Games Are Afoot Chapter 21

Not Goodbye

Disclaimer: These are not my characters, but they are sure fun to manipulate.

Vacation time was over. Charlie received word that he had to return to Romania immediately and he was dreading telling his mum that it was time to go. He hadn't spent a Christmas with his entire family in several years. Sure, his parents had come to him once, but it was hardly the same as all nine of them being in the same place. Well, eight. Percy had basically disowned his family, but he was never that much fun anyway. They would all welcome him back with open arms, but sometimes he could really kill a party. He smiled as he remembered the afternoon his dad had come home from the hospital a few days previously. It was a true Weasley celebration. The bonus was having the other Order members, Harry, and Hermione with them. His mum truly had a gift for making others feel apart of their family. He sighed.

Telling Hermione wasn't going to be much fun either. Since Christmas Eve and their flinch game, his brothers had taken it upon themselves to make sure they didn't get any alone time. Not one minute. If he wasn't mistaken, Ginny was in on it too. It hadn't been all bad though. The evenings in the lounge had been quite entertaining as Fred and George competed with Remus and Sirius to one up each other on pranks and activities at Hogwarts with their corresponding penalties. He almost felt sorry for Filch—almost but not quite. "Crimes and punishments" Hermione had jokingly referred to their stories. He smiled at the memory of her laughing in front of the blazing fire.

Charlie loved to watch Hermione laugh as she was completely at peace when she did. Her eyes danced in merriment. Her throaty laugh was exhilarating and contagious. He was amused as he realized she had charmed all of his brothers. She could disarm many a wizard with her sharp wit. He thought back to an overheard conversation from the day before and his expression grew wistful. George and Fred had really outdone themselves with the creation of extendable ears. He was their first customer. He was now listening to a conversation between Ginny and Hermione as they did the lunch dishes. It had begun innocently enough. They were discussing Hermione's upcoming O.W.L.'s and her plans for studying. The conversation had moved to the Quidditch season.

Charlie chuckled. The boys thought Hermione was clueless when it came to Quidditch, but she was extremely well versed in the strategy of the game. He guessed they just never listened to her. She was helping Ginny break down a defensive move to try against Ravenclaw the next time they played. From there the conversation steered to boys and even though he thought maybe he should stop listening, he couldn't tear himself away as Hermione counseled Ginny to just keep being herself around Harry and that Harry was bound to wake up sooner or later. Then came the conversation he had been hoping to catch. They mentioned his name. He adjusted the earpiece so that he wouldn't miss anything when suddenly everything went quiet.

He took out the earpiece and shook it and returned it to his ear. Still nothing. He recoiled the extensions and redeployed them, but nothing. Charlie was growing frustrated when suddenly he heard snickering behind him on the stairs. Bill, Fred and George were smiling and waving at him. He launched himself up the stairs and after them finally catching up to them in Bill's room.

"I was beginning to think that you had sold me defective merchandise." Charlie said darkly from the doorway. His demeanor only served to fuel the laughter his brothers were having at his expense.

"We only produce quality products, Char. You should know us better than that." Fred declared. "You should be prepared for us to hex them just to torture you when the conversation got interesting…"

George was intently watching Charlie's reaction. "Really, Charlie, you're getting slow in your old age. I thought you would've caught on to our silencing charm long before you did. I guess those LLOOVVEE-ly feelings get in the way of your reason!" He teased. He also ducked as Charlie levitated a boot from the floor in the direction of his head.

"Charlie, Charlie, Charlie," Bill chuckled, "Why were you spying on the girls?"

"Oh probably the same reason we were!" Laughed Fred. "If he wasn't so mesmerized by one of them, he could have joined us!"

Charlie scowled. He wasn't in the mood to have his brothers taking the mickey out of him like they were.

"I had a very good reason." Charlie assured them, his brows furrowed.

"Then do tell, Mate." Bill encouraged patting a seat on the bed next to him.

Charlie moved slowly across the floor to the bed. George swung the door shut and joined Fred on the floor.

"Well," questioned Fred, "This oughta be good."

Charlie sighed heavily. "I have to go back to Romania this evening and I have to tell mum—" The intakes of breath from his siblings did nothing to reassure Charlie about his unpleasant task.

