The guys were sitting around the big circular table and drinking their bottles, waiting for the woman who was running late. There were tons of jokes each of them could say to a woman running late due to shopping, but the room was a bit empty with joy. Hermione had texted George and told him that Viktor tracked her down at one of the stores and they got into an argument. Luckily Ron was there with Mandy, who surprisingly, the loud woman shouted at the football star to stop stalking Hermione.
Ron was escorting Hermione straight to Fred's instead of her stopping at home, and Mandy took Ron's car home. The youngest male Weasley was not going to join them because Mandy was uncomfortable about him being out on a weeknight. It was understandable; he worked in a gritty department at the station and had odd hours as it was. Harry was lucky he tested so high because he got in a good niche quickly.
Harry pursed his lips after sipping his bottle, "Does someone want to tell me why Hermione seems so twitchy in her texts lately?"
"Dr. FeelGood," Fred grumbled and lined up his chips.
Harry groaned and smiled, "She got nipped by curiosity then?"
Charlie raised an eyebrow at the dark-haired man, "You know who this robotic man is?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders and smirked, "I finally got it out of my wife the other night when I threw attitude about an emotional affair."
Fred perked up and glared, "Hey, you have to tell us, Harry!"
Bill laughed and shook his head, "My god, now he's going to be texting you nonstop until he gets an answer."
"I hear she has been talking to the doctor for quite a few late nights now." Harry ignored Fred who was throwing daggers at him with his eyes.
Before anything else was said, Hermione walked in gasping and laughing, "Jesus, Ron. I am up now!" She shouted down at him and he honked before driving off. "Hello, everyone, sorry for my lateness."
Hermione was in a short black mini dress and it was extremely low cut, "What happened to being more man than us, Mione?" George taunted and Hermione smiled and flipped her hair.
She went over to fridge and grabbed a beer for herself as she spoke, "I had to get my licks in when I went with Ron to tell Viktor it was over and to leave me alone. I think I made my point, don't you? I can go slip into something less revealing if you like."
"Ron took your car?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded as she sat down in the empty chair and swigged her beer.
"He is going to bring it by for me after he's done with work tomorrow," she threw a crisp note on the table and folded her legs. "Now are we going to play some poker or is Fred going to keep looking at me like I am dinner?"
Fred cleared his throat and his cheek tinted, "You know the rules, Hermione. High stakes are only allowed if the table agrees."
Hermione leaned in as Bill pushed over a stack of chips for her and grabbed the money off the table, placing it in the box. Charlie was sipping his beer and Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, "I hope that you aren't taking painkillers with that."
He shook his head and raised his beer, "I will not be getting sloshed, but I am not going to squander a gift. No, just the alcohol tonight."
Bill nudged Charlie, "Besides, this fuck has a doctor's appointment tomorrow. He cannot go with a hangover."
They started the hands shortly after and Hermione's demeanor changed. She was flinty and very conservative about her expressions. Charlie was admiring the woman's competitive nature and even played a few chancy hands against her to see how her bluff faired; she was dangerous. Charlie soon found out why the twins wanted her to come, she was very well matched to him. The Herpetologist was used to taking the table if he wanted to... she played his game well.
"What will it be, tech girl?" He growled as she peered at her hand.
She threw a sum of chips of the table, "I call, wanker."
Charlie knew he had a winning hand, "Last chance for romance," he declared and Hermione leaned over the table.
"Show me yours and I will show you mine," She growled and he grinned at her.
Hermione knew she was flashing quite a bit of skin at the men because Harry cleared his throat and looked away as Charlie set down his hand. "Full house, tech girl."
He was leaning to reach for the large pot when Hermione set down her hand, "Straight, hearts, love. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten." Sure enough, her cards were as she said.
Charlie's cheeks tinted, "Well, played."
The woman bent over the table and raised an eyebrow at him as she scooped the pot toward her. "Better luck next time." Harry gave Bill a look and the eldest Weasley was sneakily trying to take the woman's beer as he grabbed her cards. "Now, William. I am allowed to get just as sloshed as these wankers here, aren't I?"
