Stubborn creatures that they were both Hermione and Charlie refused to back down and, as they returned to the reserve the day before New Year's Eve they continued to subtly provoke each other. He was very much aware of how frequently her eyes were drawn to his nicely toned arms and shoulders and he began to wear tighter t-shirts so that often when she talked to him she virtually drooled.
Of course, Hermione was not the kind of girl to take this lying down and he had noticed her sudden love of short skirts and tightly fitting jeans. She always seemed to be dropping things around him too so that he was permanently watching her stooping to pick things up.
By the time they had arrived back home they were driving each other mental. Since neither of them was prepared to concede any kind of victory, the tension was almost unbearable. Felix was hosting a house party to welcome in the New Year and both had agreed to go.
At 8pm Charlie was ready to go and was sat on the bed, trying not to lose his temper. Hermione knew that they were supposed to get there half an hour ago and, despite her usual punctual nature, she was still in the bloody bathroom. As he was about to call her for the fifth time the bathroom door opened and Charlie's mouth began to water. Hermione emerged, Hair already styled and make up immaculately down wearing only some very lacy underwear.
"Nearly ready" she smiled softly; she crooked one eyebrow when she saw his face, as if daring him to give in. He clenched his fists tightly together, gritted his teeth and said nothing.
She walked painfully slowly over to the dresser, pulling a pair of black stockings up her legs; in his opinion more seductively than was really necessary, he couldn't tear his gaze away. Then she picked up her dress and slid it over her head, turning her back to him.
"Could you zip me up?" she called over her shoulder.
There was no answer; she turned to look at him, brow furrowed. She barely had time to see him advancing towards her before her back hit the wall behind her and he kissed her so fiercely she was certain her lips would bruise. "No" he growled into her ear, "You won't be needing the dress"
"Why not?" she replied, trying her best to sound innocent.
"I give in" he said, lifting her off the floor and carrying her back towards the bed "you win this time"
When they finally arrived at the party they were considerably more than half an hour late but the dancing was in full swing and the alcohol was flowing freely. Nobody noticed they're flushed faces, the love bites on Charlie's neck or that Hermione's lipstick was a little smudged.
Charlie was more or less tackled by several of the tamers including Felix and Hermione giggled and stepped aside, heading instead in search of drink. She found Poppy stood by the punch bowl, unwillingly engaged in conversation by a terrifying man who had obviously not noticed the poor girl backing further and further away.
"Ah there you are" Hermione smiled reassuringly at Poppy and placing a hand on her shoulder "I've been looking for you, there's somebody you really need to meet"
The man placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder "she was talking to me" he said loudly
"and now she's talking to me" said Hermione pleasantly "and you can find somebody else to scare" he opened his mouth to protest, but before he even had time to breathe he found himself facing the business end of Hermione's wand "or do you want to make something of it?" she whispered.
His eyes widened and he scampered away.
"I've missed you" Poppy grinned, flinging her arms around Hermione's neck.
Felix and Charlie suddenly appeared from nowhere holding drinks for both the girls.
"Bloody hell Hermione" muttered Felix "thanks for that. You can be bloody scary when you want to be"
"Atta girl" Charlie winked at her, handing her a drink and slinging an arm around her waist. "Time for a dance?" he whispered in her ear, making her shiver.
"I don't think so Weasley" Felix grinned slyly "I owe your wife a dance for rescuing my girlfriend"
"Oh really?" Charlie feigned anger.
Hermione rolled her eyes at Poppy "Why do I feel like a prize cow being argued over?" she grinned, before turning to both men "Alas gentlemen I must decline you both as I have already promised a dance to the true object of my affections" she downed her drink before seizing Poppy's wrist and dragging her into the centre of the makeshift dance floor.
"You seem happy" Felix grinned, watching Charlie watching Hermione
"I am" Charlie replied simply
"No no no" Felix said seriously "you have to give me more details than that. I'm your best friend for God's sake."
"Life is good" said Charlie "And I'll tell you no more for now, how are things with Poppy?"
Immediately Felix finished his interrogation "Amazing" he grinned "she's so sweet"
The song finished and the girls returned, breathless and giggling and Charlie immediately pulled Hermione close to him again, handing her another drink. He didn't leave her side for the whole evening; it was oddly cosy, with his arm securely around her waist. She did eventually manage to get a dance with Felix and a few others. For the most part, though, she was content to stay with Charlie, talking to everyone.
For the New Year countdown everybody headed outside to watch the fireworks. As the clock struck midnight Hermione turned to face Charlie.
"Happy New Year" she whispered, pulling him down by his collar for a kiss.
"It's looking pretty good so far" he grinned at her bashfully, kissing the top of her head.
"So what has actually happened since new year?" asked Ginny, her head bobbing in the flames and she and Hermione held their weekly floo catch up. It was sometime in late February and Hermione was using the time spent waiting for Charlie to finish his shift to have a good gossip.
Hermione blushed "I don't really know, I guess if we weren't married it would be a kind of friends with benefits thing. Promise me you won't tell anyone! I don't want everyone to know if anything goes wrong"
"We wouldn't judge you, you know" Ginny said softly "you've never given up easily, we know that if something doesn't work out it's not for lack of trying. I know you won't believe me but he would never willingly hurt you."
"Even so" Hermione said quietly "just keep it to yourself for now, even I don't really know what's going on right now" there was a pause "how are you anyway?"
Ginny grimaced, "fat, tired and nauseous" she grumbled "being pregnant is no fun"
Harry's voice could be heard slightly muffled in the background
"I'm coming" Ginny called back, turning to Hermione again "I have to go, Harry says tea's nearly ready. I have to tell you though, Susan's pregnant!"
Hermione squealed "Really? I bet Ron's ecstatic" she couldn't quite maintain her grin though, as Ginny gushed on.
"He virtually bounced off the walls when he was telling us this morning. I've never seen him so excited; he's already decided it's going to be a boy. I think Angelina's pregnant too but she's not letting on, maybe…" She tailed off as she caught Hermione's expression "are you alright?"
"I'm fine" Hermione said quickly "no, really" as Ginny opened her mouth to question further "go and have your tea, I'm very happy for you all, honestly"
After a few more reassurances Ginny bobbed back out of the flames, still not looking convinced, and silence surged back into the house. Hermione sat back on the sofa, knees pulled up to her chest and nibbled at her thumbnail, frowning.
A/N: I'M BACK! At least I hope so, my laptop has been fixed, I've completed a ridiculous amount of work for this term. I still have to visit Amsterdam for a week and find a flat to rent and obviously there's christmas and new year to celebrate too so you won't have my undivided attention for the whole holiday but I am going to promise at least 2 more chapters before the end of January. I also can't thank everybody enough for their continued support on writing this story which honestly has hit more obstacles than anything else I've ever ever ever done and I want to apologise profusely for the huge delays in this but I'm back again now and (fingers crossed) I will finally get regular updates to you.