Disclaimer: You know the drill.
A/N: I know what you're thinking… "Finally! She actually wrote another chapter!" Well, yeah… that's what writer's block will do to you. ;) Anyhoo, thanks to my wonderful, faithful beta, Cyndi – you're an angel. And of course, to my reviewers, for waiting so patiently!
sarah-mason19 – Thanks! I know, I loved Tonks' outfit too. ;)
:) – Molly is the perfect matchmaker!
TeenTypist – Yay! Another C/T fic writer! Can't wait to read yours!
MelissaMoony – Thanks so much!
Spazzy Magee – Yes, I did love writing that chapter! And don't worry, Tonks is back to normal clothes in this one. ;)
attack of the space monkey – Thanks! Hope you like this chapter too!
Erin – I'm so glad you read my fic! Thanks for the great compliment!
Pedagogie – Thanks so much!
Eraserhead – Aw, you're too sweet!
DeeDee the SMARMY – They do make a good couple, don't they? :)
dreamy-crazygirl – Glad you decided to give Charlie and Tonks a chance!
HollyMahogany – Thanks so much!
mysticaldreams – Thank you! Tonks is a great character to write.
Dr. Huff-Puff – Thanks!
Marie – Of course there's more! Yay!
Ariana Malfoy-Lestrange – Take a deep breath and have a cookie, dear… Here is your update! ;)
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I love it when she smiles.
Charlie watched Tonks as she chattered happily to his mother, telling her about their day in London. Tonks had been in a very good mood this week, and Charlie felt an odd sense of accomplishment, knowing that he had helped put that smile on her face.
Charlie knew that he was getting in deep. Sightseeing with Tonks every day this week had been some of the happiest days of his life. His previous feelings of infatuation were developing into something much more… profound. Tonks was like no other woman he had ever met. She was a curious mixture of confidence and insecurity, spunk and timidity, laughter and tears. And she was always full of surprises. Charlie found himself wanting to know everything about her, to be with her every moment of every day.
He had only known her for a week, but he already knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life making her smile like she was right now.
Charlie stood up from his seat at the kitchen table and pushed back his chair, causing the two women to look at him curiously. He felt his ears go red. "Er… I'll be right back." He quickly left the kitchen, ignoring his mother's pointed look. He didn't care if they thought he was a nutter – he needed to speak with his father.
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Tonks watched Charlie leave the room, wondering what he was up to. Hope he's alright.
When she turned back, Molly was looking at her, a knowing smile on her face. "What?" asked Tonks.
Molly reached out and patted her hand. "I'm just happy for you two, dear."
Tonks felt herself blush, a rare occurrence. "Did Charlie say something to you?"
Molly winked. "He doesn't need to. I can see on his face how he feels about you."
How he feels about me? Tonks was surprised. She knew how she felt about him, but she hadn't really dared to think that he might feel the same way.
Her stomach fluttered and she looked at Molly. "Are you sure?"
Molly laughed. "Tonks, dear, I've been married for twenty-seven years. I know what a man in love looks like."
Tonks nearly fell off her chair. "In… in love?" Her heart felt like it might race out of her chest. "Do you really think he… loves me?"
Molly looked at her thoughtfully. "All I know is that Charlie is happiest when he's with his dragons, and I doubt he's ever looked at a Norwegian Ridgeback the way he looks at you."
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"Dad? Can I talk to you?"
Charlie was grateful his father had the day off. Arthur was in the sitting room, reading the Daily Prophet with a frown. He looked up at his son and nodded. "Sure, Charlie. What do you need?"
Charlie knew it was better not to beat around the bush. He sat down in an armchair and took a deep breath. "I think I'm in love with her, Dad, and I don't know what to do about it."
His father didn't look surprised, didn't even ask who Charlie was talking about. He just waited for Charlie to continue.
"I know I've just met her, but she's everything I've always wanted." Charlie sighed. "I don't want to mess this up, Dad, so I need your help. Is it too soon to tell her how I feel?"
Charlie watched anxiously as his father nodded thoughtfully before speaking. "I think it is too soon to tell her everything, Son, but you've got two weeks to spend with her before she goes back to work – enjoy it. Get to know her as much as you can, and show her how you feel. When it's time to tell her, you'll know."
Charlie thought about that. It made sense. "Was it this way when you met Mum?"
His father grinned. "Your mother and Tonks are a lot alike, Son, and that's not a bad thing. You're in for a grand adventure."
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Tonks sat in front of her mirror and stared at herself. Since talking to Molly yesterday, she'd thought of nothing but her feelings for Charlie and his for her. It was all happening so quickly – she could barely take it in. All she really knew was that she was happier than she'd ever been, and that Sirius would have approved.
She smiled at her reflection and turned back to the task at hand – getting ready for tonight's date with Charlie.
At that moment, Ginny popped her head in the door. "Charlie told me he was taking you out tonight. Need any help?"
