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A/N For all of you who thought that this was a Sirius/Hermione fic, sorry. It isn't. It's gonna be Charlie and Hermione. So if you don't like it, than leave. But if you don't mind it, than please at least give me a review? Even if the writing is bad?
Hermione's POV
Ten minutes later, when I had calmed down somewhat, I walked downstairs to see that most people where had arrived, and were now chattering merrily with each other in the living room. I sat down, sighing. Harry was in the corner with Ron and Ginny's latest boyfriend (whom I didn't pay attention to), and Sirius and Remus were sitting on the couch laughing about something. The twins were with their eldest brother Bill, showing him their latest invention.
"What is that?" I asked, putting on my best ex-Head Girl look. Fred seemed to be holding up some sort of green and orange glob, which he quickly hid behind his back.
"None of your business."
"Unless you'd like to test it out for us," George added.
"It's not quite finished yet though."
"But we'll let you know so you can be our victim!" Fred chirped.
"Test subject."
"What he said."
"I will not be some guinea pig for your experiments and sick pranks," I snapped. Fred and George just smirked and dangled the white piece of 'candy' in front of my eyes.
Ater a few minutes of scolding them, I gave up, and huffed, before turning on the eldest Weasley, trying to get him to do something.
I narrowed my eyes when Bill stifled his laughter. I was not in a good mood, but I didn't pester them anymore. Let them do what they want. I glanced over around the room again. Ron's girlfriend, Lavender, was sitting with Fleur and her sister Gabrielle, apparently gossiping about something. In the distance, I could hear Tonks, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley bustling about in the kitchen. Neville had just stumbled into the door, along with Hannah Abbott and Kingsley Shacklebolt and Mad Eye Moody also came down the stairs. I sighed, sitting down on the table across the twins and Bill, ignoring them while they burst out laughing. Putting my chin in my hand, I sleepily glanced about. The three remaining people, Charlie, Percy and Mr. Weasley, weren't there yet.
"Hermione! When did you get here?" I was jerked awake by the sound of Harry's voice, which I grinned to. He had apparently come over to talk to the twins and seen me.
"Hey." I stood up to give the taller guy a hug, grinning. I haven't seen him in such a long time, so I was really excited to talk to him.
Harry spun me around a little, before placing me on my feet, patted me on the back and then turned back to Ron, who was talking about Quidditch with George with his mouth full.
Feeling like I was just slapped on the face, I sighed. I thought that he would be the one person who might look past my fake exterior, and see how I was really feeling. But it seemed like even my best friend didn't even care about me; about how I was suddenly depressed and how I wished my life would end.
I sat back down in a huff, looking down at my lap, trying not to burst into tears. Harry didn't care. No one cared. I was always that little bookworm, useful for having around to fight Voldemort because of my extensive knowledge on spells and curses. After he was defeated, I suddenly didn't matter anymore.
I sniffed, just barely audibly. I let my bushy hair get into my eyes, looking sad to anyone who bothered to look my way. Come to think of it, they don't even appreciate my hard work at school before. They never have. I don't want to sound like a spoiled, self centered brat, but thinking now, in second year, Ron got an award for special services to the school. But he hardly did anything! I was the one who researched about basilisks and all that junk. The only thing Ron's presence in the chamber effected was Lockhart's memory. I mean, sure, if it wasn't for his wand then Harry and Ron would have lost THEIR memories. But seriously, his wand broke due to dumb luck and stupidity. I was the one who found out about the basilisk. I was the one who warned that girl to check around corners with mirrors, and she ended up petrified with me. Not dead. Petrified.
I blinked back tears, the world suddenly looking like a blurr as I thought about those 'happy' years. In sixth year, Harry was being a jerk. Normally, I'm used to jerks (aka Ron) but Harry was my best friend. I always listened to instructions, read everything over and over again, did extra rolls on each essay, got over a hundred on tests. No one offered deep appreciation, as they were quick to correct me when I was wrong. But I didn't mind.
But then Harry had to go find a book from this Half Blood Prince and take the easy way outin potions. It just wasn't fair. Sure, it ended up with him getting Felix Felicis which saved our lives in the battle at the end of the year (not to mention the memorty from Slughorn), but he didn't deserve it! I mean, if he never got the Half Blood Prince's books, I would have won the Felix Felicis anyway! Don't get me wrong, it's not like I want the attention or fame, like he doesn't. I just want a little more appreciation.
When I finally looked up from my thoughts, I realised that I was no longer in the living room at the table with the twins and Bill. Instead, I found myself sitting in an empty closet, sobbing. Not caring how or when I had gotten there, I wiped my eyes and leaned my head against the wall. All was still. If I had ran from the room, crying, did this mean that no one noticed?
My lip trembled, and I hurried to stand.
Fumbling for the doorknob I exited the broom cupboard, which was at the end of the hallway near the front door of the Burrow. I gently closed the door as to not make any sound.
"Are you alright?" Jumping, I turned around and wiped the last of my tears to see Charlie Weasley, standing at the closed door to the living room in the hallway. He looked worriedly at me and inspected me from head to toe. "I was about to come get you. The others told me when I arrived that you ran from the room, and I wanted to make sure you were okay. But just for you to know, Remus and Bill tried to come after you too, but I decided that since I was closer, I'd go, and I didn't want to make you feel crowded."
