At Fred's Grave

The sun was shining extremely brightly and warmly for a normal day in the beginning of May. Charlie felt sweat dripping down his back as he was walking to the graveyard. Today it was exactly three years since his younger brother had died in the Battle of Hogwarts and Charlie had decided to visit his grave for the first time. Actually, this was even his first visit to England since the battle. He had avoided his old country for the fear of being reminded by the loss of his brother. But as the years went by he realised that such a great loss couldn't just be buried away and he owed it to himself, his family and his brother to visit Fred's grave.

As he pushed open the graveyard gate he froze in place. He wasn't the only one at the graveyard, he noticed. Standing by Fred's grave was young, elegant woman dressed in a long, white trench coat with big, square sunglasses. She had his side to him, so he couldn't make out her face. Her hair was auburn and gathered in a stylish, sleek bun in the back of her head. She looked broken down and defeated and still she had an air of strength surrounding her. Slowly Charlie stepped closer to her to see who she was.

The closer he came the more familiar did she seem. She had high, sculptured cheekbones in a heart-shaped face, a long, graceful nose and a sensual mouth with a finely defined cupid's arch. As he came closer he could see the corners of her mouth quivering and hear her quiet sobs. A lonely tear emerged from under the sunglasses but she hastily wiped it away. Charlie noticed her slim, long fingers. They were strangely familiar but something seemed to be missing from them.

He stopped at her side, and yet she didn't seem to notice he was there. Softly he cleared his throat and she spun around to look at him. When he saw her face straight on he gasped in realisation. This perfect, slender woman was Hermione Granger. What was missing from her fingers were the inkblots that usually stained her.

It had been a long time since Charlie had last thought about Hermione, but as he saw her now, all grown up and mature, his last memory of her came surging back. He remembered her bent over the body of his brother, weeping dearly and clinging onto Ron for support. Ron had been weeping to, but had also taken the time to hold onto her and smooth her hair and whisper soothing things to her. The sight of the two of them together had been the last thing Charlie saw before he fled England and flew to Romania. He had felt extremely guilty for just leaving without biding anyone goodbye, but the pain in his heart had been too great for him to deal with. His mother and father had forgiven him instantly, but he still felt like he owed them to come back. So here he was – in England, in the graveyard in front of Fred's grave staring at the beautiful Hermione Granger, whose tear stricken face had haunted him for three years.

Somehow he'd deluded himself into thinking that she'd be happy to see him again, but the disgusted curl of her upper lip told another story.

"Charlie Weasley," she hissed angrily and Charlie was afraid she might slap him.

"Hermione," he said softly, hoping to calm her down but it only seemed to anger her more.

"What in Merlin's pitiful beard are you doing here?!" she snarled. "I thought you were happy in Romania with all your dragons and dangers!"

Charlie didn't reply instantly, just stood there and watched, letting all the fond memories he had of her wash over him. And all of the fantasies he had had of her over the last three years as well. Many times he had found himself perverse that he had had to see her cry before he figured out just how desirable she was. And how much he truly yearned to have her.

Finally he said, "I'm here to visit my little brother."

At that Hermione let out a scornful laugh.

"Truly?" she said sarcastically. "I thought you didn't give a damn about him! Or anyone else here, for that matter of fact."

He winced at her harsh words, but he didn't blame her for thinking as she did. The only ones he'd kept in contact with during the last three years had been his parents. From them he had learned the news of Fleur and Bill's daughter Victoire, of Percy's marriage to a woman named Audrey and George's engagement to Angelina Johnson. He had certainly given a damn about his family; he had just been to week to show the devotion and love he felt. It wasn't until his mother had written to him about Ron and Hermione splitting up that he had gotten himself together to come back. He didn't really know why it had been that news that had convinced him of coming home. He hadn't even planed on visiting Hermione, or Ron for that matter, he had just come back to stay at the Burrow for a few weeks and see his brother's grave. And here she was.

"I do give a damn," he whispered, still trying to get her to forgive him. "I've just had a hard time with all of this."

Again Hermione laughed sarcastically.

"A hard time?!" she repeated. "And what do you think the rest of us have gone through? I can tell you, home here it hasn't exactly been a party either!"

"I heard about you and Ron splitting up."

The words had only just left his lips when he knew that they weren't going to make anything better. On the contrary it made the whole thing worse. And this time she really did slap him. Hard. He felt himself bite down on his cheek and blood swelled in his mouth. He spat it out and watched her face for a sign of remorse but she gave him none. She was breathing heavily like an angered dragon.

"That," she breathed angrily, "it neither here nor there. And, more importantly, it is none of your business."

She edged past him, her shoulder bumping into his violently, and started marching out of the graveyard. For a few seconds Charlie just watched her, his gaze transfixed on her overly sensual walk. Even when she was mad and hurt her walk was swaying and her bum moved invitingly from side to side. Blinking rapidly he came to his senses and ran after her, catching her arm and turning her around to face her again.

"Don't go," he pleaded. "I'm sorry, you're right it was none of my business. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

Angrily she pulled off her sunglasses and met his eyes with a harsh stare. Her eyes were puffy and slightly read and tears had gathered in the corners. And yet the deep, rich brown colour pierced him and strummed the strings of his heart.

"Why?" she asked hotly. "Why would you care? You haven't cared for the last three years. Why now, all of a sudden?"

She jerked her arm out of his grab and stepped backwards, away from him. Charlie was utterly speechless from her coldness. He remembered Hermione as being a sweet, laughing, happy girl. But the woman standing in front him he didn't recognise. This grown woman was jaded, hurt and angry.

"You've changed," Charlie remarked in regret.

Hermione huffed and put the sunglasses back on, once again concealing and shielding herself from the world and from him.

"Yes," she said icily. "And I'm happy about that."

Sticking her chin out stubbornly in a gesture Charlie knew only too well, it meant that this discussion was over, she turned on her heal and walked away.

Under his breath Charlie muttered, "You might be happy about that change, love. But I'm definitely not."

So… what do you think so far? Please review and tell me your opinion. And possibly suggestion for the next chapter.