Just Like Home | Charlie Weasley

Chapter 5

George returned to his brothers with Eleanor and her friend Hayley in tow. Charlie's heart hammered slightly in his chest as he spotted them walking over, silently cursing in his head as he wasn't prepared to see her this evening.

"Shove up, Charlie! Make room for the ladies," George scolded playfully as he gestured for Eleanor to slide in next to Charlie, Hayley on her other side. Eleanor held her breath as she shifted to sit beside the broad man, who tried to make himself smaller as he sunk into the corner of the booth. Sitting in such a close proximity affected both Eleanor and Charlie in a way they never thought possible- both their stomachs twisting in that delightfully sickening way when you fancy the pants off someone, both of them trying not to look at each other even though their eyes were drawn to each other like magnets. Eleanor couldn't ignore that sitting this close to Charlie allowed her to realise he smelt absolutely delightful, too. Whatever aftershave the man was wearing was intoxicating; like a subtle mix of citrus and sandalwood, and it suited him perfectly.

After a few more drinks, everybody seemed to relax more and a comfortable conversation hovered around the table, gradually becoming louder and more eccentric as each person's inhibitions lowered from the consumption of alcohol. The three Weasley's were stunned to learn that Eleanor had been a Beauxbatons student, and immediately asked her if she knew how to speak French.

"Oui je connais un peu le français," Eleanor nodded with slightly rosey cheeks; whether it be from the alcohol warming her system of the way that Charlie's knee would occasionally bump against her own bare leg under the table, she wasn't sure. Had somebody asked her the question of French whilst she was sober, she would normally be filled with the familiar dread of remembering where her French tendencies came from; her mother was French, and exhausted herself attempting to teach a completely clueless Eleanor some French when she was younger so she could survive at Beauxbatons. Tonight, however, Eleanor remained blissfully ignorant to the grief. It seemed that a certain Charlie Weasley had a rather exhilarating effect on her.

"Beauxbatons, you say? Did you know Fleur?" Bill asked thoughtfully, his eyes lazy with the heavy effect of the firewhiskey he was drinking.

Eleanor grinned. "I did. Wonderful girl, that one. I think I was... Two years above her?".

"She's my wife," Bill boasted proudly, puffing his chest as he usually did when he had the opportunity to show off his beautiful wife.

Hayley and Eleanor cooed with admiration whilst Charlie and George looked at each other and gagged. "You're a very lucky man, Billiam," Eleanor nodded solemnly before erupting into giggles. Charlie turned his head to look at her with soft eyes, loving the way her nose scrunched up slightly and her eyes squinted when she laughed properly.

"What about you two, then?" Hayley slurred, pointing her finger between Charlie and George. "Any wonderful ladies, or gentlemen, in your lives?". George snorted with laughter whilst Charlie choked on his drink.

"It's... Complicated," George said after a while, whilst Charlie simply said "Er, no," with a subtle blush hidden under his auburn stubble that littered his jawline and cheeks.

"How so, George?" Eleanor frowned, leaning across the table without caring for the drinks that sat in front of her, which Charlie quickly whipped out of harm's way and placed in front of him.

"I... I love her, and I don't know if she loves me," he pouted. "I think she does, but I don't want her to have to put up with my... Brokenness, y'know?". He ran a hand over his face. Tomorrow's George would be mortified if he knew his drunken self was spilling his anxieties over now being loved by Angelina, but right now Eleanor's caring eyes and concerned, albeit drunkenly rosey face, made him want to spill his guts.