Authors Note: Thanks for all the support. this is the last real chapter followed by an epilogue

Lost in time

Chapter 14

The rest of the school year passes once again in relative peace and Harry is glad about it. The most exciting thing that happens is an accident during the Slytherin Gryffindor Quidditch game during which Draco gets hit by a bluddger to the head and has severe damage to his frontal lobe that he has to help healing. As feared Draco's infatuation only increases but luckily for Harry, Ginny is trying to snatch Draco since he got the wound protecting Ginny rather than catching the Snitch. Slytherin was furious with him at first but after getting 60 points from Professor Dumbledore for putting the safety of a student from a rivaling house over a win for his own house.

Draco seems to be glad about all the attention he gets from Harry while he heals him and the other students once he got all those points for his house. Even Ron stops making it so hard to be friendly towards Hermione and him and starts to like the blond boy for saving his sister. Draco does notice that he does however point out that it is not right to steal a friend's girl so often that Draco tells him to better get a move on and get the girl to make sure no one else will. He does however tell Ron that his goals are a little higher than Hermione.

Once the school year ends Harry does invite Ron to one of his trips with Sirius and Hermione and Neville to one with Severus. Worried if Neville is okay with his former potions Professor but assuming that he's better than Bellatrix. Even after being claimed innocent it would be dreadfully awkward with both of them together.

By now everyone from the first 6 people that went out with Harry have brought one more person with them at least once. Charlie has been there a few times as has Bill. Narcissa has also been around a few times and Bellatrix seems intend to hook her up with a new lover since Lucius is in Azkaban. Tonks also brings some friends from the Auror division including Mad eye Moody who is joining multiple times to talk to Harry about defensive magic new and old. Even Dumbledore joins one night and Harry even makes sure to get a prank from the Weasley twins who own a shop.

He had made a deal with them at the start of their last year. If they can convince him that they did their level best to get good newts he would invest in a shop for them and everything else they need to get a joke shop started. By now they are earning enough to make him money.

The twins are also joining on some nights and Harry starts to love those nights even though so far he isn't dating anyone. He doesn't even notice anyone flirting with even though some of Tonk's friends as well as Charlie are trying their Luck. Charlie is the most discreet about it so it's not a surprise Harry doesn't notice anything.

But to everyone's amusement Charlie is the first to talk Harry into going out with him, even if just for a friendly shopping trip and maybe a butterbeer or firewhiskey afterwards. Still, everyone that is by now trying to hook Harry up with someone is glad that he at least goes out even if he's being an ignorant dunderhead while doing so.

Another few years later Harry finally suggests that everyone meets up for his thirties birthday. Not just the different groups but all of them and even says that he really doesn't give a damn if there's some kissing between the couples because he's not going to be the only single there anyway. He even plans on inviting Dudley after spending the whole Saturday with him and showing Basily to him as well.

They are all excited that Harry finally wants to celebrate his birthday rather than hide for the whole day. Harry picks up Dudley, by now writing him with Hedwig on occasion and getting a letter back whenever he send one to him. Petunia and Vernon still to forbid Dudley from going anywhere with Harry but the young man doesn't give a damn what his parents say anymore and rather looks up to his supposedly younger but now older cousin for advise and is glad to go for a trip with him.

Harry first goes to Hogwarts with him to show him the grounds and the giant squid before going inside and show him the portraits of Merlin, Salazar, Godric, Helga and Rowena before he shows him the rest of the castle including the moving stairs and his own rooms. He also already introduces him to Severus before taking Dudley down through Myrtles bathroom after a quick, for Dudley shocking, chat with Myrtle who is a little miffed that Tom had admitted to have been in love with her at the time but isn't anymore. She does However make Dudley a similar offer then she had done for Harry the first time he went down.

For a moment Harry worried Dudley wouldn't go down afraid that he has to stay with her should the Basilisk accidently kill him. Harry has to promise him multiple times that he won't let anything happen to him and even if something does happen that he can't save him from he won't have to be a ghost and even if he does by whatever miracle become a ghost, which Harry insists isn't really an option for Muggles, he wouldn't have to stay with her!

Once they are down Basily is similarly weary about him as she had been with Severus whom she likes by now. Harry shows Dudley everything down there before he leaves and takes him to diagon ally where they go to Gringotts to have a look at Excalibur and some of Harry's other treasures. Dudley is particularly amused by the fact that a dragon is within sight of the vaults entrance so he can actually see one for real and not just on the picture Harry had sent him. He does feel sorry for him once Harry explains why the dragon is so white and has so many wounds.

