The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

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Virtually every time I type the name Charlie I have missed spelled it. It is only seven letters and it is driving me nuts! I think we should change the spelling to Chalrie.

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Charlie was still holding her close a few moments later when her breathing had calmed and he could feel the pulse in her neck slow to a more normal rhythm. Seeing Percy and finding the courage to confront him had been taxing on her and it was a while before he felt her truly begin to relax.

Remembering what she had taunted Percy with Charlie smile and while his arms were around her and his lips close to her ear he whispered, "You don't have to buy knickers for my sake."

Hermione's shoulders shook and she pulled back from him a touch. "Maybe…when it gets colder."

Charlie laughed and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. He never loved anyone the way he loved this woman. He smiled as he pulled her tight to his chest.

Hermione kissed his cheek and mumbled against the stubble of his beard, "Let's go to Ron right now. I feel invincible and Percy will never think to look for us there."

Charlie agreed that it would be better to put some distance between them and his lunatic brother. Pulling out a portkey that he always carried on him in case of emergencies, Charlie quickly set it for two people and their destination before he placed it in his palm and grabbed Hermione's hand.

Monica was pacing in front of the front door. She had been waiting for what seemed hours. Ron was getting Jane up from her afternoon nap when he heard is wife groan in impatience. They were expecting Charlie and Hermione they just hadn't set an exact time for their arrival and the uncertainty was grating on Monica's nerves.

The sound of the guests' arrival caused Monica to wrench open the door and run into the yard. She stopped short at the sight of her dearest friend in the world standing whole, well, and alive in front of her. Tears and a grin greeted Hermione as Monica squealed in joy for being able to hug her friend.

Charlie watched as the two heads walked into the house. He stayed in the same spot, his thoughts raced. Maybe his job was done; Hermione was safe with her friends, people who had to know her better than he did. Maybe she didn't need him anymore. Perhaps he should leave and let them take it from here.

Hermione stopped when she reached the doorway; looking back she stretched out her hand towards him. "Charlie?"

Charlie Weasley bounded up to her like a young pup and Hermione sighed when he slipped his arm around her waist.

Together they entered the youngest Weasley brother's home and Hermione gave a small gasp when she saw Ron waiting for her holding his baby, her goddaughter Jane.

"Oh my, she is beautiful," whispered Hermione as she slowly walked toward Ron.

Ron smiled Hermione was so different from the last time he saw her flat on her back in Charlie's bed. This creature in front of him was much more like the fierce, passionate, stubborn friend that he knew. The bruises were almost gone and the cuts healed and she was walking. After looking at the pictures Charlie had taken, Ron seriously doubted whether or not she would be able to walk again.

Ron took a few steps and met Hermione. His hand caressed her face and his pulled her head to his kissing her forehead. "Yeah beautiful, I have some one I want you to meet. Hermione this is your goddaughter, Jane." Ron handed the little girl to her.

Hermione's eyes tears up as she gently nestled the tiny baby in her arms, the tiny face looked up at her a blinked her eyes. Hermione smiled as the infant turned towards her chest the rooting instinct driving it to nurse. The delicate baby aroma filled Hermione's senses as she gently and reverently kissed the soft smattering of red curls on baby Jane's forehead. Hermione looked up and into Charlie's face. She was living a dream. Charlie could see in her eyes that she never expected to live long enough to hold her goddaughter.

Monica walked between the brothers and showed Hermione into the living room. Charlie helped Hermione to sit and then stepped back to allow them to settle in for a long chat. Ron smiled as he offered to get Charlie a butterbeer while the "girls" caught up. Charlie followed Ron into the kitchen and readily accepted the frosty bottle.

"She looks really good with a baby in her arms, wouldn't you say?" Ron said making conversation while Charlie continued to watch Hermione for the doorway.

"Hum? What?" Charlie hadn't been listening; rather he was mesmerized by the view of Hermione and Jane talking to Monica.

Ron laughed at the distracted man. "I said that I think Hermione looks really good holding a baby."

Charlie looked away from the girls and at his brother. "Yes, she does." He took a long swig from his beer and turned back to his brother with a grin on his face. "She will make someone an amazing Mum."

Ron cleared his throat and nodded. He had his own theories on that possibility but thought it better to keep them to himself, at the present time.

Hours and many butterbeers later, Monica suggested that they eat the dinner she had warming in oven, then they could discuss Hermione's legal predicament.

Charlie helped Hermione up and together they walked to dining table. Jane was sleeping in her arms. With Charlie's help Hermione was able to sit back down and once they were all seated Ron served the roast and everyone laughed as Hermione figured out how to eat left handed while holding a sleeping baby. Hermione refused to relinquish Jane to anyone when the baby finally woke up cranky. Insisting she could handle it.

Monica finally stood up and walked next to Hermione and the wailing baby, "Well that is her 'I want to nurse' cry."

Hermione blushed and admitted that she couldn't do that, but she did follow Monica as she took Jane to the nursery.

The men were still laughing when Hermione closed the nursery door and asked, "Do you mind if I join you?"

Monica smiled as with one hand she held Jane and with the other she gathered a burping cloth and unbuttoned her blouse. "Of course not, I came in here because I just did not want to make you or Charlie uncomfortable."

Hermione managed to sit comfortably on the daybed while Monica rocked the nursing baby in the rocking chair. Watching Hermione's face as she nursed Jane, Monica realized her dearest friend was profoundly sad.

Monica raised her eyebrow when Hermione looked up. That was all it took for Hermione to confess what was making her so unhappy.

"I would have loved 10 or 12 of those?" Hermione sighed as she wiped away a tear that had escaped.

Monica smiled. "10 or 12 what? Rocking chairs or babies? I like rocking chairs as much as anyone but a dozen might be overdoing it. As far as babies, I think 3 or 4 would be nice."

