The next morning...
Cho walked into the ministry in her uniform, with a grim face that pulled people from a mile away to ask if she was OK.
"Chang the boss of Communications would like to see you." said Miller.
"Sure." sighed Cho before taking the lift to the office.
She felt the lift stop and Charlie enter the lift.
Cho kept the grim face and hid behind two taller guys from the Quidditch league.
"So what did you do last night Weasley?" asked a guy who was standing near Charlie.
"Nothing really just went to dinner with an old friend," said Charlie casually.
"Really? Because a friend of mine saw you with Cho Chang from messaging." said the guy smugly.
"Chang is my friend Maxwell. Now why don't you keep your nose out?" said Charlie.
Cho couldn't help a grin appear cross her face.
" Cool it Weasley. I was just asking." said the guy an eyebrow raised as the lift stopped and the two walked out.
Cho returned her grim look.
Charlie had called her nothing more than a friend. Obviously that was all he classed her as. A friend.
The lift stopped at her floor and Cho walked out with a sigh.
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Charlie sat on his chair, cross-legged, at his desk and closed his eyes in thought.
He could hear the memos buzzing around his head and the laughter and chatter from down the corridor.
Trying to meditate at work was a rare thing and it was an even rarer time when he got any peace and quiet.
All he could see and hear in his mind was Cho.
See her face, hear her voice, smell her hair and taste the feeling of her lips.
He couldn't concentrate on anything else.
Charlie opened his eyes and cursed himself.
He couldn't take his mind off Cho at all.
Charlie sighed as he caught Edgar looking at him.
"What is it Wood?" asked Charlie uncrossing his legs.
"Um I was wondering if you were supervising your brother's party," asked Edgar.
"And which brother would that be?" asked Charlie sarcastically.
Edgar saw though his sarcasm.
"So you are then?" asked Edgar.
Charlie rolled his eyes in irritation.
"Of course I am. My parents wouldn't let me do anything else." sighed Charlie.
"It's just Oliver is thinking of going and I wanted you to make sure he doesn't do anything rash." said Edgar.
"Don't worry Edgar though I'm sure he can take care of himself." said Charlie.
"I know but still. Anyway I need to go. Got a meeting," said Edgar before he left.
Charlie closed his eyes and sighed.
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Cho took the messenger bag and clipboard of pick-ups from her boss before going back into the lift.
As she waited from the lift she put the bag strap across her chest.
She sighed as other people gathered around her for the lift.
She thought of the conversation Charlie had had
It made her stomach churn
She saw the doors open walked in while she looked at the clipboard.
The first was to pick up some status reports from Charlie.
Cho cursed herself.
Her day seemed to be revolving around Charlie just like her thinking.
She sighed and took a deep breath, trying to prepare her self up for meeting Charlie.
The lift stopped at Charlie's floor and cho walked to Charlie's office to find him meditating.
"Mr. Weasley. I'm here to pick up some status reports," said Cho in her best professional voice.
"Miss Chang. I didn't expect to see you so early." smiled Charlie opening his eyes.
"I only came to collect the status reports Mr. Weasley. Can you please hurry? I have other things to pick up," sighed cho looking at her watch.
"They are around here somewhere," said Charlie rummaging through some piles of parchment.
Cho tapped her shoe on the floor while Charlie found the report he was looking for and signed it.
"Miss chang can you stay here for a while I need to talk to you." asked Charlie passing the report to Cho.
"Depends what for? I'm on a tight schedule," said cho putting the report in her bag.
Charlie closed the door with his wand and got up from his chair.
"How can I help you Mr. Weasley?" asked Cho.
Charlie took the clipboard and bag from cho and threw them in a corner.
"Cho I'm sorry about last night," said Charlie blocking the objects from her.
"I'm sure you are and I understand. You needed an early night," said Cho reluctantly sitting down.
"No you don't understand. I feel guilty about leaving you," said Charlie.
"What guilty enough to just call me a friend?" asked Cho in a demanding tone.
"When did I... oh damn. I guess you heard that huh?" asked Charlie.
"Damn right I did. I threw my self at you last night because I thought you liked me. But no. You only class me as a friend." exclaimed Cho.
"I had to say something. But listen I do have more intimate feelings for you than as a friend Cho." said Charlie.
"Well why keep it a secret then?" asked Cho.
Charlie moved to her and knelt down in front of her.
"Imagine what it would look like. I'm so much older than you," whispered Charlie taking her hand in his.
"And is that a problem?" asked Cho.
"Of course not to me. But to other people like our families it's a big problem." said Charlie.
Cho sighed miserably.
Charlie got up and kissed Cho gently on the lips.
"I really like you, you know that Cho. Nothing will change that. But listen we need to keep this between us." said Charlie.
Cho got up slowly nodding and took her bag and clipboard from the corner.
"I think it would be best if you didn't come tonight. You know, Ron and the others might get suspicious," said Charlie.
Cho said nothing but Charlie could tell she was hurt as she left his office.