Chapter seven

Charlie woke and he was looking down at the man he loved. He knew now what he wanted out of his life and hoped Harry wanted the same thing. He leaned over and kissed Harry's back very softly, then looked at all the scars on his back and wondered how he had got them. Harry had told him a lot of things that had happened to him over the years, but he knew he didn't know everything. He was lost in his thoughts as he stared at all the scars until Harry turned over and looked up at him.

'Galleon for your thoughts babe,' Harry said softly.

'I was just looking at the scars on your back and wondered how you got them,' Charlie leaned down and kissed him tenderly.

Harry sat up and looked at Charlie. 'I don't mind telling you, I'll tell you anything. After Voldemort thought I was dead, we were both knocked unconscious. When I came to, I stayed still hoping he thought I was dead, so I could work out a way to kill Nagini and then him. When Narcissa Malfoy told him I was dead, even though she knew I wasn't, Voldemort attacked my body. That's where those scars came from.'

'What did he do to you love?' Charlie asked looking shocked then saddened.

'Well, he hit me with the Cruciatus Curse and then flung my body into the air then letting it fall to the ground, he did that a couple of times, that's how my back got cut up. I had to stay perfectly still and tried to let my body relax, so he couldn't tell I was still alive.'

'Oh Harry,' Charlie said and pulled him into his arms, 'you've gone through so much over the years haven't you?'

'Yeah, I have. But that's all over with now Charlie. He's dead and can't hurt anyone ever again. I've got a good life with you now, and I'm happy. Why don't we get up and have some breakfast?'

'Yeah, alright, I need to talk to you about something anyway.' Charlie kissed Harry fiercely, then they both got up. Harry went into the bathroom and Charlie went to the kitchen. 'Kreacher, Harry will be right out, can you start breakfast please?'

'Of course Master Charlie,' Kreacher bowed and went about preparing breakfast.

Harry walked out and stood behind Charlie, putting his arms around him. 'I love you Charlie.' he leaned forward and kissed his neck.

'I love you to Harry, now sit so I can talk to you, because if you keep doing that, I won't be able to concentrate.' Charlie grinned.

Harry sat down next to Charlie and looked at him. 'Okay, what did you want to talk to me about?' Harry smirked.

'Well, we've both said that we love each other and want to be together forever right?'

'Right, we have.' Harry said looking a little puzzled.

'Okay, I want us to get married, what do you say? You want to be my husband and me you're husband?'

'Really, can we do that? Because if we can, I definitely want to marry you,' Harry smiled and grabbed Charlie's face, kissing him fiercely.

'We can do that, either here or in Britain. It's legal now for a lot of countries.'

'So, where do you think we should do it then? Hang on a minute. If we get married how does that work? Do we just keep our last names, or what?'

'We could keep our last names, or discuss if we want to take on one of our last names. I personally wouldn't mind being known as Charlie Potter.' Charlie smirked at Harry.

'Wow that sounds strange, but nice. Well, let's think about that before we make any decision. Now where do you think we should get married?'

'I thought of Britain. Mainly because some of the family will want to come to the ceremony and you might want some of your friends there as well. Most of my friends would come over there for the ceremony but I have friends still over there.'

'It makes sense I suppose. I'd have to tell my friends about us first. I think Neville, Dean, Luna and Seamus would be fine with it. The others, I just don't know.'

'There's one more thing I'd like, but I don't know if it's possible.'

'What's that babe?' Harry asked.

'Well, I would like the ceremony to be held on the Hogwarts grounds. What do you think about that?'

'I've always loved Hogwarts Charlie, you know that. So yeah, I'd like that. I could speak to Minerva about it, see what she has to say. Now, when are we going to do this? And the sooner the better,' Harry smiled.

'If that's the way you feel, as soon as we can arrange it then. I could talk to Kingsley about conducting the ceremony for us once Minerva gives us the go ahead to have it at Hogwarts. Then we just have to work out a date and let everyone know.'

'Well, it's still August now, we could arrange it for September or October, before it gets really cold. October would probably be easier for time.'

