I'm so sorry for such a late update! This chapter has been driving me insane, that with Christmas, and work promotions it's been tough. But I promise (again) I will start updating more frequently! I have the next lot of chapters almost finished so I should be able to add them pretty soon. I'm starting to worry that I'm not staying true to the characters, It's more Harry than Charlie. Also, I promise that Ron and Hermione will be back, at the moment the focus is more around Charlie and Harry but it will start to involve families soon! if that's not a teasing spoiler I don't know what is!

As always thanks for the reviews and favs, I hope you're all still enjoying it! D.O.M :)

Chapter Ten. The Pub Dinner. Late October 1998

It had been a month since their almost date, Harry had taken a few days of work after explaining about Remus' break in, or to Marcus and Thea, his dads break in. Since the break Grimmauld place had been flooded with Aurors and ministry personal. The press had stayed away for now, he could already see the headlines about a second extremist group that wanted to attack Harry Potter. There had been no luck tracking down the group and fortunately there had been no sign of other attacks, in the past week his thoughts that had been focused on the attack had become clouded by Charlie himself.

"So we finally got to the restaurant." Charlie smiled over the table and Harry smiled softly and looked around happily before grinning back at Charlie.

"Yeah I guess we did." Harry acknowledged with a smile.

"You look great." Charlie said with smile that soon became a grin as he looked the younger man up and down.

"Well you know, I thought I'd make an effort." Harry admitted looking down with a smile as he loaded his chopstick and raised it to his lips.

"Well then I propose a toast." Charlie announced raising his takeout box from the table and Harry snorted as Charlie chuckled. "Okay, so we didn't quite make it to the restaurant."

"And who's fault is that?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow as he sat back in his chair, his bare back resting against the hard wood.

"Well you just looked so tempting." Charlie teased with a point of the chopstick. Harry lent forward with a grin.

"Tempting?" Harry asked and Charlie nodded through noodles with a smirk. He swallowed and looked up, rubbing his mouth with his hand.

"Oh yeah, very." Charlie said with a grin. "If I had my way you'd be dressed like this all the time."

"I'm in my boxers?" Harry asked with a shy smile as he looked at Charlie who licked his lips.

"Well I think I'd loose the boxers too." Charlie flirted and Harry flushed making Charlie grin a wide toothy grin and wink. "I'm never going to tire of making Harry Potter blush."

"Evans." Harry corrected with a smile and Charlie rolled his eyes.

"Evans, Potter. What matters is I get to make the saviour of the wizarding world blush like a school girl." Charlie boasted with a grin and Harry narrowed his eyes as he wiped his mouth with a napkin as Charlie braced his elbows on the table to lean forward to murmur. "And further more, I can make him scream like a school whore."

Harry let out what almost seemed like an embarrassed squawk and threw his napkin at Charlies face who was laughing to hard to stop it hitting him squarely in the face. Just as Charlie pulled the napkin away he looked up at Harry who was now standing, for a split second he thought he'd angered the younger man until he took in Harry's grinning face and stood to join him.

"So dinners done then?" Charlie asked

Harry looked around the table and grinned. "Looks like it."

"Dessert?" Charlie asked with sideways grin as he moved closer to Harry, his hands resting lightly on his hips. Harry snorted and looked up at Charlie.

"You're obsessed!" Harry laughed and Charlie tightened his grip.

"Hell yeah I am, have you thought of us together?" Charlie asked leaning forward and brushing his lips over Harrys forehead and near his ear. "We're hot."

"I knew you only wanted me for my body." Harry teased with a smirk as he wriggled against Charlies grip.

"Why else would I be here so much?" Charlie teased, finally releasing his grip on Harry who stepped away and chuckled, he looked back over his shoulder as he paced into the joining living room. Charlie followed him happily, his own boxers snug on his hips as he paced behind Harry watching the muscles in Harrys back flex as he walked. They sat closely on the sofa, Harrys hands seeking out Charlies straight away.

"You know..." Harry started, a flush appearing on his cheeks immediately. This could mean two things to Charlie, something sexual, or something that Harry considered sickeningly romantic.

