4 Greegrass

Charlie needed to update his wardrobe. He had already seen the quality of Daphne's clothes and he had already found about her family. He wanted to make the best first impression on her parents. He spent all morning in Diagon Alley, buying different items of highest quality. He had saved enough from his work with dragons to be able to afford such luxury. George snickered when he saw him with the packages, but said nothing, seeing the glare in Charlie's eyes.

Molly came home early in order to make sure her son would look his best. She checked him all over and hugged him tightly. Charlie took a pinch of powder, threw it into the fire and said "Greengrass Manor" before the green flames swallowed him.

He came out at a very elegant entrance. Two house elves, wearing high quality uniforms, helped him stay on his feet and brushed any soot off his clothing. Two paces behind them, he saw Daphne waiting, holding Freddie in her arms. The boy squirmed. "I want to Daddy!"

Daphne smiled and put him on his feet, as Charlie bent down and swooped the boy up as soon as he reached him. He then approached Daphne and kissed her cheek.

"I'm glad you could come," she greeted him.

"I'm glad to be here." Despite his reluctance, he really was glad to be with Freddie and with Daphne.

"My parents are waiting in the living room," Daphne said. She took his arm to lead him. Charlie grabbed her hand instead. She didn't object. Had he looked at her face that moment, he would have seen a tiny smile.

"Mom, Dad, this is Charles Weasley, Freddie's father. Charlie, these are my parents – Cygnus and Mary Greengrass."

Charlie shook hands with her father and kissed her mother's hand as expected. Freddie didn't let go of him, though. Once they were all seated, both elder Greengrass watched the interaction between father and son with great interest.

"I understand that you're working as a dragon tamer," Cygnus started the conversation.

"We use the term 'dragon handler' only, as nobody can really tame a dragon," Charlie replied.

"Well, you won't have any problem taming a wife, then," Cygnus smiled while both his wife and his daughter had daggers in their eyes.

"I think a wife is to be loved and cherished, not to be tamed," Charlie replied. This seemed to be the right answer, as the three Greengrass relaxed.

"You seem to be very fond of Freddie," Mary remarked.

"Yes, I am. I regret not taking part in his life much earlier. I didn't even know about his existence until a few days ago."

"What would you have done had you known?"

"I would have probably stayed in England, or, at least, visited as often as I could."

"I'm sorry I didn't let you know earlier," Daphne said quietly.

"Still you did a great job in raising him to be the way he is," Charlie replied, making her smile.

"My daughter didn't even tell you she was expecting," Cygnus commented.

"It's not her fault, really," Charlie defended her. "By the time she found out, I was already in Romania. I can understand why she didn't want to tell any other member of my family."

"Why, really?"

Charlie felt uncomfortable. "Some of my family have had very strong feelings against all those sorted into Slytherin house. As my brother Ron, who is the same age as her, used to be one of them, it's quite understandable she wasn't going to speak with them first."

Freddie was just sitting on his lap, playing with Charlie's large hands, tracing some scars. The boy seemed happy and both elder Greengrass could see it.

"Supposing you stayed a bit longer. What would you have done once Daphne had informed you?" Cygnus continued.

"I would have asked her what she wanted and have supported her decision any way I could." There was no trace hesitation in his voice. It was as if he was adding, "Wouldn't any respectable man do the same?"

"Even if she asked you to marry her?"

"Of course. I would have considered it an honor." He could see they didn't really understand his meaning. "You see, that fortnight we've been together, we had become extremely close. It doesn't mean we had no secrets from each other, as we evidently had. We felt our souls were becoming closer, our understanding of each other becoming deeper. And then – she's also an extremely beautiful woman."

"Isn't that the first reason?"

Charlie went serious again. "No. I've met many beautiful women. Most were only good for a short affair. I couldn't see myself living with any of them for long. I could see myself growing old with Daphne, though, if she wanted me."

Daphne rose from her seat and came to him. She stopped in front of Charlie and bent down, kissing his lips. "I want you," she said softly.

