Hey everyone!
First off, I'd like to thank my beta, WrathOfMacy for helping me bring out the best version of this fic! You're truly amazing!
This fic originally started as a drabble for Wheel of Death Wednesday on the Weasleys, Witches, and Writers FB group. Apparently, I have trouble sticking to a certain length so you get a one-shot instead! My prompts were Charlie Weasley, The Three Broomsticks, and In Vino Veritas (Drunken Confessions.)
I hope you like it and thank you for being such lovely people!
The Three Broomsticks was unusually busy for a Sunday night. Music was playing loudly overhead and there was a large group in the center of the room dancing along.
After the war, Hogsmeade exploded with business and the pub had become a hotspot for young witches and wizards. Sundays were usually reserved for the quieter crowds, but thanks to Ginny's incessant need to party, that was not the case today.
Hermione sipped from her wine glass as her eyes roamed over the crowd. She was becoming increasingly annoyed with Ginny, who had stormed into her flat only half an hour prior and demanded that Hermione accompany her to get a drink. The drink turned out to be a surprise party for Hermione's 25th birthday. They had already celebrated her birthday at The Burrow, but Ginny insisted it was necessary for Hermione to let her hair down for once and enjoy herself.
Hermione was decidedly not enjoying herself. She looked down at her watch and groaned inwardly. It was just past 9 p.m. and Ginny had made her promise to stay until at least 11. Her eyes washed over the congregation again and she noted the few familiar faces she saw.
Ginny, Luna, Katie, and Angelina were dancing wildly in the center of the floor while Neville, Ron, Harry, and the twins had taken over the largest table with an exploding snap game while loudly discussing the current quidditch season. There were a few more faces she recognized from her time at Hogwarts, but she failed to remember any of their names.
She glanced down at her watch and threw her head back with a groan as she realized only two minutes had passed. When she looked up again, her eyes were drawn to the bar. There stood Charlie, a beer in hand as he chatted up a thin, leggy blonde witch.
Hermione's stomach twisted in knots, and she blindly reached for her glass, throwing back the remaining wine in one swig. She had always been attracted to Charlie but had never said anything. He had a tendency to make her feel like a blushing teenager again and she worried that he saw her the same way he saw Ginny: a kid sister he was meant to protect. As she watched him flirt with the witch, she found herself wishing it was her that he was talking to.
She began to observe him more closely, his attire, his hair, and of course, his body. He wasn't as tall as Ron, Percy, or Bill, but he was well built. Not in a ridiculous way that made him look like a rock, but in a softer way. His muscles were defined, and she could see the faint outline of them through his dark green t-shirt. His hair was tied up in a bun at the back of his head and Hermione's heart rate sped up at the thought of untying it and running her fingers through it.
Hermione blinked before realizing that her thought process was wholly inappropriate. She chastised herself and reached for the glass of water that she had requested when she first sat down. After gulping some down, she fanned herself lightly with her hand and made excuses in her head.
It was the wine, she thought. Yes, that was it. I just need some water. I drank the wine too fast, that's all.
Hermione took another sip of her water and pulled out the book she had hidden in her bag. When she opened it and began reading, she allowed herself to be transported to another world, oblivious to what was going on around her.
Charlie tried to stay focused on what the witch in front of him was talking about. Something about her trip to Paris, but he couldn't be sure what. Hell, he couldn't even remember her name. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept catching the wild mane of brown hair belonging to Hermione Granger.
He had strategically placed himself where he could see her, though that seemed to have an effect on his mood. The more he tried to ignore her, the more he drank. Empty glasses sat on the bar next to him as he tried to keep his attention on the witch in front of him.
He had tried to tamp it down, the feelings he had for Hermione, but there was something in the pit of his stomach that seemed to long for her. For the past five years, any time he entered a room, his eyes immediately searched for her. If she wasn't there, his heart involuntarily dipped in disappointment and he would wait for her to enter. Then when she did, the room seemed to lighten under the glow of her smile. His heart leapt; he felt lighter and smiling became easier.
The witch rambled on, pulling his thoughts away from Hermione. After a moment, he realized the smile he had on his face felt cold and fake. He blinked a few times, trying to bring himself back to the conversation once more.
"...and there was this huge shop with all of these amazing clothes…"
His eyes glazed over as she spoke, this time distracted by a movement near Hermione's table. He risked a glance over and saw her reading, absently twirling a piece of her hair between the fingers of her right hand. There was a man leaning across the table, as if he were trying to get her attention, but she was oblivious. Charlie's gaze remained on the guy, who was getting more irritated by the minute. Finally, he reached across the table and snatched Hermione's book out of her hands, much to her annoyance.
