Chapter ten

The following week Charlie was waiting for Harry to turn up, they were going out for a while, then they would come back to his flat to make love again. But Harry never turned up at Charlie's place, so he went to the club they were going to that night thinking they might have got the information mixed up, but no sign of Harry. Over the next week Charlie kept turning up at all the clubs looking for Harry, but again no sign of him and it was pissing him off. He didn't know where Harry lived and even if he did, it wouldn't have mattered. Harry had told him his place was protected and he remembered Ron saying Harry's home was under the fidelius charm. So even if Charlie found out, he wouldn't see the place without permission from Harry to get in. After a lot of thinking, he knew what he was going to do, but first he thought he better explain to his parents. So Charlie apparated straight to the Burrow and saw his parents, Ginny and Ron sitting at the table having dinner.

'We weren't expecting you Charlie, do you want some dinner?'

'No thanks mum, I've eaten, but I need to tell you something.'

'Sounds serious son, sit down,' Arthur gave him a reassuring smile.

'Okay, why I never told you before because I wasn't sure how you would react.'

'Unless you tell us we can't say Charlie dear,' Molly smiled at her son.

'Okay,' Charlie sighed, 'there's a reason I'm telling you now, and that is I met someone that I'm hoping to have a future with.'

'Oh that's wonderful, it's about time Charlie,' Molly beamed at her son again.

'Alright, now this is where you might get shocked,' Charlie hesitated, 'First, I'm not saying who I'm seeing, not yet. But what all this comes down to is,' Charlie hesitated again, 'Since the age of thirteen I knew I was gay,' Charlie saw Ron's eyes widen and his jaw drop, but his parents just looked calmly back at him, Ginny didn't seem to give a reaction of any kind, but he'd gotten used to that from his little sister and knew when this got out, she was going to be upset and probably angry.

'Yes, we know that Charlie, we've just been waiting for you to mention it to us,' Arthur said again his voice was calm.

'You knew, how?' Charlie's eyes widened in surprise.

'Oh Charlie,' Molly grinned, 'We used to see who your eyes would look at and follow. You also have to remember that we did have five other sons, so we could see the difference.'

'So you're okay with gay men?'

'Yes, we are, it's who you are Charlie, so don't hide it.'

'Thanks,' Charlie sighed in relief, 'See this man I'm seeing, he doesn't let anyone know he's gay. He's known since he was fourteen, but keeps it hidden. He even went out with a couple of girls, slept with one as well. The main thing is his scared because he was with someone but they died, that's the reason he saw those girls, he didn't want to take the chance of falling for someone again. I'm trying to show him we can have a future together.'

'Does he feel something for you?' Arthur asked now his voice turned serious.

'Yes, I could tell he does, but I can understand his fear. He's lost people before, but whoever this man was, I could tell he loved him deeply. I know we could make a go of this if he just gives me a chance to show him.'

'Then don't give up on him, keep trying. When you lose someone you love it can make you wary to trust it won't happen again.'

'Yes, he is like that, he even said he can't take the chance again,' Charlie sat there thinking for a minute, 'Dad, can we talk in private for a minute?'

'Of course,' Arthur and Charlie went into the living room and closed the door, 'What is it Charlie?'

'See, he's been avoiding me because of this fear his got. So I'm going to confront him and in public. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but he needs to realise that he can be himself and not hide who he really is.'

'That's a risk son, it might make him scared to trust you, then he might not take the chance.'

'I know, but it's a risk I'm willing to take. There's one more thing though and it's about who he is. I don't want you to tell anyone and you'll understand in a moment. But from tomorrow on, whether he admits he wants us to try or just hexes me,' Charlie grimaced, 'everyone will know he's gay.'

'Okay, it's your decision Charlie I just don't want you to get hurt if he rejects you over this. Now why would this concern anyone else, why will everyone know?'

'I know this is a risk and I could get hurt, but I have to try dad,' Charlie ran his fingers through his long hair, 'As for why everyone will know and this might shock you, but it's Harry, as in Harry Potter,' Charlie saw his father's eyes widen then comprehension dawn, Charlie nodded and the two men lapsed into silence. One hoping he didn't blow the only chance he had with Harry, the other hoping the others in the family understood why Harry had been the way he was and why he couldn't commit to a relationship with Ginny.

'Tell him he shouldn't have hidden it, we would have understood, but he should not have gone out with Ginny even if he told her there would be no future. But with Harry's life, I suppose having no one to talk to, someone close, then he just did what he thought was right. I hope this works Charlie, I would hate to see you get hurt.'

