Theodora woke up with a headache. She needs to stop sneaking into Fred and George's room and stay there – working on products – until 4 in the morning. It was a good distraction, it made her forget about how painful it was to be friends with Bill.
Only a few more days until the end of summer and they can return to Hogwarts. She couldn't wait if she was completely honest. Not only because it's going to be easier for them to test the products but also because being around Bill was getting harder and harder each day.
A few more days and he'll go back to Egypt and she can forget about him again – as much as she possibly can.
Working with the twins – being so busy – made her summer go by so fast and with everything that has been going on between her and Bill, she was happy it was going to be over. Next time, she will just decline the twins' invitation to come to the Burrow. They will see each other plenty while running a shop together anyway.
She was surprised that there was no commotion this morning. Nobody was running down the stairs, nobody was making Mrs. Weasley mad. It was peaceful and rather nice.
Theodora put on a pair of shorts and a tank top and made her way downstairs. She couldn't wait to eat some breakfast.
The second she got to the lower floor she heard Bill talking to Molly. She stopped, stretched her arms out, and took a deep breath. A few more days of hearing his sweet voice – the voice that gave her butterflies.
"Good morning, dear. What would you like for breakfast?" Mrs. Weasley greeted her with the warmest smile.
"Some eggs and bacon if it's not much trouble." Theodora yawned and walked toward the cupboard with plates.
She took one out, stood next to Molly, and waited for her eggs. She could feel a pair of eyes on her and when she looked over her shoulder she saw Bill leaning on his elbow, watching her. He quickly got back to his food when she caught him and she turned around to see if her eggs were done.
The gesture usually made her giggle as she often saw Bill observing her like that but at this point, it was just painful. That didn't mean she could stop her cheeks from turning red. She wanted to sigh but held it in her mouth because she didn't want Mrs. Weasley to ask any questions – especially not in front of her children.
Molly put the food on her plate and Theodora took some bread out of the basket and made her way toward the table. She giggled when she saw Fred snoozing on his arm, extended on the table.
Because her hands were full, she tried to pull out a chair with her foot but before she could do so, Bill stood up and pulled it out for her. Then he took her plate, placed it down for her, and gestured for her to sit.
She sat without saying anything and Bill brought the chair – along with her – closer to the table. She didn't know what to say. She was speechless. What was he doing?
"You look tired, I thought you could use some help." He whispered to her and smiled sheepishly.
"Th-thank you." She replied in a rusty voice, still amazed by his gesture.
She took a sip of the orange juice Mrs. Weasley poured for her and looked at Charlie who rolled his eyes at Bill and looked rather annoyed. Perhaps he and the twins finally gave up on teasing Bill.
It was about time.
Not that Theodora minded it – she found it amusing – and she couldn't deny that she appreciated the boys trying to bring Bill's attention to her. The twins knew she fancied Bill and Charlie probably wasn't far behind but it was more than obvious that Bill wasn't interested in her in that way no matter how much they teased him and she didn't blame him. She understood that you can't force attraction and it was for the best anyway.
She sighed in her glass, hoping nobody would notice, and started eating her food.
Charlie glanced at Fred who gently snored, his head next to his empty plate. He tried hard not to lean toward him and push him off the chair – they had such a peaceful morning, he wouldn't want to make mum mad.
He then looked at George who was switching looks between Theodora and Bill and looked like he was about to throw a tantrum. Charlie nudged him with his elbow and when George looked at him, he raised his eyebrows in question what got him so agitated. George just shook his head, rolled his eyes, and stood up, taking his and Ginny's empty plates to the sink.
Without saying a word, he left the kitchen. Charlie turned to Theodora and Bill. The former was more pushing her food on the plate, looking miserable and the latter kept sneaking looks at her.
He wanted to walk to them and just press their heads together but thought of a better idea at the last second. He nudged Fred, who woke up with a jolt and glared at Charlie for disturbing his slumber.
Charlie nodded his head, indicating that he should follow him out of the kitchen, and without asking questions, Fred did.
They found George in his room, aggressively trying to open a box of fireworks, sitting on the floor. Charlie pushed Fred inside the room and closed the door behind them.
