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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I hope you enjoy.

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Hermione was the first awake. The persistent twinge of pain that accompanied her sitting up and getting out of bed was gone for first time since she went with the monster to the Caribbean, she was completely pain free. She smiled. This is how she would start every morning for the rest of her life. Today was reason to celebrate.

With out thinking, a joyful but blurred eyed Hermione made her way into the kitchen. It wasn't until she reached for the tea things that she remembered the day before. Everything was gone. The appliances looked worse for wear and the doors of the kitchen cabinets were hanging crooked on what remained of their hinges. Everything else was gone. Sighing Hermione turned back toward the one place to sit down, the bed. This was serious; Charlie, no she corrected herself, Charlie and she would have to shop. Food could not be conjured and if she did not want to constantly be reinforcing her transformation spells, they would need to purchase a kettle and some pots, pans, & utensils.

As she sat on the edge of the bed Hermione listened to Charlie alternate between mumbling and snoring. He had done the lion-share of the clean up work last night and Hermione knew he needed sleep. She did not want to disturb him and looking down she realized that she was still in the same dress from the day before and it was as grimy as she felt. Smiling as she stood up pain free, Hermione made her way to the bathroom determined to find a way to shower. Looking at her wand sticking out from underneath her pillow she grabbed it to bring with her.

The bathroom was in better shape than the kitchen. The monster must have lost most of his momentum before he got to this room. There was only superficial damage done to the fixtures and wall. Hermione opened the linen closet behind the door and found that the extra towels and toiletries were still in tact. A shower would be wonderful.

The hot water was starting to turn cold when Hermione was startled out of her thoughts by the door opening and Charlie stumbling in and lifting up the toilet seat. Hermione was amazed and partially horrified, race horses had nothing on him; he just kept going.

"Charlie Weasley! Do you mind?" Hermione had turned off the water and was standing wrapped in a towel, dripping wet.

"Uh?" Charlie started to turn around before he was quite done.

"Stop!" Hermione screamed before it was too late.

Charlie seemed to wake up a bit and realizing the situation had the good sense to blush. "Oh crap. I'm sorry!" He finished and washed his hands before slamming the door behind him.

Hermione smiled, he had been embarrassed. Quickly, she used her wand to both scrub her teeth and clean her clothes. With a flick she dried her hair and was ready.

Charlie was searching for his other trainer when Hermione returned to the living room. Her presence made him blush again.

"I am sorry, I guess I was still half asleep, with only the one bathroom growing up it more of 'everyman for himself'." Charlie turned away and spotted the errant shoe under the bed.

It wasn't until he had crawled back out from under that Hermione spoke. "I was just a little taken aback. I always had my own loo at home, but with time I am sure we will learn to share quite well."

Charlie began to make his way to her side, sort of hopping on one foot while trying to get his other shoe securely on hi s foot. "I am certain we will learn to share all sorts of things, loos, showers, kitchen duty, beds, toothbrushes…"

Hermione laughed as she reached out for him to steady him while he finally got the trainer tied. "I am all for beds but I draw the line at sharing dental hygiene equipment…ew."

Once he was able to stand steadily on his own two feet, Charlie wrapped his arms around her and gave her a proper 'good morning'. The grumbling from their stomachs was what eventually broke them apart; neither had had a meal since the morning before.

"Food, that should our first priority." Charlie looked around for his wallet and wand. Hermione smiled and agreed. "We are fresh out of anything edible."

She took his hand and led him to the front door. "I take you to that great little café around corner and I am so thoughtful I will even let you pay Mr. Weasley!"

Charlie barked a short laugh. "That is so kind Ms. 'Weasley soon to be ex Weasley', I am honored."

Hermione slapped his shoulder as she waited for him to lock the front door; together they walked hand in hand down the stairs and to breakfast.

It was over their hot chocolate that they decided how to spend the day. Charlie was reluctant to point out that he needed to check in with Mr. Solomon at the reserve and Hermione noted out that unless they wanted to wear the same clothes for the rest of the week they had better do some shopping.

The first stop was the reserve. Hermione was much better able to truly appreciate the remote oasis now that her mind was clear and pain free. She watched Charlie as they walked from the apparition point toward the main office. In just that brief walk she could see a difference. He seemed calmer, his breathing was slower and deeper; he was peaceful. She understood for the first time how much this place was a part of him. He had nothing hidden about him. Charlie Weasley was open and honest, no deep secrets he was desperately trying to hide. He was as wild as forest; she knew he could be as protective as a nesting dragon, and as peaceful as the mountain lake they swam in everyday for weeks.

Hermione knew that she loved Charlie; she had told him a multitude of times, but for the first time she realized how much her love for him was about who he was. All of the varied and complex sides of this man in her life made her happy. It wasn't simply a hormone driven, lust fueled desire. Hermione smiled; her love was for every aspect of this wonderful man.

Mr. Solomon greeted them at the door to the office. "Charlie what are you doing here? I know you at least three more weeks of vacation. Are you afraid that we can't survive without you?"

Charlie shook his head he was confused, "No wait a minute…three weeks? I don't understand, I asked for four weeks, it has been three, but you added a week at the lake…so unless my math has really gone soft, I should report back in two weeks."

Mr. Solomon consulted his desk calendar. "No, Charlie, you have at least three more weeks of time off before I could possibly consider putting you back on the schedule."

Charlie started to argue the point but his boss cut him off, "Keep it up Weasley and I will add another week. My suggestion is enjoy the company of the lovely Jane and I'll expect you back in three weeks."

Charlie looked helplessly at Hermione he knew he was beaten. She laughed. "It is okay we will find something to fill the time, thank you Mr. Solomon and I promise to keep him busy."

Mr. Solomon ushered them out and watched Hermione take Charlie's hand and walk towards the apparition point.

Hermione waited until they were out of sight and turned to wrap her arms around Charlie's waist. "This gives us more time to prepare. While we are here…where is your office?" Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

Charlie smiled and threw open his arms, "All of this, the trees, the lake, the mountains, this is my office."

Hermione studied that scenery surrounding them. "Well, the décor suits you. Show me everything."

Charlie was like a little kid, he was so excited that Hermione wanted to know about his work. They spent the majority of the day exploring the reserve. Hermione was very impressed by Charlie's level of expertise. Hermione felt completely safe as they neared a nesting Horntail. Charlie then showed her a nest of newly hatched Ridgebacks.

The sun was getting lower in the sky and the temperature was falling when they apparated back to town. Quickly they shopped for a few absolute necessities and picked up take away for dinner before returning to the apartment.

Charlie headed to shower while Hermione sorted out the newly purchased kitchen items. She grinned when despite the noise of the running water; Hermione could hear Charlie singing loudly and off key. She recognized the song from years ago, the name of the song eluded her but the refrain about being champions was very familiar. Everything found a place in the cabinets and as she was opening the cartons of low mien there was a tapping on the window.

Hermione opened the window to admit a large barn owl. Once she retrieved the message from the leg, she offered the carrier owl a bit of food. The owl accepted and swiftly flew off. Hermione took the note and sitting down on the bed opened it.

It was from Monica.

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Thanks to everyone who is reading and special thanks for those who have the time to review. You are my heroes!