Just Like Home | Charlie Weasley

Chapter 37

The breath was stolen from Eleanor's lungs as she peered around at the landscape before her. Surrounding them for miles were white-tipped mountains, stretching up into the sky, clouds lingering around the summits making them just out of view. The sky was a piercing blue which made the winter chill deceivingly cold. Eleanor and Charlie stood in a small, circular clearing with tall fir trees lining the edge, leading into a thick, dense forest. There were around a dozen small wooden cabins dotted around in the clearing which evidently were the living quarters for the staff. The ground was frozen, with ice still costing the short blades of grass, crunching underfoot as Eleanor took small steps around. The place was truly magnificent, the magic in the air practically tingling, sparking a fire in Eleanor's veins. She could see why Charlie liked it so much here and she had barely seen anything yet. She drew in a deep breath, the air here seeming much clearer than London, and allowed it to pass slowly into her lungs, the coolness of it numbing her throat slightly.

"What do you think?" she heard Charlie mutter quietly from beside her. Since they had stepped outside, Charlie's gaze had been fixed upon the mesmerised girl beside him. He observed her carefully as her eyes darted around the scene before her, her lips parting in awe as she took it all in. He too smiled when he saw the way the corners or her mouth slowly lifted into a wide smile. The crisp, bright light made Eleanor's eyes appear almost emerald, shining clearly as they widened a fraction.

She turned her head to look up at him; her heart rate increasing as it did each time she saw him. "It's amazing," she said softly.

Charlie grinned, reaching for her hand to lace their fingers together. "You came on a good day... I can tell you the weather isn't always like this,".

Eleanor laughed gently as Charlie tugged on her hand, leading her in the direction of the tree line where there was what looked like a thin dirt path.

"I'll show you the next best bit, then I'll have to go and get changed before I take you any further," he told her.

"Lead the way," she smiled, taking careful footsteps as the light began to fade the further they stepped under the cover of the trees. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and pine needles.

"Don't worry there aren't any dragons roaming in this part," Charlie teased.

"I wasn't even... Shut up," Eleanor scoffed, playfully nudging Charlie's arm with her elbow.

"It's okay love, I saw the terror in your eyes. I'll look after you,". Charlie turned to Eleanor, giving her a brief wink before nudging her back.

"Okay, whatever you say," she rolled her eyes fondly.

"Oh now that hurts," he gasped. "See, I knew you were trouble!".

"Says you!".

"Yeah, says I. Okay it's just through here,". Charlie veered off the path onto a smaller one that led through a thin clearing in the trees. He stepped ahead of Eleanor, leading the way so she couldn't see what was in front of them.

After another minute or so, Charlie came to a halt, sending Eleanor barrelling into his back. He let out a loud laugh and reached his hand behind him to pull her around to his front.

"Careful there, clumsy," he teased. With her back to his front, Charlie placed his hands on Eleanor's shoulders so she could look in front of her. The warmth of his body against hers made her shiver subtly, the sensation of his hands on her face causing her skin to prickle.

Again, the sight before her was unlike anything she had seen before. A large lake, filled with still, turquoise water, stretched out across the forest floor. The small beams of sunlight peeping through the gaps in the trees reflected off the surface making it appear as though it was dazzling. Every so often, small ripples could be seen on the surface, indicating that something was roaming about under the water. Large, green lily pads sat lazily on top, occasionally floating one way or the other with the gentle motions of the water, and Eleanor saw the most beautiful dragonfly she had ever seen buzzing happily across the surface. She found it incredible that this gem was hidden in the forest of the already magnificent place that she had seen.