Boys will be boys.

She couldn’t help but laugh at his ghost comment, though the thought did scare her a bit. She’d heard of the ghosts at Hogwarts and still didn’t know how any of the students dealt with them being around constantly. “Big plans? Does that include a housewarming party?” Alice asked curiously. “Because you’ll have to have one once you’re finished renovating the place.” 

“A housewarming party?” Charlie couldn’t repress the grin that suddenly lit up his face. Despite being incredibly happy, he hadn’t been feeling quite himself lately. Everything was very serious, very grounded, and he had never once been that person. A party seemed like the perfect way to celebrate, to be the old Charlie and the new one. He found himself planning already for what could only end up being an incredible night. “You’re a genius!” He insisted, running a hand through his hair, eyes shining with excitement. “Hey- if we have it before the house is finished we can get crazy drunk and not have to worry about breaking shit. Merlin- I need to speak to Lucy!” He knew his girlfriend probably wouldn’t be overly enthusiastic about the idea but if he pitched it in the right way he felt sure he could convince her. “Before we’re finished is definitely the best time! Otherwise it’ll be boring mocktails and sitting around a fireplace playing games or something. Where’s the fun in that?” 

Alice smiled at the boy, “It is cool! I mean I just have an apartment. Then again I don’t have a boyfriend or anything like that to move into a house too-” She began to ramble. “And the house does kind of look like it would be in a scary ghost movie. But you should still be proud of yourself.”

“I never called anyone that. You did,” he rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to get so accusatory just because I corrected you, McLaggen. Lighten up.”

Charlie was not usually one to feel any form of self-doubt or self-consciousness. But upon realising he had managed to offend the boy beside him, he found himself suddenly feeling both. A blush began to creep to his cheeks and he ducked his head, staring down at his drink in an attempt to hide it. “I’m sorry... I didn’t mean anything by it. I was only teasing.” 

He turned to look at him, eyebrow raised. “Is this my scene?” Phoenix nodded around the exterior of the mansion and looked back at him. “It’s primarily filled, with a few exceptions, of pretty important people in the ministry and socialites. So yes, McLaggen. It’s my scene.”

Charlie frowned, taking a hesitant sip of his drink. It was no secret he had a very close knit group of friends, and they couldn’t be further from the company Zabini kept. If he was being entirely honest, he didn’t know the first thing about the boy beside him, he had only been teasing, trying to make conversation. He glanced back at the party, at the mass of people in costume, so obviously enjoying themselves. “And Muggleborns and Half-Bloods and commoners.” He added, emphasising the word, hoping his joke would be taken as one. “You know, I really want it to be but I’m starting to think it’s not my scene anymore…”

“Drink?” Phoenix smirked and offered the other the extra glass in his hand. “You look like you’re having terrible amounts of fun.”

Charlie felt incredibly out of place. Usually he would love being the centre of attention at a party, but his life had felt so serious, as of late. Not only was he pushing the Cannons harder than ever, but he and Lucy were still struggling to combat his PTSD. Not only that, he had finally pooled enough money for them to put down a deposit on a house, and they were the proud new owners of a run down cottage, one they had spent every waking moment of the past few weeks desperately trying to make livable. Once upon a time he would be drunk by now, once upon a time he wasn’t creating lists of DIY supplies in his head, working out the costs of them and trying to perfect the incantation of a spell to simulate Muggle roof guttering. Which was how he had ended up standing to the side of the room, slouched against the wall, watching people revel without him. He looked up when Phoenix approached him, surprised by the sudden company. “Oh...” He pushed his hair back from his face with a huff of breath, tugging at the stethoscope of his Muggle doctor costume which was hanging loosely around his neck. He had since come to regret calling Lucy a slutty nurse, although seeing her dressed as one was almost worth it. If only he had known it would mean spending the night dressed as a doctor. It wasn’t quite the same as a superhero or sex icon, but he was trying to make the most of it. “I lost my girlfriend.” He admitted with a shrug, gratefully accepting the drink. “But I definitely feel like I’m having more fun than you are. Is this really your scene?” 

