Lucy Rose

Chapter 9

"Oh, Thank Merlin," Charlie clutched his chest as she walked into the kitchen. "I was too afraid to go check if you were gone."

Lucy offered a weak smile, sitting down at the counter, "can I have waffles please?"

Charlie smiled and took out the pan.

"So, whats the plan for your hair?" He smirked.

"My hair?" Lucy brought her hand to her head.

Her eyes widened and she ran to the bathroom, shrieking as she saw her reflection in the mirror.

On the left side of her head, the ends of her hair were missing from her shoulder to her waist.

"It's terrible," she yelled.

Charlie's laughter boomed through the hall.

"Don't laugh!" She complained, "why didn't you tell me!"

"I did!" He called back, his footsteps getting closer, "I guess you didn't process it."

"My hair," she groaned. "Charlie, my hair!"

"It's ok," he covered his laugh by pretending to cough, "I can fix it, come on, the scissors are in the kitchen."

She sat down on a stool, a towel wrapped around her shoulders.

"Aguamenti," Charlie raised his wand.

Lucy shrieked as ice cold water poured on her head.

"Charlie! A warning would've been nice! What'd you do that for?"

"Sorry," Charlie said, "Mum always wet my hair before cutting it."

Lucy rolled her eyes.

"You know Ginny had no hair when she was eight," Charlie said as he brought the scissors to Lucy's head.

"Really?" Lucy smiled, "what happened?"

"The twins shaved it off when she was sleeping," Charlie shook his head, "eyebrows and everything, it took months to grow back."

Lucy snorted, imagining her best friend without her hair, "Merlin, I miss her."

"Me too," Charlie sighed.

"What made you move so far from everyone?" Lucy asked, "and why can't you just apparate home and visit?"

"I moved here because I needed to get away...get some peace and quiet, you know?"

Lucy nodded.

"It was also a decent job doing what I love," Charlie said as he cut strands of hair, "it was a win-win in my eyes. And for why I can't apparate...typically there's barriers up to prevent country to country apparation, not to mention the energy it drains, but I guess all of that has gone to shite with the war."

"I knew about the barriers," Lucy said, "I just forget sometimes because you can apparate and Floo to and from Scotland from practically anywhere..."

"That's only in Hogsmeade because of Hogwarts," Charlie said, "the rules get all crossed up and confusing."

"Yeah," Lucy sighed, "it's that way about a lot of things."

"It is," Charlie agreed.

The door opened and Inigo walked inside, Dragon barking to greet him.

"Goodmorning!" He beamed, "I brought donuts—"

He froze, looking at them curiously.

"Lucille? What happened to your head?"

"Oh, my hair—" Lucy started.

"No, no," Inigo said quickly, "your face?"

He put the donuts on the counter and stood in front of her, turning her chin to the side.

"Charlie come here."

"What is it?" Lucy asked.

"Shite, how didn't I see that," Charlie swore, his fingers brushing against her jawline.

"Ah," Lucy gritted her teeth, bringing her hand to her face, "what happened?"

"It looked like you splinched," Inigo said, "but that isn't possible."

"No, that's what happened," Charlie swore again, "hold on, I have Essence of Dittany in the bathroom cabinet."

"You apparated?" Inigo asked, "when?"

"Last night," Lucy said, "there was a rescue mission for Draco. Inigo, Sawyer is alive."

Inigo stepped back, clutching his chest, "what?"

"He's alive," Lucy smiled, "I saw him yesterday."

"Are you sure?" Inigo asked, "what did he say?"

"I didn't get a chance to talk to him," Lucy shook her head, "but it was him, he was talking to Abe."

Inigo pulled her into a hug, "my dear girl, that is the best news I have ever received."

"Got it!" Charlie called, running back into the room.

"Thankfully it doesn't look that deep," Inigo said.

"Yeah..." Charlie said, "Luce, turn your head—no, the other way."

He brushed all her hair over her opposite shoulder.

"This is going to sting."

Lucy squeezed her eyes shut as drops of liquid hit her skin.

It's burned for a second but stopped almost immediately.

"It's going to be a scar," Charlie frowned, "we can take you to Derek, maybe he has a spell for it."

"I already have so many scars," Lucy joked, kicking her leg, "one more won't kill me."

Charlie rolled his eyes but a fond smiled played on his face.

"Does this mean you won't be crying in the rain anymore?" He asked.

Lucy gasped, "Charles Weasley! That was out of pocket! But yes, no more crying in the rain."

"Promise?" Charlie held out his pinky finger.

"Promise," Lucy grinned.

"Good thing I took today off," Charlie yawned, mixing waffle batter in a bowl. "After this, I'm going to take a nap."

"You said there was a rescue mission for Draco last night?" Inigo said, "did he get out okay?"

"He was unconscious but we got him out of there," Lucy said. "Everyone's safe."

She felt an overwhelming happiness. Sawyer was alive, Abe was ok, Draco was safe.

"Here, Lu," Charlie flipped the waffles onto her plate.

"Thanks," Lucy smiled.

"No problem," Charlie said, taking one of the donuts Inigo brought, "wake me up when you're hungry."

With his free hand, he grabbed Matchi off the arm of the coach.

"Oi! Weasley!" Lucy laughed, "she's mine!"

Charlie smirked, running down the hall, Dragon at his heel.

"Not anymore!" He called before his door slammed shut.

Lucy rolled her eyes with a giggle.

"I'm surprised you're still here, Miss Lucille," Inigo said, taking a bite out of his own donut, "I would've thought you'd stay with Mr. Thorton."

"Charlie made a convincing argument last night," Lucy sighed, "if I had left, I'd be putting more than just myself in danger."

"You are wise beyond your age, Miss Lucille," Inigo smiled.

"No," Lucy shook her head, "I'm just surrounded by great people who only want what's best for me. I'll see Sawyer...eventually, but right now I can live with just knowing he's alive, that he's safe."

Inigo patted her hand, "strong girl," he whispered, "a Gryffindor true and true."