Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count - 3006
Freedom of Flying
He heard talk of raven wings, owl wings and peacock feathers. He heard talk of pretty colours, patterns and swirls and all things beautiful.
Never once, did he hear about dragon scales. Never once did he hear about wings functioning like wings.
Charlie had known since he was young that he was different. While his parents talked about their swan wings, and his brothers spoke of ravens and peahens and canaries.
Charlie never brought up his own wings and nobody asked. Their mother had raised them right, and it was the height of impolite to ask someone about their wings.
The only people that could see soul wings were the person they belonged to, and their mate.
Except… there was the whole functional thing and that added a whole other level to the things Charlie couldn't speak about because that was weird.
…
Being able to fly was more than Charlie could have ever expected. Even from a young age, his wings had flexed on his back, testing and retesting until they could lift him from the ground. Charlie tried to ensure he didn't so it too often—he had a feeling it would give his mum a heart attack—but when he was sure he was alone, he couldn't help but whoop with joy as he soared through the air.
When he went to Hogwarts, Charlie couldn't take the risk of flying with his wings. With so many people in the castle, he was never entirely alone, and he couldn't take the chance that someone might see him.
So he became a seeker, because flying on a broom wasn't as fun as flying freely, but it was better than never flying at all. He felt so natural in the air, much more so than he was on the ground, where he could often trip over thin air if he wasn't paying attention.
Bill thought his clumsiness was hilarious, and never failed to tease him about it. Charlie took it in the good natured way it was meant, but he wished he could show his brother that he could be graceful, even if only when not on his own two feet.
…
After spending a lot of time doing research, Charlie finally concluded that his wings were the most similar to those of a Chinese Fireball. They were a brilliant red and there were gold spikes along the trim, almost like a deadly decorative necklace around the hem.
It was of no surprise that during his research, Charlie fell in love with the beasts his wings belonged to. Often times, wizards and witches had reported having an affinity with the animals their souls echoed, and in this at least, Charlie found himself being no different.
Dragons were awesome.
…
As he turned seventeen, Charlie found himself taking in his surroundings a little more often. Coming of age meant he was now 'discoverable' to his mate. If his mate were of age, Charlie would be able to see their wings.
The thought of having someone who could see his wings, who Charlie could confide in about them, was terrifying and wonderful in equal measure.
He didn't find anyone though. Not at Hogwarts, not in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. The disappointment he felt warred with the relief, and left Charlie with a churning ball of emotion that he didn't know what to do with.
Instead of ruminating on it, he pushed it aside and focused on his last year of schooling. Professor McGonagall though he had a good chance at getting into the Romanian training programme on the dragon reserve, but he had to make sure he had the marks he needed. At the moment, that was the important thing.
…
Romania was more than Charlie could have imagined. The training was hard, but it was everything Charlie wanted. He put in long hours learning the intricacies of how to treat the different breeds, and he spent many nights soaking in warm water with muscle relaxants after long days spent in the pens, tense with adrenaline as he was taught how to not get barbecued.
The day he got given his staff badge was the best of his life so far. Of the five people Charlie had gone into training with, only him and one other passed muster.
Amelie had fast become Charlie's best friend on the reserve, and they'd quickly built a bond over their shared love of dragons and complaining over the aches and pains that came with the job.
There was something special about her, though Charlie couldn't put his finger on what. Though he didn't feel attracted to her, he was almost disappointed that he couldn't see her wings and her his.
She'd have made a good soulmate.
…
"So… I think I either took a hallucinogenic without knowing, or you can fly and didn't tell me."
Charlie stared at her, almost instinctive panic welling up inside him.
"Charlie?" Amelie said, eyebrow raising. "You look pale, are you okay?"
"Where did you see me?" he asked, voice little more than a whisper.
"Two days ago, in the Common paddock."
Charlie closed his eyes. He'd thought he was alone—safe to let loose, and fly with the least dangerous dragons on the reserve.
Amelia frowned when Charlie didn't say anything. "Is this… was is a secret? Because you know I won't tell anyone, right? If you don't want me to, I mean."
Charlie opened his eyes and looked at her. He knew she'd hold his secret and he swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat. That she accepted him so unquestioningly was… unprecedented. His family aside, folk weren't so accepting in Wizarding Britain.
"My wings are functional," he admitted eventually. "I have the wings of a Chinese Firebolt."
Amelia blinked. Then blinked again. "Well," she said eventually. "That explains why the dragons like you a little more than the rest of us, huh? Lucky bastard."
Charlie snorted. Of course jealousy was her reaction. She was as mad about dragons as he was.
…
The Horntail was huge. Certainly bigger than any of the dragons currently residing at the reserve. Charlie watched with wide eyes as the more experienced trainers worked in tandem to get her settled and get out of there without losing life or limb.
They almost managed it too, but she opened one large eye a few seconds sooner than they were ready for.
