"Well, that is a start." The ceremony book of the Ministry official clapped shut. She pulled documents from her robe pocket and handed them to Bill. "I will need you and one of the girls to sign these please. Preferably not your sister."
Bill nodded and walked to Gillian. The minute the bonding was over, the girls were upon Charlotte hugging her and offering their congratulations. He pulled Gillian aside and the two signed the documents. Ms. Horton took one and replaced it in her robes. The other she folded and placed in a folder and handed to Charlie which he pocketed inside his dress robes.
Molly joined the girls hugging Charlotte briefly before she turned to the official. "I have a small dinner planned for the occasion. Please join us."
"Oh, Molly. Thanks for the offer. Homer is home with the children. I have to be getting along. If I do not get home to supervise, he will feed them biscuits for dinner with ice cream as the main course. I appreciate the offer and will be sorry I have missed your excellent cooking."
Molly and Arthur walked Mrs. Horton out as the rest of the family and friends surrounded and congratulated the new couple. They hugged Charlie and kissed Charlotte. Molly soon appeared again to recruit Ginny and Fleur to help her get dinner on the tables Arthur and the men set in the garden under warming spells earlier. Within minutes, the couple was at the head of the heavily laden table with their family and friends set about them, toasting their good fortune and future happiness.
Charlie and Charlotte were the center of many good hearted jests due to their hands being bound together. Before they had even made it to the table, Charlie, who was having a boisterous conversation with Harry and Ron about a quidditch game, raised his hands to mimic a catch and pulled Charlotte into him He just managed to catch her to his side before she fell from her abrupt change in motion. She blushed deeply at the close contact. During dinner, Charlotte reached for her glass of wine, just as Charlie tried to cut his potatoes. And when they were done, Charlotte stood to begin clear up with Molly only to have Charlie's hand raise up as well.
The whole group enjoyed the time laughing and conversing. Molly even took the time to make a beautiful tiered cake for the couple which they cut and shared along with homemade ice cream. The dinner was over and the dishes cleared and still no one made a move to leave the table content to share the evening together.
It was Katie who finally broke the spell with a soft "Charlie" and a pointed look at the clock, 7:15.
Charlie sighed and leaned over to his new wife. "Charlotte, we will need to leave soon. It will take some time to travel back to Romania. I'm sorry."
Charlotte smiled sadly and looked at her new family around the table. Ginny hearing the exchange between them pouted, "It's so unfair you have to leave so soon. Do you really have to go?"
The rest of the family turned to Ginny and then the couple.
"Sorry, everyone. I need to be back to work in the morning . I wish I could have more time." Charlie explained.
Everybody got up and began to pass the couple around telling them 'goodbyes' and 'good lucks' and 'safe travels'.
"Charlie," a tearful Molly fixed his collar and smoothed his robes again, "Why don't you stay here tonight, get up early and go back then. It will be less stressful."
"No, mum," Charlie shook his head. "I think it's best we go to Romania tonight, for everything."
"But Charlie…"
"Mum, I am not taking my new bride up to my bed in the room I use to share with Bill." He said firmly.
Molly pursed her lips trying to find another angle. Arthur stood behind her and simply whispered her name into her hair. She sighed and let the argument go.
"I'll need to collect my things," Charlotte whispered softly to Charlie.
"Right here," sing sang Ginny as her and Hermione appeared with Charlotte's school satchel and an overnight bag.
Bill clapped his brother on the back. "Yours is by the door with the crates. Good luck getting back into Romania by the way."
Louis laughed, "Why do you think we travel so late. We get to know our travel officials that way."
Percy was indignant at the implications.
After another quick round of goodbyes, the couple, along with the remaining Romanian reserve employees, made their way out of the wards. Katie, who received a beautiful ermine trimmed cloak for Christmas from Jake insisted on trading with Charlotte. After some minor protesting, the strong willed dragon handler prevailed and the white fur cape was fastened about Charlotte's collar and her plain black school cloak was on Katie.
Charlie pulled her close to him. "Let me take you."
They left their family behind and reappeared in the atrium of the Ministry. After checking in and registering their wands, Charlie expertly navigated the small group through the maze of the Ministry along with all of their alcohol.
As they entered the International Division of the Regulation and Control of Magical Travel, the old Ministry official looked up from his book. "Ah, there you lot are. Good thing you filled out the paperwork earlier. You're cutting it close."
"That's why we did it, Arnold." Charlie told the man. He dug into his robes and produced the marriage register and another stack of documents. "Hers are in there as well."
Arnold nodded and began to sort documents onto stacks he already had laid out on his counter. The others handed over their credentials as well and Arnold continued to sort.
