Chapter Text
Potion brewing was a very particular art.
That was something Charlie had been taught ever since she was a little girl.
Accuracy was essential regarding every aspect of brewing.
The angle aconite was cut at, the height cowbane was poured in from, a ten minute difference in the required time Lacewing flies are supposed to be brewed for.
All minor details in the great scheme of things, yet have such a vital impact on the end result.
This is one of the reasons that Charlie would use to explain her dislike for Potions.
The obedience needed.
The fact that one minor mistake could change the whole outcome.
As a Potioneer Charlie's Father used to often be found spending days preparing for his next brew.
Spending hours obsessing over the slightest detail was a common occurrence aswell as spending his time sharing all his knowledge with his two children.
Cameron never had much interest, always politely listening, nodding his head but never truly soaking the information in.
But on the other hand as a child Charlie was infatuated.
Mainly because it was her Fathers craft that he was extremely passionate about.
But also adoring the sound created when Newt Spleen hits off the cauldron.
The feel of the smoke below her wafting towards her face.
Initially, when arriving at Hogwarts in her first year attending Potions class provided comfort to Charlie.
Constantly reminding her of the hours she would spend in her Fathers Workshop, kneeling on the stool opposite her Fathers to peer into the cauldron below her.
Passing him the ingredients when he needed them.
As Charlie grew up her responsibilities did too.
He would sometimes let her assist with his experiment potions.
They would discuss their theories and predictions on the upcoming brew.
He would share his discoveries and research while she would listen, besotted.
But coming back to Hogwarts in year five provided a new dynamic.
The class that used to offer such easement.
That used to feel like she was bringing a piece of home with her.
Despite Professor Snapes constant dismissal aswell as the intolerable chill of the classroom.
Potions was a class she once could seek refuge from.
It now just acted as a constant reminder of what she lost.
She's never spend hours in the workshop with her Father again. Discussing all types of potions and there uses. She'd never go on trips hunting for Cowbane with him, never see his smile as one of his ideas comes to life with a new brew.
All the things that made his work so magical, so infatuating. They now just made it unbearable.
Fifth year Potions was practically a form of torture for Charlie. After coming back from a summer of grieving the man who she looked up to her whole life she was forced to be reminded of him so frequently.
"She's just in her element really isn't she Jordan." George said pointing his head at the silent girl across from him.
"She really is can't even hear a word we say." He replied.
"It's an art boys, I'm just choosing to ignore the pair of you." Charlie said laughing.
"Of course Charlotte, we really wouldn't want to distract you from your gift now would we Lee."
"Of course not." He said rapidly shaking his head back and forth "Or maybe she is ignoring us because she just really hates you." He whispered.
"Come on Lee, we all know who she doesn't like out of the three of us and it definitely isn't me" George said throwing some Tortoise Shell at the boy "Anyway It's clear that I'm the only reason she said yes."
"Theres not even a chance you idiot, I'm the one who convinced her she wasn't even considering it when you asked."
"She was too." George argued back.
"Oh Merlin, would you two shut up." Charlie said glaring at them both. " And it obviously was the Chocolate Frogs that sold me."
"How's it going Potion's Master." Fred said entering his dormitory.
"Should be ready for tomorrow."
"That's why you're the best." George spoke for the group of smiling boys. "Off to the Twiwizard Tournament we go."
Which was followed by several cheers from the three Gryffindors.
"You'll never believe this lads" Fred said. "Angie was telling me that apparently Krum is coming from that Bulgarian school."
"Piss off."
"That will be brilliant, Ron will drop on the spot."
"There's no way he's as obsessed as you say he is." Lee laughed.
"If anything he's worse, wouldn't be suprised if he proposes to the boy straight away when he sees him." George cackled.
"Can't say I blame him." Charlie joked.
"Another Krum obsessed who would've thought." Fred said walking past shaking her shoulders.
"Obsessed is a bit of a stretch." She said while swatting him away "I can just see where Ron's coming from."
"Ickle Ronnikins and Char are going to battle to the death for Krum." George sang.
"The second Wizarding War will commence, winner gets a signed bludger from the Victor Krum." Lee said.
"Oh my dream come true." She said gathering up her things and heading towards the door.
"Where you off too." Fred questioned.
"Back to my common room, can't stay all night."
"Cant say I'd object."
"Well wouldn't that be your dream come true." She laughed flinging a pillow at his head "Now you lot owl me if it bubbles over." She added while closing the door.
"What do you mean bubbles over." Lee cried as she slammed the door.
"You'd swear you didn't take five years of potions."
*:･ﾟ✧*:･
The arrival of Durmstrang and Beuxbatons was a rather enjoyable affair, not only did they get out off class half an hour early but the three schools got to enjoy a welcome feast.
"This Tournament thing should happen much more often, these Durmstrang lads are proper fit." Milo said peering around.
"As long as it comes with this feast, I think it even tops the end of year one." Josh said with his mouth full of some weird looking French streak pudding.
"You're actually sick Joshua." Charlie grimaced.
"What are you saying Char, you calling me sick." He said chewing obnoxiously louder resulting him getting I whack at the back of his head.
