A/N Thanks for all the reviews! With it being the holiday season updates will probably a little further spaced but I do plan to finish this story, however long it takes! This chapter will be a little different as I want to get through a couple of scenes. I debated on breaking it up but I wanted to get them both out there together.
I apologize for the small errors scattered throughout, I will go back through the entire story and fix them at some point when life isn't so hectic as I know they're distracting. Happy Holidays to everyone in case I don't update before then!
That night Hermione woke with a start. It was still dark when she opened her eyes. A familiar sense of melancholy enveloped her as she remembered the dream that woke her. It was always the same. Maybe not the exact same scene, but always death, destruction, and the metallic smell of blood that plagued her nights.
She tossed and turned for what seemed like a long while, trying desperately to sleep more. The past few nights had been dreamless, peaceful even, and it was with a roar that the guilt came crashing back over her.
Sitting up she looked out the window over the fields. After a few minutes, just as she was going to lay back down she caught movement in the sky.
Who would be sending an owl so late? She thought as she strained her eyes to make out where the bird had gone. Panic started to settle in as she hastily dressed, preparing for bad news.
She made it downstairs to the kitchen a few minutes later. She looked out the window but there was no movement she could detect. As she reached for the handle to the kitchen door it turned and the door swung open.
Hermione tensed and drew her wand, bending it towards the door as she backed away.
"Lumos" she said as the door closed again, blocking the escape of the intruder.
Blue light immediately bloomed on the tip of her wand, just inches from Charlie's face. His surprised expression may have been comical to her in another situation but here, with her blood pounding in her ears, all she could do was address the issue at hand.
"Did you get the letter?" she asked, not moving.
"Letter?" he asked, calming as he realized who he was looking at.
"I saw an owl in the sky. It must be important to come so late. Did you get it?" she was getting frustrated. Who was in trouble?
"I didn't see any owl, I was out flying. Is it possible it was me you saw?" he said as he reached towards her wand arm, gently nudging her to lower it.
Hermione took a moment to look over Charlie. He was in jeans and a sweater but was also wearing gloves. His hair was ruffled and his cheeks were red, it definitely looked like he'd been out flying. Was it possible she'd seen him and not an owl?
"Maybe" she said reluctantly as she turned and walked towards the window, peering out into the darkness once again.
They stood in silence for a few minutes, Hermione scanning the skies and Charlie still standing just inside the door.
Hermione blinked as the kitchen lights came on. Looking around she realized her wand was still lit and she quickly extinguished it. Charlie was already busy making tea.
"What are you doing?" she asked him.
"Making tea."
"Yes, but why?"
"Because it's obvious you're going to sit there until you're sure there isn't an owl coming."
Hermione opened her mouth to protest but shut it again quickly because he was right.
"I can make my own tea." she said instead.
"It's okay. It's for me too." he said as he poured two cups, setting them at places opposite each other on the table.
He took a seat, gesturing for her to join him. She took another look out into the darkness before sitting down. The aroma of the tea was comforting and after a few sips her shoulders relaxed, the adrenaline of the night's events wearing off.
They drank in silence, both looking out the window and waiting. It was Hermione that spoke first some time later.
"What were you doing out there?" she asked, turning her gaze to him.
"Just out for a fly. I couldn't sleep." he answered, still focused on the sky outside.
She looked down at her empty cup, debating if another was a good idea. When she looked back up Charlie was looking at her.
"Why are you up so late?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep either I guess" she said, not really wanting to delve into her nightmares.
He nodded and waved his wand, summoning the teapot and pouring them both another cup.
"Thanks" she said as she looked back out the window. The sky was still black and there was still no sign of movement.
Looks like it was just him I saw she thought. She shook her head at her own stupidity and took her eyes from the window again.
She was met again with his gaze and she was unnerved by the intensity.
"What were you thinking?" he asked, catching her off guard.
"Me?"
"I don't see anyone else around" he said, waiting for her answer.
She paused for a moment before deciding on the truth.
"I was just realizing how crazy I am, sitting here waiting for a non-existent letter and how I've wasted your time and made myself look like a fool." She was avoiding looking at him, staring at her hands instead, folded on the table.
"You're not crazy and you're certainly no fool. As for wasting my time, I wasn't going to bed anyway. Why not have some company?"
She finally looked up at him, trying to determine if he was being genuine. It seemed he was and it helped, but she still felt like an idiot.
Standing up, she grabbed her cup and walked around the table. She reached for Charlie's empty cup and he caught her hand as she pulled away.
"Don't beat yourself up. I'd rather have someone here like you, who is cautious and always ready to protect others when I'm not here. Thank you for all you have done."
She didn't reply. Didn't move. She didn't know how. She couldn't express how much his words meant but she also didn't feel as if she deserved them. The more she processed what he said the more guilty she felt until she finally couldn't bear it any more. Her muscles finally started moving again and she pulled her hand from his then she placed the dishes in the sink.
"I haven't done anything. I didn't do anything. It wasn't ever enough" she said, leaning heavily on the counter. She needed to escape. There was a lump in her throat again, making it hard to breathe.
She closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing again. Tears were beginning to form and she tried desperately to control her rapid heartbeat.
It wasn't working though and she was on the verge of giving up when she felt warm arms wrap around her. She let out a raspy breath and collapsed against his chest, clinging to him. He slowly guided them to the floor and he sat with his back against the cabinets, holding her as she wept.
When she finally regained control she was reluctant to pull away. He was warm and his sweater smelled like the outdoors, grass, trees, and a hint of smoke. She was ashamed of how easily she was broken. How weak she felt when everything was laid out. She didn't want to see the pity she was sure was on his face.
He was still rubbing her back when he finally spoke.
"The sun is coming up" he whispered into her hair.
She nodded, shifting to stand. His arms tightened around her briefly in a hug before releasing her again.
"I meant it before, if you ever want to talk, I'm here. We all have our demons to face, it's better with company."
She nodded and quickly left the room, not daring to look at him.
o - o - o - o - o - o
She showered and changed in the bathroom before emerging again. She tried her best to put away all thoughts of her dreams and the night she'd endured.
The rest of the house would be waking soon and she wanted to be well out of the way of the morning chaos. She returned to Ginny's room to find that the younger girl had already gone downstairs. Thankful for the time alone she took her time gathering what she would need for the day.
Today George would be showing her how to make some of the products they were low on. She was looking forward to learning his methods and hoped she could take good enough notes in her sleep deprived state. She finished packing her hand bag and stepped out onto the landing.
Someone bumped into her as she was closing the door behind her and she felt a small object slip into her hand. Confused she looked down and saw it was a chocolate and then looked up the stairs just in time to see Charlie enter his room.
Shaking her head with a small smile she unwrapped the treat and popped it into her mouth. She let it slowly melt on her tongue as she headed down for breakfast.
By the time she was done eating she felt much better. It was hard to think with all the noise Ron made while eating and that was probably a good thing. She never thought she'd have a reason to be thankful for his terrible manners.
George was excited to get going so as soon as they were done eating they waved their goodbyes and floo'd off to the shop. It was almost ready, just a few shelves need filled with what they'd make today.
They wasted no time and delved right into the potion making when they got unpacked as many of the products took hours to fully brew. Once they finished prepping those the other products would go much more quickly.
George was a surprisingly good teacher. He was patient and encouraging as he had her brew each potion with his instruction. She wrote everything down as she went and before she knew it she'd made bruise paste, pimple vanisher, and most of the products from the WonderWitch line.
Hours later she was dirty with her sleeves rolled up past her elbows, her hair a frizzy mess only somewhat tamed into a pony tail but she hadn't felt this accomplished in months. She'd always liked Potions in school and she was recapturing some of that love of brewing that she'd almost forgotten in the war. A proud smile lifted her lips as she took a look around at their work.
She was putting the finishing touches on some Fanged Frisbees when a knock on the door interrupted her and she was cut on one of the teeth. A hiss escaped her gritted teeth as she set it down and dug in her bag for a bandage.
"Ouch, sorry 'bout that. Thought you might be hungry." Charlie gave her a small smile holding up a basket of food.
"Thanks mate!" George said, clapping his older brother on the back.
"No worries, it's sure not to be the last injury if I work here long" Hermione replied inspecting her handiwork.
Her stomach rumbled loudly when she smelled the scent of fresh bread. She eyed the bubbling cauldrons scattered throughout the room and then turned to the boys with an eyebrow cocked.
"Take it out there at least, I won't have crumbs in my potions" she said shooing them out.
They left the mixtures to simmer a while in the back room while they moved out into the store. Charlie set the basket on the counter and set out sandwiches, fruit, and pies.
"You're a saint" George got out between bites as he enthusiastically downed his food.
Hermione and Charlie laughed at his antics and then the trio ate in companionable silence for a while.
"I didn't realize how late it had gotten, thank you Charlie. I doubt we'd have eaten if you hadn't come by. " Hermione said once she was finished.
Charlie just smiled and looked around the shop.
"You've done a really nice job returning this place to it's former glory." he said, "I never got to spend much time here but the things you guys came up with were always a hit back a the reserve. Every time I'd come back from a visit they'd swarm demanding to see what I'd brought back."
He laughed as he continued.
"The healers there hate you though, sorry George. You'd think being around a bunch of dragon tamers they'd be thankful for a few non life threatening cases. They didn't appreciate our pranks in the slightest though."
They all got a good laugh out of Charlie's stories of various injuries attained while setting off fireworks, using boxing telescopes and other various Weasley products.
"I'm gonna go check on the potions" Hermione said standing and starting towards the back room.
George stood up and blocked her path, arms spread wide.
"Nope, you've done enough today. I need you two in top form for tomorrow. Go get some rest, I'll finish up here."
Hermione protested but Charlie took George's side and so she grudgingly gave in and floo'd back home with Charlie. She was quite tired if she was being honest with herself.
The house was quiet when they got there, as it was already dark outside. Charlie walked towards the stairs, leaving Hermione by the fireplace.
She hesitated for a brief moment before breaking the silence.
"You don't have to take care of me you know" she said quietly.
He replied without looking back as he headed up the stairs.
"I know."
