#freckledquidditchqueen

It was comforting to know, at least, that no matter how long he was away from the castle he could always count on certain constants. Particularly trick steps. He was reminded vehemently what an absolute bloody pain they were, particularly given how late he had been working and how long it had taken to get back on the right course again. It was a rare moment that Charlie ever envied his older brother; he himself had, of course, received what he'd often cited were the best of the family genes. But it would have been nice to use some curse breaking to avoid the unintentional pit stop on his way back the room he'd been given for the few months he'd be staying.

Still, it was nice to know that the place hadn't changed in the interim of his absence. Or, at least, not in any permanent way. Even he felt a wistful disappointment at the Quidditch pitch's imminent and temporary, though as of yet unknown, demise. That was likely to go over well. Eternal glory was all well and good until the pride of tradition was challenged.

Then again, he had enough on his plate to keep his mind occupied firmly in the present. Livestock shipments were frustratingly difficult to keep track of which felt, strangely, as if it shouldn't be the case. After all did they really need the clearance of three departments for the movement of a dozen goats? It was more than a little redundant; still, he wasn't willing sit through whatever explanation Perce dreamt up so he supposed he shouldn't complain. He also should probably do something with his shoulder if he wanted to sleep on that side with the familiar itchiness of a burn keeping him awake.

No stranger to the unexpected, he wasn't that so surprised when he discovered he was not, in fact, the hall's only occupant. And less so to see the familiar shock of red hair that stood out starkly in the nighttime gloom. Where he could have been startled, had he been someone else, there was only that time tested mix of amusement and exasperation that he had possibly borrowed too much from his mother for his own comfort.