A/N: I realized that I haven't given you guys a note yet in the first 3 chapters so here it is! I obviously don't own any characters and some of the story is changed to fit my plot. Also, thank you to those of you who favorited/followed/reviewed as it helps me gauge whether or not I want to finish my story. Hopefully you all enjoy everything and please feel free to let me know your thoughts. I plan on submitted a new chapter at least every week if not more than one a week so look forward to that!
Chapter 4: Fifth Year
Things were getting difficult in Britain, Hermione knew that better than anyone. And still she and Charlie wrote to each other about books and dragons. Neither wanted to admit that eventually there would be fighting and death.
Books were a safe topic as well, something they could both relate to and have interesting conversations about. They also made great gifts, and so far since she had met Charlie there were seven books about dragons adorning her shelves.
She needed to get him a good book for Christmas, the last one he sent was a gorgeous tome about dragons that used to be able to live in the water only surfacing for fights and causing what the muggles called 'hurricanes.'
He seemed to have read every book on dragons ever written, so she needed to think of something else to give him.
Diagon Alley was a safe place to shop for everyone and since it had everything she needed for each of the Weasley's it was the perfect place as well.
Quality Quidditch Supplies had Chudley Cannon items on clearance for ninety percent off since they were doing so poorly again, so Ron got a bright orange jersey. Gambol and Japes Joke Shop had a few small fireworks for the twins she bought, and the amount of candy she bought from Sugarplum's Sweets Shop was absurd. Finally, she ended up in Flourish and Blotts scouring the shelves for a book Charlie might enjoy. Settling for one about the history of basilisks Hermione checked out, they were close enough to dragons to not feel stupid about it but also they were a magical creature and Charlie loved those.
With everything that had happened in the last few years Hermione decided not to wander around Diagon Alley much longer and instead used the Leaky Cauldron's floo back to the Burrow.
"There you are dear," Molly said ushering her in through the door. "Dinner's almost ready why don't you go wash up?"
The gifts were already wrapped so Hermione deposited them underneath the tree before heading upstairs to put on drier clothes. Washing her hands Hermione winced at how much the scar on her hand stuck out against the redness.
I am not that smart it read. They all had an ugly mark on the back of their hand now, a constant reminder of what Umbridge was doing to them. Harry's was deepest but he tried to not let it bother him, the twins had the next worst because they were constantly standing up for the younger students.
"Something wrong?" Hermione's feet had carried her all the way to the sitting room which was empty except for Crookshanks. Charlie looked down at her with worry marring his attractive features. "Is your hand hurt?"
His calloused hands took her dainty on before she could hide it.
"It's not as bad as it looks." The words hung between them awkwardly as he continued to inspect the writing. They both knew that it wasn't true.
"What is this?"
Shame is what she felt looking down at her left hand, it was a reminder that she had gotten detention for asking too many questions about the practicality of magic and why they weren't using their wands to learn. It was the only time she had ever actually request to learn something hands on instead of from a book. "I got detention."
The fire behind his blue eyes was frightening and comforting all at once. "You got detention, and as a punishment you got scarred?" Any comfort she had felt before was long gone.
"Yes." Tears started burning in her eyes as she whispered the word, the first half of the year had been so trying and there was no reason to be as strong as she had been with Charlie. She could show her emotion, her vulnerability and not be embarrassed.
Her hand was dropped and the warmth surrounded her as Charlie pulled her into a tight hug letting his shirt soak up the salty tears. He didn't speak, just tried to regulate his breathing and let his thumb run circles on Hermione's shoulder blade and after a few minutes they both calmed down.
"We should probably go eat," Wiping any remnants of tears from her cheeks gently Charlie smiled. "Remember that you're one of the most intelligent and strongest witches I've ever met, don't let anyone ever tell you differently." Kissing the scan on her hand Charlie left for the kitchen letting Hermione watch him walk away.
There was a time when Hermione thought that she fancied Ron, between the bickering and angst that he exhibited, but now that they were getting a little older the annoying things that could have passed for an eleven and twelve year old were no longer acceptable.
Ron was jealous, that much was obvious at the Yule Ball when he tried his best to ruin her evening (as well as his dates) even though she was having a wonderful time. He was also stubborn to a fault. Even if he knew that he was in the wrong there would be a time period where he would keep his distance and just sulk until he decided that being alone and miserable wasn't fun anymore. During the Triwizard Tournament when Ron and Harry were fighting, Hermione eventually just gave up on him and let the fight sort itself out as there was no talking Ron into apologizing for being a git.
His siblings all knew it too. Ginny spent little time trying to coddle and more time trying to smack sense into him while the twins just reminded him how much of a prat he was every chance they got.
So Hermione gave up on trying to make Ron realize that she wanted to date him, instead she focused on the struggles within Hogwarts and he was none the wiser.
