"It’s a bit too high on the left side." You tell Bill. Who is currently balancing on a very precarious looking ladder. "I'm sure he won't even notice," the redhead grumbles. "But I know it's crooked," you say, stepping up the ladder to hold it still while Bill climbs down. The Birthday sign is hanging above the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room, looking a little worse for wear. "It doesn't matter," Bill says. It's true, and it wouldn't bother you except it's for Charlie and it has to be perfect. Charlie has been your best friend for over 5 years. His 17th birthday is a big deal to you.
yes he'll be a legal wizard, but it isn't just that. Charlie’s birthday falls so close to Christmas that it's oftentimes forgotten. You just want to make sure he has the best birthday ever. Next year he'll be off in Romania to start his training early so you won't be there to celebrate it with him. A thought that really bums you out. Charlie has always been your kindest and most passionate friend. He really puts his all into every endeavor. Like he excels at quidditch and care of magical creatures, Charlie is an amazing best friend. He never forgets a birthday, he always helps you study and he is never without his great advice. You want to do one thing to repay him, at least a little. Something that he'll remember when he's off in Romania. It's no secret to anyone that you fancy Charlie. But you're starting to think it might be a secret to him. He must not notice the way you blush when he catches your stare or how clammy your hands get when he's near. Being friend zoned by Charlie Weasley has to be one of your top 5 worst moments. Okay, he didn't actually friend zone you. But he did call you "pal" and that's bad too. "Where do you want this?"
Penny pulls you from your thoughts. She's carrying a case of butterbeer, which looks very heavy. "You can set it on that table. Thanks Pen." She nods and carries the case to the table. you came up next to her. "Relax, we've got everything under control. You planned this party perfectly, there's nothing that can go wrong" Penny says, noticing how tense you are. "Now you go get ready and I will make sure the last of it is finished" she's already pushing you out before you can respond. Fine. Penny is right, nothing can go wrong.
And what a stupid thought that was. When you get back to the Gryffindor common room it's in shambles. Cornish pixies are flying everywhere, the tables are overturned, the butterbeer is pooled on the floor in sticky, sweet puddles. There's currently a pixie pulling on Barnaby's hair. He's running around kicking up fallen decorations. The banner that was once crooked is now completely torn off the wall and is being used as a shield from the cauldron cakes the pixies are using as ammunition. To sum it up, it's chaos. Penny screams for you to duck.
You're a tad late and a cauldron cake hits your left shoulder. This means war. You take out your wand and stupify as many little blue devils as you can. You chase one across the room and run straight into Bill. "What in Godric's name is going on here?" you ask. Bill stupefies the last pixie before answering you. "Barnaby was being chased by the little devils. He led them right in here. He says he was trying to find a harmless creature to join the party. He thought Charlie might like it." You were frustrated but you couldn't blame Barnaby for trying to do something sweet for Charlie. "I'm sorry, we tried to stop them. They were especially vicious. Barnaby probably offended them somehow."
It didn't matter. The party was ruined and Charlie would be here any minute. The cakes were all splattered on various surfaces, the butterbeer had been spilt and the decorations were in tattered heaps. You noticed the defeated looks of all your friends. It's clear everyone was feeling sorrowful.
"Bloody hell, what happened here?" you hear a gruff voice say. Charlie. You turn to see he has just entered through the portrait. He has a bemused look on his face. He looks to see the pained look on yours. Suddenly he doesn't look as humored. "I'm so sorry" you say. You're not sure why you apologize, it wasn’t your fault. But you can't help but feel bad. Charlie makes his way towards you. It seems everyone else has dispersed. Probably grabbing trash bags and cleaning supplies. "It was supposed to be a party for you. Everything was perfect before the pixies got here. They chased Barnaby. I'm so sorry" you say between gasps. You hadn’t realized you had started to cry. Charlie grabs you quickly and holds you close. "You did this all for me?" He asks. It wasn't what you expected him to say. "I just wanted you to have a good birthday Char '' Your tears have stopped now. Thankfully Charlie’s shirt isn’t too wet. "Sorry" you say again. "Hey, stop that. You have nothing to apologize for. This is probably the nicest thing anyone has done for me. Ever" He says, turning you to look him in the eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes. "you deserve it char. You deserve everything in this world. You're such an amazing friend I just wanted to return a little bit of the love." "It’s the thought that counts right?" He asks rhetorically. You nod, smiling slightly. You look at Charlie with deep admiration. He's right. And you had put a lot of thought into the party.
You put a lot of thought into everything you did. Except for when you kissed Charlie.
One second he was smiling back at you and then your lips were pressed together. And his hands. Oh god his hands were holding your waist so tightly. He felt so right you thought you might faint. You pull away, frazzled. Did that really just happen? Did you just jump Charles Weasley? You don't even remember making the move. "say something please" You hadn’t realized you were zoned out. "should I not have done that?" Charlie asks, the cutest look of concern on his face. He kissed you. Charlie kissed you first! "No. No! I mean yes…I mean…" Oh no this was coming out all wrong. The look of concern on his face deepens. "I've wanted you to kiss me for awhile" You can feel your face go deep red. At that Charlie smiles.
Actually he glows, his smile gets so big you think it might break his face. "you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that" Your heart rages in your chest. "So you didn't just kiss me to shut me up?" You ask. "Definitely not" he laughs. He hugs you tighter. "I'm still sorry about the party" you say. "quiet about the party or I'll have to kiss you again" He says. You take that as a challenge. "It would have been a really good party" You smirk. Charlie dips you to the side, eliciting a happy shriek from you. He lowers his lips to yours in a ghost of a kiss. "Happy Birthday Charlie." you say against his mouth. "best. birthday. ever" he says before kissing you with that before mentioned passion.