Reliving the Past, Present, and Future

Chapter 32

July 20th, 1996 09:03 AM

"This is madness... we could be sent to Azkaban... Merlin knows if this will even - Charlie, are you listening?"

Bill frowned at his brother who was staring into his tea as if it held all their answers.

Bill's clearance as a curse breaker would only get them so far without a goblin. Everything seemed to be pointing to the Imperius curse as their only way in. And if the rumors about how impressive Harry's invisibility cloak are true, it wouldn't hurt their chances.

He narrowed his eyes at his brother's inattentiveness. Charlie has been distracted since returning from Hogwarts a month ago. A month ago when Voldemort possessed Harry Potter and their sister nearly died from a poisonous mist. And Hermione Granger...

"Is this about Hermione?"

Charlie snapped out of his revere. "What?"

"Hermione Granger. Something happen with you two?"

Charlie sighed, covering his face with his hands, mumbling incoherently.

"Out with it, mate, go on."

"I-broke-up-with-her-alright."

Bill pinched the bridge of his nose. "Bloody hell, you git."

Charlie groaned. "I panicked. She started talking about taking a break and I thought we should just end it then."

"Did you even ask why she wanted to take a break? Was she even out of the Hospital Wing when this was decided?"

Charlie's forehead suddenly hit the table.

Bill rolled his eyes. "About as tactful as Ron."

Charlie shot his brother a dirty look before turning his head to stare out the window to the crashing waves.

Shell Cottage was isolated and peaceful. But it gave him too much introspection to realize how badly he mucked up his relationship. Seeing Hermione hurt like that and unconscious for two days had him in ruins.

Besides, he loves his dragons. That was his priority wasn't it? It simply wouldn't have worked.

You ended it because you're a coward.

Charlie scowled and shook his head, looking back down at his pitiful tea.

"You see this morning's Daily Prophet?" said Bill, tossing it toward him.

He glanced at the gleaming title.

IS HARRY POTTER THE CHOSEN ONE? Read more on pages 3-6

"Expecting a 15 year old to defeat a dark wizard... the rubbish they post these days," continued Bill, leaning back in his chair with a frown.

Charlie felt uneasy, looking down at the picture on the front page of Harry when he was in the Tri-Wizard Tournament.

"Teddy Lupin said -"

"Don't get me started on him," said Bill coldly, crossing his arms. "Bastard is using our brothers as a means to an end."

"He's an Auror," Charlie murmured. "They're known for strategy."

Charlie didn't agree with the manipulation but he respected Teddy as a wizard. And one who clearly cared about Harry Potter and his family... and Hermione.

Merlin's pants did all thoughts lead to her?

"It was shifty how he suddenly left," Bill mused, drumming his fingers on the table. "Didn't even wait for Harry to wake up."