Categories > Books > Harry Potter > The Bulldog and the Archer
The Finale of this tale of love between Charlie Weasley and his girlfriend, Mayumi Zark.
2Ambiance
Medical Ward B, Room 3, The Dragon Preserve Hospital at the Enclave.
February 14, 1997
I feel stiff...
I itch...
I feel weak...
Where am I?
(Time passes)
It is warm...
I am too warm.
It is too hot...
I am hot.
Water, I need water.
May?
Dad?Mum?
May?
“May?” croaks Charlie, almost inaudibly (though quite loudly in his head), from his parched throat and lips. He can't see anything. “Where are you, May?” His lips move, trying to call out again.
A soft voice, female, and Japanese, replies, “Zark-san is here, Weasley-san. She is safe, and resting.” A shuffling sound is heard, then the voice says, “Here is something to drink, Weasley-san.” A hand gently slips beneath his head, and lifts it slowly. A paper cup is held to Charlie's lips, and is tipped, until a small slip of a clear liquid enters his mouth.
A sense of coolness encompasses the parched tissues of his throat. His tongue darts forward slightly, as another tip of the cup issues even more of the liquid into his mouth. Eventually, all of the cool medicine is dispensed. The warm hand lowers his head, and a soft sigh escapes Charlie's mouth.
“Sleep now, Weasley-san. Rest.”
Charlie is out like a light.
February 21, 1997
“Squire Weasley?”
“...Y-yes, m'Lord?”
“How do you feel?”
“...A-asleep?!”
“Yes, you should. You are asleep.”
“M'lord, am I dead?”
“No Squire, you are not dead.”
“Then how am I asleep, and talking to you? Or am I dreaming?”
“You are not dreaming. You were hurt, so the Healers, with some help, put you into a healing sleep for your own good.”
“I was hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Badly?”
“Not as badly as you could have been.”
“What happened? How did I get hurt?”
“You were in a cave...”
“...I don't remember.”
“You are not supposed to remember, as I blocked your memories. You needed to sleep peacefully.”
(Silence)
“Am I healed now?”
“You are healed enough to wake up.”
“How long have I been asleep, m'lord?”
“You have been sleeping solid for ten days.”
(Silence)
“M'lord, I can't remember anything!”
“You will now, Squire. It is time for you to awake!”
With a sudden rush, all of the memories return.
“Easy, Squire...”
“...I remember...everything!”
“He is ready. Awaken him.”
The nurse injects a clear liquid into the IV line attached to Charlie's arm. She nods to the elder Japanese Healer who stands beside Lord Aramys, next to Charlie's bed. At the foot of the bed, three other adults gather in anticipation of the awakening of the unconscious patient. On the other side, sitting uncomfortably in a metal framed chair, her relaxed hand loosely holding Charlie's, Mayumi naps with her head and upper torso supported by the mattress.
“Finio Incantationem,”says the Healer, ending several of the charms used to keep his patient unconscious. Tucking his wand in the elongated wand pocket on the front of his light red Healer robes, he takes Charlie's wrist in his hand, and measures his pulse rate. Satisfied, he turns to Lord Aramys, and in Japanese, says, “He should be awake momentarily, Aramys-sama.”
At the foot of the bed, Shinkazu and Amaya Zark stand, arms around each other, beside a weary looking Albus Dumbledore.
“Ah, our young Mr. Weasley seems to be finally responding, Aramys, “ says Dumbledore. He turns his uncovered head toward the Zarks and smiles. In perfect Japanese, he says, “Maybe we should also awaken your daughter?”
“No need, Dumbledore-sen,” replies a groggy Mayumi, as she rubs the sleep from her eyes with one hand, while the other hand is now being squeezed and held firmly in Charlie's hand. A nervous laugh and a smile crosses her face, as she sits up and smooths the front of her turtleneck sweater. Then, watching as Charlie awakens, she stands up and leans forward over the bed.
Charlie opens his eyes slowly, adjusting to the light in the room. Though dim by normal standards, it is bright to him. As his eyes start to focus, he calls out softly, but clearly, “May?”
