There's a little lemon squeezed toward the end, there.
Hermione sighed as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She wore an olive green sweater dress—the one she would've worn to dinner in Romania if she hadn't ran off with her bloody tail between her legs. She shook her head lightly. Be gentle on yourself, she thought. Today is about making that right.
The dress bore long sleeves and a boat-neck, stopping at mid-thigh to make way for her black stockings, the old-fashioned sort with the seam running up the backs. Another treat intended for Charlie in Romania, since the stockings were attached to a garter belt, and she wore nothing more under the dress. No bra nor knickers. She knew he would've loved it. He will love it, she corrected herself. If he'll still have her, that is.
Her hair was pinned up, with soft, tight curls escaping at her bangs and neckline. She wore little eye make-up, opting instead for a berry lip color for the focus on her face. She stepped into her black ankle-boots, after which, she only had one last accessory to put on. The dragonite necklace.
No sooner than she clasped it over her neck, did she hear Molly's voice booming up the stairs. "Hermione! They're here!"
"Coming!" She bounded downstairs, reaching the first floor of the Burrow, where she lunged herself into her parents' arms.
"Oh, my goodness," Jean Granger squealed. "That dress is adorable on you! And I love these boots."
"You look beautiful, Hermione," Peter Granger smiled, giving her a tight hug.
"How was the trip?" Hermione asked. "Were you assisted okay with the Portkeys?"
"Well, yes, after we showed them these," her dad laughed. Both held up their Ministry-Approval Cards for Muggles under Wizard Travel.
"Honestly, Hermione," her mum continued, "I wouldn't mind using those pork-keys to see you again. Sure, it feels like you're being turned inside-out in the most discomforting of ways, but it only lasts a moment and we're here in all of what, six hours? Which certainly beats the alternative."
Hermione smiled. "I'll see what I can do, Mum. But you know, they're generally only allowed in the event of a very special occasion."
"Right," Jean said, grinning. "And the very special occasion today is we needed to meet this boy—"
Hermione groaned. "He's a man, Mum! For Godric's sake, I'm not sixteen anymore."
"Of course, this man, who's also Ron's brother…?" Her father let the question dangle as Molly whirled in, offering hors d'oeuvres.
"He's my second eldest, Peter," Molly said, grinning. "Handsome, intelligent, very fit from his work."
"Yes!" Jean said. "That's right. He's a dragon tamer of sorts, isn't he?"
"That's bloody awesome," her father said, clasping his hands together. "When do we get to see some dragons?"
"Peter!" Jean admonished. "Honestly."
"Apologies," he said to the women around him. "It's just—well, dragons, Jean. Dragons."
"First, you have to meet Charlie," Hermione said, chuckling. "Then we'll see about the dragons."
Everyone stopped their chatter when Ginny ran in, screeching. "He's here!"
"What?" Hermione felt the blood drain from her face. "But we're, still, what, a half hour early?"
"Harry's stalling. No time to talk. We're onto the emergency plan. Here." Ginny threw Harry's invisibility cloak over Hermione.
"There is no emergency plan!" Hermione hissed as Ginny shoved her to the side.
"Hey, Dad? Mum?" Hermione could hear Charlie voice becoming louder. "Woah," he said, glancing up at the panicked faces of his mum, sister and her parents. "Hi, there."
"Charlie!" Molly said, recovering first. "Happy birthday!" She shoved the platter of hors d'oeuvres in Ginny's hands and threw her arms around him.
"Thanks, Mum," he mumbled.
"Your father's cooking out back. George and Angelina are already here, along with Bill and Fleur. Oh, and Andromeda made it! Isn't that brilliant? Harry's bringing the boys in just a moment, but Victoire's already chasing the gnomes with Teddy."
"Great, great," Charlie said, eyeing the Grangers. "Uh, I don't mean to be rude, but have we met before?"
"Oh!" Molly let out a hysterical giggle. "Oh, Charlie, these, these are, you know—"
"They're the Wilkins," Gin supplied.
"Right, right!" Jean said. "The Wilkins—"
Peter furrowed his brow. "I—I'm a little conf—"
"Remember? The surprise, dear?" Jean nudged Peter, whose eyebrows dropped in realization.
"Yes! The surprise! But this isn't a surprise party, because you, Charlie, knew there was a party ahead of time—"
Underneath the invisibility cloak, Hermione tossed her palm on her head, stifling a groan. Ginny gave a look of sympathy in her direction.
"Come on, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins," Gin said. "Let's join the others in the back."
"Nice to meet you, Charlie," Jean said, smiling.
