Just Like Home | Charlie Weasley

Chapter 28

Eleanor was in her own little world when she felt a presence materialise next to her and a delightfully familiar voice speak up.

"Need a hand?".

At the sound of his voice, Eleanor felt her stomach flip and she turned to look at the red-headed man who had appeared. She would never get tired of seeing him in front of her. She was sure that, if perfection had a human form, he would be it. He was dressed in a pair of black jeans, which she decided that she liked very much on him, a plain grey knitted jumper with a brown suede jacket and his usual leather boots. His fiery waves were a little tousled from the wind and his cheeks were tinged pink from the cold. He looked positively ethereal.

Before she could respond, he reached over to grab a few of the bags from her, his hand brushing hers gently as he did so.

"You know you're a witch, right?" he smirked at her. "You could definitely make this easier for yourself,".

Eleanor grinned at him, slightly embarrassed as she admitted he was right. "Where's the fun in that?".

"I suppose lots of witches wait around to see if any handsome ginger wizards will approach and sweep them off their feet,".

"Is that what this is?" she giggled. "Because I don't see any sweeping going on,".

"All in good time love, all in good time,". The affectionate term rolled off his tongue so easily that he barely even noticed he'd used it until he watched Eleanor's cheeks glaze pink and she bashfully looked away from him.

The two walked side by side along the alley engaging in an easy conversation until they reached her shop.

"Would you mind bringing those inside for me, seeing as you're, you know... Sweeping and all that," Eleanor asked cheekily, sending Charlie a smile that he was sure had the ability to melt his heart.

"Course not," Charlie grinned.

Eleanor turned to the side to push open the door with her shoulder just as Charlie reached an arm over her head to push it himself. They both paused, her gazing up at him as he smiled down at her. His attractive scent engulfed her senses and she felt herself physically swoon as she could sense the warmth from his body a few inches from hers.

"Thanks," she said with a bashful smile.

"Don't mention it," he breathed quietly in response.

After one more elongated glance, she turned to walk through the door as Charlie let out a deep breath behind her in an attempt to chill himself out. There were no customers in the shop at this point, and the conversation happening between Darcie and Finn abruptly halted when they spotted who had just walked in the door. Eleanor inwardly groaned as she recognised what was inevitably about to happen.

"Well hello there!" Darcie beamed as she leant on the counter.

"Oh no," Eleanor muttered.

"Afternoon," Charlie smiled politely, his eyes flitting between the familiar blonde, and the unfamiliar man who were both smiling rather inconspicuously at the pair of them.

"It's nice to officially meet you, Charlie, is it?" Darcie greeted, sending Eleanor an exaggerated wink.

"Is this the buff dragon man?" Eleanor heard Finn whisper to Darcie.

"Okay, come on!" she announced, attempting to grab Charlie by the arm with her bags in her hands to pull him through to the kitchen.

Once they were safely in the kitchen, Eleanor placed her bags down on the counter and sheepishly turned around to face Charlie. She was hardly shocked to find him smirking at her as he stood there, his bags already placed on the counter, with his arms folded.