Pent up tears finally start to pour forth from Mayumi, as she leans in and gently wraps her arms around his shoulders, hugging him. Between sobs of joy, she replies, “I am here, Charlie, I am here!” She kisses him; her salty tears wetting his lips.
Charlie lifts his one untethered arm, and tries to hug her back. His own tears mingle with May's as they hug, face-to-face, and cheek to cheek. Then pushing her back a little, so that he can look into her eyes, he asks, “Are you okay? Were you hurt, too?”
Through her tears, May gives a nervous guffaw, then reaches under the neck of her turtleneck, and withdraws the Scarab of Hatshepsut on its long chain.
“It saved us, Charlie!” May blurts out, a radiant smile upon her face. “It completely protected me. When I fell on top of you, the protection of my body saved you from the Dragon Flame. The Scarab saved us both!”
Speaking up suddenly from the bedside, the Healer says in clear English, “To be clear, Mr. Weasley, you suffered burns to small portions of your legs, the tops of your forearms and the backs of your hands, small portions of your neck, and, most dangerously, part of your scalp.”
Charlie tentatively reaches up to feel that the hair on top of his head is shorter than it was, and that the skin on his scalp is somewhat sensitive to his touch. He also notices the 'pinkness' of the skin on the back of his hand and forearm.
“The outfit you wore, along with Zark-san, did protect a very large portion of your body. You were also fortunate that the flame apparently did not target you specifically.”
“Are all of my burns healed now?”
“Yes, new skin has either been grown, or grafted, onto the wounds. There are a few minor treatments to follow, some of which you can receive as an outpatient.”
“Healer, does that mean I can leave soon?”
“I will know better tomorrow, after I examine you more thoroughly in the morning.”
“Patience is a virtue, Charles!” says Dumbledore from the foot of the bed.
“Professor?Wh-what are you doing here?” Then, also seeing May's father and mother, he exclaims, “Shinkazu-san, Amaya-san, you're here too!”
Both Shinkazu and Amaya Zark defer to the Elder beside them, allowing Albus to speak first.
“Did you honestly expect Lord Aramys to not notify someone about your injury, Charles?” Looking down his nose, through his half-moon glasses, Albus adds, “Besides, it's good to get away from the school every once in awhile, and Romania is such a beautiful place this time of the year!”
A smile crosses the mien of everyone in the room, as well as a few chuckles. Another late winter blizzard was occurring outside the warmth and security of the Enclave Hospital.
Looking up at Lord Aramys, Charlie says, “Thank you, Sir.”
Aramys nods his acknowledgment.
Albus speaks up again, saying, “As to your parents, Charles, I think it would be best if I break it to them about your injury. Though it would be a good idea for you to write them a note, which I will take back with me tomorrow.”
Picking up a peculiar undertone in Dumbledore's voice, Charlie asks, with concern, “Is everything okay at home, Professor?”
“At home? The Burrow? Yes, Charles, everything is fine to the best of my knowledge. Your Mother, bless her, and Miss Delacour, brave lass that she is, continue to spar at times. Otherwise, nothing has changed.”
Shinkazu and Amaya listen raptly, getting what they think to be an unbiased picture of Charlie's family from the Elder Wizard beside them.
“As to the rest, well, we'll talk about that at a later time.”
Charlie knows better than to press the issue. Instead, he says, “Professor, if you hadn't given that Scarab to us, we would be...”
“Let's not talk about that, now, Charles.” Albus hold his good hand up, palm outwards, warding off the attention. But it is too late.
For the first time, Amaya Zark feels compelled to speak, her eyes suddenly moist, a single tear running down her cheek. In broken English, she says, “Dumbledore-sama, our only daughter, you have saved.” Then, giving up the struggle with the English translation, she asks May to translate her next sentence for the consideration of the non-Japanese speakers in the room.
Listening to her mother closely, May sits up from her seated position on the side of the bed next to Charlie. Translating, she says, “My mother, Amaya-sama, says thank you, Professor. Thank you for saving the life of her only child.” May begins to tear up herself.