"Happy birthday, son," Peter said, slapping Charlie's arm on the way out.
Charlie watched them with a raised brow and turned to Molly expectantly. "What's going on?" he finally asked.
"What do you mean?" Molly asked. "We're making your favorite, dear. Roast lemon pepper chicken with all the trimmings."
Charlie sighed. "I know you're up to something, Mum."
"The only thing I'm up to, Charlie, is making sure my son has the best birthday bash possible." She grinned, putting her hand on his arm.
"No offense, Mum, but unless a certain witch makes an appearance—" Hermione's heart soared with hope just as Molly interrupted him.
"Honey, weren't you looking for your old dragon educational posters?"
Charlie blinked. "Uh, yeah. A while ago, but you said you couldn't find—"
"Attic!"
Charlie gave her a look of incredulity. "What?"
"They're in the attic, dear. Why don't you run up and grab them?"
"Maybe later, Mum. I'm just not—"
"Charles Fabian Weasley!" Molly put her hands on her hips. "Think of the children! If you don't remember to bring back those posters—"
"I mean, they'll be fine, Mum. I can always order new ones."
"But they won't be as well loved as the old ones!"
"Mum—"
"The children, Charlie!" Molly's voice was reaching a shriek at this point.
"Fine, Mum." Charlie threw up his hands. "Bloody hell," he mumbled as he turned toward the staircase.
"Language," Molly called in a sweet voice as he ascended the stairs.
"Sorry, Mum," he said loudly, but Hermione could hear several obscenities under his breath fade away along with his footsteps.
Molly waited a few beats and turned to the general direction Ginny had pushed Hermione. "You still there, dear?"
Hermione pulled the cloak off. "I am."
"Well, that certainly," Molly said, clearing her throat. "I mean, that certainly could have gone a bit more smoothly."
Hermione shook her head, smiling. "It was perfect. Really."
Molly gave her a hug just as Ginny walked inside. "He's up there," Molly said to Gin.
Gin threw an arm around Hermione. "So, this is it! You're going to mend his heart and recite your vows and—"
"Let's not get carried away, Gin," Hermione said, running her hands over her dress incessantly.
"You know," Ginny said. "I'm the one who wants you happy. Mum, here; she just wants grandchildren." Molly scoffed as Ginny continued. "That means your first daughter ought to be named after me."
"Ginny!" Molly said and paused. "I don't object to that, actually. Of course, Hermione, it's up to you and—"
"Okay, you two," Hermione said, holding a finger up. "Wait until I'm actually pregnant before planning the names of my children? Yeah? Meanwhile, I've got, to use Ginny's words, a heart to mend. Two, really, if you count mine."
Molly'd pulled out her handkerchief and was already wiping her eyes. "I'll be so proud to call you my daughter-in-law, Hermione."
"O-kay, Mum," Gin said, rolling her eyes and giving Hermione a gentle push. "Go get him. Make us proud."
x
Hermione climbed the stairs slowly, wondering if this was such a great idea after all.
"I'm a bloody Gryffindor, for Godric's sake," she reminded herself fiercely as she reached the door to the attic. It was slightly ajar and she could hear some shuffling inside. She pushed it open gently.
One side of the attic contained a large window which overlooked the woods around them. Some sofas and chairs were perched near the view. On the other side were some storage boxes and containers—things like Christmas décor, which Hermione'd imagine Molly would be retrieving within the next few weeks.
Next to the boxes stood Charlie, looking bloody fucking good in a pair of slim-fitting trousers and a cobalt blue jumper. He bent, moving some containers around, and Hermione took a long, hard look at the muscles of his arse before remembering why she was here. She cleared her throat.
Charlie grumbled something about the 'nonexistence' of the 'bloody dragon posters' while tossing another box aside. Hermione smoothed the skirt of her dress and tried again. "Uh—Charlie?"
He turned, box in hand, and nearly dropped it. "Hermione!" He settled the box down and approached her. "That you?"
"Indeed."
He was near her now, about three feet away, staring directly into her eyes. They both were silent for a few moments, then both made to speak at once.
"Let me," Hermione said, putting a hand up. "Please. Charlie." But then she couldn't find the words, the fucking words she'd been bloody rehearsing for sodding days now and—
"Why don't we have a seat," Charlie said, gesturing to the other side of the attic.
"Right," Hermione said, nodding. "Let's."
They made their way over, where Hermione found her nervousness wouldn't allow her to sit for more than two seconds. She stood and began pacing in front of him as he leaned back against the sofa.