"I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of completing your paperwork when I arrived on Thursday so we could stay longer this evening. Bill and Percy were able to collect your documentation for me as well. Mum worried if you had them or not. Percy was able to locate most of it. Bill has an easier time on the muggle side, so he was able to find your birth registry easy enough." Charlie looked down to his bride.
She smiled back. "I appreciate it. I am sure it must be quick for you to complete now for as much as you travel back and forth."
Charlie nodded, "Just not here, but in Romania. I travel a fair bit with the recovery/retrieval team. They know us quite well there . Makes it easier to get through everything."
"Are you really going to try and take back seven cases of various alcohol?" Arnold was indignant.
"Of course, fine sir. Your alcohol here is quite divine." Louis pronounced.
Arnold looked at him over the tops of his spectacles. "Something's not right."
Shaking his head he reviewed each pile and stamped them after his approval. He came to Charlotte's last. "May I have a word in private, my dear?"
Charlie held up their joined hands.
"Oh, I see." Arnold nodded, "Well, then. I guess. No looking at him now. Are you leaving Britain of your own free will?"
Charlotte blinked at him in confusion then nodded.
"Good. Good. All seems to be in order. You wouldn't lie to an old man now would you dear? You want to go with Charlie?" Arnold asked again.
"We are married, or hand fasted and bonded." Charlotte replied.
"But did you want to be?"
Charlotte looked at him in confusion. Charlie answered for her. "We are a Ministry match, Arnold."
Arnold nodded looking at Charlotte again. He pursed his lips and stamped her paperwork approved and handed it back to her. "Good luck, you two. Portkey leaves in five minutes."
The group gather about the area. Charlie removed Charlotte's bags from her shoulder. "You should wear these across your body as we travel. How in bloody hell do you carry this bag."
Charlie had almost dropped the school bag with all of her books. Charlotte shrugged, "How did you your seventh year."
Charlie slipped her book bag over his own shoulder and replaced her overnight bag over hers. "I was the quidditch captain."
Charlotte grinned back, "I am a Ravenclaw."
Charlie rolled his eyes at her. Nate appeared at this side with a harness which Charlie draped it over his shoulder to join his and Charlotte's bags. Charlotte traced the tether with her eyes noting it ended at a net holding one of the crates.
"All set. Cushioning charms been placed." Nate stated as he placed his own tether on.
"We travel with a lot of gear for ourselves and the dragons. The tethers help transport." Charlie explained to Charlotte.
"Cushioning Charms?" she inquired.
Charlie looked at her in concern, "Have you ever traveled by portkey?"
Charlotte shook her head, "Only appearation and floo."
Charlie grimaced. "I'm sorry your first time will be such a long trip. It is not the best way to travel but it is quicker for longer distances. It's very disorientating since we spin the entire way. I think it would be best if you held onto me so I can keep you steady when we land."
Charlotte nodded just as Arnold called the group together. They touched the old cracked plate just as it started to turn blue. Charlie drew Charlotte against his chest. "Hold on."
Charlie's description had been under-exaggerated. Charlotte's continued mantra of 'don't be sick' seemed to go on forever. The spinning slowed and her feet hit the ground. Hard. Charlie grabbed her tightly and held her for a moment against his chest. She continued her self-convincing not to be sick on his shoes by breathing in and out. Finally she was able to support herself and looked up. Charlie gave her a lopsided smile. "Will you be alright?"
I don't know should have been her logical answer. Instead, she agreed she would be.
"Welcome to Romania." Katie chuckled.
Charlie dropped his arm completely and grabbed her bound hand into his. Across the room a bright eyed young man looked at them with unconcealed greed. "Anything to declare, gentlemen."
"Good evening, Ivan." Louis chuckled. "Of course we have something to declare. We could not get the girl to change her mind and Charlie Weasley is off the market. The rest of us lucky bastards may have a chance with the ladies at last."
Everybody but a blushing Charlotte laughed. Ivan drew a stack of papers forward and a repeat of the process they just completed in England.
It took longer on this end. There was double the paperwork as Charlotte would be a semi-permanent resident of the country with her marriage to Charlie. Ivan double and triple checked everything.
"You should expect a visit from an immigration official within the next day," Ivan pronounced stamping the temporary immigration paperwork allowing Charlotte into the country.
"Let them know if they intend to speak to Charlotte she will be leaving on Sunday morning. She needs to go back and forth to England to finish school until the middle of July." Charlie informed Ivan. He nodded and added a note to her paperwork.
"Anything else to declare?" Ivan leered at the group. Charlotte stepped closer to Charlie.
Nate approach his countrymen and set a bottle of scotch on the counter. "Absolutely…Nothing"
Ivan grinned as he looked at the bottle. "I see all is in order. Have a good evening, gentlemen. Pretty ladies."
The men said their goodnights and proceeded out into a courtyard of the Romanian Ministry with their now contraband crates in tow . Because of the time change, the sun was just setting in Romania. The group assembled their belongings.