Charlie could feel the heat from the jet of fire even beyond the safety barrier and he heard a shout of surprise and fear from Liam, Charlie's own personal trainer.
He reacted on instinct, his wings lifting him up and over the barrier. He flew until he was around the horntails reared head, until he caught her attention, and then he lifted higher, distracting her from the humans on the ground.
Charlie concentrated on staying out of her range until she seemed to settle a little. Carefully, Charlie dropped height until he was almost level with her head.
"Hey, pretty girl," he crooned, hoping to pacify her. "You're okay."
He continued in that vein until, from the corner of his eye, he saw the last of the trainers leaving the area.
Still following his instincts, Charlie flew closer still, until he was within touching distance. With a deep breath, he placed a hand against the side of her snout.
"That's it, pretty girl," he murmured. "You're so beautiful, aren't you? Such a good girl."
The Horntail huffed a cloud of smoke with no flames and slowly, she lay down in her new home. Charlie lowered himself with her, until he was standing on the ground beside her large head.
With a final pat to her scales, Charlie backed away slowly until he could slide through the small gap in the magical barrier.
"What the bloody hell was that!?" Liam burst out, as soon as Charlie was out safe. "You can fly? And apparently talk down Horntails! What the hell, Charlie?"
Charlie took a deep breath and then explained. Amelie smiled at him proudly from the middle of the group and when Charlie was finished speaking, he chanced a look at Liam.
"That's… I have no words," Liam admitted. "Thank you for that, you absolute nutter. Someone would have been really hurt if you hadn't taken the chance."
Charlie smiled.
"So, I think, after that, it's only right if we let you name her," Luke said, nodding to the paddock.
Charlie's eyes widened, but a name flew to the tip of his tongue without even needing to think about it. "Henrietta."
"Henrietta the Horntail," Amelie repeated thoughtfully. Then she shrugged. "I like it."
Liam nodded. "Henrietta it is. So… functional wings, huh?"
Like Amelie, the reactions ranged from jealousy to acceptance with barely a question. He should have known better than to fear the worst from these people. They were the best kind of people after all.
…
Being home was weird but good. Being home for the Quidditch World Cup was even better. It was great to spend some time with his siblings, bonding over one of the few things they could all agree on as being fun (except Percy, but Percy was… special).
A highlight, at least for Charlie, was meeting Harry.
He was a sweet kid, shy and easily embarrassed. While Charlie didn't get much time with him, he couldn't help but like him.
Anyone else with a name so famous would have tried to live up to it, Charlie was sure. Harry was just… a nice kid.
Of course, then it all went to shit, and Charlie regretted returning to England at all. Life in Romania was so much simpler.
…
"Did you see that kid?"
"Harry Potter, though. Did you expect anything else? He's practically a legend!"
"He handled Henrietta as well as Charlie boy does! I thought she was going to purr at one point!"
Charlie chuckled at his team as they packed up. The Triwizard Tournament had been… interesting to say the least, but watching Harry with Henrietta… Liam wasn't wrong when he said Harry had handled her as well as Charlie could.
That he'd managed to get the egg without even attempting to hurt her impressed Charlie as well, given the enchantment and spells the others had tried.
He wished he'd been able to speak with Harry for longer, but neither of them had the time. It was a shame.
...
"You okay?"
"Hmm?" Charlie looked up as Amelie sat down beside him. He was sitting on one of the sprawling hills overlooking the nursery, one of his favourite spots when he had downtime, which admittedly wasn't very often.
"Are you okay?" she repeated.
"News from home," Charlie replied softly. "I just… I feel like I should be doing more, you know? Voldemort coming back, the kids getting hurt… Mum says I don't need to go home, but I feel like I should."
"I'll miss you," Amelie said gently. "But if home is where you need to be, then it's where you need to be. You know you'll always be welcome back here—hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they just let you keep your room here for visits. The people love you, the dragons love you…"
Charlie smiled tiredly. "I just… everything is going to shit. And I'm doing nothing to help."
Amelie let her head rest against Charlie's shoulder. "You do what you need to do, Charlie-bear. We'll all be here to support you."
…
Charlie had somewhat relaxed about finding his mate. He'd settled into life on the reserve, amongst people that loved dragons as much as he did, and he was content with his life as it was. Even if he never found his mate… he didn't regret the path he'd chosen.
But back home, the war was worsening, and with every day that passed, Charlie felt more and more guilty that he was safely out of the way while his family remained in danger.
In the end, he felt he had no choice.
As much as he hated to leave the reserve, leave the dragons and humans that he'd found a home with, he knew that he had to go back to England.
"I'll come back," he murmured, stroking Henrietta's scales. "I promise."
…
The fight was brutal.
With Fred gone, Charlie didn't bother to hold back the viciousness of his grief when the fighting restarted. He battled as fiercely as the dragons he cared for, but the onslaught was ruthless. He lost track of his family, finding his father as the shielding spell burst around the hall, leaving a circle in the middle for Harry and Voldemort.
