Disclaimer : Still not mine in any way, shape or form..

When the World is Black

Chapter 3 :

After their discussion in the kitchen, Charlie and Hermione decided that it would be in their best interests if everyone in the family didn't know the full truth. As Ginny kindly pointed out, people like Ron would find it hard to be his mouth shut.

So with the exceptions of Harry, Ginny, Mr and Mrs Weasley, the two planned on telling them about their impending marriage at the next Weasley dinner, which was just 3 days away.

It was the morning after the proposal, that Charlie suggested they get to know each other better so that it looked more real. Hermione readily agreed. Charlie was the Weasley she interacted with the least and therefore not only did she not know much about him but she was eager to learn as much as possible.

The two escaped to the garden, after breakfast, where they could have a little privacy. The first day they started out with the simple stuff, favourite colour, food, book and so on. Hermione was thrilled to find out that Charlie was as much an avid reader as she was. She learned that he was supposedly a good cook, he could beat all his brothers at flying and the only one almost as good as him was Ginny.

At the end of the day, just before they entered the Burrow, Charlie surprised them both by leaning down and capturing Hermione's lips in a kiss. He felt her stiffen in his hands and he pulled back a little, worried that he may have over stepped his boundaries. He didn't know what came over him; he just saw her standing there and wanted to kiss her.

Luckily for him, she must have felt the same way because she pulled him back to her and kissed him back. Hermione marvelled in the softness of his lips that were moving expertly, she'd never been kissed like this. He was gentle and soft but at the same time passionate and demanding...to say it was the best kiss she had would be nothing but the truth.

So for the next 2 days they did the same thing, escaped into the garden, got to know each other better and snogged like nobody's business. And as much as Hermione enjoyed it, oh and did she enjoy it, she couldn't help but worry a little. She was attracted to Charlie, there was no denying that. But theirs was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, would that change too?

C H C H C H C H C H C H

The weekly Weasley dinner was quite an affair really, as it included not only the Weasleys but all the surrogate Weasleys as well. Bill, Fluer, Fred, George, Ron, Luna (whom he was engaged to), Harry, Ginny, Remus, Tonks and of course her and Charlie.

It was always a loud event and everyone would catch up with each other and exchange stories and more importantly make announcements. After the dinner everyone usually settled in the living room doing their own activities. Charlie figured that if he wanted to say anything this was the perfect time. He'd notice Ron glance and him and then at Hermione every now and then and he couldn't hold back a grin. At least one person had noticed a change. That would make things more believable.

He glanced at the witch sitting next to him, a stray strand of hair fell on her face but she was concentrating on the book she was reading to notice. He had to admit, it wouldn't take much to make it believable. He really was attracted to her and moreover he actually liked her. She was intelligent, witty, sarcastic but beyond that he saw her insecurities, her worries and her doubts. They had so much in common and they meshed well.

As an added bonus she was a good kisser and he liked kissing her. Probably explained why he'd been kissing her so often.

He shook his head, getting focused on the matter at hand. He stood up and cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the entire room. "Guys, I have an announcement to make. Well, two announcements actually."

He paused making sure everyone was paying attention and then continued, "First is that the Ministry has offered me the position of Head of Department for Magical Creatures and I have decided to take it, so I'm moving back home."

Cheers erupted and everyone started congratulating him but he held up a hand to say that he was not done, "You're probably wondering why would I want to leave the dragons and move here for what is gonna be a desk job...Well, I think I've reached that point in my life when I want to settle down."

Silence. He didn't know if it was good or bad but he just ploughed on, "I met this girl about six years ago and she was this amazing, smart, beautiful witch. But because of certain circumstances we weren't able to be together. However, about a year ago, something happened and we've been together ever since."

"When I got the job offer, I asked her to marry me and she said yes. I wanted to wait till everything was confirmed to tell you all." He glanced around the room and saw nothing but curiosity in their eyes, well...at least those who weren't in the know. He looked at Hermione and saw her fidgeting nervously in her seat.

"Yo, Charlie tell us who she is already" Fred shouted.

Charlie smirked at him and reached down and pulled Hermione up. Gasps were all that he could here for a moment and then the twins started clapping and cheering, Harry and Ginny grinned at the pair and clapped as well, Remus went over to them and congratulated them, Luna did a little dance, Bill clapped Charlie on the shoulder and gave Hermione a hug and he saw his mum tearing a little.

In fact, everyone was taking it well, everyone except for the one person who still had yet to react in any way. Ron simply sat in his seat looking from Charlie to Hermione and then back at Charlie as though he was following a tennis match.

Then without a word he stood up and stalked out of the room. He heard Hermione groan and when he looked at her he saw the hurt shining in her eyes. He mentally kicked Ron. He pulled her into a hug and whispered, "Don't worry about him love, I'll sort him out later. This is supposed to be a happy moment...so smile."

And then in front of everyone, he kissed and she, though surprised at first, forgot about their audience and kissed him back. They went on for several moments, lost in their own world, until someone, more than likely the twins, threw something hard at him head.

Laughing, he pulled away from his soon to be bride and grinned, "Sorry mates, I can't help it now can I?"

He looked at Hermione and smiled at her, things were looking up for sure. So what if he was greatly attracted to her, that would only make their marriage easier and not complicated, right? Right?

XOXOXOXOXOXO

And ladies and gents, that concludes another chapter! What'du think?

And for the life of me I cannot remember the correct name of the department that oversees all magical creature...if anyone remembers or knows please tell me so that I can correct it!!

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