Charlie pulled Charlotte against him again. "I know it has been a long day, but one more appreation and a short stroll and we will be home."
Charlotte's stomach had dropped. She nodded at Charlie as he raised his eyes questioningly. The thought she had been avoiding all day came crashing back. Home. To Charlie's house. Where they would be completing the bonding and fasting requirements, as husband and wife.
They reappeared as quickly as they left. Charlotte studied herself for a minute and looked around, and gasped in awe. The moon was just bright enough that she could make out the shapes of the woods and mountains around her. Above, the stars twinkled brightly.
"It's beautiful, is it not?" Katie stepped up next to her. "I never tire of seeing this view. It is what I think of any time people say the word 'home'."
"I can understand why," Charlotte breathed out in awe. "I can see the mountains from my window at school, but nothing like this."
"Welcome home, Charlotte." Katie smiled as Charlotte turned and smiled back.
"Let's get going. I'm sick of traveling already," Jake complained.
"Oh, you have nothing to complain about, mister. You at least went to England on Thursday with Charlie. Louis, Nate and I went there and back all today."
"Do I get no sympathy?" Jake teased his girlfriend.
"No, and you will be getting none of that either. I'm going to bed TO SLEEP." The last was said firmly on Katie's part. Jake pouted as they proceeded up the path.
They cleared the gates with little problem as most of them worked on the reserve and began to work their way to their cabins. Charlotte's stomach churned like she had spiders running around inside. Charlie began to make a turn up a lane when he was stopped by Jake's voice.
"Charlie, you need to check her in."
Charlie groaned. "I'll do it in the morning. We are both tired right now and our night is not over yet."
To emphasize, he raised their joined hands. The handfasting cords still held them together. Until they consummated the bond, they would remain lock together by the wrist. It was old magic to prevent someone from backing out of their marriage by stating it was not consummated. Charlotte blanched again.
"No can do, Red. You are already on probation after you took off for the battle. One more and you will be suspended. Choice is yours, but I think it would be easier to go see Peptrofski and get it over with."
Charlie slumped his shoulders in defeat. Jake was right. The director may have understood why Charlie abruptly left that last May. He even approved Charlie's bereavement leave for a month after for the death of Fred. But he had no choice then to write Charlie up and issue him with a year-long probationary stipulation. He turned to Charlotte resolved with their fate.
"I have to go register you with the director of the reserve. It's a safety precaution so we know who is here and for what reason. Once you are approved to be here permanently, we will not have to go through this, but until then we have to go right away and let them know you are here. It won't take long.
They changed directions and headed further down the path, the rest tagging along in support of the newlyweds. Charlie stopped a couple of people to see if they knew where the director was that evening and were directed to the common room. They trudged up the steps to a large building in the middle of the central compound. Louis and Katie entered the building without stopping. Nate paused in the doorway as Jake held it open for Charlie and Charlotte. She was not looking around as she worried about what was going to happen next when the noise brought her out of her thoughts.
"Surprise" "Congratulations" and many cat calls sounded as they entered the building. Both Charlotte and Charlie jumped and Charlie's wand was automatically in his hand as he pulled Charlotte behind him. Someone called "expelliarmus" and the wand flew into Katie's waiting hand. It took them a second to come to the realization what was happening. Before them, several dragon handlers and staff laughed.
"I told you we shouldn't do that to them." Katie scolded as she returned Charlie's wand to him. He shook his head as he pocketed it still trying to calm his nerves. Charlotte shook next him.
"All in good fun," An older Romanian called from where he sat with his feet up on the table, a book opened in his lap and a quill rolling in his fingers.
Charlie rolled his eyes and looked down at Charlotte who was still shaking. He tried to put a comforting arm around her, but realized it was still attached. He smiled at her. "Ok?"
Charlotte nodded with little conviction. Charlie studied her for a moment and turned his attention back to the man in the chair. "Director, I have come to register my wife as a guest at the reserve. She will be joining me here on visits occasionally until July when, I hope, our request for her to become a permanent resident here can be approved."
The room cheered again. The director grinned. "Yes. Yes. These are all good things. As you can see, many are happy for your newfound living arrangements."
Charlotte looked about the room. Many people had gathered to welcome Charlie home with his new bride. Nate, Louis and Jake were opening the crates and distributing the alcohol about the room to their co-workers. Many eyed her with interest, some with jealousy.
Peptrofski wet his quill on his tongue, dipped it in the well and mockingly cleared the throat to get everybody's attention. The room quieted slightly as people whispered instead of talking.
"Registration 99-00025. Name of Employee"
Charlie looked at the director in exasperation. Peptrofski didn't budge. "Charles Weasley."
