Natalie sat beside Charlie, with her back against the cave wall just like he had. If it weren't for the soggy clothes and the jagged hardness of the cave wall it could almost be considered comfortable, thought Natalie. Charlie wasn't looking at her. He sat staring into the flames so Natalie inched herself closer to him so that their shoulders were touching. He didn't move away. In fact he didn't move at all. He just sat staring into the dancing blue flames.

"Charlie, are you ok?" Natalie asked quietly.

"We could send some flares up." He said quickly getting up and walking out the cave mouth. Natalie watched him go feeling a slight ache in her chest. How long had Charlie been in the cave but not sent up a flare? As soon as she arrived he seemed to suddenly decide to send a flare. Charlie stood, a black silhouette against the blue snowy night, then put up his wand and sent out golden sparks high into the cloudy sky. Natalie noticed his broad shoulders fitted snugly under his cloak and thought longingly of being wrapped between them.

As Charlie came in she gave him a small smile but he didn't smile back. Natalie knew this wasn't how Charlie usually behaved but it still made her feel terrible. Charlie sat down again, slightly apart from Natalie and went back to staring into the flames.

"So..." said Natalie trying to start a conversation but Charlie ignored her.

"Look Charlie what's up?" Charlie shook his head. That was all the reply she got. Natalie started to feel angry, something which happened very rarely but here she was, with soggy socks, swelling bruises from her tumble from the path and Charlie just sat there, sat there and stared into the flames SHE had conjured! "Yeah that's cool. I don't mind." Natalie said icily but with her voice beginning to rise into a hysterical high pitch she continued "I guess you only talk to people who don't care about your feelings. Well sor-ry for caring!" Natalie jumped up and stormed over to the caves edge. She looked out over the white expanses of snow, just like a sheet, and took deep calm steadying breaths. As she sucked in the freezing air her breath in rattled like a Dementors as she repressed sobs. She could feel the breath tickling her sore throat. Her long breath out curled around her like Dragon smoke.

Suddenly Charlie came up behind her and grabbed her shoulders. She jumped, but spun round and thumped him on the shoulder.

"YOU IDIOT!" Natalie yelled at him "Why are you such a stupid idiot?" But Charlie was staring deep into Natalie's eyes with a ferocity that scared her. He was already speaking, quietly and urgently.

"Look at me, Nat" Charlie put his hand under her chin and lifted her head so that their lips were in line. Natalie looked down at their lips, close enough they could almost be kissing and then back up into Charlie's eyes, his eyes weren't smiling they bored into her own. Natalie felt a little scared. "I'm good looking right?"

Natalie raised her eyebrow at him and smiled. Typical Charlie. She'd been scared. She'd been angry. All of it melted away under the onslaught of Charlie's adorableness.

"Charlie, are you being serious?" Charlie dropped his hands and looked down bashfully. Then he smiled a rueful grin and looked at Natalie from under his eyelashes.

"Sorry Nat, it's just that Estelle she doesn't seem to like me at all."

"Charlie." Natalie said quietly and grabbed hold of his hand "Estelle is a Psychopath."

Charlie scrunched his face up like he had just drunk Gillyweed. "Shut up!" but the corners of his lips turned up in a smile.

"Seriously! She's just using you in Ancient Runes. Don't give me that look Charlie, I see you doing her homework as well in the library. If you're not helping her be the centre of attention you get screwed over or dumped! She treats everyone like dirt unless they're helping her! She cares about no one but herself. In short a Psychopath. I don't need to know what she told you you had to do today to know that it was bad news. You are worth so much more than her!" It all came out in a rush; Natalie felt elation as all the things she had thought and hated about Estelle were released. She felt as light and free as the clouds without it all dragging her down.

"Thanks Natalie. I was being an idiot wasn't I?" Charlie's gaze fell on his hand which was still grasped in Natalie's. Natalie dropped it quickly, feeling a sense of shock that she had been so bold to take his hand. Then the next second, she cursed herself for letting go.

Charlie smiled and looked at her once again through his lowered lashes

"So...do you think I'm good looking?"