Molly made a face at his adopted comment, knowing very well that both of them knew there was no way that was even a possibility. Lucy and her looked so much alike, plus both of them resembled their parents. “Well considering the fact that you’re not the greatest man who ever lived, I’m sure they wouldn’t believe the rest of it.” She smirked. “Plus I’m a lot smarter then you so I’m sure I could still get away with it.” It wouldn’t even take her very long to figure it all out, at the moment she was fairly positive that she even knew where he might have hid the said note. If it actually existed. “Sure.” Her reply was a little unnecessary since the kettle was already on, but she replied nonetheless. “Well I guess we should talk about how you don’t think before you speak.”

Charlie rolled his eyes when Molly pulled a face, busying himself with his task so that he could distract himself. They were only going to annoy each other and that would be incredibly counter-productive. “Your sister seems to disagree.” He muttered, pulling two mugs from the cabinet above the kettle and setting them down on the counter. He turned around when she told him he didn’t think before he opened his mouth, wanting to argue with her, needing to counter her accusation. Only, he couldn’t. Maybe that wasn’t what had gotten him into trouble over dinner, but his lack of self-control could certainly get him into trouble right now. He could almost hear Lucy’s disappointed tone, the one she would use if he was forced to admit he had met with Molly and it hadn’t gone well. One day, he wanted to be a part of the Weasley family, he wanted to marry Lucy... how could he do that when Lucy’s very own sister thought he was a joke? “Then maybe we should talk about how you intentionally sabotaged a dinner that meant everything to Lucy for the sake of your own entertainment.” He said, catching her eye and holding it, refusing to back down under scrutiny. 

Kaspian chuckled lightly as he made Charlie a fresh drink, enjoying hearing about the man’s relationship. It seemed quite nice and as a bartender he didn’t usually hear about good relationships. “Well you’ll say that it’s impossible until it happens, you better not let your guard down.” He joked back, placing the new drink down in front of the man. He smiled fondly as he watched Charlie shower the black cat with love and affection, who was soaking it all up and nuzzling right back against Charlie’s hands. “Hm I’m not sure about that, I don’t think I’d like to part from him, and I’m not sure he would like it either. We’re quite fond of one another.”

Charlie laughed, shaking his head. “You’re saying that because you don’t know me.” He teased. An ego was something he had long been known for, and at times he knew it was definitely a facade, a way to protect himself. But only Lucy was allowed to see that side of him. Perhaps Elliot and Hugo on the odd occasion. He was always going to be Charlie McLaggen, the boy with far too much confidence and a smile that told he you knew it. “You just showed me the way to his heart, you know.” He pointed out, grinning easily as Apollo dropped down onto the counter, rolling as he enjoyed the affection. “But I guess if I have to kidnap you too, it might be worth it. We’ll see how I feel at the end of the night.” 

“You made other friends,” Lucy shrugged as if that explained everything. What she really meant was that he discovered girls and things changed but saying that aloud would make it seem like she was jealous… was she? Around the time he had discovered girls she had also sort of begun to realise that he wasn’t the cute eleven-year-old redhead she had been friends with, instead he was the much taller, athletic and fit looking redhead. His smile nearly made her swoon every time she saw it. “You’re always welcome to join me if you want to, Charlie,” she turned to walk through an archway and into the quad. “How’s the team doing?” The conversation seemed forced and she hated that, he was right that they didn’t talk anymore and maybe that was the problem, maybe they needed to just get this out of the way, the awkward part, to get back on track.

“Well I mean all the insults with all the love in the world, so perhaps your girlfriend does too.” Kaspian laughed softly, but looked at the cat with an adoring face. He nodding to confirm the cat’s name. He smiled as he watched the black cat go up to Charlie, knowing Apollo would warm right up when given treats. “He’s three, I got him when I moved back to London. Lately he’s been hiding about upstairs though, today is the first days he’s come down in a while.”

“Oh, I’m sure she does.” Charlie grinned, unable to hide how pathetically in love he was. “But she’s also trying to bruise my ego to prove to the world it can be done.” He finished what was left in his glass before leaning across the bar, giving the impression he was about to tell an incredibly important secret. “It can’t.” He whispered dramatically, withdrawing again with an easy laugh. “I love him!” He decided, pushing his empty glass to the side and encouraging Apollo to move closer. When he did, he cupped his head with two gentle hands, scratching his cheeks as the cat began to purr. “It’s because he knew I was here.” He said, catching Kaspian’s eye. “If he goes missing tonight, know it’s because I got blackout drunk and decided to take him home.” 