"Oh, she's gonna be upset. She kinda likes having you around—even though we don't really know why." Shrugged George. Charlie grinned at him and then another shoe flew through the air catching George in the back of the head.

"Thanks for the encouragement." Charlie teased back.

"I somehow don't think that's the farewell that's weighing the heaviest on his mind, do you Bill?" Asked Fred glancing around for any objects flying his way.

Bill whispered conspiratorially to the twins, "Nope. I think he is afraid Mum is going to seem like she's downright cheerful compared to who else he has to tell."

Fred stage whispered back, his eyes never leaving Charlie's darkening ones. "I think he's more afraid she won't care."

That was the last straw. Charlie pounced on Fred and the wrestling match was on. Laughter interspersed with grunts and groans filled the room. Furniture slid noisily across the floor as the four sweaty bodies pummeled and twisted. Thumps and crashes could be heard all over the house. Soon the door opened and Bill looked up from the floor to see Harry and Ron jovially standing in the doorway.

"Mum said to come ask who conjured the heard of elephants into this room." Ron tried to spit out with a straight face. Harry turned his chuckle into a cough at the glare he received from George who was pinned to the floor under Bill. Charlie and Fred seemed frozen against the bed with Fred's head poking crookedly out from under Charlie's muscular arm.

Harry cleared his throat, "And Sirius said to let the boys be boys, that's what reparo charms are for." The entire room laughed at the way Sirius had of lightening the mood. All the boys moved into the room and the older ones pulled apart to catch their breath.

Ron walked over to where Bill was fixing his ponytail and handed him a roll of sweet smelling parchment. "This came for you too."

"Thanks, Ron." Bill answered as he sniffed it and smiled. All the boys were smiling at his display.

"I don't think Ron made it smell that good," snorted Harry triggering another round of giggles. Bill's neck flushed red.

"Was that a blush? From the great curse breaker?" Fred exclaimed with a shocked look on his face.

"Now, now, Fred," Charlie answered before Bill could, "He is a Weasley. Some things just can't be helped."

"Aye, I think you're right there, Charlie," George added, "But, a good blush is the sign of a good story and I think I want to hear this one."

Fred nodded enthusiastically, "We are most eager to hear some manly gossip!"

Bill scanned the eager faces. "It's probably just letting me know what time I am scheduled to continue with, uh, um, the English lessons." Somebody snorted and murmured "More like French lessons."

Bill shot a dark look at Charlie who looked surprised. "Don't look at me like that, I didn't say anything!"

"It was Ron." Volunteered George.

"Thanks a lot." Muttered an embarrassed Ron.

Harry looked confused. "Why would you need English lessons? And are you learning French too?"

Fred and George collapsed in a heap of silent laughter. Their bodies leaning on each other for support as their shoulders shook. Tears rolled down their faces and Charlie couldn't help but break into laughter as well. The red from Bill's neck had now ascended all the way to the roots of his hair encasing his face in bright crimson.

"This has got to be about a girl," Ron told Harry watching his brothers fall apart.

"Who is she?" Harry asked completely innocently.

Fred gasped out, "Oh, you know her…VERY well!"

"Ron, you know her too. Your eyes used to pop out of your head every single time she walked by you!" George sputtered.

Harry and Ron turned to look at each other. It just couldn't be, but it was. Her. "Fleur?" They asked together. Bill nodded with a smile.

"I do like the way she walks," sighed Ron.

"Watch yourself, Ron," warned Charlie, "Bill might not appreciate you making that comment." Ron studied Bill for a long moment.

"Sorry, I can't help it. You can't NOT notice when she walks by."

Bill just nodded. He understood. All too well.

The door flew open as Ginny sauntered into the room. "What? You're having a party and didn't invite your favorite sister?"

After the greetings, Ginny slid on to the floor and sat by Fred.

"Ugh! You stink! What have you been doing?" Ginny yelled as she turned up her nose and scooted away.

"Male bonding rituals," Fred assured her.

"You should bond with the shower then!" Ginny retorted with a grin as she noticed all of the boys except Ron and Harry checking to see if they smelled too.

"I call the shower first!" Charlie yelled as he bolted for the door.

