Charlie shook his head. "He probably needs some time alone. He hasn't left my side since the attack, and he really has a thing for work. He works too much. Besides, he did say that he wanted us to spend time together. He could have been a little more subtle but it doesn't make it less true. So how are you? How's Harry? Are both of you dealing with things all right?"
"All... all right." She still felt unsettled. He'd pushed her away. He'd covered it up with niceties, but it didn't change the fact that he'd pushed her away from him. "Um... yeah, Harry is fine. I'm not sure how he'll be after Hermione is through with him. She's on the war path. I think I talked her into at least speaking to him, rather than screaming. But he's okay. His cousin lived, did you know? Did I... no I've not talked to you. He got the owl that day after. On his birthday. I think it shocked him how upset he'd been over it. But he's all right. He's Harry, you know? Nothing keeps him down for very long."
"So why is Hermione screaming at him?" he asked with a smile. Charlie hadn't had that many occasions to speak with the girl, but she seemed strong and stubborn. If it weren't for her lack of red hair she could have been a Weasley. Of course, she also seemed to mull things over, plan, and that was nothing like a Weasley. "I could suggest a little hostel in Singhisoara where he can hide until she comes down, though."
"He's... well he's keeping things from her. He's keeping things close to his chest, and she's not handling that well. Personally? I think that because of the possition he's in he has to keep things quiet. He's protecting her by not telling her. I don't know, I guess maybe she's a bit jealous. And she is upset that Ron wasn't with her the other night at the attack. And she's upset that Harry was with me instead of her. Typical girl stuff."
"Considering that she's been risking her life for him for six years, he owes it to her to be honest. Hell, he owes it to anyone in the Order if it's something that impacts all of us. What if something happens to him? How will we handle whatever it is he's doing when we don't even know what he's doing? However, if it's personal, then it's none of her business." Charlie turned around, one bent leg resting over the couch, and looked at her. "And you're doing all right, yes?"
"Harry hasn't kept things completely quiet. If something happens to him, the information can be passed on. What he was doing can be carried on." She didn't quite meet his eyes... he'd know it was her. She didn't know everything, and she likely didn't want to. "But nothings going to happen to him. Look, don't say anything, to him or anyone all right. This isn't... it doesn't impact the Order. I swear." She looked up at him and smiled. "I'm a bit tired is all. But I'm good, you know? I'm glad everyone is safe. I'm sleeping all right, although I am sure I'll sleep better now after having seen you. And yeah. I miss you."
"I wasn't going to say anything. I'm done talking and asking. You lot will do what you wish regardless of what I say. We'll avoid arguments all around by not me asking anything." Charlie smiled. "I'm glad you are sleeping, though. How are things with the mediwizard? Is it helping? I'd like the truth, and if you don't feel like talking about it, just say so; I'd understand, really."
She smiled. "I promise to tell you what I can. In complete and total honesty, I know very very little. Hermione need not be jealous that he's spilling his secrets to me. He isn't." She slid a bit closer to him. "I... I hate him. Is it helping? I don't know. I know I leave there sick. I know I go there sick. I know he's pushy and not kind the way I'm used to, but I think that's just a cultural difference. I also know that this kind of thing takes time." She shrugged. "I don't have a clue if it's helping or not, or if it will. I am trying though. I swear."
"If you don't like him, we can find someone else, someone you're comfortable with. I don't want you to be sick. I want you to get better, and if this isn't working, we can find something else or no one at all." Charlie covered her hand with his. "I told you, I wanted you to try, and you have. That's all it matters."
Ginny laid her head on his shoulder. "I don't like him," she said softly. "I don't... I want you to be proud of me, you know? And maybe it's supposed to be this way, maybe this is part of it. I wouldn't know, would I?" She tilted her face up toward him. "Do you think it's just me? Like maybe I'm not doing something right with him, or maybe, I don't know... I just don't know."
"This isn't about making me proud, love. It never was." He brushed her hair. "This is about helping you, and if you don't like him, you don't like him. I don't know much about these things, but I can't see it being useful if you aren't comfortable talking to him. I mean, I expect some sort of discomfort, but this? This getting sick? I don't think it's normal. Do you want me to talk to him? See what he thinks? If he agrees that it's not productive, we'll find someone else if you'd like."
She smiled at him and nodded. "I'd like that." Leaning up, she kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Charlie." She settled back down against his side and leaned into him, curling her fingers with his. "I haven't heard from Fred. How's Oliver? I assumed he'd tell me if he wasn't all right. I didn't want to bother them."
"Don't mention it, love, and this is for you and you alone. I won't be less proud if you don't go. I hope you understand that." He squeezed her fingers.
"Oliver is fine. He went to practice today, didn't injure himself, thankfully. They came with us to lunch."
"I love you," she whispered, pressing her face against his throat. "I'm glad Oliver's okay. Fred seemed all right? He looked awful the other night. I know he was scared to death." She sat back just enough so she could look up at him. "You had fun at lunch? I'm glad the four of you went out today. I'm glad you and Fred are getting along."
"You're glad for a lot of things, aren't you?" he said chuckling. "Lunch was good. Fred is better than he was, especially after he saw that Oliver didn't get injured at practice. Prat that he is, he went to practice. I need to knock some sense into that boy if Fred refuses to do it. I mean I do understand him. I was ready to go in myself, but..." Charlie shrugged. "I didn't need to worry about Terence freaking out, so I stayed home, and he's another prat, ready to tell his chief that he was taking time off to be with his lover. That'd backfire so quickly that he'd never have those promotions he wants."
He looked at her, and smiled. "See, I can compromise too... once in a while." Charlie kissed her forehead. "I love you, too, and I'm glad you are all right."
"I can't believe Oliver went in. But I'm glad that you didn't. I'm glad you have Terence around. I like him." She grinned. "He did good, didn't he? He was very calm. He covers up the tension well, doesn't he? I couldn't have pretended to not be worried, no way in hell. I think you should definitely keep him around for a bit."
She snuggled against him. "I am all right. Didn't even get a scratch on me. I listened to you. We went straight to the house and then apparated. By then the Aurors started to arrive."
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"Oliver is fine. He went to practice today, didn't injure himself, thankfully. They came with us to lunch."
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He looked at her, and smiled. "See, I can compromise too... once in a while." Charlie kissed her forehead. "I love you, too, and I'm glad you are all right."
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She snuggled against him. "I am all right. Didn't even get a scratch on me. I listened to you. We went straight to the house and then apparated. By then the Aurors started to arrive."
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