Tonks grinned in relief. "Definitely. Help me pick out something to wear."
Ginny moved across the room and opened the wardrobe, examining the variety of robes hanging within. "Well, what color will your hair be tonight?"
Tonks grimaced, raising a hand to the pink spikes atop her head. "Dunno. I do want to look nice tonight – Charlie's taking me to Madame Selina's, and it's a really fancy place… what do you think?"
Ginny squinted her eyes and appeared to be concentrating. She looked from Tonks to the wardrobe, and then back again. "I'd say the dark green robes to bring out your eyes, and long brown hair." She grinned mischievously. "Charlie's a sucker for brunettes."
Tonks laughed and tucked that information into the back of her mind for future reference. She stood and took the green robes from Ginny's outstretched hand, holding them up in front of her and looking at her reflection. Scrunching up her nose in concentration, Tonks adjusted her hair until she achieved long brown locks. She saw Ginny's grin of approval and returned it with one of her own. She couldn't wait to see Charlie's reaction tonight.
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Charlie paced nervously at the bottom of the staircase. He felt like a teenager again, awaiting his first date. And yet, it was different. Yes, it was his first real date with Tonks, but the knowledge that he loved her, that he wanted to spend his life with her, made it so much more than just a date.
However, Charlie had taken his father's words to heart. He was going to enjoy these weeks he had with her and force himself to move slowly, cautiously.
Charlie heard laughter from behind him and spun around to face Fred and George with a glare. "What are you two on about?" he asked testily.
The twins turned to each other with raised eyebrows. "Ah, a bit touchy, are we?" asked Fred innocently.
"Very touchy," added George with a grin. "You'd think old Charlie didn't want us around or something."
Charlie bit back a laugh and matched their raised eyebrows. "I don't want you around, as a matter of fact."
"Oh, that hurts, Charlie," George said in a wounded tone.
"Yeah," whined Fred. "I don't think I'll ever get over that one."
Charlie grinned. "Oh, shove off, you two. Go find someone else to harass."
"Aw, come on, Charlie," groaned Fred. "No one else in the house has anything nearly as interesting as a date."
George grinned. "So you make a perfect target."
Charlie thought fast. "I saw Ron writing a letter a few minutes ago – bet it's to a girl."
The twins rolled their eyes simultaneously. "Just to Hermione," said George.
"Nothing new there," said Fred. "We've run out of ways to tease him on that front."
Charlie sighed. Only one way to get rid of them. "Get out of here or I'll tell Mum it was you who set off those dungbombs in the kitchen last night."
His brothers' eyes widened. "You wouldn't!" they said.
He gave them a typical older-brother glare. "I would. And you know she's already upset with you over the beetles you slipped into the soup kettle at lunch."
Fred and George exchanged a look. "Alright, you win this one, Charles," retorted Fred. "But watch your back in the future, mate."
Finally they were done. Charlie raked a hand through his hair and then frantically tried to fix it again. If anything else goes wrong…
"Charlie?"
He spun around… and there she was.
He couldn't breathe. It felt as though someone had thrown a bucketful of ice-cold water in his face. Wow.
Tonks blushed, and Charlie realized that he'd spoken aloud. Quickly filling his lungs with air, he reached out a hand to help her from the bottom step. "You look… amazing."
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Charlie. You don't look so bad yourself."
Charlie had never been happier that he'd bought these dress robes last Christmas. He grinned and offered his arm to Tonks, which she took with a laugh. "Are you always this gallant?"
His grin widened. "You'll have to stick around and find out."
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Madame Selina's restaurant wasn't very crowded when they arrived, and Charlie was glad. He wanted to be able to spend a quiet evening with Tonks, getting to know her better without too many interruptions.
Tonks beamed at Charlie as he held her chair for her at the small table in the corner. "This is wonderful, Charlie," she said. "Thank you for doing this."
"My pleasure, believe me," Charlie answered. "I knew I'd never get a minute to really talk to you at headquarters."
And now, without the distractions of work, family members, and the Order, Tonks and Charlie really could talk, and talk they did – about everything. When their conversation turned to their school days, Charlie voiced a question that had been nagging at him all week.
"How come I don't remember you from Hogwarts? You were only… what, two years behind me in school? I'm pretty sure I'd have noticed a beautiful girl like you."
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Tonks froze, her water goblet halfway to her lips. She forced herself to raise it to her mouth, forced the liquid down her throat, forced her expression to remain calm. You can't lie to him, Tonks. He'll figure it out eventually. Might as well confess all the humiliation right here and now.
She knew Charlie was waiting for an answer. She just didn't know if she could give him one.
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A/N: Hahaha… I love cliffies… basically this chapter got too long for the Queen of Short Chapters, so I decided to leave you hanging… and if you'll just click that pretty little button down there, I might update soon!