Chapter 2
“Any idea where to start?” Charlie asked her.
“Well, it should be easier to sort through things if I organize them a bit.” Iris said, starting to look through the decorations. “They're beautiful, but look fairly fragile.”
“Miss Rosewood, Mr. Weasley, how nice to see some students taking part of decorating the castle by hand rather then leaning on magic.” Flitwick smiled, coming up next to where Iris was standing.
“Oh I just love Christmas.” Iris told him, looking at one of the golden bulbs in her hands.
“It's not proper Christmas until all the trees have been trimmed.” He smiled to the two of them.
“Everyone will be in for a pleasant surprise next time they come into the Great Hall.” Charlie smiled, looking through the box Iris was rooting through. “Oh! Tinsel!” Charlie grabbed a handful of the gold, shimmering, rope to start swirling about the tree. Iris smiled at him as he happily went to decorating the tree.
His child like glee when it came to Christmas always made Iris smile.
“I think we should do an all gold tree up here where the faculty sits.” Iris said as she hung the ornament she had picked up on the tree, front and center.
“Oh all gold? That sounds neat.” Charlie agreed. “Oh! Then we could do like an all silver, then a all red tree by the Gryffindor table, and yellow, blue and green for the other houses.”
“I like the idea of monochromatic trees!” Iris agreed with him, liking the idea.
“Oh man, look at this tree topper, Iris.” Charlie said as he pulled the large glittering golden star out of the box when he was looking for more tinsel. “I can't wait to put this topper on the tree.”
“Well the honor is all yours when we get there.” Iris told him as she hung a handful of ornaments on the tree, taking a deep breath. “Oh these trees even smell like Christmas.”
“They do have a really strong scent this year, don't they?” Charlie asked, thinking the same thing. The two of them worked along side Hagrid and Flitwick. It felt oddly friendly, more like four friends decorating for Christmas then students, teacher, and Gameskeeper. Iris and Charlie both greatly enjoyed themselves. “Everything needs to be perfect, it will drive me nuts if anything is crooked.” Charlie added as he adjusted a long pendulum type ornament.
Iris got a grin on her face and reached over, purposefully making one crooked in front of him. Charlie knew what she was doing and gave her a half hearted glare as she cackled.
Iris, Charlie and Hagrid hung large garland on the walls, and Hagrid helped to get the trees standing up large and straight for her and Charlie to decorate. Charlie kept looking over at Iris, taking in her festive apperance. Her hair was braided in a halo around her head, adorned with little red berries, and she had on a red dress with white fur cuffs, looking like young Mrs. Claus. Her fair hair made the red pop even more and Charlie couldn't help but say-
“You look really pretty in red.” He told her as she hung one of the last bulbs on the Ravenclaw tree. She looked over at him, looking surprised by the statement and smiled bright.
“Thank you Charlie. That was really sweet.”
“Yeh did a great job, kids! The Great Hall looks even greater than before.” Hagrid applauded the two.
“Well, there's still one last thing to do.” Iris smiled, and pulled the largest star out of the box and handed it to Charlie. “You still have the big star to put on the head tree.” She told him with a smile. Charlie took the star from her and they both jumped when they shocked each other. “I hope this gets everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
“You'll need plenty of that spirit when you have to take them down and box them up at the end of the season.” A deep voice said from behind them. Iris rolled her eyes, but mustered up a smile.
“Professor Snape, I didn't see you there.” Iris said as she turned towards him.
“Yes, it appears that both of you were too transfixed by your festive knick-knacks to notice.” He said with a sneer.
“Come off it Snape. Even yeh' have the admit that this helped spruce up the Great hall.” Hagrid interjected. “Folks need a lil' Christmas cheer every now an' then. Nothin' wrong with that, is there?” It was almost like he was daring Snape to gripe at Charlie and Iris again.
“It's... Charming. I suppose. Miss Rosewood, be honest how important are these trivial decorations to you.” Snape singled Iris out and Charlie felt his ears go red at the anger he felt on Iris's behalf.
“I think they're important to have around. They bring joy and beauty that we usually don't get the rest of the year.” Iris said simply.
“Hmmm... Perhaps seeing something a little different in here will help break up the monotony of the holiday's.”
“At the very least, they'll help make the Christmas Feast feel a lil' more special.” Hagrid said loudly, boasting about their decorating. Charlie could feel the blood pounding in his ears and decided to go ahead and get the ladder up and ready so he could put the tree topper on Iris's golden tree and get ready to head to the Burrow.
