"Your mother knows far too much about our sex life," Hermione joked weakly, offering up the potion. Charlie took it, and unscrewed the cap to sniff. He nearly tossed the vial across the room with how quickly he ripped it away from his face.

"A lust potion? I don't know whether to be disgusted or insulted," he scoffed.

"I see no reason you can't be both," Hermione responded before taking it back. "We should…"

"Er… right," Charlie grumbled, settling on the bed next to her. "I er… I didn't mean that. If you need to take some… I won't be offended."

"Really?" Hermione asked doubtfully even as he took her hand again. That was fine, that was safe. It was almost comforting.

"Alright, my pride might take a hit but it's good to be knocked down a peg every now and again. Keeps me humble."

"If you get any more humble you'll be a monk," Hermione laughed.

"I just referred to my cock as a dragon." His eyes softened when she paled. "Er, sorry. Shite, I'm saying that a lot aren't I? The trainers on the reserves all have quite a mouth and-"

"It's… it's not you Charlie," Hermione sighed, setting the vial on the nightstand but still within easy reach. "It's just… I haven't really done this much before."

"This isn't your first is it?" His voice was even but she could almost feel the anxiety rolling off it. She wanted to lie to him... it's not like he would know and it would make it easier.

"No."

She flinched when he glared at her.

"You can't lie about this Hermione," Charlie said, running his spare hand up her spine. It set her heart racing in a mix of anxiety and desire. "If you are I need to know or I will hurt you."

Hermione bit her lip, stalling for time.

"I was… I was raised to wait until marriage." And wasn't that unfortunate.

Charlie blinked at her slowly before exhaling loudly and closing his eyes. She could see the muscles in his jaw clench.

"I'm...sorry," She coughed out trying to stifle her flush. "My mother was… very religious and raised me to be as well."

"You don't need to apologize," Charlie responded softly. "I'm not mad… just.. Kind of surprised."

"What do you mean?" she asked, immediately offended.

"Not like that Hermione!" Charlie laughed. "Your reputation is sterling. It's just-"

Charlie cut himself off, dropping his eyes to her chest and sliding them down her body until his cheeks colored. It gave Hermione a rush of pride, even under the circumstances. She raised her eyebrow when he realized he was staring.

"You're just… very beautiful… and uh… Aw fuck it. You're fit as hell Hermione. I'm not sure how the boys of Hogwarts kept their hands off you."

Hermione laughed and he just colored more. It helped her relax, seeing him just as off kilter as she was.

"Well I had my fair share of snogging sessions. But whenever they expanded into anything more they were just kind of...meh, you know. I just don't get what the big deal is and- Don't laugh at me!" she shouted, pulling away from him to fall back onto the bed in exasperation. "It wasn't my fault."

"I'm sure it wasn't," Charlie responded, falling next to her still trying desperately to cover his laughter with a cough. "Boys that age spend more time thinking of how to get a bird than they spend in the act. It gets better as you go."

"Are you speaking from experience?" she teased, sticking her tongue out.

"Yes," Charlie responded with a smile. "Takes awhile to stop being a selfish little twit but I learned eventually. I promise, this is going to be much better than any of that."

The statement hung awkwardly in the air.

"How much longer?" Hermione asked after silence had fallen for a bit. Charlie sighed and cast a quick tempus charm.

"A few hours."

"Bugger," she grumbled. Charlie's eyes blew wide and he threw his head back and laughed.

"What?" Hermione scowled. "Never heard a woman curse before?"

"No! That's- not-" When he finally thumped his chest clear he was still chuckling. "It's just… Good Godric you are entitled to be swearing up a storm and you go with 'bugger'."

"Oh I can swear," Hermione corrected. "I just don't really consider it appropriate for the current mood."

"Right…" Charlie responded sobering immediately. "We should…"

Still they just stared at each other as the minutes wore by, neither really wanting to break the silence. So when Hermione's hand rose to rest on his bare chest they didn't speak. She felt the muscles of his pecs relax as her fingers explored the crevices and hard edges that moved his body. Her nail nicked at his collar bone and he shuttered, waking the dragon on his shoulder who hissed and disappeared down his back.

"I don't really know what I am supposed to be doing," she murmured, her eyes following his arm as he shifted it to rest on her hip. She tensed, freezing her movements.

