Chapter 14.

Charlie's POV

Later that night.

I was lying in bed after dinner, mentally slapping myself for even thinking about kissing Alexis. When we had fallen over my lips were so close to hers that the only rational thought in my head was to kiss her. Luckily, I managed to shake the thought away and get off her relatively quickly. I had quickly ended the ice skating session with the excuse that mum would be looking for us for dinner. Alexis had left not long after dinner, for which I was somewhat grateful. I didn't really know how much longer I could be in her presence thinking about that and now I had twelve Alexis free hours in which to straighten my thoughts.

She arrived after lunch on Christmas day, as promised and was bouncing around the house with excitement. Christmas was one of her favourite days of the year and she enjoyed giving presents almost as much as receiving them. Soon after she arrived, the presents started flying. Literally. Everyone was levitating presents to the recipients and I lost track of who got what early on. I had gotten Alexis a necklace with a horntail on it that was set with sapphires to match the bracelet the Ginny and Hermione had given her for her seventeenth birthday. In return she had given me a new chess set with different dragons as the pieces, I was thrilled. I looked up and caught her eye from across the room and smiled gratefully. I mouthed a thank-you in her direction, wishing to add three little words to the end of it. She beamed at me, absentmindedly fingering the necklace that I had given her. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see mum standing behind me, watching our exchange.

"Why don't you just tell her dear?" she asked quietly.

"I can't mum. She's happy; I'm not going to be the one to ruin that. Besides, I'm like five years older than her. She'll probably think that's just creepy."

"It's not creepy. She's an adult now; it's only creepy when there is a ten year age difference."

"It doesn't make any difference. I'm still not saying anything."

"It's a beautiful necklace." she commented, changing the subject.

"It's for a beautiful girl." I replied.

Mum patted my shoulder and walked away, leaving me to my thoughts.

Bill soon occupied the space beside me, "Nice gift you got her mate."

"I thought she'd like it." I shrugged.

"Looks expensive. How much did it set you back?" he asked.

"Almost an entire months pay." I replied softly so no one else would hear.

Bill whistled lowly, "Mate, I think you're forgetting something. We Weasley's are not renowned for our wealth, perhaps if you were a Malfoy…"

"She's worth all that and more."

"You know what I should have gotten you for Christmas?" Bill asked.

"What?"

"Her. Wrapped up in a big red bow…" he let the thought go unfinished as I punched him lightly on the arm.

"It's not like that Bill."

"So you're telling me that you've never once thought of her sexually?'

"Well I'm not saying that…. But…"

"So you have thought about her like that!" he exclaimed.

"Well yeah but it's not about that at all. She's beautiful, smart, and funny and we have so much in common. I'd do anything to make her happy and give my life to keep her safe."

"Why don't you tell her that? As a Christmas present to yourself." He suggested, following my gaze to the blonde girl across the room.

"This is enough of a present." I replied, watching as Alexis and the twins had a wrapping paper ball fight. "Seeing her happy makes me happy."

"I think I know what my dying wish will be. It'll be something along the lines of: 'and Charlie, tell Alexis that you love her.'"

I laughed, "Hopefully I would have told her by that time."

"Told who what?" Alexis asked sitting between Bill and I.

"Nothing." I muttered, feeling the tips of my ears go red as I blushed.

Bill's POV

Charlie was blushing furiously and I was so tempted to tell Alexis what we were talking about, but I resisted the urge.

"Is there a special girl in Charlie's life?" she asked with a fake brightness.

"Kind of." He replied, not looking at her.

Alexis's smile slipped a little. I rubbed her back and gave her an encouraging smile while Charlie was looking the other way. She pulled her smile back into place before continuing.

"How exciting! Who is it? Do I know her?" she asked.

"A girl I work with, you don't know her. Her name is Steph." He lied.

"Is she coming for dinner?" Alexis asked.

Charlie shook his head, "She has to work."

"What a shame. I would have liked to meet her. What about New Years? Will she be here for that?"

"No Alexis. Stop asking questions." He snapped.

"Alrighty then, I can take a hint. Thanks for the present by the way." She said as she left.

"That was a bit harsh." I commented.

"Well at least I can stop lying to her now."

"Or you could have just told her the truth to begin with." I suggested, watching as Alexis slipped up the stairs, unnoticed by most.

He ignored my commented, "She'll be on the roof. Tell her I'm sorry for snapping at her."

"Alright. Anything else you want me to add?"

"No, just that I'm sorry for snapping."

I nodded and went up the stairs to find Alexis. Sure enough, when I got to the attic the window leading to the roof was open, I climbed through and found Alexis sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest. She quickly wiped tears away before turning to see who had discovered her hiding place.

