Chapter Nine
An obvious tension filled the orphanage the next day. The air between Adam and Charlie seemed so thick that Charlie believed he could cut it with a knife. The receptionist, Alex, had even commented on their sudden change from 'best friends' to 'sworn enemies'. As she called it. Both men however stated that they didn't hate the other, they just didn't want to talk about their so called 'disagreement'.
Charlie had taken to aimlessly wandering about the orphanage, he decided that he would check on the tween unit and assess if anything needed to be fixed, like the previous days. It didn't.
He then checked the other bunks, both the toddlers and under-fives. They didn't need attending to either.
It seemed that the employee 'Trent' had managed to fix everything that Terri normally allows to go untreated on the overnight shift.
The entire orphanage looked like he's scrubbed it clean. Which made Charlie believe that he too was a wizard.
There's no way a muggle would have been able to accomplish this much cleaning, fixing and watching in only one night. Charlie thought.
Charlie then decided that he still wanted to be useful, what was the point of wasting time? He headed into the front office where Alex usually sat typing away on her computer, he intended on asking for a stat report on anything that needed fixing or organising. But as Charlie arrived at the receptionist desk he noticed a note stuck to the inside of the glass window.
Her scrawled handwriting read; 'I'll be back, just noticed I left my hair straightener on. Sorry, Alex'
What on earth is a hair straightener? Charlie thought stupidly.
It sounded quite straight forward but he didn't realise that muggles had contraptions for that. He decided that he had a newly found appreciation for the muggle way of life and everything they had created to sustain the 'magic'. Charlie began aimlessly rummaging through the many files occupying Alex's desk.
There were red files for the tweens, green for under-fives, and blue for toddlers. There seemed to be more work than Charlie realised. She must be more than just a bubbly bimbo, to keep on top of this work load. He thought.
A loud gush of frosty wind blew through the front door scattering papers all over the administration room.
"Oh, I'm sorry dear." The young woman shivered. "I didn't mean to startle you. It's just so darn cold outside." She smiled, taking her boots and overcoat off and laying them by the door.
"I'm here for an interview?' She asked. "The ministry alerted me about the need for mothers, and well, I can't have my own, so this sounds like the place for me. This is the place, right?" she stuttered, talking almost too fast for Charlie to comprehend what she was talking about.
"The ministry?" Charlie probed.
"Yeah, of magic." She stated in a nonchalant fashion. "they stated that this place need mothers to take care of magical and non-magical children. I can only assume they are Squibs? Poor souls. But that doesn't bother me. I would love any child that's mine just the same." She spluttered.
"Ahh, you are lucky I'm at the desk today Mam. Out regular receptionist is a Muggle." He replied, quickly sitting down at the desk correcting her assumption of the children being squibs. Flipping through papers and books Charlie searched for something that would assist him in identifying the frazzled young woman in front of him. He desperately hoped that Alex didn't book people in to meetings on her computer. Charlie had never used one before and he didn't feel like making an arse of himself. Thankfully he found a red backed book with the letters. B.F.I (book for interviews) on it.
Inside the book was a yearlong calendar with many names scribbled down with the child they wished to see next to it.
"Ahh, here we go. What was your name?"
"Cara, Zabini."
Charlie shivered at the memory of the lady's last name but easily found it in Alex's book. An ex death eater? Is this really what the ministry wants for these children?
Charlie took the map of the orphanage off the wall and guessed where the meetings were to be held. By the book, the first interview wasn't scheduled in for another ten minutes.
So he quickly settled Ms Zabini into the chair closest to the door and called for the assigned child over the intercom.
"Michael Alisec come to the meeting room please." He stated clearly.
As Charlie sifted the pair into the small room he smiled in relief. That could have been much harder.
Just as this thought left his brain, a wave of snow covered adults stormed through the door and into the tiny receptionist space all demanding service and places to store their snow covered clothes.
Before Charlie could even answer the adults, two small shadows appeared by his side. Anna and Grace.
Thinking quickly Charlie sorted the adults into whose interview came next, ordering Anna and Grace to find the accompanying paperwork. Which he was sure was against protocol. But technically him working the front desk was breaking protocol. So, Charlie decided that this was the lesser of two evils.
Once he had finished talking to each adult he ran a message through the PA system asking for the named children to be ready for an interview and to line up outside the meeting room swiftly.
Charlie expertly chaperoned the first couple into the meeting room and ushered the correct child into the room. He conveniently saw that there was a reversed mirror faced into the room. So he could keep an eye on each interview without having to be inside the room. Thank merlin. He stated to himself. I really dreaded having to sit through eight interviews today.