"Employee's title"
"Dragon Handler, Second Class"
"Don't forget chief bonehead."
"Or asshole, First Class" The ribbing from friends and fellows continued.
"Only room for one, so we will go with his official work title." Peptrofski stated nonchalantly, "But I must confess, they all fit."
The assembly hooted and hollered. Peptrofski continued. "Will the guest be overnighting on site? If so, where?"
"Yes," Charlie sighed. The cat calls continued. He gave them a minute for their fun and continued. "Cabin 219, Section 5, East Trail."
"Got that folks," Someone called. "So if the cabin is a rocking, do go a knocking."
Charlotte thought she would die from the embarrassment. Charlie looked down at her in concern and squeezed her hand comfortingly.
Peptrofski caught the interaction and guessed the reason for her discomfort. She was very young, so maybe…
He decided to cut the groups banter short and give them something else to raze over. "Name of Guest."
"Charlotte Cooper." Charlie answered automatically. The whole assembly jeered at the same instance Charlie realized his mistake. He blushed as he received the good humored teasing. At least the attention was off of Charlotte for a moment.
"Would you like to try that again, Charlie?" Peptrofski inquired sarcastically.
Charlie opened his mouth to speak and then closed it realizing something. It would be the first time anyone would say her name since she was married. He turned to Charlotte wanting to gauge her reaction. "Charlotte Weasley."
Charlotte looked up in shock upon hearing it. "That's right. I forgot that part. I have a new name."
Charlie laughed. "So you do. Sorry, you're moving from the front of the alphabet to the end."
People around them oohed and awed sarcastically.
"Length of stay. Indefinite." Peptrofski proclaimed and clapped the book closed with finality. The room roared in approval as drinks were handed to Charlotte and Charlie.
Peptrofski rose to his full height and raised his glass. "A toast! May you be bound together in joy from this day forward. Many long years of health and prosperity, understanding and friendship, happiness and love. Charlie and Charlotte"
Charlie nodded to the assembly as he raised his glass. He tipped back the scotch enjoying the little taste of home. Beside him Charlotte sipped her mead. They spent a few minutes in comradery with those who had come to welcome them home before Peptrofski guided them to the door. "Go, enjoy your evening."
Charlotte began to panic again. She drew a few deeper breaths trying to calm her nerves again. She knew what to expect. Her mother, Molly, Gillian, Ginny, and Hermione made sure she was knowledgeable on the subject. But to actually pluck up the courage to do it was her concern. She knew she must somehow. Charlie kept shooting her sideways glances.
They walked in silence back out of the central compound of the reserve, Charlie backtracking their path from earlier. Charlotte continued to panic as they turned down the pathway Charlie tried to take earlier before Jake stopped him.
She kept flexing her fingers until Charlie again threaded his through them. "You're scared."
Charlotte didn't answer. Her bowed head was enough of an answer.
Charlie sighed and steeled himself. Time for the remainder of the ransom to be paid. "I'm sure my attitude before today did not helped. It is no secret I was not a fan of the whole law demanding us to marry."
Charlotte only nodded.
"There was more to the situation I want you to understand. I have been feeling sick about this Charlotte since the letter from the Ministry arrived. I resigned myself to be married if the Ministry deemed it necessary. Peptrofski already sat me down and had a harsh man to man about it. He thought it would do me some good to have steady companionship in my life. I trust his judgement. He is a good man. What I was not expecting was to be matched to someone the same age as my baby sister. Someone still at Hogwarts."
Charlotte looked up at him sadly. He saw her mind working in her eyes and smiled.
"You are not to blame yourself for this. My father pointed out at our disastrous first date you had just as much choice in this as I did. That day still haunts me, Charlotte. Nate had read the Ministry letter telling me I was marrying a Hogwarts student. You have seen us in action and that was toned down for my parent's benefit. We are a creud lot at best. They saw an opportunity and pounced. They accused me of cradle robbing and all sorts of lecherous things, Charlotte. I panicked. Then you, Ginny and Hermione show up at George's shop and you're laughing like school girls. I hadn't slept in 30 hours and all I could see is little Ginny and her friends giggling in their pigtails. Then you walked in wearing your school uniform and I freaked out. Every joking thing Nate, Louis, Katie and Jake said crashed back in my mind. I told myself I was not going to marry a child. Then, when I had heard about your life and what you have endured, I tried to convince myself no one that lived your life was a child anymore. I tried to put aside everything I had been thinking and took you on a walk. We stood looking at the tree where I had decided what my life was going to be and you told me every dream you ever dreamed was over, I panicked again. I tried to get us out of this mess, but I could not find a way."
