A/N - Dramatic plot is dramatic. Well, hopefully. I'm not sure what I think of this story in general, but hell, it was a fun one to write. If you're reading this, thanks for following! The next few parts will be up soon, and all that.
Also this chapter features song lyrics! Blimey! Again, I don't own them. All lyrics / bands / songs referecned are property of their respective owners.
II
Charlie's Flat
Exeter, Devon
July 3rd
6PM
Hermione and Charlie had spent the day in Exeter, hopping from café to café, granting Hermione some time to collect herself and breathe, and giving Charlie the opportunity not only to comfort his friend but also to sample the numerous hot chocolates on offer – something of which he enjoyed greatly. Hermione hadn't said much after leaving The Burrow but as the day progressed she found her confidence back, beginning to open up to Charlie once more.
She had always found a shoulder to cry on in Charlie. He was one of the few people that she was able to always tell the truth to, even if he did have to push for her to do so occasionally. He'd attended Hogwarts for the first two years, and instantly clicked with Hermione being as though they were both Muggle-born. Indeed, during those first few years Hermione had found herself developing a crush on him and, to her surprise, he admitted he liked her one cold winter's day when the pair had snuck into Hogsmeade. They had spent the rest of the day kissing or being overly flirtatious with one another, until they were discovered by a fifth-year Slytherin prefect who reported them to Snape. They spent that evening serving detention together, and from then on they drifted in and out of a relationship.
Prior to Charlie dropping out of Hogwarts, the pair had decided that their odd state of affairs was doing neither of them any good, and remained friends. It was odd for them both, who still had feelings for each other but knew what was for the better. When Charlie left Hogwarts, Hermione found herself lost without him for the first few months but soon overcame that trouble, as both Harry and Ron clouded her love life. She did still remain in contact with Charlie, allowing the two to hold a strong friendship over the years. It was that friendship which Hermione found herself in need of during her landslide romance with Ron.
The pair had returned to Charlie's flat, which Hermione hadn't seen for a very long time. Stepping in, she noticed how different things were; there were albums and records everywhere, an ever-growing collection of Soviet military uniforms and hardware, and in the corner of the living room sat a mighty guitar amp and a guitar.
"Sorry," Charlie said to her as she entered. "I've left it in a bit of a mess."
"It's alright," she chuckled. "I've seen worse."
"Take a seat; I'll pop the kettle on. Mind if I put some music on?"
"No, of course not!"
"Awesome. Have you heard of Whitesnake? They're my favourite band…a bit older than you or I, though. Around in the 80's…"
Hermione laughed. "I've heard of them. My Dad listens to that sort of stuff."
"I knew I was old before my time…"
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his awful, self-deprecating quips. Charlie was always one for lifting her spirits; he was a natrually funny man.
"Well, they put a new album out recently, it's cracking! I'll put it on." As the kettle began to boil, Charlie switched on his laptop and fired up the media player, selecting Whitesnake's newest album. It was on shuffle, and the first song to play rang out – Love Will Set You Free.
"I love this song," he exclaimed. "Great riff, really catchy."
Charlie disappeared into the kitchen as Hermione sat listening to the song.
Somethin' in your smile was so inviting
Somethin' in your eyes told me to stay
Somethin' in your touch electrified me
Completed me in every single way
Hermione sighed. A song about love, she thought. Just what I need.
Now I realise
As I look in your eyes, this must be love
So baby try to understand
My heart is in your hand
Love will set you free…
Charlie approached with two cups of tea. "Here you go," he said, turning Whitesnake down. "Oh, sorry about the lyrics, they're a bit soppy, but hey, I love the song."
Hermione smiled, taking a sip of her tea. "Oh, it's alright. It's only a song."
"I guess," Charlie replied, shrugging. After a brief silence, Charlie put down his mug. "Hermione, sorry for being so forward and everything, but… I just wanted to say that if you wanted a place to stay in case it turns ugly between you and Ron, you can have the spare room here. I never use it, and I want you to know that you're more than welcome."
She looked up, a smile on her face. "That's so lovely of you, thank you Charlie!" She took his hand as she replied. "I think I'll take you up on that offer, if you don't mind."
"Not at all! What are your plans with the whole Ron thing?"
"I don't know anymore," she replied, emptily. "I thought I loved him, Charlie. I thought I'd get married to him and we could start a family and live a happy life together…"
"Blimey, he meant something to you then!"
She nodded.
"That's fair enough…Well, call me cliché but there are plenty more fish in the sea out there, if you did call it a day… Trust me, Hermione, you'll find somebody else."
Hermione didn't engage Charlie, simply staring into her tea. After a brief pause, she spoke.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"You just did."
"You know what I mean!"
Charlie chuckled. "Yeah, sorry. Yeah, go ahead!"
She cleared her throat. "Don't take this the wrong way, or anything, but… do you… um…" She paused again, still staring into her tea. "Do you still have feelings for me?"
Charlie looked puzzled. "What makes you say that?"
"Well, you're offering me a place to stay, we used to like each other, you're promising me there'll be somebody else after Ron…"
"Oh, blimey, no! No, not at all," Charlie laughed. "No, I didn't mean it like that. I was just concerned for you! I'm not making any advances, crikey, I was never any good at that. You'd know if I was because I'd be acting like a complete prat. This is me being genuine here, I was just making sure that I was looking after one of my nearest and dearest."
Hermione set down her cup of tea, and looked at Charlie. "As a friend, I love you so much, you know." She was beaming.
"I do try." He grinned.
Hermione laughed. "You're so cheeky sometimes."
Charlie shrugged. "You know what I'm like!"
"That's true. But in all honesty, you do know how to make me feel better. Did you want to go and get some food?"
"That, right there, is a plan."