Bill looked at Ginny, "You would think after growing up with us playing Quidditch the smell wouldn't be so offensive."

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Charlie was proud of himself for making it to the shower first. It would be his last luxury shower for a while so he made the most of it. He shaved. He shampooed. He brushed. He flossed. He felt great when he was done. He wrapped one of the plush hunter green bath towels low around his hips and sauntered off whistling to get dressed in his room.

A catcall behind him stopped him cold. He waited for the culprit to say something else.

"Uh, that's a good look for you." Hermione drawled from the end of the hallway by the stairs.

Charlie just grinned and started walking again. "I am very glad you think so." He said boldly in return. He turned suddenly when she didn't respond and chuckled to see her standing motionless, completely flushed and speechless. He gave her a cheeky wink and entered his room.

Hermione continued to stand riveted to the spot by the stairs. Why was it that when Charlie said it, it sent her to her room flushing in embarrassment and when she tried to tease him back, she also ended up blushing. Sometimes life was so unfair. She didn't realize how long she had been standing there pondering such deep mysteries of the universe, but she was about to find out that she had stayed one minute too long. Charlie came out of his room and was pleasantly surprised to see Hermione still waiting.

"Are you waiting for me?

"No."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Standing here."

"Really? And how's that working for you?" Charlie was trying desperately to keep a straight face.

"Well, I was thinking too."

"About what?"

"Why is it that I am always the one who seems to blush here?"

Her brutal honesty surprised Charlie. "You don't appear to be blushing now." He observed. Hermione stared at him intently.

"Well, that's a relief. I was beginning to think my face was going to stay red forever."

"What got your blood flowing this time?" Charlie winked and chuckled as the blush exploded onto her face.

"Apparently you." She replied dryly, struggling to calm her racing heart.

"Well then," Charlie said moving closer to her, "I don't see anything wrong with it." He took her by the hand. "Would you like to go for a walk?"

"I don't think I am allowed outside currently." She said sadly.

"Then you are in luck. This house is huge and we can go exploring." Charlie responded with enthusiasm pulling her up the stairs after him. She was out of breath by the time they reached the top landing. "I think I want to take you on a tour of my favorite parts."

Hermione giggled and held on to his hand more tightly. He led her to the dragon tapestry and slipped behind it, pulling her along. He moved to the side and led her through the dark until they were by the wall. He released her hand and turned her until her back rested lightly against it.

The smell of a freshly washed Charlie was intoxicating. She could almost taste him because he was so close. Nervous but excited butterflies were fluttering around violently in her stomach. She loved how spontaneous Charlie was and how adventurous he made her feel. He took a step closer so they were flush and she instinctively raised her hands to his chest.

"Now, let's see," He drawled huskily, "I believe this was the first place here at good old number 12 that I considered how much I would like to kiss you." The fact that it was pitch black behind the tapestry did not make it difficult for Charlie to know that Hermione was once again blushing furiously. He leaned toward the heat of her face and brushed his lips softly against hers.

"There," he whispered softly, "We killed two birds with one stone. You get to prove your theory about always blushing and I get to not regret not kissing you in this very wonderful spot."

Hermione smiled against his chest. This was going to be a fun tour.

Charlie led her by the hand down to the next landing and behind the portrait. Once they were safely ensconced in the parlor, they sat on the couch much as they had during their flinch game. He scooted closer and put his arm around the back of the couch. His other hand held hers as he gently caressed her fingers. She looked at him to discover he was gazing at her with that look in his eyes. Sure enough. The blush leapt to her face creating, in Charlie's mind, a beautiful glow.

"See, second stop and so far so good." He murmured as he kissed her cheek. Her eyes closed and he kissed her nose and her forehead. Finally, his lips brushed hers once more leaving a warm tingling sensation. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"I can't wait to see where we go next." She said.

Charlie again led her by the hand down one more level to of all places, the bathroom.

"This stop is a little more sentimental than the last one. Symbolic if you will."

Hermione's lips twitched. "Symbolic how?" She was very curious.

"Symbolic of how good you looked in your towel." He said quietly in her ear. As his lips brushed the edge of her ear, her face flamed predictably. He figured it was a combination of his touch and the memory. He grinned. This was fun.

