The weeks were flying by but neither Charlie or Hermione could find the time to repeat their heated session in the sheets. Between work, Teddy and Harry's release from the hospital, their days were filled. Charlie barely slept in his own flat, often he would take care of Teddy and then spend a few quiet moments with Hermione before her exhaustion would take a front seat.
The Weasley did not mind, surprisingly enough. It was as if that night banished any doubts he was having about them. Molly had offered to take Teddy for the night, and they went to Fred's for a session of tabletop. Charlie did not have the interest to join in but did not mind observing the crazy mission they were on. The session was on pause for refreshments and bathroom breaks currently.
Hermione was in the bathroom as Charlie was checking emails on his phone. "Tell me something, brother. Have you, you know?" George asked, and Charlie glanced up at him.
"Shagged her? No, why?" he replied, and the twins scowled at each other.
"Why not?" Fred inquired, and Harry cleared his throat.
"Teddy has been at the flat," he reminded them, and Fred blushed brightly.
Charlie glowered back down at his screen. "Seems Hermione's partner messaged me. She told him how much input I have been giving her on the dragons and he took notice. He wants me to come in for a meeting. I didn't get a chance to check earlier because my rambunctious nephew was watching youtube while we were out running errands."
"Meeting?" George repeated, and Harry snorted.
"Think he's going to hire you?" The Potter couldn't help the hilarity of that.
The older Weasley shrugged his shoulders. "Wouldn't matter much. It isn't like it is a huge deal to have my expertise. I don't mind offering it up freely as I have been for her."
"When is this date that Ginny says Hermione keeps mentioning?" Harry grumbled and winced as he moved.
"Tomorrow night. Molly promised me to keep Teddy for two days and two days she shall." Charlie said and snapped his fingers. "Fuck, I forgot to remind her that he changed his mind about his favorite movie now."
Fred snorted and shook his head. "You sound like a father."
Charlie paled and waved his hand. "Don't say that! She might think I am holding out reservations for that."
The room went quiet, and Ron entered from the porch; he was on the phone with his girlfriend. "Well, she is alright for me to stay for another two hours… what's wrong?"
"Charlie just admitted that he is worried Hermione thinks he wants kids." George snickered, and Charlie glared.
Hermione padded out into the room and saved him from any more humiliation. "So, has anyone thought of a way to get around the forest or are we going through?" she questioned as she returned to her seat next to Charlie.
He leaned over and kissed her temple. "I believe they need you to fuck the troll on the bridge, darlin'," he sneered, and she rolled her eyes.
"Not funny, Charles."
Fred started in on a strategy and George as the DM was only a pain in the backside, but they were managing. It was all going smoother than their usual idiotic steps and backpedaling, but Hermione seemed distracted.
"Hey, Granger, we need you to roll," Harry snickered, and Hermione jerked.
"I am sorry, I was just thinking," she murmured and too the dice in hand.
Charlie frowned and tilted his head, "What's wrong?" he asked, and she thinned her lips.
"Just things with my parents, we can go over it after the session," she sighed and tossed the dice.
The Weasley was not fond of her parents, not entirely. He knew he had to respect them, all things considering, but he felt no loyalty to them. They practically tossed her aside out of misunderstanding. They didn't reach out and take care of her when she was injured. Good riddance he wanted to tell her. She had her family here. However, they were her parents and if he was going to make her happy, he had to be there to support her efforts; regardless of how useless they seemed to him.
They continued until they finished the crawl and started to clean up for the night. Hermione was sitting on the couch with Harry and whispering while Charlie cleaned up with his brothers. Since Harry was released from the hospital, Hermione had grown closer to the Potter. Charlie would often see them whispering together when they would visit the Potters.
"What do you think they are talking about?" Ron murmured, and Charlie shrugged.
"She saved his life with her blood; I imagine she feels the desire to stay close to him," Charlie answered, and Fred nodded.
"I heard some of what they were talking about earlier. She was talking about Harry moving," George declared, and Charlie scowled at him.
"Moving? To where?"
"I think Harry wants to raise his kids out where his parents lived. They were talking about how nice it would be," George replied as he tossed another bottle into the bin.
Charlie watched them another moment and Hermione hugged Harry tightly before kissing his cheek. Harry embraced her with one of his arms and pulled her to him, letting her lean against his shoulder. It was quite sweet and it made the Weasley realize something important; neither of them had siblings. The attachment to their loyalty to one another must spring from such. He had remembered how much he looked up to Bill growing up. How much he took care of his younger siblings. There was a sense of belonging that quite possibly they never had.
It made him rub his face and turn from them. "Woah, are you crying?" Ron asked with an incredulous tone.
Charlie socked his brother roughly on the upper arm. "I am fucking not."
"Reptile man," Hermione declared, and he span around. "Can we think about going home soon? We have to drop Harry off. He still cannot drive." She was smiling, and he nodded.
"Of course, let me grab my things, and we will go," he declared before she stood on her toes to kiss him.
It was brief and gentle, but his fingers lingered on her cheek. A rough thumb glided on her face as she stared up at him. "Thank you," she whispered and departed from his personal space.