"What did I miss? What is going on?" Fred asked, sitting on his bed.
"Did Theo tell you anything about what is happening between her and Bill?" Charlie asked bluntly.
"No," George said in a huff.
"We tried asking her about it but she either changes the subject or punches us in the shoulder, her face turning red." Fred pouted.
"Why? What do you know?" The twins said together.
"Nothing," Charlie said through his teeth, "I have about enough of them sneaking looks at each other being miserable."
"What should we do about it?" Gasped George.
"Do you have a plan?" Fred followed.
"I was hoping that you might come up with something." Charlie rubbed his chin, leaned on Fred's desk.
"Didn't we try everything already?" Fred sighed, trying hard to think of anything.
"The teasing isn't working, we have to get them to talk to each other." Charlie thought out loud.
They were all staring at the half-opened fireworks on which George gave up opening before. They didn't say a word to each other for 5 minutes, trying to come up with anything at all to help their brother and their friend get together.
They hated seeing them struggle like this and they didn't care about their stupid excuses why they can't be together. They were a perfect fit and the summer won't end with their longing for each other if there is anything they can do about it.
"I think I might just have an idea that could work!" George stood up.
Fred and Charlie exchanged looks and stepped closer to George to hear his plan.
—
Theodora was sitting on the sofa reading a book with Ginny reading over her shoulder. She found it amusing since her book was about finances and she knew that Ginny didn't have any interest in that but wanted to read anyway.
She turned the page. Only a chapter to go! She has been so busy this summer that she couldn't finish one book. What a disaster. Usually, she read the most during summer but she has to get used to the fact that she'll be busy studying for N.E.W.T.s and looking for a location for their shop.
"Theo!" She lifted her head automatically, hearing her name.
She looked at her watch. An hour and a half of nobody bothering her – that was definitely a record. She waited for Fred to speak further.
"Come here for a sec, will you?" George spoke now.
She marked her book and giggled as Ginny groaned, knowing she will leave her alone on the sofa.
"I'll leave you the book, okay." Theodora winked at Ginny, making her grin.
She shook her head and stood up. Why Ginny wanted to read about finances was beyond her.
She walked to where she presumed the voices of the twins were coming from. It led her to the broom closet just behind the house.
"What are you two up to?" She smirked at them.
"Oh, nothing. Don't be afraid, you can step inside." Fred gestured for her to join them in the small room.
Theodora stood there, her eyes narrowed. She knew her two best friends well enough to know that they were up to something but she figured that the sooner she joins them the sooner she can go back to reading her book.
She squeezed inside – it already being crowded with the twins standing there. They rotated so that she was against the wall and the second that happened Fred and George got the biggest smug expression on their faces.
"Charlie, now!"
The twins ran out and before Theodora could open her mouth to ask what was happening, Charlie showed up, holding Bill tight around his wrists. He pushed him inside, closed the door, and locked it.
"Charlie, what in the bloody hell are you doing?!" Bill shouted, banging on the door.
"You two need to talk!" Charlie replied, the twins laughing behind him.
"Unlock this door now, Charles!" Bill kept slamming his fist against it.
Theodora was leaning against the brooms behind her, her eyes wide and her heart beating faster and faster with each second.
"We are not letting you out until you two confess your feelings to each other," Fred explained.
"Wha-" Bill stopped banging on the door and turned around, mortified.
Theodora wanted to die of embarrassment. She didn't know what to do. She was sure that her facial expression matched that of Bill's and this was probably the first time she was angry with the twins.
She understood that they wanted to do something about it but they took it too far this time and she wanted to strangle them. She can't tell Bill how she feels, were they mental! She swore to herself that she will keep her feelings for herself and if she ought to ever do it she would want to do it in a more romantic way. And there was nothing romantic about being forced to share your feelings in a broom closet.
"I..." Bill tried speaking but the words just disappeared from his head. "I'm so sorry, Theodora. They, they are just messing around and...and I..." He started to stutter.
Theodora wanted to stop him but didn't know how. She could see that he was just as uncomfortable as she was and she couldn't think of anything to say to make the situation better.
"You know they are just messing around and they are being idiots." Bill let out a nervous chuckle.
