LbN: For The Teachers' Lounge Weekly Insanity Challenge.

Charlie and Tonks just…worked. They couldn't explain it, but they did. Of course, they argued like they were rival candidates for Minister of Magic, but that was part of the fun. It was after one of these arguments at the end of sixth year that Charlie made a slight mistake.

"…and Muggle Studies," Tonks said. "I hear you get to cook in that class."

Charlie snorted. "You? Around a stove?"

"I'll have you know that I'm an excellent cook, Chuck," Tonks huffed.

"Whatever you say, Nymphadora."

It was then that he knew he was in trouble, because instead of the glare he would normally receive, Tonks gave him an evil grin. The kind of evil grin that immediately preceded an idea that would land them in detention, or drunk in the back of a Muggle taxi.

"You doubt my abilities, Charles?"

"Er…."

"I could prove it for you," she offered. "I'm staying at your place for a full week."

He gave a nonchalant shrug, trying to work out what her angle was. "Okay."

"What do I get if I win?"

"Er…I'll take a class you pick," he offered. Tonks had chosen his classes before. Thanks to her, he'd fallen in love with Care of Magical Creatures.

"Deal."

He'd lost the bet. Publicly, which was worse. And it wasn't that Tonks had ordered him to take this particular class…she'd simply suggested it as an option. To his mom.

Thus, the first day of seventh year found him walking into the newest elective class at Hogwarts - Art Magic.

"Hi there, Charlie!" a Ravenclaw named Sid called.

"Everyone find a canvas," Professor Rathbone said. "We'll begin with a few simple painting charms today."

He went through the basic theory and motions with them, and told them they could have a go painting a Quaffle. Charlie's first attempt looked like a cross between a whale and a cabbage. He'd situated himself in a back corner so that no one could see his work, and now he was immensely glad of his foresight in that matter.

"It's always difficult at first," Rathbone insisted. "You have to feel the art flowing through you! You have to believe in the magic, or it won't work."

Another hour of this, and Charlie was seriously debating stabbing the canvas (and possibly the professor) with his wand. His Quaffle no longer looked whale-like, but it still resembled a cabbage. And no matter how much he tried, his colors just weren't coming out right.

"That's it for today!" Rathbone called. "Your homework. Five inches on the theory behind colors and shadow when conducting painting charms. Also, be sure to take your canvas with you and practice!"

Charlie shrank his canvas down so that he could shove it into his bag. When he stepped into the hall, he heard the time honored call of his girlfriend.

"Alright, Chuck?" Tonks said, strolling down the stairs toward him. "How was art class?"

He gave her a Look.

Tonks simply laughed.

The end of term was quickly approaching, and Charlie hadn't let anyone see his final project. After the chaos that had ensued once the Hufflepuffs got a look of his Hogwarts still life, he'd been reluctant to let anyone near his work. He'd gotten a lot better, but still….

"Charles!" Rathbone said, during the final class. "Show us what you've done."

"It's called Two Dragons," Charlie said, vanishing the plastic cover.

There was an "Oooooh!" from the class as Charlie revealed his surrealist painting of two dragons battling over a lake.

Professor Rathbone looked close to tears.

"Such…such beauty!" he wailed. "The precision in making the dragon's move! The detail of the mountains! The classic pouting of the dragon's lips!"

"Artists," Sid whispered to Charlie, shaking his head.

"Er…so does that mean I did well, Professor?" Charlie ventured.

"Full marks!"

Charlie grinned brightly. He was going to be smug for the rest of Christmas break. Maybe he could talk Tonks into hanging the picture up in her dorm….