Soft
Charlie and Molly
Charlie hated St. Mungo's.
Because there was something about it that smelled like death, and in spite of the third-degree burns covering forty percent of his body, he wasn't quite ready to die yet.
How do you feel this morning, Charles? the Healers always asked, and he didn't know how long he'd been stuck in this place, but every morning when he opened his eyes it felt like the same day all over again. Breakfast was the same - dry pancakes coated in syrup that had the distinct bitter aftertaste of burning bitterroot potion - his visitors were always the same - Mum, Dad, Ginny - the Healers were always the same. And it was driving him absolutely mad.
There's my baby, said Mum, and she was crying, and she looked like she wanted to wrap her arms around him and never let go, but she didn't touch him. I've always told you those dragons are dangerous. You're lucky to have gotten out alive.
I know, Mum.
It was the same conversation over and over, day after day, and it always ended with Mum pressing her soft hand against his one un-scorched cheek and Ginny letting out a little sob.
Charlie had asked for a mirror once, but they'd never let him have one.
How do you feel this morning, Charles? asked the Healer when she came in with his breakfast. Pancakes, syrup, potion. He'd done this a hundred times. Why wasn't he getting any better?
Fine.
Glad to hear it. And she smiled at him and walked away.
Am I dying? he almost called after her, but he held his tongue.
And then Mum bustled in, dragging Ginny behind her, and began to cry over his red, raw skin and warn him about dragons and remind him that he was lucky.
I know, Mum.
A soft hand on his cheek. A sob from his sister.
Gone.
How do you feel this morning, Charles?
Fine.
Glad to hear it.
Food. Potion. Mum.
There's my baby. I've always told you those dragons are dangerous. . . .
I know, Mum.
Soft hand. Sob.
Gone.
How do you feel this morning Charles fine glad to hear it there's my baby I've always told you those dragons are dangerous you're lucky lucky lucky lucky lucky lucky luckyluckyluckyluckylu
You don't appear to be recovering quite as quickly as we'd hoped, Charlie.
Fine, Charlie said out of pure habit, and then, Sorry?
It was a new Healer today, one he'd never seen before. The pin on his lapel introduced him as Healer Ric. You've been with us now for over three months, and we've hardly seen any improvement.
Charlie's heart began to thud.
Those dragons. They're dangerous creatures.
I know they are. I already went over all of this with the other Healer. Charlie swallowed. Am I dying?
Healer Ric gave him a sad smile. We're all dying, Charlie.
Charlie humored him with a smirk. Am I dying faster than everyone else?
Healer Ric looked down at his notes. Do you think you are?
Charlie lifted one burned shoulder in a shrug. I feel fine, he said.
The Healer didn't say anything.
Charlie broke the silence. The truth is, I feel like time doesn't move in this place. I've been living the same day over and over. It's always the same food, the same conversations, the same company, the same injury. And it's boring. I can't stand it, cooped up in here day after day. I want to go back to work, to get some sunlight and fresh air. If I can't have that, I'd almost rather die.
Healer Ric raised his eyebrows. You'd go back to working with dragons?
Charlie nodded.
That's brave. That's impressively brave. The Healer made a note on his chart. I think, he said finally, that you're going to pull through, Charlie Weasley.
"How do you feel this morning, Charles?"
Charlie sat up. "Fine. D'you know if Healer Ric is in today?"
The Healer offered him a tray of pancakes. "Healer Ric?" she repeated. "I've never heard of - Charles!" She took Charlie's chin between her fingers and tilted his head back to examine the burns covering his face. "You've improved."
Charlie nearly dropped the tray. "I have?"
She went into the bathroom and came back with a hand mirror. "See for yourself."
Charlie lifted the mirror.
His face was smooth, clean and soft, as if it had never been burned at all.
[Connect The Weasleys: Molly/Charlie, "soft"]
[Monthly Drabble-A-Thon: lucky]
[Collect A Collection Competition: Charlie (Weasley Family); Location Prompt: St. Mungo's]
*There are subtle Supernatural references all over the place in this. Think Tuesdays and T(Ric)ksters. But also think God(Ric) Gryffindor.