"I've been in contact with Paolo," she said finally. These weren't her rehearsed words, but fuck, they were words as opposed to lengthy, awkward silences, so she was going to go with it.
Charlie blinked. "Really? I mean, he hasn't mentioned anything to me."
"That's because I asked him not to. I wanted—I wanted to tell you myself."
Charlie looked at her sadly, shaking his head. "Tell me w—"
"I got the potioneer position. I'll be moving to the reserve in January."
Charlie's mouth dropped open. "You—you—"
"Charlie, I know I messed things up between us. Terribly. Badly. Abysmally, even. No, no, let me finish, okay?" She grabbed his hand and held it in the space between them. "I love you. I should've said it back in Romania, but I was too cowardly and I hope that you still feel for me, that you'll still have me, that you'll—that you'll marry me."
Charlie's eyes snapped up to hers. "What did you say?"
"We should—I mean, if you want—"
A smile spread across his face, so big that his eyes crinkled at the edges. "Did you just ask me to marry you, Hermione?"
"I mean, it was just a suggestion. We don't have to do anything rash or—"
But by then, Charlie had stood directly in front of her. He put his hands on her face, her waist, her hips, and pulled her close, lowering his mouth to hers. He kissed her softly, gently running his tongue on her lower lip before pulling back. "Remember," he said, his voice husky. "Remember that jewelry shop downtown? Where you saw this?" He let his fingers run over her necklace.
"Yeah." She wasn't surprised to hear that she was just as breathless as him.
"When I forgot your books and ran back in? You were right, that was on purpose." He smiled, grazing his lips on hers once more before continuing. "I ran back in there and practically barked at the bloke. Nearly scared him half to death, I did. And I told him, 'please tell me you have a ring that matches that pendant, 'cause I'm blooding going to marry that woman'."
Hermione trembled as she inhaled sharply. "And did he? Have one?"
Charlie dropped to one knee. Hermione gasped as he pulled a small box out of his pocket. "Been carrying this around since, in case I randomly got the courage to find you. Wanted to give you time, though. I wanted to make sure you still wanted me."
"Of course I want you, Charlie," Hermione said, a tear running down her cheek.
"So you'll marry me?"
Hermione nodded, wiping away more tears. "Yes! Yes. Yes." He pushed the ring on her finger, stood and kissed her. This time deeply, shoving his tongue into her mouth as he clutched her hair and hip.
Hermione pulled back suddenly. "But, I might need a long engagement, okay? I still struggle, with my fears, you know, and I don't want you to think—"
"I don't care if we're engaged for twenty years, Hermione," Charlie said with a growl as he nipped her neck.
"Are you sure?" she said, her eyes rolling back as he sucked just above her collarbone.
"Yes, I'm fucking sure, woman."
She smiled as his lips lowered past her collarbone. "You should see what I've got on under this dress," Hermione murmured.
"Oh, really?" Charlie said, his hand reaching to the edge of her skirt when they heard a gasp. They both jumped apart when they glanced and saw Molly peeking in through the doorway.
"Oh, goodness! I'm so sorry to interrupt! I just couldn't wait any longer, and I wanted to see if you've made up yet, but it appears as though you have, which is just—" Molly broke into a sob. "It's more than I could dream of—"
"Mum! I told you not to—" Ginny's arms reached in as she pulled Molly away and leaned to face them. "I think you two have another twenty minutes before she marches up here again."
"Got it," Hermione called as Gin winked and closed the door.
Charlie immediately pushed Hermione's dress up to her waist, revealing her garter belt and the nothing she wore between it. "Fuck," he breathed, sitting back on the sofa, pulled her to straddle him. He shimmied down until she could feel the hot hair of his exhales hovering right over her cunt.
"Charlie," she whispered. "Do you really think—I mean, in twenty minutes—"
He responded with his tongue, causing her to grip his shoulders as her legs trembled around him. "Oh, gods," she said as he lapped up her clit, his tongue hot and wet. It didn't take very long, which wasn't exactly a shock to Hermione, considering how fucking good he was and how fucking long it'd been. He finished her off by running his calloused thumb over her clit while tongue-fucking her. She nearly broke her back arching into him, screaming as she came.
"Gods, I missed the taste of you," he groaned, pushing her back against the sofa as he unbuckled his belt.
She stared lazily at him as he pulled out his cock. "I missed you," she admitted, smiling as she opened her legs to him.
He slammed into her and groaned, pulling his length out almost completely before sinking back inside. She whimpered as he increased his speed. "I've missed everything about you," he said, his voice breaking like gravel. "Your hair, your pussy, the way you yell at me—"
Hermione laughed, causing herself to tighten around him. He gave another moan and pumped into her harder.