Each interview ended with Charlie smiling and handing each couple a bundle of forms, which had been organised by the twins, to fill out. He'd managed to conjure some coffee and paper cups for the guests and two large glasses of orange juice for the girls.
A few of the couples had issues with their paper work and were close to giving up. Quickly Charlie offered his assistance and smiled at some of their questions attempting to help them as best he could.
He felt like he'd been in Alex's job all day, where is that girl?
A quick glance at his watch told him that she'd been gone all morning, it was now just after two.
Adam's entrance at the desk confirmed Charlie's worry. Adam walked into the office and stared quizzically at Charlie. Miming to Charlie across the room "Where's Alex?"
Charlie answered by shrugging his shoulders and miming "The note!"
Adam nodded, taking the note from the glass and frowning as he read the underwhelming excuse for her absence.
The couples seemed to love Charlie, he didn't know if it was because he ditched the computer Alex usually hid behind or if they were just being friendly on account of how lost he felt doing an administration job.
Regardless of his amateur status, Adam was thoroughly impressed. He noticed a piece of paper Charlie had written with two columns clearly labelled. "Successful" and "unsuccessful."
There only seemed to be one couple written into the unsuccessful column and by doing a quick head count Adam realised that Charlie must have escorted them out. Only leaving the successful couples in the foyer to complete their forms.
Adam noticed the man had gotten coffee for the couples and had successfully entertained the girls with 'important jobs' and smiled at the thought.
This man really takes his jobs seriously, whether it be dragon taming or child minding there's no half effort involved.
Slowly he realised he was staring, and Charlie had now turned to look at him with a clear 'what?' etched onto his face.
Adam raced away embarrassedly to call Alex about leaving him at the desk by himself.
After the last couple left, Charlie sat with the girls on his lap. The grey administration room seemed to add to his now pounding head. Charlie couldn't remember the last time he had to talk to this many people about a work related issue.
Grace was cuddled up under his right arm snoring lightly as she slept. Anna, however, was totally awake and drawing on the back of an uncompleted form.
"Charlie, draw a platypus." She demanded.
"A what?" he asked tiredly.
"You know an Australian water duck…beaver… thing." Charlie laughed.
"A water-beaver, duck-thing?" he hummed, "I might need more information than that Anna."
"You knowed it's me? You didn't called me Grace," She stated randomly.
"Why would I call you Grace? Grace is here sleeping." Charlie replied smoothly and quietly.
"But we's look the same." She sighed. "E'ry one calls us wrong" she stated disappointedly.
"You may look the same, but you are totally different." He smiled. "I have twin brothers," Charlie winced at the memory of his dead brother. "and they looked the same, but you can always tell them apart. One smiles differently, or says their words differently. Or in your case miss, one is very loud and the other very quiet." He motioned first toward Anna and then towards Grace's sleeping form.
Anna giggled "and I has a freckles here." She pointed to her nose and then to Grace's "she doesn't get freckles. Mumma used to say that it's because she wears sunblock. I just said its cause I'm awesome."
Charlie laughed wholeheartedly. "You are something else Anna."
"Thanks." She stated proudly, still attempting to draw what she called a platypus. Charlie thought it looked like a log with wings, but he couldn't crush the girl's creativity over semantics.
At the end of the work day Charlie was found cuddled into an office chair with both four year old girls snuggled into each arm. Adam admired the man before him. Charlie was just, so…
Adam was about to wake the man wen Alex stormed through the administration door waking the cuddled trio. A strangled yarn escaped Charlie as the horror of falling asleep on the job shot him from his chair. Both girls gathered up in his arms shifted uncomfortably as they too woke up.
"Dad what's happening?" Grace crooned as she woke, causing all adults present to stiffen.
Alex interrupted her quickly. "I'm so sorry. I left the straightener on and it sparked. I've been at home all day talking to the fire brigade who apparently caught on pretty quickly..." she took a shaky breath and continued. "They said I was lucky that I lived in an apartment block with smoke alarms. Otherwise the whole place could have burnt down."
Adam still wasn't impressed. "We had seven successful interviews today." He lectured. "I'm glad Charles was here or we'd have had none."
And he's back to formalities. Charlie thought. What will it take to get the man to call me Charlie?
Charlie did the count in his head, and thanked merlin. Eight tweens and three under-fives left. It almost seemed like they could have all the children in a home by Christmas time.
"Alex this is unacceptable. I can't pay you for today, you weren't even here." Adam lectured crossly
"But I'm here now. I'm ready to work now…"
"Alex this is not how a business works. You can't just choose when you come to work. You had a shift and you missed it!"