'October it is then, now about the date, either Saturday or Sunday.' Charlie said and summoned a calendar and they both looked at it and both instantly pointed at the same date, then laughed. 'October the 22nd then, we've got a date. Now we just have to do the rest. What about where we'll stay until the wedding and the night before the wedding. We're not suppose to stay together. I could probably stay at Bills.'

'Hang on,' Harry pulled his wand and summoned a think roll of parchment. 'This is everything that's in Sirius vault, or the Harry Potter vault. Maybe there's a house or something in here.' Harry spread all the parchments out on the table, so as both of them ate, they looked through them.

'Did you know you owned all this Harry? You've got houses, businesses and land and a heap of it as well. And look at this.' Charlie grinned and handed Harry one of the parchments.

'I had no idea about any of this,' Harry said, then looked at the parchment Charlie had handed him and he started laughing, 'You've got to be kidding me, if I'd known that, I could have done something ages ago. I bet Sirius didn't know about this either. Well, if we've got time I wouldn't mind going there and letting them know we own it and that things will be changing.'

'That's another thing I wanted to talk to you about. If you wanted to, we could live back in Britain. I could take the dragon handler's job there.'

'Would you want to leave here Charlie?'

'As long as we're together Harry, I don't mind we're we live and by the looks of all this, we could live anywhere. But I would like to live in the country somewhere. Like this, somewhere quiet and secluded. And remember, I only moved here so my family didn't find out, that's not an issue anymore.'

'Well, we'd need time to organise the wedding, and look at all these place and decide where we wanted to live. What would you say about finding out about the job now, but tell them you can't start until after the wedding. We're going to need a honeymoon as well. Then you could leave this job straight away. We have plenty to live on, so there's no problem with money.'

'I don't want to take your money Harry.'

'Our money Charlie, once we're married, it's yours as well and that's what I want, for us to be equals in everything.' Harry took Charlie's face in his hands and looked in him the eyes. 'Please Charlie, we're together and I want us to be partners in every way.' Harry leaned in and kissed him softly never taking his eyes off Charlie.

Charlie smiled, 'Alright Harry, I want that as well. So okay, I'll leave this job. But I will have to give them a weeks notice.'

'That's fine. We need to go and look at some of these houses anyway and start working out the details of the wedding. We need to speak with Minerva and Kingsley, work on robes for the day and what else?' Harry said looking at Charlie.

'Well, if Minerva allows us to have it at Hogwarts, catering won't be a problem. We could erect a marquee on the grounds or just have the reception in the great hall. The students will be there, but that won't bother me now I've finally told my family. But what about you Harry? You are Harry Potter, the boy who live and all the other names you've been known as.'

'I don't care who knows Charlie, I love you and I love my life.' Harry smiled and Charlie kissed him fiercely again, he could never get enough of kissing Charlie.

'Why don't we get Kreacher to take us to see Minerva now, then we can start working on the other details if she says yes, because I have to be back at work tomorrow.'

'Good idea babe. Kreacher, could you take Charlie and me to Hogwarts please?'

'Of course Master Harry,' the elf bowed and walked over to them and Kreacher took both their arms and apparated away. They arrived in the corridor outside the great hall.

'Why don't you hang around here Kreacher, we won't be long.' Harry said smiling at the elf.

'Of course Master Harry,' Kreacher bowed and snapped his fingers and disappeared, probably to the kitchens to see the other house elves.

Charlie and Harry put their arms around each other and looked in the great hall and saw Minerva talking to some of the other professors. They walked in together and saw some of the looks they were getting.

'Harry, Charlie, what are you doing back here, and how did you get in here?' Minerva said hugging both of them.

'Kreacher brought us through, hope you don't mind, but we wanted to ask you an important favour Minerva? Can we go somewhere private to talk?' Charlie asked.

'Of course I don't mind and it's just lucky Hogwarts only has basic wards up. Come down to the staff table and we'll sit there. Just give me a minute,' she smiled and Charlie and Harry still with their arms around each other walked down and sat at the staff table. Minerva came down and sat beside them a couple of minutes later. 'Now, what is this favour you want to ask?'