Amaya looks up at her husband, a questioning gaze in her wet eyes.
Shinkazu clears his throat, and in his deep voice, says in passable English,“Professor, we both thank you,” and then turning his focus, so as to include Lord Aramys, he continues, “and Lord Dragon, for what you have done. Not only because you have ensured the continuation of our bloodlines,” he pauses suddenly, then turns to face Charlie and Mayumi, saying,“but also because you have saved the lives of the ones we love!”
May shudders as the emotional statement from her father sinks in, breaking the last of the walls around her heart. Crying with a long overdue sense of belonging and full acceptance by her father, she gets up from Charlie's bedside and rushes past Dumbledore, into the arms of her father and mother.
Even as he dabs at the corner of his own eyes with a handkerchief from one of the pockets of his voluminous robe, Albus Dumbledore smiles and sighs with serene satisfaction, nods privately to Aramys, and turns to slip out of the room, unseen.
Charlie, however, calls out suddenly, in a loud and clear voice, saying,“Professor, please wait!” He slowly pushes himself up into a sitting position.
Albus turns back, chagrined at having been caught.
Charlie's request temporarily pauses the outpouring of emotion by the three Zarks.
Seeing that he has the attention of everyone in the room, including Lord Aramys, who stands with a knowing smile, Charlie speaks up, saying,“Shinkazu-san, Amaya-san, both of you know how I feel about your daughter.” He pauses and smiles at May, his eyes bright with affection and hope. “I love your daughter. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and have a family with her.”
Mayumi and Amaya both sob loudly. Amaya, uncharacteristically, and perhaps unknowingly, reaches out and takes hold of Albus Dumbledore's arm, instead of Shinkazu's.
Charlie, once again focusing on Shinkazu and Amaya, asks, “Please, may Ihave your blessing to marry your daughter?”
Only the sounds of the machine that monitors Charlie's vital signs makes anoise. Silently, Amaya and Shinkazu share a private look, and a leaky smile. They both turn to Mayumi first, then to Charlie. The sudden sound of Shinkazu clearing his choked up throat breaks the silent spell.
“Weasley-san, it would be an honor to have you as my son... son-in-law. Hai!”
February 24, 1997
Three days later, Charlie and May re-enter the Zark family compound, having just walked from the Enclave Hospital, and the discharge desk. It had taken a few days of further bed rest and magical treatment to return Charlie to the level of strength and vitality that he was accustomed to.
As May turns towards her portion of the household, Charlie speaks up, saying, “Not yet, darling. Let's stay here for awhile in the garden.”
“Are you warm enough?”
Charlie nods.
They enter the snowy glade, their footfalls soft and unheard in the virgin snow. Hand in hand they walk, slowly, with no rush. They wind in and out of the tall pine trees, maples, and shrubs, along the paths, until they come to the small ceremonial Tea Hut. The sounds of rushing water from the stream and the water below the Tea hut, as well as the soft sounds of Michio's Shakuhachi, lend serenity to the atmosphere.
Charlie cleans off one of the small bench seats, and waits for May to sit first. His hand holds hers across his lap.
“What are you thinking about, Charlie?” May asks after a while, quietly, respecting the silence of their surroundings.
“I'm thinking how good it is to be back home.”
Moving over to rest her head on his shoulder as he sits up a little, May asks, “Really, you consider this home, Charlie?”
Wrapping his arms around her, he looks into her eyes, and says, “Hai, my love, this is my home now. This is where I want to live. Where I want to raise my children.” His hand reaches up to cup her cheek in his palm, and leans in to kiss her softly, which she returns blissfully. Then, he gazes up and outwards, over the peaks and tiled roofs of the Enclave buildings, toward the distant snowy peaks of the Carpathians. Speaking wistfully, he says, “I belong out there with the Dragons, May.” He pauses, letting his thumb caress her cheek softly, his focus on her again. “I belong here with you, my love!”
With that, he slips a diamond and lapis lazuli engagement ring upon her finger, and asks, “Will you be my wife, Mayumi Zark? Will you marry me?”
