A.N.: Thanks to all my reviewers. Your encouragement is everything. I'm
updating as quickly as I can without rushing the story. I'm glad you like
it, please keep the feedback coming.
Puzzle Pieces
Chapter 7: Back to the Now
"You told me you loved me," Charlie finished the story sadly, "and even if it only meant for that one moment, I really wanted to believe it."
Hermione shook her head, unsure of what to say. "What the fuck did Fred and George give me?" she asked, only half to herself. Part of her wished she could remember last night. Part of her was glad she couldn't. Part of her wanted the floor to open up and swallow her, and part of her wanted to throw herself at Charlie.
They sat in silence for a moment, waiting for the other to speak first. Charlie opened his mouth to start only to be cut off by Hermione.
"Charlie, I don't love you, I can't, you must know that. I don't even know you, despite what - um - transpired last night."
"Jesus, Hermione, you make it sound like we did something illegal; even though we - uh - came rather close." He gave her a wink and a smile. She rolled her eyes. "The experience was rather pleasant. You don't remember it Hermione, but you did say bollocks to tomorrow - today - whatever. Bollocks to the consequences."
"And you naively believed me, even though you knew I'd been drugged, that I wasn't in my right mind. You took advantage Charlie." This comment stung and she changed tactics. "The way I behaved was disgraceful. Merlin, what you must think of me."
So Charlie told her exactly what he thought. "I think you're beautiful, and courageous, and gloriously imperfect." Her brow furrowed, but he continued. "You pride yourself on doing everything right, on being perfect, and I think it's kept you from being entirely happy. I believe that last night, for the first time ever, you followed your heart, instead of your head, whether or not it was exactly the right thing to do. You were so open and vulnerable and ready for anything. It was entirely charming and completely impossible to resist. So you'll forgive me for being a bit out of my own right mind. We fit together, Hermione, you said it yourself. If you choose to run away from something that could be so great, perfect or not, then I very much pity you."
Hermione was furious. She refused to let him tell her that any part of this fiasco was okay. "Fuck you! Don't you dare pass judgement on me Charlie Weasley, or tell me what or how I am. You know nothing about me!" With a wave of her wand she was neatly dressed. "I have to get out of here. I'll be at the Burrow later this afternoon to say hello to your mother. I also need to give those ruddy twins a piece of my mind and perhaps a bit of the business end of my wand. I know I can't tell you not to be there, but I'd appreciate it if I didn't see you while I was there." She paused, forming the next sentence in her mind. "I'm sorry things turned out like this, Charlie," and she was gone.
Charlie gathered his things, checked out, and apparated to the Burrow. He had things to do and good-byes to make before returning to Romania. He had no intention of being anywhere near the house when Hermione showed up.
Puzzle Pieces
Chapter 7: Back to the Now
"You told me you loved me," Charlie finished the story sadly, "and even if it only meant for that one moment, I really wanted to believe it."
Hermione shook her head, unsure of what to say. "What the fuck did Fred and George give me?" she asked, only half to herself. Part of her wished she could remember last night. Part of her was glad she couldn't. Part of her wanted the floor to open up and swallow her, and part of her wanted to throw herself at Charlie.
They sat in silence for a moment, waiting for the other to speak first. Charlie opened his mouth to start only to be cut off by Hermione.
"Charlie, I don't love you, I can't, you must know that. I don't even know you, despite what - um - transpired last night."
"Jesus, Hermione, you make it sound like we did something illegal; even though we - uh - came rather close." He gave her a wink and a smile. She rolled her eyes. "The experience was rather pleasant. You don't remember it Hermione, but you did say bollocks to tomorrow - today - whatever. Bollocks to the consequences."
"And you naively believed me, even though you knew I'd been drugged, that I wasn't in my right mind. You took advantage Charlie." This comment stung and she changed tactics. "The way I behaved was disgraceful. Merlin, what you must think of me."
So Charlie told her exactly what he thought. "I think you're beautiful, and courageous, and gloriously imperfect." Her brow furrowed, but he continued. "You pride yourself on doing everything right, on being perfect, and I think it's kept you from being entirely happy. I believe that last night, for the first time ever, you followed your heart, instead of your head, whether or not it was exactly the right thing to do. You were so open and vulnerable and ready for anything. It was entirely charming and completely impossible to resist. So you'll forgive me for being a bit out of my own right mind. We fit together, Hermione, you said it yourself. If you choose to run away from something that could be so great, perfect or not, then I very much pity you."
Hermione was furious. She refused to let him tell her that any part of this fiasco was okay. "Fuck you! Don't you dare pass judgement on me Charlie Weasley, or tell me what or how I am. You know nothing about me!" With a wave of her wand she was neatly dressed. "I have to get out of here. I'll be at the Burrow later this afternoon to say hello to your mother. I also need to give those ruddy twins a piece of my mind and perhaps a bit of the business end of my wand. I know I can't tell you not to be there, but I'd appreciate it if I didn't see you while I was there." She paused, forming the next sentence in her mind. "I'm sorry things turned out like this, Charlie," and she was gone.
Charlie gathered his things, checked out, and apparated to the Burrow. He had things to do and good-byes to make before returning to Romania. He had no intention of being anywhere near the house when Hermione showed up.