An American Professor

Erin awoke the next morning after talking with Ginny until the early morning hours. For only fourteen, the girl sure did have a lot on her mind. She did not get an early start this morning, and was well aware that life had been stirring at the Burrow for quite some time before her own awakening. Gathering her things, she took a quick shower and dressed.

Ginny was still asleep when Erin made her bed, and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Molly and Charlie were in a deep discussion as Erin entered the room. It was quite obvious to her that they had been discussing her as neither would meet her eye as she entered the room. “Good morning,” she attempted.

“Morning,” Molly choked out facing the stove, her back to Erin.

“Good morning, Erin. Sleep well?” Charlie asked politely.

“Actually, I was talking with Ginny late last night. I think she’s going to be sleeping rather late this morning.”

As Erin slid into the seat next to him, Charlie raised an eyebrow, “What were you talking about?”

“Just girl talk. I could tell you, but I'd have to kill ya. I'm just teasing, and anyway, she talked, I mostly listened, and offered words of encouragement.” The answer seemed to satisfy him, though the silence was anything but comfortable.

Erin ate her apple and piece of toast silently before escaping the tension for the living room. Wondering absently what Charlie and his mom could have been talking about, and if she were just being paranoid thinking they were talking about her, she walked to the window and noticed the sky was black and lightning flashed in the distance. Today’s definitely an inside day, she mused and turned as she heard someone enter room. She was not at all surprised to find Charlie in the room with her.

“Well, what’s on the schedule for today, Mr. Weasley?”

“Well, Miss Worhli, today we have polo on the western field, a garden club meeting, in well, the garden, and a delightfully dull day of sitting around the house doing nothing to look forward to.”

“I’ll take door number three, Monty!”

“Huh?”

“What? Never heard of ‘Let’s Make a Deal’? Oh, hell, ‘course you haven’t. Nevermind.”

“Another Muggle thing I don’t get?”

“Yep.”

They smiled at each other for a moment before Charlie asked, “Seriously, do you have anything in mind?”

“Well, vacation is a time to think as little as possible, don’t you know.”

“Have you gotten the official tour of the house yet?”

“Well, not really. Ron showed me his room, but that’s pretty much it.”

“Then let’s go.” Charlie showed her the cellar, which Erin wasn’t too keen on since she saw a spider on the first step. She laughed as he pointed out every single closet, as they made their way up the stairs. He pointed out his parent’s room, and then arriving at Percy’s room he knocked firmly.

“Perce, let us in.”

“I’m busy. I’ve got no time for foolishness.”

Charlie rolled his eyes, and Erin giggled in spite of herself. “Quite the stick-in-the-mud, isn’t he? I suppose there’s one in every bunch?” Charlie’s deep laugh filled the hallway, and Erin marveled at how rich and warm it was.

They gave up on Percy, and trudged up the stairs to the twin’s room. “Hey guys, are you in there?” Charlie opened the door. “Actually, Bill and I are bunking in here and the twins are staying with Ron. Just watch where you walk and sit. And don’t touch anything. They’ve got pranks everywhere in here. I found out the hard way.” Erin laughed not wanting to ask what actually happened to him. She looked around the room curiously and noticed that there were bits of exploded unrecognizable items, but everything else appeared normal. However, experience with the twins had taught her, if nothing else, that nothing was as it appeared.

Erin walked across the room towards Charlie carefully. “My bed’s safe, if you want to sit.”

“Sounds like a cheesy pick-up line, Mr. Weasley.” She smiled easily at Charlie and he blushed. “Ah, blushing proves you’re guilty of some impure thoughts.”

He laughed, but didn’t deny it. They sat on his bed talking until the twins came in to retrieve a trick they’d been working on and began making kissy noises.

“Well, you’ve seen Ron’s room,” Charlie noted as they made their way back to the hall, “and you told me you’re not interested in meeting our ghoul, what do you want to do?”

Erin checked her watch, “Eat!”

