Chapter 4

Waking up the next morning, Charlie remembered what he had done and hoped to make it up to Hermione. But when he left his room he noticed that the other bedroom door was open and after looking in he realized the bed was empty.

Damnit.

Making a bowl of cereal for breakfast Charlie ate quickly and left the house hoping to run into Hermione on the way to the office.

He would have a different mission to do for the day, his arm was fully healed even though the second round of salve hadn't been applied. This happened all the time so Charlie was used to foregoing the second application.

Instead, he didn't find Hermione in the office but in the hatchery. Watching as the small dragons woke up and allowed her to toss a few scraps of food into their enclosure.

"Hey," His voice was low but Hermione had known he was there. "How did you sleep?"

"Could've slept better, I kept tossing and turning." A blush crept up her cheeks. "How drunk did I get last night?"

"Drunk enough that you quoted Fred and George."

"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies."

"That's the one," Realizing that she was starting to get fidgety Charlie thought quickly on his feet. "Does that sill apply to now?"

"I don't see why not." Shrugging the question off Hermione continued to feed the babies.

"What did I say to upset you last night?"

Snapping her gaze up to meet Charlie's Hermione suddenly felt vulnerable. "Wow, uhm, I guess I just…" It was too difficult to actually admit it. "I guess I was just hoping that you would be happy that I was here with you because of me and not just because it's an opportunity to learn for me."

"Hermione, don't you realize that I am glad you're here? If I wasn't happy that you were here learning new things I wouldn't act like it. I'm hoping that you'll want to stay because you love it here just like I do. It's only been two days since we've gotten here and you already seem happier, I mean look at you! You're in here feeding baby dragons, did you ever think that you would get to do that and notwant to stay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Hermione, I want you to stay. I think you'll be perfect here and love it here but not just because I like having you here as well."

The only noise in the room was coming from the hungry dragons, who were complaining that their food had stopped being thrown from Hermione. Squealing their disdain and even trying to fly up at her the tiny dragons gave up after a few failed attempts.

"I don't like admitting that I still don't understand."

Without another word Charlie took a step forward and kissed Hermione full on the lips, placing his hand at the nape of her neck and hip he deepened the kiss elated when he felt her respond. It lasted a few moments, but when they broke Charlie was out of breath and uncharacteristically proud of himself. Hermione felt differently though, and after throwing the rest of the meat into the dragons, fled the building.

"What in the bloody hell?" There was no understanding women, Charlie decided.

"You really are dense aren't you?"

"Amy, did you hear all that?"

"Of course I did, and I'm keeping my comments on the inside just for your ego."

"Well then tell me what I need to do! I have no idea what I did to upset her."

Pulling up a stool Amy thought carefully on her words. "It's been rough for her these past few months, undoubtedly there is something that still yearns for her to be adventurous and caring for others. I mean just look at how she handled you getting burned yesterday."

"You're going to have to be a little more obtuse with me here."

"She fancies you, even if it's just a little crush. She doesn't want to run away because she's proud and running isn't something that she does, but she doesn't want to stay unless she knows that you'll be happy about her staying and not make it awkward."

The complexities of women. "Well, then how do I even bring it up to her?"

"Ask her on a date of course." She had gone back to writing whatever report she was working on but suddenly jumped and excitedly pointed at him. "Take her to Rory's dinner party! It's not as intimate but it'll at least show her that you're not afraid of taking her out with your friends, she'll know that you're not ashamed of her."

"That is actually perfect! Amy you're amazing, thank you!"

It was Wednesday, only a few days to charm Hermione so he was back in her good graces and hope that she would accept letting him take her to the dinner party.

The kiss lingered on Charlie's lips for the rest of the day, every time he thought of what had happened he licked his lips absentmindedly. Luckily, he had been given an easy job for the day and could dwell on the thought of her soft lips on his.

Hermione ran off, trying not to actually run away from Charlie and instead keeping to a brisk walk she ended up at Kyle's bar.

"Good morning beautiful, what can I do for you?"

"Could I get some of those chips please?"

"Coming right up. You seem a little distracted, are you alright?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, I just have a lot on my mind. Trying to decide whether I want to stay here or go back to Britain."

For an hour Kyle and Hermione talked about Romania, its wonders, and the reserve. They both agreed it was a wonderful place and the people were wonderful, but there was nothing like home. Leaving with a smile, Hermione made her way back to Charlie's house and closed the door to her bedroom behind her.

Dear Molly,

I wanted to write you and let you know that we arrived safely. It's wonderful here! The weather is beautiful and the dragons are so interesting. I can tell why Charlie loves it so much here.

There hasn't been anything very interesting going on here as of yet, no escaped dragons or crazy people trying to set their loose. It's all been very calm, although it has been very fun meeting all of the reserves staff.

I will definitely write more as soon as something more exciting happens.

I miss you all!

Pulling out another piece of parchment Hermione wrote a second letter.

Ginny,

Something weird is going on. I need your help because I can't really talk to Charlie about it.

Because it has to do with Charlie.

Ugh, Ginny. I don't know what to do, he kissed me. I got all upset because I thought he was going to tell me he wanted me he had a crush on me because then it wouldn't be so awkward trying to hide the crush I have on him.

