The Heart Of A Lion (A Charlie Weasley Love Story)

5. Into The Forest

It was Saturday, the day of the first Quiddicth match of the season. Due to the heavy downpour in the morning, the game had been rescheduled to the evening, which gave Imogen and Charlie more time to work on their Defense Against the Dark Arts essays. The common room was crowded with excited and nervous students, as it usually was before a match. 

"There", Imogen said and dropped her quill: "I'm done."

"Already?" Charlie raised his brows and reached for her paper: "Mind if I lend this for a bit?"

"Actually, I do", Imogen said and snatched the essay from him: "You're on your own, I'm going to Hagrid's." She shoved the paper into her bag and got up.

"I'm coming with you", Charlie said and stoop up quickly: "The essay can wait."

They put on their cloaks and walked to Hagrid's cottage in the rain. "Come on in!" Hagrid shouted when Charlie knocked on the door.

"Oh, you two", he smiled: "I knew ye'd be back together in no time."

"Badly worded, Hagrid", Charlie grinned.

"Didn't mean to do that", Hagrid replied, but his beard twitched when he looked at Imogen. "Anyway, how're ye two, eh?"

"A bit nervous about the game tonight, to be honest", Imogen shrugged. She was speaking the truth: despite having practised all summer, she noticed her hands shaking a bit. 

"Don't worry", Charlie said to her. He had always been better under the pressure. "We're going to win."

"I know I'm not supposed to pick sides", Hagrid said with a smile: "But I'll be cheering for ya." He winked at Imogen and Charlie, who laughed: "We won't tell anyone."

"Oh! Charlie, I've been meaning to ask ya", he suddenly said: "I need a bit of help in the forest... ya know, outside of classes. And you, Imogen."

Charlie nodded. It wasn't the first time they had visited the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. Well, to be honest, they might have paid a visit or two without him, too. Of course the rest of the staff wouldn't want students to go to the Forest (apart from Filch), but Hagrid was more than happy to have a few helpers. He often asked Charlie to help him with all different kinds of creatures, and Imogen just dragged along and did what she could to help them. She wasn't as keen on magical creatures as her red-headed friend, but was always down for the adventure nonetheless.

"Tonight?" Charlie asked. Hagrid nodded: "Yeh, after the game, if that's fine."

"Of course", Imogen smiled: "What's it about this time?"

"Eh, you'll see", Hagrid said mysteriously as his face twitched into a smile.

***

A few hours after their visit to Hagrid's, it was time to head out to the Quidditch pitch. Imogen unsuccessfully tried not to doze off as Charlie gave a pep talk to the team before the match. She snapped back from her daydream when Charlie clapped his hands together. 

"That being said, Ravenclaw did show us last season not to underestimate them. But I am confident in our team, more so than last year." 

He turned to look at Imogen, who flashed him an encouraging smile and nodded. Charlie returned the smile and then walked to the door to check if it was time. "Okay, I think we can go outside now", he said: "Let's do this!"

The team clapped and marched out the door and to the pitch. The crowd cheered as they settled to wait for the other team. They arrived shortly after, accompanied by loud applause from the audience. Charlie shook hands with Ravenclaw's captain, Keeley, and Madam Hooch blew the whistle: the game had started.