Which then resulted in him chocking on said food, then earning another thump on the back from Charlie as an attempt to help him.
"That was totally you're fault." He murmured sipping at his water.
"That was totally deserved." Charlie snorted earning a laugh from her friends. "You'd properly want to put a lead on him Lyra he's disgusting."
"For the past five years I've genuinely tried Char he's truly just a lost cause." Lyra replied.
"Well haven't you truly picked a gem Lyra." Milo said ruffling his hair.
"Can we go back to that lead thing though" Josh said swatting Milo's hand away "Really good idea Charlie, write that down babe."
"Merlin the pair of you are proper sickos."
"Well let's all pretend that Fred Weasley over there hasn't been practically eye banging you for the past twenty minutes." Milo snorted.
"I truly thought that was George."
"Probably is actually can't say I can tell the difference."
"Maybe she has a thing for both of them."
"Shut up." Charlie said. "Anyway you've been in school with them for the past six years, they don't even look that much alike."
"Coming from someone who's insanely in love with one of them I don't think that really counts." Milo sang.
"Does he think I'm a professional lip reader or something I have no idea what he's on about." Charlie said ignoring her friends comment.
"Tell him to do it again lip reading is my number one talent." Lyra said craning her neck towards the Gryffindor table.
"He said you're so fine, swear it." Milo yelped.
"You're desperate Miles, what are you thinking Lyra."
"He's on about something about an age line I think." Lyra said uncertainty.
"Well obviously there's going to be an age-line." She whispered "We'll talk about it later." She attempted to say back in hopes that he got the message.
"Merlin what on Earth was that." Cedric said coming over to the Hufflepuff table sitting back in his seat beside Lyra. "The whole lot of you looked like lunatics, Cho and I were certainly entertained."
"Oh you were with Cho?" Milo said looking around at his friends even though the whole group had been watching the pair up until five minutes ago.
"I thought you were only getting another glass." Lyra questioned.
"I suppose it's fair enough, the Ravenclaw table is only in the completely opposite direction." Charlie beamed. "You proper like her don't you Ced." She added looking at the blushing boy.
"Yeah, I do." He replied earning a loud cheer from his group of friends.
"Well I only called it." Josh exclaimed drumming the table.
"You did in your hole, I vividly remember saying it at the end of fifth year." Charlie accused.
"Come on now guys, let's focus on the main event here, Diggory is in love." Milo said earning yet another collection of applauds from the group of Hufflepuffs.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･
The Goblet of Fire was certainly an interesting artifact. The blue flames floating out from it in whisps certainly added to the appeal.
The introduction of the Goblet aswell the announcement of Ludo Bagman and Bartemus Crouch as some of the judges for the tournament was also assisted by a lengthy speech from Dumbledore himself.
In said speech he discussed the future three tasks, more rules of the tournament and much to three Gryffindors dismay - the age line.
She could see their faces turning sour from the table across from her, which only brought a small smile to her face.
After another prolonged speech from Dumbledore involving the commitment of the tournament Charlie was ready for bed.
That was until she saw a panicked Lee Jordan galloping towards her followed by the Weasley twins.
"An age line." Lee whined.
"Well I doesn't come as much of a shock." Charlie replied.
"I'm shocked." George mumbled.
"Well it was either going to be that or some type of enchantment." She reasoned.
"So what do we do now." Fred questioned.
"We do nothing, use the potion tomorrow and put your names in." She said "There isn't much other option."
"Stupid Dumbledore and his stupid age line." Lee said practically stomping his feet.
"You lot got this, and remember-"
"Owl you if I bubbles over." The three Gryffindors chorused.
"We know Lottie, but don't even stress."
"There's no way it will happen." George added calmly finishing his brothers sentence.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･
The Hufflepuff common room often acted as a place of refuge for the group. The could be accompanied by the plants hanging from the ceiling above as well as the crackling from the fireplace in front of them in their late night talks.
This one just happened to be about the Twiwizard Tournament itself.
"My moneys on trolls." Milo said.
"They're proper ghastly creatures, Cameron was telling me about how they eat flesh once it's vile." Charlie grimaced.
"I think they're kind of cute really." Lyra admitted.
"I suppose you would, you are going out with one." Milo said laughing obnoxiously.
Charlie joined in. "You see it's funny Josh because you looking like a troll." She explained to him condescendingly.
"You lot are so funny." Josh said sitting on Charlie's legs that were outstretched on the couch.
"You're practically cutting off my circulation you oaf." She said struggling to free her legs. "Tell him to get off me Cedric." She pleaded, distracting the boy from the letter he was writing to his father.
The pair's bickering was interrupted by a scratch coming from the window that gathered the whole groups attention.
The Hufflepuff common room was deserted excluding the group of five so the sudden, unexpected noise evoked a sense of fear in the group.
"That's proper creepy mate." Josh said.
"Check what it is Josh."
"Why me." He exclaimed.
"You're closest."
"I'm literally the furthest away."
"Get off me you baby, I'll check."
After faking terror when peering out the window, followed by the gasps of her friends Charlie was greeted by a white owl holding a piece of white parchment.
"It bubbled over."
Great.
Another reason Charlie had to add to her list of her love of potions.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･