Chapter thirty nine

Charlie got up of the couch and stuck his head in the fire, 'Minerva, you there?' Charlie asked.

'Charlie, is Harry alright?' Minerva said looking worried.

'He's fine Minerva, I wanted to talk to you about Winky. See Harry and I thought she could come here to live and help Kreacher. We know she's a free elf and we will pay her even if she doesn't want us too. But we wanted to ask if you were all right with that.'

'Yes of course Charlie, she doesn't belong to Hogwarts, so she can go wherever she wants. I'll summon her here and ask if she wants to go to the Potter home.'

'Thanks Minerva, I just spoke with Kreacher and he's happy as long as she doesn't become the main elf.'

'I'll see to it Charlie, could you let Harry know that I spoke with Albus. He thinks Harry's power has grown since he doesn't have the piece of soul and that's why he was able to stay standing after being stunned, especially so many times, but he also believes that he will get stronger as time goes by.'

'Stronger, able to stand stunning spells and also can do most things wandless. I wouldn't know what else he will be able to do when that time comes.'

'No, me either. But one thing Albus did say and he wouldn't tell me how he knew, was that Harry will become one of the most powerful wizards there ever was, over himself included.'

'He wouldn't tell you how he knew this, but that doesn't surprise me. He's always known things about Harry before Harry knew and that's always puzzled me as well.'

'Yes, me as well Charlie. Well I'll talk to Winky and if she wants to she will arrive sometime later.'

'Thanks Minerva, I'll talk to you later.' Charlie smiled and pulled his head out of the fire. He heard Harllie crying so he went upstairs into her room. 'Hey princess, what's wrong?' Charlie said as he picked her up, 'You hungry?' he left the room and went into the kitchen and Kreacher handed him a bottle straight away. 'Thanks Kreacher.' Charlie smiled, then sat down with Harllie, and gave her bottle to her. 'You are one lucky little girl princess having Harry as you're father.'

Charlie was sitting there staring at the baby girl in his arms when Kreacher walked over with Winky.

'Master Charlie, Winky is here to live with us.' Kreacher bowed.

'Hello Winky, so do you want to live with us?'

'Yes Mr. Charlie, I like Mr. Charlie and Mr. Harry very much and now with Miss Harllie, I would like to look after her and I like Kreacher very much as well.'

'That's settled then, you can stay as long as you want. One thing Winky, you are a free elf and its law that we have to pay you for your work.'

'I know Mr. Charlie, but Winky does not want paying.' the elf looked sad at Charlie.

'I realise that Winky but I have to, I could put some gold in a jar for you but you don't have to touch it if you don't want to, how would that be?'

'Winky likes that Mr. Charlie, but I could give that jar to Miss Harllie when it's full.'

'That's your choice Winky, now one more thing. If you wanted to, you could wear what Kreacher wears with the Potter name on it or just some clothes like you are wearing now, again it's your choice.'

'I would like to wear the Potter shirt Mr. Charlie as I work for you now.'

'Alright Winky, Kreacher could you get one for Winky and you can do whatever it is you do.' Charlie smiled at the two elves.

'Of course Master Charlie,' Kreacher said and bowed, then took Winky's hand and led her through the kitchen and into his little room.

Charlie couldn't help smiling. 'What are you smiling at love?'

'Harry, what are you doing out of bed?' Charlie said angrily.

'I was too restless, I thought I'd just sit down here with both of you. I won't move of the couch, but I needed to get out of the bed for a while.' Harry said walking stiffly and holding on to the walls until he sat down heavily next to Charlie and winced.

'Fine, but you better not move Harry, or I'll carrying you back up to bed and tie you down.'

'Promise,' Harry grinned at him.

'Don't start that Harry, you need rest.' Charlie leaned over and kissed him tenderly. 'You were moving very slowly and stiffly and you winced, is you're back still sore?'

'Yeah, it's stinging right now and weak, but I'm also hungry. Kreacher.'

'Yes Master Harry, what can Kreacher and Winky do for you?'

'Winky, she's here?' Harry looked at Charlie.

'Yeah, I spoke with Kreacher, then Minerva. Winky arrived just before you came down.'

'Oh good, well, Kreacher,' Harry smiled as Winky walked over and stood next to Kreacher, 'and Winky, I'm hungry and I'm not allowed to move of the couch, could you get me something please?'

