Ventose: given to empty talk; windy.

May 27, 1989

"You're so full of it, Charlie."

"What? I'd do it if it weren't storming."

"Right. So tomorrow when the storm's gone, let's see you jump into the lake and wrestle my Charms book from the giant squid."

"Well, if you weren't such a hopeless klutz I wouldn't have to." Charlie declared, smirking at his friend and flexing his muscles (which admittedly were a little impressive). "Bit as it is, it will have to be Charlie Weasley to the rescue yet again."

A moment later, he had dived behind his older brother to avoid the transfiguration book hurled at him by the pink-haired Nymphadora Tonks (who had good aim for being such a hopeless klutz).

"Taken like a true man," Bill sniggered as Charlie peaked over his shoulder.

The three of them, along with a small crowd of other fifth and seventh years had gathered on the astronomy tower in rebellion against the long, long, stressful hours of studying that had oppressed them for the past several weeks. Bill and his friends had put up a tent to keep the rain out, Tonks and a few of here Hufflepuff friends had provided refreshments from the kitchens, and now they sat in a warm, loudly chattering huddle as a wild storm crashed around them.

"You shouldn't throw things at people offering to rescue your poor squid-chow textbooks," Charlie chided his friend, picking up her transfiguration book and dusting off the cover primly.

Tonks rolled her eyes. "Just like you're going to tame your own unicorn and frame Percy for some big prank and ask Alma Bently to Hogsmeade and actually turn in your herbology homework? Give it here, you prat," she added, stretching out a hand for her book.

"I think I'd better keep it before this one goes tumbling to its death, too," said Charlie. "And I will do all of those things, just you wait."

"We've been waiting for three years," Tonks smirked.

"You really don't think I'd help you get your book back?" Charlie asked as Bill, too quick for his little brother, suddenly jerked the transfiguration book Tonks was attempting to wrest from his grip away from Charlie and returned it to its owner.

Charlie stuck his tongue out as his brother, but turned back to Tonks expectantly.

"You're all talk and no action," Tonks told him, tucking her book safely back into her bag. "But why does it matters, Charlie? We both know my book's long gone anyway, and you'd let yourself get drowned by the grindylows before you hurt a suction cup on the giant squid's tentacles."

"I'm action," Charlie said indignantly, completely ignoring the last part of Tonks's reply. "I'm plenty of action. It's always me that ends up having to fix everyone's problems! I've got to rescue your book from the lake. I've got to make sure Percy doesn't get beat up for being an annoying suck-up and reporting every broken rule he sees. I've got to keep the twins busy so Mum can get something done. I've got to fairy Bill's love notes to all the girls he's got falling all over him –"

"I've only had two girlfriends," Bill cut in, rolling his eyes. "And I've got to do half that stuff, too. It's called having responsibilities."

Charlie crossed his arms. "Point is, someday I'm gonna take off, and you're all going to realized just how much action I really am."

"I didn't mean anything by it," Tonks said placatingly, surprised at Charlie's sudden outburst. "You're always there, Charlie. We couldn't ever take that for granted. "

"Knew I shouldn't have given you butterbear. Makes you all sentimental," Charlie responded, making a face. But he looked mollified all the same, so Tonks felt safe in smacking him in the face with a packet of pepper imps.

"But we also know you're not going to go wrestle the giant squid or tame a unicorn or take off for distant corners of the globe," Bill put in, grabbing his little brother in a headlock.

"I will, too!"

"You're so full of it, Charlie."

A/N: Ah, but he's not…. A lot was asked of Bill and Charlie, and while Bill was cut out for taking up the mantel (even if he did run off to Egypt to have his adventures), Charlie I think struggled a little more with all that responsibility. I've spent a lot of time wondering why Charlie stayed so far away and come up with a few reasons I hope to get the chance to write about soon….

Anyway, thank you all so much for reviewing faithfully! You're all brilliant, brilliant people! :) Can I trouble you by asking for some more?