Theodora kept staring at him, her mouth slightly opened, nodding her head.
"They are just bored and...and they don't know what to do with themselves so they...they keep messing with us and teasing us...but...but it doesn't mean anything. You have to know that..." Bill took a deep breath.
For a second there, Theodora thought he was going to faint.
"...you have to know that I am aware of the age difference between us and...and I don't condone this at all and..."
Theodora nodded again, not sure what to do. She opened her mouth a few times to say something but thought better of it. For a split second she thought that her telling him she has feelings for him wouldn't be the worst idea in the world but seeing the panic in Bill's eyes, him going on and on about their age difference made her shut her mouth for good.
"I...I know...that I...that you...you're..." Bill's stuttering was getting worse and he seemed seconds away from having a panic attack.
He stopped talking, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
"I know you're too young for me and this," he pointed at her and then at himself, "can never happen."
"Uh-huh." Was all Theodora could muster.
Why didn't she bring her wand with her? Hasn't she been friends with the twins long enough to know that she should never follow them without her wand? She could unlock the door and avoid this painful conversation.
"I...I agree with you." Theodora breathed, swinging her hand as if she's on board with what Bill was saying.
She wanted to laugh, letting him know that they should just brush this off but she couldn't get anything out – not even a silent chuckle.
Bill sighed wistfully, his gaze lingering on her just for one more second before turning around and starting to bang on the door again.
"Charles, let us out. Now!" He roared.
Theodora heard the boys' disappointing groans outside and someone unlocking the door. The second it opened, she rushed past Bill and squeezed through the door before Fred could fully open it.
While getting out – her eyes glistening with tears – she looked at Charlie whose disappointing face changed into an apologetic one the second he saw how upset she was.
"Theo, we're sorry." Fred tried grabbing her hand.
"I...just leave me alone, Fred." She lifted her hand to his face and ran towards the nearby forest.
"Have you gits completely lost it?!" Bill stepped out of the broom closet, his face red with rage.
He has never reminded the twins more of their mother.
"What is wrong with you?" Bill shouted. "The teasing was fine but this..." Bill took a deep breath. "...you took it too far!"
"And you," he turned to Charlie, "I told you to stop with this madness and you go and pull this off? How immature are you?"
"Haven't you learned that your actions have consequences? Life isn't a game and we are not your puppets!" He kept screaming in their faces.
Bill never lost his temper. He was always so collected and cool about everything. He scolded them on many occasions through the years and made them admit their mistakes and learn from them but this was something else.
They have never seen Bill so mad. They took it too far and they already wished that they would just stay out of Bill and Theodora's business.
"Bill..." Charlie gathered the courage to speak.
"Don't you Bill me! I am warning you, if you step out of line again or mention me or Theodora again, I will break all of your noses! Got it?" He spat out and rushed to the door that led inside the house.
He slammed it after him, making the whole house shake.
Charlie, Fred, and George just stood there in complete shock, looking at the door.
"We have to go after her, George," Fred said in a panic.
It was a bad idea. They didn't think it through properly at all. They never thought it would upset her so much or that Bill would yell as he did or that it would end so badly.
"Don't." Charlie stopped them, extending his arm to prevent them from running after her. "I'll go."
"But she's our best friend." Fred and George said in unison.
"That's exactly why it's a bad idea." Charlie frowned at them. "Let me do it."
Before they could start arguing with him, Charlie already started in the direction Theodora ran off to.
—
Charlie was wandering by the edge of the forest for 15 minutes before finding Theodora, sitting on a stump, facing away from him. He slowly approached her, careful not to startle her, getting more nervous with each step.
To say that their plan went south was an understatement. Charlie never meant it to get this far and his intention was far from hurting either of them. He was disappointed in himself for acting like a child and not thinking their plan through. Bill should've broken their noses without a warning.
He was now standing a few steps away from Theodora, her shoulders rising and falling slightly due to her sobs. Charlie's shoulders sank when he realized she was crying. He couldn't believe he hurt his friend like this.
He took another step forward, stepping on a twig. The sound of it breaking made Theodora start brushing her eyes with her hands before turning around.
She exhaled loudly, relieved to see Charlie's face.
