Chapter 4- Patronizing past

Charlie and Tonks had survived three weeks in one another's presence with little talk. Tonks had avoided any situation that might lead to Charlie finding reason to kiss her, and Charlie hadn't really tried again. Still, he would play his game whenever he found the opportunity. "Can you pass the sugar, Sugar," he said one day while the Weasleys were having tea.

Tonks shoved the sugar towards Charlie without a word and took to stirring her tea. "You stop patronizing her," Molly warned later, when he went into the kitchen and Tonks was out of earshot.

"I'm just trying to get along," Charlie said, playing his innocent card.

"You're not getting very far with your tainted honey," his mother said.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean you should be sincere if you're going to be nice. Otherwise, just leave Tonks be," Molly said, handing a brownie to Charlie.

"Fine, so what? I just don't talk to her anymore?"

"If that's what you have to do," Molly said. "Just show that I've raised you right; be a gentleman," she scolded. "And that doesn't include kissing women you have no intentions with."

Charlie looked down with a smug grin. "I have no idea what you mean, mother dearest," he said, pronouncing every word clear and cheesy.

"Just behave yourself," she said as a final instruction, turning back to cleaning the kitchen.

Charlie grabbed another brownie and walked into the living room where Arthur and Ron were playing a game of chess. "Hey Dad, didn't know you were home," he said, pulling up a chair.

Arthur ordered a move of one castle then looked up with a smile. "I got off a bit early."

Ron smiled as he called out for his knight to capture the rook, but soon became disappointed as Arthur moved abishop to win the game. "So close," he said.

"You have to pay attention to everything," Arthur said, leaning back. "Charlie knows what I'm talking about."

"You're not tricking me into a game," Charlie said. "I've learned my lesson in playing against you."

"Suit yourself," Arthur said, setting the pieces back into place. "Where's everyone else? I don't think I've seen Ginny here," he noted.

"She's getting ready to go out," Ron said. "Honestly, what is it with girls and getting dressed up?"

Arthur laughed. "Watch it," he said. "You never know when one of them is listening."

"I heard that!" Molly shouted from the kitchen.

"See?"

"Is Harry taking her?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah," Ron said.

"Aren't you going, then?" their dad asked.

Ron shook his head. "Hermione and I were going to her parents' for dinner. Tonks is going."

"With them?" Charlie exclaimed. "I swear, she should ease up on the following Ginny around."

Arthur gave Charlie a look, then checked the door to the kitchen. "She's been instructed to," he said with a serious expression and in hushed tones.

"Why?" Charlie asked.

"I don't think it's safe to say right now," he said. "Maybe Tonks'll tell you." Without another indication, Arthur turned back to the board, the expression of concern hard on his face, but without any sign that he had just said something unusual.

Charlie watched the game for a second, but couldn't keep what he was just told out of his head, so made his way up to his old room. "Why are you really here?" he asked.

Tonks was sitting at the old desk with a mirror in front of her. "Your parents invited me," she said, applying a little blush.

"Dad said you were instructed, so you can stop the charade."

"That's my favorite game, though," she said without emotion. "There's no reason for me to explain things to you."

"My dad obviously thought it prudent for me to know, or he wouldn't have hinted, now tell me what you're really doing here," he demanded.

"So childish," Tonks replied and shut the make-up case. She turned around. "I'm here to watch Ginny. I'm surprised it took you this long to figure out."

"Why are you watching Ginny?" he asked.

Tonks took a deep breath and turned her chair. "Have a seat," she said. Charlie did so, but didn't break eye contact. "Your sister stumbled upon significant information for the Order during this last year at Hogwarts."

"And?"

"I'm getting there," Tonks said. "She was receiving papers from an unknown source; unknown to her at least. She said they would just show up on her bed or in her notebook. We suspected one of the house elves at first, but somehow, Ginny has a connection to the person the papers belonged to. The papers have helped the Order find where active Death Eaters still are.

"They contain other information as well; more dangerous information. More importantly, information that they want, need to continue."

"You mean the Order 'they'?"

"No, the Death Eaters," Tonks said. Charlie paled a bit. He hadn't heard about the Chamber of Secrets until the summer after and almost suggested his parents find a school for Ginny close to him. He had always felt Ginny would have been much safer in Romania under his care, but his parents would have never wanted her far away either.