'Of course Mr. Harry, would Mr. Charlie like something as well?'

'Yeah, thanks Winky, you and Kreacher make whatever, we're not fussed.'

Kreacher bowed and Winky nodded and they both went back into the kitchen. 'She's wearing the Potter shirt.' Harry said.

'Yeah, I asked her what she wanted, that's what she wanted. I also told her about paying her as it's the law, but she agreed for us to put it in a jar and when it's full she wants to give it to Harllie.' Charlie smiled down at the baby in his arms.

'Well, if she wants to Charlie, I know house elves and Winky never wanted to be set free from crouch.'

'You never did tell me about that love. Why did crouch free her?'

'Well, at the quidditch world cup, remember. You were there with the rest of the family, but you went to help fight. Me, Hermione and Ron went with Fred, George and Ginny, but got separated. So the three of us saw Winky struggling through the woods and we found out later that she was magically tied to Crouch Jr, who was under an invisibility cloak. When the dark mark appeared and ministry officials turned up, firing spells in all directions, including at us, one went through the trees and hit Winky, must have knocked out Crouch. When we explained we didn't do the dark mark, they went and found Winky and Mr. Crouch realised why she was there and went over to where his son was, put him back under the imperius curse, covered him with the cloak until everyone left, then took him home. But he said Winky failed him for allowing his son to get a wand, my wand, if you remember.'

'Yeah, I remember that. We were all stunned hearing Winky had you're wand. That was a very confused night, that was, death eaters, ministry officials, aurors, running everywhere when that dark mark appeared. You were only fourteen, weren't you Harry?'

'Yeah, I was, but when that mark appeared in the sky the one thing I remember above everything else was the pain.'

'What pain love?' Charlie asked furrowing his eyebrows.

'In my scar, the moment it hit the sky, my scared burned. At least I know now it'll never do it again.'

'Why I asked about your age was, see you were a kid, well teenager and I was already an adult. Now look at us, I sometimes feel like a cradle snatcher.' Charlie shook his head.

'Well you're not love, I'm an adult now and that's when we got together and like I said. I like the experienced old man to show me everything.' Harry grinned. 'But really Charlie, you're not really that much older than me, so please don't let it worry you.'

'I know and I try not to, but you're still in your teens even if you are an adult. Nineteen to twenty seven, you'll be only twenty two when I hit thirty. It just makes me wonder sometimes.'

'Wonder what Charlie?' Harry asked even though he thought he knew what.

'If you might want a younger man one day, I know you won't Harry, but I can't help thinking it sometimes.'

'Charlie,' Harry said angrily, 'we've been over this before and I will tell you what I already told you. I love you, I want you forever. You're my life Charlie, why do you think I couldn't do anything with Brian.' Harry shook his head at him. 'You're all I think about love, so please stop thinking I'm going to want someone younger.'

'Like I said, I know you don't Harry and I'll try to stop thinking about it. It's just when things like that time at the quidditch world cup comes up, really shows me the age different between us.'

'I get that, I do Charlie. But I've always felt older than I am, you've seen and heard that from me. To me I feel more like thirty sometimes. Maybe that's why I was attracted to you in the first place. I feel closer to your age then my own.'

'You know Harry and that does make a lot of sense. You don't sound nineteen when you talk to someone, you only look nineteen, then again with the amount of scars you're getting, your starting to look a little haggard.' Charlie smirked, then started laughing at the look on Harry's face.

'Haggard, I'll give you haggard my love. You just want till I'm up for some sex, then I'll show you my age.'

'You think you can outdo me in the sex department, do you?'

'Let me ask you something and I want the truth Charlie.'

Charlie snickered, 'Okay, what?'

'How long have you ever had to stay awake and go none stop, I'm not talking about sex. Just say had to work with some dragons, how long?'

'Um, probably about twenty four, twenty six hours straight and that would have been when we brought the dragons over for the triwizard tournament.'

'Well, I was on the go, none stop for more than fifty hours my love. No sleep, no food, just going all the time.'

'When was that?'