Both had made Charlie laugh over the last few weeks of them dropping in to see each other, Charlie at times forgot just how new and innocent the younger man was to this kind of relationship. Through the years of war Charlie had gotten used to seeing a fighter, a champion. But seeing this innocent young man offer himself to him still had him fighting his usual tendency of becoming terrified at how serious this was all getting and running away. Although, when he had these thoughts he was alone and as soon as he saw the young man blush at an innuendo, jump on him and wrestle or seek out his hand during the night all fear slipped away. Pathetic right? Two months and the dragon tamer was already going soft.

"What is it?" Charlie murmured softly, his hand reaching out to stroke Harry's reddened cheek. Harry looked up and locked eyes with Charlie, a small smile forcing its way through the lips he was chewing on.

"It's been a month since our almost date." Harry announced softly, you could feel him holding back his excitement. Charlie broke out in a grin almost instantly.

"Well then, happy anniversary." Charlie teased and Harry let out a snort and shoved him with a grin.

"Git."

"What's your point anyway?" Charlie asked with a smile.

"I don't know, my last relationship kind of got killed off with the off chance I could die." Harry tried to explain with a shy smile as he lent against the back of his sofa, Charlies arm snaking round him automatically.

"I hate it when that happens." Charlie stated sarcastically, trying to sound serious and Harry shoved him again making him laugh and hold out his hands as an apology. "Sorry, sorry. Go on."

Harry let out a slight huff before looking to Charlie to say. "I don't know, what are we doing?"

"Doing? Cuddling I think." Charlie replied with a smirk. Harry narrowed his eyes.

"Be serious." Harry warned, trying to sound serious but you could tell the frown on his face was threatening to become a smile.

"Okay." Charlie said sitting up properly and holding Harrys hands. "You're thinking too much. Don't think about what were doing, when were doing it, why were doing it. We just are. We're two guys, post war that have realized that we actually really like each other naked. No worries...except maybe those men trying to kill you..."

"Wow...you're really bad at this." Harry snickered, causing Charlie to laugh with him and grip Harry's hand tightly.

"Yeah, you're right, I am. But that's because its all new to me as well. Sure I've done the whole one night and casual thing, but nothing this..." Charlie trailed off with a vacant smile.

"Serious?" Harry suggested with a smile.

"I was going to say, important." Charlie corrected with a warm smile. He glanced quickly at their joined hands and then back at Harry. "This is very important to me...terrifying, but important."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Charlie finalized with a smile, dragging his thumb over the top of Harrys hand. Harrys own hand was drawing patterns up and down Charlies arm as they sat in silence just enjoying being close to each other and not needing to speak. Harry was the first to break the silence.

"My work friends want to meet you." He announced softly, his eyes fixed on his fingers that were still moving slowly across Charlies arm and onto his bare chest. When Charlie didn't respond he looked up to find the older man watching him, his usual calm smile fixed on his face. Harry frowned slightly, about to pull his hand away when Charlie spoke softly.

"What were you thinking?" Charlie asked and Harrys eyes immediately lit up, from his expression this wasn't how he thought the conversation would go.

"Dinner?" Harry asked softly. Charlie sucked in a breath as Harrys fingers brushed nonchalantly across his left nipple.

"Hmm, and if I resist?" Charlie teased, hissing as the pressure on his nipple increased. He watched as Harry lent forward slowly adding kisses to the strokes on his chest.

"I can be very persuasive." Harry murmured slowly as he kissed across his chest and up his neck, purposely sucking on Charlies pulse point. Grinning as he felt Charlie groan rumble past his lips.

"So, dinner?" Charlie asked, moving his head to the side so that Harry had more access to adding kisses and nips to his neck.

"Yeah (Kiss) you (kiss) me (kiss) Thea (kiss) and Marcus." Harry said through kisses, he added a final kiss the Charlies chin and looked at him with a smile, who instantly grinned his usual toothy grin.

"Thea's the loud one right?" Charlie asked suddenly and Harry snorted with a laugh.

"Yes, but apart from that she's harmless." Harry said softly, Charlie narrowed his eyes and Harry shrugged with a grin. "Mostly harmless"

"We get to meet him?" Thea shrieked excitedly over the bar causing Harry to flinch and the customers close enough to hear turn their heads. She bowed her head with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, but really?"

"Yes, really. Things are going well I thought it was time." Harry said with a smile.

"And have dinner?" Thea asked.

"Yes." Harry replied, picking up the empty glasses and beginning to clean them.

"Can I cook?" Thea asked excitedly, edging closer on her stool as she lent over the bar.

