Chapter 2: As Long As We're Being Honest The next morning I awoke before dawn, Bill was snoring loudly as usual and no one else was awake. I got dressed and tiptoed out of the house, apparating to the Leaky Cauldron, which was already bustling with many people. Making my way into Diagon Alley, I found the shop I had

been looking for.

"Welcome to Muggle Mysteries Made Magic," the young woman behind the counter said. "What can I help you with?" Taking her first glance at me, a smile erupted across her face.

"I want a tattoo, do you have any examples I could look at? I grasped the edge of the counter as she retrieved the book.

"What exactly are you looking for?" she inquired, already flipping through the pages.

"A common Welsh Green breathing fire," I absent mindedly answered drumming my fingers on the counter.

"Where would you like it?"

"Across my back, starting at the hip and the flames coming over my shoulder," I said motioning exactly what I said. I had thought about this all morning.

"What color do you want it to be?"

Blue. A Common Welsh Green wasn't any other color, I thought to myself. "A light green," I answered politely. "Can you do it?"

"I believe so." Another woman entered the shop and stepped behind the counter. "Anne, do you think you can tattoo a Common Welsh Green across his back."

"Of course I can," the woman called Anne answered back, turning to look at me. "Let me guess, it would only be Charlie Weasley asking for such a thing."

"Anne Walsh," I smiled using my famous charm. "How've you been?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "Let's get this piece of art started and then I'll fill you in." She led me to the back where a chair sat. I was told to straddle it and keep still at all costs.

"I've been fine, since we left school I apprenticed with a muggle tattoo artist. Figured wizards would pay a lot for something like this," she started, telling me about her life past school.

"Speaking of price…" she held up her hand to stop me.

"Don't worry about it Char, I don't charge old friends of mine for something like this." I made a mental note to slip the other girl some money.

Close to two and a half hours later, I was delicately pulling my shirt back over my head cursing how much pain I was in.

"There ya go Char, it'll be sore for a day or two," she smiled handing me a white tube. "Rub this on it before bed every night for a week. It'll keep all the infection out."

"Thanks," I called over my shoulder. "I'll drop by before I leave for Romania!" and with that I was gone, off toward Weasley Wizard Wheezes.

The newly opened shop was full of school aged children, mischievous grins fixated as they left the store with their purchases.

"Charles!" George yelled from the register.

"And to what do we owe this visit?" Fred asked joining his twin.

"What, am I not allowed to visit my favorite younger brothers without an ultimatum?"

"Well-"

"You could-"

"But we wouldn't believe you."

The twins fixated their gaze on Charlie. "Ok, I was down the way, just thought I'd see how rich you guys were getting," I sighed holding up my hands in mock defeat.

"What's that in your hand?" Fred asked. I instantly turned red knowing exactly what he was talking about.

"It looks like that stuff Anne gives you after she works on you." George added with an already knowing smile. "Verity, be a dear and watch the register for us."

I was pulled over the counter top and led upstairs into the flat above the shop.

"Where-"

"-and what-"

"Is it?" Sighing, I pulled off my shirt and showed them my skin's new addition.

"Now let me see yours." I crossed my arms as they followed my example and pulled their shirts off. Three purple W's were written across their backs as well as two crossed beater bats and a bludger, the beaters symbol.

"Nice," throwing my shirt back on. "Well, you two are the only ones who know about this and I'd rather it stay that way." Saluting at me, I continued. "I'm using your fireplace and leaving now." I flooed back to the Burrow, where mum was busily cooking breakfast.

"There you are Charlie, Bill said you weren't in your bed this morning when he woke up."

"I went to Diagon Alley for a bit, and visited the twins." When I sat down a plate of steaming food was in front of me. Tucking in, Ginny and Hermione proceeded to walk into the room and sit down, Ginny on my right and Hermione across from her.

"Morning Girls," I greeted.

"What's this Char?" Ginny poked my shoulder where the flames met the end of my sleeve. After inspecting what it was her face was written with shock. "Oh,"

"Is something the matter?" mum called after Ginny pulled me out of the kitchen with a curious Hermione following.

"Let me see it." My sister demanded.

"I wanna see too," Hermione chimed in nibbling her toast as I blushed a bit, thankfully she didn't notice.

"Not here," Ginny whispered as she started to push me up the steps (which hurt) and closed her bedroom door. Sighing in defeat, I took my shirt off for the third time that morning.

"Charlie, it's beautiful." Gin breathed.

"Where's your ointment?" Hermione asked.

"How do you know about it?" I raised an eyebrow at the Girl-Who-Constantly- Got-Prettier.

"Oh, uh….well….." she stammered. "As long as we're being honest…" following my example and lifting her night shirt over her head she raised her left arm. From her hip to armpit there was the most exquisite phoenix I had ever seen tattooed into her skin with purple and green plumage. I however ignored the fact that she was now clad only in her shorts and bra. Oh how I wanted…

I quickly diverted my attention away from Hermione. "Ginevra…" I accused.

"I don't have one…yet." Shortly after a knock sounded followed by mum entering the room which made Hermione and I dive for our shirts as Ginny screeched about knocking and waiting for an answer. An angry Molly Weasley entered the room as I threw my shirt on haphazardly, Hermione red in the face with embarrassment.

"Would you mind telling me why you had your shirt off?" by now, of course, most of my siblings had gathered in the hallway.

"I was showing the girls my newest burn on my back, it's a guy thing mum, gotta show your younger sister and her friends how dangerous you can be." The lie came easily as I winked to my sister.

"Well, let's see it then. I want to be reminded of how stupid your job is compared to the ones I told you to get."

"NO!" the three of us yelled.

"You'll make me leave the reserve, and even if I refuse, you'll refuse to make me an adequate dinner." At that particular point Fred decided to apparate into the middle of the room, not noticing our mother.

"You forgot this in our flat, figured you might want it for later." A tube of light blue substance was placed in my hand.

"Nice to see you too, Fred."