It took him a few days to build up the courage. Eventually, as the days started getting longer, blossoms grew upon the trees and birds started building their nests, Charlie finally approached Grimmauld Place.
Lyra was spending the day with Ron and Hermione, so Charlie knew that it would just be Sirius in the house. With trepidation, he reached his destination and tapped on the door, greeting Kreacher courteously when the House Elf answered the door.
Sirius bounded down the dark stairs and grinned as he saw Charlie, inviting him into the kitchen below and looking at him curiously.
"You know Ly's at The Burrow today don't you?" He asked, handing over a Butterbeer.
Charlie nodded, his eyes nervously flickering around the room. Eventually he swallowed, and looked Sirius in the eye.
"You know I love her, don't you?"
Sirius' eyes darkened as he looked at his goddaughters boyfriend. Looking him up and down, Charlie's tense posture and the grip he was holding on the drink, he eyed Charlie and when he spoke, his voice came out as a growl.
"You're not going to tell me you've cheated on my Ly.. Are you?"
Charlie paled as he looked at the man sitting across the table, and shook his head quickly.
"No, Sirius!" He exclaimed, and letting go of his glass he linked his hands together in front of him, and leant forwards slightly, his voice shaking as he spoke.
"I was wondering.." He paused, and swallowed again, "I was wondering if I could ask your permission to propose to Lyra."
Sirius' head snapped up, and he looked at Charlie quickly.
"You want to propose?" He asked, his tone disbelieving. Charlie nodded, his previously pale face flushing under his girlfriend's godfather's gaze. There was silence, a long, drawn out silence, and Charlie eventually shifted on his seat. He never took his eyes of Sirius though, and eventually Sirius Black nodded.
"Ok" he said, quietly, "you can propose. I know you love her. But if you ever hurt her..." His voice trailed off, but Charlie quickly vowed that he would never do anything to upset Lyra, which pleased Sirius.
Sirius then asked when Charlie would propose, and although he had no plans, Charlie asked of Sirius wouldn't mind not telling anyone - he didn't want Lyra to overhear from anyone else.
Sirius grinned, and clinked his glass against Charlie's as he promised, although he paused, and summoned Kreacher.
"Did you hear that?" He asked the old House Elf, who nodded, his bulbous eyes shining in the sunlight drifting in through the small window. "I forbid you to tell Lyra.. Or anyone else in fact, you are to tell nobody that Charlie is going to propose." At seeing the slight rebellious look, Sirius added, "it's a surprise for Lyra, Charlie wants to make it special."
Charlie flushed again as the Elf turned it's gaze upon him, but Kreacher nodded, and soon passed by the men on his return to work. A sudden thought occurred to Sirius though, and as Charlie eventually made his way to depart, Sirius stopped him.
"Can I tell Remus though? And Dora?"
Charlie nodded, but requested that nobody else be told. At that last request, the two men shook hands and Charlie left, soon disappearing from view.