** Author's Note: Apologies for getting behind - I try to get updates on weekends but this is a busy time of year! Enjoy more drama, courtesy of Ron... I do like Ron as a character but he does have a way of putting his foot in it. I think this might be my favorite chapter so far! Please leave a review if you're enjoying the story! **

Chapter 8

Charlie had thoroughly enjoyed the evening of Quidditch with his brothers. And he had to admit, Ginny was quite good. Ron had played badly and kept looking daggers at Charlie. Was Ron seriously angry at Charlie for hugging Emily? Ron always was a prat about anything romantic.

They all went into the kitchen for drinks after their game. Mrs. Weasley was sitting at the table with a cup of tea. Charlie looked around confused. "Mum, where's Emily?"

"She had a headache dear, she left right after you lot went to play Quidditch."

"Good riddance," he heard Ron mumble under his breath.

"What was that, Ron?" Mrs. Weasley said, but with a tone that made it quite clear that she had heard him. Charlie looked at Ron with a look mixed with both loathing and confusion. What was Ron on about?

Charlie's look seemed to just fuel Ron's outrage. "I guess I'm the only one who's remembered, but Fred only died 2 months ago, and already we're having parties and Charlie's finding girls to date, can't you show a little respect?" He retorted angrily.

Hermione put her head in her hands and looked as if she wanted to disappear. Everyone else looked at Charlie. There was no going back now.

"Listen, Emily and I are friends, and she needed me…"

"FRIENDS, yeah right. I've never hugged any of my friends that way, and you've only just met her!"

"What I do on my own time is none of your business Ron, it's not my fault you can't handle it!"

Ron lunged toward Charlie and Mr. Weasley stepped in. "Ron, go to your room this instant."

"You can't tell me what to do, I'm of age -"

"This is still my house Ronald. Leave this room."

Ron trudged up the steps, muttering mutinously. Everyone else looked at Charlie. No one seemed to know what to say. Hermione was the first to pipe up.

"Charlie, I wasn't going to say anything, but I knew Ron was upset. He was talking to me about it before you all went to play Quidditch… we were by the back door and I thought I saw Emily… I think she might have heard him. I came in here to check on her but your mum said she'd already gone."

Charlie was fuming. Stupid Ron, he had ruined this evening for Emily. He thought of what to say… he didn't want to betray Emily's confidence in him.

"Emily had a difficult childhood and has no family. She was so happy to spend a nice evening with this family, and I assured her that she would feel welcome. I need to go." He needed to get back to Hogwarts as soon as possible and check on Emily.

He went outside to disapparate, and Mrs. Weasley followed. "She looked upset when she left, but of course I had no idea why. I'm sorry Ron spoiled things - we'll talk to him."

"Mum… you don't think he's right do you?" Charlie used this moment alone with his mum to his full advantage. He needed his mother's advice.

"Charlie, we can't help when we meet someone. Ron is still angry about Fred's death - he's in a different place with his grief. But that doesn't mean time stands still. I know you are still mourning Fred. But I also know that you've never looked at anyone the way you look at Emily."

Charlie looked at her curiously. How could she have possibly known?

"A mother can always tell, dear," she smiled slightly. Now go back to Hogwarts and tend to that poor girl's heart. Professor McGonagall actually told me a bit about Emily's past. The headmaster and teachers at Ilvermorny were aware and they kept an eye on Emily throughout her school years." This comforted Charlie - so there had been someone who cared about Emily, at least from a distance.

"Thanks, Mum. For everything," and he gave her a final goodbye hug, a hug that only mother and son can share.

"Of course. Off you go now," she said, waving him on. And with a crack, he was gone to Hogsmeade.

He ran up to the castle, and down the corridor to the transfiguration where he thought Emily's rooms were. So much for keeping things on the down-low while he figured out what to do. Now the whole family knew and that was sure to embarrass Emily. They were still getting to know each other and obviously hadn't discussed the finer points of their relationship. He knocked on her door but there was no answer. He had expected this, so he had a plan. He cast his patronus, a dragon of course, and sent a message to Emily with it. The message simply said, It's Charlie, I'm here. He hoped that would be enough.

He sat down outside her door and waited. He'd give her a few moments. That Ron, what an idiot, he thought. Of course I still miss Fred. Ron doesn't have the slightest idea what's going on with Emily and me, he doesn't know how confused I am. He looked up at Emily's door; no sign of her. He was slightly worried, and was thinking of trying again, when he finally heard the door handle turn. He hopped up and looked in. Emily must have opened it with her wand, because she was lying on the floor in front of the fire. She'd made a kind of nest for herself out of pillows and blankets. It looked quite cozy; even on a summer's night the castle could get drafty. She looked as if she'd been crying. He closed the door and walked toward her, cautiously. She made no objection when he sat down next to her and put his arms on his knees.

"You must have overheard Ron," he began.

She looked confused. "How did you -" she started to ask.

"Oh he got some words in just now before I left the Burrow. He's still really mourning Fred's death, not that that's an excuse, the prat…" She didn't look much consoled at this. "I'm sorry he had to be like this, especially when we're still… figuring things out."

"So… everyone knows?" Emily asked, eyes wide.

"Well… yeah. He was shouting. If it makes any difference, everyone thought he was being ridiculous. And mum positively loves you." He hoped this helped. He wanted her to know that she really was well-liked.

She gave a weak smile. "Your mom is very sweet. Your dad too… I meant what I said earlier, you're very lucky."

"Apart from Ron, you mean," Charlie added, still annoyed.

"I'm sorry I'm so difficult," Emily offered suddenly. "None of this is… easy. I've never… I mean, I don't know how to…" she trailed off.

"What? No, Emily you aren't difficult. Circumstances are making this difficult, I'm probably making it difficult, but it's not you. It's never you." And it was true - he was the one with the hangups about not wanting to date anyone, although those feelings were melting away with each passing hour. He still didn't have an answer, but he couldn't push Emily away, not now.

"I think I'm too damaged. I don't know how to be in any kind of relationship, let alone a romantic one. I've always been alone, it's probably the way things are supposed to be."

"Emily, listen. If you need to take this slowly, to figure things out, that's ok. I… I've never dated anyone either, if it makes you feel any better. And, there's no way you're meant to be alone. Especially not after we've felt… you know." He was really hoping she had some kind of magical answer for what they felt when they touched.

"But I don't even understand what that is," she said despairingly. "There has to be some explanation, something magical, but I don't have any idea."

"We'll figure it out. What I know for sure is that I care about you, and I'm here for you. We don't have to put a label on that right now." At that, she looked happier than she had since he'd arrived. He was still avoiding what would happen at summer's end, but they didn't need to discuss that right now. Emily had nestled closer to him, and he put his arm around her. They sat there just like that, looking at the fire, for quite a while. The warmth of their touch was like a magnet to Charlie, and he didn't want to let her go. He checked his watch; it was after midnight.

"It's pretty late," he said softly. "I should let you get to bed." But as he looked down, he realized that she had already fallen asleep. He was taken aback suddenly by her beauty, so innocent and peaceful in sleep. He picked her up gently and placed her on the sofa near the fire, covering her with a light blanket. He knew the house-elves would be by to tend the fire. He left her a note, asking her to meet him tomorrow for lunch in Hogsmeade. He figured if they were going to accept this, he might as well ask her on a real date.