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08 - Broom Cupboards and Exploding Snap
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Marlene and Charlie were walking through the castle after their Care of Magical Creatures lesson. That was their last class of the day and now they were free to do what they liked so Charlie had said he'd walk with Marlene to Gryffindor tower so he could see Hestia, even if that meant risking bumping into Remus.
They were talking when suddenly someone picked Charlie up and threw them over their shoulder and called to Marlene, "Sorry Marls! I'll return him to you later!"
Charlie frowned, he knew that voice. He panicked as the realisation hit him. "Shit, shit, shit." He thought to himself.
He was carried through the castle until he was dumped back on his feet in what seemed to be a broom cupboard. Charlie stumbled but a pair of hands landed on his shoulders, steadying him.
Charlie gulped as he looked up into the face of one extremely annoyed Remus Lupin.
"Um, hi." Charlie said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.
"You've been avoiding me."
Charlie gulped loudly, he was sure Remus heard it and was thanking the Gods that Remus wasn't able to hear his heartbeat, as it was going at what felt like one hundred miles per hour, not only because he was nervous, but because he was in close proximity to the tall, scarred boy and he had just noticed how attractive the smell of chocolate that clung to his school shirt was, and how hot it was that - holy shit - he'd pushed up the sleeves of his shirt and revealed toned forearms that were littered with faint scars, and how freakin cute his face was, scars and all, and - hold up, where had all these thoughts come from?
Charlie shuffled nervously on his feet as Remus said, "Don't deny it, I know you have."
"Ok, maybe I have." Charlie admitted, refusing to meet Remus's eyes and staring at his feet.
"Why?" Remus asked.
"Why does it matter? It's not like we're friends." Charlie mumbled as he glanced up and made eye contact with Remus.
Hurt flashed across Remus's face for a second before it was replaced by an emotionless mask.
"Maybe not. But I still want to know why your brother was beating you to death in an empty corridor the other night." Remus said.
He'd done some research and found out that Billy Morreti was Charlie's older brother. He was a Ravenclaw and the sort of guy that the girls all avoided, for a good reason.
"It doesn't matter." Charlie said, back to staring at his feet.
Remus's hands were still on his shoulders and he absentmindedly tightened his grip in annoyance.
"It's abuse Charlie! It matters!" Remus practically growled.
Charlie winced slightly as Remus's hands dug into his shoulders and he automatically apologised, "Sorry."
Remus blinked at the unexpected apology and then realised that he was scaring the smaller boy. His werewolf side always heightened his senses when he was angry, or annoyed, or frightened, so it enabled him to see better than Charlie in the dim cupboard. He could see that Charlie's eyes were shiny with tears and could hear his heart beating rapidly.
He immediately released his grip on Charlie's shoulders.
"No, don't apologise. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Remus apologised, ashamed that he had let his annoyance get the better of him. "If you don't want to tell me now, that's fine. But promise me you'll tell me eventually?"
Charlie nodded, "Alright."
The door the the broom cupboard door was thrown open and the boys were both temporarily blinded as light flooded the closet.
"I told you! I told you I saw them on the map Prongs! Pay up!"
"Shut up Padfoot, they're not even doing anything. So I don't owe you shit."
"You guys are gross, you wanted to catch them doing something? Pervs."
"Shut up Wormy."
"No one asked you Peter."
Charlie blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light and revealed three figures stood outside the broom cupboard doorway. James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.
"I thought you already came out of the closet Rem." Sirius Black grinned.
"Yeah, do we need to go get chocolate and jumpers to lure you out again?" James teased.
Remus rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "Were you guys stalking me again?"
The other three boys looked sheepish and muttered, "No."
Charlie looked between the four boys and frowned, he was confused. Map? Stalking? What was going on?
"Right, well, great to see you Chaz, but we really must be stealing Moony now." Sirius grinned at Charlie, making him blush again.
"Oh, alright?" Charlie said, wondering what Moony was.
Remus saw Charlie's confused expression and sighed as he explained. "He means me. My nickname's Moony."
Charlie just nodded.
"Oh, about that tutoring. Do you still want it?" Remus asked. Charlie nodded. "Right, well meet me in the library later at maybe..." he paused to look at his wristwatch, "six?"
"Ok. I'll be there." Charlie said.
"Well I'll see you later then." Remus called as he was grabbed by the three boisterous boys who were practically vibrating with excitement. They dragged him out of the cupboard and down the corridor.
Charlie stood and watched them walk away.
He decided to head to the Great Hall and see if any of his friends were there while he waited until six to meet Remus.
Upon entering the Hall, he spotted Hestia and Sam arguing about something at the Gryffindor table. Ben was sat next to Hestia looking pale faced as Sam pointed a finger between him and Hestia. His girlfriend, Fiona McKay, was sat next to him looking extremely amused.
"I'll kill you!" Sam shouted, jumping up and pointing her wand at Hestia.
Charlie increased his pace.
"Woah, ok. Let's all calm down." Charlie said, inserting himself in between Hestia and Sam. "What's going on?"
"THAT COW CHEATED!" Sam screeched and launched herself at Hestia. Charlie caught her and tried to restrain her, which was difficult because Charlie was small (about the same size as Sam) and when Sam was mad, it was difficult to stop her from doing anything.
It was then that Charlie noticed the cards in Hestia's hands and the ones strewn across the table and floor.
He slapped a hand against his forehead, using the other arm to restrain Sam.
"Exploding Snap? Seriously?" Charlie laughed, finally managing to wrestle Sam back into her seat and stealing her wand.
"She cheated!" Sam insisted, pointing her finger at Hestia because Charlie had confiscated her wand. "And he helped her!" She turned to point at Ben, who hid behind his girlfriend. Charlie laughed at the sight of a buff, six foot tall eighteen year old with tattoos and a general tough exterior, hiding behind his five foot three girlfriend with the demeanour of a kitten, in the face of Sam's anger.
"Why don't you have a rematch?" Charlie mediated.
"Because she'll cheat again!" Sam spat, glaring daggers at Hestia, who was sat in her seat looking smug. "So much for the honourable house of Gryffindor!"
"Ok! Ok! Calm down!" Charlie told her, because this statement had elicited many annoyed stares from Gryffindors near them, although Hestia didn't care, having been subjected to Sam's trash talk for many years now.
"Fiona can referee. Ben has to sit on the other side of Fiona so he can't help Hestia cheat, and you two can start again. Sound like a plan?" Charlie said, pleading with Fiona with his eyes, hoping that she'd agree.
Fiona nodded and switched seats with Ben. Charlie knew she wouldn't let anyone cheat.
"Fine. But if she cheats, I will murder her." Sam said, glaring daggers at Hestia.
Charlie turned to Hestia and gave her a look, "No cheating. Ok, Hestia?"
Hestia gave a mock salute and said, "Yes, Mum."
Charlie rolled his eyes and sat down to watch the game of Exploding Snap.