Chapter 2 – Questions

"Charlie," said Hermione blankly.

"Yes...Charlie," laughed the spirit lightly, his captivating eyes still staring into Hermione's widened ones. "Me Charlie...you Hermione."

Hermione stared back at him, long and hard. She had so many questions for this mysterious young ghost that she was finding it difficult deciding where to begin. Finally, she spoke.

"How...how do you know my name?"

Charlie's grin widened. His smile was truly infectious. Hermione found herself smiling back in spite of herself.

"Oh, I know more about you than your name, Hermione Granger," he chuckled softly as Hermione's eyes widened once again before narrowing in obvious impatience.

"I do wish you would give me a straight answer when I ask you a question!" she huffed grumpily. "It's awfully rude of you!" Hermione blushed and lowered her eyes, ashamed of herself for shouting at someone she barely knew. She raised her eyes to Charlie's and softened her voice, "Please...I just want to know...what is it exactly that you think you know about me?"

There was a pause. Charlie was still beaming and once again Hermione found herself mirroring his smile. Finally, he spoke.

"I know the important things, Hermione... I know that you're a grade O student and an extremely responsible prefect. I know that you're caring and considerate, especially where house-elves are concerned..." His eyes twinkled at this. "I know that you've been through a lot during your time here at Hogwarts. You've been in situations no adult witch should experience and you've handled them remarkably well. I know that you're the most courageous young witch in this entire school. And, above all, Hermione, I know that you are a loving and loyal friend."

"But...how?" Hermione whispered, in disbelief. "How on earth do you know so much about me when we've never even met?!"

For the first time during their conversation, Charlie lowered his eyes and the smile faded from his face. Hermione noticed he looked rather embarrassed.

"Because I've been watching you," he muttered.

Albus Dumbledore felt it was time to leave the room. He had never been one to eavesdrop, after all. He removed his sad eyes from the pair, moved from his position in the shadows near the door and left the school library with a flick of his dressing gown.

"You've been watching me?" Hermione gasped. "But...why? I don't understand."

Charlie raised his eyes back to Hermione, a sad smile playing on his lips.

"I like you, Hermione," he said simply. "You make me feel happy. Happier than I've felt since—" He lowered his eyes again. "I'm sorry if I've made you feel uncomfortable. I don't mean to. Hurting you is the last thing I'd want to do."

Hermione was taken aback. She was utterly bewildered at the fact that this ghost had been watching her. However, she felt her bemusement fade as she looked at the boy's sad, apologetic face and began to feel something else...sympathy.

"That's okay," she whispered, with a kind smile. "You haven't hurt me, Charlie. I'm just...surprised, that's all. It's a lot to take in, after all."

Charlie raised his head, smiling.

"You said my name," he whispered, happily. "You don't know how much that means to me... You know, you're the first witch I've spoken to since I died. Perhaps I should say 'living witch', if we're counting Moaning Myrtle." He rolled his eyes, his cheerful demeanour returning. "Anyway, you're the only living person I've spoken to in all these years, apart from Dumbledore of course..."

"Dumbledore? Do you speak to him often?" asked Hermione, curiously.

"Yes. I spend a great deal of time in his office. He lets me sit with him almost every evening. He's a great man."

"I know," smiled Hermione, nodding. "But, Charlie...if you've been here at Hogwarts since you...well, since you passed away...and you've been watching me...how come I've never seen you before?"

"Because I prefer to keep myself to myself. Before now, I've hidden in the shadows. No one knows about me apart from the other ghosts and Dumbledore. And now you, of course." He beamed.

"I see," said Hermione slowly. She knew exactly what she wanted to ask next, but was unsure of how to approach the subject.

"Charlie..." she began, hesitating.

"Yes, Hermione?" he grinned, obviously delighted at being addressed by name.

"Can I ask you a question? I mean, you don't have to answer if you don't want to... I'm just...curious."

"Yeah sure, go right ahead," he replied cheerfully.

"Well...er...how exactly did you, er, pass away?" Hermione blushed, painfully aware of the delicateness of the subject.

Hermione looked up to see a sorrowful smile on the spirit's pale face. She raised her eyes to his and was stunned to see an unmistakable, aching sadness.

A/N:-

(18 Oct 04) Thanks for the reviews... Hope you like this chapter even though there's not really much happening! I promise it'll get more exciting soon! You'll just hafta keep reading! Please review... I'll add the next chapter ASAP! :o)