“If that is what amuses you then I suppose it's fine.” Snape huffed. “Just be sure to clear out your ladders and boxes when you're done.” He warned.
“We'll get out o' yer hair just as soon and Charlie's wrapped up the finishing touch on the tree.” Hagrid explained. “Oh, where'd he go?”
“I'm almost done. Just want to make sure the topper is one right.” Charlie said loudly, adjusting the star on top of the twelve-ish foot tree. In all honesty the ladder he had chosen was the tallest, but it was still a little short for the job, so he was having to stand on his tip toes. He loathed his height in that moment, wishing he was just a few inches taller. He managed to get the star on top if the tree, but it was crooked and he couldn't stand it if the giant star was crooked right on the stage with all of the faculty. “Now if it'll just stay a little bit more to the left-” He balanced on one foot and he knew he had made a critical error.
“Charlie that looks fine, and that ladder is-” Iris began but was cut off. Charlie could feel it under his feet before Iris could even finish saying it. The ladder wobbled until he heard a loud crack of the wooden frame breaking under him. He felt his breath be forced out of his lungs and saw nothing but black as he hit the wooden floor with a loud thud, head and neck first. “CHARLIE!” Iris screamed as she ran over to him and bent down next to him.
She bent over him and for second Iris genuinely thought he was dead because Charlie didn't move. He quickly though fluttered his eyes open and grabbed the back of his head, balled up in the fetal position.
He did his best to sit up but felt Iris's hand on his shoulder.
“Charlie, don't move. You could be hurt badly!” She chided.
“I'm fine... I think. Just a little dizzy... A lottle dizzy actually.” He admitted only loud enough for her to hear, sitting up with Iris's assistance. “Nothing I can't walk off-”
“You will be doing nothing of the sort.” Snape interjected quickly before Charlie could even get to his feet. “Rosewood, help me bring Weasley to the Hospital Wing at once.” He ordered. Iris did not protest, in fact she thought it was a wise idea to get Charlie there because he had blacked out.
“Really I'm fine.”
“Charlie, you blacked out.” Iris told him as they made their way towards the hospital wing. “That was scary, I thought you may have broken your neck or something.”
“I've been hit with a bludger harder then that.” He assured her as they rounded the corner out of the Great Hall and headed the few steps across the hall to the Hospital Wing. She gave him a half hearted glare before she helped him onto one of the medical beds.
“How are you feeling, now that you've walked a little?”
“Not bad, I suppose? I'm still dizzy, but-”
“You will remain in that bed for the time being.” Snape ordered loudly. “I'll see what we can do in the meantime.”
“That's fine, but Iris and I are suppose to catch the last train out after the feast tonight for Christmas.” Charlie reminded him.
“Out of the question. I will not allow a student to risk their health for a vacation. You will stay at Hogwarts.” Snape said, and Iris watched all the color drain from Charlie's face and she was sure it was not because of his head injury.
“You can't be serious! It was just a little fall. I'll take it easy, I promise. Besides, Iris is traveling with me, she can watch me in case I have a concussion.” Charlie bargained, and he looked Iris dead in the eyes. “You saw what happened, Iris. Don't you think Professor Snape is overreacting?” He asked, pleading Iris with his eyes to agree with him. But he could tell by her facial features it was not going to go his way.
“Charlie-”
“Iris noooo.” He groaned, already knowing what she was going to say.
“I know this complicates our plans, but I think it would be better to be safe then sorry. Like I said, you blacked out, it was terrifying.”
“You would be wise to listen to your friend, Weasley.” Snape looked at Charlie, and almost looked... Concerned, that is if he was able to feel any type of human emotions. “I don't think a long ride on the Hogwarts express would be a good idea right now.”
Charlie was fuming for a completely different reason now, and it was partially directed at Iris. He had hoped she would back him up, so that they could get going to the Burrow in a few hours.
“This is the worst! I can't be on bed rest! Not now!” He shouted, trying to sit up and get out of bed.
“Charlie! No!” Iris stepped over and placed her hands on his arm. “Sit down, it won't be good to get all worked up over this. Your family will understand, I'll owl them right now for you.”
Charlie felt a uncomfortable conversation was about to take place, and suddenly felt extremely guilty under Iris's grasp.
