A/N The Reds have won the American championship and are ready for the North American tournament. After the game, the fans and the team celebrate the win. The owners give the team a week off and Charlie decides to visit the Burrow. He has a rather interesting encounter with Ron's girlfriend, Hermione Granger.

Based on characters created by J. K. Rowling

Chapter 11—Post Game

After the game, Charlie met up with the group from the Preserve. There were 12 people who showed up to watch the Reds beat Salem. They were a happy bunch and insisted on buying drinks for Charlie. His close friends, Jack, Pete, and Mike were there (Lindsey didn't come), plus three of the interns, as well as Padmai Hoerner, Annette Dillon, Scot Benson, Mark Hunter, and Helene Gadsby. Jason and Lee and Jordan and Joanna from the team joined the party. Even Alicia and Iris showed up later. Their friends were throwing them a party later, but they wanted to celebrate with the team and the fans. The party took over an entire section of a bar.

Charlie and Jordan wouldn't let anyone buy Joanna drinks. They told anyone who asked that Joanna was an alcoholic who had just taken the pledge and to please give her juice or water. Joanna took it all in good fun.

Charlie was happy to see Rowena, the intern, hook up with Lee. David was upset that the Cats lost and spent most of the evening whining. Genevieve stayed with Mike and Pete all evening, and Jack and Helene seemed to be having a good time. Jason flirted with Annette, who seemed to enjoy the attention.

Throughout the evening, fans came by and joined the celebration. Even Guy Bingly and his wife showed up long enough to buy everyone a drink. Elionora wasn't able to come to the game, Guy explained; she was working in Salem on an important project and couldn't get away. Charlie asked casually if she would be coming to the tournament, and Guy said definitely; his whole family was coming. Then he kind of rolled his eyes and mumbled something about in-laws.

Joanna was watching the exchange and she gave Charlie a knowing look. He flipped her off.

"Jordan, how's your head?" Charlie asked. "That bludger looked like it smacked you good."

"It wasn't so bad. It kind of winged me, but it caught me off guard. I thought I was going to fall. I cannot believe they got sixty points on me that fast. Pissed me off. Wait'll next season." He said, rubbing the back of his head. "It did smart, though. If I wasn't so hard headed, I'd have brain damage."

The party was in full swing; at least a hundred fans showed up and joined the party. Everyone was in a good mood and was too happy to argue or fight. It was loud and raucous. Charlie noticed a couple of reporters slithering their way into the room. He called them over and introduced them to his friends from the preserve. He told them about the preserve and what a good job they were doing to maintain the dragon population. One seemed interested and asked some questions about the preserve's location. Maybe after the season was over, Charlie could give him a tour and they'd write a piece about the preserve.

After that, the reporters joined the party and began consuming large amounts of alcohol. Joanna thought it would be funny if they put the reporters in a body binding jinx and hung them outside the fifth floor of the inn. They argued the pros and cons back and forth until the idea was finally abandoned.

"Why don't you grant interviews?" the female reporter asked Charlie. "You never talk to the press."

"That's not true. I talk to Quidditch reporters all the time. I just did an interview with Quidditch News after the game tonight."

The reporter shook her head. "No, a real magazine, like Wizards Today."

Charlie laughed. "They seem to make stuff up without having to talk to me, so why bother?" He finished the last of his glass of mescal. "I actually did an interview the other day," he said, speaking of the school newspaper interview with Heather. "So don't say I never give interviews."

"What paper?" the reporter demanded.

"A little something you probably never heard of." Charlie grinned to himself.

"Come on, Charlie," the reporter purred. "What would I have to do to get an interview with you?" She turned on the charm, running her fingers lightly up his arm, in a brazenly flirty manner.

"You could blow me," he said, throwing her hand off his arm. He started to walk back to the bar.

"And if I did?" she said, loudly after him.

"You still wouldn't get your fucking interview." He said still walking away from her.

She laughed, which impressed Charlie, but he didn't turn around.

He met up with Mike at the bar. Mike looked uncomfortable. He was more of a homebody and Charlie guessed he'd rather be at home.

