A/N: Sorry about the no updates. I went about 4 days without even going on the computer (sleepover overload), and before that I had an essay, a comic and a notebook due (don't ask about the comic. Our school is…really weird…) I also have Fang Fest this week (think spirit week, only wayyyy more awesome haha), so that requires a lot of extra planning.
Thank you SO much to: xMessrMoony and StarsInTheSky123 for reviewing, and special thanks to naeko101 and jazzybabe7 for being new reviewers.
On to the story!
CHARLIE
I broke away from George and stared, horrified, at the scene before me. My father, looking like he's about to do the apple trick (I really hope he won't…). My mother's mouth gaping open, just gazing at us. Mrs. Weasley, standing there befuddled and angry at the same time, her wand out, pointing at, not me, but George. Jane holding back a laugh (mental note: smack her if we get out of this). Aly's got a look that plainly says, "We are so screwed." Ginny and Harry are behind Mrs. Weasley, wide-eyed and staring.
Aly's got it right. Sc-rewed.
Everyone seemed to snap out of their stupor at the same time.
"GEORGE!"
"CHARLOTTE!"
"JANE!"
"ALY!"
We stared at them. They stared at each other.
"We don't know why we did that either."
"We were having a Shrek moment."
I smacked my palm to my forehead. For a Ravenclaw, Aly can be one hell of a dumbass sometimes…
"Charlotte Mariana, what are you doing snogging a random boy you barely know? Are you seeking our attention?" asked my mother, being analytical. That's what I get for being the daughter of a psychologist.
"Mum, he's George Weasley. He's a good guy."
"Oh. Well I guess – "
"HANNAH! That means he's about 20 years of age! TWENTY! CHARLOTTE IS ONLY SIXTEEN!"
Damn. Why'd he have to remember that?
"I'm seventeen in, like two and a half months."
"On October – "
"ALY! My parents know my birthday."
She stopped her speech. "Oh. Right. I know."
"Well, Mum, he's really not – " Then it hit me.
"YOU TWO TOLD HIM HE COULD COME IN TO SEE ME!" I shouted.
Aly and Jane though I was talking to them. "We didn't do anything!" They said quickly.
"Not you two, my parents." Then I paused. "Wait, why are you guys still here?"
"I…I'm not sure." Aly and Jane looked at each other.
"We'll, uh," Jane said as she gestured to herself and Aly, "We'll just go."
"We'll go with the two of you, maybe find something in the cafeteria," said Ginny grabbing Harry's hand and following the Trouble Twins out of the room.
"I'll head out too." George threw me a cute, apologetic, guilty-in-a-good-way look that said he didn't want to leave.
"Uh-uh, not so fast young man. I need to have a word with you!" said the red-headed woman making her way towards her son.
He threw me another look plainly stating that we were in the same boat.
Everyone exited the room, and I picked up where I left off.
"Again, the two of you SAID he could come in. You TOLD him I wanted to see him. YOU SAID HE COULD COME SEE ME!"
"Well – darling – that's – that's not the – the point! That was before we knew he was…CRADLE SNATCHING YOU! From…Your…Cradle?"
Way to end on a strong note, Dad.
"Dad. What did you think, that George was coming to sing me a telegram of well wishes from Grandma and give me a box of chocolates from a wealthy benefactor?"
They both stared.
"Bad time for sarcasm?"
"Yes." My mom was looking at me sternly.
"Now, explain all that happened."
"All of it?" Maybe I can fudge it a bit.
"All of it, young lady, or we'll ask George." Dad, asking George…
If I let my dad talk to him, George would become the owner of a very fruity friend…
"So, I'll begin with the beginning, shall I?"
"No, start with the end. Stop dawdling, Charlie."
"I'm not dawdling, Mum!"
Of course, I'm dawdling, Mum.
"Yes you are."
Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.
"Am I? Really? What is the definition of dawdle? What is the origin of this magnificent word that is ridiculously fun to say? And anyway, who thinks of definitions? Who thinks of words? Who – "
"CHARLIE!" yelled both of my parents at the same time.
It could only last so long…oh well. Here goes…
"Okay, so maybe I was dawdling. Well, here it is, the story and saga of how we got to this miraculous place in time. What is time and what - "
"Charlie…"
"Oh, alright…"
When I finished explaining, I heard all the others outside the room.
"Mum, Dad, can I talk to Aly and Jane?"
"Sure, we'll call them in as we leave."
GEORGE
I looked at my mother, guilty. "Hiya, Mum!" I said stupidly, trying to avoid my mother's inevitable fury.
She took a deep breathe, and I cringed, waiting for the unleashing of the monster Angry Mother. "GEORGE WEASLEY HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO A POOR, INNOCENT, DEFENSELESS GIRL YOU HORRIBLE HORRIBLE BOY I OUGHTA GIVE YOU A DARN RIGHT SPANKING FOR THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU THAT GIRL NEARLY DIED A FEW WEEKS AGO THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO GO AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER LESSENED HEALTH LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!!!"
