A/N: I haven't put up a disclaimer for the last few chapters, but in case anyone has forgotten, I still don't own HP or his world. I just like to play in it.
Chapter 27—The One Where They Move to Wales
When Maya and Charlie returned to Romania, they spent most of their time there packing. Charlie did everything he could to help his colleagues prepare for his departure. He was working in an enclosure when his friend, Mike, came over to him. "So, you're really leaving?" Mike asked.
"Yeah," Charlie answered. "I never thought I'd do it either, but I have the opportunity to make Maya unbelievably happy and I can continue my work too."
"Good on you, mate," Mike said. "It's about time you settled down."
"Cheers, mate," Charlie joked.
The weeks until the move went by in a blur and before they knew it, the cottage was packed and it was to be their last night in Romania. Charlie's friends planned a party at the pub. Maya and Charlie were the last to arrive, and nearly everyone they knew was there. Mike handed Charlie and Maya each a beer. "Now that you're here, the party can start," Mike said. "OI! Everyone, Charlie and his bonny lass have arrived. It's time to start the real party."
"I thought this was a going away party," Charlie said, concern etched on his face.
"That's what we wanted you to think, and it sort of is," Mike said. "But it is also an engagement party. Let's just call it your last hoorah before you get married."
"Oh, bloody hell!" Maya exclaimed. She was terrified of what was going to happen, but that was unnecessary. For the most part, Charlie's friends and colleagues had arranged to give them their wedding gifts and a proper send off. The drinks were flowing and everyone was having a great time. Finally, Mike and his girlfriend, Libby, called everyone's attention back to them.
"Since it's their last night in Romania, and we won't have another chance, we're going to play a little game with Charlie and Maya," Mike announced. He put 2 chairs in the center of the room and had Charlie and Maya sit facing each other. "We're going to find out just how well they know each other. I will ask questions and if they get it wrong, they have to take a shot."
Charlie and Maya smirked and took their seats. They knew this would be easy. "Alright, we'll start with something easy," Libby said. "Who was Charlie's first kiss?"
"Gillian Andrews," Maya answered, confidently. She was right, so they didn't have to drink.
"Same question, Charlie," Mike said. "Who was Maya's first kiss?"
"Derrick Pryce-Jones," Charlie replied. Under his breath, he added, "Tosser." He was also right.
It didn't take long, however, before Charlie got an answer wrong. "Who was Maya's first crush?" Libby asked.
"Jack Stebbins," Charlie answered.
Blushing heavily, Maya shook her head. Then, Libby demanded that she tell him who it was. "Bill," she whispered, bowing her head low. "I'm sorry, love, but I was only 11 and he was 13 and really cool."
"No need to explain, princess," Charlie said, toasting her with his shot glass. He drank the whiskey and waited for the next question.
"Alright, Maya, what is Charlie's favorite song?" Libby asked.
"Dragon's Heart, by the Weird Sisters," Maya answered, confidently. Charlie shook his head. "What is it, then?" she asked as she drank.
"Fields of Gold," Charlie answered. "Our song." All the women in the bar cooed while the men pretended to wretch.
An hour later, Charlie and Maya had still only had 2 shots each. Mike decided to make it more interesting. "Alright Maya, including you, how many sex partners has Charlie had?"
"7," Maya guessed. Charlie shook his head.
"It was 6," Charlie replied. Maya was, truthfully, glad. Mike asked Charlie the same question and he answered, "5."
Maya shook her head. "3," she said. Charlie was over the moon with happiness and they toasted each other with their shots.
The next question was terribly embarrassing for both Charlie and Maya. Libby asked, "Has Maya ever faked an orgasm?"
"With me?" Charlie asked. She nodded. "No." Maya nodded; it was true that with Charlie, she never felt the need to fake it."
"Maya, where is the strangest place that you've ever done it?" Libby asked.
"In the Shrieking Shack," Maya answered.
"Really?" Charlie said. "You thought that was stranger than in the secret passage?"
"Yeah," Maya said. "Do you know how many students have had sex in that passage? It wasn't just our little lover's nest."
"Alright, we'll give you that one because it really is a matter of opinion," Mike said. "And now, for the last question. Charlie, when did you know you wanted to marry her?"
"On our first non-date to the Prefect's Christmas Party in fifth year," Charlie answered, truthfully. Maya smiled.
"Maya, when did you know you wanted to marry him?" Libby asked, quietly.
"In the hallway after that non-date when he almost kissed me for the first time," Maya answered. Charlie smiled back at her. "And I've never wanted to marry anyone else," she added.
"That ends our game," Mike said quietly. "And now, we'd like to propose a toast. May you live as long as you want but never want as long as you live. May your love last forever and may your children be as good looking as I am. (Everyone laughed at this.) And finally, to both of you, thank Merlin you figured it out. Best wishes and congratulations!" Everyone raised their glasses and took a drink. Charlie kissed Maya tenderly.