"What do you say, Granger?" he asked. "Think we can break a record? Make you come in three minutes, this time?
"Doubt you could," she, giving him a sly smile before yelping when he slammed into her so hard, the couch pushed back.
"That so?" he said, before reaching down to her clit with his thumb again. After bringing her right to the edge once more, he lifted her pelvis up and angled it in such a way that he slapped her clit with every thrust, coaxing an hard orgasm out and proving her utterly, utterly wrong.
"Charlie," she gasped while throwing her head back, which immediately caused him to join her release.
After a few minutes of content snuggling, Charlie lifted his head. "Think we ought to join the party yet?"
Hermione laughed, stretching into the warmth of his arms and torso. "Probably. I mean, it is your birthday, isn't it?"
He chuckled, pulling her hand up to see the dragonite ring. In the shadows of the attic, it glowed so bright, Hermione swore it could've been a dragon's eye staring right at her.
"It's your birthday," she repeated, sitting up. "And you brought me jewelry."
"Are you kidding?" he said, standing with a grin. "You're coming to Romania and you're going to be my bride? Mum was right, after all—best birthday bash. Ever."
Hermione smiled shyly. "There is one more thing."
"Oh?" Charlie stretched and reached for her hand, pulling her up next to him.
"My parents are here."
Charlie whipped his head in her direction, eyes wide. "They are?"
"Yeah? Remember, you wanted them to come to your birthday, here at the Burrow? They're downstairs. You met them already, actually."
"I—what? Oh. Wait a minute. Your parents' names are the Jenkins?"
"No, no, they're the Grangers. We were trying to keep this whole thing a surprise, but you came early."
Charlie put his hand on his head. "Everything's making sense now. Fuck. I acted like a proper idiot in front of them."
"Oh, you're fine. But come on. I've give you a real introduction, okay?"
He smiled. "Absolutely, love."
x
Hermione and Charlie mingled with everyone for a good hour before the cake-cutting. She felt slightly embarrassed when her dad geeked out over the details of Charlie's career, but was overall happy that Charlie and her parents got on so well. As always at every (bloody) Weasley birthday, she spent a little time with everyone before Molly called them to gather around the cake.
"Don't forget to make a wish," Arthur called when the birthday song was finished.
"Oh, I already have my wish," Charlie said, grabbing Hermione and pulling her into his lap. The ladies all gave long awws over the couple as they grinned at one another.
"Would you like to tell them?" Charlie asked in a low voice, his fingers on her ring. "I'm about to yell it out, honestly."
Hermione smiled and nodded and cleared her throat. "We have an announcement to make," she said. Everyone hushed immediately, their faces looking expectantly at her and Charlie.
"We're getting married," Charlie said, laughing and lifting her left hand.
Hermione had to cover her ears to protect her hearing from the screams that erupted thereafter. Arms from various angles flung out at her as the shrieking continued. After about a minute, there was a loud, "Wait a minute!" to be heard, causing everyone to glance over at Ron with a mouthful of cake, Aurora on his arm.
Hermione glanced at Harry, who mouthed, you didn't tell him? When she shook her head, Harry dropped his face into his palms.
Ron swallowed, standing. "What happened to Brock Missouri?"
Hermione's mouth closed and opened again. "What?"
"That bloke you were seeing. I wanted to meet him! I've never met an American football player before. Was looking forward to it, 'Mione!"
Hermione looked at Charlie, who was already barking with laughter. "Uh—" she said, unable to form words. Soon, the whole family joined Charlie.
"What?" Ron asked, eyes wide as he took another bite of cake. "What is it?"
"I'll tell you later, Ron," Ginny said, leaning to give Hermione a hug along with a half dozen others.
Charlie pulled her even closer to him as everyone got their cake, whispering in her ear, "After we leave, I'm taking you to one of the beds upstairs to fuck you every which way. Sideways, upside-down. You name it."
Hermione blushed as folks smiled at them, assuming he was telling much more wholesome things in her ear. "That a promise?"
He smiled. "Always." Then he pulled her in for another kiss.
The End
Yes, that's the end, folks! Oh, my. I've been sick in bed, which sucks, but the good thing that's come of it is I've been able to finish this fic! Yay! I hope you guys liked it. I'm very pleased with how everything turned out.
Thank you all SO MUCH for your support. As I mentioned some chapters back, I wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for your encouragement and kind words.
I wouldn't be adverse to writing up a little epilogue, say, for about five years in the future. Would you all like something like that?
Thanks again! As always, you are all awesome.