Charlie stopped and turned Charlotte towards him so he could look her in the eye. "I could never really look at you before today. I never realized you were not 13 years old, wearing pigtails and hating boys because they were smelly and sticky and gross like Ginny use to tell me. Then, today, I was standing up in the attic, chain smoking trying to get rid of my nerves and I finally couldn't hold it in any more. I told Bill and Jake every stupid thing my mind conjured. Bill, well he told me I made a right mess of things and if I had given you half a chance, I would have seen you were anything but that 13 year old girl my mind conjured. My own sister is even grown up into a beautiful woman, just like her friends. Jake reminded me there is not a day we are not taking the mickey out of each other and I needed to pull my head out of my arse and see you for who you really were, not some illusion my mind had conjured. Charlotte, I never looked at you proper before you were standing at the entry of the sitting room ready to bond to me for the rest of our lives. Maybe that was for the best, because today, I finally was able to see the beautiful, strong woman you are. I am begging you, Charlotte, to give me another chance. We are going to spend the rest of our lives together and I do not want those days to be spent in misery on either of our parts."
Charlotte let the tears cascade down her cheeks. "You do not hate me because I am Roma?"
Charlie stared at her with confusion. "What are you talking about? Why would it matter if you are a gypsy? Or half gypsy?"
"Because I am tainted," she answered shamefaced.
"Tainted," Charlie questioned.
"Cursed," Charlotte offered.
"Why would you think such a thing," Charlie asked.
Charlotte shrugged. "I have always been tainted. Not really Roma and not really Gadjo. Most people do not want to associate with Roma. They only want us gone."
"Is that what you thought?" Charlie was horrified. "I hated you for your heritage?"
"Everybody else does," Charlotte replied shrugging.
Charlie shook his head in shock. "Do not ever think, in any way, I would ever think that, Charlotte. No one should ever think that about you."
He reached up with their joined hands and wiped away her tears.
"How can you say this? Think it-"
"Do you know one of my great friends from the order was a werewolf? My sister-in-law is half veela? And one of my best friends is Hagrid, a half giant. Do you really think the parentage of a person really matters to me? We live on an international compound. My best friends, whom I trust my life to every day are a bloody American, a cocky Frenchman, a crazy Russian and a scary Italian. I don't care where you were born or to whom you were born, just so long as you are honest and kind and fair and caring, I want to be with you for you."
She looked up at him, still concerned. He brushed a loose curl form her face. "Trust me. Trust that I will not lie to you. Trust that I do not care about anything but who you are as a person."
He begged her with his eyes for her understanding of his past actions and for her understanding he was telling her the truth. Charlotte looked into his eyes and nodded. It was a start. They both had a long way to go before their relationship could ever be considered anywhere close to normal.
"We are just up here." Charlie turned with his fingers still laced through hers.
Five cabins down, they came to 219. The cabins were spaced further apart than Charlotte expected. You could see your neighbors, but they were not right next to you. There was woods behind them and a view of the mountains again. She could see the remnants of a garden on front of the house. Charlie walked up the stairs to the small porch. He produced a set of keys and shook one loose and unlocked the door. He pushed it open and thought for a moment. Grinning, he reached down, wrapped his bound arm around Charlotte pinning her arms to her side, and pulled her up into his arms. It was slightly awkward due to the bonding cords, but Charlie carried her over the threshold and into the cabin.
"Must keep with tradition and all that." He laughed as he stepped around her, releasing her arms again after he sat her back on the ground. Charlotte blushed at the close contact.
"Right then," Charlie drew his wand out of his pocket and pointed it at the grate. "A little light and heat. It will warm up in a minute. Until then, let me give you the grand tour."
Charlotte turned to look around her new home. The light given off by the fireplace was soft, but enough for her to see her new surroundings. It was a basic, one room cabin. An efficiency, her mother use to call it. The small kitchen, dining area and sitting room dominated the front of the cabin. A wall separated another area from the kitchen and behind the seating area… a large bed. Charlotte blanched again.
Charlie must have followed her gaze. He squeezed her hand and brought her attention back. "Here, let's get rid of these bags. Your book bag weighs more than a baby Welch."
Charlotte drug her eyes away from the bed and back to Charlie. His eyes danced with mirth as he removed the travel bags from himself and then Charlotte and set them on the small dining table. He looked around the cabin and shrugged. "I know it's not much, but its home. I really didn't need anything big or grand. Peptrofski put us on the list for married housing, but warned it could take a year, sometimes more."
Charlotte looked about again avoiding the far corner. "It's perfect."
Charlie looked at her skeptically.
"No, it is. My mum and I lived in much smaller apartments then this. I never had my own room until I lived with my aunt. I was either in a trundle under my mum's bed, or I slept on a pull out couch in the living area. We lived muggle, so there was no shortcuts. It's so big and open in here. My mum always had school papers on the table, so we never ate at it. When I was at to Roma camps, we lived in caravans. My father did not have one, so we lived with his sister, her husband and their three older children. I shared a single bed with my older cousin. I always thought our room in Ravenclaw tower was so grand. This…this is wonderful."
