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.

This is what happens when school is canceled because of a hurricane! You write and write and write. Then you post and post and post. We are getting close to the end of my tale another chapter or two.

Charlie was leaning against the window in Monica's office, his arms encircling Hermione's waist as they both gazed out lost in their own thoughts. Charlie was thinking about how this day would end. He wanted to be able to sweep a free Hermione up and not stop until they were far, far away from here. Charlie realized he did not truly care if Percy was sentenced for his crimes or only fined and give a reprimand. All that mattered to Charlie truly was that Hermione would be free from the monster.

Charlie wanted to start his life with her as soon as the judges handed down their verdict. He did not want to wait. He knew people would be scandalized that a witch could go from one brother to another, but Charlie understood Hermione. She had dealt with and buried the fiasco of her relationship with the monster months ago and was ready to build her life with him. She had not actually said that in so many words but Charlie knew.

Hermione leaned further back into Charlie's chest. She was tired and hopeful. Looking back she realized that she had lived much longer that she ever expect. While lying in her own filth on the kitchen floor, Hermione had almost hoped that each painful breath would be her last. It seemed impossible that she survived, not only survived but was flourishing. Loving Charlie Wesley as fiercely and deeply as she did was gift that she intended on cherishing every day for the rest of her life.

A small knock on Monica's office door brought both of them back to the present. Charlie kissed the top of Hermione's head as they turned to face the future. Monica spoke to the clerk in a hushed tone. The verdict was back and in much shorter time than she had expected. It could have gone either way.

Charlie's arm was still around Hermione was they walked into the courtroom both still quite and unaware of the flashes of light going off around them. Charlie led Hermione to her seat and slipped into his directly behind her.

Hermione was numb; she had nothing left to feel, it was just a matter of hearing what the judges decided. She had tried her very best and that would have to be enough.

Percy was also sitting waiting. She could tell by his self satisfied, smug expression that he loved being photographed for the next day's headlines. His air of self confidence made her sick.

The Chief Judge was the first to be seated quickly followed by his fellow judges. Hermione had shut down. She knew they were talking to her, she could see their mouths moving but none of the words made sense. She just wanted to hear one word…free.

The words came to her as if she was underwater. Hermione did recognize 'inhumane' and possibly 'unimaginable'. But what confused her most was hearing 'rewarded 1.5 million'. Where was the word free? All that mattered was her freedom the rest was inconsequential.

Hermione turned to look at Charlie, he was smiling and gesturing her to turn back and look at he judges.

"Annulment granted" made her world begin to spin. Hermione's hand came up to cover her sobbing face. She was free!

Charlie was holding her and they were descended upon by family and friends. Percy's screams rang out. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley both had tears in their eyes as they stood next to Hermione and watched as the guards subdued a crazed Percy and escorted the monster out of the court room.

Free, she was free and Charlie was holding her in his arms. This was her dream; what had pushed her to recover and what had been foremost in her mind as she retold her harrowing tale in front of the world. She and Charlie were free.

Charlie knew it was time to activate his plan. Together with Ron and Monica, Charlie had worked out the details of an escape plan for when the trial was over. Regardless of the outcome, Charlie knew that Hermione would need some privacy and time to process the events. Monica had procured a portkey that would transport them out of the Ministry and to an undisclosed location when she activated it.

Charlie looked at Monica and she nodded handing him a dried up old bottle of ink. Once Charlie had slipped it into his and Hermione's joined hands, Monica tapped the top to activate it. The couple disappeared.

Hermione recognized where Charlie had brought her. It was their lake; the pristine setting of the beginning of their relationship. The air was a little colder than it had been during the heat of the summer and the trees seemed to be just beginning to show their colors. Once she was steady on her feet, Hermione walked to the water's edge. The surface was perfectly still, a mirror reflection of the mountains and sky surrounding them.

"Charlie, it is just as lovely!" Hermione watched a small flock of ducks landed on the water's surface disrupting the reflection. "I think this is my favorite spot in all of the reserve."

Charlie walked up behind her and once again slipped his hand in hers. He led her to a giant boulder that was at the edge of the shoreline and lifting her up he sat her on the sun warmed rock. "I admit when I first brought you here I was hoping you would like it as much as I did. It made me very happy to discover you did."

"Charlie, you and Monica must have pulled in quite a few favors to arrange a portkey out of the Ministry of Magic." Hermione's legs were wrapped around Charlie's waist as she snuggled her head on his chest.

Charlie grinned. "That sister-in-law of mine is one tricky witch. She can be very persuasive when she wants to be. Ron must never win an argument!"

Hermione pulled back slightly and looked at the content face of the man she adored. "I think they are very well matched. Ron has a great sense of self preservation and can plot out strategy better than anyone. Monica just keeps him on his toes."

Charlie did not let her stay pulled away from him for too long. He stroked her back as they held on to each other and watched the clouds move across the sky.

The sun was almost touching the mountain tops in the western sky when Hermione roused herself out of her musings. "Charlie, they did say I was free…right?"

Charlie kissed her upturned nose. "Yes, you are no longer Mrs. Percy Weasley, back to being Hermione Granger, woman warrior."

Hermione sighed in relief. "That is exactly what I thought they said."

"Charlie," Hermione whispered as the evening symphony of insects began, "make love to me."

Hermione could feel his arms tighten around her as his lips lowered seeking hers. "Please, I am free and I want to be with you."

Charlie cupped her face, tracing her lips with his thumb eventually running his fingers down her neck. "No."

Hermione was surprised by his reaction and all of the self doubt she ever suffered from came flooding back into to her mind. "Oh, of course, having spent the day listening to Percy made you realize that I was not worthy." Her voice was full of pain and tears.

Charlie laughed which only made Hermione cry more and feel worse. He wiped her wet cheeks and kissed her deeply. "Never doubt how much I want you, now more than ever but I want to wait. I want to be married to you first."

Hermione smiled. "You want to marry me?"

Charlie grinned, "Of course I want to marry you. You are my world."

Hermione bit her lower lip, looking up at him shyly she asked, "Could we get married tonight I really really don't want to wait much longer. I want you."

Charlie's full throated laugh made Hermione smile. "Tomorrow, little one can you wait until tomorrow?"

Hermione gave him appraising look. "I am sure, but I will try!"