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CHAPTER 14.

Sleep eluded Hermione again that night, the baggs under her eyes should now have their own moons she thought, as she tossed and turned for hours, before finally, at half past three in the morning, giving up, deciding to go and make herself some tea, to see if it would calm her nerves.

She pulled back her covers, hissing as the cold air hit her exposed skin, she was once again in her pink silk short set. Pulling on a matching dressing gown, and using her wandless magic to pull her hair into a messy bun out of her eyes.

She quickly and as silently as possible made her way down to the kitchen, concentrating for a moment, she created a bird, like she had a few mornings ago from smoke, only this time, she created it from flame.

She bid it fly next to her, as a makeshift candle, upon reaching the kitchen, she headed straight for the cabinet and pulled out a mug. Without bothering to boil the kettle, Hermione filled the mug with water, then waved her hand over it silently, maing the water boil. Then adding a teabag, she turned to the pantry to fetch the milk. Turning she saw a large figure, hiding in the shadows, she almost screamed her fire bird dissapearing, except she recognised the outline.

"Char?" she questioned, as he stepped forward.

"How long have you been there? You scared me to death."

He grinned at her teasingly, "I was here when you came in Princess." He pointed out.

"Really?" she was shocked, had she really not noticed a six foot tall, burly dragon tamer in the room. "Well im half asleep." she defended herself sheepishly.

"Sure you are princess." was his reply, causing Hermione to stick her toung out at him childishly, and him to chuckle deeply once more.

"Nice fire bird by the way, where did you learn that?" he asked, moving to sit at the kitchen table.

"I didn't really. A few mornings ago I got up and watched the sun rise, and was playing around when i made these." She illistrated by creating a smoke bird, which hopped from her palm, and walked across the kitchen table, to stop in front of Charlie.

"Tonight I was curious, and it was dark..." She shrugged, coming to stand in front of Charlie and closing her eyes.

When she opened them again, she had a miniture Welsh Green made of flame floating above her palm. She sent it to flap in front of Charlie, who grinned incredulously at it, examining the tiny dragon.

It was quiet for a while, but comfortably so, as she went back to making tea.

"What are you doing up?" she questioned quietly, pulling out another mug to make a tea for Charlie aswell.

"Couldn't sleep." was his short reply, Hermione decided not to push him. "You?" he shot back.

"Same." was her response, there was no way the she was telling him about her nightmares. The truth was that since the boggart, every time she closed her eyes she was confronted with a dead Charlie, and an evil ron saying it was all her fault. Shivering, Hermione shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She walked over to the table where Charlie sat, and handed him the warm drink. "Thanks." he said, as she sat down opposite him.

They sat in silence for some time, the only noise in the room their mingled breathing, and occasional slirping of tea. They both watched the tiny fire dragon fly about the tabe, before snuggling contentedly against Hermione's warm mug.

"Mum told me, you know." he said at last, his voice soft, gentle. "About the boggart." he qualified.

Hermione cringed, well that was embarrasing, she thought, she stared purposefully at a knot in the wooden table, not daring to look at his face, for fear of seeing pity, or worse, rejection. She let her heavy, raven curles fall in a curtain about her shoulders, covering her face.

A warm hand reached for her chin, pulling her up to look at him, his face showed nothing but concern for her well being, Hermione's heart swelled, and she melted a little on the inside.

"That won't happen, I promise." was his solemn reasurance. Unsure of what to say, Hermione utalised her gryffindor courage, and got up from her seat, moving to stand in front of Charlie, and stooping to embrace him. Charlie responded emidiatley, pulling her to his lap, holding her tightly, his face buried in her hair. "I'll never leave you." was his whispered promise.

Hermione pulled back slightly, to clearly see his face. His eyes where shining with sinserity, and utter devosion, a look that she was sure was mirrored on her own. Slowly, ever so slowly, Charlie leaned forward, gadgeing her raction. His eyes darting to her full lips, and pausing there, almost hungrily. He stopped, milimeeters from her lips, the antisipation causing her breath to hitch, and become uneaven, then he softly pressed his lips to hers.

Everything else fell away, the only things left in Hermione's world were charlie's lips on hers, his hads gently running up her back, coming to rest at he waist, the heat from his hands soaking through the silk of her pajamas in a way that made her shiver.

The kiss was sweet, chaste, and the perfect first kiss. When Charlie pulled back, Hermione was blushing prettily, he grinned, "I've wanted to do that for a long time." he rubmled lowly. Longer than he cared to admitt to himself, since after the triwizard tournament...sooner?

He brough his lipps back to hers, and the passion with which he kissed her took her breath away. He slid his large hands ran along her waist, one resting on the small of her back, and pulled her closer to him, smirking into her lipps when she blushed.

He pulled back, looking at her for a moment, taking in her swolen, parted lips, and flushed cheeks. They were so close that her could see the flecks of saphire blue in her jade green eyes, and cound every one of her raven eyelashes. He locked eyes with her, not giving her a chance to look away, or hide herself from him.

She was the mouse again, trapped in his unbreakable gaze, she felt her cheeks darken, and wanted to hide from this unknown passion, this strange new feeling.

"Don't be embarassed. You should never hide from me, Princess." Charlie whispered huskily, his voice sending shivers down her spine. Slowly, ever so slowly, and without breaking eye contact with her, he brought his lips to hers once more.

The kiss was slow, simple. They were both more absorbed in eachothers gaze. Hermione looked into his eyes and saw burning passion, she saw many things she didn't understand, things she wanted him to teach her.

In Hermione's eyes, Charlie saw innocent love, and such trust that it tugged on his insides, making his heart skip a beat. He saw a thirst, a woman who wanted to learn. Their kiss finished before it had really started, with the two of them resting their forheads agaist the others, just watching the emotions travel through their eyes.

They didn't kiss again that night, but talked untill their tea was gone, then Charlie took Hermione's hand, and walked her back to her bedroom door, where he kissed the top of her head reverently, adoaringly, and bid her goodnight.

Hermione went in, flopping inellegantly on her bed, grinning foolishly, her thoughts consumed with her dragon tamer.