He was late. He was always late though. It was Christmas Eve and he had stayed late to help make sure the dragons would be okay during the holidays. His mom would be furious as she was every year. Charlie apparated to the Burrow looking forward to a home cooked meal. He looked at his childhood home; still standing after all it had been through. It was amazing he thought as he looked at it with a mixture of wonder and fondness. As he approached he saw two men standing near the door. Both tall and lean, one had red hair like his own while the other had short black hair. He walked up and greeted Harry and Ron before entering the house.
He greeted his mother first, who reprimanded him for being late. A pregnant Ginny hugged him and he congratulated her. He was attacked by his two favorite little boys. He sat with them for a bit before heading over to Hermione and Tonks.
"Hello Charlie." Hermione said with a smile. Charlie was glad to see her so happy, she looked like she was glowing. Tonks smiled at him and told him that Remus was in the backyard and had a question for him. He walked outside to see Remus and Sirius sitting on the back porch, each with a drink in their hand.
"Charlie!" Sirius shouted when he saw him.
"You're staying for the new year?" Remus asked.
"Of course. I wouldn't want to miss one of my best friends getting engaged." Charlie replied as he sat down.
"Here. What do you think." Sirius said as he passed a small box to Charlie. He opened it and saw the ring. It was a simple gold band with a single clear cut diamond in the middle. It had a smaller ruby on both sides of it.
"She's going to love it." Charlie said as he handed the ring back. Just then Hermione came out the back door and Sirius quickly closed the box and shoved it in his pocket.
"Dinner's ready. Sirius what are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing love." He said as he gave her a kiss and moved into the house. She gave him a suspicious look as she followed him.
Sirius proposed the next week at their New Year's party. Charlie was happy as Hermione said yes and flung herself at her now fiancé. Everyone congratulated the couple, even Ron who had eventually had gotten over himself.