Charlie smiled at her sadly. He had grown up with a family that barely made due. Charlotte had been raised by a single mum. He was sure her drinking took up a good portion of their income. Her father had not helped from what Ginny and Hermione were able to gather. For this little cabin, set aside for the single blokes at a reserve in a foreign country to be a step up, broke Charlie's heart just a little. Even so, Charlotte's face shone like a child who had gotten the lot on Christmas morning.
Charlie smiled and gave her the 'grand' tour. He showed her the little trap door in the kitchen area that lead to the root cellar, telling her about the garden fare stored below. He also explained it was where she was to go if they had a rogue dragon loose to keep her safe. If anything happened to the cabin, he would look for her there first. Water, blankets and candles must always be stored there in case of an emergency. He showed her the small closet where he kept extra bedding, medical supplies and his off season clothes. His last stop was the small bathroom.
Charlotte broad smile was infectious, "A bath. Oh, I am so excited. I love a bath sometimes."
Charlie chuckled as they looked about the room. He focused on the toilet for a moment trying not to think about his full bladder. He blushed and looked about, debating his options. The faucet dripped and he groaned. Looking down at Charlotte, he rubbed the back of his neck feeling the damn Weasley blush run to his ears.
"Yah, I really could use the toilet," he winced as the words left his mouth.
Charlotte laughed nervously, "Oh, thank god, I really need to also."
After a few seconds of debate of logistics, Charlie went first his bound hand slightly behind his back as Charlotte tried to think of anything but what her husband was doing, or holding.
Reversing positions took some work as Charlie twisting himself around the bonding knots. Charlotte had tried to maneuver her dress one handed to begin with and gave up sheepishly pulling Charlie's hand towards her to allow her to gather the entire skirt. Charlie's hand accidentally brushed her bare thigh as she hiked up the skirt. Both gasped. Charlie contained the moan as his thoughts turned carnal after the feel of the smooth skin. Charlotte managed to have a seat then panicked about Charlie's presence in the room. Charlie smirked looking out the window. He babbled about the small stream out back that cascaded over a rock outcropping he wanted to take her to someday. That did the trick. She said a handy little spell and worked at pulling her knickers up one handed. Charlie looked over his shoulder questioningly.
"Peeves." She nodded at his unasked question. "Blighter steals the loo rolls from the girl's toilets. Every first year girl is taught that handy little bit of magic as soon as possible."
Charlie laughed. Charlotte pulled him to the tap and they washed their hands. Both kept looking at each other than dropping their gaze. They finally managed out of the loo and into the main room again. Charlotte blanched as she saw the bed once again.
Charlie looked at the mantle. It was already eleven due to the time change and travel. If she froze up, they would be cutting it close to having the bond completed by midnight. Charlie took a deep breath and turned towards Charlotte. He reached out his free hand and ran it through the cascade of ebony curls. Charlotte tensed and then took her own deep breath. She let it out slowly, but was unable to relax. Charlie studied her face for a minute.
Pulling her close, he repeated the kiss he gave her earlier. She relaxed, marginally. Charlie pulled her close. Stroking her hair. "Charlotte, you need to relax. We will go as slow as you need us to go."
She nodded against his chest, but still did not relax. Charlie decided he needed to know just how great his task was going to be. "Charlotte, sweetheart, everybody assumes that you have never been with a man before. Is that correct?"
Charlotte nodded, he felt her face heat from embarrassment. "Nothing to be ashamed of, my dear. I am honored you didn't allow another to have you before we were married. That it was important to you this honor was mine alone."
She looked into his eyes. There was no malice or annoyance, because Charlie realized in that moment, she was his, only his. No one else had ever touched her the way he was going to tonight. That thought alone drove him to her lips again. He was hungry for her lips. To teach them what he liked and disliked. He smiled against them and pulled away. "Tell me, my love, have you ever kissed another like we are kissing now?"
Charlotte looked at him again. The beginnings of lust could be seen. "No, before our kiss at the end of the ceremony, I had never been kissed by a man with passion. It is forbidden by the Roma. Your first kiss should be the one to seal your pact as man and wife.
Charlie groaned again and pulling her back to his lips. She came to him willingly, but not relaxed. "Let go, my Charlotte. Let go of your fears. Let me fulfil my promise this evening. Let me show you what it is to be made love to."
She groaned and tried to force herself to relax. Charlie knew he had his work cut out this evening. His free hand began to drift along her body. He felt her flinch and tense at the touches, but he continued to repeat the actions until she began to relax. All the while, he kissed her, nipping at her lips until she conceded and allowed him access. He took his time, tracing her lips, occasionally thrusting his tongue and dueling with hers.
