Games Are Afoot Chapter 16
Safety
DISCLAIMER: The wonderful world of Harry Potter belongs to JKR, I am merely visiting.
Charlie and Hermione landed at the gate to the drive that led up to The Burrow. No matter how many times she had come, it always made her heart quicken. This was a place of joy and she had many happy memories here. As always, Charlie made sure that she was steady on her feet before he released her. They walked side by side up the drive, enjoying the companionable silence. Just before they reached the yard, Charlie stopped her.
"There are extra wards up right now, Hermione. What with the attack on Dad and Mom being here by herself at times, we needed some extra protection."
"That makes sense, Charlie. What do I need to do?"
"I need to go in first and put this stuff down, then I will come back and get you. Keep your wand out and your eyes open."
Charlie picked up the bags and walked forward. The most amazing light held him for a moment, blazing brilliantly in the slightly overcast morning. After the moment passed, he was released and quickly walked the remaining distance to the house. Soon he returned and the same curious light held him momentarily before he joined her again.
Charlie laughed at the open curiosity burning in her eyes. "I will explain it to you after we get you inside," he chuckled merrily. He knew seeing it beforehand would make the experience more fun for her.
"I'm ready." She announced eagerly.
"Okay, I need you to hold on to me as if we were going to apparate, but I promise this won't feel unpleasant or disorienting."
Hermione moved into his waiting arms as he led her gently towards the wards. He was walking backwards, holding her close, but not tightly so she could see what was happening. She could tell immediately when they reached the boundary as she was filled with an immense warmth. She had the sensation that she was floating and then suddenly, they were on the other side and Charlie let go of her.
"That was an amazing feeling! What was that?" Hermione exclaimed in wonder.
Charlie laughed. "That is a charm invented by my dear mother. She always was a fair hand at love potions, so she adapted it so that anyone brought through with good feelings would feel loved and protected. Anyone that comes through with hard feelings or bad intentions will feel a little singed as they are chucked unceremoniously back out the other side."
Hermione laughed with him. "That is very Molly-esque."
"I would have to agree with you there. Mum always likes people to feel welcome in her home. And with all the time she has spent with Mrs. Black the last few months, well, she wanted things to feel a little warmer at the Burrow."
Hermione burst out laughing at the comparison. Charlie thought her laugh was one of the most joyful things he had ever heard. He held the door for her as she walked through into the kitchen. He heard her let out a contented sigh.
"Anything you care to share?" He asked teasingly.
"OH!" She said startled. She hadn't realized her sigh was so loud. "It's just that I love it here. I love the feeling here."
"I would have to completely agree with you. Shall we get you settled into Ginny's room?"
"Does that mean we are staying here tonight?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, Bill and I will trade off being here with you and helping Mum out with Dad. It isn't safe yet to go elsewhere." Charlie said looking her in the eyes to convey more than what his words said.
"I don't need a babysitter, if your mum needs you, go. I can read or study or whatever." She challenged.
"Hermione, I am happy to be here with you. I promised your Dad I would watch out for you so you don't honestly think I would leave you alone do you?" Charlie asked her, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"So, basically what you're telling me," she drawled with a smirk worthy of a Slytherin, "Is that I'm stuck with you."
"Now you've got it!" Charlie cheered and gave her a high five.
She laughed easily with him. They made their way up the stairs to Ginny's room and put her bags down. Charlie reached into the pocket of his robes and pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper and string.
"What's that?" Hermione asked curiously, moving over to get a better look.
"Open it." Charlie answered cryptically handing her the package.
She sat on the camp bed and he sat next to her leaning back on his hand. She neatly opened it and gasped when she saw what it was.
"Charlie! It's a picture!"
"I know."
"It's an Antipodean Opal Eye!"
"I know!"
"It's gorgeous!"
"I know!"
At this point she playfully punched him. "Do you know everything?"