Charlie gulped the remainder of his firewhiskey and slammed the glass down before walking away from the bar, ignoring the calls of the witch behind him. As he got closer, he heard the tail end of the guy's sentence.
"...just a mudblood." The unknown wizard sneered at her. That was all it took for Charlie to lose it. He grabbed the wizard's shoulder, turning him around and wound his fist back before punching him square in the jaw.
The wizard fell to the ground as everyone around them gasped. Charlie bent down and tried to hit him again.
"Charlie! Stop!" He heard Hermione yell, but he was too far gone. He felt several hands reach for him, pulling him off as a witch knelt to care for the man on the ground.
Harry, Ron, and the twins kept Charlie back, forcing him out the back door. Hermione snatched her book off the ground and followed as Ginny led her into the alley.
When they made it out the door, Charlie was shaking the boys off of him.
"I'm alright! I'm fine!" He snapped, stepping away with his hands up.
No one had seen Charlie this angry in a long time. He was particularly irate, and it seemed as though no one was keen to make it worse. The group looked around at each other as Charlie stumbled slightly before leaning against the brick wall. Finally, Ginny turned to Hermione.
"Mind getting him back to the Burrow?" Ginny asked Hermione. "I think it's about time we wind down the party anyway."
"Um, sure. I can do that," Hermione replied, before kissing Ginny on the cheek. "Thank you for the party." She turned and bid goodnight to Harry, Ron, and the twins, watching as they made their way back inside The Three Broomsticks.
Charlie's eyes were closed, his head tilted back against the wall. His hair was half out of its bun and his shirt was disheveled.
"Charlie?" Hermione called softly, placing a hand on his arm, and making him jump. His eyes snapped open, and he looked down at her.
"You're bloody gorgeous," he said, leaning his head down to her.
"Um, thank you?" Hermione stammered, clearly unsure of how to act around drunk Charlie. "Shall we get you back to the Burrow?"
"I don't want to go home, Hermione," Charlie told her, voice agitated as he took his hair down from the bun.
"Okay, where would you like to go then?" Hermione asked. Charlie groaned and turned around, resting his forehead against the brick while muttering under his breath.
"I can't hear you, Charlie. Can you turn around to talk to me?"
He slapped his fist against the brick, making Hermione jump.
"What is wrong with you?!" She snapped at him.
"You!" He yelled, turning to face her. "You're what's wrong with me."
Hermione's face fell, and he immediately regretted his choice of words. She took two steps back and looked away from him.
"I didn't mean it like that," Charlie sighed, running his hands through his hair. "I just - Merlin, you make me crazy. For years, you've made me crazy. For years, I've watched you, hoping that someday you might show an interest in me, but you never have. Then today, you show up looking like that." He paused, motioning to the skin-tight jeans and black camisole she was wearing.
"Charlie, I- "
"No, let me finish, please," he begged. Knowing he was already in too deep to stop, he allowed the alcohol to loosen his tongue.
"Okay, go ahead," she replied.
"When you're not around, I can't stop thinking about you. When you are, I can't focus on anything else. Even tonight, talking to that blonde witch, I have absolutely no clue who she was or what we talked about because the whole time, I was thinking of you. Watching you. Then that maggot showed up and I just got so angry. I couldn't help it. "Charlie paused and rubbed his palms against his eyes. "Merlin, I'm so pissed I can't even think straight."
"Why don't we get you to my flat? I have a Sober-Up potion, then maybe we can continue this conversation," Hermione suggested, reaching out to him.
Charlie looked down at her tiny hand for a moment before he clasped it tightly and she spun them away.
They landed in her living room and Hermione helped hold Charlie steady until she was sure he wouldn't fall.
"Why don't you take a seat on the sofa and I'll go get that potion?" He nodded and she quickly strode from the room and into the hall.
She closed the loo door behind her and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. After her heart rate settled, she moved over to the basin and splashed some cold water on her face. She then opened the cabinet and grabbed two Sober-Up potions. She may not be drunk like Charlie, but the three glasses of wine she had were beginning to hit. She downed her potion then set the small glass vial on the counter before squaring her shoulders and leaving the bathroom.
When she stepped into the living room, Charlie was sitting forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands tangled in his hair, holding his head up. He looked so defeated and Hermione's heart lurched.
"Charlie?" She called softly, holding the vial out towards him. "I have the Sober-Up potion."
He slowly lifted his head but didn't turn to make eye contact with her. He gently took the vial, careful not to touch her, and unstopped it, swallowing it quickly.
"Do you want to talk now?" Hermione asked, sitting next to him on the sofa.
Charlie set the vial down and went back to his original position.
"I'd rather not embarrass myself further but thank you for the offer."
"Who said you embarrassed yourself?" She asked sharply. Charlie lifted his head and glanced at her.