Once that is done Harry shows him around including the twins shop. At the end they are getting changes for the party at the twin's apartment above their shop and then go to it with the twins. Harry really enjoys the party and talks with Charlie, Dudley and Draco about the dragon in Gringotts as well as other topics. Draco is still flirting a little towards the start but in the end getting along rather well with Dudley and after about three hours they are talking about wrestling, which Draco doubts would to anything for his hair and nails, and other muggle sports as well as TV which seems to fascinate Draco from the things Dudley tells him and Draco starts to literally pester the other blond for more movie descriptions.

Harry is rather amused but grateful that Draco is distracted form the flirting. He has only invited him because he has invited Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda and thought that since Andromeda's daughter is there he should include Narcissa's child Draco.

The night goes on and everyone is getting slightly drunk but not too much and some couples start to dance and eventually Harry even sees his cousin dance with Draco and is slightly shocked to say the least. He is glad that Remus is dating Tonks and getting over his worry about being a werewolf at least for now and Harry is getting closer to healing it but not ready to test anything on a living person yet, so far it's only theoretically and it might take another few years before he could even attempt to do anything since he fears to end up harming people like Slughorn has.

Towards the end he is nearly shocked when he sees Draco actually still talking with Dudley and isn't sure if he should be glad to have gotten Draco of his back or worried for his cousin to be stuck with him, or worse, have Draco just try to find out more about Harry that way. He watches them for a while until he feels arms move around him and hears a voice ask, "Don't tell me you're actually jealous about Malfoy talking with someone else?"

Harry looks around and sees Charlie. He smiles, "Not in this life, just a little worried about Dudley."

"Didn't the boy brag about being a box champion in his school and such?" Charlie asks, "I think he can deal with Malfoy well enough for a night and if not you can still help should he really need it, if possible tomorrow. But tonight you're not supposed to worry, you are supposed to enjoy yourself."

"I am enjoying myself." Harry mumbles with a sad smile, "More than I thought possible a few years ago."

"Harry my dear." Charlie says in a chiding voice, "You're allowed to miss everyone from the past, you're also allowed to never stop loving either of them and you're even allowed to stay single indefinitely but if you think that I'll let you get sad tonight you're mistaken." Having said that Charlie suddenly starts to tickle him.

"Stop please." Harry bursts forth between laughter "I do everything you want just stop."

"That's more like it." Charlie replies and stops to tickle the man and just grins at him, "Now dance with me."

"I can't dance." Harry immediately replies.

"Then step on my feet if you must." Charlie insists, "But you just said you'd do what I want if I stop and guess what, I stopped."

"Fine." Harry grumbles, "But don't complain to me when your feet hurt."

"Don't worry." Charlie grins, "I'll complain to Dumbledore who will probably make sure you learn to dance before the next party."

"And here I thought you're nice." Harry grins but goes to the dance floor with Charlie.

The red head just pulls Harry closer and whispers, "Did you never dance with Salazar?"

"He couldn't either." Harry grins, "We even managed to avoid really dancing on our wedding and just stood around and swayed a little."

Charlie grins and then lifts Harry a little bit with his strong toned arms and starts to twirl him around before saying, "See, you're doing better than that already."

"You're crazy." Harry grins after his feet hit the ground again.

"Of course," Charlie replies, "Where would be the fun in being normal?"

"And where is the fun in being crazy?" Harry questions grinning.

"Getting you to smile with it is one perk of being crazy and trust me, life is a lot less boring if you're a little out there." Charlie replies grinning.

Harry just chuckles when he's once again twirled around, "Put me down." He still insists.

"And what will I get if I put you down" Charlie questions.

"I don't know." Harry grins still being held up and moved around, "What do you want?"

Charlie puts him down again and looks deep into his eyes whispering, "Something I'm starting to doubt that I'll ever get it."

Harry blushes a little seeing the intensity in the other's eyes. "And what would that be?"

"A kiss." Charlie replies and looks deeply into the eyes of the blushing man.

"A….a kiss?" Harry asks surprised. "But, why would you want that?"

"Because I care about you. Deeply." Charlie replies. "I've been around you the last few years whenever I could and by the way, I moved to London so I could be closer to you. And it's okay if you don't love me, I know I'm no Salazar Slytherin, and even with that burn scar he's hotter on that damn painting then I'll ever be. But please, just let me be around you."

Harry blushes and isn't sure what to do when Charlie suddenly lifts him yet again to spin him around saying, "I won't stop until you smile again."

"Stop you win already but stop." Harry laughs and then smiles at the red head and says, "I never cared how he looked, not really."

"Yeah right." Charlie replies, "Everyone says that but most still go for looks. Doesn't matter, I'll like you even when you start dating Draco Malfoy."