"Don't worry about it. This is far from the regular flow of things," Charlie hummed, the warm baritone trying to soothe her body. By the time he was shifting her closer she was all but vibrating. "You've got to relax Hermione."

"I-I'm trying," she breathed.

"I know you don't want to do this but-"

"It's not that I don't want to Charlie-"

"You don't need to lie to me, Sweet. I heard your other options and I am only marginally better."

"Stop making yourself sound like a bargain bin bottle of wine Charlie," Hermione huffed. "You're painfully handsome and incredibly kind to boot. If this were any other situation I would have probably pinned you to the bed by now."

"Pinned you say?" Charlie smiled wickedly and that sent a curl of pleasure licking down her body. "Hm, maybe later."

"Charlie," she whined. She instantly regretted it. It made her sound young and foolish.

"Come here, we can start simple." Charlie pulled her to his chest letting her adjust to the feeling of his skin before tilting her head up. "Just a kiss yeah?"

"Sure," Hermione whispered letting the warm glow of blue and green of his eyes meld into nothingness as hers fluttered shut.

Just like their first kiss there was a rush of heat and excitement. Her magic seemed to spiral in her chest, thrilled to be paired with its match. When his lips pressed against hers hesitantly she wanted to sigh in happiness and just lay there for hours, getting to know every single way she could kiss him. But they didn't have hours and just as contentment and calm flowed through her there was an undercurrent of heat pulling her forward.

She leaned into it, let her hand snake up the hard planes of his body and tangle in his hair. Hermione pulled him tighter to her, forcing more delicious pressure between them. Charlie's chest rumbled against her possessively, his hand curling around her lower back.

He deepened the kiss, nipping at her lip and slipping his tongue in her mouth when she gasped. A small mewling sound escaped her throat when he pulled back.

"Sorry was that too much?" he asked, his eyes dark. "Shite. I should have asked-"

"Charlie," she managed, cutting off his rant. "Shut up."

She pulled him back to her, taking his mouth this time. He tasted like coffee and heat, the tingling taste of firewhiskey still lingering on his tongue. They fit together easily, the control of their kisses switching from one to the other in a constant battle where no one lost and everyone won. It was all going so well until she boldly rolled on top of him.

When she felt the length of him digging into her stomach she froze. Her brain conjured all sorts of images of how badly she could embarrass herself and ruin this thing that was still so new yet felt so important. He was trapped with her for the rest of his life. If she bollocks this up now it may take years to fix. And she only had six months, unless she was lucky enough to get pregnant this first time.

"Hermione? Sweet… look at me." Hermione shifted her head up slightly. "Now open your eyes."

She blinked slowly, not realizing they had still been shut while her brain plied her with the worst case scenarios. Charlie was looking at her in concern, his chest vibrating for some- Oh, no that was her. She was shaking.

"What's the matter?"

"I.. I can't… I'm going to mess this up."

"No you're not Sweet," Charlie crooned softly as he ran his hand down her neck. "You're doing so well. " He kissed her softly, slowly walking her down from the edge. "You taste delicious, like chocolate and fire."

She preened under the words, letting his voice roll over her soothingly. But when his fingers reached the tie holding up her dress she shot across the bed in a fit of panic. Her eyes were blown wide at the image of him lying there, his towel having come undone and only laying haphazardly over his-

"What is bloody wrong with me?" Hermione groaned, shoving her face into her hands.

"I'd say you're doing quite well all things considered."

"I just...I'm so sorry Charlie. I need to take the potion." Hermione said, refusing to look at him. "It's not you. I just can't shut off my brain."

"If you don't want to do this… I'll… I'll find another way."

"Like what?" she dragged her hands into her lap and stared at them, trying to will herself out of existence. She couldn't just suck it up for him? God this was humiliating and hurtful. She was already mucking things up and being an awful partner.

"I can… Well… maybe…"

"There is no other way that wouldn't be even worse. You are a catch Charlie, and I want to… I mean, God have you looked in a mirror?" She almost smiled when he chuckled.

"But it still wasn't what you expected for your first ime,," he finished for her when it was clear she wasn't going to do it herself.

"Yeah."

