on the thirty-first of August for him to get accommodated with his living chambers inside the castle.

Dinner the following night was a rather happy affair as Charlie had taken a spot far, far away from Hermione at the kitchen table. In fact, he had done so the past couple of nights. However, he hadn't spared much thought for the witch ever since being offered the Care of Magical Creatures position. When she did happen to seep into his brainwaves, he shook his head from side to side as if the action would shake her out of his mind. More often than not, it worked.

"Charlie," Mrs. Weasley said, "what have you been spending your time doing these days? Your mind always seems to be somewhere else." She then paused. "Did you meet someone?"

Charlie mentally rolled his eyes at the hopefulness of his mother's tone. He replied, "No, it's something else."

"What is it, dear?"

Before he could answer, he heard Hermione's laugh from down the table making him take a quick peek over at her. He noticed that Ginny was now giggling. It irritated him.

"Is it something to do with the letters you received," his mum continued on.

"Well, yeah, it does," he nodded.

His parents waited with patient ears, looking at him expectantly. He inwardly sighed, knowing he would have to tell them sooner or later.

"I've been offered a job at Hogwarts for the upcoming term. It's for the Care of Magical Creatures position. McGonagall said that Hagrid wanted to spend some time with his brother."

"What did you say," Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Hagrid has a brother," Mr. Weasley questioned with wide eyes.

"Um, yeah, I said yes," he answered.

"Oh, that's splendid! Charlie, you'll be working alongside Hermione then!"

Charlie, who had the unfortunate timing of taking a sip of his Pumpkin juice, started choking.

"What did you-," he stopped to hack loudly into his fist. "What did you s-s-," he paused again to cough. "What did you say," he eked out, feeling his eyes water as he cleared his throat.

His mum, who apparently had little concern that her son nearly choked to death, answered happily, "Hermione also received a letter from Headmistress McGonagall. She was offered a teaching role at Hogwarts too. Isn't that right, dear?"

Hermione, whose attention had been drawn into the conversation by Charlie's fit, nodded her head in answer. Mrs. Weasley beamed. Charlie, meanwhile, glowered down at his plate of food.

Too stunned to speak, he resumed his meal in silence, mentally thinking to himself, Maybe I made the wrong decision to return to Hogwarts.


A/N: Did you like the chapter? Let me know your thoughts with a review!