The Older Potter // HP Older Sister

122

C H A P T E R 122

Charlie Weasley walked into Grimmauld Place from taking the day to do more work with the Ministry's Magical Creatures department.

He headed into the kitchen where he saw Kreacher handing Samantha and Sirius a plate with roast beef and mashed potatoes on it.

"Good evening," Charlie said simply and went to the counter to pour himself a glass of lemonade. He could feel Samantha's eyes on him as both her and Sirius responded back to him.

"How was your meeting?" Sirius asked.

Charlie turned and sat down next to him, across from Samantha who was looking at him with a small smile. He could see how exhausted she was and hopefully they could chat soon. He wanted to let her know that he was there for her if she wanted to chat and just simply have company.

"Very quick. We spoke about my schedule for the next few months. Over summer I am spending three weeks in Romania. Going to do inventory and making counts. That'll pretty much be my last extended stay longer than a weekend."

"So you'll be here permanently then?" Samantha spoke, her voice soft.

Charlie refrained from giving a wide smile at her. "Yes. I'll be starting to look for my own flat in the fall."

Sirius shrugged. "If you want to do that and waste money be my guest. You know you're more than welcome to stay here."

"I know but I don't want this house to become crowded."

"Whatever you want to do, Charlie," Sirius responded. "Plus aren't you helping with Quidditch at Hogwarts next year? Was that ever finalized?"

"I think everyone got kind of distracted due to...recent events," Charlie said, pausing and seeing Samantha raise her eyebrows slightly out of the corner of his eye. "I'll ask Dumbledore next time I see him but I think Madam Hooch wants to stay one more year. When I was here a few weeks ago, she said that it was becoming real that she might retire and wanted to see what next year was like."

"Well I hope you'll be around for the matches," Samantha spoke which caused Charlie to bite his inside cheek and Sirius to grin to himself.

*****

Later that evening, Remus and Tonks returned from work which caused Sirius to narrow his eyes in suspicion. He would make it a point to ask them why this was the third time in the last two weeks they were arriving late together.

Charlie finished helping make sure Kreacher was finished cleaning the kitchen before heading off to take a shower and then get ready for bed. He had some reading he wanted to catch up. However, he passed the library and stopped. Samantha was sitting there by herself, reading a book while laying down on the couch.

Charlie peeked his head in and knocked on the inside wall.

Samantha lifted her head and smiled softly. "Hi Charlie."

"Mind if I join for a moment?"

She nodded and sat up, making room for him on the other side of the couch. She brought her legs to her and looked towards him as he sat down and faced her.

"I'm not going to overwhelm you with questions about what happened in the maze...and beyond. Know I am here for you if you want to chat to someone or if you just want some company. You know I'll do whatever I have to to make sure you're comfortable," Charlie explained soothingly.

Samantha gulped. Charlie was looking at her in a way that made her feel so delicate and taken care of. That level of safety brought a rush of peace over her that she needed. She hated that her insides still ached at the thought of what happened in the maze. It was still much too soon.