“Yes, Charlie Weasley, I will be your wife!”
February 14, 1997
I feel stiff...
I itch...
I feel weak...
Where am I?
(Time passes)
It is warm...
I am too warm.
It is too hot...
I am hot.
Water, I need water.
May?
Dad?Mum?
May?
“May?” croaks Charlie, almost inaudibly (though quite loudly in his head), from his parched throat and lips. He can't see anything. “Where are you, May?” His lips move, trying to call out again.
A soft voice, female, and Japanese, replies, “Zark-san is here, Weasley-san. She is safe, and resting.” A shuffling sound is heard, then the voice says, “Here is something to drink, Weasley-san.” A hand gently slips beneath his head, and lifts it slowly. A paper cup is held to Charlie's lips, and is tipped, until a small slip of a clear liquid enters his mouth.
A sense of coolness encompasses the parched tissues of his throat. His tongue darts forward slightly, as another tip of the cup issues even more of the liquid into his mouth. Eventually, all of the cool medicine is dispensed. The warm hand lowers his head, and a soft sigh escapes Charlie's mouth.
“Sleep now, Weasley-san. Rest.”
Charlie is out like a light.
February 21, 1997
“Squire Weasley?”
“...Y-yes, m'Lord?”
“How do you feel?”
“...A-asleep?!”
“Yes, you should. You are asleep.”
“M'lord, am I dead?”
“No Squire, you are not dead.”
“Then how am I asleep, and talking to you? Or am I dreaming?”
“You are not dreaming. You were hurt, so the Healers, with some help, put you into a healing sleep for your own good.”
“I was hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Badly?”
“Not as badly as you could have been.”
“What happened? How did I get hurt?”
“You were in a cave...”
“...I don't remember.”
“You are not supposed to remember, as I blocked your memories. You needed to sleep peacefully.”
(Silence)
“Am I healed now?”
“You are healed enough to wake up.”
“How long have I been asleep, m'lord?”
“You have been sleeping solid for ten days.”
(Silence)
“M'lord, I can't remember anything!”
“You will now, Squire. It is time for you to awake!”
With a sudden rush, all of the memories return.
“Easy, Squire...”
“...I remember...everything!”
“He is ready. Awaken him.”
The nurse injects a clear liquid into the IV line attached to Charlie's arm. She nods to the elder Japanese Healer who stands beside Lord Aramys, next to Charlie's bed. At the foot of the bed, three other adults gather in anticipation of the awakening of the unconscious patient. On the other side, sitting uncomfortably in a metal framed chair, her relaxed hand loosely holding Charlie's, Mayumi naps with her head and upper torso supported by the mattress.
“Finio Incantationem,”says the Healer, ending several of the charms used to keep his patient unconscious. Tucking his wand in the elongated wand pocket on the front of his light red Healer robes, he takes Charlie's wrist in his hand, and measures his pulse rate. Satisfied, he turns to Lord Aramys, and in Japanese, says, “He should be awake momentarily, Aramys-sama.”
At the foot of the bed, Shinkazu and Amaya Zark stand, arms around each other, beside a weary looking Albus Dumbledore.
“Ah, our young Mr. Weasley seems to be finally responding, Aramys, “ says Dumbledore. He turns his uncovered head toward the Zarks and smiles. In perfect Japanese, he says, “Maybe we should also awaken your daughter?”
“No need, Dumbledore-sen,” replies a groggy Mayumi, as she rubs the sleep from her eyes with one hand, while the other hand is now being squeezed and held firmly in Charlie's hand. A nervous laugh and a smile crosses her face, as she sits up and smooths the front of her turtleneck sweater. Then, watching as Charlie awakens, she stands up and leans forward over the bed.
Charlie opens his eyes slowly, adjusting to the light in the room. Though dim by normal standards, it is bright to him. As his eyes start to focus, he calls out softly, but clearly, “May?”