They proceeded down another level and stopped at Ginny and Hermione's room. In true tour guide fashion, he pointed out the highlights of their latest stop.

"This is where we played flinch with Ginny and where I got the brilliant idea to coerce you into writing to me." He looked smug.

Hermione decided to surprise him and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "This is where I was hoping you might be wanting to kiss me…" He cut her off by granting her request.

"We can't be having any regrets, now can we." She shook her head and took his hand.

"Where to next?" Charlie looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Kitchen, I should think."

Amazingly they had not encountered anyone else on their tour of Grimmauld Place. As they reached the kitchen doorway, Charlie pulled her to him. They looked up chuckling that the mistletoe was still in place.

"I don't bite either." Hermione said flirtatiously. Charlie had his warm broad hands resting lightly on her shoulders. Her hands were loosely around his waist.

"This is where all my dreams came true." He murmured in his low growly voice that she loved so much. They reached for each other, captured in the moment until they heard someone clear their throat. They sprung apart.

"Honestly, you would think that after how many times you've been caught in that silly doorway, you would remember to be careful!" Ginny teased gaily. Her comments successfully turned Hermione's face red again which caused Charlie and Hermione to break into peals of laughter.

Charlie pulled her into the hallway. He hugged her and said into her hair, "I have to leave soon."

"I figured as much."

"I didn't think it would be this hard."

"Charlie, the faster we get back to where we have to be the faster it will be until we are back together. It will be summer. No school. I am sure my dad would enjoy a trip to a dragon reserve." Hermione comforted him.

She was taking this much better than he had anticipated. "Won't you miss me though?"

"Of course I will. But I will remember this last week and it will get me through. That and the amazing letters you write."

"I still have to tell my parents." Charlie sighed.

Hermione hugged him tighter. "They'll be okay. They miss you too. This is NOT goodbye."

"What do you mean this is not goodbye?"

"I mean that we aren't saying goodbye. We will see each other again. I refuse to say goodbye."

"So," Charlie said smiling, "It's more of a see you later?"

"Exactly." She responded. He leaned down and kissed her quickly.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome. Now, go find your parents and let them know." She waited until he left the hallway and then climbed the stairs to her room.

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The lounge was empty so Charlie headed for the library. Just as he reached the door, Bill came out.

"Charlie, where have you been?"

Charlie grinned. "Taking a tour of the house." Bill looked at him curiously. "I had to check out all my favorite spots one more time before I left."

"Of course you did," Bill replied with his eyes twinkling. "Am I right to assume you didn't take this tour alone?" Charlie nodded happily. "And how did the brilliant witch take the news of your imminent departure?"

"She's amazing Bill. This is NOT goodbye!" And with that he strode into the library leaving a very amused brother shaking his head.

Arthur and Molly were sitting in two armchairs next to each other whispering quietly. Charlie watched as his mother lovingly adjusted the blanket over his dad's lap and observed the depth of feeling she had for the man. Yes, his mother was an amazing woman too.

"Dad, Mum," he called to let them know he was there.

"Charlie!" They both said, abundantly happy to see him.

"I came to tell you that it's time for me to go back." He said sadly. His mother sniffled and stood up. She walked to him and pulled him to her.

"Charlie, thank you for being here. I will certainly miss you but I know if we need you that you will get here as fast as you can. You have been such a strength to me through all of this. I love you!" She clung to him crying for a moment and then pushed him away and looked him over.

"You will write?" He nodded. She hugged him again quickly and returned to her chair still sniffling. Charlie moved to his father's chair and squatted down at the side. He took his father's hand in his and placed his other hand on his dad's shoulder.

"I am so glad you are ok. I don't know what we'd do without you. Who else would want the plugs we find?" Charlie chuckled through a small sob and his dad wiped a tear out of the corner of his eye.

"You're a good boy Charlie. Work hard and know we love you. Be safe son." He gave Charlie's hand a squeeze.

"You too Dad." Charlie stood up and hugged him and gave his mother's shoulder a tender squeeze. "I am going to say the rest of my good byes. Please just rest, I will owl you as soon as I get there." His parents both nodded and Charlie was stunned for the second time that day at how well everyone was taking the news of his leaving.