'I know, I'm just hoping that if he realises how I feel he will admit that he feels the same. But this will go one way or another, we both know that. I just hope he takes the chance. Anyway, I better go, thanks dad,' Charlie hugged his father then headed out to the other room.

After saying goodbye to his parents, brother and sister, Charlie headed home. He knew what he was planning was a risk, but he had to try. If he tried, he could lose Harry, if he didn't, he could still lose him because Harry had made sure Charlie couldn't go to his place and he wasn't turning up at any of the clubs they both liked. But Charlie knew sometimes love is a risk and it's worth it to have the one you love.

Charlie stepped into the atrium of the ministry and he felt like he had bowtruckles running loose in his stomach. He'd never felt so nervous in his life, but to Charlie there was a lot on the line right now. He'd debated whether to go through with this, but eventually he knew he had no choice. So he made his way up to the auror offices and quickly glanced through the open door. He saw Harry standing near the filing cabinet reading a file. Charlie took a deep breath, then with purpose in his steps, he strolled in. He ignored his brother who had called his name and he ignored everyone else, but noticed Harry turned at the sound of Ron calling his name. Harry dropped the file on the top of the cabinet and moved back towards the wall.

'Don't,' Harry lifted his hand as if to stop Charlie.

'You pissed me right off Potter and you know it,' Charlie growled then grabbed Harry's wrists and pinned them above his head. He knew Harry liked this from there nights they spent together, it turned him on being held like this, 'I can see it in your eyes,' Charlie leaned closer and whispered, 'You're eyes dilated, you want me, you want me to do this just like I did before.'

'Charlie,' Harry panted heavily as he tried to get his hands free, 'This is not the time to talk about this, I'm at work.'

'I know you're at fucking work but you've been avoiding me, so I had no choice,' Charlie stepped closer but kept Harry's wrists tight in one of his large hands, then ground his hips against Harry and heard the satisfying moan from Harry, 'You know I can make you very uncomfortable right now, I could leave you wanting, leave you craving my touch or I could make you cum right here, right now with everyone watching and listening. So I want you to admit you want me, you feel the same for me as I do for you.'

'Charlie, please,' Harry's voice was soft and full of emotion.

'No, you fucking listen to me Potter and you listen good,' Charlie said savagely. 'Sure, you're scared, I get that, but this with us could work. So where's that courage you're known for, take the chance with me,' Charlie softened his voice, 'I love you Harry, so please give me something.'

'What in the name of merlin is going on in here?' Kingsley said then saw all his aurors staring at Harry who was pinned to the wall by Charlie Weasley, 'Charlie, what are you doing?'

'Not now Kingsley, I'm in the middle of something important here,' Charlie said but never took his eyes off Harry, 'Take the risk, let yourself love again, let yourself love me, please,' Charlie's voice soften but he never loosened his grip on Harry's wrists.

Harry could feel himself giving in, he wasn't sure he wanted to. Could he take the chance and love again, could he trust Charlie, could he get over the feeling that he was betraying Sirius? He could see every emotion on Charlie's face, yes, he could see love, but he could see fear as well. Slowly Harry nodded and Charlie let his wrist go, then Harry's arms were around Charlie's neck and his legs were around Charlie's waist and their lips were attacking each other's lips while they were up against the wall. Tongues were tasting each other and feeling everything it could and loud aching groans were coming from both of them as their bodies were grinding against each other as their hands were all over the other.

'Um, Charlie, Harry, if you don't stop we might see something none of us want to see. Two blokes and their naked butts as they shagged each other,' Kingsley said but everyone heard the humour in his voice. He looked at his aurors who were all smiling except Ron who looked shocked, 'Look, I'll let Harry leave because otherwise I doubt I will get much out of him now.'

Charlie and Harry's lips parted but they kept staring into each other's eyes, 'You're going to stay?'

'Yes, but you better promise to never fucking die on me Weasley or I'll break your neck,' Harry saw Charlie's eyes widen before he laughed which made Harry laugh with him, 'I love you, you big idiot.'

'That's it,' Charlie lifted Harry until he was over his shoulder, 'Sorry Kingsley, I'm taking Harry and you might not see him for a few days. I'm going to tie him to his bed and punish him because he's been a very bad boy.'

'We don't want to know any of that Charlie, just get out of here, both of you.'

'Charlie put me down or I'll be the one doing the punishing. I happen to have cuffs attached to my bed ready to use.'

'Oh fun, so it looks like your place instead of mine,' Charlie laughed, 'Ron, close your mouth,' both Harry and Charlie laughed as they left the office still with Harry over Charlie's shoulder.