Pent up tears finally start to pour forth from Mayumi, as she leans in and gently wraps her arms around his shoulders, hugging him. Between sobs of joy, she replies, “I am here, Charlie, I am here!” She kisses him; her salty tears wetting his lips.
Charlie lifts his one untethered arm, and tries to hug her back. His own tears mingle with May's as they hug, face-to-face, and cheek to cheek. Then pushing her back a little, so that he can look into her eyes, he asks, “Are you okay? Were you hurt, too?”
Through her tears, May gives a nervous guffaw, then reaches under the neck of her turtleneck, and withdraws the Scarab of Hatshepsut on its long chain.
“It saved us, Charlie!” May blurts out, a radiant smile upon her face. “It completely protected me. When I fell on top of you, the protection of my body saved you from the Dragon Flame. The Scarab saved us both!”
Speaking up suddenly from the bedside, the Healer says in clear English, “To be clear, Mr. Weasley, you suffered burns to small portions of your legs, the tops of your forearms and the backs of your hands, small portions of your neck, and, most dangerously, part of your scalp.”
Charlie tentatively reaches up to feel that the hair on top of his head is shorter than it was, and that the skin on his scalp is somewhat sensitive to his touch. He also notices the 'pinkness' of the skin on the back of his hand and forearm.
“The outfit you wore, along with Zark-san, did protect a very large portion of your body. You were also fortunate that the flame apparently did not target you specifically.”
“Are all of my burns healed now?”
“Yes, new skin has either been grown, or grafted, onto the wounds. There are a few minor treatments to follow, some of which you can receive as an outpatient.”
“Healer, does that mean I can leave soon?”
“I will know better tomorrow, after I examine you more thoroughly in the morning.”
“Patience is a virtue, Charles!” says Dumbledore from the foot of the bed.
“Professor?Wh-what are you doing here?” Then, also seeing May's father and mother, he exclaims, “Shinkazu-san, Amaya-san, you're here too!”
Both Shinkazu and Amaya Zark defer to the Elder beside them, allowing Albus to speak first.
“Did you honestly expect Lord Aramys to not notify someone about your injury, Charles?” Looking down his nose, through his half-moon glasses, Albus adds, “Besides, it's good to get away from the school every once in awhile, and Romania is such a beautiful place this time of the year!”
A smile crosses the mien of everyone in the room, as well as a few chuckles. Another late winter blizzard was occurring outside the warmth and security of the Enclave Hospital.
Looking up at Lord Aramys, Charlie says, “Thank you, Sir.”
Aramys nods his acknowledgment.
Albus speaks up again, saying, “As to your parents, Charles, I think it would be best if I break it to them about your injury. Though it would be a good idea for you to write them a note, which I will take back with me tomorrow.”
Picking up a peculiar undertone in Dumbledore's voice, Charlie asks, with concern, “Is everything okay at home, Professor?”
“At home? The Burrow? Yes, Charles, everything is fine to the best of my knowledge. Your Mother, bless her, and Miss Delacour, brave lass that she is, continue to spar at times. Otherwise, nothing has changed.”
Shinkazu and Amaya listen raptly, getting what they think to be an unbiased picture of Charlie's family from the Elder Wizard beside them.
“As to the rest, well, we'll talk about that at a later time.”
Charlie knows better than to press the issue. Instead, he says, “Professor, if you hadn't given that Scarab to us, we would be...”
“Let's not talk about that, now, Charles.” Albus hold his good hand up, palm outwards, warding off the attention. But it is too late.
For the first time, Amaya Zark feels compelled to speak, her eyes suddenly moist, a single tear running down her cheek. In broken English, she says, “Dumbledore-sama, our only daughter, you have saved.” Then, giving up the struggle with the English translation, she asks May to translate her next sentence for the consideration of the non-Japanese speakers in the room.
Listening to her mother closely, May sits up from her seated position on the side of the bed next to Charlie. Translating, she says, “My mother, Amaya-sama, says thank you, Professor. Thank you for saving the life of her only child.” May begins to tear up herself.
Amaya looks up at her husband, a questioning gaze in her wet eyes.
