Lyra || Charlie Weasley ||

Don't you dare tell him

The pall of fear and tension over Grimmauld Place finally lifted as Mr. Weasley returned home just before Christmas, healed and whole. Laughter and light filled the old halls once more.

One clear winter afternoon, Mum even allowed me to take my new car around the block, uncles Sirius and Varun grinning proudly from the backseat. The engine purred as I glided down the empty lane, relishing the freedom.

Too soon, the holidays ended and we all returned to Hogwarts. But restarting Dumbledore's Army fueled my spirits. I particularly looked forward to our Patronus lesson today.

As Harry demonstrated the swirling mist he could produce, I tingled with anticipation, wand clutched tightly in my hand. What radiant creature would burst from its tip when I summoned my happiest memory?

Focusing my mind on joyful thoughts, I close my eyes, willing a happy memory to mind. Unbidden, an image of Charlie surfaces - his muscular arms cradling a baby dragon close to his chest, an easy grin lighting up his freckled face. Another image follows of Charlie tucking blankets around me after carrying my tipsy self to bed. His hazel eyes had been warm and tender as he gazed down at me in the moonlit room.

My heart swelling with emotion, I flourish my wand with enthusiasm. "Expecto Patronum!" I cry. A few of my fellow students gasped as a burst of silvery light erupted from my wand, swiftly taking shape in the Room of Requirement. I watch in delight as a huge dragon unfolds - its slender serpentine body undulating, leathery wings outstretched, eyes intelligent and alive. It soars gracefully around the room, shimmering and ethereal.

My classmates erupt into awed murmurs and exclamations at the sight. I bite my lip to hide a proud smile. Having a dragon as my patronus just feels right, inevitable even. What else could it possibly be when thoughts of a certain Weasley fill me with such indescribable happiness?

I watched, delighted, as my shimmering dragon patronus soared around the Room of Requirement. The spectral beast embodied what I loved most - Charlie....

As the dragon faded from view, my classmates broke into impressed applause.

"Blimey, that was brilliant!" Ron exclaimed, clapping me on the back.

Hermione beamed. "Oh well done, Lyra! Conjuring a fully-formed patronus is very advanced magic."

I flushed under the praise, secretively twisting the silver ring Charlie gifted me where it now adorned my finger. Having my patronus mirror Charlie's passion felt profoundly right, another thread binding my heart and soul to him.

"Alright you lot, back to work then!" Harry called over the excitement. "Think of your happiest memory and try again!"

As everyone raised their wands, I saw Ginny smirking at me knowingly from across the room. My patronus' form had not gone unnoticed by her it seemed. I quickly busied myself helping Neville, determinedly avoiding meeting Ginny's gaze.

Later, as we all walked back to our common rooms, Ginny fell into step beside me.

"So," she began casually. "That was quite the impressive dragon earlier..."

I studiously avoided reacting but could feel my cheeks growing warm.

Ginny laughed brightly. "You know, Charlie will be thrilled when I tell him your patronus matches his favorite creature." She danced ahead with a cheeky wink as I sighed in resignation. My affection for her brother was truly the worst-kept secret.

"Don't you dare tell him," I say sharply as Ginny dances ahead.

She turns back with a smirk. "And why not?"