Charlie just grabbed her face, returning the kiss with vigor. Daphne cooperated fully, opening her lips a bit, inviting his tongue in. They only stopped when Freddie complained, "You're squishing me!"

Daphne took her place at Chrlie's side, holding his hand in hers, while the other hand was caressing Freddie. Her parents looked a bit amused at the scene.

"You know, Daphne used to be called 'The Ice Queen' in school. I can see your warmth has melted the ice completely," Cygnus commented with a chuckle.

"I hope to keep her that way. Sleeping with ice in your bed may be a bit cold, I believe." They all laughed good-naturedly.

Dinner was pleasant. Although much more formal than Charlie had known from home. It was much quieter as well. Nobody spoke while eating and the conversation was only held between servings. Even Freddie seemed to know how to behave during meals.

"Will you help me put Freddie to sleep?" Daphne asked after the delicious desert.

"Sure! Although you may need to teach me a bit."

He didn't need much teaching, eventually. Freddie already knew how to take off his clothes and how to put on most of them. He still needed some help taking a shower, but this was handled by a house elf who had taken its uniform off for the task.

"I want a story!" Freddie said as he was tucked in bed.

Daphne took a book and sat down near his bed.

"No! Daddy!" the little tyrant demanded.

Daphne smiled at him apologetically. "It's alright," he said. "I need some practice..."

Daphne moved to another chair as Charlie took his place near the bed.

"I'll tell you about baby dragons, like some I had to work with. All right?"

The delighted smile on his son's face was answer enough.

Charlie started telling about Mother Dragon who laid an egg and kept it warm by spitting fire on it several times a day. As the story advanced, Freddie's eyes closed and his breathing became shallow. Charlie made sure he was well covered and kissed his cheek. As he straightened up he felt a tender arm around his waist.

"I think Freddie has a great father," she whispered.

"And an even greater mother," he answered softly as his lips attached to hers.

"Sleep with me tonight," she asked as they broke the kiss.

"What will your parents say?" he asked worriedly.

She chuckled softly. "I'm already a slut, a woman who had sex with a man without marriage. It doesn't matter if I do it again, especially since it is that same man."

"And we shall both be sober this time."

"We can still talk, you know, and we don't have to hide our magical inheritance either."

"That should be refreshing."

They were hugging each other, melting into each other, with their heads held only a hair-width apart.

"I still need to propose, though."

"It's not necessary. I'm yours ever since you first touched me, ever since you've taken that broken girl and made her into a woman. But what will Viviana say?"

"She said I should be with my child and his mother."

A coughing sound made them aware of their surroundings. They were still standing in the corridor, in font of Freddie's room while her parents had just come up the stairs.

Charlie felt suddenly very hot. Daphne just shrugged. "Are you retiring for the night?" she asked.

"Yes, dear. We've had a full day and a very interesting evening. We need our rest now. Goodnight, you two!"

"Goodnight," they both replied.

"My room is just here," Daphne pointed at the room across the corridor. "I've already asked the elves to move your stuff here."

"You're very sure of yourself," he noted.

"That's the impression I always want to make, but actually, I counted on them to move your stuff quickly elsewhere if things didn't go as expected."

"You expected me to propose?"

"Not really. What I thought would happen was that you would say you wanted the best for your child and agree to marry me for that purpose only, if at all. What you said was much better."

"I'm not really sure yet, but I think I love you, mother of my child."

"And I know I'm in love with you, father of my child. Now, let's stop talking in the corridor and go to bed!"

It was nothing like those veiled memories. Real Daphne was much better – more beautiful, more passionate and much more confident. Charlie was also more confident and was just as passionate as Daphne when they reunited for the first time in four years.

"I hope we get a girl this time," Daphne said two hours later.

Charlie looked a bit confused.

"It's the right time in my cycle, you know."

"But I haven't proposed yet. What if I decide not to?"

"I'm a slut, remember? It doesn't really matter."

"It matters to me. In my heart, you're already my wife."

He got a long snog in reply.

They were falling asleep, still hugging each other. "I'll buy you a ring first thing in the morning," he whispered.

