Chapter fourteen

Harry stared at the door thinking about Charlie. He did love him and he was starting to feel like they could really make a life together. Harry just wanted to wait that little bit longer.

'Evening Mr. Potter, I have your potions with an additional one.'

Harry took the normal potions but eyed the other one, 'What's this other one for?'

'It's a strong sleeping potion and dreamless sleep draught.'

Harry couldn't help but smile, 'Charlie told you about my nightmares, didn't he?'

'Yes, he wanted to warn me which was the right thing to do. If they're as severe as Mr. Weasley said, then they could start your injuries bleeding again.'

'They are severe,' Harry took the other potion, 'At least I know I'll sleep.'

'You will, now I'll see you in the morning. You shouldn't have any problems, but I've told the other healers to notify me if you do. Goodnight Mr. Potter.'

'Night Healer Greyson,' Harry watched him leave then Scott stepped in, 'Hey, are you okay?'

'I'm fine, you pushed me out of the way remember. But how are you feeling?'

'Good, still a bit sore, not too bad though.'

'I wanted to ask you something now you're alone. You shagged a lot of woman after Ginny, now you're with Charlie Weasley. Do you think you were always gay and just never picked up on it, with your life it's understandable.'

'Lately I've been thinking that. I did enjoy being with those woman, but Charlie, it's different. Everything about him is different. The sex is better in every way, so much so I can't get enough of him. So yeah, maybe I was,' Harry's eyelids dropped, 'I really feel better with him,' Harry's eyes dropped again, 'Sleeping draught.' Harry said slowly and the words were a little slurred.

'Then sleep, I got my answer,' Scott smiled as he saw Harry's eyes closed and this time they stayed closed. Scott fixed Harry's blankets, then left the room, took his seat outside the door, picked up his book and started reading.

The following morning, Charlie walked up to the auror, 'Hey, never got a chance to say hello last night, Charlie Weasley,' he stuck his hand out.

Scott shook Charlie's hand, 'Scott Harper, it's a pleasure to meet you. I have to say that you sure took us by surprise.'

'Because I'm a bloke.'

'No, I'm gay, so no, that's not it. You're Ron and Ginny's brother, that's the reason.'

'It's also why you look a little worried.'

'Harry became a good friend, so after he's breakup with your sister, we all feel a little protective of him.'

'Good to know because he does need that sometimes. But you don't need to worry, I love Harry, he's the one that's stalling on us right now. I do understand why, he's wary. So even though we spend every night together, we're not going to live together until he's ready. I always felt a pull towards Harry, but I never figured I'd have a chance, not with my sister. She'd liked him from a young age.'

'When I finally found out why they broke up, I was shocked that people still use those old potions.'

'So was I when I found out. I was living in Romania when I first left home and couldn't work out what was wrong with me. I spoke to this old bloke I worked with, he explained and got me the reversal potion. Then Harry explained about the one my parents wanted to give to Ginny on their wedding night.'

'Wanted to, does that mean she never had it, because of what I've been hearing, I thought she did.'

'No, Harry found out during the reception, Minerva McGonagall filled him in. So he got them both out of there before my parents could do it. Her problem was what she'd been taught since she was little. You know, no seeing naked bodies, it was wrong, not to touch each other, not to do anything really, it's all wrong. Even though I'm with Harry and want a life with him, I didn't want him to go through all that. My brother is finally coming around and I think he's more embarrassed that he let my parent's beliefs wreck his marriage. He still loves Hermione, but we all know she won't forgive him, which we do get, even Ron does.'

'I've noticed Ron's been a little better with Harry, even talking to him at the office where before they never spoke. Anyway, I'll let you go see your man, I'm going to do the same the moment Harry's released.'

'That's a good idea,' Charlie grinned then stepped into the room, 'Hey, you look rested.'

'I do because of that strong sleeping draught and dreamless sleep potion Healer Greyson gave me to help with my nightmares,' Harry grinned.

'Yeah, I thought I should warn him,' Charlie sat on the edge of the bed then kissed Harry, 'So when will I be allowed to take you home and tuck you into bed?'

Harry chuckled, 'I'm waiting for Healer Greyson now, hopefully it won't be long. I heard voices out there, you talking to someone.'

'Scott, nice bloke, he was a little concerned because of who I am. You know, brother to your ex-wife. I think he wanted to make sure I wouldn't hurt you.'

'All the aurors are good friends, but I get on really great with Scott. Haven't met his partner yet though, maybe at Christmas I might, or we might if we take them up on their offer.'

'What offer?'

'None of the aurors have family, well two, the others only partners, wives, husbands, except Ron. So they get together at Christmas and they asked if we wanted to join them. They know I have no family, but I said I'd have to speak with you since you do have family.'

'True, but if mum and dad find out about me, or us, I'm not sure I want to spend Christmas day with them. Imagine the looks, but the small snide remarks we'll get as well and I don't want them spoiling the day for everyone.'

'Think about it over the next couple of days and if you want, we can join my work colleagues. I know Hermione's spending her day with her parents, but she did want to see us in the morning.'

'Okay, but we probably will go with that Christmas, at least it won't be a tense day. Now have you had breakfast?'

'No, I want to wait until I get home, I hate the food in here. So since we have some more time and privacy, how about another snog babe?'

Charlie laughed, then lay on the bed beside Harry, wrapped his arms around him and their lips met in a very intense kiss.

Healer Greyson stepped into the room, smiled and gave a small cough to let the two men on the bed they had company.

Charlie grinned at Harry as he moved off the bed, 'Healer Greyson.'

'Mr. Weasley, I see my patient is impatient. So I'll give you another check and you can take him home.'