He raised his eyebrows at her comment. "I guess you're rubbing off on me…" He dodged as she tried to punch him again causing him to fall off the end of the bed.
"It's for your dad for Christmas." He reminded her.
"Wow, Charlie. It turned out better than I imagined it could. But, how will I get it to him? I still have Mum's gift too. I should have given it to them when I saw them, but I, well I…" She drifted off fighting the tears that were instantly invading her eyes.
"You were a little busy. If you want to write a letter to go with them, I will have Bill send them for you from Diagon Alley when he's at work tomorrow. I'm not sure Errol will make it." Charlie chuckled lightening the mood in the room. "Your Dad gave me the name of the place where they are staying. I will give you a few minutes to unpack and write your letter."
Hermione turned to look at him, "Thanks Charlie. For everything."
He nodded as he closed the door. She could hear his firm step as he went up the stairs. A few minutes later, she heard the shower turn on. She smiled as she dug out a quill and some parchment from the middle drawer of Ginny's desk. When she finished her letter, she went down to the kitchen with the two packages and the letter for her parents. She wanted to see if Charlie could help her transfigure some parchment into wrapping paper since she couldn't do the magic herself outside of school.
He wasn't in the kitchen so she set the gifts and letter on the table and kept looking. "Hey Char—" She called as she got to the lounge. She stopped when she caught sight of him. He was sprawled on the couch with one leg bent at the knee with his foot resting on the floor. The other leg was extended and slightly elevated on the arm rest. His head was on the opposite arm rest and his mouth was open just slightly as he gently snored. He had his hands resting lightly on his stomach in such a way that his shirt had ridden up. She stood there staring at him. Charlie could even make sleeping look gorgeous. She was about to leave the room when a loud pop caused them both to jump. Charlie was on his feet with his wand out immediately.
"What was that!" He yelled trying to shake off the sleepiness.
"It's okay Charlie," Hermione soothed, "It's a letter and a feather. Looks like it might be from Fawkes." She finished as she pointed toward the table near the fireplace.
Charlie looked at her and then the letter and then back at her before everything started to register. He lowered his wand looking a little sheepish. "Sorry, Hermione, between this upcoming war and the dragons I am around, I am a hex now ask questions later kind of guy."
She laughed. "Is it safe for me to move yet?" She asked with a grin. He nodded and she retrieved the parchment. "It's for you." She said and walked toward him with it. He took it and read it silently before handing it back. She quickly read it.
Charlie,
Dad is going to be fine. Kids are safe. Dumbledore's worried about Harry. Bill will join you after dinner tonight and you can bring Hermione around tomorrow evening at six. See you at St. Mungo's later.
Love, Mum
"Oh Charlie, I am so glad he's going to be okay." Hermione looked to Charlie who had slumped into the chair with his head in his hands. "He's okay, Charlie. He's okay." Charlie did not look up.
Hermione could see how taut his shoulders were and wondered if he was trying to hold his emotions in so she wouldn't see him lose control. She walked over and laid her hand on his shoulder. "I'll give you a few minutes. I'll just be upstairs." He nodded and she went up to take a shower.
The hot water cascaded down her back loosening the tension she had been feeling ever since Professor McGonagall had woken her up. She realized that they were both probably exhausted after the last twenty-four hours. Once the adrenaline left she knew she was going to crash and hard. She could feel the weight of her muscles grow heavy as she finally let herself relax, idly wondering if she would make it back to Ginny's room before she fell asleep. The water turned cool so she finished up and got out of the shower.
"Oh merlin, I forgot my clean clothes!" She muttered to herself. She wrapped the towel tightly around herself and then gathered up her dirty clothes and her courage to walk down the stairs towards Ginny's room. She hoped Charlie was still in the lounge. Just as she made it to the door she heard a throat clear.
"Ahem. Good look for you."
