Happily Ever After
Charlie's POV
Charlie's palms were sweating. He was staring right at her, and she hadn't noticed him yet. She was never the most observant of women. He stared some more.
Her hair was the same pink, but shorter now, in something Charlie thought was called a…what? Pixie crop? Pixie cut? He shook his head slightly, still nervous. The same heart-shaped face, the same light dusting of freckles across her nose, the same grin, the same sparkling eyes, though now they were amber with gold flecks. Strange…
He hadn't seen her for almost two years, when he had visited from Romania for the Tournament. And even then, it had only been a couple of days seeing her. Then he had left for Hogwarts.
He could tell she had changed over the time he had been gone, if not in appearance, then in personality. His heart thumped. He remembered the hours they stole on the Hogwarts grounds, their lips meeting, their embraces passionate. He remembered graduating with her, his arm wrapped around her waist. He remembered living together, waking up of a morning to find her slumbering beside him. And…he remembered when it all fell apart. When he was transferred to that country. Away from his family, his friends…away from her.
He remembered their talk the night before. He remembered her telling him that it would be best if they ended their relationship. Forever. He remembered being heartbroken…what was he talking about? He still was heartbroken.
Suddenly decisive, Charlie took a step forward. He knew what he was going to do. He was going to walk right up to her, take her face in his hands, and he would kiss her. They would get back together, maybe live happily ever after…Charlie sighed, his mind in a state of ecstasy. But then…
Tonks grinned at someone who was approaching her. A man, maybe ten years older than she was, but with his brown hair streaked heavily with grey. His robes were shabby, but he seemed neat and quite the gentleman. Okay, Charlie thought. Friend of her Dad's, maybe. Or Sirius. But then…
The man had reached Tonks, had bent down, and had given her a kiss. It had been quick and soft, but Charlie couldn't deny the love he saw in Tonks' face. A look she had never, ever given him, but one that he had wished for dearly.
Charlie curled his hands into fists. Tonks had liked him. But it was plain and clear that she loved this man. Very much so.
It was then that she spotted him. Her mouth fell open. "Charlie?" she grinned, lifting a hand in greeting. He forced himself to plaster on a smile and raise his own hand in return.
He couldn't begrudge this man. It was obvious that they were made for each other.
But from that day forward, Charlie Weasley never loved again, for his heart had long belonged to her, as it would always and forever, even from beyond the grave.
Author's Note: Always thought it would be Tonks/Charlie in their school years. Suits them, maybe? Anyway, please R&R. Reviews are like manna from heaven.