I Disapparate to the front door of the Burrow. Today is the day I tell them, will they accept it or will they disown me? I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. I put my hand on the door knob and enter the house. No one's there when I walk in.
"Charlie? Is that you, dear?" I see my Mum walk out of the kitchen rubbing her hands dry with a dishtowel.
"Yeah, Mum." I clear my throat and she hugs me hello. I look over her shoulder and I see the family clock. Everyone's face is at home... Except Fred's. His is at lost. My throat constricts painfully. George wrote me a letter, when I was in romania, how Fred's picture on the clock started to follow him. I pull away from my Mum and pace the room. I feel so... so... so SELFISH! I was in romania, taming dragons, doing my job while my family fought in the Battle of Hogwarts a week ago.
"Charlie? What's wrong?" I shake my head in frustration. I hear footsteps on the stairs. I see Dad, Bill Percy, George, Ron, and Ginny walking down. bill brightens when he sees me and claps me on the back. Percy grins at me while Dad shakes my hand. I see long red hair and Ginny's hugging me.
"Charlie, I've missed you." she mumbles against my shirt. I ruffle her hair and hug her back.
"I've missed you too, Ginny." She lets go and Ron hugs me hello. He's finally as tall as me.
"George, go see Charlie." I hear Mum say quietly. She pushes George towards me. I watch my younger brother walk slowly towards me, his eyes on the floor, tearing and his shoulder slumped.
He's defeated. Half of him is gone and he'll never get it back until... I mentally throw those thoughts away. Yes, George does look defeated. He's always been the quiet and calmer one. But this... This is too much! He stumbles and I catch him. I'm re-considering telling them.
"George... It's okay... It's okay." Mum whispers. I look at her and tears are falling on her cheeks. I look around and everyone has pained or sad expressions.
"What're you going to tell us, Charlie?" Dad asks me. George pulls away and wipes his eyes. I look at every single member of my family.
"You're probably wondering why I'm not married... Or a fiancè."
"We know you have alot of work, Charlie." Ginny says. I shake my head.
"And you have had girlfriends. When you were in your second year..." Mum trails off as I shake my head again.
"Ashleigh was just a phase... And to see if it was true." I look at Percy and Ron, it dawned on them. Percy grins widely and Ron nods at me, letting me continue. I take a shaky deep breath.
"I don't know if you'll accept me because of this... I don't know what you'll think of me..." I stop and look at my parents and George. Mum clutching Dad's hand and nodding.
"I'm... Gay. I've been with one of my Dragon Keeper friends." I close my eyes and brace myself for hysterical crying and yelling.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Suddenly, a pair of arms are around my neck. I open my eyes and Mum staring up at me with tears in her eyes.
"Oh Charlie! When can I meet him?" I blink at her. What?
"W-What?" I say.
"When can we meet him, son?" Dad says, joining the hug.
"You-You're fine with this?"
"Of course! You're still our boy no matter what! You're always our Charlie." They say together. I stare at them for a few seconds then my legs give out. I kneel on the floor, tears flowing down my cheeks.
"Oh Charlie!" Ginny says hugging me. "They didn't want to make you cry!" I hug her back.
"I know. I'm just.. Happy that you accept me." A voice I haven't heard in so long pops up.
"Group hug for Charlie anyone?" George asks. Soon, everyone's hugging. I've been accepted. Everything's going to be okay. I look at George and smile at him, he smiles just a bit. That's good enough for me.