Hermione froze. If there was a thing that she had learned growing up with Weasley's boys it was that a surprise was never great. And she had seen too many of the twins pranks to not be cautious. Charlie seemed to read her thoughts though.
"Don't worry. You'll like it. Just come in." He even smiled after this sentence. It was not one of the mischievous smiles she knew announced a prank, so she agreed, even if she was still a little bit reluctant. And as Mad Eyes Moody would have said, if he was still alive, "constant vigilance". She took a big breath, trying to forget all the people she once knew that were dead now.
She stepped in the tent; her wand secured in her grip, ready for everything, and was welcomed by numerous shouts of welcome. She was a bit taken back because she never expected to meet so many people at the same time. She nearly hexed them for Merlin's sake, just because they scared her! She sensed Charlie behind her as she tried to step back. She didn't know who they were and the last thing she wanted was to socialize. She wanted to go outside and leave.
Why did she go there? That was such a bad idea… Of course she was from Gryffindor and so was brave. She had proved it numerous times. But she did not like to meet so many people at once. She had been an outcast child and she could never forget it.
"Don't worry. They are all here to wish their new comrade a warm welcome." Charlie murmured in her ear. He took a step forward, his hand gently touching Hermione's back, forcing her to advance too by the way. As if he was running a show, Charlie's voice boomed in the little room
"May I introduce Monica Pince? Our new dragon tamer!"
Loud cheers responded to him. Hermione tried to summon a smile. Was she supposed to be at ease with those people?
"Before the party begins, let's help this demoiselle to her new quarter!" yelled Charlie. He smiled a brilliant smile and Hermione could nearly remember Lavender saying, "Of all the Weasley boys the dragon tamer is the hottest!" But right now she did not want to think about Weasley boys, and especially one…
Hermione did not really know what she expected when Charlie said they were going to help her to her new quarters, but she was sure she did not expect being lifted by numerous guys, among them Charlie, who carried her to her new room. They made her sit on her new bed, whereas they all stood before her.
"Monica let me introduce you the most awesome boys in this reserve: the fabulous five! From left to right: Jack, Paul, Tobias, and Archibald your new roommate" said Charlie
The four other guys exclaimed all at once "And the most famous Charlie!" The guys laughed all and Hermione smiled. It seemed that those boys were going to help her overcome her traumas. They seemed carefree and good fun. Sure, she would never forget it, but she could at least pretend. She still feared Charlie and his reaction but, for the moment, he let her pretend to be someone else and she was more than happy he did.
"Boys let do our dance," exclaimed one of the guys maybe Tobias? They were moving too fast to let Hermione remember who was who.
"Oh yeah! You'll see Monica, you will automatically have to fall in love with at least one of us after that!" confidently said another. She highly doubted that. But what could she say? She just sat and stayed still.
Charlie laughed. Hermione watched with amazement as the song "Twist and shout" began to play from everywhere. As soon as she recognized the song her eyes began to be watery. She used to love that song. She used to dance alone in front of her mirror on that song. But like everything else now, it could only bring tears to her eyes. Looking at her, Charlie sensed that something was off. Her face was down and she seemed distraught.
"Maybe we should wait a bit before showing her this" he declared. He remembered her recent outburst and didn't want the same thing happening in front of everyone. For the moment nobody seemed to have recognized her as Hermione Granger but who knew? And one thing was sure of was that he was lucky she arrived there where he could look out for her instead of some other random place where nobody would have known her. Here he could protect here because, despite everything she said, for him she was family.
Of course he hadn't known her for long. At least in person. Because every letter he received from Hogwarts mentioned, even slightly, her. And when he had finally met her, he felt like she was the little sister that was missing in his family. Sure they had Ginny but growing up with only boys she had turned out to be more the "act first, think after" type. And the way Hermione and Ron turned around each other for years, he was sure she was soon going to be officially part of the family.
"Come on Charlie, if you want this beautiful witch all for yourself just say it right now!" Archibald said, pulling Charlie out of his reflexion.
How did that thought even come into his mind? Thought Charlie. He was not and surely would never be attracted to Hermione.
"Man, I just thought that maybe our new colleague would want a little pause to herself… But if she wants, we can do our little dance. You know she will still fall for me, no matter what!" he replied, ready to play a bit and trying to hide his concern. It was better to pretend that everything was normal than telling the other. The things he was ready to do for Hermione…
Charlie did not like lying to his friends. He usually never did. Except for pranks. But this had a simple explanation: in their work field, trust was the most important. If you did not trust your co-worker then you could not work properly. When you walk into a dragon's den, you have to trust your friends. They were there to help you. If something went wrong, they were here for you.
"In fact… I think I'll need a little time just for myself if that's okay?" asked Hermione, concerned. She had managed to battle against her tears. But this was just a bit too much… First Charlie, now this music. And all the people trying to talk to her at once! She was an only child and the only family she ever had, had been lost during the war. She breathed heavily. She should not think about it.
"As you wish Sweetheart! We'll immediately start the fight to have you in our team!" said the boys in unison.