There was a shifting of fabric before his hand appeared in front of her, a small pink vial held in his open palm.

"I know I wasn't your choice but I am still honored nonetheless. Take the potion Hermione. I don't mind."

"Do… do you know what it'll do?" she asked.

"Knowing mum's hand in love potions, it will be a slow and subtle thing. It should only heighten what you already feel. She'd never go for the volatile over the top emotions. You'll be aware and able to stop me if you want. You seem so upset about this all it may not even work."

"I'm sorry," Hermione tried again. "I wish I could just… you're so attractive and I can't even just lay back and think of England."

"I would like to think you'll get a bit more enjoyment out of me than that." Charlie laughed, before that serious look overtook his face again. "Go on Sweet. Take it, it's alright."

Her hands were shaking so he uncorked the vial himself, tilting it up to her lips. When she raised her head to drink her eyes met his with a wince. He looked disappointed, and a bit upset but was hiding it well. It was completely her fault and yet he was still smiling so softly. It was unfairly heartbreaking to see him so resigned to his fate. She pulled away, a drop or two of the lemon scented liquid clinging to her lips.

"I can't do this to you," she sighed.

"Hermione really. It's fine if you just-"

"Stop," she said, forcing herself to meet his eyes. It was just as she saw the flash of relief in his that cemented her decision. She bit her lip nervously, watching his eyes follow the action as she recapped the potion and set it on the bedside table.

"Don't do this on my account," Charlie said. "If you need to-"

"You'll take care of me right?" she mumbled twisting her hands in the sheets.

"Of course I will," Charlie soothed, gathering her hand in his. "I'll be careful. I promise."

He laid them down on the bed, still a respectable distance away. Her eyes drifted to the towel, barely draped over himself before shooting back up to his face. Hermione shifted awkwardly, her skin flushing hot. Charlie relaxed a bit, a lazy smile pulling onto his face.

"Go on, look. Touch. Whatever. Take your time."

Hermione instantly focused on his body, like flecks of iron congealing on a magnet. She drank him in, as he laid there, so perfect in his strength and sure under her gaze. His skin was more scarred than not, but it compelled her more than anything. She shifted a tiny bit closer running her finger nails along the claw slashes on his hip.

"What happened?" she managed, her voice shakey and unfamiliar.

"Pulled a hatchling out of a poacher's camp. Damn bastards were going to take it to the beast fights in Greece. The little bugger clawed me in its haste to get away as soon as it saw the sky."

"A-and here?" she questioned looking at a small jagged slash over his right collar bone.

"Fell off a broom fifty feet up. Landed in a tree that broke my fall but also the bone. Was poking out of the skin and everyth-"

Hermione revelled in the strangled sound he made when she flicked her tongue over the mark. It made her feel powerful. She took a deep breath and chanced another lick.

"Easy there Granger." Charlie's voice sounded strained and low. His hand had curled back around her back. "Don't push anything before you're ready."

"Why are you so bloody understanding?" she sighed nuzzling her face into his neck and breathing him in. His hand trailed over her ribs and hips sending little shocks of pleasure through her body.

"Ron's the shouty one. As the older brother I had to learn patience," Charlie chuckled and his hand trailed up her spine to dance across the skin of her upper back. It was cool against her too hot body and felt like bliss.

He was so careful about it, like he was afraid to scare her away. He was giving her time to take control and get used to him, not willing to take more than she had to give. Even with his own arousal pressing against her stomach he was still so touchingly gentle. It was almost enough to make her fall in love with him right there. She could do this...would do this… for the both of them.

She shifted until her body was flush against his, her face still buried in his neck. She waited just until he thought she was settled to press her lips hesitantly against his skin. She felt his thighs stiffen and pull away slightly. The action wasn't what she was going for so she tried again. Her tongue flicked out, running up the ridge of his ear and he shivered, his grip tightening around her. It still wasn't enough, she wanted him to know that this was her choice… as much of one as she could make.

She kissed the spot behind his ear sweetly, letting her lips trail down until they reached the spot just below his pulse point. She swirled her tongue softly over the skin until he was twitching… waiting… until finally-

"Hermi-"

Her name was sliced through with a vicious-sounding, foriegn swear as she sealed her mouth over his neck and bit hard enough to bruise. His hips bucked up against her, dropping more of the towel away. Her heart hammered in her chest, bounding against the skin until she was sure she would burst.

