#hmhp

You sat by the courtyard, letting the comforting silence embrace you as you hugged yourself, letting the soft wind blew past. You just wanted a hug, no you needed a reassuring hug, from him. You had always felt remorseful for dragging your friends and especially Charlie into your reckless actions. He had been nothing but a sweet boy and yet you only returned danger for his kindness. You wanted to know what you were doing was right, that you were reaching your ultimate goal of reuniting with your brother but the nagging feeling in your head would not leave you alone.

“You are so useless!”

“You kept pulling your friends into danger, how selfish can you be, (name)!”

“Merula is right, you are as crazy as people said…”

Tears formed in your eyes as all these judgements dawned upon you, drowning you in guilt as it slowly ate you up inside. Your lips quivered as you clawed your arms, shaking as your emotions imploded. You tried so hard, yet a soft whimper leaked out of your lips, betraying your wish to stay quiet and undisturbed.

The wind seemed so cold suddenly, as if chasing you away, as if calling you a call hearted creature and that you should just hide yourself in shame for putting everyone in Hogwarts in danger, for even tempering with the cursed vaults for your self-centred goal.

“Oh, poor little (Full name), crying by yourself in the dark?” A cold voice taunted and (name) quickly smeared her tears away before turning around and kept her guard up. It was the cloaked figure once again but this time, its voice was different. Was it another student being controlled this time or was it R him or herself?

You cussed at yourself for leaving your wand back in your room, as your heartbeat increased tremendously at the imminent danger approaching you. The figure took slow steps towards you, continuing his taunt as you took steps back, eyes not leaving the figure, afraid of what the figure might cast. Was it going to be another Petrificus Totalus?

Sure enough, the figure casted his Full-body bind curse towards you but you quickly dodged and rolled to the side, avoiding the spell. You got up and leaped to the other side of the courtyard. You knew you had no choice but to fight back, not wanting anyone to be in danger. The only option you have now is wandless magic, but you were unsure if you were powerful enough to do so, nonetheless its die trying or endanger the whole school.

You extended your arm and pointed at the red cloak, “Petrificus Totalus!”

The tip of your finger had a small white orb and shot the curse, but they were quick in casting Protego, unfazed.

“Wandless magic? You’re still too weak and naïve. Incarcerous.” You were stunned and unsure of what that spell could do, stupidly getting caught in thick ropes, causing you to trip and fell.

“Death will come, (Full name), and you are the cause of it all.” the cloak figure warned and casted Silencio on you. It disappeared into the night as you kept screaming, hoping the spell would fade but it was no use.

“Bloody hell- (name)!” A familiar voice called out in worry and knelt to your side, lifting you up against him. “Charlie...! What are you doing here?!”

“I knew I had a bad feeling-” He pulled out his wand from his sleeve and pointed at the strong binding ropes, “Emancipare!” The red hair wizard noticed your desperate attempt to produce your voice, realising you had been casted by Silencio as well. “Sonorus!”

The ropes that were just digging into your skin mere seconds ago was now untied, and your missing voice was back miraculously. Your traumatized form trembled as Charlie wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close. It was the very warm hug you needed.

You once again cried, now into Charlie’s chest as he hushed and comfort you, stroking your back and whispered into your ears to calm you.

“Shh, shh it’s alright, I’m here (name), I’m here… Don’t cry, please.” It ached the Weasley’s heart to see you so broken. Ever since he met you at the sorting ceremony, the boy had fallen for your charm and bravery, breaking the cursed vaults, and creating a legend with your name. He was so ever envious you had entered the vaults with Bill instead of him and would always listen attentively to Bill whenever your name was brought up.

He had tried every method he could to get your attention, asking his fellow quidditch friend Andre to name drop him whenever possible to leave a piece of him in your mind, and gazing at you whenever he was near you. A smile was more than suffice to brighten up his days, a laughter from you was more than melodious than any song he knew. To Charlie, even if you never knew of his existence, as long as your smile was as bright as the stars, he was satisfied.

He counted himself extremely lucky when you came to him and have him joined you to the cursed vault in the Forbidden Forest. Charlie relished in every seconds whenever you were next to him, stealing glances and making sure you were safe during the whole journey. He wanted to join you in every adventure possible, just to ensure your wellbeing.

Before he knew it, admiration turned into infatuation and love. He wanted to call you his, wanting your fingers to intertwine with his own and never let you go. He hated to see you doubt yourself and your abilities, he hated that he was unable to make you feel better and he knew if he helped you to search for Jacob, that would bring back the (name) that you truly was.

Now seeing you so broken pained his deeply.

“Charlie…! I’m so… So…!”

“Hush, it’s okay, don’t be scared, I’m here.” Charlie continued and pulled you closer and caressed your hair.

“I’m so weak, Charlie, I’m useless! I can’t even defend myself, who am I to make sure the whole school was safe! I’m so hellbent on finding my brother I keep dragging everyone closer to danger with every vault! And you might even die-”

Charlie tipped your face and he stared deep into your eyes; his brows furrowed. “No one’s dying! (name), you’re not weak. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met! The girl in front of me is a brave, kind witch that has proven time and time again just who is the strongest. (name), never doubt yourself! I’ve admired you since day one.”

“Charlie…” Your face slowly began to glow in pink as you processed his words, internalising everything. Charlie pulled you up on your feet and pulled you into a warm hug in the cold zephyr.

“I’m here for you, Bill’s here for you, everyone’s here for you, (name). We were never in danger because of you but rather we chose to go with you so that you won’t be in danger and battling alone, so that you can reunite with your brother soon. We just want you to be happy! So please, never doubt yourself! Because I never doubt the girl I love, so neither should you.”

Between the attack in the middle of the night and the sudden confession from your crush you knew your heart could not rest well tonight. You knew Charlie could feel the pounding, it was loud as day especially in the quiet night. You hear a contented sigh from the boy as your shoulders began to relax.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here sooner to stop you from getting hurt, but I promise you from today onwards, I won’t leave your side. And… Sorry that this isn’t the ideal place nor time to tell you of my feelings.” You laid on his shoulder and nodded, wanting for just this moment, to embrace everything. You reached and wrapped your arms around him and mustered a smile.

“Thank you for everything, Charlie… And… Thank you, for loving me.”

Charlie cupped your cheeks and gave you his cheeky smile, wiping your eyes. “Come along, (name). I’ll bring you back to your room to rest up.” The Weasley slipped his warm hand and laced his fingers with your cold ones and tugged you along the quiet corridor and towards your house’s common room.

Outside the common room, you pulled Charlie to a stop, leaving him confused. “C-Close your eyes.” You requested and though Charlie had no idea what you were about to do, he complied. He felt a pair of warm lips on his cheeks, near his lips, a pair of slender arms wrapped his neck and he froze up, before happiness bloomed within, sparks flew in his head.

You two pulled back and stared deeply into each other’s eyes.

“I’ve always love your inquisitive twinkling eyes, (name).” Charlie’s soft orbs gleamed. You chuckled, “and I love your adorable freckles and ponytail.” You gave a quick peck on his lips before running into the room, leaving Charlie dumbfounded, his palm slowly reached to where he last felt your kiss.

The Weasley quickly followed you and pulled you back into his chest. He had no idea what took over him, but the bravado he had allowed him to tilt your head back and captured your lips.

“I love you, and I will never let you go.” Charlie whispered, staring lovingly at you as you smiled back at the boy.