Fred and George were wearing the same smirk. It was the first time that she had actively sought out physical affection from him in front of everyone. It was like watching two people learning to dance. She started to give out her goodbyes as Charlie went for his coat and laptop bag. Harry walked over to him and patted his shoulder. "Let's meet her down in the car, we need to talk."
Charlie nodded once before waving farewell to his brothers, heading down the stairs with the Potter in tow. They did not speak as Charlie pulled out a cigarette and lit it, standing beside the car. "What can I do you for, Harry?" he asked.
Harry scrubbed his face and fixed his glasses before speaking. "I just want to say my peace before anything more happens between you both. Hermione is the most important person to me outside of my wife and children. She has been through more shite than anyone I have ever known and still is a good person." He stopped, and Charlie bobbed his head.
"She is very special," he replied, and Harry agreed.
"I know, which is why you are required to take care of her. She is fragile and tender. She may not act it, but she is the most gentle woman I know. She is also terrified that you are going to get bored of her. You are wild and unusual which only makes it that much more frightening for her. Take my advice; if she runs away, you have to chase her."
Charlie frowned deeply at that last sentence. "Runs away from me?"
Harry nodded slowly. "She might. She might start an argument and try to push you out. If you feel for her the way I think you do, you cannot let her."
"Why are you saying all of this?"
"Because I think she loves you, Charlie." Harry said softly and patted his arm. "I think she is scared to death of being in love with you because she never felt it like this before. Her parents. Viktor. Me. Everyone she loved in one form or another has left her or almost died. You need to be her strength and she will always be yours, alright?"
"Okay, Harry, I promise to take care of her heart like I would my own," he told the Potter who smiled.
Hermione appeared just as Charlie finished his cigarette. "The twins were so chatty tonight!" she exclaimed with a bright smile.
The men climbed into the car and she got into the driver's seat. "I don't blame them, they were pretty pissed," Charlie snickered and she smirked as she started their journey to Harry's
Harry was lounging in the backseat. "I cannot wait to get home and climb into bed with Gin. She is probably still waiting up for me. Ever since the accident she has been biting her nails until I come home if I go anywhere."
Hermione sighed gently. "It will eventually pass. She was a wreck when you got hurt."
"I hope so, I hate seeing her worry," Harry sighed and was typing on his phone.
"Are you working long hours tomorrow?" Charlie asked her, and she shook her head.
"Tomorrow I have to just pop in for some paperwork, and then I have to go to a doctor's appointment. You can have me all to yourself tomorrow afternoon," she teased and Charlie scowled.
"Doctor's appointment, you hadn't mentioned that," he mused and she snorted.
"It is just the regular physical, Charles. Nothing major. I feel it is important seeing as I gave blood recently and want to make sure I am tip-top shape."
Harry chuckled and shook his head. "Well, no one would accuse you of being out of shape. You are superhuman."
They got to Harry's and bid him farewell before he left them alone to go home. Charlie was quiet, and Hermione was sneaking glances his way every so often. She wanted to ask him why he was so silent, but she had not an idea how to start it. Instead, she drummed on the wheel lightly and chewed the inside of her cheek.
"Your parents," he finally said, and she sighed.
"My parents, yes. They were talking about moving their practice to Australia." She declared, and he arched an eyebrow.
"How does that make you feel?"
Hermione chewed her bottom lip and shrugged her shoulders. "I cannot judge them for it. They want to spend time with my cousins and my uncle."
"So, they are leaving you to go to fucking Australia?" he growled, and she huffed.
"They are just leaving, not leaving me. They left me years ago, Charlie. When I needed them to support my dreams, and they threw me out. I had to sleep on Harry's couch for six months while forming Ministry of Magic with Kingsley and Draco. I don't think they even know just how much it hurt."
His expression contorted and he exhaled. "I am sorry, Hermione. That is wrong," he said, and she bobbed her head.
"Yes, wrong and very narrowminded, but they are still my parents," she replied as they parked on the street.
They sat there a moment in the parked car, and he took her hand. "I won't do that to you," he murmured, and she smiled over at him.
"I know," she responded and kissed his hand before releasing it.
He climbed out, and she waited for him as they made their way up to her flat. "Would you like to come over?" he asked her with a smile, and she tilted her head.
"To your place? We have been staying at mine…" she trailed off, her cheeks blooming with color as they stopped on the stairs.
"Come over; it will be a nice change. Go feed your cat and bring over some clothes." He urged her, and she nodded.
"Okay, Charles, I will pop up for a bit and take care of Crooks," she declared, and he smirked.
"I will meet you at my flat." He said, and she nodded continuing up the stairs.
The Weasley was a bit nervous and excited to bring her into his element. He hobbled into his flat and started to tidy up while he waited. Charlie planned on her coming over eventually. The idea of her in his sanctuary was uplifting and dare he even think arousing. Only time would tell if she felt the same when she would come through the door… he hoped but could not be sure. After all, this was his realm. He could only hope to impress her further.