"What did you expect me to do Adam? Just let the building burn down?" the two adults radiated with anger, each becoming more and more angry as they spoke.
"I expect you to be a little more competent than that! You're a grown woman for merlin's sake. Learn to take responsibility for your actions."
Charlie watched the two continue yelling. With each second that passed Charlie and the girls became more and more uncomfortable.
Anna taped him quietly "Can we run away now?" she smiled, pointing toward the open door back into the dorms. Charlie nodded.
"I think so!" he smiled, tiptoeing toward the open doorway.
"Charles, we need to talk." Adam stated abruptly, stopping their perfect get away.
Alex gave the man a sorry look. She mouthed to him "good luck." Kissing him on either side of his mouth affectionately, taking both girls from his arms. This display caused Adam's anger to heighten.
"Alex take the girls back through and get out." He snapped.
Entering the Crew room Adam cast a silencing and locking spell on the room. Taking a deep breath Adam allowed his anger to simmer down so that he could control himself. His hands bulged in tension and his face had reddened.
"How'd you manage all of that today?" he asked through a huffed breath.
"Just found a map and the appointment book and figured it all out." Charlie stated quietly "I'm so glad that she doesn't keep all the files on her computer."
Adam stiffened at the thought. "You know what a computer is? Aren't you a pure-blood?"
"Wow that was judgemental." Adam shifted uncomfortably realising the derogatory comment he had just administered. "Yes, technically I am a pure-blood. But I'm not a halfwit. I just don't know how to use it." Charlie's anger now matched Adam's.
"Alright I'm sorry. I'm being a dick again."
"Yes you are," stated Charlie, causing Adam to flinch noticeably.
Adam may have been taller than Charlie, but Charlie had an obvious amount of muscle that Adam didn't. He battled dragons, Adam wouldn't stand a chance if things ever became violently physical.
Adam had just begun to realise just how serious that was. Both men were easily angered, so tormenting the dragon with fire wasn't the smartest of moves.
"You did well with the girls today. They really love you, I've never seen them cuddle any of the other adults who work here." Adam complimented awkwardly. He coughed, sitting down at the table, motioning for Charlie to do the same.
"I'm sorry." He started "What are we going to do about this?" he motioned between the two of them, like he had done the night before.
Charlie shrugged. "I don't know." Even though the act had been the most enjoyable act he had ever been involved in, he just didn't seem to think he was ready to admit it.
Unbeknownst to him, Adam thought the same. As much as he had enjoyed Charlie, waking in his arms had left a sour taste in his mouth and a feeling of betrayal for his wife in his heavy heart. He had yet to remove their wedding band from his hand and he still lived in their apartment. Even though she had died ten years prior.
He thought about how unhealthy it is to continue his grieving and loyalty to Emily, but he just couldn't shake the feeling that Xavier would be disappointed in him. Xavier had delivered the heart breaking news that he didn't want to come home for Christmas, he would rather stay with his friends and Hogwarts and keep them company. As proud as Adam was he was shattered by the fact that his son enjoyed the school's company more than his.
Charlie's hand shot out at Adam awkwardly. "Friends?" he asked waiting for Adam to return the handshake.
"Friends?" Adam confirmed slowly.
"Well, considering we are friends. And I don't have all that many friends who are alive, would you come to dinner at the folk's house next week?"
"Umm, I guess." Adam thought about how weird the prospect was, wasn't the man angry with him? "What's the occasion?"
"My birthday."
Charlie awoke with a heavy weight on his chest. Victoire sat upon him holding a large colourfully wrapped parcel. As he opened his eyes, her smile broadened.
"Happy Birthday Uncle." She held out his present, removing herself from his sleeping form. Climbing under the covers, he shuffled so that she had adequate room.
"I think this is the thing we talked about?" she added nervously.
She was correct. They had once talked about a book that automatically updated its information based on the current information available at the time. This specific book was about dragons and everything involved with the species. He noticed as he flicked through the book that it was already flickering with information. The number of thorn tales seemed to rise steadily then fall by hundreds every thirty seconds or so.
"This is by far the most amazing thing ever Vic." He almost squealed, kissing her forehead in a fatherly like manner.
"Granma says you need to come downstairs if you'd like to start the celebration." Charlie sighed, he really wasn't looking forward to the long day. Because it was so close to Christmas, all of his relatives had the day off. Meaning that at least forty people could be attending this, what he deemed meaningless, celebration.
Regardless, Charlie motioned for her to get up so that he could dress. He dressed slowly in a pair of blue jeans and a strikingly green fitted t-shirt.