They all left her room after telling her that they would be waiting for her. She had one hour for herself before the party began.
She lay on her bed, wondering what she was going to do. Sure Charlie had been really nice but still, he was a Weasley. He may have promised to tell no one but she wasn't sure she could completely trust him. The irony of her situation struck her. She had trusted Charlie during the war, when her life was at stake. But right now, she did not. Maybe because, this time, her mental sanity was at stake? She didn't know… She didn't want to know. She just wanted to forget all the awful things that happened.
She didn't want to cry another time. She straightened her posture and looked around her. She was sitting on the bed the most on the left of the room. Two other beds looking like hers were dispatched a few feet away. In front of her bed there was an empty cupboard. She saw that the two others were full of clothes. That's when she realized she had no idea what clothes she put in her luggage. Well it was better to discover it now that she was alone than later with the two boys looming around.
She began to unpack but when her eyes fell on her underwear she froze. It was stupid really. But that remembered her all too well that frightening night. As she remembered everything, she began to cry. Unable to stop the tears falling from her face, she laid on her bed until she fell asleep.
Charlie was talking with the guys when he looked at the time and saw it was time for Hermione to join them.
"So, anyone want to disturb our new little comrade?" he asked, sparks in his eyes
"No go on Charlie, we know you want her" said Archibald with a wink.
Charlie looked at the tall, well-muscled, brown haired man in front of him. Looking deep in his green eyes he declared "She reminds me of someone I used to know. Nothing more. If you want you can go check on her"
"Hey that's alright big boy! I didn't want to make you angry! Please go check on her! You get the privilege of being the first!" Archibald invited him, referring to their inner pact. The first of them who met someone new on the reserve has the privilege to try to be the first friend of the new reservist. They thought it was easier for the newcomer to befriend one person first, and then try to get to know everyone else.
Charlie tried to warn Hermione that he was entering the room, but even after he coughed a bit she did not answer. He came in and saw her asleep. He immediately noticed that her cheeks wore the trace of tears. He did not like that at all. Truth be told, this whole story felt like shit. He pushed aside those thoughts and began to gently say her new name in order to wake her up.
"Monica… Monica? Oh crap! Hermione? Wake up Hermione!" said Charlie, gently shaking her. He might have overreacted a bit, but she scared him. He didn't know what was going on and he did not like it.
Hermione woke up instantly, her wand ready.
"Calm down Hermione"
"I told you not to call me that, Charlie" she said, anger in her voice. She was ready to hex him and that angered him. For Merlin's sake he was trying to help her.
"If you don't want me to call you by your name you better start to act like someone else!" he replied angrily.
"What do you mean?" she asked, concerned. She put her wand down without thinking. That helped Charlie to feel a little bit at ease.
"You did not change your appearance. If you want to still look like you, alright, no problem. But people know Hermione Granger. You better change your behaviour."
"I don't understand" She looked at him her eyes wide, she was definitely trying to understand what he was saying.
"Hermione, you must stop being the bookworm you were. Whatever happened to you, right now you have to overcome it and try to be another witch. At least try to do something so that your personality is not the same anymore. You are a war heroin. Do you think that we are so far from everywhere that we don't know what you look like?" he explained
"So I should change who I am for you?" she was angry he could see it.
"Do you want to be Monica Pince or Hermione Granger?"
His question hit her like a bullet. She escaped England but she had not even thought about changing her appearance. She was so dumb. But suddenly what Charlie said made sense, that's why she asked him how he thought she should do it.
"Tonight we're going to a bar. Drink with us, flirt with us. If you think that you will never do that, do it. Now I will leave you. Be ready in fifteen minutes. The bathroom is the first room on your right"
"Thank you Charlie" she replied simply. He could see that she was sincere but it still hurt him to help her when he had no idea what happened to her. It was like being blindfolded in a labyrinth. He was afraid she was going to explode at any moment.
"You're welcome. But remember that someday you will have to tell me everything." He said before exiting the room.
Hermione looked at herself. Maybe he was right. She had cried like all day but she had left England once and for all. She was never going to see him again. Relief washed through her. She decided that it was time for a little shower.
The hot water helped her relax and she re played her conversation with Charlie. He was right.
She had to change. When she stepped outside the shower, she realized her old clothes were too much like the old her. If she wanted to change, her old outfits would have to be thrown out. And it will be a good excuse to start anew. She thought a bit and decided to just transfigure her clothes. She chose to wear a black top, a white skirt just below the knee and small high heels. Something her old self would never have done. To help the change she also decided to wear make up.
When she came back to the main room she was five minutes late but that seemed to be no problem as the guys were looking at her in awe.
"Like what you are seeing?" she asked a wide grin on her face
First a big thank to Oblivion772 for betaing this story ! This long awaited chapter will not have been here without her!
I know it has been a long time but I promise it will get better! I'm slowly updating all my stories as inspiration strikes me. Reviews make me update faster ! What did you think of Charlie and Hermione's conversation ? Do you think Charlie is right?