"Why do you keep doing this, Charlie? I thought you wanted to play Quidditch," Draco asked, tiredly dabbing his boyfriend's wounds.
Charlie sighed. "You won't understand."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Charlie Weasley, I understand you way better than you understand yourself."
Charlie chuckled darkly. He gave in. "I ran away from England before another war could start. I'm a coward, Draco."
"No, you're not. Merlin, you work at a dragon reserve! And what does that have to do with you not wanting to follow your dreams?" Draco questioned.
Charlie sighed. "I should tell you the whole story."
Draco crossed his arms and leaned back into the sofa. "Begin."
"When Voldemort came back to power, naturally, I was terrified, like everybody else, at least those who believed he was back. All my brothers and Ginny were ready to fight whenever necessary. I wasn't. I never was as brave as my family. So the minute I heard the news, I immediately offered my services to the Order to get more people to believe that Voldemort was back. I didn't want to risk my life like the rest of the Order.
"I did come back to England, for Bill's wedding, and the Battle of Hogwarts, but I went back immediately. I didn't feel at home in England anymore. My parents asked me to come back many times, but I always turned them down, adding to the guilt.
"I took this job at the reserve because I wanted to feel brave. To most people, being brave is dealing with dragons, working for the Order, fighting in the war, but not to me. To me, having the guts start an entirely different career than your current one is brave, telling your family the truth about why don't want to come home is bravery. I became involved with dragons because I know how much my siblings look up to me. They should be able to say, 'My brother is brave.'
"Honestly, I don't know why I was even Sorted into Gryffindor," Charlie finished.
Draco hadn't moved from his position at all.
"Please say something, Draco," Charlie said, anxious of his reaction.
After what seemed like an eternity, Draco opened his mouth to speak. "Start fresh."
"Wha- what?" Charlie asked dumbly.
Draco's stormy grey eyes lit up, like they always did after he had a brilliant idea. "Start fresh," he repeated. "Try out for Puddlemere United, like you always wanted to. And then try out for England. Prove that you're brave, in your definition. Go to your parents, tell them the truth."
Charlie hesitated. Then he nodded, so slightly, that if Draco hadn't been watching him closely, he wouldn't have seen it. "Will you come with me?"
Draco smiled, a genuine smile. "Always."