Chapter 2
Sunday, June 13, 1999
They reappeared just outside the orchard, facing the house. It was a short walk up to the house, though neither minded. The hustle and bustle of Sunday dinners didn't appeal to them. After the afternoon's events, they could both use some time to get their thoughts in order before facing the large group.
Charlie nudged her with his elbow and nodded to the house. They walked in quite for a moment before he broke the silence.
"Can I ask you a question?" She looked at him suspiciously and he held up his hands. "An innocent one, I promise." She eyed him for a moment before nodding.
"What's your favorite color?"
Hermione's head jerked up in surprise. She hadn't expected that question. He waited patiently for her response as they neared the garden.
"I suppose it would be blue."
"Hm. Mine's red. Not like my hair." He laughed. "More like a ruby."
"Oh."
"What about food? What's your favorite thing to eat?" Charlie asked as he turned, walking backwards in front of her with his hands in the pockets of his deep blue leather jacket.
"Salad."
Charlie chuckled and shook his head, walking beside her again. "Come on, 'Mione. Every female ever says they like salads when really they prefer anything but."
"I like chips." She admitted quietly.
"Ooh, chips are good! You know what's better though? Mici." He smirked knowing she didn't know what it was, and she would need to ask. He was hoping by talking about simple things, she might open up more.
"What's mici?"
His heart nearly broke at how meek she sounded, like a child who was afraid of being in trouble. It was strange in comparison to how fiery she used to be.
"Mici is a common dish in Romania. It's basically grilled bangers, just made differently. We make them once a month at the reserve when we have a barbecue. It's quite an event. We spend the evening around a bonfire letting off steam. Most people use it as an excuse to get smashed but it's still a good time."
"It sounds nice." Hermione murmured.
"You'll have to come by sometime then. You'd like the reserve." He glanced at her before continuing. "How about we speed this up a bit? I'll just ask your favorite item and you answer as quickly as you can."
"Okay."
"Flower?"
"French Marigold."
"Subject?"
"Arithmancy."
"Book?"
"Hogwarts, A History."
"Animal?"
"Otter."
"Scent?"
"Pine."
"Weasley?"
"Nice try." Hermione said dryly, producing a boisterous laugh from Charlie. She could help the small smile that crossed her face as he laughed. When he caught her smile, he grinned a cheesy grin at her.
All too soon, it was over as they reached the door to the Burrow. He raised an eyebrow at her, as if asking her permission to open the door. Before she nodded, Charlie watched as she slammed the walls of her mind shut. He sighed but opened the door, motioning for her to step inside.
Molly was the first to see them.
"Hermione! I'm so glad you decided to come by, dear." She told her, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Thank you for having me, Molly."
"Oh, nonsense. You're family! You're always welcome. Now, you're looking a bit peaky so take a roll and have a seat with everyone else. Dinner will be just a few minutes." Molly told her, shoving a roll into her hand before turning to Charlie. "Thank you for fetching her, dear."
"Not a problem, mum." He told her, placing a kiss on her cheek before turning Hermione and following her into the dining room. There was a chorus of 'hellos' from everyone except Ron.
"Oi! How'd you manage to nick a bun?!" He asked her loudly as she and Charlie took the remaining two seats between Bill and Ginny. Bill, who was at Hermione's left, nodded to her as she sat down before continuing his conversation with Arthur who was at the head of the table.
"You can have it if you'd like." She told him softly. As he reached across the table for it, Charlie smacked his fork across Ron's knuckles with a glare. Ron's ears went red.
"What was that for, wanker?! She said I could have it."
"No. That's hers. Mum said dinner will be up shortly. You can wait." Ron made a rude gesture at Charlie before continuing his conversation with Harry. Charlie rolled his eyes before leaning his head down and murmuring to Hermione.
"You should eat. After...that, you need to."
"I'm not hungry." She told him shortly.
"If you don't eat, you'll faint and cause a fuss. If you want to avoid attention, you need to eat."
Hermione sighed but brought the roll up to her lips, taking a small bite. Charlie grinned before turning to talk to Ginny. Their short conversation went unnoticed by nearly everyone. Bill and Lavender exchanged looks of surprise before Bill shrugged and went back to his conversation with Arthur.