Tonks cleared her throat and continued. "Ginny and I have become friends of sorts over the time we've known each other so Dumbledore asked me to travel from Hogwarts with her and bring her home. The assignment is indefinite for now. Your mum doesn't know about it, so don't mention anything. Dumbledore feels it best for her not to worry. Molly thinks your sister is going to Italy for training; which is partially true. She's going because it's safer there, though."

"So, you're like a body guard?" Charlie asked with a laugh.

"What's so funny about that?"

Charlie continued to laugh. "You… your size… guard my sister."

"She's been safe so far," Tonks said in sharp tones. "And it's not like I couldn't change my size. Metamorphemagus, remember?"

"Come on, I'll take care of her. Why don't you go back and find something better to do?"

"What happens when you go back to Romania?" Tonks said. "Not so easy then, is it?"

"I'll take Ginny with me," Charlie said in his defense. He wouldn't admit the impracticality of the idea. "Who can take better care of her than her brothers?"

"We can't draw attention to her," Tonks said.

"And pink hair does what?"

"I've been changing it when we're away from The Burrow," Tonks argued.

Charlie thought back and realized she was right. So she had thought of that… there had to be something that made him a better candidate. "I'll figure something out, and you'll be off the hook," he said with confidence.

"Suit yourself, but Dumbledore won't go for it," she warned, turning back to the mirror.

"Who are you getting all dolled up for?" Charlie asked.

Tonks smiled. "A date with an old friend of yours," she said. "Do you remember Reggie?"

Charlie's jaw dropped a little bit. "Reggie Howard?"

"Yeah, that's the one," Tonks said.

Charlie and Reggie had been close friends through Hogwarts, and had lost touch through the years that followed. Charlie put on a small smile and walked out of the room, walking down to his own, mumbling under his breath.

"Bye Mum," Ginny said, standing next to Harry at the Burrow's front door.

Charlie came down the stairs, sulking. "Are they gone yet?"

"Yes," Molly said. "You should have come down, your old friend was here."

"So I heard," Charlie moped. "I don't get it, why would she go out with him?"

"Ginny and Harry are just going on dates," Molly said, trying to convince herself of it more than Charlie. "He's a lot better than what she could be dating."

"Not Ginny, Mum," Charlie said. "Tonks. Why would she ask Reggie?"

"She didn't," Molly said.

"What? He asked her?"

Molly nodded and sat on the couch. "He's been working at the ministry. She met him there a couple weeks ago."

"Traitor," Charlie muttered. Molly opened her Witch Weekly, on occasion looking over top, as Charlie talked to himself. "Who does that? I mean, really? What kind of mate dates another mate's worst enemy?"

"Enemy? Come on now, Charlie. Tonks isn't that bad," Molly defended.

"Oh yes she is," he said. "She's… manipulative… sure of herself… and all together—"

"Likeable?"

"Yes," Charlie said. "No… I mean no! Come on, Mum, this is the girl who ruined me in school."

"You always were a bit melodramatic, Charlie," Molly said with a smile. "I remember when you were five and you came in claiming that one of the gnomes had bitten your finger off. The skin wasn't even red."

"You don't understand."

"Try me," Molly said. "I think you would be surprised at how much I know."

Charlie took a deep breath. "There was this girl—"

"Nora?" Molly pinpointed.

Charlie nodded his head. "We dated for almost a year. Tonks started a rumor about her father being in charge of some less savory activities. If she hadn't done that, no one would have known and at least Nora would have been able to stay at Hogwarts."

"Charlie," Molly said in sympathy. "Oh Charlie, I know it seems like it was hard, but how would those circumstances have worked out? You know you wouldn't want to be a part of those things."

"I know," Charlie admitted. "I wish I had never known either."

Molly clucked for a moment. "I think it's time you put this behind you," she said. "It's silly to continue on a feud just because of something like that. You probably would have separated when you went to Romania," she said. Charlie knew it was true, could feel it, but it was easier to blame someone else. "Now, why don't you tell me the real reason you have such a problem with this date."

Charlie still hadn't thought about that himself. "It's just… weird, alright?" he said, standing and looking in the mirror. "I mean, what if they really did hit it off? It's just not natural."

"Oh, I'm sure it won't seem like that if it does work out," Molly said. "Besides that, you don't talk to Reggie anymore do you?"

"No," Charlie said. "Still, he was my friend." There was silence as Charlie waited for his mother to help him sort it out, but she didn't say anything. "I think I'm going to go read for a while," he said, standing and giving his mother a kiss on the forehead.

