Here Right Now | Charlie Weasley

Chapter 29 : Cruelty

"YOU going to Hogsmeade, Cap?" Wood asked.

"No, I'm alright. Have fun." Charlie nodded to his friends, going back to his book.

They shrugged and left him in a whirlwind of laughter, chatter and a relaxation Charlie hadn't felt since Christmas. Ever since coming back from home, Charlie hadn't got some time alone with Charlotte, though he wasn't sure if it was because he was avoiding it or not. Every time he wanted to breach the gap, in Potions or in Care of Magical Creatures, she was sitting there cold as stone and ignoring him. It felt like he was playing a game of chicken with her.

He was exhausted with the roller-coaster of emotions she evoked in him.

Charlie stood up from the couch in the common room, around noon, determined to enjoy what was left of Saturday. He left the room and wandered downstairs to the Great Hall, trying to think of everything but Charlotte. He ambled down the staircases, avoiding the ones that were notoriously tricky and moved around more than others. 

Everywhere there were reminders of her around, a corner where they had discussed their group work, a staircase where she had gotten stuck in the stair. He had to help her, trying not to laugh his head off. She had given him a deathly stare, while he tugged her out and tried to muffle his chuckles. They were usually together on their own as their respective group of friends didn't mix well together.

He reached the front hall when he came to a standstill, as a soft body crashed against his. He looked down and an angry Charlotte looked up at him.

"Can you stop being a wall?" she grumbled, as he helped her up from the cold floor.

"Sorry, I honestly didn't see you there." He rubbed the back of his neck.

She shook her head and was about to join her friends in the courtyard, when his hand shot out and lightly grabbed her arm. She stopped and looked at him, a questioning look on her face.

"Look, I can see you're busy today and have plans but can we talk at some point?" He pleaded.

He let go of her arm, satisfied that she wasn't just going to run away. She shrugged and left him with a brisk walk, straight to her friends. He sighed in disappointment, and shuffled towards the Hall.

"Charlie." 

He felt her hands on his shoulders, a warmth emitting from them. He tensed up but turned around to face her.

"Have you eaten?" She had a small smile on her face.

"No, I was on my way now."

"Okay, go have some food and I'll meet you in Hogsmeade, at the Three Broomsticks? Around three?" He nodded in confirmation and she left him, a smile on her face.

Charlie found himself speeding through lunch, an excitement he tried to suppress racing through him. He left the castle grounds, the melting snow making the way there treacherous. He wanted to talk to her, to get their friendship back but he didn't know how to act around her. He wanted to do a lot of things, kissing her was one of them but the time for that was long gone now.

He regretted his inaction towards her but he was just happy to be friends again. That's what he kept in his mind as he entered the Three Broomsticks, seeing Charlotte sitting on her own at the back of the shop. 

It was fairly warmer inside than outside, filled with students and the chatter from the students loud in his ears. He spied his friends sitting together in a huddle, Kane talking excitedly with Wood and Jayden, while Freya twirled her hair and looked thoroughly bored, sitting a bit away from the huddle. He felt bad for leaving her for a moment but his eyes fell on Charlotte and it went away, as quick as it came.