She kept walking into the room without turning or acknowledging the comment. Her face was a brilliant red and it made her whole body feel hot with embarrassment. She shut the door and leaned against it. She could hear him chuckling. How would she ever be able to look at him again? If she could use magic outside of school she could have summoned some clothes or apparated to the bedroom, but no, she was underage and mortified. Hermione pulled on her jeans and an old comfortable sweatshirt and then sat on the bed. She knew she should go back out of the room, but she was nervous. A knock sounded on the door.
"Hermione?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. We do it to Ginny all the time."
"Poor Ginny."
"Yeah, she's got six oafs for brothers. Please come out."
"I'll be down in a minute."
"Okay, I'll be in the kitchen."
She forced herself to wait two full minutes before joining him so she wouldn't look too eager. When she got downstairs, Charlie had two cups of hot cocoa waiting and a friendly smile to go with them. Her feelings of discomfort eased and soon they were laughing and talking like normal.
"…and then the other keeper opened his eyes and realizes that that Matilda is two inches from his face staring right at him. He didn't know what else to do and yelled 'BOO!' and apparated before she knew what happened." Laughter erupted again.
"Charlie, you have to stop. My stomach hurts so bad I can't breathe." Hermione gasped.
"Okay, it's your turn anyway." Charlie said as he sipped his hot chocolate.
"Well," she began, "Have you ever met Hagrid's little friend fluffy?"
"Fluffy? Knowing Hagrid, it most likely isn't a kitten."
"No, Fluffy is a three-headed giant of a dog. And he drools…a lot." Hermione chirped.
"And just how did you meet Fluffy?" Charlie asked.
"Harry, Ron, and I suspected Professor Snape was trying to steal the Sorcerer's Stone—"
"Snape? But he's on our side." Charlie interrupted.
"I know that NOW, but back then we were first years and Snape had this thing against Harry. He was always extra mean and ornery whenever Harry was there. So we were following him one night…"
"After hours, I assume…"
"Yes, yes, after hours. Anyway, we heard Filch coming so we tried to duck into a room but the door was locked and Filch was still coming, so I Alohomora'd it and we went in quickly and shut the door. There was this harp thing playing softly so I turned around."
"And…"
"And there was Fluffy, snoring out of all three mouths which were showcasing impressive sets of teeth. Ron hadn't noticed yet and backed up when this huge gob of slobber dripped onto his head and shoulder…hahahahaha….the look on his face when he realized where it came from….hahahahahahha." Hermione trailed off.
Charlie was laughing now too. "I can imagine the fear in his eyes. He probably whimpered too didn't he?" Hermione nodded. "I always felt bad for Ron. The twins tortured him with things to just create that look on his face. It was their favorite of all his expressions."
"Well, it was good practice for being friends with Harry then wasn't it?" Hermione suggested. "He has become very brave." Her mood sobered. "Later that night, one of the protective spells included a live version of wizard's chess. He sacrificed himself so Harry could get across."
Charlie looked at her with surprise. "He beat the live game? I knew he had been hurt, but didn't really get all the details of what actually happened."
"Yeah, he got us through that one. Good thing for us he was so good at chess. I don't think I could sacrificed myself like that. He didn't even think twice. He was a knight and by sacrificing himself to the queen, we would have checkmate. I really respected him after that. He always annoyed me before." Hermione said.
"He's still annoying." Charlie chuckled, "But no doubt, he's brave and loyal. I guess the sorting hat put him in the right house after all."
Hermione threw a marshmellow at him. "So, tell me how you ended up in Romania and not off somewhere playing Quidditch and being followed around by witches screaming your name and wanting to marry you."