"Sure." Harry laughed.

"Can we drink?" Marcus asked with a smile and Thea looked at him with raised eyebrows. "What? You took all other questions, but can we?"

"God I hope so." Harry laughed. "I think we'll need one if she's like this." Harry laughed as they watched Thea flit about with an arm full of books.

"Word of warning mate." Marcus began with a smile. "Don't eat for the day, I know she's little, but she'll cook like she's feeding an army."

"Nervous?" Harry asked Charlie as they were stood outside the pub, Harry looked up at Charlie who only smiled back.

"Nope, hungry though." Charlie laughed, rubbing his stomach in emphasis. Harry let out a snort and grasped his hand.

"You're always hungry, what is it with Weasleys and their stomachs?" Harry teased patting Charlies stomach jokily, Charlie grabbed his hand and threaded their fingers together.

"Well if we're not hungry for food, we're always hungry for-"

"Are you two going to stand out here all night?" Marcus said suddenly, his head appearing round the thick pub door with a grin. Once he was satisfied with the flush that had appeared on Harrys cheeks he pushed open the door with a grin and held his hand out to Charlie.

"You must be Charlie, I'm Marcus."

"Heard a lot about you." Charlie grinned shaking hands happily.

"All good I hope?" Thea announced sticking her head around the door to join her fiance. Charlie looked down at the young blonde a smiled. "And you're Thea?"

"Got it in one, come in!" Thea shrieked pulling Charlie by the arm excitedly who merely grinned politely and allowed Thea to lead him through the pub and into their personal section of the pub. Thea was already babbling questions and Charlie was doing his best to answer them as he sat at the table that was laid out for dinner. Harry and Marcus joined Charlie at the table and they watched Thea flitting about while talking constantly.

"Aren't you going to help?" Harry teased Marcus, Marcus swallowed his beer and then shook his head.

"I've tried." Marcus laughed standing up. "I can get beer though. So beer?"

"Please." Harry and Charlie said at the same time, Harry lent closer to Charlie, pushing one long curl behind Charlies ear who turned and smiled softly, clasping their hands together.

"Alright love birds." Marcus teased carrying over two beers and placing them down. Harry watched as Marcus moved to help Thea and was about to reach out and touch a pot when she shrieked and swatted at him away with utensils. Backing off with raised arms Marcus turned towards Harry and Charlie who were doing their best not to laugh.

"See what I mean?" Marcus laughed. "When she's not talking so much she's actually a great cook." Marcus teased as he walked past his fiance carrying wine glasses. Thea let out a shriek in protest but continued to focus on chopping vegetables.

"So Charlie, what do you do?" Marcus asked, topping up the wine that Thea had insisted on having on the table.

"Erm." Charlie considered as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I work at a reserve in Romania."

"Romania?" Thea exclaimed with wide eyes. She looked to Harry who was picking at his bread as he watched the exchange. "I didn't realize you were doing long distance."

"Well Charles's back more often then you'd think." Harry said with a smile in Charlies direction which he returned instantly.

"Like an animal reserve?" Marcus asked, trying to calm him fiancé who was already bubbling over with questions.

"Yeah, pretty much." Charlie grinned and Marcus looked impressed.

"That's really cool, what animals do you have there?"

"Mostly reptiles." Harry finished for Charlie who tried to hide a grin as Harry tried to explain a dragon reserve to muggles. Charlie raised his hands, "Big reptiles."

"Like those massive dragon lizards?" Marcus asked innocently and Charlie chuckled and nodded.

"Yeah, pretty much. Do you like them?"

"Like them? I love them, had a kimono dragon as a kid. Loved it." Marcus exclaimed excitedly, Harry noted Thea squirming in her seat and looked back towards Marcus and Charlie. "And now?"

"Someone has problems with reptiles." Marcus explained nudging Thea who squirmed and let out a shiver. "They're just so slimy." She shivered with an exaggerated squirm, Charlie sat up in his chair ready and quick to defend his first love. "That's actually a misconception, most reptiles are dry. It's just the shine on their scales that make them look slimy." Harry smiled proudly as Charlie talked freely about his passion, a few times before he'd tried to engage Charlie in talk of dragons, especially after the Triwizard but others had pretended to be bored or told him the shut up which always silenced the animal lover.