Bill pursed his lips and gave her a nod, "Alright, Mione."
"Well, I am going to piss," Harry said and Hermione kicked off her heels.
Harry went down the hallway and Hermione flitted over to Fred and snagged his cigarette pack from the table with the lighter. "I am going to get some air," her voice was smooth and sultry. Charlie stifled a smile and she wagged a finger at him, "You coming, wanker?"
Charlie shook his head, "Not this time, tech girl. I am already wobbly on my feet."
The woman strolled out the door and Bill heaved, "Someone is on the prowl tonight. Claws out and everything."
The stocky Weasley chuckled, "She will keep. Just a bit cheeky and sass."
Bill glanced at her chip pile and shook his head, "Where the hell did she learn to play poker?"
"Me and Ron," Harry murmured as he entered the room, "Of course she knows a thing or two about averages and card combinations better than anyone I know. That's why I asked the twins why they invited her."
Hermione came back in smiling and handed Fred back his lighter, "Thank you, Freddy." she kissed his cheek and ran her fingers over his shoulders.
Charlie smiled as she sat down, "Hermione, tell me something. Other than bragging rights, what motivates you to beat us sods?"
She waved him off with a smile, "I just enjoy playing with you boys. I could care less about the chips."
"I have a little more than an hour to go before I need to catch a ride home," Bill confirmed and Harry nodded.
Hermione grinned and downed her beer, "Let me make it easier for you boys." She said as she went to the fridge for another.
George chuckled and shook his head, "I hope you don't mind losing your money then, Hermione."
"Not one bit, Gred. Bring on your best," Hermione finished and then pounded a good portion of her beer before sitting.
Hermione remembered the first few hands after that but everything went fuzzy after she finished another beer. Her last clear thought was how much she missed this.
0o0o
Hermione groaned and rolled on the bed in a sluggish manner. When she felt warm skin, she tucked herself closer and enjoyed the feeling of a man next to her. The woman had yet to surface enough to ask herself who she was lying next to but could care very little at that moment. He smelt nice with a hint of male that Hermione could appreciate.
"Hermione, come here, darlin'," a gruff voice sounded and Hermione obeyed.
She curled up closer in his arms and nuzzled his chest, "it's too early," she murmured against him.
He chuckled and nodded against her hair, "You realize who you are snuggling, tech girl?"
The woman opened one eye and stared up at the second oldest Weasley. "Good morning, Charles. What am I doing in your bed?" She asked sleepily and continued to cuddle against him.
"You were pissed out of your mind, I decided to share my bed... and my clothes. Your dress would not have been the most comfortable or conservative for you to sleep in." Charlie answered and ran a hand over her back.
"Thank you, Charlie. I did not do anything very... tartish did I?"
"Well, you did very directly tell me how much you needed to get shagged as your hands did more of the talking. However, I am not a young boy and do not sleep with women who clearly are sloshed. It is not a turn on for me. That was well after everyone left."
She let out a throaty laugh before she spoke, "Did I do anything to Fred?"
Charlie was quiet and Hermione gazed up at him, "He was not happy I was taking you to my room. After you stuck your tongue down his throat I felt it was probably more appropriate for you to come with me."
"You are a good man, Charles, thank you," Hermione sighed heavily and turned over so she could bury her face in the pillows. "I should not have drunk so much. Who won?"
"Georgie did. You went all in and everyone decided to join you for the last hand."
"Good, I am glad," she was still talking into the pillows and Charlie flopped on his back. Hermione turned to him and smiled, "Charlie, do you want me to come with you today?"
He gazed over at her and sighed, "Not today, Hermione. They are going to potentially give me bad news."
"You don't need to be strong for everyone."
The man smiled softly at her, "I sure do."
Hermione sat up and grinned down at his half-naked form, "You are incorrigible."
"Tell me something, tech girl," he grumbled and tucked one of his arms behind his head. "You told me how shaggable I am... is that silly drunken fantasies or of sober thinking?"
She blushed brightly and shoved him, "Shut up. I did not say that."
