A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting! I have been out of my mind busy. Since I've posted, I bought a house (whhhaaaattt?), graduated with my Master's, started a new Master's program (because I'm insane), got diagnosed with bipolar disorder (because… no. really, I am insane.) There have been so many ups and downs and I've been crazy out of my mind trying to fit everything I do or want into my life. I'm trying to continue to work on this and all my other fics! Here's chapter three. Enjoy, and hang in there with me!

2nd A/N : Updated. Hopefully it doesn't have all that code in it. Also, new chapter coming soon.

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Charlie lead Hermione into a small café. Charlie and Hermione took their seats in a booth in a far corner and looked over the menu.

"What odd choices," said Hermione. "A peanut butter and jelly hamburger? Is that really a thing?" Her laugh tinkled, a sound that Charlie would never tire of hearing. Charlie ordered the PB&J burger while Hermione went with a sandwich and a salad. The two ate their meals quickly in a comfortable silence. Charlie looked out the window.

"We ought to get home. I'm sure Mum is going ballistic wondering where we are. I'm surprised she's not sent me a patronus."

Hermione nodded her head at him, having polished off the last of her sandwich and taking a big gulp of water to wash it down. Charlie left a bill of muggle money on the table, not bothering with change.

Hand in hand, they headed back toward home. Though it was home for both of them, they hardly frequented it. Charlie and Hermione had more in common than one would think.

"So, do you know what you want to do after the war?" asked Charlie, trying to find a safe topic that wouldn't upset her too much or put pressure on her to discuss things she couldn't.

A deep pink covered her cheeks, bringing a nice splash of color to her pale face.

"What?" Charlie asked.

"It's…. it's nothing, Charlie. I just…"

"Come on, love, you can tell me."

She let out a small sigh and looked him in the eyes.

"I want to be a dragon tamer," she said, her eyes boring into his. His blue eyes widened and his mouth dropped a little.

"I thought you would've gone to the ministry or be a healer or something."

"Everyone thinks that. Truth is, I didn't decide on dragons until last summer."

"Why dragons?" he asked her, curiously probing her mind.

"There's something about them. I was doing a special project for McGonagall and encountered dragons in my research. The more I read, the more I fell in love with them."

"Wait until you see one up close. The feel of their scales beneath your fingers, their breathing in your ears, the wind from their beating wings blowing at you… it's unlike anything," Charlie said, reverently.

If Hermione was being honest, it had less to do with her readings and more to do with Charlie. He spoke of dragons with a reverence and awe that chilled Hermione.

"Do you have a location in mind?" Charlie asked.

"I hear Romania's nice," she said, letting her words trail off, her eyes boring into Charlie's.

"I…" he cleared his throat. "I think I might be able to get you a good word in with the boss."

She smiled at him, her eyes shining with excitement.

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When they finally reached The Burrow, Molly was very cross. She was angrier than when Fred, George, and Ron snuck out of the house to save Harry from the Dursley's. She was yelling at Charlie about being irresponsible and taking Hermione out of the safety of the wards for so long. They sat in the kitchen, being lectured for a good hour. Hermione kept giving Charlie apologetic glances while Charlie kept his gaze down at the ground. Even though he was a grown man, he was terrified of his mother when she was in a mood.

When they were released from Molly, Hermione went to the bedroom she was staying in. She plopped down on the bed with a grunt. Her mind was consumed with the war, dragons, and a handsome red haired, blue eyed man that she loved more than anyone else in the world. She started to doze off when her door opened. She bolted up, her wand at the ready, looking like she was about to take down the most fearsome of Death Eaters.

"Calm down love, it's just me!"

She lowered her wand and placed it back on the bedside table.

"Sorry, Charlie. What are you doing in here?"

"Well, it's my room, isn't it?"

"Oh… yeah. Sorry. Normally I bunk with Gin, but I wasn't really feeling like staying with Ginny this go around, so I asked your mum if I could bunk in here. I can go to Gin's if you want your room back."

Charlie surveyed her for a second.

"No need. Budge over, would you."

"You…. You can't be serious. What if your mother walks in here?"

Charlie paled at the thought, but then shook his head.

"I'm not worried about it."

Hermione looked at him curiously before shrugging and scooting over in the bed. Charlie sat on the bed and flung his legs over Hermione's. She giggled and squirmed out from under his legs. She pulled herself up the bed and as Charlie laid down, she snuggled into his chest, his arm over her shoulder. Never in her life had she felt as safe as she did in his arm, snuggled up to him. Not a word was spoken as they lay there. Soon, the room was filled with the sound of Charlie's gentle breathing, indication of his sleep. Gingerly, Hermione extracted herself from his grip and gently crawled over him. She threw on a hooded sweatshirt and stuffed her wand in its pocket and quietly made her way down the stairs and out to the garden. She sat under the same tree she and Charlie had sat under the other day. As she looked at the inky star laden sky, her thoughts focused on the red head who saw her for who she was, and wasn't intimidated by or afraid of her. No matter what happened, or what anyone said, Charlie Weasley would always be her best friend, her confidant, and, she thought shyly, her first love.