Hermione woke the next morning alone on the couch. Somehow Charlie had managed to get up without waking her. For a brief moment she felt a pang of loneliness. Until, that is, she smelled the welcoming scent of bacon wafting from the kitchen.
Making her way toward the smell, she was struck by the overly domestic scene of a humming Charlie Weasley, bedecked with her floral apron, wielding the kitchen tongs, flipping bacon on the stove, with a platter piled high with waffles to his right and a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice to his left, humming a catchy Celina Warbec song. Unable to contain her amusement, Hermione let out a giggle and Charlie spun on the spot, blushing slightly at having been caught mid cheesy song.
Running his hand through his hair, Charlie asked, handing her a mug of coffee (her favorite way she couldn't help but notice) "So… I don't suppose there's a chance you'll forget that this burly tamer was just singing my mum's favorite girly song?"
"Nope! This day will go down in infamy! You shall not forget and all shall know," she replied, winking at him jokingly.
"Well, with the promise of that sort of fame, what's a man expected to do?" he chuckled, returning to the stove.
As he brought the food to the table and sat across from her, Charlie looked into her face, and with a look of hesitation asked, "How are you doing? You really had me worried last night when I couldn't find you."
"I'm sorry." She said embarrassedly looking down.
Charlie wrapped a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to look at him. "You have nothing to apologize for Hermione. You are a victim in this. This was not your fault, you hear me."
She nodded, fighting to hold back the tears that threatened an appearance.
"And I meant what I said last night Hermione. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here as long as you want me, yeah?"
"Yeah, Charlie. I'd really like that. I think last night really affected me. I… well, I started to dream again… and not a good dream."
Not quite sure what she meant, but also not wanting to push her if she didn't want to talk about it, he took her small hand, and rubbing circles in it said, "I'm sorry love. I'm here to talk about whatever you want, whenever you want."
Giving his hand a light squeeze in thanks, she brightened. "Well, let's not let this feast get cold! I am starving. Charlie! Did you put chocolate chips in the pancakes?"
Beaming proudly, he replied in the affirmative, "But of course! I know you can't resist chocolate, and I gotta say I'm quite fond of it myself. Why not add it to the best of all breakfast foods."
"Well, best behind bacon, you mean?" Hemione asked, munching on a perfectly cooked slice of thick cut bacon.
"Naturally!" Charlie helped himself to some bacon as well.
As they finished up, Hermione stood with the dishes in hand, but with her swift motion was hit with a wave of pain in her side. Dropping the plates and clutching her side, she gasped for air, getting lightheaded with the throbbing.
"Hermione! You are hurt! Damn it. Can I take a look?"
Moving in between his legs where he sat at the kitchen chair, she continued to breathe, lightheaded now not only with the pain, but now also with the proximity of the man on whom she had the biggest crush.
Gently lifting her shirt, a largely bruised purple and red blotchy side and abdomen were revealed.
"Shit! Hermione. I think you have some broken ribs. We should get you to the healer."
Whining she pleaded, "No. Charlie, please. Can't you just heal them? I really don't want to go to the healers. I know you've had to heal in the field before. Please can't you just do it for me?"
"Mia. Why don't you want to go to the infirmary?"
Looking down, Hermione responded in so quiet a voice that Charlie had to strain to hear what she said. "I… I just don't think I'm quite ready to relive the events of last night, and I know they will have lots of questions when they see my injury. I know I have to face it eventually and talk to the admins, but I'm just not quite there yet."
She looked up into his face and he could see her plea resonating in her eyes.
"Ok…" he hesitated, understanding but still nervous, "I can give it a whirl, but if that doesn't work, you had better believe I am taking you to the infirmary, even if I have to pick you up and carry you there myself."
"You wouldn't dare. You know Ginny began teaching me her infamous Bat Bogey hex and I will not hesitate to use you as practice." She laughed teasingly.
Charlie paled slightly at the thought, remembering Ginny's wickedly keen skills with said hex and wishing never to be the receiving end if he could help it.
"Mia, sit on my lap and hold my shoulders, and squeeze as hard as you need… this is going to hurt, ok."
Hermione nodded stiffly, bracing herself for the oncoming healing pain.
As he muttered some spells under his breath, Hermione felt a wave of burning rush through her, hot as dragon fire, which then turned into the pinprick feel of a thousand needles jabbing into her side. Gasping with tears welling up in her eyes, Hermione held on for dear life to Charlie. He pulled her into him, holding her in his arms, stroking her hair and softly whispering in her ear, "I'm so sorry Mia. It will be over soon. So soon, I promise. I'm so sorry love. Hold onto me. It will all be over soon." As he held her, all he could think was that Steve had better stay clear of him if he wished to live to see tomorrow. He couldn't help the severe anger he felt toward the monster for having caused pain to his Mia. Wait… did he just say his? Damn Weasley! Don't go there! You don't even know if she will have you yet.
As fast as it had come on, the pain left and Hermione stopped writhing, collapsing into Charlie, trying to catch her breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding through the pain of the bone healing.
Continuing to stroke her hair and rub circles in her back, Charlie hummed, "There. It's over now. Breath love, breathe steady."
Just then they heard the front door creak open and a voice call out, "Hey Mione. Its Finn. I knocked but no one responded, so I'm letting myself in. Are you here?"
Rounding the corner into the kitchen, he saw Hermione sniffling into Charlie's chest, and his heart broke. Running over to the pair, he placed a hand on Hermione's back, seeking to add comfort in any way he could.
"Hermione. I'm so so sorry about my idiot brother. I am still shocked at how he treated you. I… I'm just so sorry."
Turning in Charlie's lap and looking up at him, Hermione wiped away the last of her tears and smiled reassuringly at him. "Finn. It's not your fault. Really its not. It was wrong, very wrong, but you aren't your brother's keeping. He decides his own actions, and you can't be blamed for that."
"I know. But I still feel like shit about it. I should have seen it coming. Done more. I should have…"
Hermione cut him off with a squeeze to his shoulder, "Finn. Please. I mean it. Its NOT your fault." She finished forcefully. "And you better believe, if I hear you blame yourself or apologize once more, I will hex your hair a permanent purple!"
Chuckling, Charlie looked at his friend, "You better believe this one… I actually wouldn't put it past her. What it leaves me wondering is whether your complexion would look better with a soft lilac purple or a deep, dark purple… decisions, decisions…"
Jovially punching his friend's shoulder, Finn rolled his eyes and helped himself to one of the few remaining pancakes.
"You should know though Hermione, I took Steve to Gil, and ensured that he won't be around the reserve anymore. I hated that he put himself in that position, but he needed to go. I wouldn't want him to do that again to anyone else."
"Oh Finn. I'm so sorry that you had to do that. You should never have had to be put in that position!"
Chuckling, Finn looked at her winking and said, "Apologizing now are we? Well, look who's hair needs to be hexed purple this time."