Whiskers
Charlie, gleeful, carries Thandi into the dining hall. He’s so proud that he doesn’t even put her down when they sit; Charlie simply lowers her into his lap.
His glee drops from his face when he sees Senet and Merre, grinning at them from the Gryffindor table. They stick out their tongues and hold three fingers at each cheek. Thandi can see the annoyance building and looks in their direction. They switch to blowing kisses.
“I’m going to tie their tails together,” Charlie says, shifting Thandi. She grabs his legs under her, shaking her head fiercely. Her curls bat him in the face and he sputters, laughter leaking out as he wraps her in a hug.
The rest of the Stack laugh and he can almost hear them over the din of lunchtime. Thandi, though, gives him a well-meaning pat and leans back into him.
“At least wait until classes are done for the day, darling.”
Ah. Darling. He loves when she calls him that, face always pinking and his chest tingling with happiness. She serves out their food and opens her book, and they eat as usual. Half for him and half for her. It always takes a while for her to eat when she concentrates, but at least she is eating. During first year, she sometimes even forgot her barely-touched meal right next to her!
Charlie peers over her shoulder as she reads. The book is a new one, and it looks like she’s gotten into trying different sorts of teleportation magics. He understands the basic theory, but teleportation magic scares the hell out of him. He holds up a mouthful for Thandi and she chews quietly. She takes an absentminded sip of water.
“Heya, Whiskers–“
The water sprays out of her mouth, drenching her book as she laughs. “Oh! Oh! My book, oops–“
“Damnit! Could you not–“
“Whiskers is enjoying his cuddle again, havin a good study time?”
Charlie glares at Senet and Merre as Thandi waves her wand, book drying. She tries not to laugh more as she looks back at Charlie. “You’re Whiskers?”
“I–no–“
“He sure is!” Senet and Merre can’t contain their laughter, both at Charlie’s expense and Thandi’s glee.
“It’s a pun!! Oh! Because you have whiskers now–” She plays with his sideburns to illustrate. “–and you’re a cat! That’s adorable!“
“I’m not adorable! Besides, they’re Nuts and Fluffy, not much better!”
Senet grabs round his shoulders and Merre digs their knuckles in for a noogie. Charlie gripes and grumbles as they do this, Thandi leaning away and giggling.
“Let go! You morons! You beets! You, you, uuugh! Pests!!”
The two let go and snicker, patting his shoulders. “You like it, Whiskers, cuz your girlfriend is going to take care of ya.”
Charlie turns an impressive shade of red, shouting back, “She’s not my girlfriend! I hate her!” This elicits laughter all around. They were the center of attention. Charlie buries his face into Thandi’s back, groaning.
Merre winks at Thandi. “Anyway, study in Gryffindor tonight is still on, right?”
“Of course,” Thandi says, smile still lingering. “As long as you have snacks and your listening ears, we are golden!”
Senet and Merre high five and dash out of the dining hall, Thandi still giggling. The interest of people around them has faded, so she shifts in his lap and plays with his sideburns again. “I asked special for your favorite, Whiskers…”
Charlie pouts and sighs, resigned. At least when it comes to her. “…thanks, ummm…chipmunk.”
“Chipmunk! Me?”
“Look, it’s only fair!”