The rest of the day they spent talking. Charlie tried to convince her to learn chess, but still she refused citing Ron's frustration with her the previous day as evidence. Instead, she looked through photo albums of the Weasley family through the years.

By dinner the storm had cleared up and was cool, but not cold outside. The family again ate in the garden and Erin retired early. She missed running, but hadn’t felt like going that night.

Instead, the next morning she ran and subsequently every morning after that she woke up early to run and think. Her time at the Weasley’s was spent well. She relaxed and enjoyed herself. The only thing they didn’t chance was going into the actual village for fear that someone might see Erin. She didn’t want to put the family in any type of danger.

On one of their walks, a few days after her arrival, Charlie had shown her his ‘thinking spot’ from his childhood. Erin fell in love with it immediately. It was a single oak tree that developed with six separate trunks forming the perfect seat. A few other trees surrounded it to kept it slightly isolated, and Erin thought that was the best part. She couldn’t even imagine growing up with so many siblings, and thought that isolation would be a welcome change. It would have been her favorite spot if she’d grown up at the Burrow.

Charlie also managed to convince Erin to try flying again. She even played Quidditch with the modified family teams, but was a terrible Chaser. Ron scored so many times more than her that Fred actually accused her of letting the other team win. After that Erin refused to play with them anymore. Fortunately, she had so much fun that she almost forgot her previous bad experience on her jinxed broom.

The Weasleys celebrated Easter on Saturday, as Sunday night much of the family would board the Hogwarts Express to go back to school. They had spent the day laughing and eating the delicious feast Molly had prepared. Even though the revelry continued until late in the night Erin was able to wake up early on Sunday morning to run.

She had just changed into her running garb and was leaving the bathroom when she found Charlie waiting for her in the hallway.

“Are you all packed?”

“Well, yes, and good morning to you, too.”

“I packed a lunch. I want to spend the morning and early afternoon with you. Don’t worry, I’ll get you to the train on time, and mum and dad will take your bags. The train doesn’t leave until two.”

Erin nodded dumbly and went into the bedroom to get her regular clothes. After returning her running clothes to her bag in the bedroom, and entered the hallway again, set to go. “All set?” Charlie asked.

“Yes,” she answered softly. She didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt shy.

Charlie led the way and she knew instantly he was taking her to his ‘thinking spot.’ They settled on the blanket he spread out near his tree. “So, did you bring any breakfast?”

He handed her an apple silently and for several moments the only sound was the crunch of the apple as she ate it slowly. “Did you enjoy your stay?”

“Oh, yes, very much,” she answered between bites.

“I feel like we’ve really gotten to know each other this week.”

Wondering where he was leading the conversation, Erin answered with a non-committal shrug. “Do you agree?” he pressed.

“Yes Charlie. I’ve learned a lot about you and your family this week.” He remained silent for several minutes. Erin lay back to stare at the sky visible between the tree’s leaves. Charlie joined her and reached for her hand. He kissed the back of her hand and then continued to hold it.

With his hand on her wrist, she knew he could feel her heartbeat, and was very aware that once she’d shifted her grip on his hand slightly she could also feel his. His heart was beating rapidly. “Charlie, are you nervous about something?” she asked calmly.

“No. Well, maybe.”

She turned to her side, “What?”

Still holding her wrist he also turned to the side and looked into her eyes. “ I think you’re beautiful, and smart, and funny. I guess I’m just nervous that I’ll screw this up.”

“Screw what up? Charlie, are you talking in code?”

“No.” He leaned forward and gently kissed her. The kiss was so soft and so brief Erin wondered if she’d imagined it.

“Charlie, did you just-”

“Kiss you? Yes.”

“Why?” Why do you care why?! Erin, he’s gorgeous, he likes you! Your relationship would be so simple. He’s not your professor, he’s not a fugitive, he’s just a gorgeous charming man, why are you asking him why?!

“I just needed to.”

