A/N: Thank you for the reviews, they're appreciated. This would've come earlier but I slept way later than I planned and then had to run to a class. The fic probably won't be unreasonably long, probably ten chapters or so unless you want more!
Disclaimer: again i own nothing, and the song in this chapter is if we kissed by fiona apple.
Anyhow, thanks again for reading, enjoy!
The next day the awkwardness between Hermione and Charlie was gone but it had left some sort of sexual tension that they hadn't realized was part of their relationship before if it had been there. They weren't acting any differently then they normally would except now everything they did and said seemed to have a flirtatious vibe to it- and neither of them were stopping it.
Hermione didn't really know what had come over her. In 24 hours it seemed like her brain was going crazy, not to mention the feeling in her chest and lower stomach whenever Charlie was around. She had watched a family game of Quidditch from the ground and could barely control her urges, and silently thanked god that Charlie was in the air and hadn't noticed her watching his every move. Unfortunately, the other women who weren't playing had definitely picked up on the change in Hermione's demeanor and she was subjected to a lot of relentless teasing. Their visit to the Burrow seemed like it had flown by when they left by portkey the following morning, arriving back in Romania and back in their everyday life.
Days passed and the tension never really left, if anything it was growing to be more palpable. Suddenly they didn't mind flirting in front of the others when they were off shift, and whenever they went dancing with the group of friends and co workers they had at the reserve, they always seemed to end up talking in a corner alone or on the dance floor together all night.
In mid-February, when Ron and Mandy's official wedding invitations arrived, Hermione wasn't fazed exactly, but she did feel a bit weird knowing that her former 'star-crossed love' was marrying another woman. Charlie seemed to pick up on this and so one night while they were walking back from a Ridgeback pen in early March, weeks before the wedding, he decided to do something about it.
"Hey Mi, I know you're feeling weird still about Ron getting married, so I was thinking how about instead of just going together as friends, I'll be your escort for the evening," Charlie's ears went a bit pink and quickly added, "I mean still as friends, but the entire evening I'll be at your disposal."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat and she smiled at him. She took her hand in his- not a rare occurrence these day- and replied, "Thanks Charlie, I'll be much better knowing that I have you with me all night."
Charlie raised his eyebrows suggestively and grinned making Hermione laugh, "Okay not ALL night, but you know what I meant." They shared another smile and continued holding hands until they parted for their separate tents.
Ron and Mandy's Wedding
Charlie and Hermione arrived at the Burrow a few days before the wedding, hoping to be able to visit with the family when they realized that the possibility of that was considerably unlikely. Harry was the best man and was busy between his duties to Ron and to his pregnant wife, Ginny, who at this point was getting rather snappish, and the whole family was working on last minute wedding arrangements. Hermione and Charlie helped where they could but they basically ended up hanging out together for the first day and then babysitting the kids all day the next day.
Watching Hermione with children had made Charlie smile. He watched as she helped tie their shoes and affectionately rubbed their heads. When he realized he was suddenly planning a future with her in his head, imagining their kids with her smile and his red hair. He tried to shake it off but the feelings wouldn't leave. He was most definitely in love with Hermione Granger.
Hermione was absolutely stunned to see how fantastic Charlie was with little kids. The shock probably shouldn't have been so severe because she had known that he had five younger siblings that she was sure he took care of when he had been young, and she knew he'd make a great dad one day and the thought made her very excited which was what actually had shocked her. She knew that over the past few months she had definitely developed a crush on Charlie but after seeing him with those kids she realized that it was in fact much, much more.
The next day as the hours of the afternoon ticked down to sunset, the time for the wedding had arrived. Everything had gone smoothly, and Ron was now a husband. Charlie had sat next to Hermione throughout the entire ceremony, holding her hand and making sure she felt okay. At the reception their whole family was eating together at the table and after Ron and Mandy had their first dance the party really kicked off.
An hour or so of talking to Charlie and Ginny, or listening to Ginny complain about being fat, had gone by when Charlie suddenly got up off his chair and squatted down next Hermione and whispered in her ear, "Alright Mi, how about a dance?"
Hermione's heart sped up at the feeling of his breath so close to her, then she smiled and nodded, not noticing the curious glances they were receiving from Molly and Ginny. As they made their way to the dance floor hand in hand, the song "If We Kissed" by Fiona Apple came on.