Soon, dinner was done, and everyone began eating. Only Charlie noticed how little Hermione ate. During the meal, he occasionally had to nudge her to remind her to eat more. Everyone but Hermione was involved in a conversation. Fleur was giving Lavender wedding advice while feeding Victoire. Ron, Harry, Charlie, and Ginny were discussing the current quidditch season. Fred and George were making plans for a new product and Katie, Angelina, and Molly were talking about Angelina's new pregnancy. She and George weren't married or even engaged yet, and Molly was desperate to change that before the baby came.
No one looked Hermione's way as she quietly excused herself from the table and made her way outside.
The dirt path that led up to the Burrow split off to the left. One path leading to the barn and small chicken coop out front; the other to the garage where Arthur kept his muggle things. Just in front of the house, the dirt path jutted left. This path led to the small garden on the side of the house, then to the large garden behind the house, before finally stopping at the orchard where Bill and Fleur had their wedding. It doubled as a quidditch pitch and was where Charlie had apparated them in. To the right of the house was a small lake that was often used for swimming in the hot summers. Just behind that, even with the house was a tall cornfield. That was where Hermione headed. The light breeze shuffled the corn back and forth, mimicking the sounds of the waves. She sat at the very edge of the cornfield, facing the lake, and allowed her eyes to slide shut. It was peacefully quiet, and Hermione could pretend she was home. Just as she began to doze off, she heard the crunching of footsteps and her eyes flew open. Almost of its own accord, her wand was out of its holster and pointed right at Lavender.
Lavender's eyes went wide, and she put her hands up in surrender.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to scare you." She apologized, lowering her hands as Hermione dropped her wand.
"That's alright, Lavender. Sorry. Old habits, you know." Hermione faked a smile as she put her wand back in her wrist holster. "Did you need something?" She asked as Lavender came closer and took a seat a few feet from her.
"I just wanted to see how you were and maybe ask a favor."
"What can I do for you?" Hermione asked, ignoring the first half.
"Well, we're making a lot of preparations for the wedding and it's only 5 months away. I've got two bridesmaids, Parvati and Ginny. I was going to ask you but seeing as we never were the greatest of friends, it would be a bit awkward. So, I was wondering if instead, you would be a groomsman. Or groomswoman, actually."
Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really?"
"Really. I know how close you and Ron are and he really wants you to be a part of the day. He just thought you'd be mad, so he was afraid to ask and told me to." Lavender admitted with a giggle as Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I supposed I'd have to get a dress?" Hermione guessed, pulling her knees up to her chest.
"Not if you don't want to. I don't care much what you decide to wear. The colors are Ron and my favorites: purple and orange. But it won't be obnoxious or anything. Fleur and Mrs. Weasley are really helping with it. The girls will be wearing orange dresses, and the boys will be in black suits. You could wear any of those colors you'd like. Even purple. Oh, I bet you'd look so good in purple."
"Thanks, Lavender." Hermione said quickly, standing up and moving towards the house.
"Wait!"" Lavender exclaimed, jumping up. Hermione hesitated before turning back towards her. "I also wanted to check in and see if you were okay."
"I'm fine."
"Well, it's just that you didn't eat much, and you seem a bit thin..." She trailed off.
"I'm fine, Lavender." Hermione said sharply, starting towards the house. Lavender followed.
"Okay, but it's just that I used to have some troubles at Hogwarts with food and- "
"I SAID I'M FINE!" Hermione yelled, rounding on her. Lavender recoiled at her sudden outburst.
"Okay. Alright. I'm sorry." Lavender apologized as Bill burst out the front door, Charlie behind him.
"Everything alright?" Bill wondered, looking between the girls.
"It's fine." Hermione snapped. "I told you this would happen" She said, pointing at Charlie.
"What do you mean? What's wrong?" Bill asked.
"Nothing, Bill. I pushed her and I shouldn't have. It was my mistake." Lavender admitted.
No one said anything as Hermione stood there shaking her head. A minute later, Harry poked his head out the door and upon seeing the tense situation, he stepped outside.
"What's going on?" He asked, looking at everyone else. "Hermione, you okay?"
At his last words, Hermione began furiously twisting the ring Charlie had given her and he acted immediately.