“Oh.” Tell him to do it again!

“Did you mind?” No! Tell him no!

“I’m not sure.”

“Can I kiss you again?”

Say yes, come on! “I don’t know.”

He decided for them both. He kissed her forehead and then her lips. His kiss was firmer, but he did not deepen it, and Erin broke the kiss. It was a nice kiss, making her warm all over, but sparks didn’t shoot through her body like they did when she kissed Sirius. Don’t think about him! The jerk hasn’t contacted you in months!

“Charlie, I don’t know what this all means,” she started and sat up abruptly.

“It means I like you, I want to take you out on dates, and then see where it leads us.”

Are you leading him on if you say yes? Hell, you deserve to have a good time. You two talk incessantly, you’re about the same age, say yes! “Are you talking about dating each other exclusively, or just dating?”

“I won’t ask you to commit to me, but I want to take you out when I can get to Hogwarts, if that’s ok. So? What do you say?”

Not that much different than what we’ve already been doing, she thought, but smiled at him, “Sounds good to me.”

He kissed her again, but she pulled away, “Save something for the second date!” She laughed and he pulled her into a hug. It was a comfortable hug, and Erin found herself forgetting where she was.

They spent the rest of the morning talking. Charlie kissed her a few more times, but for the majority of the time they spent together they talked. However, Erin realized glumly afterwards that she still avoided the subject of her childhood and her abduction. She wondered if she’d ever be able to talk to Charlie about the difficult subjects.

Charlie managed to get Erin to the train ten minutes before it’s departure. They located the other Weasleys easily by their red hair. Erin hugged and kissed Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and thanked them for the generous hospitality.

After assuring her that she’d always be welcome at The Burrow, the Weasleys all seemed to disappear and Erin was left standing on the Platform with Charlie.

“Well, I guess this is it. Thank you so much for inviting me to spend the holiday with your family. I think it was the best Easter I’ve ever had.”

Charlie looked at her curiously, but didn’t comment. The train whistle blew and they realized that they would have to cut their good-bye rather short. “I’m glad that you came.” He took her hand in his and pulled her gently into his arms for a hug. As they broke apart he planted a firm kiss on her lips, and this time Erin felt a delicious shiver travel up her back. She kissed him back before breaking away to turn to the train.

Standing in the doorway, she waved to him as the train started to move forward. He smiled and she blew him a kiss before turning to enter the train completely. She traveled down the hallway looking for the at least one of the other Weasleys. It was just her luck that they all were sitting in one compartment and seemed to be waiting for her.

“So, is this hostile territory, or can I join you guys?” she asked tentatively.

They all stared at her for a moment then in a sudden flash of red and black Ginny had thrown herself into Erin’s arms and was crying hysterically. “What’s wrong with you? What happened?” Erin asked with concern.

“Nothing’s wrong, I’m just, I’m just so happy!” Ginny sobbed.

Erin looked at the brothers with a confused face, “Has she completely lost her mind?” They were all grinning at her stupidly. “What’s going on?” she asked, after guiding Ginny back to her seat.

Ron finally answered her, “We saw you with Charlie, Erin. We just want you to know that we think it’s really great, and we’re just really happy for you two.”

Oh, shit! “Listen, guys, not to burst your bubble,” she began as she sat next to Ron, “your brother is a great person, and I like him a lot, but we’re not a couple. I mean, we’re going to see each other if and when he visits Hogwarts, but we’re not exclusive. Ok?”

They didn’t seem to be paying attention to her at all. Well, they’ve made up their minds now, no use trying to change them. Ginny kept gushing at her and Ron couldn’t stop smiling. Even the twins kept on reiterating all of the qualities that they felt made Charlie worthy of her. Finally, Erin sighed and closed her eyes pretending to sleep. It was the longest trip she’d ever taken. The relief she felt when the train began slowing to a stop vanished immediately as she opened her eyes, and the chattering about her dating Charlie resumed. What have I gotten myself into?