𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 | f. w

11

The following morning, Grimmauld Place was filled with the scent of toast and coffee as Mattie and Quinn sat in the kitchen, both lost in their thoughts. Despite the usual morning quiet of the house, there was a new, almost tangible tension between them—a nervous anticipation that Mattie was trying very hard not to let consume her.

The letter to Fred had been sent, and the wait for his reply had settled over her like an itch she couldn't scratch. Every creak in the floorboards, every flicker of shadow felt like it might be the start of something, but the days stretched on with no word from him. She tried to distract herself, but her mind kept drifting back to that letter, wondering how he'd respond, if he'd respond. If he'd understand.

But this morning, she wasn't the only one with her mind in a whirlwind.

Quinn was attempting, rather unsuccessfully, to keep her eyes on her toast while glancing around the kitchen as though someone might appear any second. And every time the fire crackled or the kitchen door creaked, Quinn looked up, her face quickly falling into an almost dreamlike daze before she snapped herself back to reality. Mattie watched her, biting back a smile. She knew exactly who her friend was hoping to see.

"So," Mattie said, unable to hold back any longer, a mischievous lilt in her voice, "are you going to keep glancing at the door every two seconds, or are you actually going to say something to him?"

Quinn turned to her, her cheeks immediately pink. "Say something to who?"

Mattie leaned forward, her grin widening. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe a certain Weasley with a rugged jawline and a lovely collection of dragon scars?"

Quinn's face grew even redder, her eyes narrowing as she tried to appear unaffected. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Mattie laughed, folding her arms as she leaned back in her chair. "Come on, Quinn. You're about as subtle as a Howler every time Charlie so much as walks into the room."

Quinn rolled her eyes, but Mattie noticed the slight smile tugging at her friend's lips. "Alright, fine. Maybe he's... interesting."

"Interesting?" Mattie repeated with a raised eyebrow. "I'd say that's putting it lightly. You practically went silent the second he walked into the kitchen yesterday."

Quinn tried to hide a smile, brushing an invisible crumb from her plate. "I didn't go silent. I just... didn't know what to say."

"That's a first," Mattie teased, nudging her gently. "I don't think I've ever seen you lost for words. And with Charlie, no less. You do realize he's probably noticed by now, right?"

Quinn sighed, her face still flushed. "That's the problem, Mattie. He's... well, he's Charlie Weasley. He's got this whole life, a dangerous, adventurous job, and here I am, barely able to say two words without turning red. He's probably used to more confident types."

"Quinn," Mattie said softly, her teasing tone turning sincere, "anyone can see that he likes talking to you. I mean, he practically lights up every time you ask him a question about dragons. And honestly, I think he finds it endearing that you're a little shy around him."

Quinn bit her lip, a hopeful glint in her eyes. "You think so?"

"I know so," Mattie said with a grin. "Come on, you didn't notice the way he looked at you when you started talking about that defense spell you'd been studying? He was actually listening—like, really listening."

Quinn's blush deepened, but there was a spark of excitement in her eyes now, one Mattie hadn't seen in a long time. "I thought maybe... well, it's just hard to believe."

"Believe it," Mattie replied, reaching out to give her friend's hand a reassuring squeeze. "And maybe try talking to him a little more. Who knows? Maybe he's just as nervous around you as you are around him."