a/n: Yes, we're skipping ahead again and quite far, too.

"All I know is that I'm thrilled by your kiss. I don't know any more than this."

From the song, "Po' Boy," by Bob Dylan

Chapter 23: The First Spell

Charlie had just returned for the Christmas Holiday of his sixth year at Hogwarts and had just turned seventeen (the legal age to perform magic outside of school) earlier in the month. He now sat with Madeline on the maroon and gold Turkish carpet beside the fireplace in Alastor Moody's house. Madeline's tri-color basenji, Cleopatra, lay on the sofa, her front paws crossed most elegantly.

"Are you ready?" asked Charlie with a glint in his eye.

"Of course! I'm so excited. Your first spell outside of school. Wow!"

"Well, first legal one, anyway," Charlie chuckled. He leaned toward her. "Remember when I told you I'd get you our own dragon?"

She nodded.

"I've got you three," he said keeping eye contact with her, trying to maintain an air of gravity.

She raised one skeptical brow. "Real dragons?"

"Well."

"And they fly?" She raised the other one.

He gave her an Are-you-quite-finished? look

"Ok, I'll be quiet now." She tried not to snicker.

"Observe." He made a little curlie cue motion with his wand and uttered the incantation, "Odonata." A trio of brilliant turquoise dragonflies sprang into existence and danced in the air above his wand. Cleopatra gave a whine. Madeline's eyes lit up as she beamed at him and clapped her hands, sending the dog into a fit of squeal-like sounds.

"Oh, Charlie, they're so pretty!" Exclaimed Madeline.

He sat up straighter with pride. The reception was even better than he had hoped for. With three flicks each dragonfly went out like a candle flame extinguished. She applauded again. You'd think this was the most amazing feat ever attempted. Charlie thought this might be a good moment to ask her the thing that had been on his mind.

"Madeline," he said, staring at his own hands.

"Yeah?" she answered, twirling her finger in her hair.

The dog had settled down to watch the fire. It suddenly seemed so quiet in the room. He blushed and felt his words begin to abandon him, but when he glanced up she gave him an encouraging smile. The fire caused shadows to dance around the room and she was bathed in a warm light.

"You remember when I came home that one summer and I told you about how I saw Bill kissing that girl?"

She laughed"I remember. You said you'd never done that and I said that I hadn't either."

He nodded, "Then you said," his speech faltered a little, "that we should try it."

She laughed. "We were so dumb. I couldn't stop laughing."

"Like now." He blushed. "Well, I think I could do a better job now." He tried to look at her without actually meeting her eyes. His nervous look made the solidly built young man all the cuter in Madeline's opinion.

"You could try," she said.

He couldn't move or even look at her. His ears felt hot.

She scooted up next to him, rose up on her knees, and put her hand on his shoulder. He looked up and their eyes met. He brushed her hair back and laid his hand on the back of her neck and leaned over and tenderly kissed her.

"Would you like to be my girlfriend?" he ventured timidly.

"Yes," she whispered. She slipped both arms around his neck and kissed him again. He felt his heart jump for joy.

This is how they were when Alastor stumped into the room noisily. He had obviously seen what they were doing and had come to intervene. An older brother with a magical eye made an excellent chaperone. They broke apart. Madeline grinned and Charlie froze.

"Hello Charlie. You're here late," Alastor growled.

It was well known in the wizarding world (and among several boys from Madeline's school) that Alastor Moody was the most reliable source of intimidation in all of England. No one was more aware of this fact than Alastor Moody himself.

"Er..." was all that Charlie could manage in reply. He got up and stood like a soldier at inspection.

"Is there something you wish to say to me?" Moody continued, leaning heavily on his staff. Even in a plaid flannel robe, he was an imposing figure.

"Alastor," Moody prompted him, but getting no response, he continued. "I would like..."

Charlie, catching on, reanimated himself and said quickly, "Alastor, I really would like...eh..." He faltered.

"To date..." Alastor continued to prompt.

Charlie took a breath and rattled off, "I'd like to date your sister." He hastily added, "please..." and then a "sir" for good measure. His heart beat wildly in his chest like a stampede of wild centaurs.

Madeline kept looking back and forth at each of them with a hopeful expression.

Finally Alastor said matter-of-factly, "Yes, that would be all right with me, Charlie. I'm so glad you asked."

Madeline squealed with delight and leapt to her feet and threw her arms around her brother. "Thank you!"

He kissed the top of her head.

Charlie sighed with relief. He held out his hand to Alastor after Madeline released him from another exuberant embrace.

Charlie's eyes widened in shock and a bit of fear when Alastor grabbed his hand and pulled him in for a one-armed hug and a firm pat on the back.

"I know you won't do anything to disappoint me, lad," he said gruffly.

"Eh...no," Charlie said weakly.

Then he suddenly got Alastor's meaning, shook his head and said quickly, "No, don't worry about that. I wouldn't..."

Madeline looked at him curiously and somewhat amused.

Moody nodded, satisfied that he could trust Charlie with his only sister, probably better than he could trust Madeline herself.