Title: Taking Chances
Rating T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Charlie/Hermione
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 883
Summary: Charlie convinces Hermione to take a chance on him.
Notes:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Flying Lessons
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry Competition: Transfiguration - Write about something that is difficult to do. It can be anything from telling someone something to someone overcoming fear. The possibilities are endless.
Astronomy - Looking at the stars is romantic - so write a romance.
Prompts Used - Emotion: Trust, Mood: Intimate, Era: Trio, Action: Kiss, Genre: Romance, Closing Sentence: He smirked., Word Count: 888, Lower Word Limit: 725, Upper Word Limit: 999
The 'More Than a Name' Challenge: Character Used - Charlie Weasley
365 Days of Drabbles Challenge: Prompt Used - Mischief
Hermione is staring up at the stars, her bum comfortably on the grass in the yard behind the Burrow. She wears a frown while her mind works through everything she knows about her potential boyfriend and wonders if there's truly any possibility for them to have a future.
The potential boyfriend in question comes and sits next to her. He seems to get comfortable as he bends his knees and rests his arms on top of them.
She meets his deep blue eyes and swallows when she sees them dancing with mischief. "So, are you thinking about the pros and cons of being with me?"
Hermione blushes. "Maybe," she mutters, absentmindedly playing with her hair before dropping her hands.
He nudges her with an elbow. "Does looking at the stars help you?"
"It makes me feel peaceful, like my mind quiets in the face of the vast sky, especially with all of the twinkling stars."
"I was never any good at Astronomy, never had the patience for it. I know you were probably good at it – Merlin, you were probably great at it – with your brain, but did you like it?"
Hermione scrunches up her nose. "Not really. I enjoy looking at the stars, but I didn't really care about the names of constellations and other things in the night sky."
Her hands lay flat on top of the grass, and she's startled when his much larger hand envelops one of hers, resting on top of it as if to keep it warm. "What are the stars telling you about me and you?"
"Not much," she morosely admits.
"What are you so afraid of? What's the worst that can happen if you give me a chance?"
She turns her head over so it's palm up and returns Charlie's hold. "I get my heart broken."
He leans forward, lips a hairbreadth away, so when he speaks, she can feel his breath fan over her face. "I'd never purposefully hurt you."
"I know. You don't have it in you to be intentionally cruel. It's just that there's so much we haven't talked about."
"Like what?"
Hermione bites her bottom lip; her whole body aches with a desire to kiss him. "Like where are you going to live? My home is here in Britain with my friends. You live in Romania with dragons. You were only here for the war, but it's over now. Are you planning to stay here, or are you going back to Romania?"
Charlie looks down at their interlocked fingers. "Truthfully, I haven't thought about it. I'm not ready to go back to Romania, not with the loss of Fred so recent; my family needs me right now. I also can't say it's not a possibility in the future as I love my job on the reserve. We can talk about it when we get to that point, though. We can live our lives based on what-ifs."
"Those what-ifs are important, though. They can make or break a relationship."
"I know, but I tend to live in the now and not worry about the future until it arrives."
"That makes it the present, the now, as you so eloquently said. I need to know what's going to happen," she implores.
"No one knows what's going to happen unless they're a seer. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you can't have supreme control of your future, not where relationships are concerned at least. You just have to believe me when I saw any decision we make, we'll make together."
"And what if we can't compromise?"
"Then we might have to go our separate ways. It's a harsh truth, but it's a truth all the same. Just know I think we have something genuine, something that might be able to last. You're the first girl I ever thought I could see a future with."
"I wish I could trust you and believe that I wouldn't get my heart broken, but I'm scared."
"I know, but trust in my feelings for you."
"I would like to, but I need a sign." Hermione looks up just as a shooting star zooms across the sky.
"Is that enough of a sign for you?"
"Maybe." She leans forward, and they share their very first kiss. What makes it better, more romantic, is that it's under the stars. Hermione closes her eyes, loving the taste of him. It's everything she thought it would be like. When she pulls back, she's smiling. "Remember, you have to be patient. I tend to over think everything. It gets kind of annoying for people around me." She smiles, her hand clutching his shirt.
Charlie shrugs, cupping her cheek with a gentle hand. "That's okay. I like girls who over think. It makes it even more fun to teach them how to unwind and enjoy life."
He kisses her again, groaning as her lips respond eagerly. What she lacks in experience, she certainly makes up for in enthusiasm. Her fingers tangle in his hair so he can't pull away.
When air becomes an issue, she reluctantly breaks the kiss. "I think I'm beginning to learn how to relax," she says unevenly, her breath coming out in harsh pants. She knows her cheeks are flushed, but all she sees is Charlie.
"I'm glad." He smirks.