She released the tight skin, and lapped at the already reddening mark forming. Perhaps it was a bit territorial of her, but he was technically her husband and he had seemed to like it.

Hermione was vaguely aware of a small part of her insisting that she feel guilty. That he was only doing this out of obligation and that she shouldn't take more than what was required. The much louder more convincing part of her screamed that he wanted her and she was going to give him a damn good reason to have married her.

Hermione kissed up his neck admiring the softness of his face. He must have shaved in the shower for her. Just as she was following the cut of his jaw with her tongue he rolled them onto his back.

"If- You're going to lick- every inch of me, might as well make it easier for you," he panted.

"Well," Hermione swiped her tongue across his lips, pausing when he surged forward to take her mouth with agaizing slowness.

"Maybe not every inch of you..." she teased.

Charlie groaned and pulled her against him, crashing their lips together. Desire surged in her mind, no longer hindered by foolish things like logic or circumstance. All she was aware of was that Charlie Weasley was criminally fit and, if that large thing digging into her stomach was to be trusted, painfully willing.

He flipped her like she weighed nothing, looming over her as he snogged her until she was gasping for breath. She groaned when he pulled at her lip again, twisting her body under his. He kissed down her neck, offering teasing licks and nips that set her already burning skin to near molten levels.

"Charlie," she whined. This time her pitch carried a dark note that had the hand on her waist tightening.

"What's the matter, Sweet?" he hummed, the vibration traveling down her collar bone and skipping around her heart. "Want to tease but can't take it back?"

"Please… I- We need-"

She whimpered when he pulled away, swearing in that harsh language she couldn't make out again.

"Of course. Sorry, I had forgotten."

This time when he lips found her neck his teeth dragged across the skin with just the right amount of pressure to leave her aching. She mewled when he sucked the skin of her bare shoulder into his mouth leaving his own matching mark.

"Hot!" she managed to pant out as he kissed his way up back up her neck to nibble at her ear.

"Hmm?" he purred.

"It's too hot. My skin feels like it's burning."

"Ah...Do you want to take off your dress?" he questioned softly, his fingers drifting over the neck of the halter. She nodded, already reaching for the zipper at her back. He steadied her hands, pulling them back towards his chest.

"Roll over, I'll do it."

Hermione bit her lip but nodded, doing as instructed. The satin sheets were cool against her cheek and she sighed at the feeling of his palm laying flat between her shoulder blades. The knot came undone with a simple tug and he rubbed the spot where it had rested on her neck before dropping his other hand to unzip the back. Charlie slowly pushed the fabric to either side, running his calloused hands across the curves of her waist and the small of her back. Hermione felt the smallest bit of anxiety which was slowly being drowned out by the desire quaking just under her skin.

The dress vanished seconds later and she squeaked in surprise as his hands traced up the outside of her thighs.

"Holy hell, Hermione. You're fucking stunning." Hermione was deeply pleased by the strained tenor leaking through his voice. "Gods I could just touch you forever… A-are you alright?"

"Fine," she breathed wishing he would just move. This was his part to do.

"Would you turn over, Sweet? Will you show me?"

Hermione only needed a second to school herself before twisting her body. She was sure her face was flushed, and she probably looked half-mad. It was not really the way she first wanted him to see her but...

Charlie groaned above her as his eyes roved over her. The darkening bruise on his neck stood out against the heavily freckled skin of his shoulders. Her eyes dipped lower cataloging every bit of him in return until-

She whimpered when her eyes landed on his cock, straining against his stomach. Most of the talk she had heard through the girls dorm about men had been related to skill more than size but still Hermione knew that Charlie was excessive. He was large, and so thick she couldn't imagine him fitting comfortably in her but dear god was she tempted to try. Hermione shifted her thighs, fully aware of the soaked state of her knickers as she took him in.

Her magic hummed at the appearance of a familiar wand as it breached her vision, floating over her stomach. She looked up curiously.

"What are you doing?" she asked even as he began to cast. Charlie's spell faltered, glowing bright pink before sputtering out. The tell tale sign of a failed contraception charm.

