It was around their fourth year that Charlie began to realise that he liked her as more than a friend. He tried to drop hints, but she just didn't respond. (Not that he was surprised. Tonks never was one for subtlety.)
When there were parties in the castle, Tonks would always ask Charlie for his assessment of her outfits rather than the girls.
"Why are you asking me?" he would always complain. "Wouldn't the girls be more... qualified to answer?"
Tonks would snort at that. "They're all complete airheads. They don't know anything. Besides, you're a guy. What will the boys be thinking when they see me wearing this?" she would ask, grinning cheekily and giving him a little twirl.
"I think you look stunning whatever you wear," he answered honestly one time, fed up of the textbook answers he usually gave.
Tonks looked taken aback for a second. Then she laughed. "You're only saying that to be nice, because you're my friend." Charlie didn't answer. "Aren't you?" she asked, looking slightly uneasy.
"Of course I am," he said eventually. The relief was evident on Tonks's face, but did Charlie detect a flicker of disappointment on top? Surely not.
That was the closest Charlie had got so far to confessing his feelings. He mentally kicked himself. He always chickened out at the last second. He just didn't want to risk their friendship. Besides, he didn't even know if she felt the same. But there was a small voice on the other side of his head that asked, aren't you risking our friendship already? Best friends aren't meant to have secrets, are they?
A/N: This pairing is growing on me :) Please review and let me know what you think of them!