Inimicus- Charlie Weasley

12.

{October 1993}
Fifth year

Hogsmeade weekend couldn't come any sooner. Hope was actually excited about it and even started growing nervous about going with Archer. It was universally known that it was a date. But not to Hope who was very oblivious. She always has been, which is why relationships were never her thing. Most of the males that ever attempted anything gave up.

Due to it being the weekend, Hope wasn't in uniform and and for the first time Remus Lupin noticed the bracelet that sat on her left wrist as she helped him stack worksheets. Instead of heading out to breakfast before the gate was opened, she decided to meet up with the professor. Since their last one on one, Remus managed to apologize for his behavior and by then, after sending her mother the letter she had been putting off, she had not only realized, but forgotten that not everyone knows the truth about her uncle. So she let it go.

"Where did you get that?" Remus asked recognizing the piece of jewelry on her wrist.

"Oh this?" She began to fidget with it. " My mother gave it to me when I first came to Hogwarts. It's not really my style, but it means a lot since it came from her."

"Your uncle had one just like it." Remus admitted.

Hopes eyes widened at this news. "He did? What about my uncle Regulus? Did he have one too? Was it an heirloom?"

"I'm not quite sure," He lied. "but I remember the day your uncle got it like it was yesterday." he admitted starring right at it. He would know, he was the one who gave it to Sirius after his fight with Rasalas. He thought it was better for Sirius to have it than some bloody monster like him. Till this very day he couldn't wrap his head around the fact that Rasalas had even been able to love him.

"Sirius was never the serious one, he always found himself in trouble alongside James. Usually I was the one getting them out of it." Remus spoke softly as he stood up from his desk, leaving his work behind. He slowly moved towards the only window in the room and couldn't help but stare out towards the whomping willow. He honestly thought he would never see that bloody tree again.

"The prank that you mentioned last time, it wasn't a prank. It was a serious matter and professor Snape nearly lost his life because of it. This caused a big fight between Sirius and I. We did not speak for months. Honestly, I was not sure if I would ever speak to Sirius again."

"What did he do?" Hope asked only because she was actually curious. The way he spoke of the situation made it seem like so much more and when her mother mentioned it, it sounded like she said. A simple prank.

"A story for another time." Remus turned to look at the girl. "Seems like someone is waiting for you." He gestured towards the door to the classroom.

Looking in the direction, Hope found Archer waiting for her with that soft smile he always has, but on him it looked like so much more. It looked daring and confident even if he didn't mean to. "Ready? Filch is about to open the gate, he's retrieving permission slips from third years."

"Yes, I'm ready. Farewell, Professor Lupin." Hope dismissed herself as she sent him a small wave while heading towards the exit.

Remus Lupin couldn't help but smile. There was so much he wanted to say and ask Hope-such as if she is seeing Archer Williams, which he wouldn't mind due to the fact that the bloke is brilliant and handsome. Even he could admit that. Still he couldn't help but think that she did a better job than her mother did. At least his daughter isn't dating a monster.

***

Archer had it planned, at some point, his friends were going to go to another store and he was going to get some butterbeer with Hope. All he wanted was some alone time with her but their teammates had other plans. The twins joined them and did not stop talking. Then when Charlie Weasley walked in with Oliver, Fred proceeded to call them over as well.

"This was not how I wanted today to go." Archer admitted to Hope.

"Oh, we know big boy." George Weasley had leaned over to whisper into his ear while he held a huge grin and patted the blokes back. Archer closed his eyes trying to not get annoyed. Meanwhile, Fred was also growing annoyed because although he did not trust Archer, he sill wanted to win the bet.

"Well, We are going to get another round of Butterbeer, Archer will you help me?" Fred asked.

"Sure." Archer agreed hesitantly as as he glanced over at Hope who was also expressing the same annoyance on her face. "Why not."

This left Hope alone with Charlie who suddenly moved to the seat next to her.

"Hope, hey I remembered you said you lost your gloves and said you needed new ones, so I picked these up for you."

Frowning, Hope accepted the bag that was being handed to her. "Charlie, you didn't lose them, you did not have to buy me new ones."

"Kind of feels like I did." He shrugged. "But see it more like a welcome back to the team gift."

"Well in that case, I must accept." Hope smiled and began to pull them out of the shopping bag. To say Hope was impressed was an understatement. They were the right gloves. The right color and the right size. The only difference was the brand. it was one she never used before because it wasn't the best quality. It is no secret that the Weasley family struggles financially. Hope knew this, mostly because her cousin was always making fun of them when ever she had to visit Malfoy manor or worse, right to their face. Draco never let Hope forget she fraternizes with blood traitors. Then every time, Hope punches her cousin and leaves him crying.

"Hope. Come quick. It's Reggie. He's in trouble." Katie Bell rushed towards the girl. "He's at Honey Dukes."

Immediately, Hope stood up and began following her friend out of the building. Just as Hope was picking up her speed and heading towards Honeydukes, she was quickly stopped by someone.

"Brilliant." Archer smiled at Katie as he took Hopes hand in his. "I owe you one, Katie." Archer promised as she pointed at her as he began to drag Hope with him. "I snuck away from Fred and then I ran into Katie. Your brother is fine. In fact he is the one that helped me come up with this plan."

"Of course he did." Hope tried not to smile.

"But we really do have to go to Honey Dukes." He sighed. "I have to pay him for helping me with this plan."

"Of course you do." Hope laughed this time.

Once she calmed down, she glanced down at her hand which was still in Archers. "Is it okay that I hold your hand?"

"Yes." Hope couldn't help but smile up at him. "Come on." She began to drag him. "My brother will come looking for you if you don't pay up."

Archer dropped his head laughing. This was his fault. Just when he thought he had a moment with his long time crush, he doesn't and this time it was on him. Now he had to deal with the consequences and it was worth it.