"Shite. That's right. We can't… oh Good Godric." Charlie fell back on his knees, a haunted look decorating his face. "I'm going to be a father."

Hermione blinked, pulling herself easily from the haze of desire as Charlie ran his hand through hair. She had forgotten that as scary as this all was for her, he was in it just as deep. Hermione sat up, wanting to be closer to him.

"Did you not want children?" she asked.

"No… yes- I… I haven't had a chance to think about it and now-" Hermione silenced him with a kiss calling her own wand to her side with a silent accio . She pointed it at her stomach and whispered the spell until it glowed a bright bubblegum pink before seeping into her skin.

"There," Hermione hummed pulling Charlie back down to the bed. "All better."

"But you need to get pregnant or-"

"There will be time for that," Hermione said. Oh god she hoped there would be so much time for that. "After we have talked about it. Tonight it can be just us."

"Technically it's morning," Charlie corrected and Hermione frowned in response. "Shite what am I doing? Freaking out about pregnacy and terminology with a fucking beautiful woman under me? Come here."

Hermione sighed as he wrapped back around her, kissing her until she was forced to tear away for a breath. His hands slid to her breast, palming them easily. She moaned lightly as he trailed his mouth down using his tongue to circle her nipple.

She reached awkward for his length, before he pushed her hand away.

"Not right now, Sweet," he hummed against her skin, sending a blazing heat to her core. He rolled the pert nubs in his fingers and lips working her into a frenzy.

"Charlie please hurry," she moaned softly. She was mildly embarrassed by the neediness to her tone. Desire pooled in her stomach in a way she hadn't felt quite this desperately before. It wash quickly building to an almost painful ache. He promised he would take care of her thought and he would… right?

Charlie glanced up at her and frowned but nodded anyway, a slightly disappointed look on his face. His fingers pulled at the band of her knickers, gently tugging them down and off her. He was swearing again when he looked at her core, this time almost like a prayer.

She threw her head back and groaned when he ran one thick finger down her slit. He slowly circled her clit, watching the way she twitched when he repeated certain movements.

"God's you're soaked. Can I..." Charlie asked, prodding against her entrance.

"Yes!" Hermione gasped, bucking her hips as he slid inside. She moaned deeply, as he pumped his hand, providing friction but not nearly enough of it. He was so careful, but she didn't want to be careful right now. "More Charlie. More. Please."

"So eager aren't you?" he asked even as he obliged, inserting a second finger, hissing as her muscles clamped down. "You're so tight, Sweet. I don't think you can take me."

"I can! I can!" Hermione moaned, riding his fingers where he had stopped. He watched her through half-lidded eyes. She was sure she was making quite a scene but didn't particularly care. "Please, they aren't enough. Please."

"You're sure Hermione?" Charlie asked as he withdrew her fingers. "If you need more time-"

Hermione surged up pressing her bare chest against his and knocking him off balance with a frenzied kiss. God he tasted delicious.

They tumbled to the bed until Hermione found herself on top, sitting up in victory. But when she looked down his hands were running over her body and she was confident he was still a happy loser.

Carefully she shifted herself up, sliding the tip of him across her sex. She groaned at the stimulation and he was in no better shape.

"You should let me get you off, Sweet. At least once. Please. Let me make it good for- ''

Hermione didn't bother listening to the rest and she sank down on him slowly. Her back arched and she forced herself to relax against the stretching that felt like it was splitting her open in a heady mix of pain and pleasure.

"Go slowly. Take your time," Charlie growled through a clenched jaw even as she felt him twitch inside her. His eyes were screwed shut and his breathing was coming in rapid pants. His hands were lightly pulling her hips upwards before letting her sink back down at her own leisure. By the time she had taken all of him she was shaking and swore she was so full that she was just a second away from bursting. There was no way she could handle so much right now, not when she was so new to all of this. Anxiety licked at her consciousness and her hands began to tremble against his chest.

"I- I can't-" she whined and wiggled her hips, willing for him to understand. Apparently following along, he pulled her back under him, settled between her legs and still sheathed inside of her.

"It was a bit ambitious of you," Charlie said, catching her nipple in his mouth. He pulled back out and sunk into her slowly, giving her body time to adjust to his size. "But I expect nothing else of Hermione Granger."