"It's only me."

"How did you find me?"
"Well there weren't really many places to look and this sounded Alexisish. You okay?" I asked, sitting beside her and putting an arm around her shoulders.

She shrugged, "I don't know. It seems that every time I even think about working up the courage to tell him there is always another girl. Just for once can't I be the other girl?"

"You were going to tell him?" I asked, surprised.

"I don't know. We were ice skating yesterday and everything just felt so right and I thought you know maybe these holidays I might be brave enough to say something and then that happens." She sobbed.

"He said he's sorry for snapping at you if that's any consolation."

"A little. At least he doesn't hate me."

"Maybe you should try seeing someone else?" I suggested timidly.

"I've thought about it but I can't. That would be so mean of me, I'd be pretending to like someone to try and get my mind off of Charlie."

I nodded, the scenario sounding very familiar.

"Come on Lex, we'd better go back before everyone thinks that something kinky is going on between us." I winked at her.

She laughed, dried her eyes and led the way back downstairs. She went and sat back beside Charlie and motioned for me to follow.

"Sorry, I shouldn't be so nosy, it has nothing to do with me." she apologised meekly, not meeting his eyes.

"You have nothing to apologise for, I was the one being a prick. Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's alright." She shrugged.

"So, is there any special guy in your life?" Charlie asked her, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Yeah Lex, you never bring anyone home for dinner." I added.

"No one." She answered.

"Why not?" I asked.

"No one is interested in me. Could have something to do with the fact that I'm maimed."

That struck a chord with Charlie and I could see that he wanted to reach out and touch her and tell her she was beautiful.

"Lex, you could have gotten rid of them." He said softly.

"But I didn't. If people don't like it they can get over it." She said simply.

"I knew I should have forced you to get rid of them."

"It's too late now. I don't mind being maimed anyway." She shrugged.

"Don't say that."

"Don't say what? Maimed?" Alexis asked.

"Yes that." He replied through gritted teeth.

"Why? It's not like I'm lying or anything. I am maimed. End of story."

Charlie stood and headed for the backdoor.

"Charlie. Sit down."

He ignored her protests and continued walking. Alexis turned to me for advice.

"I don't know Lex."

"I can't even have a conversation with him without something going wrong. Why does he have to take it so personally?"

"I think he feels guilty."

"I should probably go talk to him shouldn't I?"

I nodded. She sighed and followed my brother out into the backyard.

Charlie's POV.

Why did she have to say she was maimed? I felt bad enough about it already but then she had to rub it in. I went and sat behind the big tree, the same place I apparated Alexis to Romania from. A few minutes later I heard someone coming and hoped they wouldn't find me. Alexis soon sat beside me silently.

"Go back inside, you'll freeze out here." I told her as I noticed that she was once again not properly attired for winter.

"So will you."

"I've got warm clothes on, you don't." I pointed out to her.

"I'm not cold."

"Neither am I."

"Good."

We sat in silence for a few minutes before she apologised.

"I'm sorry Charlie."

"You didn't do anything wrong Alexis." I sighed.

"I must of, you walked away so obviously I did something wrong."

"It's alright Lex." I muttered.

"No it's not."

"I have already said you didn't do anything wrong isn't that enough? Why must you always be so stubborn?"

I regretted it as soon as I said it. For the second time in less than an hour I had snapped at her.

"Well if you won't tell me what I did then will you at least tell me why you seem to hate me so much today?" she glared at me.

"I don't hate you. I could never hate you."

"Why?"

"Because you're like a little sister to me."

"Well then perhaps dislike would be a better word. Or detest. Maybe detest. Whatever word you chose to describe your loathing with."

She was getting angry now and her eyes were brimming with tears. I wanted to tell her that I loved her and that everything would be alright but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"It's not you, it's me."

She forced a laugh, "Charlie that is so pathetic. Give me a reason as to why you dislike me." A single tear escaped and made its way down her cheek.

I couldn't stand to see her cry so I closed my eyes as I responded.

"I don't hate you, or dislike you or detest you. I just feel horrible about your scars and even more so now that no one is interested in you. I have ruined your love life forever."

"Char, I told you before I don't care. I don't want to be with anyone who wouldn't like me because I have scars. Don't feel bad about it. Besides, I never had any love life to speak of anyway. Come on, it's Christmas, stop feeling bad. It's a day to be selfish, expect presents, eat lots and spend good quality time with family and friends."

She stood, brushing the snow off her pants and offered her hands to me, I took them and she helped me up. We went back to the house in silence.