"Why don't we all just go inside and give her a minute to cool off?" He said ushering everyone else inside. "We'll be inside in just a bit." Just as he shut the door, Hermione began hyperventilating, bringing her hands up to her chest. Charlie caught her as she slid to the ground and carried her to the gardens where no one would hear her. After he set her down, she began trying to talk.
"Should've l-let me d-die." She told him between gasps.
His heart contracted painfully, and he gently took her face in his hands.
"Hermione. Take deep breaths. It's okay. Shhh." But her breathing refused to settle even with his soothing voice.
"Shite." He cursed. "Okay. We're gonna play the Favorites game. I'm gonna ask your favorite thing and you're gonna answer. Color?"
Hermione was still breathing heavy and tears began rolling down her face.
"Hermione, color?" He asked sternly.
"B-blue."
"Brilliant. Food?"
"Chips."
"Flower?"
"French M-marigold." Her breathing was finally slowing, and Charlie felt a surge of pride.
"Subject?"
"Arithmancy."
"Book?"
"Hogwarts, A History."
"Animal?"
"Otter."
"Scent?"
"Pine."
"Weasley?"
"Nice try." She finally took a deep breath and he let go of her face, pulling her into a hug.
"You did brilliantly, 'Mione. You're so strong." He told her repeatedly, as he squeezed her and gently rocked back and forth. They stayed like that until Bill's Patronus appeared beside them. The falcon flew around their heads as it spoke.
'Time for pudding and tea. Mum's about to come looking for you.'
"We best get back then." Charlie told her, standing and pulling her up with him. "Look, Hermione, I'll be honest. I'm not comfortable with you being home alone. I'd like for you to stay here where everyone can keep an eye on you."
"I just want to be alone, Charlie."
"And I just want you alive, Hermione."
"Why?" He stilled, shocked at her question.
"Because you're family. We all love you." She continued walking as she chuckled darkly at his statement.
"Come off it, Charlie. You hardly know me. We've spoken maybe a dozen times. You could just as easily move on with your life just like everyone else without me here." He pulled her to a stop before responding.
"Did it ever occur to you that it might be because I'm lonely. You realize that you and I are the only ones left, right? It's not just you. I'm hurting, too and I see no reason why we shouldn't both stick around and at least try to help each other get through it instead of trying to kill ourselves."
Hermione was speechless as he left her standing there while he went inside. She replayed their conversation in her head before sighing and admitting fault. She had assumed that he moved on as well. She shook her head and stepped inside the house to look for Charlie. She didn't have to look long as he was right inside the kitchen, pulling down a bottle of fire whiskey.
"You're right. I'm sorry." She whispered to him. He held up the bottle questioning her silently. When she nodded, he summoned two glasses and poured them both a healthy glass. He handed her one and cheered before downing his glass quickly, wincing at the heat. Hermione followed suit, sputtering when she finally managed to choke it all down.
"That's awful." She made a face, and wiped her lips causing him to laugh. Hermione watched as he threw his head back continuing to laugh. She had always thought he was handsome but seeing him up close was different. He had a barely there 5 o'clock shadow resting on his chiseled chin. His hair looked soft and was just long enough that she could run her fingers through it. She could tell the way his shirt moved that he had a hard chest under it. He finally sobered up and caught her staring.
"See something you like, Granger?" He asked with a wink. She blushed hard and averted her eyes as they joined the rest of the family in the sitting room. They took their seats on the floor, listening to Harry and Ron's latest Auror adventure. Occasionally, Charlie would send winks her way or a nudge here and there if only to coax a small smile from her. When she went to use the loo, Charlie was waiting for her outside the door when she finished holding a teacup in his hand.
"I believe this borders on stalking." She told him; her voice rougher now that the fire was coming back.
"You like it." He said, grinning. "I just wanted to give you this tea for your throat. It'll also help you sleep. She eyed him warily.
"You had a difficult day, 'Mione. Your body is recovering and extremely angry at you. You need to take a little extra care of yourself this week."
"Fine." She sighed, taking the cup from him and drinking it quickly. When the burning in her throat left again, she let out a relieved breath. "Thank you." She murmured.
"You're welcome." He grinned, cheekily. "Now let's head back."
He escorted her downstairs, and they took a vacated spot on the couch. Fred, George, Katie, and Angelina had left, and the talk soon turned to quidditch again. It wasn't long before Hermione dozed off, her head coming to rest on Charlie's shoulder.