“It's not just that. I'm going to be in big trouble if I'm stuck in here the next few days.” he admitted, rubbing a throbbing spot on his head, flinching when he pressed a little to firmly. Iris's eyes almost bore holes into him.
“Charlie you better start explaining.”
Oh Merlin it feels like my mother is questioning me, why does she have to look at me like that and speak to me in that tone. Charlie thought to himself as Iris eerily became like Molly in that second.
“Well... A few weeks ago I knocked over a rather expensive display at Zonko's.” Charlie admitted to Iris, and unfortunately to Snape.
“I don't see how any of this is my problem.” Snape snapped sickeningly. “This wouldn't be an issue if you weren't fooling around on that ladder. Perhaps you'll be more careful in the future because of this.” Charlie almost felt the vein in his forehead protruding.
“I have to repay a substantial debt, and I was suppose to finish it off before we left for Christmas. If I'm stuck here, Bilton will think I ran out on him. I had hoped to finish paying it back before the holiday break.” Charlie admitted. “I've been working there on our Hogsmead weekend to pay back what I broke.”
“That's unfortunate, Charlie, but-”
“I'll never be allowed back into the shop again! I'll be black balled!”
“What a pity that would be.” Snape stated blankly.
“C'mon, professor. I can't stay here for a short tumble like this! I just can't!”
“I will not be persuaded by your emotional outbursts, Weasley.” Snape crossed his hands in front of him, looking down his long nose towards Charlie. “However, I will be sure to notify your parents of your tomfoolery and subsequent mishap.” With that he turned, his cape slapping Charlie in the face.
“Great... I don't know what I'll do. If I'm bedridden, Bilton is sure to ban me from Zonko's, probably for life!” Charlie grumbled as Iris sat down on the bed next to his knees.
“Charlie, you're in no shape to be out and about.” Iris told him. Charlie rubbed his face, suddenly overcome with nausea and it seemed Iris saw that and grabbed the rubbish bin just in time for him to violently puke into it. Charlie managed to not get any on himself , but he did not see Iris looking at him with eyes wide as saucers.
“It feels like there's nothing I can do about this.” He managed to tell her in between the waves of nausea.
“Here, lets get you more comfortable.” Iris asked him, standing up to help him. She grabbed his bag from around his shoulders and placed it on the table next to him, then helped him remove his olive jacket carefully. “Why don't I help you keep your promise?”
“Really? I don't want to be a bother or-”
“Charlie, let me do this. Consider it my Christmas gift to you.” Iris told him, seeing a bruise forming on the back his neck suddenly made her feel even more sure she was not going to let him out of the bed. Iris placed her hand on his shoulder, “please, Charlie.”
“You're the best, Iris.” He placed on his his hands over hers and did his best to smile at her as the dizziness and nausea hit him again. He squeezed her hand maybe a little to hard before he grabbed the basket and vomited again. Iris rubbed his back gently.
“I feel bad leaving you like this.” She told him as he finally laid down and laid a hand over his eyes. “But I also want to get this done as quickly as possible for you.”
“Just go see Bilton and explain everything to him.” Charlie muttered. Iris nodded, not that he would see her. Charlie had his eyes closed but felt a tugging sensation by his feet, he looked and saw iris pulling his shoe laces on his boots and loosening them enough to pull them off his feet. He was so stunned by her gesture that he couldn't form words. She grabbed him a blanket and filled up a glass with water and left it on the table.
“I'll be back as soon as I can, ok?” She promised him, running her hand over the top of his head kindly. “Do you need anything else?”
“You've already done more then I could ask, thank you, Iris.” Charlie managed a weak smile and that seemed to make her happy as she parted and went to take care of his affairs.
Charlie leaned back and let his mind do some wandering. The last few weeks he and Iris had been spending an awful lot of time together, and he while he was not good at interpreting peoples emotions he thought he could safely say that she was particularly happy around him. Which made him feel good, Iris was so bogged down with responsibilities that weren't hers, if he could get her mind off of them for a moment he was happy to.
Then a more intrusive thought came to his mind... That he was the one actually seeking her out. It wasn't as though they just happened to hang out more often, he was actively seeking her out in class or after, sitting by her in the library or at lunch.
Do I... Am I beginning to like Iris? He thought to himself. That thought almost made him panic, because he knew how Bill had felt about Iris, and he wondered if he had still felt that way. He worried that Bill still felt that way.