"How's Lindsey and the kids?" he asked after ordering a bottle of tequila.

"They're good. Mike Jr.'s showing more signs he's a wizard. It's driving Lindsey crazy. I'm proud of the boy myself. Trudy told me to tell you hi. She drew a picture for you." He reached inside his robes and pulled out a folded piece of construction paper. It was a very cute picture of Charlie on a broomstick chasing a Golden Snitch.

"Really good." He said admiring the flying snitch.

Mike nodded. "She magicked it herself." He shook his head. "The girl's got talent."

Charlie agreed. "She sure is a charmer."

"Charlie, we're going to have to get back. We all have to work tomorrow. I'm glad we came. Great game today."

"Thanks Mike, I'm glad you were able to make it. I think we have another week here before we go to Hamilton. I'll probably pop over before we leave." Charlie said.

"Good," Mike said nodding. He shook his hand. "Look luck in Hamilton."

Mike rounded up his friends to leave. Rowena and Annette didn't want to leave; they were having a good time with Lee and Jason, but Mike dragged him out of the bar.

Soon only local fans and the reporters were left. Joanna was ready to call it a night, but Jason and Lee were still raring to go. Joanna kissed her husband and Charlie and said she was going to bed. Jordan started to follow her, but she put her up hand.

"You stay, if you want. I'm just going to throw up and get into bed. Have fun, sweetie."

"You're sure?" Jordan said, surprised.

"Absolutely. Go out. Have fun. I love you, honey. Charlie, don't let him get into trouble."

"Okay, baby. I love you." Jordan kissed her passionately. "I won't be late."

Jordan watched Joanna leave. He had a sad look on his face. He turned to Charlie who was laughing.

"Dude, you are so whipped," he said slapping him on the back.

Jordan nodded. "No shit. That's what love does to you." He said honestly. "She's the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't know what I'd do if she woke up one day and discovered what a loser I am."

Charlie didn't say anything, he just watched his friend with a strange look on his face. At that moment Charlie realized that he would never have what Joanna and Jordan had and he was okay with that. They had found each other, but Charlie was never lost. He was happy for his friends, but he didn't feel sorry for himself. They were different people. He doubted if he would ever find true love, if there was such a thing for him. It wouldn't matter if he didn't. He didn't think less of Jordan and Mike because they looked at life differently than he did.

He thought about the dream he had when he was sick during the first game of the season. He had no idea what it meant. It was after all, just a dream, and dreams don't mean anything. But he had thought a lot about the part of the dream about Hermione. She said she knew he loved her and she loved him too. She had taken his child. What could that mean? He barely knew her, so why couldn't he get that out of his mind? He had a similar dream about Fleur, but he dismissed that as fantasy.

Jordan was staring at him.

"What?" he said, indignantly.

Jordan shook it head. "I thought I'd lost you. And I'm the one that was hit in the head with the bludger."

Charlie just laughed. "Oh, shit, you shouldn't be drinking. What if you got a skull fracture or something? Joanna would kill me if anything happened to you." He said.

"I'm all right. I went to the healer after the game. Nothing's wrong. You want to hang around here or go somewhere else?"

Charlie shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. I just want to get pissed. I can do that here. And we don't have far to get back to our rooms."

They sat down at a table that had just been occupied by a couple of fans. Charlie brought over his bottle of tequila and Jordan was drinking firewhiskey. The female reporter spotted Charlie again and sat down beside him. "I haven't given up on you, Charlie," she wagged her finger in his face.

"I really wish you would," he said. "Why don't you bugger off?"

"What kind of journalist would I be if I took no for an answer?" she asked. She was really drunk, but she didn't stagger or slur her speech.

"Fuck it," Charlie said. "Ask away. Anything you want to know. You are persistent."

The woman smiled and produced a quill and parchment. "Where do I begin? I need my photographer. He's outside somewhere. Stay here." She commanded. "Don't move."

In the meantime, Charlie dragged a very cute, but decidedly drunk, witch to his table and began making out with her. She was enjoying herself, but she kept giggling when Charlie kissed her neck. She thought the whole thing was hilarious.