'The battle and before, we got up early at Bills and went to Gringotts, broke in there, got into the vault, escaped on the dragon, then jumped off into some deep water and swam to shore. Then I got the vision of Voldemort thinking of his horcrux at Hogwarts, so we got up and apparated into Hogsmeade, nearly got caught by death eaters and snatchers. Aberforth got us into the pub, then through the tunnel, into Hogwarts. Then we had to find the last horcrux. I think I sat for about ten minutes at that stage. Then ran after the grey lady because I think she realised what I wanted to talk to her about. Then I ran back to the room of requirement to find a heap of people there. Then up to Ravenclaw tower with Luna, then used the cruciatus curse on Carrow for spitting at Minerva, then went back and almost got caught by Snape, before he took off, then went back to the room of requirement and found everyone there ready to fight. Then ran looking for Ron and Hermione to tell them where the diadem was, then fighting in the room of requirement, getting chased by fiend fyre, escaping that on a broom, then out into the halls and fighting death eaters, to the shrieking shake, then watched as Voldemort killed Snape and left, then he called a halt in the fighting. I went and watched the memory, headed for the forbidden forest got killed, spoke to Dumbledore, came back, more fighting then killed Voldemort.' Harry said taking a deep breath and saw Charlie sitting there looking stunned.

'Merlin Harry,' Charlie said completely shocked, 'you did all that in just fifty hours?'

'Round about, just over two days. No food, no rest, just on the go the whole time. Do you remember what I looked like when you got to Hogwarts that night?'

'Yeah, very drawn, bruised and cuts all over you and skinny. So that's why, well, you win, I concede.' Charlie said shaking his head. 'No wonder you can never sit still, or lie still for that matter.'

'Yeah, that's been my life for years Charlie, always something going on. When I first went to Romania, to your place, that was the only time I'd ever just sat and did nothing.'

'So when I saw you in the Gryffindor tower and you said you were just tired, you weren't kidding, were you?'

'No love, I wasn't. Even when I slept, my mind was always going, whether it was my thoughts or Voldemorts. I couldn't even rest when I was asleep.' Harry looked at Charlie again and saw he still looked stunned. 'So, you want to take me on for none stop sex my love.'

'No, that's why I said I conceded. You'll bloody well wear me out Harry.' Charlie shook his head as Kreacher and Winky came in with some food for them. 'Thanks,' The elf's left again as Charlie stared at Harry. 'So every time in your life has been like that, no wonder you sound older Harry.'

'Yeah, that's the reason, now let's eat, I'm starving.' Harry smiled at Charlie, then kissed him tenderly.

'I'll just put her into bed first.'

'Could Winky put Miss Harllie to bed Mr. Charlie?' the small elf said.

'Ah, yeah, sure,' Charlie said and placed Harllie into Winky's small arms and watched as she carefully carried their daughter up the stairs, then came back a few minutes later. 'I really don't know what to say love, I know you've had a hard life, but what you just told me was incredible. Do you think…?' Charlie hesitated as he looked at Harry.'

'Think what love?'

'Do you think I could see all that, in the pensieve?'

'If you want to, I said you could see anything. It won't be very nice to watch though.'

'I know, but I want to see what you've been through. It lets me know you more than I do now.'

'Alright Charlie, when I'm feeling better I'll show you. Do you want from when we left Bills?'

'Yeah, start from there.'

'I want to ask you to do something for me love.'

'I'll do anything for you Harry, you know that.'

'Yeah, I do, just wait and let me ask first. When I was unconscious, something came to me about memories. You know how if you don't want someone to see a memory, you can just not think of it and they can't get it out of your head.'

'Yeah, I do.'

'Well, I think I can do it even if someone wants to stop me. I don't know if I can, but something is telling me I can. So I want to try with you. So even if I have no idea what you'll be thinking about, I'll just try and get one out. Will you let me Charlie?'

'Yeah, alright, Harry. We'll do that when you're feeling better as well. Harry, when I spoke with Minerva about Winky, she told me she'd spoken to Dumbledore about you, the stunners.'

'What did he say Charlie?'

'Yes, he thinks you're power has grown and will grow more since there's no more of Voldemort inside you. He also said he believes you will be one of the most powerful wizards there ever will be, he's including himself in that.'

'How would he know that?'

'You know Dumbledore Harry, one he wouldn't tell Minerva and two, he always seems to know things about you before you or anyone else does.'

'Yeah, he does, but I wish I knew why that was. Why does he know things about me Charlie?'

'I don't know love, I wish I did. He knows more about you than me and I'm you're husband.' Charlie said looking down at the floor.

'Charlie, you will know everything sooner or later. I want you to know me, in every way there is. He just seems to know more, even more than I do about myself.'