"No. You'll kiss your son good-morning and have breakfast with him first. Besides, I'd like to help you choose my engagement ring."

"You will."

Charlie woke up early, as was usual for him, The room was still dark and only a faint band of color was showing on the dark sky in the window. It took him a moment to remember where he was and with whom, which brought a fond smile to his face. It wasn't the grin he used to wear after spending the night with a new chick, one of a victor celebrating a conquest. It showed the tender feelings of one who found love unexpectedly and cherished it.

He looked aside, seeing the golden hair sprawled like a halo around the beautiful face of his love. It was weird even thinking like that – his love, yet he felt it was the right term. Just as he couldn't bring himself to call Viviana anything but his girlfriend. Now it seemed right. He was eager to reach the moment he could refer to her as his fiancée and then his wife, yet he knew she would always stay his love.

Daphne stirred in her sleep and turned around, revealing some more of her naked body. He spent a moment admiring her beautiful breasts and then moved the blanket to cover her, just as he did with Freddie some hours before. He moved silently out of bed, put on his dressing gown and moved to the door. He crossed the corridor and peeked into the child's room. Being assured everything was right, he sneaked back into Daphne's room and tried to go back to bed.

"Anything bothering you?" he heard her asking him softly.

"Nothing, really. I was just wondering what made me deserve you and Freddie. It feels almost too good to be true."

"Don't worry. Being a parent is not only good. It also means sleepless nights and endless worries, but it's worth it." She stretched, revealing more of her body. "It's still early. We can sleep a bit more or... not exactly sleep."

Charlie wouldn't turn down such an invitation.

Freddie was glad to see him when he woke up. After breakfast, which the elder Greengrass didn't join, he helped Freddie change while his mother was also getting ready and they all Flooed to Diagon Alley.

Three hours later, Daphne took Freddie back home while sporting a brand new engagement ring on her finger. Charlie apparated to the Burrow only to find a very worried Molly waiting there for him.

Molly hugged him tightly. "I was so worried about you, staying there with the snakes."

Charlie didn't like it. "Mom, you've already met Daphne and Freddie. You've already found out that her parents helped the light during the war. Isn't it time you left these prejudices behind?"

Molly sighed. "You're right, I'm sure, yet... Old habits die hard. I don't know..."

"Mum, I'm going to marry Daphne. I think you should already accept her and her family."

"You're going to marry her? Have you even proposed?"

Charlie beamed. "We're engaged now. We still need to set the date and I'd really like if you and dad meet her parents. They'll probably invite you within a few days." Molly put her hand to her mouth. "Oh, dear... I have nothing appropriate to wear!"

It was such a predictable female reaction that Charlie burst laughing. "I'm sure you can find something, or even buy something new. You can afford it now, since your children have all left home."

Molly was too excited to properly think. She started preparing lunch. She had always found working in the kitchen to be relaxing for her. When cooking, she was always in control and everything was predictable, unlike the rest of her life.

Charlie grabbed something to drink and sat down at the table. Molly glanced at him while working. He looked happy, she noticed, and quite relaxed. Maybe marrying Daphne was really a good idea? If Charlie married "The Ice Queen", as Ron once referred to Daphne, he would no longer go to Romania and work with dragons. She certainly didn't act cold when she had visited... Maybe Arthur could find a nice job for him at the Ministry? Ever since the war, Arthur had become very influential...

Charlie's thoughts were also wandering. He knew he needed a new job, one with good enough pay to keep his wife and his children (he was sure the second would come soon after they married, and he wanted at least another one), one which would leave him with enough free time to spend with his wife and his children.

His wife... Well, he should first wed her before he could call Daphne his wife. He wondered how long he would need to wait and what he should do until then. Maybe he should consult with Bill?

A short Floo conversation with Fleur was all he needed. "I'll have dinner with Bill and Fleur," he told Molly as she was serving lunch.

Molly raised a brow questioningly.

"I want to learn from him about how to start married life," he explained. "He may also know about an appropriate job for me."

