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

7. Letters And Pub Brawls

"This is for you." 

Imogen lifted her gaze and grabbed the letter Charlie was holding. "It's from my Mom." 

She opened the letter and read what Mrs. Weasley had written:  

Dear Imogen, we have spoken with your parents about Christmas Holiday, 
and they have agreed to spend it here with us! How thrilling! Arthur rang them yesterday on the phone – he demanded to do it. 

Charlie must be over the moon once you tell him about it –
he sounded so excited when he wrote to us! 

Love, Molly

A smile rose on Imogen's face. She grinned at Charlie, who leaned in closer to her and read the letter. "That's awesome!" he said excitedly: "I knew they'd agree." 

Imogen's heart grew warm. She was going to spend Christmas with not only her parents, but her best friend and his family, too. 

***

The rest of November went by quickly, thanks to homework and Quidditch; that's pretty much all Imogen and Charlie had time for. It also didn't help that as Prefects they had to help the teachers with a bunch of things, such as helping first-graders, organizing the Hogsmeade trips and patrolling the corridors. 

"I still can't believe McGonagall thinks we make great Prefects", Charlie grinned one day as he and Imogen were counting the students that were leaving the castle to visit the village. He had a point: they both seemed very goody-two-shoes, but that wasn't necessarily the case – they were just too great at hiding it. 

"I know", Imogen smiled: "If only she knew– uh oh..." 

Charlie rotated his body to see what Imogen was looking at. His smiled faded when he saw a group of Slytherins approaching them, led by the person they hated most at Hogwarts. 

"Well, well... If it isn't Ginger and his perfect little girlfriend." 

"Grow up, Jenkins", Imogen rolled her eyes. The dark-haired boy winked at her before gesturing his posse to follow him out of the hallway. He made her blood boil. 

"Who does he think he is?" Imogen snorted when the group had disappeared outside: "And what have we ever done to him?" 

"Just let it be", Charlie mumbled: "We should get going, Tonks is already waiting." 

The two walked their way to the village and straight to the Three Broomsticks. Tonks was already sitting at one of the tables. 

"Finally", she breathed as Imogen and Charlie sat down: "I've been dying to tell you... I'm so sorry, Charlie." 

"Huh?" the boy frowned. 

"I don't know how to tell you this..." Tonks looked uncomfortable: "I heard this morning that Jenkins and Nelly have been... you know, when you were together and– speak of the devil." 

She glanced angrily towards the door as Jenkins and his friends entered the pub. Nelly was right behind him, looking annoyingly proud. 

Imogen and Charlie stood up simultaneously, but Imogen was faster; she marched up to Jenkins, who was just about to order something from the desk.