Shinkazu clears his throat, and in his deep voice, says in passable English,“Professor, we both thank you,” and then turning his focus, so as to include Lord Aramys, he continues, “and Lord Dragon, for what you have done. Not only because you have ensured the continuation of our bloodlines,” he pauses suddenly, then turns to face Charlie and Mayumi, saying,“but also because you have saved the lives of the ones we love!”
May shudders as the emotional statement from her father sinks in, breaking the last of the walls around her heart. Crying with a long overdue sense of belonging and full acceptance by her father, she gets up from Charlie's bedside and rushes past Dumbledore, into the arms of her father and mother.
Even as he dabs at the corner of his own eyes with a handkerchief from one of the pockets of his voluminous robe, Albus Dumbledore smiles and sighs with serene satisfaction, nods privately to Aramys, and turns to slip out of the room, unseen.
Charlie, however, calls out suddenly, in a loud and clear voice, saying,“Professor, please wait!” He slowly pushes himself up into a sitting position.
Albus turns back, chagrined at having been caught.
Charlie's request temporarily pauses the outpouring of emotion by the three Zarks.
Seeing that he has the attention of everyone in the room, including Lord Aramys, who stands with a knowing smile, Charlie speaks up, saying,“Shinkazu-san, Amaya-san, both of you know how I feel about your daughter.” He pauses and smiles at May, his eyes bright with affection and hope. “I love your daughter. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and have a family with her.”
Mayumi and Amaya both sob loudly. Amaya, uncharacteristically, and perhaps unknowingly, reaches out and takes hold of Albus Dumbledore's arm, instead of Shinkazu's.
Charlie, once again focusing on Shinkazu and Amaya, asks, “Please, may Ihave your blessing to marry your daughter?”
Only the sounds of the machine that monitors Charlie's vital signs makes anoise. Silently, Amaya and Shinkazu share a private look, and a leaky smile. They both turn to Mayumi first, then to Charlie. The sudden sound of Shinkazu clearing his choked up throat breaks the silent spell.
“Weasley-san, it would be an honor to have you as my son... son-in-law. Hai!”
February 24, 1997
Three days later, Charlie and May re-enter the Zark family compound, having just walked from the Enclave Hospital, and the discharge desk. It had taken a few days of further bed rest and magical treatment to return Charlie to the level of strength and vitality that he was accustomed to.
As May turns towards her portion of the household, Charlie speaks up, saying, “Not yet, darling. Let's stay here for awhile in the garden.”
“Are you warm enough?”
Charlie nods.
They enter the snowy glade, their footfalls soft and unheard in the virgin snow. Hand in hand they walk, slowly, with no rush. They wind in and out of the tall pine trees, maples, and shrubs, along the paths, until they come to the small ceremonial Tea Hut. The sounds of rushing water from the stream and the water below the Tea hut, as well as the soft sounds of Michio's Shakuhachi, lend serenity to the atmosphere.
Charlie cleans off one of the small bench seats, and waits for May to sit first. His hand holds hers across his lap.
“What are you thinking about, Charlie?” May asks after a while, quietly, respecting the silence of their surroundings.
“I'm thinking how good it is to be back home.”
Moving over to rest her head on his shoulder as he sits up a little, May asks, “Really, you consider this home, Charlie?”
Wrapping his arms around her, he looks into her eyes, and says, “Hai, my love, this is my home now. This is where I want to live. Where I want to raise my children.” His hand reaches up to cup her cheek in his palm, and leans in to kiss her softly, which she returns blissfully. Then, he gazes up and outwards, over the peaks and tiled roofs of the Enclave buildings, toward the distant snowy peaks of the Carpathians. Speaking wistfully, he says, “I belong out there with the Dragons, May.” He pauses, letting his thumb caress her cheek softly, his focus on her again. “I belong here with you, my love!”
With that, he slips a diamond and lapis lazuli engagement ring upon her finger, and asks, “Will you be my wife, Mayumi Zark? Will you marry me?”
“Yes, Charlie Weasley, I will be your wife!”
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