Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter characters, but I really get kicks out of toying around with them (Laughs evilly…)

Charlie was in a really good mood. He was almost completely content.

If only he could get his body to stop aching.

Oh well. I've got to face that Tonks may never want a physical relationship with me. She might, though. I mean, there is a glimmer of hope. After all, she kissed me voluntarily last night.

And what a kiss it had been. He had dreamed of it until dawn had rudely interrupted.

I'm being unreasonable. Tonks and I have only been seriously talking for three days. Would I want a girl who was so easily coaxed into the bedroom?

Charlie didn't think he would, but he liked Tonks far more than he had ever liked another girl, so he was fairly sure that he would want her no matter what she did.

If she did want to go to the bedroom, it would be fine by him, but he was now using common sense, and knew that he must not put pressure on her. She wanted to test the water as friends.

I guess I want to see if we're compatible as friends, too, although I already know the answer. I don't think there is one area in which we aren't compatible, but Tonks is the type of girl who needs a little more proof to feel secure. Three bloody days, and I feel this way! I'm going mad!

Who was he kidding? He sighed disgustedly. There was no more denying his feelings as just lust; even hot, heavy, ridiculously intense lust.

Charlie knew what the problem was, and it was SO not just lust, though lust was a major part of it.

He loved Tonks.

Tonks' Cottage:

Tonks had just gotten out of bed on her day off. The sun was shining brightly, a rarity in London, and the sky bright blue. Even though there was frost on the windows from the cold, the day was absolutely beautiful.

Tonks felt wonderful, albeit a little itchy. She couldn't quit wondering what Charlie's work-roughened hands would feel like on her smooth skin, but she also couldn't recall waking up in such a terrific mood in a long time. It felt very nice.

She took a quick shower, got dressed, and decided to fix herself some breakfast.

Griddlecakes should do nicely.

As she bustled about the kitchen, her thoughts returned to Charlie, which was becoming an entirely too familiar thing. She didn't really mind, though.

Wonder if he's up yet? I'm sure he is. He probably has to get up very early at work in Romania.

She wondered what life was actually like for him there, and decided that next time she saw him, she'd ask for him to tell her more about it.

Tonks suddenly felt like she wanted to know everything about him that there possibly was to know.

She sat down to eat and was thoroughly enjoying her meal, when an owl flew down the chimney.

Tonks didn't recognize the owl, which was big and a creamy golden color, but she took the letter and stoked the owl.

When she opened it and read it, she felt tingly all over, inside and out.

Tonks,

Just wondering if maybe you'd like to come to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch with me today. Dad told me you have the day off. I figure we could keep on testing our friendship waters, eh? Maybe afterwards, we could hang around Diagon Alley for a bit? Let me know, love.

Charlie

Tonks felt positively giddy. She hadn't felt so excited over a boy since her first date at Hogsmeade when she had been fifteen.

She quickly grabbed a small parchment scroll and a quill.

Charlie,

Of course I'll come with you to the Leaky Cauldron and to Diagon Alley. I haven't spent a free afternoon out in long time. I'll come by Headquarters around eleven.

Looking forward to lunch,

Tonks

She sealed the scroll and secured it snugly to the golden owl's leg. In a whirl it was gone.

Tonks looked at the clock. It was 7:30. She sighed. Eleven couldn't come quickly enough.

I hope you liked my maneuvering. I'm working on getting them where we all want them to be. Smile!