The photographer came in first and took a picture of Charlie and the young witch. The reporter, whose name was Linda Martinez, stopped abruptly when she saw Charlie kissing the girl. She instructed the photographer to take as many pictures as he wanted. When Charlie saw Linda standing over them, he stopped making out for a moment.

"Sorry about that. This is an old friend," he said, and the young witch continued to giggle. "What's your name?"

"Charlene."

"Right. This is Charlene."

Linda smiled sardonically at the girl. "Pleasure. So are we going to do this or not?"

"Absolutely. Ask me how I feel." He said.

Linda rolled her eyes. "Okay, I'll bite, how do you feel?"

"I feel great, wonderful. We just won the fucking American championship. How do you think I feel? And how did it feel to get the Golden Snitch before the other seeker?" He said.

She looked at him. "No idea." She said.

"No," he said drunkenly. "Ask me how it felt to get the Golden Snitch before the other seeker."

She just kept on looking at him. "How did it feel to get the Golden Snitch?"

"Unbelievable," he said. "Can we take on the rest of the North American champions? You better fucking believe it," he said enthusiastically. "We're not going to get screwed out of our chance to go to the World Cup this time. Yes? And do you know why we're the best? It's because the Reds have some of the finest Quidditch players I have ever that the good fortune to know and work with. Especially, this son of a bitch here, my friend, Jordan Kingsley." He threw one arm around Jordan's neck. "That's all the questions you have for me tonight. Thanks." He released Jordan.

If Linda was pissed, she didn't let it show. "Well, it's a start. I'll fill in the rest," she laughed loudly. "Thanks, honey," she said. "I'll send you a copy. Still want that blow job?" she asked gathering her notebook and purse.

"Maybe next time," he grinned.

"Knock 'em dead in Ontario," she said walking away.

"I'd better get my ass to bed, or I'll never get up tomorrow," Charlie said after he watched her leave.

Jordan agreed. "Me too." They helped each other walk the short distance to the inn where they were staying.

"Good night Charlie. See you tomorrow." He said as he walked into his room.

Charlie nodded and waved goodnight He found his way to his room. He fell right on the bed and went to sleep. He didn't move until the next morning.

The crisp morning air felt good as the mounted his broom the next morning for his daily laps around the Quidditch pitch. He didn't feel very good. He had had way too much to drink and he didn't remember most of the night before, but his morning ritual was sure to make him feel better.

There was a team meeting scheduled for 10 am, in which the tournament schedule would be announced. As Charlie expected, the team was given a whole week off before reporting to Hamilton. The owners offered the staff and team a bonus and a vacation. Charlie decided to go home and see his parents. Joanna and Jordan were planning a trip to Scotland to see her family. Jordan had never met his in-laws, the whole Scottish clan anyway; he had met the English side.

Charlie, Joanna and Jordan left later that same day and agreed to meet up in London on their way back. Then they would go to Hamilton together. Joanna wanted Charlie with them when they went to Jordan's parents' house. The more on her side the better, she explained.

The first thing Charlie did when he got home was visit Ginny. Ginny had moved out of the Burrow and was sharing an apartment with a friend. He knocked on the door and was surprised when Hermione opened the door. He stared at her.

Hermione's face lit up when she saw him. "Charlie!" she exclaimed happily. "Come in. What are you doing in town?" He hesitated for a second and she pulled him into the apartment.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, still stunned at seeing her.

"Ginny and I am flat mates. She didn't tell you? Come in and sit down. Are you hungry?" she said. "You look well. Ron told me all about your team winning the American championship. The whole family is so proud of you. You're actually quite a celebrity around here. You know, local wizard makes the big time."

God, she talked fast, he thought. He just stood and watched her. Finally, Hermione stopped talking and looked at him, her face turning red.

Why wasn't he saying anything? She wondered. I've been babbling. Give him the chance to draw a breath. They stared at each other for a long moment. Charlie looked as uncomfortable as she had ever seen him.

"Charlie?" she began, "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head. "No, of course not. I apologize. I just didn't expect to see you and I think my brain's still in the portkey. It's great seeing you." He kissed her on the cheek. She smelled good.