"Even snakes?" Thea asked, looking genuinely interested and Charlie nodded happily with a smile."Especially snakes."

"Okay, well enough of snakes, apart from meeting in the club, Harry tells me you're an old friend?" Marcus asked innocently. Harry took a gulp of his glass and flushed at the mention of his name, looking to Charlie who took his hand softly with a relaxed smile. He took a sip of his own drink before shaking his head slightly.

"Kind of, Harry was friends with my younger brother. Ron."

"Wait, Ron your best friend Ron?" Thea asked, perking up at the sign this may be complicated and therefore dramatic. Charlie nodded. "That's right, have you met him?"

"No, we've met Her...Her-"

"Hermione." Harry finished with a coy smile. Marcus laughed embarrassingly and nodded.

"That's it Hermione! Yeah, she's been in a few times, she's with your younger brother." Thea pried and Harry and Charlie both nodded. Thea looked more excited and smirked. "Wait, so you're Harry's best friends older brother?"

"Yeah." Charlie nodded automatically, his hand tightening on Harrys as there became a very obvious elephant in the room.

"Does he know?" There is was. Harry shook his head shyly and Charlie took another sip, or more a gulp of his wine.

"Not yet, I was with their sister until a few months ago, it's still a sore-"

"What! His sister?" Thea exclaimed she looked at Charlie and pointed. "Your sister?"

"Yeah." Charlie said with a shrug and a grin as Thea became more excited as Marcus looked more confused. Thea lent closer, her head in her hands as she asked. "How many of them are you?"

"Seven." Harry said instantly with a smile, Charlie took away his hand and laid them flat on the table, his face paling as he shook his head numbly.

"Six."

"Oh shit. Oh Charlie I'm so sorry." Harry mumbled, rubbing his face in embarrassment as he looked at Charlie with wide apologetic eyes and Charlie shook his head with a forced smile and rubbed Harry's hand softly

"It's okay. "

"So five brothers and sisters?" Marcus started trying to get off what looked like what could be a sensitive subject. Even Thea looked apologetic as Charlie looked back at Marcus with a nod, his mask firmly back in place.

"Well. One sister. Five brothers."

"Wow!" Thea stated with a whistle. "And I thought having one brother was bad enough! But five, I'd go mad."

"And she's the youngest" Charlie added and Marcus let out a mock groan which turned to a chuckle.

"Baby of the family too? Mate you're both screwed."

"Gee thanks!" Harry exclaiming making everyone laugh.

By the end of the night they'd gone though three bottles of wine and one box of beer, and although Harry had refrained from getting too drunk due to last time, Charlie had drank the same as Thea who had stumbled to bed muttering about washing up and lizards. As a cue to leave they'd walked though the pub out to the street where a man in black was hovering around the front of the pub. Marcus who had walked the men to the door eyed the stranger for a moment before stepping out as 'landlord'.

"Can I help you mate?" He asked, obviously attempting not to slur, the stranger looked up suddenly showing his ragged beard and sunken eyes causing Marcus to relax suddenly.

"Frank, whate'er you doing here? Go home you old fool." Frank narrowed his eyes at Marcus and turned to look then at Charlie and finally Harry who he stared at for slightly longer, he seemed as though he was going to take a step forward when he shifted to the side falling into Charlie.

"At least I'm not the only one!" Charlie shouted hysterically, as he braced his weight on Harry as Marcus supported Frank.

"Sorry, sorry." Frank muttered repeatedly and Marcus turned to both of them. Well to Harry, Charlie was grinning toothily at Frank and humming what seemed to be the weird sisters. "Get home Harry, I got this."

"Will do. Come on you." Harry laughed leading Charlie down the road who was now singing the weird sisters dreadfully. Harry looked back and smiled.

"Night Marcus, and thanks again. Goodnight Frank."

Through their drunken distractions and no one seemed to notice Frank smile as he heard the wizard band sung. Nor a man dressed in black that seemed to be waiting for Frank at the top of the road. Nor Franks final mutterings as Marcus disappeared inside.

"Good night, Harry Potter."

Dum Dum DUM! Well that was a hard chapter to write, I hope it wasn't hard to read! As an apology for my lack of updates my next one will be a two part chapter called 'The Second First Date.' Without giving to much away a lot happens in two chapters so be prepared!

As always, fav, follow and review. I love reading them and hearing what you all think! Thanks D.O.M :D