'Well, we're getting married Minerva.' Harry said grinning hugely.

'Oh, that's wonderful, I'm so happy for both of you,' she hugged and kissed both of them.

'And the favour is, we'd like to have the ceremony here on the grounds of Hogwarts.'

'Well, I suppose that would be alright Harry. When would this be?'

'October 22nd. It's a Saturday.' Charlie said.

Minerva looked at Charlie then Harry and she couldn't stop smiling. 'Of course you can and I'm happy you want to. I know Hogwarts has always been special to you Harry.'

'Yes it has. But this was Charlie's idea, but I wanted it as well. So if we pay for the food, could the house elves take care of the catering?'

'Of course Harry, do you know how many guests will be invited?'

'Well, apart from all the professors and students that will be here. There will be a far few friends and some of the Weasleys, not sure how many of them will come at the moment.'

'I take it your parents didn't take your news well Charlie?'

'No, they didn't. Neither did Percy, Ron or Ginny. Bill, Fleur, George and Angelina are all fine.' Charlie said sadly.

'I'm sorry Charlie. Hopefully they might just need time to come to terms with it. Now, next, you said you wanted the ceremony on the grounds. Do you know where?'

Harry looked at Charlie, 'Any ideas babe?'

'We could have a look around and decide then love,' Charlie smiled, then looked back at Minerva. 'We haven't decided whether we want to put up a marquee for everyone or just have the reception in the great hall. Do you mind either way?'

'No, I don't mind Charlie. Just let me know when you make up your minds.'

'Well, now we can work on all the other plans. Thanks for that Minerva. We might go walk around, see where we want to have the ceremony. We'll let you know.' Harry smiled.

'Alright then, take you're time and I'll wait to hear from you,' the three of them stood up and hugged, then Charlie and Harry put their arms back around each other and left the great hall and walked out onto the ground. They walked all over and they both agreed on the same place, near the black lake.

'That's another item done, Hogwarts, where it will be held, now about the marquee or great hall?' Charlie asked and they both looked around imagining a marquee on the grounds.

'Marquee,' they both said and started laughing.

'Another item sorted.' Harry said. 'Do you want to look at a couple of houses before we head home babe?'

'Might as well while we're here love,' Charlie pulled Harry into his arms and kissed him passionately.

'aw, tha's so nice.' Hagrid said walking towards them.

'Hagrid, I was hoping to see you. We've got some news.' Harry said.

'Wha's that 'arry?'

'We're getting married, here at Hogwarts.' Harry smiled hugely and Hagrid hugged them both tight. 'Hagrid, can't breathe.' Harry wheezed and Hagrid let them go.

'Sorry, I'm jus' so 'appy for you.' Hagrid said and wiped his eyes with his tablecloth size handkerchief.

'Thanks Hagrid. We really need to go we've got so much to organize.' Harry said.

'Alrigh' 'arry, Charlie, see you both later,' Hagrid beamed at them, then watched as they walked away.

'Kreacher,' Charlie called.

'Yes Master Charlie?'

'We want to go here Kreacher,' Harry said showing him the place of one of the houses. 'Can you take us please?'

'Of course Master Harry,' the elf took both their arms and apparated away.

They arrived a few seconds later standing in front of a large cottage in a quiet country village.

'Kreacher, why don't you look around too? We're just going to see if we might want to live here once where married.' Harry asked the elf.

'As you wish Master Harry,' the elf bowed and walked away.

Harry and Charlie started walking around the property and found that it was very secluded. The house was way back from the road and surrounded in woods. They stepped into the house and looked around.

'What do you think babe?' Harry asked.

'I think it's perfect. But one thing Harry, what will we do with the other rooms? We only need one bedroom, and one guest bedroom. This has four bedrooms.'

'We don't need to decide yet Charlie. Once we move in, then we can work it out. So, is this where we want to live babe?' Harry grinned.