'I know love and I will see everything one day. So I'll start with when you left Bills and what I already know. You can go speak with him when you want to, see if he tells you. So let's not talk about it anymore.'

'Alright love, that's a good idea, now, what's this?' Harry said as an owl flew in and landed on the back of the couch. Harry took the scroll and it just sat there.

'Looks like it wants an answer love,' Charlie said as he watched Harry read, then Harry looked up at him. 'Who's it from love?'

'Kingsley, Brian asked if he could stop by to speak with me about the farm house.' Harry said warily.

'He is your boss Harry, so it's up to you.' Charlie said stiffly.

'Charlie, it's work related, that's all. How do you think Kingsley feels, probably just like you at the moment.'

'I know Harry, I just don't want you to be alone with him, that's all. Tell him to come, but I stay with you the whole time.'

'Alright love, you can stay with me whenever you want.' Harry leaned over and kissed him but Charlie's was stiff. 'Charlie,' Harry said angrily. 'don't do this, please.'

Charlie stared into Harry's eyes, then pulled him into a fierce passionately kiss. 'Alright, I'll try. But he better not touch you, because I won't pull a wand Harry, but he will end up unconscious.' Charlie said fiercely.

Harry grinned, 'I like that you're protective of me and jealous, but you never have to be my love. So are you really alright with him coming to speak with me about work?'

'Yeah, I am.' Charlie shook his head, but kissed Harry again.

'I love you Charlie, that's all you need to remember.'

'I know, I love you too, go on, answer him.' Charlie said and watched as Harry wrote on the scroll and tied it back to the owl's leg and it flew off. 'How long do you think before he turns up?'

'An hour, maybe less, so how about I lay here,' Harry turn so he was lying against the arm of the couch and his legs over Charlie's lap, 'And you kiss me,' Harry smiled at him and Charlie moved down against Harry and they kissed passionately. Their arms around each other, touching everywhere and their kisses never stopping, but when they pulled apart, they were both panting heavily. 'Now, that was some kiss love, I like it.'

'Yeah,' Charlie smiled sheepishly, 'but merlin, I'm turned on now.'

'I know, I can feel you love, but kiss me again.' Harry said and wrapped his arms back around Charlie and they started kissing passionately, again for a long time, still touching everywhere, until they heard a small cough, so they pulled apart, then saw Kingsley and Brian standing near the fireplace. 'Hi,' Harry said simply.

'Harry, Charlie,' Kingsley said a bit stiffly, then looked at Brian.

'Harry, Charlie, are you sure it's okay to speak with you Harry?' Brian said watching Charlie.

'Yeah, as long as it's front of Charlie,' Harry said looking back at his husband, then back to Kingsley and Brian. 'Why don't you sit and tell me what you need to Brian.'

Kingsley and Brian sat on the other couch and faced Harry and Charlie. 'We went back to the farm house, there still there as far as we know, but we can't get through the wards. I've left Steven, Alastor and Ron watching the place. They'll come back tonight, and Mark, George and John will watch the place. When you're feeling up to it, I need you to take the wards down again.'

'I can do that, but I'll need another day at least. My back is really painful right now.'

'Yeah, I know it would be, I just needed to find out if you can come out. I'll keep the others rotating at all times until you do feel better. They know not to do anything, just watch the place.'

'What are you going to do when the wards are down Brian?' Harry asked, glancing at Charlie a lot.

'Go in with everyone and hopefully catch them.' Brian said but he glanced at Charlie before looking back at Harry.

'Brian, I've got an idea, if you want. I'll go through the wards under my cloak, see how many are there. You don't want to scare just one or two when we know there's at least five.'

'That's good Harry, I just hope they stay there until you're feeling better.'

Harry sat thinking for a minute. 'Can you both give me and Charlie a minute? Charlie, help me into the library will you?' Harry said and he swung his legs off Charlie, then waited until Charlie helped him up, keeping his arms around him, then they walked into the library and shut the door. They sat on the couch and Harry turned to Charlie. 'I should do this now before they get away Charlie. We still don't know what they were planning, but there's still five death eaters there.'

'But Harry, you can't move properly, you need time.'

'I know, but I thought if you came with me and helped. We could be under the cloak together, sneak down and have a look. That's all I need to do, the others can take care of them if they are still there.'