"Very handsome, uncle." Vic stated approvingly, throwing him a pair of socks from the washing basket on the floor and moving quickly to adjust his hair into a neat swept back look.
"When are you going to cut this mop?" she jabbed. "Ain't no woman like that." She said sassily.
"Girl." He imitated her sas. "Girls gonna come regardless, I'm just too fine." He ran his hands down his body provocatively swaying his hips in a comical manner. They both laughed, exiting his bedroom and entering the chaos that was their family.
As they both reached the bottom of the stairs it became suddenly aware to Charlie that this was going to be a big occasion. His mother had piles of food on every possible surface, presents gathered on a singular table in the corner and Charlie could see the entire 'child army' playing outside in the snow.
"Oh dear, there goes my dreams to have a quiet cup of tea." He stated a little too loudly as his mother turned abruptly with a scowl on her face.
"Don't be ungrateful Charles. We don't know if we'll ever get another Birthday with you." She maninulated him. "Or maybe next year you'll have a family to spend your birthday with instead,"
"You never stop do you?" he frowned.
"I just want you to be happy Charles." She retorted.
"Mum, why is it so hard to believe that I am happy?"
"Oh don't be silly. You know what I mean."
"No mum I don't think I do." Victoire had moved to his side and held his hand reassuringly.
"With a family Charles. A wife, a child or two. Dragons and missionary work isn't going to make you happy when you're old. A family will. Why can't you see that?"
Charlie squeezed his niece's hand a little too hard in anger. "Ouch." She retracted her hand patting his back. Hoping this would stop him from starting an argument on his 'special' day.
"Mum, I am old. I'm not getting any younger. I'm forty-four today. That ship has sailed for me. Just accept it, I've been happy all these years without a woman and a baby of my own."
"You still have time." She insisted.
"Fuck you're incorrigible…"
"Charles, Language…"
"For Fuck's sake mum, I'll never be enough on my own for you will I? Without a family and a wife I'll be nothing to you won't I?"
"Don't be daft Charles, I just want what's best for you…"
"And you know what's best for me?"
"Yes, I am your mother."
"Fuck you. You have no idea what you're talking abou…"
"Charles ." His Father interrupted. "Don't talk to your mother that way."
"Fuck you, fuck the lot of you…" he muttered through clenched teeth apparating to the only place he felt truly at home.
The sanctuary hadn't changed all that much. The Romanian breeze chilled him to his bones, quickly casting a warming charm over his body he felt the falling snow melt around him
Approaching the enclosures Charlie waved his hand at the sensor, allowing him access to the restricted access points on the field.
Instantly one of his dragons roared in the distance, leaping from his resting position and flying toward the man. Initially Charlie freaked out. He hadn't seen these dragons for over a couple of months, he didn't even know if they would recognise him. Thankfully Zane did. The three tone beast nuzzled his snout into the dragon tamer's stomach.
Relaxing instantly Charlie wrapped his arms around the beast, allowing him to lift him quickly off the ground and into the air landing safety on the dragon's back.
"Hey, boy." He called "calm down alright? Chill." The dragon, in an almost dog like manner, barked at him playfully. The normally aggressive male seemed totally at home with Charlie. Allowing him to climb up his neck to an area that seemed to be infected with thistles.
"Has no one been looking after you boy?" Charlie thought about that sentence for a moment.
The dragon would have probably eaten any other trainer who attempted to touch him. His relationship with the dragon stemmed from his birth. Charlie had been there as the egg hatched and Zane had instantly imprinted on the man. The bond between them was unbreakable. This however didn't stop the animal becoming angry with Charlie. Which quickly showed itself when Charlie was a tad too rough with a thistle.
"Oii you nut job I'm trying to help you." He growled at the animal who had shot a fire ball at the man who had just pulled over a hundred thorns from his neck. Continuing regardless of the growling rolling in the dragon's chest. Charlie began feeling across the dragons wings. Producing a small whimper.
"What have you done here?" Charlie asked the dragon.
It seemed that the dragon answered him looking off in the direction of another male dragon in the distance. If Charlie saw correctly, the male was snuggled up against a female dragon.
"Ahhhh, you bloody softy. You'll soon learn that all women cause troubles. Especially that one, if I remember correctly." Charlie could remember that specific dragon causing many fights during her breeding seasons. She seemed to enjoy luring the males in and watching them fighting over her.
"Bloody bint got you good Zane." He stated conjuring balm and soothing creams to heal the many deep cuts that almost looked infected across the dragon's body. Charlie began to massage the ointments into the dragon's wings causing him to purr in acknowledgment. Charlie had noticed early in his life that this was a means of communication the dragons had developed for talking with their tamers. They never used this kind of 'talk' amongst themselves.
