For the Hogwarts Forum
Writing Club- Showtime, "Guns and Ships" ("The world will never be the same.")
Roald Dahl Event: Willy or won't he room (write about Bill Weasley)
Word Count: 565
Bill groans, his eyes opening at the sudden weight on his mattress. For a moment, he expects to see sunlight filtering through his window, and he's confused to realize the room is still cloaked in darkness. "Wha-?"
"Bill," Charlie whines.
Bill blinks rapidly, his eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. With another groan, he sits up, ruffling his hair which is already tangled from sleep. "What's up, Charlie?" he yawns, resisting the urge to strangle his little brother. He has a big day ahead of him in the morning, and their mother had stressed repeatedly the importance of a full night of sleep.
"You're starting Hogwarts tomorrow," Charlie says.
"I know. But I'll be useless if I don't get some sleep," the older boy mutters darkly.
Charlie doesn't seem to take the hint. He shuffles closer. In the sliver of moonlight streaming in through the window, Bill can see the worry in his brother's eyes. "I don't want you to leave. The world will never be the same, Bill!"
If he had more energy, Bill might have laughed. All he can managed is soft snort. "Bit dramatic, Char," he teases quietly.
"I don't know what I'll do without you. Percy is boring and the others are too little!"
The older boy softens slightly at that. He can see Charlie's point. The two have been inseparable. He can't think of a moment when Charlie wasn't by his side. A crooked smile on his lips, Bill wraps an arm around his brother, pulling him closer. "I'll send you letters," he promises. "Plus I won't be gone the whole time! I'll be back for Christmas."
"Promise?"
Bill holds up hand, curling four of his fingers inward. "Pinky promise."
Charlie hesitates. After a moment, he nods, linking his pinky with Bill's. "'Kay."
"Then next year, you'll be at Hogwarts too," Bill says excitedly, a grin breaking out across his face.
"Yeah! I'll be at Hogwarts just like you!" Charlie agrees a little too loudly, bouncing noisily.
"Boys?"
The two freeze as their mother's sleepy tones fill the air. Bill rolls his eyes, speaking as quietly as possible. "Go back to bed, Char," he tells the younger boy. "Remember, it's not forever."
His brother throws his arms around Bill, nodding. Bill smiles, awkwardly patting Charlie's back. "See you in the morning, Bill," he says.
"See ya, Charlie."
When Charlie tiptoes out of the room, Bill settles back in his bed, his head sinking into the fluffy pillows. His eyes focus on the ceiling above, and he frowns. He's been nervous about leaving home to begin with. Charlie's visit only adds to his anxiety.
Bill forces his eyes shut. He can't think about those things now. A whole new adventure waits for him, and he'll never get to see it if he lets himself worry like this.
…
Bill lingers by the steam engine. He glances over his shoulder at his mother and siblings. Charlie smiles the broadest of them all, offering Bill two thumbs up.
Bill returns the grin, relaxing slightly. His nerves still go wild, but knowing that Charlie will be okay without him makes it easier to walk away.
He offers his family a quick salute before turning away, sucking in a deep breath in hopes of calming himself. Head high, shoulders thrown back he climbs onto the Hogwarts Express, ready for the next chapter in his life.