"I beat up a guy and then practically confessed my love for someone eight years younger than me. Sounds pretty embarrassing to me," he scoffed, shaking his head.
"Well, if that's what's embarrassing you, I suppose I shouldn't ask you out on a date then, should I?" She snipped, crossing her arms. Charlie's gaze snapped to her.
"You… what?" He stammered.
"I said if it's embarrassing for you to like someone eight years younger than you, I suppose I shouldn't ask you out, should I?"
"You want to ask me out?"
"Of course I do. You're not the only one harboring feelings, Charlie. You should have just asked and this whole thing could've been avoided." She responded matter-of-factly and Charlie stared at her in confusion.
"You... like me?"
"Yes, obviously." Hermione sighed impatiently. "Do try to keep up. You like me and I like you. What do you plan on doing about it?" She asked, her hands resting on her hips as she toed off her flats.
Her question seemed to snap Charlie out of it. He stood up off the sofa and stepped towards her, kicking off his boots. He came to a stop in front of her and reached up to gently cup her face. Hermione's hands fell down by her sides and she waited. He tilted her head forward and finally captured her lips with his.
The kiss started out slow and exploratory, as if Charlie were trying to memorize every detail of that moment. His tongue darted out and brushed against her lips, requesting entry. She parted them and allowed his tongue to slide against hers.
Warmth pooled beneath Hermione's stomach and she struggled to control herself. She slid her hands under his shirt and up his chest. Charlie made a strangled noise, and it wasn't long before Hermione felt his hardness pressing against her. When she pushed back, trying to create some much-needed friction, Charlie broke the kiss pulling away.
"Are you sure, Hermione?" He asked doubtfully.
"I'm 100% positive. I'm of sound mind, I took a Sober-Up, and this is something I want." She responded confidently, lifting her camisole above her head, and dropping it to the floor. Her chest was bare, and Charlie swore they were the most gorgeous looking breasts he had ever seen. Hermione smirked at him before turning away and walking towards her bedroom. Charlie watched as she stopped in the hallway and unbuttoned her denims before sliding them down her legs and stepping out of them. She looked at him then and beckoned him forward with her index finger.
Charlie strode down the hallway towards her, shedding his own shirt and leaving it near her denims. He followed her into her bedroom until she stopped and turned to face him. She looked at his trousers and arched a brow. He kept his eyes on her face as he unbuttoned them, pushing them down and kicking them to the side along with his socks.
It was his turn to smirk. Hermione licked her lips when she realized he'd had nothing between his jeans and his dick. She took a step forward before kneeling in front of him and immediately taking him into her mouth. Charlie groaned and his hands went to her hair, grasping it gently in his fists.
Hermione sucked him gently and when she pulled back, she dragged her teeth to lightly graze the tip of his cock. She then allowed saliva to pool in her mouth before she took him again, farther this time.
Charlie moaned her name, and she slid her hands up his thighs. A shiver coursed through him, and he removed her hands from his legs and pulled her to her feet. He kissed her soundly while walking them towards the bed. He gently leaned Hermione backwards and waited while she settled herself on the bed.
She watched as the look on his face shifted in its intensity. Charlie pulled her to the edge of the bed and slipped her knickers down past her hips before helping her to move her legs onto his shoulders. He trailed kisses up the inside of her right thigh and then, when he reached her center, he gently parted her lips before circling her clit with his tongue.
Hermione moaned and grasped at the sheet as he continued licking her. His tongue flicked across her clit and she let out a whine.
"Are you ready for me, love?" He asked, pulling back to look up at her.
"Yes. Please, Charlie," she moaned, eliciting a chuckle from him. He set her legs down gently and helped her to slide back onto the bed before he settled himself in the cradle of her hips once more. Hermione wrapped her legs around him as he slowly pushed himself forward.
They both let out moans as he buried himself inside her. Charlie paused, waiting for her to adjust to his fullness.
Finally, she lightly tapped his arm. "Okay, you can move now," she breathed.
Charlie slid in and out of her as slowly as he could. It was his intention to savor every minute that he had with her. Even with his savoring, it wasn't long before both of them were teetering on the edge. Hermione dug her heels into his ass, pulling him forward.
"Charlie, faster. I'm so close," she whined breathlessly. Charlie did as instructed and just as he was about to come undone, he bent his head down, catching her lips in his. As their tongues touched, Hermione came, moaning into Charlie's mouth. He immediately followed her, grunting softly. His arms shook as he hovered above her for a moment, before gently pulling out and lowering himself to her right side.
They maneuvered themselves underneath the covers and then lay there in silence, still panting from their highs.
"Hermione?" he entreated softly into the dark room.
"Yes, Charlie?" she replied, already half asleep.
"Happy Birthday."