"Like that? Bloody softy."
Suddenly, Zane stiffened and began to brew fire within his belly.
"What are you doing oaf?" Charlie chastised. He then noticed the man running towards him frantically.
"Stand down Zane. Do not attack." He motioned towards him, using specific hand gestures he'd taught him as a cub.
Standing in front of the dragon's snout he stroked his scales in a soothing pattern that instantly made him purr in enjoyment.
"Oh, thank merlin." The man gasped. "I didn't realise it was you Charles." The man's Romanian accent was heavier than Charlie was used to. He wondered if that had to do with the soft accents he had at the orphanage.
Responding to Grahan's frantic entrance he stated, "I'll come and talk in a minute if you'd like but I would head back to the gate if you don't want to be eaten?"
"Oh Merlin, is that Zane." Charlie nodded, noticing the dragon begin his fire brewing again.
"Move," Charlie stated angrily. As instructed Grahan rushed back the way he came. Cleverly avoiding all dragons within the enclosure.
"Hey, boy." He stroked his head attempting to calm him to no avail, his head reared menacingly shooting a fire ball right passed Charlie's shoulder, grazing the top of his ear and his already burnt shoulder.
"ZANE." He shouted gaining the dragon's attention, quickly changing his temperament from angry to remorseful. Quickly the dragon licked the side of his face and shoulder healing both instantly.
"Bloody moron." Charlie examined his burn, noticing that Zane had managed to heal both the recent and previous burns in one hit. However leaving the words 'Dragon Scum.' Written clearly across his shoulder.
"Thanks I guess, you bloody buffoon." Charlie rubbed the animal's face friendlily turning to leave the dragon to his own devises. Noticing Charlie was leaving the dragon spread his now mended wings and flew back to his kind.
As Charlie reached the gate, Grahan opened it allowing him to exit safely.
"I forgot you had imprinted on that animal. I thought you were some fool who had a death wish." Grahan smiled. "Happy Birthday by the way. Why are you here? I'm supposed to be heading to your family's house for dinner tonight."
"Ahh, thanks. Yeah, you can still come tonight. I'll be back by then."
"Falling out with the family?" Grahan mentioned expertly. Knowing the kind of relationship Charlie had with his parents.
"Yeah, you could say that…" he paused thinking about his departure. "I told them all to go Fuck themselves."
Grahan laughed "yeah that sounds about right." He said condescendingly.
"Alright, before you get all high and mighty, mum told me I had to have children and a wife to be happy. That everything I've worked my arse off for meant nothing to her if I didn't have kids,"
Grahan nodded, "You know, I never saw you as a wife kind of man."
Charlie gave him a questioning look.
"You know, how you say?" he paused finding the words in English. "Gay." He smiled.
"What?!" Charlie automatically responded, his face falling at the comment.
"It's not my place, I know, but you never struck me as a woman's man. Regardless of your reputation here." His hand found Charlie's shoulder. "You, don't have to worry. Your work here is always going to be respected. And besides. No one else suspects." Grahan winked to Charlie in a fatherly manner.
Charlie stood dumfounded, "Gray. I'm not gay."
Grahan smiled. "Okay." He stated with a hint of disbelief. Walking back to the reserve's huts waving over his shoulder as he walked.
How does he know? Charlie anxiously questioned himself. Merlin. Did I just admitted it?
"I won't see you tonight will I?" Charlie stated, gaining a loud retreating chuckle from the man.
Shaking the horrendous feeling from his body he headed back to the apparition point to head home. It would be almost lunch time there and he needed to be there before the guests started arriving.
His appriation landed just outside of the house's shields. He expertly climbed the side of the house, entering his bedroom through the open window. A change of clothes and a fresh face calmed his previous angry state. Re-entering the kitchen he found that all of the members of his family had paused for lunch. They all sat in the garden eating sandwiches and fruit. As he got closer to the backdoor he could hear he was the topic of discussion.
"But why is it such a bad thing for me to want grandchildren?" Molly huffed.
"You have grandchildren." Bill added, "Twelve of them."
"But what if I want them from Charlie too?"
"Maybe you should just get used to the fact that it's not what he wants." Fleur added rudely.
Molly made a face at her. "But how could it not be what he wants?"
George sighed for the group. "Mum, maybe he really just loves his job. Is that such a crime?"
"I really don't think he could continue dragon taming if he had kids." Ginny added.
"Good. It's not a sensible job for a middle aged man anyway." Molly resorted.