"I know you said you wanted to be left alone but can I join you?" Charlie spoke softly.
Theodora sniffed, nodded, and moved over on the stump to give space for Charlie to sit down.
"I'm here to apologize. I am sorry for what we've done."
The sincereness in his voice made Theodora look him in the eyes. She could see how much it pained him and that he truly was sorry for what they've pulled.
"It's okay," she hiccuped, "it was...funny."
She didn't know how else to describe it. She was madder with the twins than Charlie. It was obvious this wasn't his idea and she appreciated that he came after her to apologize.
"Yeah, I can see how funny it is to you," Charlie said with pain in his voice.
"Oh, this?" Theodora forced a chuckle, pointing at her eyes. "That's just allergies."
"Sure."
Charlie put his hand on Theodora's back and swallowed the nerves.
"I know you fancy Bill, Theo." He said gently.
"It hurt..." Theodora shook her head.
She wanted to hold in the tears but couldn't. Charlie pulled her in a half hug and pressed her tight against his chest.
"...him saying that out loud. I mean, of course, I knew that I am too young for him but hearing him say it..."
Charlie pushed her away slightly, took a handkerchief out of his left pocket, and gave it to her. Theodora wiped her cheeks with it.
"It's not like that. Bill's just...old-fashioned." Charlie tried finding the right words.
"Oh, don't give me that, Charlie. You've heard what he said – he doesn't think of me that way. I'm just a kid, his brothers' friend." Theodora blew her nose in the handkerchief.
"I wouldn't say that." Charlie tilted his head, hoping Theodora would look at him.
"Right. Don't give me false hope." She sniffed.
"Alright," Charlie lifted his hands in defeat, "I'm just saying it's not like that at all."
Theodora finally looked at him, her nose red and her eyes puffy.
"It doesn't matter. At least it's over with." She sighed.
She buried her head into Charlie's shoulder and started crying again.
"Sometimes I wish I was like you, Charlie. Then I wouldn't have to get my heart broken." Theodora said after a few minutes of silence.
Charlie put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away.
"Trust me, you don't mean that." He said gently.
"Isn't it better to feel no attraction toward anyone and you don't have to deal with all these thoughts and emotions?"
"Yeah, it's really fun at family gatherings when relatives start asking you why are you still single, why don't you ever bring a girl home, what is wrong with you," Charlie said sarcastically.
"And then you try to explain that you simply don't experience romantic and sexual attraction, being proud of who you are, saying it out loud and then seeing their faces of disgust, rolling their eyes, patting your shoulder and telling you you'll grow out of it and that they can't wait to get your wedding invitation." He sighed.
"Charlie...I...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Theodora bit her lip.
"I'm not emotionless. It doesn't mean I can't get hurt by friends or family."
Charlie came out to her in one of his letters last year and she supported him fully. Unfortunately, she couldn't say the same about some of his family members. Even though his closest family understood, some of the others had a hard time doing so and brushed it off as a phase. For her, nothing changed. He was still Charlie, her former Quidditch captain, her friend and she regretted saying what she did.
"I didn't mean it that way at all." A tear ran down her cheek. "You know I support you."
"Theo, relax, I know what you meant and I know you didn't mean it in a bad way." Charlie bestowed her with a warm smile. "I guess being me has its perks."
Charlie lifted his chin proudly and made Theodora chuckle. She felt relief that Charlie wasn't offended by what she said even though she still felt guilty about it. She just wanted to express the desire of not getting her heart broken and comparing that to his sexuality was wrong.
"There you go!" Charlie shook her shoulders, happy to make her smile. "You're going to be okay, Theo."
"I just can't stop thinking if things would be different if I was older." She glanced at him but looked away when she saw a smirk appear on his face.
"You'll be 18 soon." He winked at her.
"Oh, stop being such a hopeless romantic, Charles." She nudged him with her shoulder. "Bill and I will never happen."
"Okay, whatever you say." Charlie made a kissy face. "But I'll stay a hopeless romantic just so that I can tell you I told you so when you two finally get together."
Theodora couldn't stop a smile spreading across her face as she playfully rolled her eyes at her friend, wishing she could share his optimism.