"Before we leave, we'd like to thank you all," Maya said. "You all made me feel welcome here when I moved in and you've taken very good care of Charlie. We promise to come and visit."
Sadly, Maya and Charlie walked back to Charlie's cottage for their last night. "I had a really good time tonight," Maya said on the stoop. "And I'd really like you to kiss me now."
"As you wish, my love," Charlie said, winking. He bent down and kissed her, tenderly at first. Maya snaked her arms around Charlie's neck and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. With a flick of his wand, Charlie opened the door. He picked Maya up and carried her inside, closing the door with his foot. They didn't break the kiss until they need to remove their shirts.
Once their shirts had been tossed, Charlie kissed Maya again and steered her towards the bedroom. Their shoes had been kicked off almost as soon as the door had closed. Maya was fumbling with Charlie's belt while he was getting the zipper on her skirt stuck. "Love, your zipper is stuck," Charlie grumbled.
"Just rip it off," she ordered, panting. He pulled the skirt and did rip the zipper off, finally removing it. She stepped out of it as Charlie stepped out of his pants. He removed her bra and kissed her breasts, sending shivers down her spine. Finally, he removed her panties as she shoved his boxers off him.
He looked into her eyes just before he entered her, saying, "I really love you."
"I really love you, too," she answered.
He made love to her as slowly as possible, until her need was so great that she begged him to move faster. He felt her release as he let himself go. He pulled out of her and rolled over on his bed. "You, my pet, are an amazing woman," he whispered, pulling her to snuggle next to him.
"You're not so bad yourself, babe," she replied, putting her head on his chest. They fell asleep quickly. The alarm ended their blissful slumber. They rose, had breakfast, and got dressed to catch their portkey. Finally, they said goodbye to Romania.
Only a few short hours later, they arrived in England. Bill met their portkey in London and helped them get their things to the house in Wales. "Mum's having a dinner at the Burrow," he said. "You're expected to be there."
"Would this dinner involve an engagement party?" Maya asked.
"It would," Bill replied, stunned. "How did you guess?"
"Our friends in Romania threw one last night," Charlie answered, yawning.
"That explains a lot," Bill said. "Also, she's not particularly happy about you lot living together before the wedding. She's going to try to get Maya to stay at the Burrow."
"Yeah, because that's likely," Charlie grumbled. "We've been living together for nearly a year and she knows we've slept together."
"She'll get over it," Bill promised. "She likes to think of us all as her babies and we'll never really be grown up enough to her. Also, Percy has a new friend and George is bringing a date to the wedding."
"Good for him," Maya said. "How has he been?"
"Pretty much the same since May," Bill answered. "I think he appreciates that you lot don't bug him too much, though, so keep the questions to a minimum."
"Of course," Charlie promised. "Who is his date?"
"Some bird that used to date Fred when they were at school," Bill replied. "He says that she and Fred only went out a few times and never went further than a snog or two, but Mum's not entirely sure it's for the best."
"It's George's life," Charlie reasoned. "Mum's got to learn to trust him a little." Bill nodded in agreement as they arrived at the cottage in Wales. Bill helped put the bags in the house, but left Charlie and Maya to finish the unpacking on their own.
Once the unpacking was done, Charlie started tickling Maya. "Stop," she laughed. "That's so not fair."
"I never said I played fair, my dear," Charlie teased, still tickling. "Come on. We've got to christen the house." He wiggled his eyes, causing Maya to laugh harder. She grabbed a pillow from the sofa and smacked him in the head. He started kissing her, while tickling her and was about to remove her shirt when there was a knock on the door.
Groaning, Charlie and Maya got up off the floor and went to answer the door. "Hello, Mum," Charlie said, letting Molly into the house. Maya's shirt had become unbuttoned in their play and she had missed a few buttons when she was putting herself together.
"Dear, you've missed a few buttons," Molly said, pointing at Maya's shirt. Maya blushed and ran to the bathroom to fix her shirt. Charlie blushed a little, but refused to be too embarrassed about what he and Maya were doing. "I trust Bill has told you to be at the Burrow for dinner tonight," Molly added.
"Yes, Mum," Charlie answered. "We promise to be there."
"Dress nicely," Molly ordered. "I've invited a few guests. Now, how is the unpacking going?"
"It's going alright," Maya promised, returning from the bathroom. "We were just discussing where to put the throw pillows when you knocked."
"Is that what you're calling it now?" Molly teased. "Dear, I'm not asking questions if you promise not to answer." Charlie and Maya agreed with Molly's plan.
Molly left after an hour of catching up and helping Charlie and Maya finish the unpacking. By 6:00 that evening, Charlie and Maya were at the Burrow for dinner.