They sat there like that, Hermione dripping into the chair, Charlie kneeling before her hopping to be able to gel, but knowing there was nothing he could do until Ron was safe and her friends accepted them. Eventually Hermione's tears stopped, but she never looked up at him simply saying, "I'm sorry, it's not that I didn't want them to know, it's just… not like that… not Ron first, not when he has this crazy idea in his head we're meant to be together."
"It's ok Baby." Charlie said taking her in his arms and hugging her close, "Are you sure though? Why would it bring him here?"
"I think it's going to lead us to the Phoenixes. It's meant to be with me now, he was just the messenger."
Charlie nodded pensively and rose kissing her on the forehead as he did, "Ron doesn't think so. He's back to thinking he has something with you and then he walks in to find his brother in his place; that can't be easy for him." Charlie admitted.
"I'm sure it's not, but we had this discussion back at The Burrow, he and I are supposed to just be friends now." She said holding her head in her hands.
"I know it's heartless, but this doesn't change anything for me Hermione." Charlie said lifting her face to look at him with soft fingers.
Hermione's wide brown eyes looked up at him with an emotion he couldn't totally read before she stood slowly, and standing on tip toes pressed her lips to his softly, lovingly. Her hands explored his face, his neck, his hair, as she caressed him gently before leaning back just enough to say, "Of course it doesn't change anything Charlie."
Charlie couldn't help but smile at her despite the gravity of the situation. Ron had come back, found out, and she still wanted him.
Before long a silvery stag bounded into the tent, "Hermione, I haven't heard from Ron since he was dropped from the program. Potions was what finally killed him, but he had been struggling for a while. I think he was looking for something familiar and comfortable. I'm surprised the Putouter took him to you, but if you say he left it there, then you're probably right it's probably meant for you now. As for you and Charlie, I can't say I'm that surprised, I never would have guessed it before the war, but seeing you at The Burrow, like I said, I'm not surprised. I could see how Ron would be though, he still sees you as that bushy haired little book worm you were as a first year. I will keep an eye out for him, and contact the family. I already put a bug in the ministry's ear so someone should be looking for him already. I will be in touch, and Charlie: Congratulations Mate, keep her safe, not that she needs it." and it was gone.
"Well that went better than with Ron." Charlie mused and Hermione let out a shaky laugh.
"Well, Ron's always been a little more piggheaded." She said.
"Hate to tell yu Sweetheart, but it runs in the family." Charlie admitted.
Hermione laughed and smacked him lightly on the chest. He grabbed her hand and looked at the clock saying, "It's only... four thirty eight in the morning, come back to bed and catch a little sleep before we watch the Phoenixes rise." Lifting her hand from his chest he kissed her fingers and led her back to her bed.
"What about Ron?" She protested even as she followed him willingly.
"We can't do anything about it from here. Harry and Dad and the Ministry are all trying to find him, what more could you do?"
"You'd be surprised." she said to herself more than him.
Charlie raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Something you'd like to share with the class Miss Granger?" Snapped from her revery Hermione giggled.
"Not really, I just always seemed to find some sort of an answer during the war."
From where she was now seated on the edge of her bed Charlie knelt in front of her and took her face in both of his hands, "The war is over, you will never have to figure things out on your own again, I promise. Let them handle it. Ron's a grown ass man, he can get himself out of whatever he gets himself into, you don't have to follow him around and clean up his messes anymore." he told her blue eyes almost pleading her to understand.
Hermione sighed and broke eye contact with him to look up at the canvas ceiling saying, "I know, I just don't know how to stop thinking of them as a part of me. Back then it seemed like if anything bad happened to one of us, it was all over, the war was lost, Voldemort won. We had to be like that, like one entity otherwise, we were all lost. When Ron left... it wasn't just me that was torn apart, I handled it worse, but it killed Harry too, and we almost died because we lost our focus, we didn't know how to work as a team of two. I don't know how to stop worrying about them."
Charlie chuckled and tilted her face down so he could kiss her, "Hermione, you wouldn't be you if you weren't forever worrying about those two. Even before the war, before it really mattered. I'm not asking you to stop worrying, I'm asking you to get some sleep so I don't have to worry about you too." he said smiling at her.
Hermione nodded and crawled under the covers waiting for him to join her. When he didn't move she asked, "Aren't you coming?"
He shook his head and pulled the covers up around her saying, "I think it'd be best if I didn't just in case we get any more visitors. My brothers are bad enough, but I really would rather my parents not see me in bed with a woman, even if we are dressed, and it is you, it's still weird."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his sheepish expression before leaning up to give him a slow, but meaningful kiss. After a second or two she pulled away and snuggled into some of the blankets that still smelled like him before saying, "Goodnight Charlie."
A little out of breath he smiled and tucked her hair back before saying, "Goodnight Hermione", kissing her temple, and heading for his own bed.