'Good,' Harry smiled, then watched the healer checking his various wounds, 'They look better and feel better.'

'They are, the potions have done their work. Now before you go I want to speak with you about these nightmares. Do you take any potions to help you sleep?'

'No, I didn't want to get dependent on them and I know you can't take them after three months, Madame Pomfrey explained all about it. Since I've been with Charlie, they have eased, but not stopped. I'm sure I just need more time.'

'Yes, you probably do, but I would prefer you take a dreamless sleep potion for the next week. These wounds were serious and you really don't want them opening up again.'

Harry stared up at Charlie who shrugged, 'It's you're call Harry.'

'Normally I wouldn't, but since I can still feel these injuries, I will.'

'Very good,' the healer handed Harry a potion, 'Just a small amount every night. You can see the marks on the bottle, shows you how much to take. Now I will let Mr. Weasley help you dress and if you have any problems, don't hesitate to contact me.'

Harry stuck his hand out and shook the healers hand, 'My man can look after me, but thank you.'

'You're welcome Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley,' Healer Greyson shook his hand then walked to the door, 'Oh and sorry, but no sex, at least for a week. As gay men you can get satisfaction in other ways,' he smiled then left the room.

'Okay Potter, the healer has spoken, so we'll do what he said, use our mouths, hands without actual sex. Now let's get you dressed,' Charlie grabbed Harry's clothes, then helped him into them, 'You're a little stiff, so keep your arms around me.'

'Charlie, there's reporters out there. Don't you think you should tell your family before they see us on the front page of the Daily Prophet and every other blasted magazine or newspaper?'

'No, if they don't want to accept their son is gay, fine, but I'm not hiding it anymore. Think of this, the moment they see us, everyone will know you're off the market and belong to me.'

'Getting possessive on me now are you.'

'Yes, so put up with it,' Charlie kissed Harry, 'Come on Potter, let's show everyone we shag each other.'

'Bossy,' Harry grinned, but put his arm around Charlie and they walked out of the room, 'How many are there?' Harry asked Scott.

'Too many, so expect a lot of attention. Come on, I'll walk you two out and keep them back since you are recovering.'

'Thanks Scott, I bet Martin missed you though.'

'Yep, but he's used to me being absent of a night, he had no choice but to get used to it.'

The three men stepped out into the waiting room. It only took a couple of seconds before Harry was spotted and questions started being shouted, photos were being taken and the noise was incredible.

Harry sighed, but held up his hand, 'I'm fine, occupational hazard of being an auror.'

'We've been told they used the sectumsempra spell, we can see the scar on your face. Did you get hit anywhere else Mr. Potter?'

'Yes, chest, arms, and hips.'

'Why so many times?'

'I'll answer that,' Scott smirked at Harry, 'He decided to keep us safe and pushed me and another auror out of the way, which gave them a chance to hit Harry more times with their spell.'

'They wanted me, I won't let anyone else get hurt if I can stop it and especially if their after me,' Harry gave Scott a serious look, but then smiled.

'So Mr. Potter is still trying to protect people, even aurors,' a woman reporter grinned.

'That's just Harry,' Charlie smirked down at him.

'Are you a friend of Mr. Potters?' the question was aimed at Charlie but every reporter looked at Charlie with curious looks.

Charlie looked at Harry who shrugged, 'I'm his partner, Charlie Weasley, if you don't know what that means I'll tell you, we're lovers.'

'How long have you and Mr. Weasley been together?'

Harry grinned up at Charlie, 'A few months, but I really need to go rest.'

'One picture of you and your partner?'

'I'll move back a little,' Scott chuckled.

Harry and Charlie smiled for a couple of pictures. 'Harry really needs to rest,' Charlie tightened his arm then Scott led them through the crowd and out of St Mungo's.

'I'll see you next week Harry, Charlie, take care of him.'

'I heard a small threat behind those words,' Charlie grinned.

'Behave babe, thanks Scott and you don't need to worry, Charlie overdoes the care sometimes, but I love it,' Harry shook his colleagues hand then left with Charlie.

They stepped into the house and Charlie pulled Harry towards the stairs but felt Harry's resistance, so he scooped down and picked Harry up.

'Charlie, I really don't want to go to bed, I can rest on the sofa.'

'Tomorrow, not today, you need rest and I'm going to make sure you get it.'

Harry sighed but nodded and let Charlie take him up into the bedroom. Then he helped Harry undress and into bed.

'I have never felt so scared Harry, when Ron said you were serious and in St Mungo's,' Charlie shuddered.

Harry took Charlie's hand, 'It was a set up and they didn't care who got hurt. I couldn't let anything happen to Gwen or Scott.'

'I know love, Scott and your boss explained. I hate you doing things like that but I do know that is you, it's part of who you are, who I love. I just want you to be careful, I can't bear the thought of losing you. It's taken me too long to finally get you.'

'What do you mean by that?' Harry stared up at Charlie.

'I developed feelings for you a long time ago. Well it started during the Triwizard tournament, but you were only fourteen. I tried to put you out of my mind, didn't work though. When I came home for Bills wedding, at first I thought I had put my feelings for you out of my mind then I heard about you and Ginny, and it meant you weren't gay. But the moment I saw you, those feelings returned.'

'Why didn't you ever tell me Charlie?'

'As far as I knew you were straight and with my sister. We all knew how long she'd liked you, years. When I heard about the wedding, that hurt and all I wanted to do was leave, go back to Romania so I wouldn't have to see you with her.'

Harry felt his eyes prickle, 'Live with me my love?' Harry gently touched Charlie's face and smiled as he saw the shock emanating from Charlie. He didn't seem to be able to move or say anything which made Harry chuckle then pulled Charlie down beside him, where he belonged.