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Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.
John F. Kennedy

Top Ten Reasons Why Weddings Should Be Avoided

Chapter 14

Charlie left Elinor's room and walked to his own. There had to be some way for him to make things right between Elinor and her mother. He knew no matter what Elinor said that she did care about what her mom thought of her, no matter how insane her mother might be. Even with his own mom he cared. Wasn't that the reason he asked Elinor to come with him to Bill's wedding in the first place?

He stopped at his door. He knew a way to solve this. A maid passed by with a stack of towels in her hand. "Excuse me," Charlie said.

The woman looked him up and down. "I was wondering where I could find Mrs. Harris." Charlie flashed her one of his smiles.

"She's normally having tea in the parlor at this time," the woman replied. "Is there anything else I could do for you?" She asked, smiling suggestively at him.

"Nope," Charlie said. He began to walk away and went downstairs to the parlor. He knocked on the door, unsure whether or not you could just walk in.

"Come in," Mrs. Harris called.

Charlie walked in and closed the door behind him. "Oh," said Mrs. Harris with a rather disappointed look on her face, "It's just you."

"Mrs. Harris I really think we need to talk..."

"Charlie," she said politely. "Don't you think you've done enough damage for one day?"

"But Mrs. Harris, Elinor's really upset about the way she acted and I was hoping there was something I could do to make things all right between you two," Charlie replied.

Mrs. Harris gave him a blank expression and put her tea cup down. "Charlie, come sit please." Charlie sat in the chair she indicated. "What are your intentions with my daughter?"

Charlie looked at his feet not knowing what to say. "I...I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Harris."

"I mean, do you plan on marrying her one day?" Mrs. Harris asked politely.

Charlie blushed. "I don't know, Mrs. Harris, we haven't really..."

"You do want the best for her don't you?" Mrs. Harris interrupted him.

"Yes of course I want the best for her. She's a really great girl and deserves the best," Charlie replied honestly.

Mrs. Harris stood up and began to pace the room. "As her mother, I want what's best for her too. And Charlie, I don't think you're quite up to scratch."

Charlie was offended. "And why is that?" He asked, through clenched teeth.

"Charlie, how much do you make in a year?" She asked him, still not meeting his eyes.

Charlie thought about the best way to answer that. "I make enough to have a home of my own, food in the kitchen, and to have clothes on my back."

"Ah, see, Charlie, that is where you fall short. Elinor has had a life of luxury since she was born. She could quit her job and come home today and marry one of New Haven's most eligible bachelor's and never have to lift a finger for the rest of her life. Could she do that with you?"

As much as he didn't want to admit it, she couldn't continue that lifestyle with him. If they did get married, and if they wanted children, they were both going to have to work. "No," he conceded, "But she doesn't want that life, does she? Or she would have done exactly what you said."

Mrs. Harris laughed. "I'm sure this is just a phase she's going through. Everyone acts like a rebel at one point of time in their life. What Elinor wants... what Elinor needs, is security and a promising future. Charlie, I am sorry to inform you that you are not that type of person. Elinor has told me all about you working with dragons. What if something should happen to you at work? What then Charlie?"

Charlie was stunned. She was so right. As much as he liked Elinor he couldn't promise her anything about his future. He couldn't even promise her security. He was, after all, a Weasley, a blood traitor.

Mrs. Harris smirked when she saw his face. "I see that you understand what I mean. Good. Finally, someone is listening to me."

"What do you want me to do?" Charlie said, his voice almost a whisper.

"I want you to give Paul Pennet a chance with Elinor tomorrow at the wedding. I want you to distance yourself as far from my daughter as is possible. I want it to be over between you two for good."

Charlie stood up to look at her. "What if it doesn't work? What if she doesn't want the famous Paul Pennet?" Charlie said sternly.

Mrs. Harris smiled. "Elinor is a beautiful woman. There will always be another man that will be wanting her attentions, and if that doesn't work, at the very least you'll be out of her life."

Charlie kept his face stoic. This woman is bloody mad!

"Do we have a deal Mr... Weasley, isn't it? Remember, we are making this deal because we both have the very best intentions for Elinor's future."

Charlie hesitated. "Deal," he replied, barely able to get the words out.

Elinor woke up from her nap. She looked at the clock. An hour, she thought. Another bloody hour until I enter the life I know as hell. She heard someone knocking on her door.

"Come in," she said into her pillow. Andy, her brother, came in and sat down on her bed.

"Well, rise and shine Ellie! It's time to get up and get ready for the rehearsal."

Elinor shook her head. "I'm not going!" She yelled into her pillow.

Andy was smiling. "You're not going because of what happened with mom about an hour ago, right?"

Elinor sat up in bed horrified. "You heard?"

Andy looked at her. "Yeah, I was walking past your room when you and mom were going at it. It took all my will power not to come in and start kicking Charlie's ass."

"No offense, Andy, but you would lose. Charlie's as strong as heck. Especially after working with dragons as long as he has."

"Ellie, you know you can tell me anything and I will keep it secret. You know I will," Andy said softly.

Elinor sighed. "I know."

"Then tell me what's going on."

Elinor gave in and told him all about the deal Charlie and she had made. She told him about the wedding she had attended with him and about how she was pretty sure that she was starting to like him more than she was willing to believe.

"But I don't want to be with him," Elinor said. "He's known for being a heartbreaker."

Andy wrapped his arms around her. "Ellie, you are an amazing person and he has to be insane not to like you. If anything, you're breaking his heart right now."

Elinor looked at him with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Have you seen the way he's been looking at you?"

Elinor blushed. "Do you think he really likes me?"

"Ellie, I don't know much about Charlie. But he seems like a good guy and you never know, he might have changed since you guys were at school together. Just tell him how you feel."

Elinor smiled. "Jeez Andy, I didn't know you were a relationship expert."

He kissed the top of her head. "Not really, but for my sis I'll do anything."

Elinor let go of him. "I need to get ready now, Andy, or I'm going to be in more trouble than I already am."

Andy hugged her one more time before leaving her room. After he left, Elinor decided that tomorrow she would tell Charlie the way she felt. She knew she was ready.

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