"Despite the fact that I am a dream come true," Charlie deadpanned making Hermione giggle, "I really hate the spotlight. I'm more of a behind-the-scenes sort. I loved the glory that came with Quidditch at school, but I wasn't sure I wanted a life without privacy. Care of Magical Creatures and Transfiguration were my favorite classes though I was a fair hand at potions too. I would help Hagrid out in the Forbidden Forest during my freetime. He introduced me to so many new interesting things and I just felt connected to magical creatures. From the time I was little, my favorite stories were about dragons. So, when Professor McGonagall started the career counseling with me, I looked into working for the ministry in the Department for the Regualtion and Control of Magical Creatures, but I didn't feel like I could do much good there without having experienced anything out in the real world. One day one of my dorm mates came in with this brochure about dragon keeping. I stole it and read it over and over. It was like once I read that, there was no other choice. Mum wasn't too happy about the idea at first."
"I bet not." Hermione nearly snorted. "Sorry, she just likes her family around. She's a bit protective…" she finished lamely.
"A bit." Charlie said. "Well, I finally just decided that I was going no matter what. Dad told me it was my life and I had to live it. Bill told me how much fun he had living abroad and I figured I'm young so why not go for it? Mum didn't write me for two weeks. She eventually came around. They came to visit a couple of summers ago and she really enjoyed it."
"What's it like? The reserve, I mean?" Hermione asked, leaning forward resting her chin on one of her fists.
"It's beautiful. We are in the mountains so it's lush and green. There's a huge valley where the camp is. We have a hatchery for newborns, medical facilities for injured ones, and there is room for them to fly and live somewhat normally. We fly patrols and my favorite time is in the evening. I just fly over and make sure everything is secure for the night. We also train them as much as possible, but they are fiercely independent and we don't want them to lose that. They are magnificent." Charlie said wistfully.
"Sounds like you miss them." Hermione offered gently.
"Oh yeah, I do, but family is way more important. The dragons will still be there when I get back. I think that's enough stories for one afternoon. It'll be getting dark soon and we need to figure out some dinner." Charlie said as he got up to see what was available. He hummed to himself while he searched. After a few minutes Hermione shifted her chair noisily across the floor.
"Charlie, would you do something for me if I asked you to?" She asked shyly.
"What was that?" Charlie asked looking back at her from the cupboard he was searching.
"I said," Hermione repeated, "would you do something for me if I asked you to?"
"If it was in my power to, of course." Charlie answered curiously. "What do you need?"
"It's not so much of a need as sort of a want." Hermione answered looking down.
"Okay…what is it you want then?" Charlie asked getting more curious by the minute.
"Willyoutakemeforarideonyourbroom?" Hermione blurted out, her face turning red.
"Slow down, Princess, I didn't catch that." Charlie said moving in front of her and placing his hands on her shoulders.
She looked up, but not at him. "I wondered if you would….take me for a ride…on your broom." She stammered, finally looking him in the eye.
Charlie just stared at her. "You want to…with me….on my….really?"
Hermione nodded. Charlie looked deep into her eyes, "You're sure? There's no backing out once we're in the air."
"I'm sure."
Charlie's face broke into a huge smile. He hugged her and swung her around the kitchen. "Go get your cloak, I think I have some extra gloves, you're really sure?" She nodded and they both went to get warm things on. They met back up in the kitchen.
"Do you have your wand with you?" He asked.
"Yes, of course, why?"
"We will be outside of the wards in the air, so I just want to make sure we are protected." He led her outside by the hand. They passed through the wards again and then continued to the broom shed. Charlie picked out one of the older, but longer brooms. He could see apprehension in Hermione's eyes, but also utter determination. He acted as though he was very pleased she had suggested it.
He laid the broom on the ground on Hermione's right side. "Okay, you call it up." He said with a playful shrug. Hermione shook her head no. "Come on, you can do it. You're a fifth year. You can do anything." He teased.
Hermione held her slightly shaking hand over the broom and looked toward Charlie.
He nodded encouragingly and said, "Just sound confident. You can do it."
She looked at the broom and then back to Charlie. Without looking away she said, "Up."
The broom smacked the palm of her hand. She laughed gleefully. "I did it! I did it!"
"You sure did!" Charlie laughed with her as he moved around behind her. He slid on the back of the broom and patted the spot in front of him.
