Chapter 2
Hermione's POV
I stood in my room in nothing but a towel feeling totally exposed, what was I suppose to think of that, was Charlie serious does he really adore me? I don't know what to think, was it just a heat of the moment thing or did he really feel something for me, and then if so do I feel something for him? I know I'm attracted to Charlie, that is hard to hide but do I like him like that.
I think back to all the times I have spent with Charlie, not many people would expect it but he was really intelligent and the amount of late night talks, well more like debates where proof of that. Not only was he intelligent but he wasn't afraid to speak his mind especially about something he truly believe in.
So many times his family (particularly Ron) had teased me about my passion for the rights of unfairly treated creatures, and it was always Charlie who would stick my corner, "I agree with Hermione" he would say over the laughter "it's what my work is based around the unfair and abused dragons that we get in so often breaks my heart I think Hermione has the right idea campaigning for misunderstood creatures rights" he said putting his arm around my shoulder.
Thinking back to all our interactions I gasped in shock. I like Charlie Weasley! The realisations shocked me, this wasn't a little crush or attraction, I was attracted to his personality as well. It was about time I admitted it. Now the only question was did he like me back?
Charlie's POV
After my shower I retreated to my room in a sulk. I was full of conflicting feelings. I know I'm in love with Hermione, I had never felt something like this for any other women, I didn't just like her body and her attractiveness, but I also loved her as a person, I couldn't deny it anymore. She had always fascinated me when she was younger with her wisdom beyond her years, with her bravery and her stubbornness, but now she had developed into a gorgeous women with the personality to match. She was fiery and fierce at the same time as gentle and kind. She was everything he had been looking for.
But was this feeling returned, he thought to the way she moved away in the shower and her eyes wide with shock when he admitted some of the depth of his feelings. It didn't seem like it. As well as this he had his brother and sister to think about, although Ginny may be okay with it, he knew Ron has had a crush on Hermione for years, was he really the kind of guy who would put his happiness above his brothers?
Furthermore his mother, aw shit his mother. She would not be pleased, in her eyes he would be the badass dragon tamer corrupting poor innocent Hermione. He didn't want to tear his family apart once again, both the years separated from Percy, and after Fred's injury in the war had really effected their family and the last thing he wanted as to cause more tension.
And Hermione herself would be followed with a stigma, the girl who hooked up with a man too old for her and her best friends brother. No he couldn't do that to her, it wasn't fair. She deserved better than him so no matter how much he wanted it, or how much it pained him, he would stay away.
Reaching this conclusion he heard George yelling from below to come down for dinner, and soon I was racing down the stairs for food knowing he needed to hurry to eat with the amount Ron does.
Hermione's POV
Hearing George's shout and determined to get a seat away from Charlie so she could get her head together she came tearing down the stairs, and into the kitchen, though as she reached the last step she tripped once again grabbing onto the shoulder of the person below, the man with his seeker reflexes whipped around and grabbed her waist muscle enclosing her once again.
His tall frame leaning over her as her back arched in a dip. Everything froze as she gazed up into the stormy sky blue eyes of Charlie once again, his gaze smothered her, until a small smile grazed his face and the moment was lost as he leaned forwards and whispered to her, "I should count myself a lucky man, Hermione Granger falling for me twice in one day" he chuckled as he released her, I felt myself blush a deep red as I stuttered a reply turning away, moving to the seat available next to Ginny. "What was that?" She questioned, of course Ginny would have seen she was quite observant and nowhere near as oblivious as her bothers.
I played dumb, "What was what?!" I questioned. She gave me a we're going to talk about this later face, as I inwardly groaned. I had no idea what me and Charlie where and I had no idea how to explain that to her. I looked up and saw Charlie intently talking to Bill about something and I shook myself there is nothing to explain to Ginny about I may as well tell her what happened in the bathroom, she can tell me how to get over my feelings for Charlie as she would understand how he would never really want me.
I glanced up again at Charlie, he seemed so casual and at ease obviously over our 'thing' in the bathroom already. With a new resolve to get over Charlie Weasley I turned my back on him as I started up a conversation with George.
Charlie's POV
Dinner was a drag. Every time I looked over at Hermione she was talking to George adamantly, laughing and brushing his arms, was she interested in George, sure he was funny, but he didn't share her love of books like he did, or the same sexual vibe between them that they did, sure he was funny but Charlie could be funny too.
What did George have that he didn't? He frowned to himself as his voice in his head perked up, "well for starters he's actually close to her age", his frown furthered as he glared at George's back. He didn't deserve Hermione. Then his eyes met Ginny as she gave him a questioning look. He frowned further as he turned away to talked to Bill once again, he could've sworn he saw his sister smirking as he did. Great just what he needed, Ginny being aware of his feelings for Hermione. Strengthening his resolve to get over Hermione he engaged Bill in conversation once again.
Ginny's POV
Now I'm not stupid I know when there is something between people, and I knew my brother particularly, Charlie wasn't as sneaky as he thought, always glancing at Hermione out of the corner of his eyes, or seeking her out to talk, brushing his arms against her just to get a reaction, Charlie was obviously smitten. Though Hermione she was unsure of until today, though the ways she blushed when he caught her at least means something, and she was going to find out.