Slowly, as he continued his deliberate work of acclimating her to his touch, he leisurely walked them to the edge of the bed. Once she began to ease her shoulder and relax her hands, he lowered them to the bed knowing the results before they happened. She again tensed in her anxious anticipation of what was going to happen. He took a bold jump and lowered them to the bed.
She lay poker stiff next to him as they lay on their sides facing one another. So, he began once more. Slowly stroking her sides. Kissing her. She began to relax yet again. He took a chance and broke from her lips and kissed her jawline and nuzzled her neck. She moaned at his progress. Becoming emboldened by her response, he let his touch linger along the neckline of the dress, slipping just barely under the fabric. She stiffened a little but he distracted her again with a deep passion filled kiss. He allowed his hand to slip over her breast under the dress and stopped momentarily. Charlotte took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but that was not what drew his attention.
He looked at Charlotte slyly. "What have we here, my sweet?"
Charlotte looked at him for clarity. He grinned and pulled the halter back to reveal the lacy bra the girls had forced her in earlier in the day. Charlotte looked down and moaned, forgetting her friend's antics. "Gillian, Luna and Hermione's idea of a wedding gift for you."
"Remind me to send them a thank you." Charlie joked back sexily. "Pity, I can't enjoy it this evening."
"Why?" Charlotte inquired.
Charlie looked at her and decided that she gave him a good opening. He held their joined hands between them. "This made things a bit difficult all evening, but downright impossible for one thing that has to happen."
He could see the ever smart Ravenclaw trying to work out the problem. He pulled out his wand and looked into her eyes, knowing they were about to start all over again.
"Because for us to proceed to our goal," Charlie preformed a quick series of movements. Charlotte gasp and became stiff against him again. "We have to be undressed and we can't remove most of our close with the bonding cords still connecting us."
He looked down briefly between them. Both were nude, so the spell had worked. Inwardly he sighed again. Charlotte had begun to hyperventilate slightly. He used both hands to pull her face to his again and kissed her again. "Breath, trust me, please."
"I'm trying," Charlotte whispered. "I'm just scared. I know that ...that it will be painful and I'm worried I will not please you and…"
Charlie hushed her with another kiss. "Tell you what. If you can, try to relax. Enjoy this. The pain is short-lived. I promise to warn you. I can also promise you pleasures, Charlotte. Giving you pleasure will bring me great pleasure as well. You just have to relax and allow me. Please."
Charlotte looked for deception in his face and found none. She took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds and let it all out, slowly willing her body to relax again. She managed to lose some of the tension in her shoulders. She tried again, this time closing her eyes. Charlie continued to trace her collar bone as she breathed the tension out of her body. With her third attempt, she was able to relax to a point Charlie felt they could move forward. He rewarded her efforts with more kisses, including some to her collar bones. She began to relax more.
His free hand again began to roam her body. He was slow and deliberate in his movements. She continued to melt into his caresses and the exploration of his lips. She was soft and smooth and smelled of lavender for some reason. He pulled back from her and looked at her face. Her eyes were half lidded and she looked at him with lust. He moaned and kissed her again deeply.
His hand moved to the breast that had his attentions earlier. She tensed, but he kept going distracting her as he stroked the rounded flesh and circled the nipple. He pulled back from her and dropped his head to trace the path of his fingers. She gasped at the sensation and arched into his mouth. He pulled back allowing himself one last circle around the nipple.
Ginning, he changed sides, "Wouldn't want the other to be jealous now would we."
Charlotte panted and squirmed beneath him. He grinned as he pulled back again. This time he blew on the nipple he had been pleasing. She shivered at the sensation.
His lips were a distraction for his actual goal. Stroking softly as his mouth worked over her breast, he reached the junction of her legs and the center of her womanhood. Slowly, he allowed his fingers to drift across the small patch of dark curls. Charlotte finally noticed where his fingers progressed to and gasped. He stopped and gave her a moment to acclimate. He kissed her collarbone again and then each nipple. He then looked up into her face. He could tell she was torn between wanting to panic and wanting to enjoy. He laid his palm flat against her applying pressure. "Charlotte, my sweet. Have you ever given yourself pleasure before?"
Charlotte rolled her hips experimentally, trying to give some relief from his touch. "Once, I tried. The others said it felt so good, but I was too nervous, and embarrassed and could never…"
Charlie nodded. "Will you allow me? I would love to show you what your body is craving. Already your body tells me it wants my touch. It's begging for me to take you to new places. Let me take you there."
Charlotte's mind began to work again. Charlie kissed her again. "Do not overthink this, Charlotte. Let your body tell you what it right and let me take you to that place."