"Wouldn't it be easier if I sat behind you?" She asked timidly.
"You can't steer from the back." He said matter-of-factly.
"Steer?" Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Steer? I said ride, not drive!"
"I will be right behind you. Don't worry. Look at how well the broom listened to you. Come on, Mi, trust me." Charlie implored.
"Mi? You just called me Mi." Hermione said distractedly.
"It will be easier to give you quicker instructions that way."
"Right."
"Come on Mi, let's go!" She hesitantly climbed on in front of him. He reached around and showed her how to place her hands so that she would have control and kept his hands lightly on top of hers.
"Pull up the front gently." Charlie suggested.
Hermione pulled up ever so slightly and the broom rose about three feet in the air so her feet were no longer on the ground. They were hovering there.
"Okay, Mi, that was a good start, but if we are actually going to go anywhere you need to pull up just a bit more and lean forward."
Hermione tried to be gentle. She really did, but as she pulled up she slid back a little right into Charlie's broad chest. Reflex caused her to pull up drastically to catch herself and they shot into the air like a cannon. She could her Charlie laugh deeply and loudly behind her as the air whipped passed her face causing her eyes to tear from the cold. Charlie gently and firmly pushed the top of the broom more horizontally so they leveled out. Hermione's eyes were squeezed tightly shut.
"I'm so sorry." She said shakily.
"I'm not. That was bloody fun! Look!"
Hermione shook her head.
"Come on Mi," he whispered in her ear. "Look around. I won't let go, I promise." He wrapped his arms securely around her and scooted up right behind her. His hands still held hers on the front of the broom so he was now slightly leaning over her. She hesitantly opened her eyes. He heard her sharp intake of breath as she looked around.
"Oh Char—"
"Gorgeous isn't it?" He interrupted her.
She nodded. She looked out over the treetops. They were higher than the attic of the Burrow. She could see the church steeple over the rise in Ottery St. Catchpole. The pond on the east side of the house shimmered in its half frozen state. There was an icy layer covering most of the trees and shrubs that glistened in the wake of the setting sun.
"It's breathtaking." She murmured.
He let his gaze sweep across the view in front of them. He nudged the broom forward slowly and they flew around towards the hills first and then past the pond and around the small grove of trees and back toward the house. Each turn created a new vision with the way the fading light would strike it. The pond turned blue and brown and green and red depending on which direction they were facing. The smoke tendrils rising from the chimney looked as if they were dancing seductively into the sky. Lights from the town popped on creating the image of fairy lights.
There was no need for words. Hermione felt safe and warm up here with Charlie. She forgot she was on a broom. She forgot she was fifty feet in the air. She forgot she was afraid to fly. She was mesmerized by the beauty surrounding her. It seemed like only a moment stolen from time. All too soon Charlie was landing them gracefully next to the broom shed.
She looked at him after he put the broom away and again there were no words. He offered her his arm and they walked back to the house. They went hand in hand through the wards and the light seemed even more brilliant in the dusk. As they entered the house Charlie turned her to him and pulled her in for a hug. She hugged him back tightly.
"Thank you." He said simply.
"Your welcome." She whispered.
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Charlie's POV
'I am hungry,' Charlie thought to himself as he looked through a cupboard to see what his mum had that he could turn into dinner for Hermione and himself. I was humming a generic tune when I heard her chair scrape the floor as if she were getting up.
"Charlie, would you do something for me if I asked you to?" Her voice rang out.
"What was that?" I asked looking at her over my shoulder. I wasn't sure I heard her right. Her voice was quiet and almost shy. We had been having such a good time visiting all afternoon I couldn't imagine what would make her tone shift to one of bashfulness.
"I said," Hermione repeated, "would you do something for me if I asked you to?" So I did hear her correctly. I was extremely curious what favor she wanted and eager to please her.