And then, Charlie realised what he was seeing and his stomach dropped to the floor.
There, in the middle of the Great Hall, waxing poetic about love to the Darkest Lord for decades, stood Harry Potter, with the wings of a Hungarian Horntail spreading out from his back.
As the spell rebounded and hit Voldemort, as the man fell and Harry was surrounded by people, Charlie fell back and leant against the wall.
That was his little sister's boyfriend. What in the fuck was he supposed to do now?
…
Except, Ginny had found her soulmate, and Harry was free. Charlie wasn't sure which was better in the long run if he was honest.
He knew Harry knew they were mates, had seen the emerald eyes watching Charlie's wings with a faint trace of longing and a whole lot of acceptance. Charlie didn't really know what that meant.
Eventually, he cornered Harry late one evening out in the yard of the Burrow.
"Hey," he murmured, dropping to the grass beside the younger man.
Harry's lips tilted up tiredly. "Hey."
"How are you doing?"
Harry shrugged, which was better than the 'fine' he gave every time someone else asked him in Charlie's opinion, so he'd take it.
"So, can you fly too?" Harry asked suddenly, turning his head to look at Harry. "I've never been able to ask anyone else and you're… well. Obviously, you're the only other person that I know has dragon wings so—"
"Yeah," Charlie interrupted with small grin. "I can fly too. Great isn't it?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, it's.. It feels like how I'd imagine freedom would feel."
"You're free now, right?" Charlie asked, after hearing the wistfulness in Harry's voice.
"Am I?" Harry asked, voice soft. "Will I ever be truly free? I did what I was destined to do, and I thought it would be enough, but… they expect me to be an Auror. They expect me to continue protecting the Wizarding World. They expect me to take the offered honorary wizengamot seat, and give interviews and—"
"Who is this 'they'?" Charlie asked, frowning.
Harry snorted. "The world? Everyone? I don't… how do I tell the whole world that they're wrong, that it's not what I want?"
"You don't owe them anything," Charlie said, his wings flexing slightly behind him. They were leaning towards Harry, and Charlie could feel the urge to just wrap them around the smaller man and keep him there, safe from the expectations of the world. "You saved them, many times over from all accounts. It's time to do something for yourself."
Harry pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. "I don't know what I want to do," he admitted.
"Well… maybe you can come visit me for a while, hmm?"
Harry frowned. "In Romania?"
Charlie nodded. "I'll be heading back in a week or so. You should come with me. I'll introduce you to Henrietta."
"Henrietta?"
"The Hungarian Horntail that you took an egg from."
"Oh Merlin, will she remember that? She'll set me on fire! You're just trying to get me eaten!"
Charlie laughed, and Harry grinned at him. It made his whole face light up, and Charlie wanted to always see that smile.
Then the smile dimmed. "Are you only offering because of… you know…" Harry gestured awkwardly between their wings.
"Because you're my soulmate?" Charlie offered up. Harry tinted pink and it was adorable. "I'm not offering just because of that, though… having you around to get to know you properly would be nice too. I just… you've been fighting for so long and now you don't have to. A change of scenery to go with the massive changes in your life might… help?"
Harry nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I… yeah. Maybe. Thanks, Charlie."
…
"Harry, this is Amelie and Liam, my best friends here. Amelie, Liam, this is Harry, my soulmate."
"Fuck you," Liam complained.
Charlie blinked and then frowned. He was about to ask what the hell the problem was when Liam pulled out a bag of galleons from his pocket and handed them over to Amelie.
Understanding dawned and Charlie shook his head at his friends.
"How did you know?" he asked, Amelie, raising his eyebrow.
"After the way he handled Henrietta? There was no way he wasn't your soulmate," she replied, a wide grin on her face.
Harry flushed lightly, and Charlie slipped his hand around Harry's squeezing gently. "You'll get used to these arseholes. Come on, I'll introduce you to the only being on the reserve worth knowing."
"I'm wounded," Amelie called, when Charlie led Harry away. "Wounded I tell you!"
"See you at dinner," Charlie called back.
"They seem… nice?" Harry offered, rubbing his neck awkwardly.
"They're great, but also, I wasn't lying, they're both arseholes. You'll grow to love them, but if you ever want to feed them to a dragon, remember that it's bad for their digestion. It's the only way I make it through the day sometimes."
Harry laughed.
Charlie grinned back and continued on his way to Henrietta's paddock. He noticed that Harry hadn't pulled his hand away, and he smiled to himself. Henrietta came into view, and Charlie didn't think he could ever be more satisfied than he was in that moment.
His dragon (because she was his) and his soulmate, both within reach. Who could ask for more than that?
Written for;
Auction - Wing!fic
365 - 117. Pacify
1000 - 323. CharlieHarry