None of us took a step closer to the other, not daring. I tried to smile, but failed. Still, that was sweet of him.
"Thanks," I whispered. I leaned on the door to the closet, and we sort of watched each other for a minute three feet apart. "Um, should you get back to the party?"
Charlie finally took a step closer and put his hand on my shoulder. "Nah. There's only a party wherever Charlie Weasley goes. And since Charlie Weasley aint in there, there's no party," he told me in a horrid western accent. I don't think he meant it to sound like it, cuz he realised what he sounded like and let out a laugh. I giggled a bit, and he placed the rest of his arm around my shoulder. "What was that? A smile?" He gave me a small noogie on the head, messing up my hair even more.
"No," I said quickly, trying not to giggle again.
"We'll see about that."
He lead me to the front door and swung it open into the fresh air. New stars were starting to peak form the sky, and the sun was setting beautifully. I let him make me sit down on the porch, and he closed the door behind us.
"What's wrong with your foot?" he asked, frowning a bit as he sat down beside me.
I gingerly massage my right knee, wincing. "Oh, I kneed something by accident earlier. I guess it's just starting to bruise." This was when I had kneed my dresser right before I remembered the party. Great, now that I remembered that, I also was just reminded of Percy, and my intention to kill him.
We both stared out at the sun as it set in silence, enjoying each other's company. "So, is there anything you want to talk about?"
I shook my head, not looking at him.
"Are you sure? Because sometimes, it's easier to talk to a stranger about your feelings. Not a complete stranger, but... an acquaintance. I know you're upset. I think that one of the reasons why is that no one else but me came after you, but there's more."
Still not looking at him, I bit my lip. He didn't pressure me to tell him. He just wanted to listen. And he was sort of right. I didn't know him, but I knew him well enough to know he wouldn't do anything horrible to me. Once I glanced up at his red hair (which was slightly darker than the rest of his familiy's) and his tanned face and smile, I instantly broke down.
A minute later, I was almost done rambling. "-and right now, I don't know what to do, because if I do it, then I'll have nothing else to do! Does that make sense?"
"Nope," he admitted bluntly. Surprisingly, I didn't get offended by that. It must have been his tone, or the way he said that four letter word. But whatever it was, for some reason, I couldn't get mad at Charlie.
After taking a few deep calming breaths, I felt better. "Thanks, Charlie. That actually help."
"Of course. Unless you want to feel even better, which requires you blowing your trumpet while balancing a monkey on your head- juggling flaming torches and riding a unicy-hey, what?"
I had slapped his arm mid way, laughing. The thing he was saying was stupid and not that funny, really, but for him, it was cute. The way he said it actually made it sound...hilarious even. Either way, I liked it. "Sorry. I was just actually imagining you doing that."I stifled a laugh. "Only you were wearing a pink tutu."
"With leotards," he added, trying to make me feel better, I supposed. It worked, though.
"With leotards," I agreed, but when that image popped into my head, I jumped and started giggling. "Where did you get that by the way? From experience?" I smirked, and looked smug when he turned a bit pink.
"Yeah. It was when I was twenty, the twins decided it was funny to try and put a charm on me so I would ride a unicycle and juggle flaming torches wearing...that." He winced, and I giggled even harder, leaning onto him for support. "I was nervous, because I was leaving the Burrow then. I needed to relax. But they took a picture, and threatened one day to show everyone."
"Oh! I want to see it," I said wistfully, laughing again. My tears were gone and forgotten, and suddenly, Charlie didn't seem that immature. Well, yeah he still sorta was, but in a good mannered way, if you know what I mean.
I don't know how long we sat out there for, talking about things, but I was pretty sure that it was around a couple hours later when the sky was completely still and cloudy, so that meant that it was pitch black dark. The lights and sounds of laughter and music just barely blared in from inside the Burrow.
It was only when I could see my feet (which were stretched up along the porch with Charlie's) that I finally stood. "Well, that was fun. We should do it again some time. It was way better than whatever's going on in there."
The red head rose and I could see him smirk from the light streaming out from the windows. "See? I told you that there aint a party without Charlie Weasley there. Thank you, thank you very much," he imitated Elvis Presley one last time and bowed. "Well, I guess we're both tired. Here, I'll take you upstairs. My lady?"
He held out his arm mockingly, and I took it, smiling like I haven't in a long while. "Why thank you, my lord," I imitated back, and curtsied clumsily, which made me trip onto my feet. I yelped when my butt fell onto the hard, stone ground.
Laughing, Charlie pulled me up again and together, we stood on the porch, so close. His face was only inches away from mine, and his breath smelled like some sort of wine. He had apparently been drinking before he came here. "Um, er, I better go. It's been a long night," I said uncomfortably. We backed away from each other, and I was lucky it was dark because I was blushing profusely.
"Er, yeah."
Opening the door to be greeted by blinding light from the candle torches on the walls, we stepped into the house. Before he could go back into the living room though, I stepped in front of him and gave him a hug, much to his surprise. "Thanks," I whispered one last time before dashing down the hall to the kitchen.
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