They started dancing together, looking each other straight in the eye and both noticing for the first time the lust that had filled them. Their bodies weren't quite touching but their faces were close as they smiled and giggled while joking as they danced. The two were so wrapped up in each other they didn't notice everyone not even hiding the fact that they were staring at them. About halfway through the song Hermione picked up stray lyrics and couldn't help but smile and blush a little at the irony of the song matching her thoughts.
What would happen if we kissed?
Would your tongue slip past my
lips?
Would you run away?
Would you stay?
Or would I melt
into you?
Mouth to mouth, lust to lust,
Spontaneously combust…
Her stomach seemed to go through the roof as her and Charlie made eye contact and stopped giggling. Suddenly it wasn't so funny anymore and they just continued to dance, bodies now touching and the heat between them absolutely undeniable. It felt as though they were the only two people in the room as they swayed in each other's arms, never breaking eye contact.
Once the song, and a few after it had ended, Charlie offered to go get refreshments and Hermione thanked him while heading back to sit down with the family.
Surprisingly it was Ron who spoke first, an incredulous look on his face, "Yeah Hermione, there's absolutely NOTHING going on there." His grin said it all and the others around the table were sharing it.
Hermione looked a bit startled and replied not as confidently as she had wished, "I don't know what you're talking about; there is no harm in a couple of friends sharing a few dances Ron."
The rest of the table groaned and laughed at Hermione's denial then watched as her face lit up when Charlie returned with their drinks. Hermione smiled as she noticed that Charlie had gotten her favourite drink and thanked him with a kiss on the cheek. He gave her a smile and said, "Only the best for my Mi!" which made Hermione blush a little.
A couple hours later Ron and Mandy were saying goodbyes to everyone and heading off to their hotel for the night before they left on their honeymoon. Once they were gone, it was another hour or so before the wedding guests who weren't staying at the Burrow had cleared out. They opted to leave the clean up for the next day as the ceremony and it's festivities had tired them all out so everyone went upstairs to get ready for bed, when Hermione wandered into the kitchen for a cup of tea.
Molly came in a few minutes later and saw Hermione standing by the sink, tea cup in hand as she stared out the window at the arch where Ron had taken his vows that evening. Molly noticed where she was looking and said to Hermione quietly, "Hermione dear, I know that today might've been hard for you," being aware that Hermione and Ron had split amicably, but knew that sometimes feelings came up at the worst of times, "but you didn't show it and you let Ron have a really great day so thank you."
Hermione was a bit startled at the inquisition but replied quickly, "Oh no, Mrs. Weasley it really isn't hard to see Ron happy. I'm really glad he found someone that he loves completely, it's a rare thing." Hermione thought that would suffice but Molly continued to gaze at her in an annoyingly great motherly way, "I mean, now that I know how it feels to really be in love, I know that Ron and I never had it at all, we were just best friends who mistakenly thought we were meant for more." Hermione smiled without realizing what she had implied.
Molly barely looked surprised but had to ask, "What exactly do you mean dear?"
Hermione didn't really want to have this conversation, but knowing that Molly wouldn't give up she gazed into the distance and quietly continued, "Well Ron and I always cared for each other but it wasn't a romantic love. I know how it feels to really be in love now so I'm certain that I wasn't with Ron."
Molly raised her eyebrows and looked amused at Hermione's slip, "Oh do you?"
Hermione flushed a deep red when she realized what she had said and her eyes started darting around the room, as if looking for an escape. Never admitting to yourself that you love someone and then accidentally telling his mother was an event that she had hoped to avoid her whole life, but now that plan was out.
"Well I mean-"
She stopped when Molly put her arm around her and said quietly, "Don't worry Hermione, it'll be our little secret."
Hermione smiled and barely got a thank you out when Charlie came into the kitchen talking. "Mi, I just put your stuff upstairs for you and I-"
He stopped when he saw the position his mum and Hermione were in, "What's going on?"
Molly released Hermione and replied, "Oh nothing Charlie, just catching up with the daughter I never see anymore."
Hermione smiled at the comment and gave Molly a hug.
"We'll talk again soon dearie," Molly said in a knowing voice, as she made her way towards the stairs, "Night you two, and don't stay up all night."
As she left Charlie turned to smile at Hermione.
"I put you in with me again. I know that there's probably room somewhere else but I figured that…" Charlie stopped when he saw Hermione gazing at him with a passion in her eyes.
"That sounds perfect Charlie," Hermione paused before sheepishly looking away and then back him to add, "Right with you, just where I want to be."
They shared a smile, Charlie took her hand and they walked upstairs together to go to bed.