'What just happened?' Ron said staring around as if someone could give him a rational answer.

'Looks like your mate and brother are going to shag each other and it also sounds like it's not the first time they've done that. But did you notice, Harry was smiling and laughing. I don't think I've seen him smile once since we started.' Seamus grinned.

'He hasn't smiled for nearly three years.' Susan said, 'He never did when we all went back to Hogwarts.'

'Oh Ginny is going to be pissed off. So someone answer me this, why did Harry date Cho and Ginny if he was gay?'

'I heard Charlie say something about Harry being scared and to let himself love again. Then Harry said Charlie better not die on him. Sounds to me like Harry was with someone that died,' Simon said.

'Well Cedric died, but he went out with Cho, so he can't have been him unless Cedric pretended he was straight to throw people off.' Seamus said.

'It wouldn't have been Fred, would it Ron? Harry seems to go for red heads.' Ernie said.

'Fred wasn't gay, I saw him snogging girls and George told me Fred was shagging some girl. The only person I know Harry was close to that died was Sirius. But from what I heard, he had a lot of girls when he was at Hogwarts with Harry's dad. Remus even said that Sirius was very popular with the girls, he got caught shagging by Dumbledore, so did Harry's dad, plus Sirius was too old. He died when Harry was fifteen and he was the same age as Harry's parents.'

'Hang on a minute Ron and even though we shouldn't discuss anything personal in here, we all know something's been wrong with Harry for a while now. If you think back, it all started after Sirius died. He refused to talk, he spent a lot of time alone, like what he did when we all went back to Hogwarts,' Seamus said.

'But Sirius was the same age as Harry's parents and Sirius wasn't gay.'

'Think of this, I tried to talk to Harry once, I mentioned Sirius and Harry's face was so hard and cold, colder than it had ever been. Maybe we all missed something that was going on with those two. We all had a lot on our minds when we were at Grimmauld Place. Another thing, Harry refuses to go back there and he still has never been to Sirius vault. Sure Harry loved him, but we all figured it was like a father since Harry never knew his real father. What if Harry actually loved Sirius and another thing, they did seem to spend a lot of time alone in Sirius' bedroom. Whenever I turned up or anyone turned up for a meeting, Remus usually had to go knock on the door and it was always sealed.'

'But Kingsley, the age, Harry was only nearly fifteen when they started spending time in the room.'

'I know Ron, but it all makes sense. They disappeared a lot, they would whisper to each other all the time. Albus used to think Sirius was giving Harry information we were trying to stop all of you hearing. From the moment Sirius died, Harry changed, we spoke about it. Another thing, Minerva mentioned that Harry had a go at Albus whenever he tried to bring up the subject of Sirius. From what Minerva said, Harry blames Albus for his death, I admit it would not have happened if Albus had been upfront with Harry about that damn prophecy.'

'But Harry always told Hermione and me everything, always. We know things now that we promised to never tell anyone and he knows we won't. So why wouldn't he have told us about this if it was Sirius?'

'Um Ron,' Susan said quietly, 'sorry, but you had that huge fight with Harry, you were always saying that Harry put his name in the goblet when he didn't. But something else, I remember you saying something once about a couple of gay boys that were snogging at Hogwarts. Do you remember, they were lying down under the beech tree at the black lake?'

Ron closed his eyes, 'Yeah, I remember, I never meant it though. I was shocked because I'd never seen two gay blokes before. I have nothing against them.'

'Maybe Harry doesn't know that so that's why he never told you and it might be the reason why he dated Cho and Ginny, to stop anyone knowing he was gay,' Ernie said.

'All of you make sense, even about Sirius. But Harry was underage at the time and I'm sure Sirius wouldn't have taken the chance of being sent back to Azkaban considering he'd spent twelve years there for something he didn't do. One thing, when the three of us were away, we got into a fight with a couple of death eaters, this was right after we left Bill's wedding and it was in a muggle area. We didn't know about the jinx on his name. So we needed to go somewhere, so we did head to Grimmauld Place. Harry seemed more anxious than normal and he did disappear into Sirius' old bedroom a lot. Hermione told me once that she thought he was having a nightmare, which we knew Harry had a lot of those, but he'd sealed the room. Hermione said it sounded like crying and she did hear Harry say Sirius a few times. But the age, he was what, twenty years older than Harry, the same age as his parents.'

'Harry can be very determined, maybe it was Harry's idea and not Sirius. Anyway, let's forget about Harry's personal life and get back to work,' Kingsley went back to his office but with hope that Harry might finally be back to the bloke they all knew.