Chapter Six
Dear Mum and Dad,
How are you I would have called but I don't have any wards and hook up here like I have in my room. Or rather, my old room. You see, I moved just this evening. I know its sudden and to tell the truth, I didn't expect it any more than either of you did. However, I've moved out of my flat with Lavender and into a house owned by one of the Weasleys. I still will pay for utilities and food but I'm free of rent at last! I just wanted to let you know, and invite you to dinner next weekend. As always, just send your reply with the owl – it belongs to my roommate.
Love,
Hermione.
Hermione signed the parchment with a flourish and sat back in her chair, allowing her body to relax. She sighed realizing, not for the first time, how tense she became when writing her parents. Her handwriting always became painstakingly careful and she would give such consideration to her wording it was borderline torture.
A gentle knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She padded over and opened the door partially to reveal Charlie grinning sheepishly. He ran his fingers through his hair as their eyes met. Hermione's heart seemed to skip a whole series of beats as a sight simultaneously completely adorable and amazingly sexy greeted her. Her heartstrings tightened, and she bit her lip as a subconscious response to him.
On the other side of the door, the sight of Hermione's flushed cheeks and the way she bit her lip oh so innocently sent mini-Charlie angel chasing after mini-Charlie devil with a chainsaw in a desperate attempt to do away with him once and for all. Externally though, he just ran his fingers through his hair, more roughly this time, and shifted uncomfortably. She was in a soft white cotton nightgown that fell just above her knees, with straps that were thin and allowed the slight "V" cut to fall just low enough to allow a hint at cleavage. Her curls were shiny and soft and practically begged him to bury his fingers in them. The mini Charlies were only half hearted in their game of cat and mouse. They, just like their large counterpart, where too distracted by the sight to put much effort into normal functioning. Which reminded Charlie… he was supposed to breath. He gulped in a lungful of air, grateful that Hermione didn't seem to notice his sudden lapse in brain functioning.
Hermione and Charlie remained frozen, lost in their thoughts about the other, unaware of just how similar their train of thoughts were. Almost simultaneously, the young woman and very virile man pulled their trains to halt and rejoined reality.
"Ehem… er… I'm glad you're still awake. I thought you might have been tired after the day and you know… drifted." He abruptly cut off his rambling.
"No, I actually just finished my letter to my parents. It may actually be morning before they get it. They're in Toronto, Canada at a dental conference.
"Well it's about 10 here. So it's even earlier there. Zeus will probably be able to get there sometime in the early morning. I'll instruct him to wait outside until sun-up."
"That sounds perfect, thank you!"
"Which actually reminds me why I came here in the first place." Charlie shot her a sheepish smile. " Zeus just arrived. He ate and drank when he got in so he'd ready to go."
"That's great!" Hermione darted over to her desk and grabbed the letter.
"Did you invited them over next week?" Charlie asked as they walked down the hall to Charlie's room.
"Yes. I'm sure they'll want to meet you…" Hermione trailed off, thinking about the undoubted interrogation Charlie would face when her parents meet him.
She froze in the doorway and took in the master bedroom with an appreciative eye. The bed was even larger than her own, and made of a deep, rich, solid wood. The covers were blood red and silky, covered in soft, comfy looking pillows. The walls were painted cream on the top half and deep maroon on the bottom. A large, flat screen television was mounted on the wall opposite the bed. The lights were inset into the ceiling, and set low. It was a sensual, seductive room. It smelled like Charlie and sent shivers down Hermione's spine. The family photos, dragon posters and books on dragons gave the room the same reassuring, comfortable aura Charlie did, making Hermione feel at peace and a sense of belonging. The sound of fluttering drew her attention to the far corner, where Charlie stood, with a large, golden Falcon perched on his arm.
"Hermione, meet Zeus." Charlie said proudly, smiling at her awestruck gaze.
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