Lyra || Charlie Weasley ||

Oh Charlie, I miss you so much, I simply can't bear us being apart!

It's been a month since Charlie left for Romania. The holidays are fast approaching and with them, the newly announced Yule Ball dance. I can't help but roll my eyes at the idea.

So far two blokes have asked me to the ball, both times right in front of Draco. And both times he burst out cackling as I politely declined. 

After one too many rejections, Hermione and Ginny pointed out that I should just say yes to someone unless I wanted to go alone. Which was not exactly a bad idea, but they wouldn't have it. So here I am getting all dolled up for Gregory Abbot. Fun.

Despite being apart, Charlie has kept his promise to write. Each week I receive two letters, sometimes to tell me about a new dragon they got or just some fancy new dish he tried or funny things his mates did and sometimes to answer the letter I wrote him. But they always arrived, even if sometimes it was just one line or two. My favorite so far simply read: 'Norbie misses you. - C' Short, but it never fails to make me smile. I've written back faithfully too, telling him about classes, quidditch, and gossiping about the Yule Ball drama.

As Ginny helps me get ready for the ball, she eyes me curiously in the mirror. "So why were you rejecting every guy who asked you before? Is there someone you wanted to go with instead?"

I feel my cheeks flush and avoid her probing gaze. "What? No, no one in particular..."

But Ginny's face lights up gleefully. "Oh Merlin, you do fancy someone! I knew it!" She bounces on her toes eagerly. "Come on, spill! Who's the lucky lad?"

"No one!" I protest, grabbing a pillow from the bed and chucking it at her. She dodges it easily, cackling.

"Tell me who you liiike," Ginny sing-songs persistently.

I groan, picking up another pillow threateningly. "Absolutely not! And we're going to be late if you don't hurry up."

Ginny sighs but lets it go for now, turning back to help me finish styling my hair. As we make our way down to the Great Hall, however, she whispers with a knowing grin, "This isn't over, Lyra. I'll get it out of you someday."

I just roll my eyes and shove her playfully. At the ball, Ginny persists in asking who I fancy as we stand at the drinks table.

"Come on, just give me a hint!" she wheedles.

Before I can shush her, Draco sidles up with a sly grin. "You haven't told the Weaslette who you're so smitten with yet? Really now, she should know since it's her own brother!"

I gasp, shooting Draco a murderous look as Ginny's eyes go wide. "You like one of my brothers?!" She looks between me and Draco eagerly. "Who is it? Tell me!"

I groan, glaring at Draco. "You prat, you weren't supposed to say anything!"

Ginny grabs my arm pleadingly. "Just tell me the name and I'll forget that you told Ferret before you told me or I am going to hold this over you all your life, I promise!"

I hesitate, chewing my lip...then lean in to whisper a single name in her ear.

Ginny's delighted squeal nearly ruptures my eardrum. "Charlie? Really? That's so exciting!" She bounces up and down, clutching my hands. 

I shush her frantically, face flaming. "Ginny, keep it down!"

I grab Ginny's arm, shushing her excited squeals.

"Ginny, we'll talk about this later, alright?" I say pointedly. "Your date is waiting."

I nod towards Neville hovering anxiously nearby, looking overwhelmed by all the glittering finery. Ginny sighs but allows me to steer her back towards him with a meaningful look.