"Weasley-" She panted as he sunk back into her with considerably more ease, pleasure slowly beating out the pain.

"Hm?" he hummed, biting at his own lip as he tried to control himself.

"Hermione Wealsey," she said, staring at his eyes. For a moment there was just a tinge of sadness before a searing heat overtook them. He dropped his mouth to hers and snapped his hips forward with a bit too much force. The action shook something deep within her that made white stars dance across her vision and her back arch against him.

"Fucking hell," Charlie cursed before repeating the action, his groan joining hers as thrust into her.

"I'm trying to be gentle and you are ruining it," he panted, licking up her jugular.

"Don't want- gentle. Want- this."

Hermione sighed, twisting her hips up to meet his as he picked up the pace. His skin on hers was constantly shifting between ice and fire and the pleasure shooting through her body made her head spin. She dragged a hand through his hair tugging tightly at the strands when he angled his hips to just roll against that spot. God she had never felt so filled and completed before.

"Almost time, Sweet," Charlie groaned dropping to his elbows caging her in. "Can you come with me?"

"I-" She arched again when he hit that spot. "I don't know. I-"

A raw scream pulled from her throat as his thumb found her clit pushing in time with his hips. Just as his thrust began driving deeper she felt all the muscles in her body tensing and little shocks shooting up her spine.

"Come on, Love. Fall apart for me."

Hermione screamed again as she did just that. Charlie ripped his hand away, supporting himself on the bed while he swore, his own release seeming dragged from him by hers. By the time she could force her fingers to release his hair he was shaking above her. She helped guide him to her side just as a yellow ball of light appeared above them for a split second before bursting apart and dissolving.

"The union of Hermione Granger and Charlie Weasley is recognized by the Ministry of Magic as of this day, June 22nd at 7:32 am."

Hermione blinked slowly at the parchment drifting down over the bed. She caught it from the air, recognizing the familiar scroll of a marriage certificate, signed and dated for the exact time.

"Please tell me that the Ministry doesn't have the exact time and date of when we consummate our marriage," Charlie groaned.

"Afraid so," Hermione mumbled, setting the paper to the side.

"We don't even have rings. What a git am I."Charlie covered his eyes with his arm still panting. Hermione smiled softly, grabbing her bag. She winced at the soreness between her legs but hid it, not wanting him to feel guilty. Her magic hummed eagerly around them and she was easily able to cast a wandless summoning charm, retrieving a small box from her bag.

"Erm, if you don't mind-"

"What do you need?" Charlie asked sitting up so quickly that she almost laughed.

"Nothing. Nothing. I just… you said we needed rings and I have these." Hermione opened the white case, revealing simple silver bands. Charlie pulled out the larger ring, examining it in the light. "They aren't valuable or anything. They're just silver. My parents used them until they graduated dental school but I always loved them. Plus since it's not gold the dragons shouldn't want it."

She took the ring from him and grabbed her discarded wand. A quick spell later and it was resized to fit him perfectly. Before handing it to him she applied one last charm, inlaying an engraving into the inner rim. Charlie held up the ring, reading the delicate cursive.

"By the ever-rising sun." His voice hummed in pleasure and affection.

Charlie graced her with a smile so brilliant that it made her heart hurt. Without any more pomp he grabbed hers from the box and resized it as well, the careful writing taking longer than it should for his vow.

He slid it onto her finger and Hermione felt their magic crackle hummed in pleasure as the last bits of their bond sealed something within her heart. She blinked at him, the heavy events of the past twenty-four hours settling on her like a fog.

"Sleep then?" she asked, already laying back into the pillows. Charlie laughed and nodded, levitating the sheets from under them and tucking them back around her.

"Sleep Sweet, I've got you."

He gave her room if she needed it but Hermione shifted over to him as soon as he had settled, curling around his arm. He kissed her softly on the head, just as sleep began to take her.

Before she could slip away, she removed the band, squinting at the carefully scratched engraving of his handwriting inside. It was messy and slightly roughed, just by h

By the moon, that chases the sun across the sky.

She smiled, sliding her wedding band back on and nudging her way under his arm. He was already asleep, but still pulled her closer to him, his hand curling around her waist.

Yes, she thought, there were much worse options than Charlie Weasley.