Here Right Now | Charlie Weasley

Chapter 36 : Here

THE prefects common room was full of laughter, chatter and noise as the farewell for the seventh years was in full swing. The room wasn't usually very big but this didn't matter since the professors had used an Undetectable Extension Charm on it. The students found themselves conversing with the students they had made friends with on the train, during their first day of Hogwarts. Many of them did not continue these friendships because of house rivalries, but this party was their last one together as a group and the only time to speak one more time, since the house rivalries were left at the door. 

It was a room filled with goodwill, eagerness and anxiety for their futures.

Charlie and his friends were dispersed around the room as they chatted to the various students in the other houses. Of course, they kept most of the friends from their first year but not everyone was meant to be friends. Charlie was talking to Penelope, the Head Girl of Hufflepuff. She was a relaxed and easy go lucky girl, but had an impeccable way of making you feel bad if you put any foot wrong. She was a great Head Girl and Charlie enjoyed her company. 

Jayden and Leah, who had entered the party together, were sitting together on the out of the way, window seat and their heads close together as they spoke quietly. The two earned a few curious glances, but the carefree spirit in the room squished any conversations about the two. It was obvious to those around them that they were together. The couple didn't notice anyone around them, including the one person they dreaded finding out.

Charlotte walked in with Hunter, who was animatedly explaining the Auror training program he was joining at the end of the summer. She was happy for her friend and his sixth sense, or his Inner Eye, would help him a lot. They stood at the door as Hunter ceased talking, his eyes on the quiet corner in the room. Her eyes followed his gaze and she laid eyes on her best friend and twin, holding hands and laughing together.

"Oh." She breathed out, all the puzzle pieces falling into place in her mind.

"It's about time." Hunter muttered to himself and she frowned at him.

"You knew?" Her voice was quiet but full of accusation as they moved towards the table full of food.

"Yeah, for a while. It wasn't my place to tell you though. If it helps, I did push them to tell you multiple times." He shrugged casually, grabbing a pumpkin pasty.

She had a sour look on her face but it melted away as her eyes landed on Charlie. He was chatting to the Head Girl with a big smile on his face and this made her heart melt.

Hunter chuckled and pushed her towards him. He knew they had planned something together; to do something they've never done before. It was just a feeling or vision, if you wanted to put it in other words.

She winked at her friend, and walked towards Charlie. Unbeknownst to her, his friends were eyeing her path to their friend. Kane and Freya were both feeling wary of her. 

Charlie looked away from Penelope and his eyes caught the brunettes. Her smile made his stomach flutter as the promise of the evening shone in her eyes. She turned to go outside, her finger tapping her fictional watch on her wrist. He nodded slightly and went back to speaking to Penelope, the interaction between Charlotte and Charlie only lasting a few seconds.

Only a few had noticed, as the music started drifting through the room. The party was in full swing now.

"Hey, Hippogriff." Charlotte stopped in her tracks, as her brother greeted her.

He was standing with Leah, their hands entwined. Charlotte lifted her eyebrow in annoyance, crossing her arms. She was close to leaving the room and desperately wanted to go outside. It was almost time, but she knew she had to give her brother the time and patience to hear what he needed to say. Her friend looked anxious but she was glowing too, as Charlotte waited for her brother to talk to her.

"Can we talk outside?" He gestured to the corridor. 

She nodded to her twin and the three left the room, as the music and chatter rose in volume.

They came to a stop at a dark, deserted corridor close to the prefect common room and she faced the two. The couple took a fortifying breath and Leah spoke.

"I know I should've told you sooner, but no-one else knew till the Quidditch House Cup final, and we were only found out by Hunter. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I was so scared of what everyone would think if they found out. I'm a pureblood in an old family and we almost always marry other Slytherins'."

"Don't be angry with her, it was both of our ideas." Jayden said, pulling his girlfriend closer.

"Oh, you two built this up in your head's to something that doesn't even make sense. You twats. I don't give a Merlin if you two are together or not. In fact, I'm happy you two are together." Charlotte smiled, grabbing the couple into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, what?" Leah gaped, a chuckle spreading through Jayden after Charlotte let them go.

"Leah, you're my best friend and Jayden is my twin. Of course I wouldn't mind," she smacked her twin on the arm, "but you, sir Niffler, should have told me. Why didn't you?"

"We started going out after Halloween. I honestly didn't think it would be a good time to tell you." He bit his lip, his hands tightening around Leah's.

"Why?" She tilted her head to the side in confusion, as she looked at the couple.

"Well.." He trailed off.

"You were a cold, angry, twat then." Leah said bluntly, interrupting her boyfriend who was floundering for the right words. 

Charlotte frowned and then shrugged casually, causing more confusion.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'm sorry I was so selfish that you couldn't come to me." She sighed and spied her redhead leaving the prefect common room.

"Look, I'll see you guys at breakfast. Have a good party, yeah?" She hugged the two and left them in a whirl, her faint gardenia scent filling their noses.

Before she disappeared down the stairs nearby, she faced them quickly.

"Jayden, I think JJ would've liked her. Love you." Charlotte smiled and sailed down the steps, leaving the two  in a heavy silence.

"Do you think she meant that?" Leah asked Jayden, her eyes on his handsome face. 

He nodded a small, sad smile on his face.

"Yeah I do. I agree with her." He stepped closer to her, as she tensed up in realization.

"She's okay with us." Leah stated, shock clouding her face.

"She is." Jayden grinned, picked her up and twirled her around.

Leah giggled as he put her down and pulled him closer to her. The weight of the world fell away as they joined their lips together in a passionate and familiar dance.

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Two more chapters left of Here Right Now, then maybe an epilogue. We'll see!

Enjoy x