"If it was in my power to, of course." I answered. "What do you need?" She immediately looked down. I tried to think if I had said anything embarrassing recently. Nope. Not since the towel incident. 'Oh, I wonder if that is still bothering her.' I thought to myself with worry.
"It's not so much of a need as sort of a want." Her face, what I could see of it, was a lovely shade of pink that gave her a glow in the candlelight. It was nearing twilight and the candles automatically lit.
"Okay…what is it you want then?" I asked turning to face her directly now. I was stumped over what this could possibly be about.
"Willyoutakemeforarideonyourbroom?" Hermione blurted out, her face turning red.
I was so engrossed in my own confusion, I entirely missed what she said. She said it so fast and acted like it was painful for her. I put my hands on her shoulders willing her to look up at me and tell me what she wanted.
"Slow down, Princess, I didn't catch that." 'Stupid! I can't believe I just called her Princess. How cheesy!' I was kicking myself mentally.
She looked up, but not at me. Was I really that intimidating to her?
"I wondered if you would….take me for a ride…on your broom." She stammered, finally looking me in the eye.
I just stared at her. One of my greatest hearts desires was to share a broom ride with someone special. I had wanted to have this experience for years. And now, well, we had written about it, but the fact she remembered. I mean she was afraid of flying.
"You want to…with me….on my….really?"
She nodded even though I sounded like a stuttering fool who couldn't complete a thought. I stared into her lovely chocolate brown eyes. The look she gave me back was so full of, I don't know, but it was definitely aimed at me.
"You're sure? There's no backing out once we're in the air." I was trying to give her every opportunity to make sure this was what she wanted. I couldn't imagine what would prompt her to make me such an offer. I was thrilled beyond belief, but I was worried about her motivation.
"I'm sure."
I couldn't help the smile that permeated my entire being. My mum always called it mygolden galleon smile. She always called it that because it was rare and valuable to her. I grabbed her in a hug and swung her around the kitchen. I was sure she had no idea just how happy she had made me. I couldn't wait to get started.
"Go get your cloak, I think I have some extra gloves, you're really sure?" I kept checking. She nodded and we both went to get warm things on. I made sure I found an extra pair of gloves so her hands wouldn't freeze to the broomstick. She came back to the kitchen getting there just after I did.
"Do you have your wand with you?" I asked her gently, not wanting to scare her into changing her mind.
"Yes, of course, why?"
"We will be outside of the wards in the air, so I just want to make sure we are protected." I led her outside by the hand which felt so natural in mine. We passed through the wards again enjoying the warmth and feelings of love. She smiled a sly little smile and then we continued to the broom shed. I picked out one of the older, but longer brooms so it would be comfortable for her and so I wouldn't squish her. I the nervousness in Hermione's eyes, but also her utter determination. She was my little Gryffindor.
I laid the broom on the ground on Hermione's right side. "Okay, you call it up." I said chuckling at the look of terror that crossed her face and creased her brow. Hermione shook her head no. "Come on, you can do it. You're a fifth year. You can do anything." I teased.
Hermione held her slightly shaking hand over the broom and looked at me with such intensity I felt captured by her gaze.
I nodded to her and said, "Just sound confident. You can do it." I was silently willing the broom to respond to her. I wanted her to succeed. If she was giving me this gift, maybe I could give her the gift of conquering her fear.
She looked at the broom and then back to me. She didn't break eye contact and neither did I. She said, "Up."
The broom smacked the palm of her hand. She laughed gleefully. "I did it! I did it!" She shouted. I was so thrilled. Success!
"You sure did!" I laughed with her and moved around behind her. I slid on the back of the broom and patted the spot in front of me indicating that she should climb on.
"Wouldn't it be easier if I sat behind you?" She asked timidly.
"You can't steer from the back." I said matter-of-factly.
"Steer?" Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Steer? I said ride, not drive!"
"I will be right behind you. Don't worry. Look at how well the broom listened to you. Come on, Mi, trust me." I begged her. I wanted to be behind her so she would feel safe. I could make sure she was secure and help her if she were in front. I desperately wanted this to be a great experience for her. I knew how much trust this was costing her.