'Definitely, it's perfect.' Charlie pulled Harry into his arms, kissing him fiercely. 'So now we just have to work out when. Do you think straight away as soon as I do my last week at the reserve?'

'Yeah, I think so Charlie. That way we can get settle and organise all the plans. I never asked you about the house you live in now. Do you just rent that place?'

'Yeah I do. I originally wasn't sure how long I was going to stay in Romania, so I wasn't going to buy anything until I worked that out. So all I have to do is let them know I'm leaving and then we just have to send all our stuff here. Could Kreacher help with that, it would make it easier?'

'Yeah, he could do that, no problem. While where here in Britain, there is something I'd like to show you though.' Harry said looking serious.

'What's that Harry?'

'Let me tell Kreacher to wait here and I'll take you. Kreacher,' Harry called and he appeared straight away. 'Do you just want to hang around here, this is going to be our home in a weeks time. I want to take Charlie somewhere. Then we'll come back.'

'Anything Master Harry wishes and I found a nice place to sleep.' The elf bowed.

'That's good, alright Kreacher. We'll be back soon.' Harry smiled, then put his arms around Charlie and they apparated away. They arrived a few seconds later in a quiet country lane. 'This way babe,' Harry and Charlie kept their arms around each other as they walked as soon as they got to the square Harry stopped and pointed.

Charlie turned and saw what Harry was pointed at. He stared open mouthed at the statue. 'It's you and you're parents Harry.'

'Yeah, it is. We're in Godric's Hollow. When Hermione and I came here last Christmas, I saw that and couldn't believe there was a statue.' Harry put his head on Charlie's shoulder as they both stood there staring. 'There's a couple more things I want to show you babe,' They walked down the quiet lane and stopped in front of a destroyed house. 'My parents house, this is where it happened.' Harry said and touched the gate and the sign popped up.

On this spot, on the night of 31 October 1981,

Lily and James Potter lost their lives.

Their son, Harry, remains the only wizard ever

to have survived the Killing Curse.

This house, invisible to Muggles, has been left

in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters

and as a reminder of the violence

that tore apart their family.

Charlie let go of Harry and stepped closer to the gate and read the sign, then started reading the messages to Harry. He pulled him into his arm, holding him tight.

"Good luck, Harry, wherever you are."

"If you read this, Harry, we're all behind you."

"Long live Harry Potter."

'That's so nice Harry, the way everyone wrote to you.'

'Yeah, it is. When I first saw this, I smiled. I thought it was brilliant,' Harry said and looked up at the house that had been the place that had changed his life. He never realised he had tears falling down his face until Charlie wiped them away. 'I'm fine Charlie, there's one more thing I want to show you.' Harry put his arm back around Charlie and they walked off again until they came to the cemetery. Harry kept walking until he came to his parent's grave. 'Mum, Dad, this is Charlie. I love him very much and we're about to be married.' Harry said and knelt down, running his hands over their names.

Charlie knelt behind him and wrapped his arms around Harry and they both sat there staring at the names of Harry's parents. Harry pulled his wand and conjured a ring of roses and lilies and placed it against the headstone. Harry put his head back against Charlie and they stayed like that for a while.

'Let's go babe.' Harry said and they both stood up. 'I just wanted to tell them about you.' Harry put his head on Charlie's chest. Harry took a deep breath and looked at the man he loved. 'Let's go and get the plans started for a life together.'

'Before we do Harry, I think we should tell my family first. Give them a chance to get use to it and know they will receive invitations soon.'

'Okay.' Harry said and he felt Charlie turn and they apparated to the Burrow. This time they kept their arms around each other as they entered the house and saw Charlie's parents sitting at the table.

'Charlie, Harry. What are you doing back here?' Molly asked.

'Just wanted to let you know that Harry and I are getting married. It's going to be held on the grounds of Hogwarts on October 22nd, so expect an invitation.' Charlie said simply and waited.

'Oh, okay.' Molly said looking down at her husband.

'Is that all you're going to say Mum. You've always wanted me to settle down and get married, now I am.' Charlie said and could feel his anger building again.