It took a moment to realize that the ringing in my ears wasn't my mother. "I'm sorry. But I really like her, Mum. I'm not trying to take advantage of her." I looked up. "I'm sorry, Mummy."
"Don't you, 'Mummy' me!" she said, but with a softer tone. "George, I just want to know that you won't break her heart."
"I won't, Mum. I promise."
"Good boy. Now, I assume you're hungry, and Charlie probably is too. Would you like to go down to the cafeteria and get something for yourself, and Charlie and her family?"
It was amazing how quickly my mom could go from scary-evil-world-eating mother to hello-would-you-like-a-cookie. It's scary…
"So," my mom began as we walked down to the hospital cafeteria, "how long have you known her?"
"Er, Mum? You used to baby sit her." I told her about how we knew her, praying to Merlin it wouldn't set her off again.
"Little Lottie Jackson? That's HER?! Did she ever grow up into a gorgeous young girl! So tell me more about what had happened."
So I did. What could happen?
"YOU KISSED A RANDOM GIRL ON THE DANCE FLOOR WHEN YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHO SHE WAS?! SHE COULD HAVE HAD MONO, OR HERPES, OR SOMETHING WORSE!"
"Mum, we've established that it's a girl we've known for years!"
"NO YOU DON'T!"
"Huh?"
"No, that wasn't me." She looked as befuddled as I felt.
I turned around to see Ginny storming out of the cafeteria doors. Apparently she's sounding more and more like my mother.
This can't be good.
Ginny basically walked into, then bounced off.
Oh jeesh, my life can't get any weirder…
GINNY
"So, how bad do you think they're gonna get it?" asked Jane from behind me.
"I don't know but I can already hear someone screaming. Let's go down to the cafeteria faster…" said Harry, practically dragging me along with him.
"Whoa, down boy, slow down. You're practically sprinting."
"I don't like yelling."
That's odd.
"That's odd!" said Ron.
Way to read my mind, Ronnikins.
"Why's it odd?"
"Well, you hang out with Hermione so often; I'd think you'd gotten used to it!" Ron had to duck from Hermione's playful slap to his shoulder.
"Excuse me, Ronald, but I believe you like – "
"TMI!!!!!!" shouted Aly, Jane and I at the same time.
"Don't go there, or I will be forced to lock you in the sewer system for a year." We all looked at Jane.
"You have a very vivid imagination," I said curiously.
"Yes, and?"
"It gets disturbing, and I'm the one who's known you since first year…" said Aly, edging away slightly.
"Well pardon me if I have an overactive imagination! I might go on to write a book more popular than the Bible!"
We all looked at her. "The what?" asked Ron and I, while Harry, Hermione and Aly said, "Yeah, like that'll ever happen."
"Wait, what's a Bible?" I asked.
"Don't go there with Jane. Please don't." pleaded Aly.
"I'm sorry if I have my own, original opinions of – "
Jane stopped her sentence dead in its tracks.
That was probably because Aly slapped her hand over her mouth.
"EWWWWWWWWW!!!" Aly yelled. She ripped her hand off Jane's mouth, and wiped it on her pants. "Jane, way to be a 7-year-old!"
Jane was laughing, and I could tell what happened. I rolled my eyes. "WHY do you guys act so immature?! Licking hands to make her stop? Why?"
"We don't! We're being us. Ask Charlie, we're always like this. We always fight. It's kind of like we have to." said Aly.
"NO YOU DON'T!" I yelled. God, don't those two realize how infuriating they could be? Arguing and hitting each other every minute of every day what is WITH them!
I didn't notice I was walking until I bumped into something…
And bounced off.
"Oh, hi George. How'd things go with Mum?"
"Okay. What's with the yelling?"
"Aly and Jane."
"Enough said."
We all turned to go back up to the floor where Charlie's room was, and saw Hannah and Carsey walking out, and said, "Aly, Jane, Charlie wants to see you, okay?"
They walked into their friend's room, leaving Harry, George, Hannah and I still outside.
I leaned over to Harry. "Wanna find a place to talk?" I asked him.
He looked at me, "Talk, or talk?" The last one he said with air quotes, wiggling his eyebrows. "Haha, Harry, a little of both. And I just wanna see George's face when he realizes he's alone with Charlie's parents."
We got up and walked out of there, hand in hand, George's face going red as he tried to fight his urge to run.
Yep. I do know him that well.
I waved and mouthed, "Have fun!" and he glared.
This is gonna be very entertaining.
A/N2: So, that kind of wasn't how I was expecting this to go. But ya know what, who cares, cuz this is amusing! And MAN is this a long chapter!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and letting me know if you did would be nice (like, say, in a review? wink wink). Reviews are very appreciated!