"Now love that's not fair." Arthur chastised. "It's what he loves. He's put in a lot of work for that job. Even the missionary work he's doing now is all a part of the reserve."
"I know.." she replied
Charlie got himself a cup of coffee and sat quietly on the couch, silently eaves dropping on his relatives. It really was interesting to him to see them talking so casually about him. It showed him a true picture of what they all thought and the longer he sat, cradling his coffee, the calmer he became.
"If someone decided that I wasn't allowed to break curses anymore, I'd be beyond angry." Bill stated.
"Same with me, if I couldn't fly anymore..." Ginny contributed.
Ron surprised Charlie by adding. "If the worst thing he can do is not give you grandchildren I think he's done pretty bloody good for himself. He's never shown a hatred for watching the kids, he just doesn't want his own."
Charlie loved his youngest brother. Even though he was technically wrong. Charlie would love to have children. But he can't, and this was what made this argument so hard. If he could he would have knocked up some bint years ago. But he can't. He's broken, to no fault of his own, his down stairs just doesn't work that way. Physically it worked but its purpose simply was for pleasure.
"You made him really angry before Granma." Victoire added. "I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't come home because of that." Molly hung her head in shame.
"Why does he have to have children? I mean this is really radical but if I fell pregnant you'd be really angry because the timing isn't right. But the timing's not right for him now and you're pressuring him into it. Why?"
In that moment Charlie sneezed. Alerting the household to his presence. "Uncle?" Victoire questioned.
Charlie stood from his position on the couch. "Hey, Vic." She raced to hug him, he returned her enthusiasm whispering into her ear. "Thank you for supporting me." She just nodded and hugged him tighter.
Coughing Bill turned Charlie's attention to the table of presents. Handing him the first present from the pile. It was from Ginny and Harry. A large blue winter coat that was in fashion in Romania at the moment. It was double buttoned down the front with a large hood in the back.
"Wow thanks. This would have cost you a fortune", he smiled placing it around his shoulders "fits perfectly."
He twirled sassily gaining a smile from his family members. His parents had gotten him a knitted scarf and matching beanie, George got him a silver watch, Percy a muggle play boy magazine and poster which Charlie groaned at, Ron and Hermione got him what they called a survival kit and Bill got him a necklace with dragon man engraved in Louis' handwriting. Instantly Charlie wore the scarf, beanie, jacket and the necklace proudly.
The remaining items he began to take up to his bedroom. Where he found another gift. It was labelled 'to replace that hideous mess ;)' it was a calendar and poster of half-naked men. Charlie guessed this was from Bill, as he was the only one to actually know. Groaning he hid all of his presents in his cupboard.
As he re-joined the group he realised that each member had started back at their assigned job. All but Bill who handed him a glass of Whiskey. "Here, I think you are going to need this."
"Thanks," he smiled taking a large swig of the muggle drink.
"Do you have anyone coming tonight?" Bill questioned seriously.
"Yeah Grahan said he would swing by."
"That's the boss on the reserve aii?" Charlie nodded
"And I invited Adam."
"Is that the co-worker from the orphanage?" again Charlie nodded.
"Here," bill topped up his quickly emptying drink. "You're going to need this more than I thought," the brothers smiled at each other lovingly.
At about seven almost all of his mother's guests had arrived. Some sported Christmas gifts for the children as they wouldn't be present at Christmas and some just came for the free food. Charlie hadn't realised he'd been waiting for Adam's arrival until his brother came to stand beside him.
"Charlie, he'll be here. Calm down." Bill's reassurance was something that had always calmed Charlie.
In the distance Charlie spotted the dark haired man, standing in contrast to the rest of his family. His dark skin shone gloriously in the moonlight, even his green eyes were visible from this distance. Charlie stood from his seat and began the journey over to the man. Bill smiled, suddenly becoming aware of who this mystery man was.
As Charlie approached him, he realised how handsome he actually was. Adam wore a green coat similar to the blue one Charlie was wearing, his dark hair swept across his face fashionably messy and his grey jeans clung to him in all the right places. Charlie had a hard time pushing down their encounter from a few nights ago.
"Hey." Adam started, engulfing Charlie in a brotherly hug, "Happy Birthday."
Charlie smiled. "Thanks." Adam held out a package for him. "You didn't have to get me anything." Charlie suddenly felt guilty for not mentioning it before.
"Well, I didn't realise there'd be so much alcohol already here, maybe we can share it, huh?" Charlie nodded pulling out the bottle of Fire whiskey.
"I think that's a great idea." He smiled.
"So, who's this charming gentleman Charlie?" Bill asked from his side.
