Written for Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

SA #1 - American Magical History- Task #1- Write about a character acquainting themselves with a new/foreign culture.

Bonus Prompt- Charlie Weasley, crying

*Set in 1991

Charlie Weasley was wide awake. He had been awake since 4am, he couldn't sleep because he was excited but also nervous to leave for Romania. He hopped out of and made his way to the kitchen. He heard soft crying as he reached the kitchen. He saw his older brother and dad comforting his mother.

"I'm going to miss Charlie so much," Molly Weasley sobbed.

"Mum, I'll be fine," he assured his mum, bringing their attention to him.

The Weasley matriarch ran over to her second oldest and smothered him with a hug.

"Was this bad when I left last year?" Bill asked.

"She was twice as bad, you were her first baby leaving the nest," Arthur told his oldest son fondly.

Molly said. "Charlie, sweetie. Sit, I'll make you some breakfast before you leave."

"Mum, you don't need to make me breakfast. I can get something later."

Molly shook her head and started making breakfast. It was a great breakfast minus all of Molly's tears.

Charlie said goodbye to his family and accurately apparated to Romania instead of landing on top of a muggle woman doing her shopping.

He landed in an alley in Bucharest or was it Budapest he couldn't remember. He made his way to the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary he's been dreaming of working with dragons since he was a toddler.

"Hello, are you Charles Weasley, the new recruit?" a stocky man asked from the lookout tower.

"I go by Charlie, but 'yes' I am."

The man nodded and opened the gate. Charlie walked through the gate as the man stuck out his hand to shake but he went in for a hug instead which caught the man by surprise to say the least.

"Okay, right this way," he said getting himself situated again.

Charlie nodded and the man continued leading him through the reserve and it got more beautiful as they went. He stopped at a group of five men and one woman.

"Everybody this is Charles Weasley, he's our new recruit."

Each one of them came up to him and shook his hand. The woman walked up to him and he stuck out his hand.

She nervously took it and shook it then looked expectantly at him. He was confused so she just walked back to the group. The introductions continued.

The supervisor led him over to his cabin and he began unpacking. He unpacked a purple book with an embossed cover and dropped it onto his bed. He sat on his bed with his head in his hands. He's messed up big time.

"You alright, Charlie?"

He looked up to see the only woman dragon handler. She was a petite blonde witch with light green eyes. She reminded him so much of Blair it was uncanny. His heart ached. Why didn't he just admit he was pathetically in love with her? Because Percy was her best friend and he would accuse Charlie of 'stealing' her again.

'I'm Delia."

He looked up at her. "Sorry you just remind me of a friend of mine that I've messed up with."

Delia nodded. "Is that who gave you the book of Romanian customs?"

"Yes, she did. I was being a stubborn oaf and didn't read any of it and made a fool of myself."

Delia picked up the book, opened it and saw an inscription

My Charlie,

I know you won't even crack open a book unless it's about dragons. So, you probably won't even see this note. I'm proud of you and I'll miss you so much.

Your friend Yours,

Bee

"What are you looking at?"

Delia showed him the inscription and he frowned deeper.

"So, was this Blair more than a friend?"

Charlie sighed. "She obviously wrote that before I made her cry."

"You made her cry?"

Charlie nodded not pushing the subject. Sure, she didn't cry in front of him but Percy had told him after he had walked her home after his going away party.

Delia smiled. "How about I teach you all these so you don't make a fool of yourself anymore."

"You're a lifesaver."

Delia started teaching him the customs of Romania from the book. He was a quick learner.

"How do you greet a woman?" Delia asked.

Charlie took Delia's right hand and kissed it delicately. He rather be kissing Blair's hand and then some. Maybe he should use this on Blair the next time he sees her. She would probably think he's Prince Charming from a muggle fairy tale.

—

Over the next few months, Charlie got a hang of all the customs of Romania. It was Christmas and his parents and Ginny were visiting. After he had attended a friend of his wedding and had seen Blair.

"Charlie!" his little sister yelled running over to him.

He grinned and took her small hand in his and kissed it. She giggled.

"Hello dear, are you settling in just fine?" Molly asked as her and Arthur reached him.

"I am."

Before Molly or Arthur could greet their second oldest son, Delia walked over and the Weasleys immediately noticed her similarities to their long time neighbour. Molly had always sensed that Charlie fancied Blair, she hoped Charlie wasn't using this girl as a replacement.

"Mum, Dad, this is Delia. She taught me all the customs of Romania, since I made a fool of myself when I first got here."Charlie introduced her.

Delia smiled. "It was no problem but I had help from a book that his friend Blair gave him."

"So, you know about Blair?" Molly asked.

Delia nodded. "I know about her and how much I look like her."

Charlie began showing his parents and sister around. Ginny really enjoyed seeing the reserve.

"I'm glad you're settling in, Charlie," Molly smiled as they sat in the cafeteria eating.

"I am but this food isn't as good as yours."

Molly smiled and patted her son's hand. "So, Blair gave you that book?"

"She did. She's always been so thoughtful despite the way we originally left things in July."

"What happened?"

Charlie began to explain how he messed up with Blair except the kiss.