He laughed and nodded, "You did and stuck your hands down my pants. Actually, I was afraid you were not going to take no for an answer."
Hermione rolled her eyes and rubbed her face, "I am sorry for advancing on you... I am a bit out of sync with that department anymore. Seems the other side of my brain was speaking over logic."
Her phone rang and she crawled over to where it was plugged in, "Yes, Gin, I am alive."
"Hermione! Who did you sleep with? Harry told me you were sandwiched between them and way too friendly to be trusted." Ginny exclaimed through the phone.
"I did not sleep with anyone. No worries. Charlie let me sleep in his bed and did not take my advancements seriously."
Hermione heard Ginny exhale heavily, "What a good man. Thank god. Mione, what were you thinking?"
"I don't know. I saw Viktor last night and lost my mind a bit." Hermione flopped next to Charlie who did not move or pull her closer.
James was fussing in the background and Ginny shuffled and then answered, "I am just glad Charlie was there. Tell him thank you for me."
"Your welcome, Gin. Anytime, she is a great bed partner," Charlie grumbled loudly.
She laughed into the phone, "Good you are still with him. I was worried you were going to walk home in shame or fear. Charlie may be a wanker, but he isn't horrible."
"I will come by today, alright?" Hermione murmured and glanced up at Charlie.
"Okay. James needs me I will see you this afternoon. Love you," Ginny declared and hung up.
Hermione giggled and shook her head, "Charles. Let's not get up."
"Can you answer me a serious question? Why are you so interested in this robot doctor?" Charlie asked and Hermione scowled.
She was gazing up at him when she answered, "He, well, he just gets it. He understands me. I don't think twice about when we are talking. I was skeptical at first, but I don't know... I don't feel like I have to protect him from my buggered mind."
"Wouldn't you be disappointed if he didn't measure up? I mean someone like Cedric or anyone for that matter could easily disappoint you and be mortal and error."
Hermione curled into his side and rested her chin on his chest, "I don't know. I know I am buggered up and I know that I cannot help myself. I control everything and relationships have been difficult for me. Shagging is difficult because I grow attached. That is why I am alone and lonely at the same time."
"I was in Morocco quite a few years back and this woman... god, she was a ten. Anyway, I was completely gone for her and she told me something." He paused and she rolled her eyes.
"Does it get bigger than that?"
Charlie groaned and tried to hide a smile, "No, she said to me, 'Char, you know why you like lizards so much? They never cease to amaze you. Don't find a girl who is a great shag and only a great shag, find a woman who makes you feel like lizards and heartache are all but forgotten.' Silly woman shagged me after and let me go on my way. I was still a youth and she was an older woman. She taught me a good lesson on love."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, "Which was... don't trust a woman who calls you Char?"
He belted out cheerful laughter and shook his head, "No, silly tech girl. She taught me that you won't know anything about what you want until your obsessions and flaws become second rate to them. I enjoy ladies... they enjoy me... but love, well, love is something I don't share easily. Dora broke my heart enough in school."
Hermione's eyes grew, "What? You dated Nymphadora in school?"
Charlie nodded and smiled, "Clumsy little girl with her dyed hair a different color every week. I asked her out by saying she was my favorite chameleon."
Hermione sighed and beamed up at him, "I wish I would have seen you at school. You probably were quietly mischievous. You and William probably pulled secret pranks like the twins used to boast about doing loudly. It is funny we have never met before now."
"You would have hated me. My parents are certain I will never marry because my obsession with animals was so odd. My mother doesn't mind it, but my father, he is certain I will be the stag who wanders the longest. He never told me that, but he has that smell about him when we talk about my personal life."
Hermione sighed heavily and her mood dropped, "I, well... my parents are fickle." She didn't look him in the eye and tucked her face downward.
Charlie ran fingers through her hair, "It's alright. You really don't have to be this warrior princess for me, Hermione. I am not breakable. I just have a bum leg, but I am quite sure I can handle whatever you throw at me. Plus, I get cool points for taking care of you, remember?" He tried to lighten the mood and she breathed heavily.
