Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 130 - Can We Talk?

TW: Hazel talks about the SA event.

After a while, Charlie comes out with Teddy in his arms.

"Hazel, you should come back in."  He says it politely, but sternly.  I suppose he's right.  I can't hide out here forever.

"Yeah, alright."  I sigh, climbing to my feet and brushing the snow off of my knees and butt.  He opens the door for me and I slip inside, releasing my heating charm.  

"Let's get Teddy to bed.  He's pretty tuckered out."  Charlie hands me the baby, who whines a bit.  We head up to Ginny's room, and Charlie sets up the portable crib while I feed and change Teddy.  I cast a noise detecting charm around the crib and gently put the now dozing little one down.  He immediately rolls to his tummy, sticking his little butt in the air.  I smile at the cute koala clad bum before turning off the lights and leaving with Charlie.

With the door closed behind us, I cast a muffling charm so that he won't be woken by the others in the house.

"Are you okay?"  Charlie asks, stopping me before we can go downstairs.

"Yeah.  I snapped at your mum though."  I admit, feeling a bit bad about it.

"What did you say?"  He says, clearly intrigued.  I roll my eyes at him.

"I was telling her about moving in without because I didn't have anywhere to go.  And she said I could have come here.  And I told her that that was only the case because of Teddy, and that I don't use him like that."

"What?"

"If I hadn't have had Teddy, it wouldn't have mattered to her that I was homeless.  I'm not going to use Teddy to get into places I'm not welcome."  I shrug, crossing my arms as if that will make it hurt less.

"Merlin, Hazel.  You didn't hold back, did you?"  He snorts, shaking his head.

"Shut it."  I elbow him lightly in the ribs.  "The woman testified against me in court."

"She what?"  He whisper yells, so startled that I am able to brush past him.

"Yeah.  It sucked.  I don't want to get into it right now." 

"Well, we are getting into it later, that's for sure."  He hisses back, following me closely down the steps.

"Fine, fine."  I grumble, conceding.  "But not tonight."

I just want to sit by the fire and read my book.  I've been researching alternative stirring methods recently, and I have finally found a decent book on it.  I have Snape's personal library to thank for that.  The man has more potions books than Hogwarts.  I grab a blanket and sit on the floor by the fire, opening my book.  Charlie lays down beside me, and I lean against him as I read.

"What's your book about?"  Charlie asks, nearly knocking me over as he tries to peek at it.

"Potions obviously.  Do I read about anything else?"  I shift to get comfortable again as he settles back down.

"Read it to me?"  He requests.

"You want me to read to you about potion stirring?"  I chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. 

"Yeah.  Read me a bedtime story."  He yawns, stretching his arms up and behind his head, letting his eyes fall closed.

"Alright then."  I turn back to the book, reading out loud now.  Apparently it's rather effective, because about five minutes in, he's asleep.  I smile at him snoring softly, before continuing reading silently.