"Why should I start dating him?" Harry wonders and can't help but grin a little at the other man that is still moving him over the dance floor even though the first song ended and another started and Harry only had to do one dance. But he strangely enjoys being moved around in his arms. So far he hadn't even stepped on his feet which is a miracle in itself and Harry even feels sort of like it might look like he knows what he's doing since Charlie is moving him expertly over the dance floor.

"Look at him," Charlie says, "He's a bloody Adonis and probably the only one nearly as sexy as you. Too bad that he's not nearly as nice as you're. I just hope that he won't hurt you."

Harry grins, "I already told him that his chances are non-existing. I don't love him and I doubt he really loves me. But while where at that. Why do you complain about people going for the looks when all you talk about is that?"

"Because you are bloody hot and that is rather distracting especially when I'm holding you in my arms." Charlie explains looking deeply into Harry's eyes. "But that only made me want to screw you. What makes me love you is the way your smile can light up a room and how everyone you really touch wants to protect you and help you. You are strong and caring but can also be so very vulnerable because you hardly ever fight for yourself and only see others and sometimes seem to give more than 100% leaving yourself drained and exhausted. All I want is to make sure that you're okay. I want to take care of you and protect you from your own foolishness before you give too much." Harry blushes and is speechless until Charlie adds, "Do I have to spin you around again to make you smile again.

Harry grins a little with a gentle look in his eyes and says, "No, just hold me." After that he actually cuddles against the taller red head and sighs, maybe he could be ready to date again after all and decides to enjoy the dance to the fullest.

Charlie is surprised but holds him close and mumbles "There's nothing I'd rather do."

"Not even kiss me?" Harry teases a little and looks back into his eyes with a playful grin.

"I rather make you happy then get what I want." Charlie replies.

Harry blushes even more then before and mumbles, "Maybe a kiss would make me happy?"

Charlie looks surprised and even falters in the dance for a moment. He doesn't bother to start again and rather slowly moves his face closer, watching Harry's face intently to see if he changes his mind and moves away. Harry doesn't however and just closes his eyes once Charlie's lips are close. Charlie can hardly believe his luck when their lips touch and immediately starts to gently nibble on Harry's bottom lip hoping that he can deepen the kiss further and is unbelievably glad when Harry responds to the kiss and opens his lips a little. Just enough for Charlie's tongue to explore his mouth.

The kiss seems to go on forever to Harry who can feel his heart beat increase and his skin crawl while his knees feel shaky. When the kiss stops Harry just looks into his eyes and mumbles "That was….wow."

Charlie grins a little but then mumbles, "I just hope that you didn't drink more than I think you drank."

"I didn't" Harry grins, "But I'm not sure if I'm really over Sal. I don't know if this can work out."

"You don't have to be over him." Charlie says calmingly. "I know that you'll probably never really be over him and that's fine. You love him and you'll never stop and that's fine. I just want you happy Harry and if you can manage to find a tiny corner in your heart that is just for me then I don't mind to share the rest with his memory." Harry smiles a little and Charlie gives him another little kiss before saying, "I wouldn't want you to stop loving me if I were in his place. Don't get me wrong, I'd want you to be happy and even to find someone that can make you happy but I wouldn't be happy if you stopped loving me over that person."

Harry can feel tears in his eyes and still smiles. He has no idea what to say and just cuddles into the others strong chest and looks around the room a little to see if anyone noticed their little moment. He blushes even more once he can actually see the whole room stare at them. Most smile happily while Draco frowns a little. Harry notices however how Dudley quickly draws the blond's attention back to himself and talks to him. Severus smiles as well and is actually glad to finally see Harry happy again while Tom is just glad that Harry never tried to get Severus and is now even less likely to ever fall for the dark haired potions professor.

The rest of the night Charlie makes sure to be around Harry and talk to him whenever he can and even asks him out for a date and this time, he dares to call it a date.

Harry is still worried at first sine Charlie moved and all and worries that he'll be unhappy and want to return to Romania. He's not sure if he'll ever feel comfortable leaving the school, that he helped build in the past and that was the dream of his husband even before they meet, to anyone else for the rest of his life. Charlie managed to reassure the man that he enjoys his new job in a magical zoo and even suggests to go there for their first official date and that he can show him all the amazing animals that he'll be working with and that there is even a dragon, a small kind but a dragon is a dragon.

Dudley talks to him later too insisting that Harry will have to invite him more often particularly when that hot blond wizard is around.

Authors Note: Finally we Harry has his happy ending! He has a new boyfriend and everyone seems to be happy. The epilogue will show a little more of what is to come in their future.

ZodiacsKlaroline it's not a Harry Draco story because I asked in another story for preferences and most wanted a Charlie Harry so I went with it since I also liked that for a change.