He applied more pressure to her mounds and she squirmed for greater contact. He looked into her face and awaited her consent. After a couple of heated moments, she nodded her head and relaxed into his touch.
He rewarded her bravery by suckling her nipples again. Her body naturally rolled her hips into his touch. Eventually, he dragged his hand up her opening. Stopping at the top, he allowed one finger to begin the downward decent. Parting her lips, he ghosted over the small nerve bundle at the top of her opening. Charlotte gasped and moaned. Her legs for the first time relaxed and dropped open for his touch. Her hips continued to work themselves against Charlie's finger.
"That's it. Just feel, Charlotte." He told her as he nipped along her jawline. Her hand came up from beside her and she grabbed his hair and pulled him into a sloppy kiss.
He moaned, enjoying her limited boldness in their play. He began to expand his strokes, each one venturing lower and lower. Finally he dipped the tip of his finger into her most inner center. She broke their kissing and dropped her head back to enjoy the stimulation. Charlie took the invitation and began to lick, suck and nibble her neck and jaw as he worked his finger deeper into her core. He pulled out and slipped back into her tight channel with a second finger. She moaned against at the penetration. Charlie began to wonder for her if he would ever fit without ripping her in two, she was so tight.
He decided to end her agony at and began to rub his calloused thumb over her clit. Her eyes flew open and locked with his. She was so close, he could tell.
"Let go, Charlotte," He whispered. She began to pant and thrust her hips upon his fingers. He pressed and swirled his thumb once more and she shattered in his arms. He continued to stroke her as she rode out her orgasm. Finally, reduced to just flinches of pleasure every time he stroked her, he stopped and allowed her a moment's rest as he kissed her again.
He pulled himself across her body and settled himself between her legs. She looked up at his with lust hazed eyes. Not able to help himself, he kissed her again. She responded by pulling his hair wanting more. With deliberate slowness, he placed his erection against her opening. She didn't flinch, only tried roller her hips to gain friction against the tip. He locked eyes with her and slowly began to enter her. She flinched at the intrusion. Charlie continued to stroke and caress her. He finally came to the limits of his penetration before he would have to cause her pain. He withdrew slowly and reseated himself again. Allowing the new sensation to become familiar for her. Still she wriggled against him, wanting more. He pulled her free hand to his and clasped fingers doing the same with the bound hand. She looked into his eyes and it crushed him. His father had told him to resolve himself to her fate this evening. He thought he had, but now, at the cusp of the act itself, guilt racked his brain. Before he could allow it to take over, he leaned forward and captured her lips again.
"I'm sorry," was his simple warning for her and he retracted and flexed his hips forward, sinking into her completely ripping a cry from her throat. His hand flew to her hair and he stroked her locks. Leaning forward he kissed the tears from her face. Below him, Charlotte shuttered trying to come to terms with what she was feeling. Pain. Where there was previously pleasure, now she felt pain. Charlie remained still even though he had never been so completely gripped within a woman before. She was impossibly tight. So tight it took every ounce of willpower to not move.
It took him a moment to notice both of Charlotte's hands were against his chest pushing him away. He held his ground. His own hands were wrapped around handfuls of those ebony curls. His wrist now held a wristlet of the same woven cords of the fasting bands. His permanent outward declaration he was bound to this woman under him. He looked to Charlotte's wrist and noticed the same adornment on hers. He had missed the white light surrounding them the second he had fully entered her, separating the cord into their individual bands.
Charlotte began to realize she was not moving the bulky dragon handler and tried to relax. Charlie felt her loosen her internal hold on his manhood. He flexed his hips just marginally. Charlotte's eyes opened and she looked at him. He moved again and she flinched slightly. "Is it too much," Charlie asked.
Charlotte shook her head. Charlie flexed his hips again. She did not react so he began a slow steady pace watching her eyes for signs of pain. After a few strokes, she began to relax, realizing the worst was over. Charlie pulled her lips to his again and continued his slow lazy pace. As he got closer, he released Charlotte's hair. One hand went to her breast, fingering and playing, the other reached between the pair finding again that small bundle of nerves. Charlotte gasped again.
"I'm close, Charlotte. Let me bring you pleasure one more time. She was overstimulated with Charlie within her and his finger manipulating her core. She began to gasp in pleasure and fell over into ecstasy. Charlie increased his pace feeling her clench around him and roared with relief at his release. He collapsed upon her, trying to stay up on his elbows to prevent crushing her. They both caught their breaths for a moment before Charlie pulled away from her. She hissed in pain but then relaxed. Charlie kissed her once upon her brow and pulled the blankets up over them. He took his wand and banked the fire. He tucked it beneath is pillow and collapsed upon it. Charlotte was still breathing slightly hard also. He pulled her towards him and tucked her to his chest. "Sleep, it has been a long day."
She complied instantly.