Hermione smirked as she threw a small stuffed bear at Monica. "Babies…you goof."

Monica laughed and quickly changed Jane from one side to the other. "Why did you say 'would have'?"

Hermione seemed to stink into the cushions for an instant before she shook off her memories and straightened her back. "Percy did horrible things…I'm not sure that I can still have children."

Monica nodded in understanding, "Right then we should get you to a healer and find out!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's what I love about you, you never mince words."

Monica flashed a smile and changed the subject. "So what is going on with Charlie?"

Hermione was suddenly very interested in the weave of the blanket covering the bed. "What?" she mumbled and tired not to blush.

Monica threw the stuffed bear back at Hermione to make her look up. "Don't you 'what' me…details…please…I mean Charlie…"

Hermione put her hand on her cheeks to try and cover her deep blush; taking a deep breath she started. "He is wonderful isn't he? It started very simply, he saved my life. Then he worked hard to make me well and now he just wants to love me."

Monica could tell that Jane was full and ready to sleep. Using the time that it took to change Jane's nappy and placing her in bed, she chose her next words very carefully. "Are you sure this isn't just rebounding from Percy?"

Hermione struggled to stand and winched from the pain before finally getting into a standing position. She walked over to look down into Jane's crib. The tiny girl was curled up in ball with her legs tucked under tummy and her bottom up in the air, Hermione put her head on Monica's shoulder as they both watched Jane sleep.

"Percy killed any feelings I might have had for him the first time he hit me. I have known Charlie for over ten years, but we have never spent anytime with each other. If we had I think we would have found each other much earlier." Hermione was whispering so she won't wake up her goddaughter.

Monica pulled her friend out of the room and was laughing. "That was exactly what Ron said!"

As they walked together Hermione wrapped her arm around Monica's waist "That boy does know me!"

Monica stopped before they joined the brothers. "Have you and Charlie…you know?"

Hermione's face became very serious. "No, I am not ready and plus that would ruin my plans for the monster."

Monica turned and looked at her friend. "What plan?"

Hermione gave Monica a well remembered evil smile and told her what she was planning.

Ron looked at his brother as they cleaned up from the dinner. Charlie looked different. All the years of living together at the Burrow had left Ron with a definite sense of who his siblings were. All of them were different and Ron had always thought that Charlie was the brother who was looking for more. Not more money or greater prestige, like Percy. Charlie was searching for fulfillment, contentment. Ron had told Monica years ago that he thought that Charlie worked with dragon because he wanted to take care of something; Charlie liked the challenge.

Ron realized the difference in Charlie was that he looked content. The realization made Ron blurt out the obvious. "You're in love!"

Charlie's face was bright red and despite his older brother's silence, Ron knew right away he was right. "I told Monica ages ago that you two would be great for each other!"

Charlie laughed. "She is amazing." He proceeded to tell Ron about their earlier encounter with Percy.

Ron laughed so hard that he almost spit out his beer out of his nose when Charlie got to the part about Hermione's knickers. It was at that moment when Hermione and Monica entered the kitchen and Charlie was having great difficulty keeping a straight face when Hermione shot him a look of warning.

Monica insisted on knowing what was so funny. Hermione blushed madly while Charlie recounted the knickers episode for Monica.

Ron had calmed down and Monica sat in her husband's lap. "If you think that's good you should hear what our Hermione has planned."

Charlie stood up and walked to pull out a chair for Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You have a plan?"

Hermione smiled as Charlie helped her sit down. "I've been formulating it since we saw the monster."

Monica detailed the plan for the brothers. Ron looked shocked. "That is truly brilliant, evil, but brilliant…I like it."

Charlie's reaction was different he as concerned about the toll it would have on Hermione. "Are you sure you want to be so public?"

Hermione took his hand in hers, "At first I was ashamed and wanted to hide, but you made me realize I've got nothing to be ashamed of and secrets just hurt. If I have you with me…" she touched his cheek, "I can handle anything."

Charlie pulled her chair closer to his and kissed her deeply. Monica and Ron tried not to stare. Ron gave up the pretense and began making retching sounds. "Get a room already!" Monica slapped her husband's arm. "I think it is wonderful!"

Charlie blushed. "Sorry, she just gets me crazy." He pushed her hair off her face as she snuggled into his chest. "You okay?" he asked her.

Hermione nodded.

Monica coughed and spoke, "I think we need to tell the rest of the family."

Charlie looked stunned. "Why for goodness sake?"

Monica glanced at Ron and then back to the couple. "They need to know before the Daily Prophet gets a hold of this. This will be big news."

Despite his reluctance, Charlie knew Monica was right. But he was surprised by her next statement. "Actually, I kind of already invited tem here for brunch tomorrow."

Hermione did not speak but looked at Charlie, there was nothing to say. Logical, practical Monica was right. After a minute, Hermione simply said, "Alright."

Charlie was rubbing her back and with out a hesitation he agreed. "Okay then, tomorrow."

Ron was yawning and rubbing his eyes is sleepiness. Hermione grinned at how much Jane looked like her father. "Do you want to turn in?"

Hermione panicked. "I didn't bring anything with me!"

Ron stood up and stretched, yawning again, "Monica can lend you some pajamas; you two don't mind bunking together? The nursery took the third bedroom." Ron was scratching his head as he was making his way to the master bedroom.

Charlie grinned. "I think I can put up with her all night long."

Hermione blushed for the millionth time that night. "Charlie!"

Monica saw the way the two looked at each other. "Let's go I'm exhausted and Jane is going to be up in a couple of hours. I hope the noise doesn't wake you up."

Hermione wasn't paying attention. "What?" She had been listening to Charlie whisper in her ear that she wouldn't be needing any pajamas.