"Alright, but I'd like you to help your father later. He's going to be working on some Muggle contraption called a toastor," she said.

"'Kay, Mum," Charlie said as he made his way up the stairs.


Charlie was pacing his room trying to find something to do. It was almost eleven and they weren't home yet. Didn't Tonks know it wasn't safe for Ginny to be out so late? Did that woman ever think anyway? From down the stairs, Charlie could hear the door open and voices talking in the living room. Once footsteps fell onto the stairs, Charlie opened his door. The first person he saw was Ginny. "Hey… how was dinner?" he asked, trying to play off his sudden appearance.

"Fine," Ginny said. "How was your evening?"

"Well… you know," Charlie said. "Helped Dad in the workshop and all, but not much other than that," he said, leaning against the doorframe. He finally took notice of Harry standing behind his sister. "Where were you two going?"

"We were just going to play cards in my room for a bit," Ginny said easily.

Charlie stood up straight, with an intimidating look though he was inches shorter than Harry. "Can't you do that in the kitchen?"

"Er—yeah, Ginny, why don't we play in the kitchen then," Harry folded.

Ginny shrugged and followed Harry back down. Charlie decided to join. When he was in the living room, no one but his mother was there. "Where'd Tonks go?" he asked.

"Why are you asking?" she retorted, her wand in the middle of directing a knitting project.

"No reason… just… wondering," Charlie said, making his way to the door. Fresh air, he thought, that's what I need.

The only problem was the couple walking and talking in the garden. Charlie hovered nearby, making his way over with as little noise as possible.

"You're kidding me," he heard Tonks say.

"Nope," Reggie said. "That was us."

Oh Merlin, what's he telling her, Charlie thought as he leaned in closer.

"You're evil," she said with a laugh.

"So I've been told," Reggie said as his figure moved closer to Tonks's, "but maybe you can forgive me." He started to lean in and Charlie almost stepped in, but he saw Tonks but a hand on Reggie's chest to keep the distance.

"Forgiving is a second date thing for me," Tonks said with a smile.

"Alright then," Reggie said, giving the space requested. "I'll see you later then?"

"Sure," Tonks said. "Later."

Charlie watched as Reggie gave Tonks a small hug and disapparated. He stayed in his spot and waited until Tonks was passing him. "Why aren't you watching Ginny?" he said.

Tonks jumped in shock and took a second to recuperate. "I don't hawk over her when she's at home," Tonks said. "Harry and Ginny deserve some time alone too," she added.

"Time for what? I caught them going up to Ginny's room," Charlie said, following Tonks as she walked back to the house.

"So?"

"So? So?" Charlie asked, stepping in front of her. "That's my sister! You're supposed to be protecting her."

"Yeah," Tonks said, eyes flickering with anger. "From Death Eaters, not her boyfriend. Maybe you should just tell me what this is really about," she said. "Still mad at me? Still think I chased away your chances at a relationship?"

Charlie swallowed before leaning forward and kissing Tonks: this time for more than the reaction.

Tonks pushed away. "Stop doing that!" she yelled. "What's the matter with you?"

"I think I might like you," Charlie yelled back. Clearing his throat, Charlie continued without yelling. "Tonks, go on a date with me."

"What?" Tonks said. Charlie didn't respond. "No, really, what?"

"Go out with me," he said.

Tonks looked down, then back up at Charlie. "I'm going to bed," she said, then side stepped Charlie to enter the house.

"Idiot," Charlie said after the door closed. "Brilliant, just brilliant."


A/N: Chapter four! YAY… sorry, I'm really liking this one… I'm probably the only one too! If you are among the few, feel free to review… in fact I highly encourage it.

Thank you:

Hermione30: for betaing and reviews ;) gotta love ya

Spacemonkeylover: I love Charlie's thought process more than the kiss... the kiss is meaningless, it's the fact that he's doing it for fun is what's great! Thanks for the review, and I'll keep working on this one so you have more to look forward to (hopefully)

unlucky-duck: Thanks :")

Ella Palladino: lol Most that I've seen have this sort of love at first sight deal, but I love having a little fued going on.

Spazzy Magee: I like that bit too. My other fav of that chapter was the 'you kissed her... yup... so you're good now? ... nope'. Some reason gets me with that one.

Pedagogie: When is this relative to the books? Just after Ginny's seventh year. Or are you meaning something else?