Charlie, however, had seemed to worm his way into her life bit by bit. The scent of his shirt lingered on her clothes from hugging him and the warmth of his arms slowly dissipated causing her to shiver once. He was taller than her by a few inches and the muscles in his body made him feel both strong and almost cuddly at the same time. Like a bear.
Shaking the thoughts out of her head Hermione wiped the tears from her cheeks one last time before walking into the kitchen and sitting between Ginny and Fred.
"How was Diagon Alley?" He asked scooping potatoes onto the plate for her.
"Empty. Most of the shops are closed now."
They all started asking questions and she tried to answer them but scanning the table she realized that Charlie was looking at his plate instead of at anyone else. After dinner he excused himself to the garden for a walk hoping to be alone.
"Charlie, wait." She called following him out into the snow. "The ministry doesn't care what's going on at Hogwarts right now and if we say anything they'll just call us liars and children. We've tried everything we can but even Dumbledore can't do anything against her without getting sacked. McGonagall told us to not cross her and she's trying but there's only so much you can do against a ministry official."
It didn't seem to deter Charlie's anger in any way, he ran a hand over his face and sighed before finally turning back to Hermione. "I can't understand how this is allowed to happen."
"We don't understand either, and no matter how hard we try to get answers there's always someone there blocking us." There was nothing McGonagall could do, the ministry was trying to stonewall Dumbeldore at every turn, and even when Ron sent an owl to Percy he got a response that Umbridge was a sweet woman. How could no one care?
"There has to be something we can do?"
"I think we just have to wait it out and try not to get into trouble." The smirk the spread across Hermione's lips said otherwise. "Although I did convince Harry to make this club, we call it Dumbledore's Army or DA for short. Since Umbridge isn't actually teaching us spells Harry is."
Charlie couldn't help it, this was such a Hermione thing to do. So he started laughing. She looked at him oddly before giggling as well. "I'm sorry this is just….of course you started this."
"Yes I did, so don't worry about this." She pointed at her hand. "Everything will be fine in the end."
Christmas Eve the kids made breakfast and played quidditch while their parents relaxed.
For the quidditch game Hermione curled up under the tree with her book, blankets, and the heating charm but for some reason she couldn't concentrate on the words.
It was cold as December usually is in Britain, but the boys were all wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts instead of jackets or sweaters the only exceptions being Ron and George since they were the keepers for the game. Everyone was a blur flying around trying to get the quaffle into the hoops or trying to catch the snitch.
The book sat on Hermione lap unread for the hour everyone was playing but no one seemed to notice. She watched as everyone played comfortable and warm from the ground hanging on every move and every near victory of...Charlie.
But that couldn't be right, there was no reason for her to just focus on him instead of watching everyone in the game.
Except that there was, she just didn't see it.
Hermione spent the rest of the day and night trying to figure out why she would spend the entire time watching Charlie instead of her other friends, and there was no reason.
It wasn't until the next morning when everyone was opening Christmas gifts did she realize.
Her pile, along with Harry's, had grown substantially over the years as the other Weasley's started to get them small presents to open with them. They had accumulated Weasley sweaters in all colors and proudly wore them.
This year she had been gifted more books than usual with different subjects. Fred and George had given her one on charms and the other on potions because they knew that those two were her favorite subjects. Harry, Ron, and Ginny had grouped together to get her the limited edition of Hogwarts: A History with extra chapters including the Chamber of Secrets and Triwizard Tournament among a few others. Bill and Fleur had given her a nice leather bound journal and a book on flying to poke fun at her irrational fear. Molly and Arthur had given her sweets and a book on spells that weren't going to be taught in school (mainly spells to be used around the house).
Then there was Charlie's gift. Not only did he get her a book on magical creatures which was thicker than most of the other books but there was a smaller package that held a small silver locket and when she opened it there was a tiny Antipodian Opaleye spitting fire and roaring.
"When it's closed you can still feel the warmth but you can't hear him."
"Him?"
No one else was watching the exchange so Charlie took a chance and winked. "It's the Opaleye we have in Romania, his name is Gunther."
"Oh, Charlie!" She said throwing her arms around his broad shoulders and squeezing. "It's wonderful. Thank you."
"You'll have to come visit sometime and see him in person."
Agreeing to the trip Hermione put the locket around her neck and slid it underneath her newest sweater. Every so often she could feel the heat against her skin, it wasn't too hot to be unbearable but was more of a soothing reminder.
At dinner that night Hermione was still wearing the locket and chatting with Ginny when something caught her eye. Turning to the left slightly she noticed Charlie watching her from across the table, his plump lips curled upwards in the smallest smile that could have been missed by anyone. Their eyes met and the heat from the locket intensified causing her to jump slightly and make Charlie blush before turning away.
The realization of what just happened almost made Hermione drop her fork which was dangling from her fingers.
"Mione?" Ginny's voice snapped her out of it. "You alright, you look pale?"
"Fantastic Gin."
The redhead wouldn't let something like that go but she hadn't brought any attention to it either which was a good thing.
Hermione Granger loved Charlie Weasley.