'Charlie, give them a chance. They've only just found out about all this.' Harry said holding him tighter. 'We just wanted to let you know before it gets announce.' Harry said looking at Molly and Arthur but neither of them said anything.

'Let's go love.' Charlie said and they turned and walked back out of the Burrow and Harry apparated them back to the house.

'Charlie, let them get use to the idea and we'll see what happens.' Harry said feeling Charlies tremors of anger going through his body so he held him tighter then pulled his face to his and kissed him passionately. 'Why don't we go home, we need to do the rest of the plans and invitations?'

Charlie looked down at Harry and nodded. 'Alright love.' Charlie kissed him again, then they saw Kreacher and they apparated back to Romania.

Kreacher went back to the kitchen to start dinner, while Harry took Charlie's hand and led him into the bedroom and started undressing Charlie, then himself. They laid down on the bed, kissing and touched each other everywhere, they stayed in there making love until Kreacher called them out for dinner. They got dressed and went back into the kitchen and sat down.

'I wanted to ask you about the ceremony Harry. I would like to write our own vows, will you be fine with that?'

'Perfectly fine, with the way I feel about you, I could put that into words. You look better babe, how are you really feeling?'

'I'm okay love. I just hope they accept us and come to the wedding. Are you going to put an announcement in the prophet? It'll be big news, first that you're getting married, then that you're marrying a man.'

'Yep, I'm going to announce it to the world. I want everyone to know how I feel about you.' Harry grinned.

'Well, after this last week of work, it will make it easier to plan everything.'

'Yeah, it will. One thing I wanted to ask you about though, do you want a best man?' Harry asked.

'No, I thought it could just be us.' Charlie smiled.

'I'll go with that, and what about rings. You want to wear a wedding ring?' Harry smiled again.

'Of course I do. I want everyone to know I'm off the market and so are you.' Charlie leaned in and kissed Harry tenderly. 'From the moment we got together, you belong to me Harry.'

'Yes I do and you belong to me. So we'll have to go shopping for robes and rings.'

'And a bed Harry, there's not bed in the house, or anything else for that matter.'

'Yeah, we've got a lot to do. That's why it's good that you're not going to work for a while after this week.'

'Yeah, I never realised how much we have to do and what we have to buy for the house. Harry, there is one thing, I've got a far amount of gold saved. Since I've lived and worked here, I never really spent anything. Just rent and food really, so since you said everything you have is mine, so is mine with you. We'll combine everything. I know what I have is nothing compared to you.'

'Charlie, stop. I've already told you, from now it's all ours. So when we get back to Britain for good, I'm going to make sure to get another key from the Goblins for you. Then we'll rename the vault, depending on what name we decide.'

'Alright, but as long as my gold that I have is added to that vault. Like you said, what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine.'

'Good, now that's sorted. So what about the name? Are we going to have our last name Weasley or Potter, or just keep our names?'

'I was serious before Harry. I would like to have Potter, but are you okay with that?'

'You're serious, you really would?'

'Yeah, I would. From the moment we got together, I knew I wanted to be yours in every way.' Charlie said and took Harry's hand. 'I don't know what it is with you Harry, but you've charmed me.'

'I feel the same way Charlie, and if you're really sure, then I'd be happy and proud to have you take my name.' Harry said and took Charlie's face in his hands and kissed him tenderly. 'So we're going to be Potter's?' Harry smiled.

'Yep we will be. So what else do we need to work out?' Charlie asked.

'Just the guest list at the moment, so we can work out whose being invited, how many friends from here will you want to invite?'

'I'm close to about thirty and then theirs their partners or wives. What about you love?'

'Well, a lot of the ones I went to Hogwarts with are still friends. Like Neville, Seamus, my old quidditch team, Luna Lovegood, I'll have to sit down and work that out.'

Charlie and Harry sat for the rest of the night working out small and big details of what they wanted for their wedding. They had a lot of the guest list done and knew that some might not want to come as it's a gay wedding, but neither of them cared if they came or not. They just wanted to be married and belonged to each other.