Bill was glad to hear the news and Fleur even hugged him tightly, making Charlie blush deeply, but neither could help him with a job. He also rejected some ideas, like becoming a professional Quidditch player (risky and not enough time for the family) or trying for a job at the Ministry (boring, low pay and may look bad for his father). While Charlie was still enthusiastic to marry Daphne, he was becoming aware of some of the difficulties ahead.

Back at the Burrow, his parents were waiting for him. "An owl came before dinner, bringing these two letters," Arthur told him, showing two parchments. One was addressed to his parents. "The Greengrass invited us for a non-formal dinner on Friday," his father said, pointing at the open parchment. Charlie took the other, which was addressed to him.

"Have you accepted the invitation?"

Arthur smiled. "I thought it wouldn't be wise to reject such an invitation from our future in-laws."

Charlie glanced at his mother. She still looked skeptical, but excited. "I think Mum would like to renew her wardrobe," he commented quietly. "Maybe Ginny or Lavender would like to help her..."

Arthur's smile grew wider. "I'll talk to them," he promised.

Charlie sat down and opened the letter addressed to him.

"Charlie,

Dad asked if you would consider working with him. As you may have noticed, they are quite older than most parents of my age-mates, having married only after stabilizing their careers. I've never been interested in their work and can't tell you much about it, except that it pays well.

If you find it interesting, Dad will train you for as long as needed, gradually passing his business to you. This will also entail living here at the manor even before we get married.

Will you come tomorrow after breakfast (or even before)? Plan on staying overnight as well.

Love, Daphne."

He frowned. While this could provide a nice solution to his job problem, wouldn't this offered job be as boring as working at the Ministry? Still, could he refuse the generous offer? He was sure he would be able to satisfactorily do almost any job. As a dragon keeper he had learned quite a lot of healing and brewed almost as many potions as a potion master. He also had to learn about many of the magical plants in the area, almost as much as an herbologist. He didn't know much about law or accounting, though. If the Greengrass business had anything to do with these, he would probably not be right for the job.

He Flooed to Greengrass Manor early enough to wake Daphne with a kiss. Half an hour later, they both kissed Freddie good morning. Her parents joined them at the breakfast table and enjoyed their grandson's happiness in his father's arms.

Cygnus was the first to rise. "Care to join me at the study, Mr. Weasley?"

"Please call me Charlie. When I hear Mr. Weasley I look around for my father," Charlie replied while rising as well.

"Fine, Charlie, but then you must call me Cygnus, or if you prefer – Dad."

It was an intensive morning. The Greengrass businesses were extremely varied. Cygnus had a small family business which grew some rare plants which served as potion ingredients. Most of the work was done by the house elves needing just some planning and supervising. About half the crops were used in-house, making some sought-after potions based on these plants. The income from either activity was larger than they needed for living. The spare had been invested in various other businesses, giving some more income, yet most of this was handled by Gringotts on behalf of the family, needing only a quarterly meeting at the bank.

"What would you like me to do?" Charlie asked. "You say it only takes you two days a week to manage everything, so..."

Cygnus smiled. "I'm not getting any younger, you know, and I still need to supervise the fields and brew some of the potions; the others are done by my wife. We've been considering retirement, going to some warm place and spending our time there, yet this has stayed just a dream until now. Daphne couldn't shoulder the burden and Astoria has problems enough with the family she had chosen to join."

"Doesn't her husband want a part of this?"

Cygnus grimaced. "He may want some of the income. He surely wouldn't like to work for it. He may be a better man than his father, but I still don't trust him."

Charlie didn't know what to say.

"I trust you explicitly, Charlie. Daphne wouldn't tell us who the father of her baby was, but once he was born, it was clear he was a Weasley. Daphne knew I would hunt each down until I found the father, so she told us the whole truth and made me promise to do nothing. It was difficult to oblige, but I can now see that she was right. Your actions speak for you."

Charlie felt his face heating.

"Let's go and have some lunch," Cygnus said. "I'm sure Freddie misses you."

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