"Ahhh," he started back in English. "This is Adam, Adam this is my eldest brother Bill." Bill held out his hand and shook Adam's
"Nice to meet you. Heard so much about you."
"Good things I hope." Adam asked nervously.
"Always," Bill smiled devilishly.
Fleur headed over to her husband's side asking him something in French.
"Oh forgive my rudeness, who's this handsome man?" she asked.
"Alright, got my wife on your case. We may have a problem." Bill joked. "Love, this is Adam, Charlie's Co-worker at the orphanage." She nodded knowingly.
"Such a nice thing you're doing." Adam nodded politely, as the couple walked back to the group.
"Charlie you never told me there'd be so many people." They'd easily slipped back into Romanian.
"I'm sorry, I did forget to tell you I'm one child out of seven," Adam's eyes buldged. "Im the second eldest. You've met Bill." He pointed to him and fleur in the crowd. "That's Percy, the next child after me. And that monstrosity is George, who was a twin." Charlie motioned toward the shrine in the backyard that represented the life that once was his brother Fred's. "That's Ronald and his Wife, and that's the baby of the house Ginny."
"Wow, that poor girl. Six Brothers."
Charlie laughed. "Yeah everyone says that. But I really feel for her Husband who had to meet all of us." Adam laughed and nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I think that's worse. That poor chap." The two laughed, opening the bottle of fire-whiskey and clinking their glasses in toast.
"Happy Birthday Charles." The two men drank the entirety of the glass and refilled.
"Who's this Charlie?" Victoire asked,
Charlie laughed. "Introductions, introductions, introductions. Victoire this is Adam My co-worker, Adam this is my eldest niece Victoire."
"You have a really large family." Adam responded.
"Yeah, it gets a little crowded at times, hey uncle?" Victoire answered motioning to Charlie who nodded.
"Yeah, it's you and me Vic. We get it." she smiled awkwardly at her uncle as she noticed Teddy enter the garden.
"Go." He instructed. "It'll be our little secret."
She smiled at him in thanks. Disappearing into the house with Teddy.
"Well that's a tad scandalous." Adam added in Romanian, trying not to be overheard gossiping about Charlie's family.
"Can your family speak Romanian?" Charlie shook his head no, "Perfect, tell me the goss. I want to be in the loop." He smiled taking another sip from his glass.
"Umm… Well, that's mum and dad. Don't be surprised if either of them try and get you to convince me into marrying some girl."
"What? Don't they know?"
"About what?"
"About, the thing that happened with us?"
Charlie almost choked. "Are you kidding me?"
"My parents would have known if they were still alive. Are you not close with your family?"
"I'm close to Bill, if that's what you're asking. He knows." Adam nodded in understanding.
"None of the others though?"
"No, and to be honest I want it to stay that way. We are just friends Adam."
Adam looked disappointed. "Yes, of course."
"Umm, well Vic and Teddy are… God Cousins? Anyway, I'm sure they have a secret affair that their parents don't know about."
"I could have told you that, they need to be more observant."
"That's easier said than done. You think you know the whole story and then all of a sudden there's something else hiding behind one of the other six siblings."
"Right, I never thought about it that way. Anyway continue."
"Umm, I'm pretty sure that Dominique and Molly would be in the same grade as Xavier. What house is he in?"
"Slytherin, like I was," was Adam's response
"Right, that's why you're so attractive, it's all that mystery and dark arts." Charlie teased.
"Charles, you just said we were friends. Make up your mind." He smiled sarcastically in return. "What house is your family in?"
"Um we are all in Gryffindor, apart from Teddy who's in Hufflepuff like his mum was."
"That's the boy who's not really related right?"
"Well, technically he his. But not directly no." Charles laughed. "He's something like my mother's very distant cousin."
"And that's not confusing at all." Adam smirked.
"You'll quickly learn that nothing is simple around here."
"So who's that?" Adam pointed to an older relative of Charlie's
"You know? I have no idea." They both laughed thoroughly.
It was then that Molly interrupted the pair. "You must be Adam?"
He swallowed his mouthful and smiled wholeheartedly at Molly. "Yes Mam." He held out his hand to greet her but she became distracted by his other hand.
"Oh you're married? Where's your Mrs. Tonight?"
"Mum." Charlie groaned.
"No it's alright Charlie." His Romanian accent suddenly thickened in his grief "My wife died Mrs Weasley."
Her face fell instantly. "Oh my dear I'm so sorry. I hope it wasn't recent?"
"No, my son and I have lived without her for ten years."
"Oh you have a son?" he nodded
"Xavier is at Hogwarts, he's turning twelve soon."