"Mi? You just called me Mi." Hermione said distractedly.
"It will be easier to give you quicker instructions that way." I chuckled realizing I had indeed just unconsciously given her a nickname.
"Right."
"Come on Mi, let's go!" I enunciated the nickname just for effect. She hesitantly climbed on in front of me so I reached around and showed her how to place her hands so that she would have control and simultaneously kept my hands lightly on top of hers. I could feel the heat from her body and hands emanating through her cloak and gloves. I could feel her slightly trembling.
"Pull up the front gently." I suggested as I realized she really didn't know how to proceed..
Hermione pulled up ever so slightly and the broom rose about three feet in the air so her feet were no longer on the ground. We were hovering there. I knew this was a major accomplishment for her, but hardly what I had in mind for a broom ride.
"Okay, Mi, that was a good start, but if we are actually going to go anywhere you need to pull up just a bit more and lean forward." I softly encouraged her.
Hermione tried to be gentle. She really did, but as she pulled up she slid back a little right into my chest. I could tell sliding back just that infinitesimal amount terrified her and she reflexively leaned into me, but her hands were still firmly clasping the broom's handle which jerked it upward causing us to shoot into the air rapidly. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the burst of speed and adrenaline that coursed through my body. Having her right in my arms wasn't hurting anything either. The air whipped past our faces and through our hair. I could tell she was tense so I slowed our vertical climb by gently and firmly pushing the top of the broom more horizontally so we leveled out and slowed down.
"I'm so sorry." She said shakily.
"I'm not. That was bloody fun! Look!" I whispered confidently in her ear.
Hermione shook her head. It was then I realized her eyes were firmly shut.
"Come on Mi," I whispered again in her ear. "Look around. I won't let go, I promise." I wrapped my arms securely around her and scooted up right behind her. I wanted her to know that she was safe with me. My hands still held hers on the front of the broom so I was now slightly leaning over her. I could feel her trembling and tried to use my firm grip to quell her fear. I could tell the minute she opened her eyes because I heard her sharp intake of breath as she looked around.
"Oh Char—"
"Gorgeous isn't it?" I interrupted her. She could call me Char any day. I didn't want her to tell me she was ready for it to be over. I wanted her to see what I saw.
She nodded. She looked out over the treetops. We were higher than the attic of the Burrow. We could see the church steeple over the rise in Ottery St. Catchpole. The pond on the east side of the house shimmered in its half frozen state. There was an icy layer covering most of the trees and shrubs that glistened in the wake of the setting sun.
"It's breathtaking." She murmured, her voice was so low it vibrated through her back into my chest.
I let my eyes sweep the scene before us. I nudged the broom forward slowly so she wouldn't feel afraid and flew us around towards the hills first and then past the pond and around the small grove of trees and back toward the house. Each turn created a new vision with the way the fading light would strike it. The pond turned blue and brown and green and red depending on which direction they were facing. The smoke tendrils rising from the chimney looked as if they were dancing seductively into the sky. Lights from the town popped on creating the image of fairy lights.
This was one of the happiest moments of my life. I felt her relax into me and her shaking stopped. There was no need for words. It seemed like only a moment, but the sun was just about completely set by the time I touched us back down next to the broom shed.
She looked at me with wonder in her eyes when I returned from putting the broom away. I wanted to remember that look forever. Her hair was wind blown and her cheeks rosy from the cold air. Her eyes were alive with excitement. I offered her my arm and we walked back to the house. I reached down and took her by the hand to walk through the wards relishing the feeling of having her by my side. As we entered the house, I couldn't contain my happiness any longer and I pulled her to me in a rush of emotion. She hugged me back tightly and we lingered in the moment.
"Thank you." I said into her hair that smelled like strawberries in summer.
"Your welcome." She whispered back to me.