"Only Harry knows how lonesome I truly am. I think he is worried about me. He never tells me, but Ginny mothers me plenty. I feel as though I never really... I didn't come out of that room, Charles." Her voice was but a whisper and he sat up.
"Hey, look at me," He ordered and she stared him as she sat on the bed. "You are not broken, alright? That didn't kill you or make you unlovable. Whatever bastard told you that you were not capable of being loved needs to be beaten. I see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice. You are a wonderful and magnificent human. We all get a little banged up through life, but it is about the journey and who we bring along with us. Like your game, right?"
Her eyes were brimming with tears when she nodded, "Yes, I know."
His hand cupped her cheek and his lips had a small curvature to them, "If anyone knows about coming back and not feeling like themselves it is you, but you came back better. I don't know if I would be able to tolerate you any different than you are."
She grinned at him and wiped her eyes when he pulled away, "Alright, Charles. Your pep talks work." Her form pressed to his and he grew rigid a moment before hugging her back.
"You do me a favor today?" His voice was a soft rumble.
"Hm?"
He spoke with a playfulness when he responded, "You think about how much fun it was to kick my arse at poker. I don't think I have ever been schooled so well."
Hermione pulled away from him and laughed, casting her face to the ceiling, "I did ruin you, didn't I? That was so much fun and I missed being around everyone. I spent so much time away, I forgot about my family."
Charlie sighed heavily, "I know the feeling. Sometimes when you are just trying to live life you forget about the home you had before things grew gray. I loved my life and being out in the field. Traveling to different countries... exploring jungles... but it was a lonely venture. It is refreshing to be around the chaos."
She kissed his cheek and crawled from the bed, "You are just fine, Charlie. Thank you for being good to me. It is the first time in a while someone took care of me for a change."
He sat there and scratched his chest, "Are you leaving?"
Hermione's expression was filled with contemplation as she answered, "I think it might be best if I do. Do you not want me to?"
"No, I don't."
Hermione gave him a smirk and put her hands on her hips, "I am not going to sleep with you, even sober."
Charlie chuckled at her attempt to make the tension lessen in the room, "I would settle for you sucking on my knob a bit. I am all for letting you get off first; I support feminism."
That made her roll with laughter before she could reply, "Careful, Charles... I might hold you to that next time." She disappeared out the bedroom and he heard her enter the bathroom and shut the door.
He collapsed to the bed and rubbed his face before checking his phone. His first text message just about kicked his teeth in.
You are such an arsehole if you shagged her, Charles. Just please remember how gentle I told you to be with her... She isn't one of your girls. Harry sent that at eight this morning and he shook his head.
The second one he got was from Bill. I hope you didn't do anything I would tell you not to, Charlie. She was not taking no too kindly when we left and you looked very pleased with that... even you couldn't hide that.
The last one was from Fred ten minutes ago. She is just going to see you the same way as all of us. Another Weasley she won't sleep with, brother. Don't get your hopes up, even if she is laughing and smiling... that is her MO. Dr. FuckFace is her new fantasy. Not that I blame you, she is... Hermione. The fighter and absolute goddess. Just like in EoM.
What they all seemed to be oblivious to... was that she was the last woman Charlie would ever do that too. He sighed heavily and toss the phone on the bed as he heard her speaking gently to Fred in the living room. She giggled at something he said that Charlie couldn't make out and then he heard her final words.
"Take care of him today? He won't let me but he may need you. He took care of me, it is the least you can do, alright?" She declared and Fred gave her a sound of agreement before the door opened and shut.
"Breakfast?" Fred called to his brother and Charlie exhaled.
The man entered the room and Charlie frowned, "Is it going to come with a side of guilt or scolding too?"
Fred grimaced and shook his head, "Not this time, Charlie. You did right by her. I have no complaints."
Charlie laughed and seemed slightly surprised, "All because I didn't shag her?"
His younger brother grinned boyishly, "Something like that. Come on, I will take you out to breakfast before your appointment."
"Wine and dine me like one of your French girls, Freddy!" Charlie exclaimed and the Weasley brothers started their long day.