Please tell me what to do.

-Hermione

Sealing the letters Hermione decided she would send them tonight, but first she had to find where they kept the owls. Leaving the house again, she was lucky enough to run into Brian first.

"Brian, hello."

"Hello Hermione, I trust you're enjoying yourself?"

"I am, it's really lovely here. But I was wondering if you had some owls to send letters? I only have two but if that's a problem…"

"Of course not, didn't Charlie show you our owlery?"

"I haven't seen him much today actually. I've been out on my own for most of the day."

"Then allow me."

Leading her to a smaller building Brian bid her a good night.

She hadn't lied to Mrs. Weasley, the weather really was beautiful out here. The day was hot, but the night was cool and nice to sit in. Finding a nice grassy hill to lay back and watch the stars, Hermione smiled. Sitting there it was blissful, something that she hadn't felt in a long time.

But could I stay here for a long time? Could I keep feeling this way for years?

Watching the stars and finding different constellations, Hermione stayed in her spot for longer than she intended and when she felt her eyes getting heavy she decided to go to bed.

"There you are, are you okay?"

Having just walked in the door Hermione was startled by Charlie nearly jumping on her. "What?"

"You've been gone for hours, I couldn't find you and I didn't know if you were alright."

"I'm fine Charlie, I was just looking at the stars."

Running a rough hand across his face Charlie sighed, "I'm sorry. I was just worried. I didn't want you to get hurt two days into the trip."

"You don't have to worry about me." Hermione walked past him saying her good nights without a backwards glance.

She hadn't noticed the dinner that Charlie made, although even if she had it would have been eaten begrudgingly. Hermione was still confused and upset but she wasn't so rude that she wouldn't have eaten the dinner Charlie had prepared specifically for her.

Waking up the next morning Charlie went through his normal routine; shower, dressed, toast for breakfast on the run, checking the office for his assignment for the day, and finally pushing everything else out of his mind.

He and Luke were on a team for the day checking the Chinese Fireball for any injuries, she had taken a nasty fall the night before while trying to hunt and had snagged her wing. This was something he needed to be on his A game for.

"Hey Char, what's up?" Luke had always been laid back and confident in his work something that Charlie valued in a partner.

"Just trying to get this stupid witch out of my brain."

Hermione woke from a knocking on the front door. It was almost seven in the morning, and she was still groggy but she answered the door to a smiling Sheila and Amy.

"Get ready, we're going shopping!"

Letting the girls into the living room and excusing herself to get ready Hermione was confused. They hadn't decided on a time to go shopping, but she hadn't expected on a week day. Finally dressed and ready to go she grabbed her purse off the dresser and joined them.

"All ready, where are we going?"

"There's a muggle village about an hour away, we normally apparate about a half mile out and then walk the rest of the way. I'll side along with you since you've never been there before." Amy reached out her arm and as soon as Hermione took hold they disappeared.

There were several clothing shops in the village and the girls were both knowledgeable about each of them. The three made their way through the stores trying on different dresses for the dinner party, and by the third store Hermione had found the perfect dress.

It was a deep green, the sleeves were almost nonexistent and just held on her shoulders, but most importantly they hung on all of her curves.

"It's perfect!" Amy cried when Hermione stepped out of the dressing room. "Now you just need shoes."

Sheila came running over with a pair of black stiletto heels that just happened to be in her size and after sliding them on she felt like a different person.

Dressing up wasn't something she did well, there had never been a reason for it except for the Yule Ball. But in this dress she felt amazing, confident, and sexy.

Trying to walk in the heels Hermione found that it was actually quite easy and was strutting around trying to make the most ridiculous model face she could.

"How do I look?"

"Brilliant!" The girls cried wolf whistling at her and giggling together. "You really do look amazing, the guys will all drool over you."

"But what if they ruin my dress?" The joke was so normal sounding that Hermione had to laugh before the girls understood it.

The rest of the day went great as they got lunch together and spent more time gossiping about everyone on the reserve to try and catch Hermione up on everyone's lives before the party. Eventually they all made their way back and returned to the reserve, Hermione happily placed the dress in her closet and the shoes underneath of it.

Maybe the party wouldn't be so bad after all.

After Luke and Charlie returned with good news of the fireball being unhurt, they went to Kyle's for a pint.

"So are you bringing Hermione to Rory's party?"

"I'm going to try, but she's not exactly happy with me right now."

"What do you mean?"

Charlie drained his glass and went into the whole story. Luke listened without saying a word until the redhead looked at him for an answer.

"I'm not sure, she's an interesting one. She's one of the kindest people I have ever met but she's also very strong willed and even more stubborn from what you've told me." Luke shook his head. "Do something romantic."

"I tried that, I made her dinner and she didn't even notice it."

"Something a little more out there then."

Leaving the bar Charlie went for a walk around the reserve. What kind of grand romantic gesture would Hermione Granger notice? And then he spotted it. A cluster of globe daisies near the trees, taking his wand and using it to cut through the stems carefully Charlie ran home with the bouquet.

Finding a glass and transforming it into a vase and filling it with water he carefully placed the flowers in it and scrawled a quick note. Leaving both on the desk in Hermione's room he decided to go out and get a new shirt for the party.