Molly nodded. "And he makes you happy?"
Charlie instantly caught the direction of her next question. "Mum don't."
"Oh Charles don't be silly. So he makes you happy in life?"
"Most of the time." Adam joked realising too where this was going.
"Would you talk to Charlie here? He doesn't think that children would make him happy."
Adam nodded awkwardly as she handed them a plate of food each and turned to walk back to the other guests.
"Wow. She's a handful." Adam started automatically in Romanian. "She was really quick to jump into it too." Charlie hummed his answer.
"Charles. I hate to say this. But when your details came through to the Orphanage I got a whole medical report as well. Simply to see if you were healthy enough to work with traumatised children. You can't have children can you?"
Charlie shook his head. "No I can't and it's not for a lack of trying either."
"Charles why doesn't she know this?"
"She never stops talking long enough to listen to me. That's the way it's always been."
In that moment Arthur announced himself to the pair. "I hate to admit that I've been trying to eaves drop on you for the last ten minutes. You really have become quite sufficient at Romanian."
He clapped his son on the back in congratulations. "I'll admit it really surprises me how well you and Bill have picked up foreign languages. He French and you Romanian. Your mother and I are boring and can only speak the one."
He turned to Adam. "Hi, I'm Arthur. You're Adam right? News travels fast around here son. Sorry about my wife."
The meeting was broken up when Charlie heard his mother call for speeches. His father began spouting embarrassing stories about when he was a child, Bill dobbed him in for a few things he got away with as a child and Ginny spoke about how she had spent her entire life looking up to him and Bill. Who in comparison where two very different people, who both spoke a second language, had wealthy jobs and did really well in school. Charlie simply thanked everyone who showed up and began cutting the cake. Kissing his youngest niece on the cheek when he touched the bottom of the cake.
Later in the evening Charlie lost sight of Adam, at first he thought he may have just ducked into the bathroom but after about twenty minutes he began to think he had left. Half in search of Adam and half in search of some solitude Charlie made his way up to his bedroom.
Where he found Adam sprawled over his bed face into the covers. Laughing at the grown man Charlie climbed atop of him. "What are you doing?" He whispered into the man's right ear. Moving his face out of the covers Adam responded.
"Alcohol." He smiled drunkenly. Both men laughed loudly.
"Yeah me too." Charlie supplied, lying himself on top of Adam's back. Causing a small moan to squish Adam further into the covers.
As Charlie became comfortable he kicked off his shoes and nestled his head into the crook of Adam's neck his arms resting comfortably around his neck.
"Charles? You're choking me."
Charlie laughed and moved to lay on the bed correctly. As Charlie's head hit the pillow and his hands wound their way behind his head. Adam moved to cuddle into his side. Wrapping his arm around Charlie's waist.
Reaching up to his mouth Adam took Charlie's mouth in his own and kissed him softly.
Charlie responded by wrapping his arms around the man's shoulders and waist. Deepening the kiss. Charlie's hand became tangled in Adam's dark hair, using this leverage to further deepen the kiss. Adam's tongue ran across the bottom of Charlie's lip, pulling it into his teeth and tugging seductively.
Charlie moaned slightly, wrapping his legs around the other man's waist and leg. Any attempt to get closer to him. Adam's hands gently caressed the seam of Charlie's t-shirt. Sliding his palm gently up the side of Charlie's torso. Adam dug his nails into his skin, drawing deeper moans from the man.
"Merlin." Charlie moaned.
"No it's Adam." He played. Making Charlie chuckle.
Flipping them over in an instant Charlie pinned Adam to the bed. Using the strength that Adam had once feared, but now was entirely thankful for. Slowly Charlie lowered himself onto the slightly taller male. His crotch coming in contact first, then their chests and lastly his rough kisses that boarded on biting.
"Merlin Charlie. Learn to close the door." The sudden sound of his baby sister broke him out of the moment. Racing to catch her he left Adam on the bed and raced down the stairwell.
"Ginny." He called making her turn slowly toward her second eldest brother.
"What the hell Charles?"
"I'm sorry," he pleaded. "Please don't tell them."
"Merlin is that what you think of me? I'm angry because there's children around you freak."
"Oh, yeah. Right sorry,"
"Charlie. Seriously we are having coffee tomorrow." She demanded. "But I'll keep it to myself. Until then, learn to close the fricking door."
Charlie nodded in embarrassment.
"Who would have thought I'd be scolding you, hey Charlie?" both siblings smiled weakly.
~ A long Chapter to say sorry for the wait you've waited and for the long wait you're going to continue 3
thank you for being patient
AnonymousAmature ~