He found the twins, Ron and Harry in a first floor bedroom and said a quick farewell and went to find Ginny. She was just going up the stairs.

"Hey Gin!" She stopped and turned toward him with a warm glance.

"Charlie!"

"It's time for me to go play with my dragons." He told her as her face fell.

"Now? But it's been so much fun having you here!" She pouted.

"I know. It's been great being with everyone. But I need you to do something for me."

Her eyes glimmered back to life. "What's that?"

"I want you to make sure that Hermione has some fun."

Ginny clapped her hands excitedly. "That, dear brother, would be a pleasure!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him warmly. "Take care of yourself."

"You too Gin." Ginny released him and headed back up the stairs.

"She's in our room." Ginny called over her shoulder. Charlie chuckled. His family really did know him pretty well.

He walked to Hermione's room and lightly rapped on the door. There was no answer so he opened the door and peeked in. She was sitting by the window with her knees drawn up to her chest and her foot was tapping rhythmically.

"Hermione." He called to her, but she didn't respond. Her head turned slightly and he could see something white stringing up through her curly hair toward her ear. That at least explained why she hadn't heard him. He sidled up behind her with a half smile on his lips. She had no idea he was there. Charlie reached out and ran his hand lightly down her arm, exploding in laughter when she jumped and nearly fell into his arms out of the window sill. She looked at him with shock as he continued to chuckle.

Hermione reached up and pulled the white ear buds out of her ears allowing a faint beat to fill the room.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were talking to your parents."

"What's that?" Charlie asked pointing at the earpieces dangling from her hand. They looked like smaller, whiter versions of the extendable ears. "Are you spying on someone?" He asked with his eyebrow raised.

"It's a muggle musical device." Hermione answered as she raised one of the earpieces to his ear. An explosion of sound filled his ear. He pulled away shocked at first and then put his hand over hers to return it to his ear. Muggles were tricky if not magical. This was fairly cool.

"What song is this?" He spoke lowly, his chest rumbling.

Hermione looked at him hesitantly before deciding to explain. "It's one of my parents favorite songs. It's by a band called Foreigner and it's called Waiting For A Girl Like You. They used to always tell me that they were waiting for a girl like me." Charlie thought he could completely understand that. He felt he had been waiting too.

They were standing very close in order to share the earpieces. The song was thumping with the bass in their ears, but it was nothing to match the pounding of their hearts. Charlie snaked his arms around her waist drawing her close to him. She raised her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Slowly they began to rock in time to the music.

Charlie could feel the vibration of Hermione singing quietly along with the song. Her voice was melodic and hypnotizing. He closed his eyes and let their bodies sway as he listened to her and lost himself in the moment. He breathed in the smell of her hair and basked in the softness of her hands against his neck. He felt the pulse of her warm breath as she continued to sing softly. He wanted to cement the memory in his mind so he could use it to help him survive the next several months. He smiled gently as he realized Matlida was not the only one he enjoyed waltzing with. The song ended and Hermione sighed happily in his arms.

"That was lovely." Hermione was thinking about how she used to watch her parents dance to this song in their living room.

"Just like you." Charlie murmured.

"Oh Charlie. You are great for my ego." Hermione bantered playfully as she pulled the ear buds out and wrapped them around her discman. He loosened his hold on her, but did not let go. She placed it on the window sill and snuggled back into him.

"I'm serious. You are a captivating witch." He rested his forehead against hers. "I will miss you, you know that right."

"Yes." She whispered, afraid to trust her voice. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to send him off with a smile. She could cry later.

"Tell me that you will miss me too."

"Charlie," she spoke very softly and he had to lean closer to hear her, "You will be in my thoughts everyday."

"And this is not goodbye, right?"

She nodded again and he hugged her tightly. He kissed her forehead and she smiled at him as he left the room. The door clicked shut softly as she silently slid to the floor under the window and let the tears come.

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Author's Note: #1—Thanks to Twinsie for the term "manly gossip." Her

reviews are always refreshingly full of entertaining

phraseology.

#2—The Foreigner Song is not mine. It is real and it is

wonderful. Thanks to Enthralled, Bobsmith145, and

Bearlythere for helping me select it. Also Mandi1 for her

suggestion.

#3—Thanks to jenneliza for doing a test read.