@charliemclaggen 

It had taken awhile due to a hectic work schedule but Molly was finally meeting with Charlie. She figured one of their homes would be best, for privacy, which was how she found herself in front of his. Knocking on the door she waited for him to answer, hoping that neither of his parents would be home. Just the two of them would be best just in case he got on her nerves and she ended up lashing out. 

Charlie was nervous, he would be lying if he said he wasn’t. And he hated that. Charlie McLaggen didn’t get nervous. He wasn’t used to the feeling, he wasn’t sure how to handle it. After such a disastrous dinner, he was all too aware of the fact that Molly didn’t approve of him. He wasn’t entirely sure why he had agreed to meet with her again. Even with people who liked him, he had a bad habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. But he loved Lucy. He wanted to marry her one day. How could he do that without the approval of her family? He pulled open the door, forcing his characteristic grin, stepping back to allow his girlfriend’s sister into his parents’ house. It was probably a point against him that he was still living with them, but he hoped he would have a chance to explain he was doing so to save up for a mortgage. “If it isn’t the spawn of the Devil.” He teased, immediately regretting his own words. “My parents aren’t home but they know where I am, so if you kill me, they’ll have you arrested. Just a heads up.” 

Lucy sighed as Charlie intercepted her path once more. She recognised the flicker of hurt on his face and it made her icy exterior melt slightly. How could he not see that they were two very different people now? Not the two innocent first years who met on the train. He’d grown up discovered quidditch, the fact that he was good looking and girls and then it changed him. It changed their relationship. “Yeah I guess we can…” she replied eventually, “What did you want to talk about?” A question she never used to ask, she hadn’t needed to. Before they always found something to talk about, each of their first thought when something happened would be that they needed to tell the other… now Lucy struggled to talk to him.

Kaspian snorted, “He’s not the best at sharing. He’s spoiled.” He said, grabbing a bag of cat treats from under the counter and getting one out, holding it out for the feline, “C’mon Apollo, leave the man alone, you fat bastard.” Although it seemed like an insult it was said nothing but love, and the cat quickly abandoned his stare down with Charlie to take the treat from Kaspian’s hand. He held the bag out for Charlie, “Give him a couple of those and he’ll forgive you for stealing his spot.”

Charlie’s smile widened impossibly, he reached out to take the bag after watching Apollo eat a treat out of Kaspian’s hand. “You insult your cat like my girlfriend insults me.” He said, laughing at his own joke. He pulled a cat treat out of the bag, his movements slow and clumsy. “Apollo, right?” He looked back up at Kaspian, checking on the name before calling out to him. “Apollo, c’mere...” He held out his hand, his expression one of almost childlike excitement when Apollo overcame his annoyance at having his seat taken, and instead approached him to take the treat. There always was something gratifying about being trusted by an animal. “How old is he?” He asked, waiting until the treat was gone before moving to scratch behind his ears. “I don’t think I’ve seen him around before.”

“I wouldn’t sit there if I were you, that’s his spot.” Kaspian gestured to the black cat standing on the bar, looking quite angry with the man for being even close to sitting in the barstool he’d apparently laid claim to.

@charliemclaggen​

Charlie turned to face the stranger, grinning easily at the black cat next to him. He was no stranger to animals, and had spent enough time around Lucy’s cats to feel at least a little affection for the species as a whole. “I don’t mind sharing.” He said, taking a sip of his beer, holding eye contact with the feline. “And I am very drunk so good luck getting me up again.”

“Clearly,” Lucy’s voice was dry, “Yet you’re still here.” The attitude was slightly forced, she loved speaking to Charlie, at one time he had been her best friend but he had just… changed over the years and as if to drive that opinion home her spoke about his performance. The movement of his eyebrows driving home exactly what he meant, “Oh Merlin, Charlie.” She threw her hands in the air and turned to exit through an archway and into an Empty courtyard, “You’re disgusting.”