"Where's Ginny?" he asked.

"Oh, she's with Harry. He had a couple of days off from Auror training and they went to Brighton. How long are you here?"

"Just a week. The bosses gave the team a week off."

"Are you going to stay at the Burrow?" she asked. "Of course you are, how silly of me. I meant if you wanted to stay here tonight." You're babbling again, she thought, blushing even more.

Charlie looked at her.

"I mean Ginny's bed. She's not going to be here, and you could sleep in her room."

"It is late," Charlie agreed.

"Exactly," she said, glad that at least Charlie saw the rationale. What was wrong with her? "Are you hungry?"

"No, but I wouldn't say no to a drink," he said.

She turned so quickly Charlie thought she was going to disapparate. She walked into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of elf wine and two glasses. She sat them down on a table and began pouring. She couldn't help noticing Charlie's gaze hadn't changed. He was looking at her with the strangest expression. It was really beginning to make her uncomfortable. Could he read her thoughts?

She had been thinking a lot about him lately. Of course Ron's family talked of little else since his team was doing so well in Quidditch. She was just beginning to appreciate the sport herself, with Ginny going to play professionally and the Weasleys such big fans and so proud of Charlie. She even had a rather erotic dream about him after a very frustrating night with Ron.

"You look very nice," he said quietly, sipping the wine.

"Now I know you're kidding. I know I look a fright." She said, as she tried to flatten her unruly curls down.

"Not at all. You look beautiful. I always thought Ron was the lucky one in the family." Charlie had a split second to make a decision. He wanted to kiss her, really kiss her. But she was Ron's girlfriend. He never liked Ron that much anyway, he was a whining little prick and he didn't deserve someone as beautiful as Hermione.

Of course he loved his brother and no, he wasn't a whining little prick most of the time. He did not need any complications in his life right now. What about family loyalty? If he made a play for Hermione the rest of the family would turn on him. What the hell, he lived in America and rarely saw them any way. What if he tried something and Hermione freaked out? No, she was attracted to him, he could tell. But she wouldn't respond to her basic instincts. She made decisions with her brain, while Charlie let his dick do his thinking. That's why he got into so much trouble all the time.

Hermione was still blushing. She sipped her wine, giving herself a chance to think of something to say. She wanted to say something clever for a change without the self deprecating humor that she used as a shield. She didn't think she was at all pretty. Her hair was too wild, her mouth too big and her breasts were too small.

"You always were the charmer," she said finally.

Charlie sat his glass down. "You got me there." He said pleasantly. "But seriously, Ron is a very lucky man."

Hermione took the compliment. "Thank you."

"I think I'd better get to the Burrow. Mum knows I'm coming tonight and she'll worry if I don't show up. I don't want to get on her bad side. I'm looking forward to a week of being pampered, and I don't want to fuck, er, mess that up. Thanks for the offer and for the wine." He stood up. She stood up at the same time and they practically bumped into each other. Charlie reached out to steady her. That was a mistake. While steadying her, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She stiffened at first, then relaxed in his arms and kissed him back. Finally after several blissful moments, he pulled away, still holding her.

"Oh shit," he said. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen." Liar, he thought. That's exactly what you wanted to happen. "Forget I did that. I'm sorry."

Hermione was trying to slow her breathing. "It's okay," she said breathlessly. But what was she supposed to do now. It wasn't just okay, it was heavenly.

He let her go and quickly headed for the door.

"I'll see you," he said. Couldn't he come up with something more clever than that? No, he had to leave, and he had to leave now before things got completely fucked up. He was out the door before she could say anything.

He disapparated quickly as soon as he got outside. He apparated outside the Burrow. There was a light on and he saw movement. His mum was waiting on him, just as he knew she would be. She would have something cooked and ready for him as she always did. He felt so happy to see her and to be home, he rushed inside the small house.

"Mum," he said happily. Molly turned around and smiled at him.

"Charlie!" she called out to him. "It's so good to see you. Come in, you need to eat something. You look wonderful."

"So do you, mum," he said, hugging and kissing her. "It's good to be home."