Charlie sat thinking for a moment. 'But what about Harllie love?'

'We'll call Hermione, she's probably just sitting around worry about Ron anyway. Kreacher and Winky will be here if she needs help and mum's in her cabin.'

'Alright, but let me take as much of your weight as possible?'

'I don't mind you holding me love, but just be very careful and quiet why where there, okay. I normally wouldn't take you into a situation like that, but at the moment I know you wouldn't let me go without you.'

'No, I wouldn't. Alright, let's go tell your boss.' Charlie stood up pulling Harry against him again, and they walked slowly back out and sat down.

'Brian, I'll come now and do it under the cloak, but Charlie's going to help me.'

'He's not an auror Harry, I could help you instead.'

'No, you won't.' Charlie said angrily. 'It's me or he doesn't go, you're not touching him again.'

'Charlie,' Harry said turning his face away from looking at Brian. 'I said I'll go with you, please don't get angry.'

'Bit hard not to Harry, when he had sex with my husband.'

'Charlie, I told you what happened. Neither of us wanted to do that, Kingsley understands even if he doesn't like it. He's been in dangerous situations before, just like what Harry and I were in.'

'I know that, blimey. I do understand you had to do anything to stop getting caught. But you're still not touching Harry again. So either I go with him, or he doesn't go, you're choice.'

'Fine, you can go.' Brian said then looked at Kingsley. 'I know we're not supposed to take civilians into dangerous situations Kingsley, you're the minister, will that hurt the aurors if he comes?'

'I'll take care of it Brian, just let the others know not to say that Charlie was there. It won't be down officially on any documents.' Kingsley looked back at Charlie. 'Charlie, I know how you're feeling at the moment, but I will allow this because I know how you feel, otherwise there would be no hope of you being able to go.'

'Thanks Kingsley, Charlie floo Hermione to come watch Harllie and grab the cloak and where's my other wand?' Harry asked looking at Brian, then Charlie.

'Brian told me about you taking it with you, I took it off your leg at St Mungo's. I'll get it.' Charlie said and went over to the fireplace and stuck his head in, spoke for a few minutes, then he went upstairs.'

'He's angry, I knew he would be, that's why I had Kingsley ask about me coming here.'

'Oh yeah, he's angry Brian, so try not to do anything to provoke his temper, like touch me at all. He told me what he'd do and you don't want that.'

'I think I could take care of myself Harry, I am head auror.' Brian said looking a little puzzled.

'It's not magic you'd have to worry about Brian and I wouldn't let you do anything to him anyway. You've never seen Charlie work with dragons, have you?'

'No, why does that matter?'

'All I will say is, he's very strong and can hold a dragon by himself. So I would hate for him to get his hands on you.' Harry raised his eyebrows and nodded.

'Gotcha and I know you wouldn't let me do anything, not that I'd want to anyway. I do understand what his feeling, neither of us wanted that Harry.'

'Yeah, I know, it's just going to take Charlie a while to get used to seeing you or me being with you at work again.'

'You are still coming back to the aurors.'

'Yeah, I'm coming back Brian. I wasn't sure there for a while, but Charlie basically talked me into it.'

'He talked you into it, that's not something I was expecting. I thought he would have talked you out of coming back.'

'Harry belongs in the aurors, he was meant to be one and he's just too powerful not to, that's why I told him to go back.' Charlie said walking back over to Harry and sat down. 'Hermione will be here in a few minutes, he's the wand and the cloak.' Charlie handed Harry the elder wand and cloak.

'Thanks love.' Harry looked at the wand and slipped it up his sleeve.

'That's not you're wand Harry, that's the one Voldemort had on him the night you killed him.' Kingsley said looking intensely at Harry.

Harry looked at Brian. 'You didn't tell him Brian.'

'You told me not to tell anyone Harry, I promise I wouldn't and I keep my word.'

Harry looked at Brian, then Charlie raising his eyebrows. 'Should I tell Kingsley love?'

'He's a friend Harry, I don't think he'd say anything even if he is a politician.'

'You can trust me Harry, but if you're not sure you can then don't say anything.' Kingsley said.

'Fine, just give me your word you'll never tell anyone about this wand.' Harry said seriously.

'I give my word Harry, now who's wand is that?' Kingsley asked looking completely puzzled.

'Mine, but it's the elder wand Kingsley.' Harry said simply.